Mr. William Wheelers case from his own relation

Mr. William Wheelers case from his own relation

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Mr. William Wheelers Case from his own Relation.

Mr. William Wheelers Case from his own Relation.

[Page]

HAving been imployed in Norfolke, Suffolke, and some other Countreys, as Engineer for Sea-breaches, drayning of Fennes, Architecture, Plantations, &c. I found that the Name of a Traveller, and the forrein acquisition of skill did adde that credit and repute to Artists, which no Native is allowed in his own Countrey amongst his own kindred, and acquaintance: whereupon I took the resolution to imbarke for Holland, and there either to improve my abilities, or the value of my abilities by conversing with strangers.

Being arriv'd there about Christmas, 1638. I spent some time in passing from place to place, viewing the Mills and Water-works of that Countrey, and it soon appear'd to me, that there were great defects therein, which I (God assisting me) by my own inventions was able to alter, and amend to the exceeding benefit, and profit of the States. By the advise therefore and assistance of Sir William Boswell (to whom I addressed my self first, as being His Majesties Resident in those parts) I made Propositions to the States Generall with some overtures of my particular Inventions, and did refer the same to ocular demonstrations, and publick experiments. The Propositions were entertained, and proofs by Plots, and Models were demanded; but because the benefit of my undertakings would arise to so vast a revenue, if I could accomplish them (as was obvious to every common understanding primâ facie) therefore I was the more distrusted. The heads of my Propositions were: To Draine; or to Drowne Lands; to raise great waters to reasonable heights, from three Foot to six, &c. to raise reasonable quantities of water to great heights, and both these, [Page] cheaper by one half then before, and double in quantities, if not more. Likewise to bore Timber with a wooden Augur, bigger and cheaper: to put and drive great piles into the ground without beetles, or the usuall moliminous Instruments of contusion. And lastly, to raise, and carrie from place to place all ponderous weights more easie, and cheap, then had ever been yet discovered.

Within the space of half a yeer some small Models were perfected, and view'd by three of the States Generall at the L. Rippedays House (He being one of the said 3 Commissioners appointed for that purpose) and publick approbation was given thereunto. In June, 1639. I had a Patent granted by the States Generall for the putting in execution, and for the sole usage of those my Inventions for twelve yeers: and in July following I obtained an other speciall grant of the same from the States of Holland, and West-Freisland. After this I began to frame bigger and larger Engines, and in September following, I gave proofs of their efficacie, and operation in publick, at the Hague; and then it was manifest, that as the Models did more then answer my promises, so the Engines did more then answer that which was expected from the Models.

The Prince of Aurange upon a sight of my Models graced me with a present of 20 guilders to buy me a payre of gloves; and afterwards when the force of my Engines was openly tryed at the Hague, the States Generall gave me 400 guilders as a testimony of their liking, and allowance. My Engines were various, of severall fashions, and for severall uses, so framed that they were easily portable, and removable from place to place, readily to be erected any where in a little time. One of these Engines tryed its efficacy upon a Graft or Mote at the Hague in the presence of divers of the States Generall, as also of Holland and West-Freisland, and the Lords of Leydon having severall Artists with them out of severall other Towns, and at that time it carried a thousand barrels an houre being moved onely by the hand of one or 2 men raising the water to 2 foot or more, and greatly satisfying all spectators.

