THat the ſaid Thomas Ducket, The Propoſers undertaking. by his great charge and ſtudy in Natures operation, hath (by Gods aſſiſtance) diſcovered ſeveral rich, and profitable Secrets, Arts and Myſteries, for the Improvement of all ſorts of Land, by deſtroying of all ſorts of Weeds, Traſh, Shrubs, and other Incumbrances, Raiſing of Waters, Creating of a new ſoil or manure; Together with more expeditions cheap and eaſie actions, and motions to perform the ſame; And likewiſe for the improvement of Leather of all ſorts, in excellency and perfection of Strength, Grain, and Colour, being deſigns of great honour and plenty for Engliſh People.

The Real performance of which Inventions, firſt as to Land,The reality of his inventions for land atteſted by many perſons of honour and quality. was teſtified by Certificates under the hands of many perſons of Honour and qualitie of ſeveral Counties unto you the Right Honourable Members of this preſent Parliament, not long before your Honours were diſturbed, being in April the 23. 1653. for before thoſe accidents, and alterations in State, your Petitioner did daily ſolicit the worthy and moſt renowned members of this Parliament then ſitting, that they would be pleas'd to peruſe and take into conſideration in the Houſe, the Bill he had prepared by Council learned in the Law, to be paſſed into an Act for improvement of Land. But multiplicity of State-affairs (as it ſeem'd) or elſe new inventions in theſe Septe • trional Countries ſeeming ſtrange,New inventions being a wond • r to the apprehenſion of ſome people hath been a chief remora. or elſe National Malediction did retard the ſettlement of ſuch good fortune, notwithſtanding the exact and clear deſcriptions of the particulars, and the confirmation of many honourable and worthy perſons as aforeſaid, who atteſted, and largely ſatisfied your Honours of the Propoſer's ability to perform his undertakings: yet nevertheleſſe your Honours not putting a diſpatch to ſo great a National advantage, occaſioned a doubtfulneſſe in the Propoſer, leſt his publick tenders, amongſt the generality of people, might be reflected on him as nothing but pretences; and that he were not able to ſet forth any additional thing that were rich, and good for improvement of Land, more than what former ages, and preſent time had, or have produced. And there upon the Pro • oſer, minding the good of his Native Country, and the honour of his own reputation, to avoid all jealouſies, miſtakes, and controverſies of any doubtful, captious perſons, who through their own imbecillity might conceit that what he had ſo held forth were but a ſuperficial ſhew, without any reality at all; or if he were a maſter of ſuch skill,No cauſe of neglecting ſo good a tender, for three reaſons. that then it was bottomed beyond the reach of ordinary underſtanding, and ſo deep, that it did require long conſid • ration, and State policie to diſcern the depth, ſcope and centre thereof; although the caſe is evident, clear, and void of all ſuſpition and controverſie, and would be ſpeedily embraced in any Southern Nation, for theſe three reaſons, viz.

Firſt, for that it cannot chooſe but be a univerſal benefit to any Nation.

Secondly, becauſe no Stateſman, nor any belonging to them, or any other perſon, ſhall be charged with any coſt, trouble, or damage, until he have a full knowledge, and poſſeſſion of the skill.

Thirdly, no perſon is, nor ſhall be compelled, without his eſpecial deſire and conſent, to make uſe of any of the ſaid Inventions, or to take a licenſe for that purpoſe, neither is any man to be reſtrained by vertue of ſuch an act, from making uſe of all, & all manner of courſes in husbandry, Arts and Myſteries, that have ever formerly been uſed, or are at this preſent in common uſe and practice, neither debarred of any of their accuſtomed exerciſes, but only of thoſe new diſcoveries, and additions to former practices, which are and ſhall be publiſhed and manifeſted.