For my further encouragement also in Jan. 1641, my Patents were renewed from 12 yeers, and a prolongation to 18 was [Page] granted; and the words did mention that the Inventions were new, never before practised by any, and that they were of publick benefit, and therupon a greater penalty was added against all such as should trespasse upon me by imitating, or using the same to my prejudice without my leave. But presently upon this the seene began to change with me; for whilest I was uncredited, I was below envy, and so I found offices of friendship from many, and no ill offices from any; but as soon as I had attained to any belief, and so to eminencie, by abiding the test, both my skill, and the incredible advantages which seemed to attend the same, drew upon me infinite enmities, and oppositions. This neverthelesse I must observe, that my chiefest adversaries were such, as were my own Countreymen, such as I expected most friendship from, such as I had most intrusted, or most ingaged (as I thought) by my service, and credence, and so by consequence had most power and opportunitie to undo me. And that I may not asperse any unjustly, this shall be a particular account to the world, what Sir Rob. Honywood, Sir Will. Boswell, Mr. Gwyn his Secretary (and some others his servants) what Palmer my Sollicitor, Robinson my man, one Horne the Fabrick of Leydon, but of English extraction; as also one Sasse a game-keeper to the Prince of Aurange, with divers other under-instruments have done to ruine me, hoping to wrest out of my hands thereby either the Honor, or the profit of my performances.

The first mischief which encountred me in the heat of action, whilest I was industriously pursuing my infant contrivances was this: As I was one Evening going home to my lodging in the company of Cap. Lucas, upon the Spie-bridge I was assaulted by two of the Prince of Auranges servants (and some others of his guards) and others about 20 in all, and in this unexpected fray Cap. Lucas had two deep cuts in the head, I had one stob in my body, and by the same lost the use of my left arme, never to be recover'd, both of us were left for dead upon the place, and for nine dayes after, there was no hopes of life in me. The assaylants fled presently to Colenbury for sanctuary, and those of them which were the Princes servants, as soon as his Highnesse had notice thereof by the beating of a Drumme [Page] were sommon'd home, and very nobly satisfaction was orderd to us; but after 18 moneths suite in that cause (though the delinquents were condemned both in the Hagues Court, and the Court of Holland) and 3000 guilders were particularly adjudged for my dammage, yet I could recover nothing, but lost my time, spent my money, and became daily further intangled in more and more troubles, and contestations. Whilest I lay in the greatest extremitie of my hurts, not able to take any order for my affairs, the afore-named S [...]sse, of whom I had rented some roomes for my Engines, and Works, sent to me for such an exacted summe of money, or else to throw my Engines, and Works out of doore. I was not able at that time to procure the money, Sir Will. Boswell denied me the loan of 5. li. to prevent this mischief, though formerly upon my Bond He had done greater courtesies, and so my Works were broken, thrown out, and exposed to the view of all men.

These troubles also brought me into the acquaintance of Sylvester, and one Palmer, who undertook as my Sollicitor, but secretly were Traytors to my proceedings, and such as underhand wrought my over-throw many severall wayes long before I began to suspect them.

The next potent adversary I had to grapple withall, was Horn the Surveyor or Fabrick of Leydon; and He being present at the Hague with my Engines were first proved before the Lords of Leydon, and many other of the States, and by some secrets which I had communicated to Him, and by the help of some of my workmen, whom He had inveigled to his service had most opportunitie to stand in competition with me; for I was not onely overcome by his insinuations at first, and won to some confidence in his friendship, but also I was necessitated to lay my Art the more open to him, and some other Fabricks, upon whose judgements the States relied, that by satisfying them, I might convay satisfaction to those which imployed them. I was now therefore put to a vexatious, and expencefull triall before the Lords of Leydon, after all my former experiments in publick, and my severall Octroys granted thereupon, to evince again the noveltie, raritie, and commoditie of my Frames, and Mils: and by this means I was forced to send to [Page] divers places for attestation, and for some Forms, and Works, which at last by a double operation visibly disproved Hornes pretences, and in the judgement of all gave me the victory.

Neverthelesse Horne would not so desist at Leydon, but in opposition to my Patents, did make use of my Inventions, whereupon I brought my Action upon my Octroyes, and at last though with much difficulty, did overthrow him, and get for damages 1500 li. which R [...]binson my man compounded without my privity and consent for 300 guilders in part. This placed me above all open attempts, or controversies in Law, but the more I was secured by publick Justice, the more I was envied, and made the mark of treacherous conspiracies.

In all places I had quarrels urged upon me, at all times I found snares spread for me; eleven severall bargains I had made for the erecting of my Mills in eleven severall places, but all were frustrated by letters sent from the Hague, directed by I know not whom: and now as these disasters had brought me into great wants, so my extreme wants ingaged me still further into many worse disasters.

One maine disadvantage that my indigence brought me into was the acquaintance of Robinson▪ who by accommodating me with some moneys (yet payed after) in my necessities, and making himself officious to me when my fortunes were lowe, got into my service, and good opinion, and by that means after proved a fatall traytor both to me, and all my designes. This fellow held correspondence with Palmer, & both of them incited Sir William Boswell against me, and by the correspondence which they both held with Sir Will. Boswell, and all the rest of my enemies I found my self every way surrounded, and cut off from all escape.

Robinsons part was, to discover my Art, to practise it himself, to reveal it to others, to grant Licences without my knowledge to my prejudice, to compound with defaulters without my leave to my losse, to impute his own failings to the imperfection of my Works, to combine with my greatest Adversaries.

Palmers part was, to confound me in matters of Law, to cast me in all Courts of Justice, and particularly to create new enemies, as Sir Will. Boswell amongst the States, and Sir Reb. Honywood [Page] at the Queen of Bohemias Court. He had failed in England of a monopolizing Patent for steele, and therefore he depended now upon his shifts beyond the Seas, and was a profest Enemy to all men more ingenious then himself.

One Mr. Hobart (to my knowledge) made a new Proposition in Holland for brewing, baking, &c. without smoke, and with lesse expence of fuell, &c. and had prospered in his fair, beneficiall designe had not this Palmer enviously quash't his proceedings. With the same impudence also He came to me, and told me, that I sought to ingrosse too vast a revenue: and that if I would admit Him to partake, I should prevail: otherwise not. His jeer was this, Mr. Wheeler; I can stop your wheels at my discretion: if I say to Sir Will. Boswell they shall move on, they shall: if I say, He shall forbid them to move, they shall not dare to stir.

Sir Ro. Honywoods part was, to exclude me of all favour at Court, and therefore divers times He commanded me to avoid the presence, and once He set 2 Irish Halberdeers of the Queens guard to fall upon me, who accordingly did not onely deny me accesse, but also tore me by the haire of the head, and this they confest they did by Sir Rob. Honywoods command. He became also an adventurer with Robinson and Palmer, and did disburse (as I have heard) 140 li. in assayes, and trying to bring some Works (begun by me) to perfection, but all proved frustrate, and successelesse.