Therefore to prevent theſe and ſuch doubts, ſuppoſitions, and other obſtructions, the Propoſer having long ſince by his ſtudies in the myſteries of Nature, acquired a moſt ſtrange, and unheard of ſecret, never before diſcovered, in this or former ages, which is of ſo high a degree of Conſequence, in richneſſe, and rarity of art,The Propoſer to convince all dubious minds, and to make known his ability in Land, did demonſtrate his skill in the myſtery of Leather. that for the convincing of all erroneous minds, thoughts and words, as to his ability in knowledge, He did by his new inventions, convert many ſcore of raw hides, and skins into leather, without Bark of Oaks, Aſh, or any other formerly uſed ingredients; as alſo did make leather of a more rich and profitable condition, than ever yet was known, by aſſiſting, and bettering of all former known practices, with new means, and additional ingredients, and liquors to be mixed and compounded with bark of Oaks, and all others formerly uſed, which is, and may be performed eaſier, ſpeedier, and with leſſe charge than formerly: which did, doth, and may demonſtrate his knowledge to be far more profound, and beyond the reach of all ſorts of Artificers, although they have been Maſters of ſuch practice as hath ever been by tradition uſed ſince this part of the world was civil • zed.

The excellent perfection which the Propoſer hath attained unto in the ſaid art and myſtery. The clearneſſe of the propoſers skill and ability.Yet notwithſtanding the higheſt degree of perfection that they have attain'd unto by their long practice, by way of embleme and pattern, to make an uncontradictable certainty in the judgement of all wiſe and judicious perſons, the Propoſer having atchieved the knowledge, did produce that moſt admirable Maſterpiece for all that are concerned in Leather, that thereby your Honours, and the world may know, that his reach and underſtanding in improvement of the fertility of all ſorts of lands, doth, and may in all likelyhood in the particulars of his intended diſcoveries, as much ſurmount the practice of any Actors, and Authors in Husbandry.

And upon theſe grounds the Propoſer took the pains to demonſtrate the great Myſtery for Leather, before he had any Act for the improvement of land: but if an Act for improvement of land had been granted, his actions had been ſo ſignificant to the purpoſe, beyond what is practiſed by others, as would have induced ſuch a full belief with your Honours, or any other ſupreme perſons authorized, that his own promiſe and aſſertion, would have ſupported his undertakings as to Leather, to be of ſuch current truth, that his pains in ſetting forth a demonſtration of tanning of Leather according to the new myſtery, might have been ſpared as a needleſſe impertinency.

The Propoſers good will to benefit his native Country, did cauſe him to neglect no opportunity to get a ſettlement of his buſineſſe.But the Propoſer obſerving the variety of minds, and tempers of people, and changes of government, with the like, did hold it neceſſary to make the world ſenſible of his abilities by thoſe actions, as aforeſaid, and then when he had created ſo good a belief, it had been a great want of prudence and good mind in the Propoſer, if he ſhould have neglected his addreſſes to any ſupreme Authority that next enſued your Honours. Firſt, in regard that he was ſtricken in yeares: Next, becauſe he had a great zeal to lend his aſſiſtance to help his own Native Countrey, before any forein Nation, and ſome other cauſes ſupported by the rule of diſcretion, occaſioned him in an elaborate way to make his addreſſes unto every ſort of ſupreme Authority, from the diſſolution of your Honours as aforeſaid until this preſent time; and that he might be more certain of gaining an authority for the exerciſing of what he ſo held forth, he firſt cleared all doubts and queries by ſignificant demonſtration of ſeveral parcels of Leather ſo tanned and tawed; and likewiſe by certificates thereupon from moſt of the chief Tanners, and other tradeſmen as to Leather, of ſeveral Counties in and about London, to his late Highneſſe Oliver Lord Protector, and his Council, and likewiſe to the Committee for trade, then in power, the which Committee by order ſummoned a numerous company of Tanners, and other tradeſmen as to Leather, to give their approbation, and teſtimony of the ſaid Leather, the which perſons ſo ſummoned, did not only under their hands, but likewiſe themſelves in perſon, affirm and teſtifie of the goodneſſe of the ſaid Leather, and of the ability of the ſaid Thomas Ducket to perform his undertakings, and of the great benefit that would ariſe thereby to the three Nations, and earneſtly requeſted a ſpeedy ſettlement of the premiſſes.