But the most powerfull of all those aspects which boded ill to my fortunes was Sir Will. Boswell; and as (I am confident) without his concurrence all my other opposites could not have so far opprest me; so without their instigations, He would not (I perswade my self) have entertained any thoughts of ill towards me. Howsoever long it was before I could be induced to think, that Sir Will. Boswell had ends upon me, much lesse such extreamly avaritious ends, such as nothing but my utter ruine could satisfie. But my eyes were by degrees opened; for first I perceived He gave too much care ta my worst enemies, and then in the Patent for England which He procured for me I saw He had put in his servant Cropleys name, and that device (besides other competent rewards) cost me 50 li. to compound. A [Page] Patent likewise for Ireland was promist me, but I have it not, and I hear tis granted in Sir Williams own Name, and reserved for his own use: lastly, my Patent for Holstein, and Denmarke, is still deteined in his own hands. I found moreover that by some dangerous questions put to me at some times about my pedigree, He was not without some aymes of having my life at his mercy by the stroke of the Law, if need were. My necessities made me upon an occasion become a suiter to Him for the loan of some moneys, but the conditions proposed by Him were strangely rigorous, insomuch that in a jesting manner I askt Him, if He were good at drilling. Hereupon He grew much inraged, and causing His servants to lay violent hands upon me, He disarm'd me first, and then broke my head to the skull, spurned me with his foot, and offered divers other ignoble indignities to me in his own House. About that time also I was reduced to so pinching extremities, that for 25 dayes (besides Gods infinite mercy) I had no more then 10 Stivers to preserve me from famishing: and which way soever I turned my self for relief I found my way blockt up with difficulties, so evill an eye there was over me, that I was prevented of Trust, nay my very pawns were refused, and could not be taken. Farre was I now from proceeding in my Fabricks; those Mils and Frames, which I had begun, and perfected with great trouble, and expence, I could not keep: after my goods and materials had been part broken, part stome, part thrown into the streets by the exaction of Sasse, when Sir Wil. Boswell refused me 5 li. to save them, I had built a place my self in a peece of ground belonging to one of the Lords in the Town, thinking to secure my Engins, & Utensils from further violence, but the place was soon broken open, the boards were taken away, the Mils were spoiled, and no remedie could be procured. My fortune was also to take two of the theeves in the manner, whereupon with my sword in the scabbord I strooke them, not knowing how to bring them to condigne punishment: but they presently escaped from me, and scarce any thing ever proved more mischievous in the event then this revenge of mine so taken upon them: for not long after as I was walking in the backside of the Town, by the Moat that runs by the Princes garden, being alone and unarm'd, I [Page] was incountred by the same two Theeves (as I conceive) and about 8 more, who with spades and shovels and other weapons fell upon me and cruelly wounded me, so that to save my life I was inforced to take the Moat and to dive to the bottome for brickbats to defend my self.

At my rising out of the water one of the Princes Fishermen (who had been a ring-leader before in the other fray upon the Spie-bridge at that time when I was wounded with Cap. Lucas) took hold of my haire and kept me down in the water, under his boat untill I was almost spent; and then pluckt me out half dead, as if He had been courteous in saving me. Being drawn out so wet in a cold season, and so hurt, by the help of Robinson, who then appear'd, I got ho [...]e to his house not farre distant from the place, and there shifted my cloths. But the said Robinson and his wife by that opportunitie got my keyes out of my pockets, went to my lodging, ransackt there my trunks, took away divers Models, and secrets of value, together with some attestations concerning my businesse, as also other writings, and an ancient pedigree of my Grandfathers, out of which they eraced divers names. Some of these they carried to Sir Wil. B [...]swell (for I have my self seen them since at his house) the rest they kept, or dispersed into divers parts of the Countrey, [...]s knowing that they were proofs to difference my works from other mens, and to manifest the noveltie, and rarity of my Inventions. For about a fortnight also during my abode in Robinsons house, whilest I was weak the house was much visited by some of the Queen of Englands Trayne, who were very desirous often to converse and drink with me, and I accordingly did severall times gratifie them with my company.

Amongst other conference they invited me to undertake the charge of an Engineer in the warre against the English Parliament, making me beleeve they did expect great and eminent service from me, if I would accept of imployment: and when I was not inclining thereunto, they endeavoured to divert me some other way, offering me imployment in Brabant, and solliciting me also much to turn my Religion. These propositions taking no effect with me, I found cause to suspect that the cups wherin I had drunk in their company had been secretly mixed [Page] with some veneficall or magicall ingredients, for I found my self strangely driven into fits of Lunacie, and not onely distempered, but also tortured both in body, and mind. My understanding neverthelesse did not wholly depart from me, and therefore I demanded my keyes of Rohinson, but could get no other answer, but that they were delivered to Sir Wil. Boswell. I desired then that a new lodging might be taken for me in some place more convenient, quiet, and neerer to my Works then my former was: wherein Robinson promist presently to accommodate me.

Upon this pretence He went forth, and at his return in the Evening He undertook to wait on me (having an other in his company) to my new taken chamber: but I suspecting no plot or treachery in Him was led into a Dulhouse or Bedlam. As soon as I had entred the chamber Robinson and the other stept suddenly out, and the doore was lockt, and bolted upon me, and I was there left alone inclosed to be treated as a man utterly mad, and raving. The place was solitary, and far from resort of people, and as I had no hopes of any help but by calling out a loud, so my loud calling or hollowing was interpreted as the symptome of my distraction. Seeing my self remedilesly thus lost to all the world, but such as had conspired my destruction, I betook my self to God, and submitted my self to be removed from roome to roome, and to be ordered in my diet, and other things as they pleased, and for nine moneths space the miseries of my martyrdome was exceeding sharp, and exquisite. Mr. Gwyn with other of Sir Wil. Boswels servants, and my man Robinson came upon visits often to me pretending to pitie my Lunacie, and to do charitable offices; but their common practise was to force potions upon me which my nature abhorr'd; and when I could not chuse but be reluctant to them, five or six at a time of them fell upon me with clubs, and staves, using inexpressible cruelties till I had drunk them off. After I had drunk their compositions I was possest after an unheard of manner, but these reasons make me think that what I did and suffered in my fits were not the effects of meer phrenzie, but some diabolicall art, and sorcerie: for first, My senses remained so with me, that I my self sensibly condoled my own condition: and held my self as a slave under those commands, which [Page] I would fain have disobeyed, but could not.

Secondly, I was never subject to the like ravings before that time, or since.

Thirdly, my yard did begin to be drawn up into my belly, my hands, limbes, and whole body was contracted, or benummed, or some way tortured, till I did act, and speak according to the commands which were upon me: the force thereof broke out of my flesh, brought my nails from my fingers, and almost my eyes out of my head, and this is not the operation of that, which Physitions call laesa Phantasia.

Fourthly, divers odious sents almost poysoned the roome to the taking away of my breath, and leaving me neer suffocated; as also divers spirits in antick forms appear'd to me in dances, and one in the likenesse of a Cat kept neer my roome, and for divers moneths removed not till I had acted all those parts over, as they thought fit. Some things I did as a Playstrer; some as a Bricklayer, some as an other Artist or Tradesman, doing all things in all Arts whatsoever: sometimes I was constrained to declare my Religion, sometimes my affection to that Countrey, and I could enjoy no quiet at all till I did obey in all.

Fifthly, these charms most especially inforced me either to discover the secrets of my Profession, and that ability and knowledge which was requisite to the finishing of my Works: or else to use violence to my self, by running my head against the wall, or otherwise. But in these two the mercy of God most admirably fortified me: so that I did conceal my chief skill, as knowing that then they would no longer let me live: and whereas they had fixed nayls in the wall purposely for me to beat my head against, I did knowingly avoid the same.

Sixthly, some things were done by my hand at that time which no mortall man naturally could do, much lesse could I being under lunacie, for when they had set paper and pen and inke beside me, I wrought half a quire of paper in an houre, and drew some Mathematicall lines without Instruments as exactly as if I had had Instruments.

Seventhly, whereas I was inforced to eat my own dung, and drink my own water, to sit stark naked in the bitterest frosty nights of Winter, and to take some purgations when my body was empty, and so could void nothing but blood upwards, and [Page] downwards, I yet overcame all these things, and came off with life which (I think) none could have done, that was not miraculously preserved, as well as diabolically tortured.

Nine wofull Moneths of Martyrdome were now run out, and yet the faculties of my memory and intellect were not wholly broken, though much weakned; and now Robinson and Palmer who during my imprisonment had conspired with Sir Robert Honywood to imitate my Works, and usurp them as their own, saw their skill failed, and their hopes frustrated therein. 140 li. or thereabouts had been disbursed by them in new assayes, and in trials to perfect some Works begun by me, and operate without me, but all would not do: and therefore t'was thought fit that I should be again inlarged, and incouraged to accomplish those things, which they could not. Some things therefore upon my release I did bring to expedition, and some Engines of my own which were of 100 guilders in their hands, I did make serviceable, and sold for a thousand guilders to an understanding Engineer, one Captain Flood, but I would not be induced to assist Robinson the Traytor in any of his Works, or such as belonged to his confederates. Being at liberty also I travell'd about in the Countrey to observe what imitations of my Works had been made, and I found that in divers places they had attempted, but not perfected the same, yet at Leydon and some other places by my Inventions, and the advantage of some of my Models taken out of my Trunks (as aforesaid) they had brought some Works to a good perfection, even to a double improvement of what they had been before. I was resolved therefore by one addresse more to Sir Will. Boswell to make one further attempt in the reviving of my businesse, and in order thereunto about March 1643. I put my self upon his friendly assistance as my utmost refuge, and desired his favour to procure 10000 guilders for me, but his conditions proposed were extreame, and rigorous, and no lesse then a totall forfeiture of all my fortunes was inwrapped in them. Hereupon I plainly perceived, it was absolutely impossible for me to grapple with so many disasters, conspiracies, injuries, necessities in a strange Countrey, having at Court, in the City, in the Countrey, every where malicious, subtle, perfidious Enemies to crush my hopes: and so in April following I set sail for England.

[Page] Since my arrivall here, I understand vast debts are in my absence charged upon me in Holland, the greatest part whereof were incurred by my sicknesses, or wrongfull imprisonment, or by Robinsons false accounts, (skores which He has wrongfully set upon my head) or by other mens unjust pretences, wherein I am condemned without being able to make defence, or wage Law. And now for these debts my Patent (taken from me when I was in the Dulhouse) & all my right is by publick Order sold, and disposed of as I hear. For a further prosecution also of so dejected a helples a man, lest I should hereafter recover breath, or strength to rise again, I am still pressed by Sir Wil. Boswell in his letters to Mr. Bullen here in Tower-street, and to others of his correspondoes: He still cuts me off from all hopes of future recrutes by disabling my credit, vilifying my Works, disparaging my abilities, and depraving my intentions.

This being my hard Case truly stated, and faithfully represented and since it appears hereby, that as my past sufferings have been beyond the strength of such a man as I am, so my future oppositions are likely to transcend all ordinary resistance: I make it my most humble submissive Request to the High and Mighty States, That they will by a publick, extraordinarie hand of Justice afford me a redresse, and support suitable to the nature of my unequall'd grievances. Two things I undertake to make sensibly demonstrable: 1. That the Water-works in the Netherlands have been exceedingly improved to the great publick advantage of the united Provinces by my discoveries, since the publishing of my Inventions in 1640. 2. That for the time to come, if due incouragement and means may be allowed me, I will (by Gods assistance) yet bring to further perfection, and doubly advance the same Water-works as they are already improved, and for a further addition also make a new discovery of some other Works, and Engines which shall be of rare use and service to the publick in experiments of an other nature. If these Overtures be thought worthy to be taken into consideration, I desire the Conditions and proceedings thereupon may be managed with sufficient caution on both parts: if these things seem of light credit, yet thus far I have strived to be true to my own honor, and to do right to a most honorable and faire Cause.

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Title statement

Mr. William Wheelers case from his own relation

Edition statement

1645

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Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2005-12 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A70873

ID [STC]

Wing P408

ID [STC]

ESTC R7646

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

11980856

ID [OCLC]

ocm 11980856

ID [VID]

51820

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A70873)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 51820)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 232:E25, no 8)

Source

— Mr. William Wheelers case from his own relation, Wheeler, William, 17th cent., Parker, Henry, 1604-1652..

Extent

12 p.

s.n.,. [London? :: 1645]. (Caption title.) (Attributed to Henry Parker. Cf. Wing and Halkett and Laing.) (Also attributed to William Wheeler, Civil engineer. Cf. BM.) (MS. note by Thomason: "By Hen. Parker, Esquire.") (Publication information from Thomason Coll.) (Reproduction of original in Thomason Collection, British Library.)

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