By the means of which proceedings,His late Highneſſe Oliver Lord Protector's grant of Patents. his late Highneſſe Oliver Lord Protector with his Council were ſo fully ſatisfied herein, that his Highneſſe forthwith granted the ſaid Thomas Ducket two ſeveral Patents for the ſole exerciſe and benefit of his ſaid inventions for improvement of Land and Leather for fourteen years; which upon conſideration, and peruſal by the ſaid Thomas Ducket's Counſel in the Law, they were found not to be of ſufficient power and validitie to make him a ſecure title, by reaſon of the multitude of the people he was to deal with, as to land, and certain Statutes, and eſpecially ſome Statutes as to Leather, prohibiting the uſe of any other liquors or ingredients, but Bark of Oaks, and other ingredients then in uſe, and limiting ſet times in Tannage; the maker of ſuch Statutes (by all likelihood) not imagining that any better way or invention could be found out, by the means whereof it proved this nations unhappineſs,Reaſons why the ſaid Patents were of no validity. to be ſuppreſſed, delayed, & hazarded in the hope of the accommodation of thoſe rich & precious benefits that might then ſpeedily have enſued by power of Broad-Seal Patents, if thoſe foreſaid old acts had not fruſtrated the progreſſe and exerciſe of the premiſes.

For although it fell out, that thoſe old barres in Law proved to be againſt the law of right and reaſon, yet nevertheleſſe there was no remedy to avoid the ſame, although it were to the daily loſſe and prejudice of the people, and muſt have ſo continued, until the errors of thoſe former Parliament lawes were through the prudence of ſome new Parliament-Magiſtrates, diſcerned, deſerted, and repealed, to make way for better opportunities, and then the Propoſer by a Parliamentary act impowred.

And upon theſe, and ſome other accounts and procraſtinations, the ſaid Thomas Ducket was in reaſon neceſſitated to forbear the diſcovery of his deſigned intentions, and ſo did untill there was a Parliament aſſembled at Weſtminſter, in September 1656. where then the Propoſer after addreſſing himſelf and his cauſe unto them, then after ſufficient debate, and through the virtue of ſeveral Certificates from many worthy Patriots conducing to land, as alſo the new teſtimony of his late Highneſſe Oliver Lord Protector and his Council, as to Land and Leather, as alſo the Certificate of the chiefeſt Tanners,The Tanners addreſſe and certificates to the Parliament and Committees for Trade, of the Propoſers ability and other tradeſmen as to Leather, recommended unto the ſaid Parliament, together wi • h the appearance of numerous companies of Tanners, and other dealers in Leather, at ſeveral times, did make their perſonal addreſſe unto the whole body of the houſe of Parliament in that behalf, and alſo when occaſion required did preſent themſelves at other times, unto ſeveral Committees of Parliament, and at laſt through very much inveterate trouble, perplexity, tediouſneſſe incident to Engliſh Proceedings; afterwards this enſuing report was made in anſwer to a grand Committee of that Parliament, by power of an Order granted by them unto a Sub-Committee, the words being thus returned, viz.

The bills likewiſe prepared by the ſaid Commi tee. Sir Henry Pickering ordered to move it in the houſe.After the return of this report from the Sub-Committee unto the Grand Committee, together with the two bills for Land and Leather, as they were prepared and made fit to be enacted, it was then reſolved, and ſo ordered by that Grand Committee, that the then Henry Pickering Eſq now Henry Pickering Knight, one of the Sub-Committees (whoſe name is unto the ſaid report) ſhould with all convenient ſpeed, wait the Houſe daily for an opportunity, and there to move the Right Honourable Speaker Sir Thomas Widdringto • , to give way for the publication of thoſe bills ſo prepared; and the ſaid Honourable Speaker was made acquainted therewith, who was very writing to give way to the ſaid Sir Henry Pickerings motion, in cauſing the bills to be read, and he in his loyalty and goodneſs to the Wealpublick (being well ſatisfied of the propoſers ability, and the great advantage that hereby might ariſe to the Nation) was contented to aſſiſt thoſe proceedings; and rather then the buſineſs ſhould receive any delay by the motion of Sir Henry Pickering, he was honourably pleaſed that thoſe bills ſhould be moved as private bills by himſelf;Cauſe why the buſineſs was not ſetled. but juſt at the time when moſt of the Members were acquainted with theſe Proceedings, and were in a readineſs to give audience as to a ſettlement, then it ſo pleaſed God that the ſaid Thomas Ducket was viſited with ſickneſſe, ſo that he could not attend the Houſe, but was forced to let his buſineſs lye dormant and proceed no farther; in which time of his ſickneſſe, the Parliament was firſt adjourned, and after their next ſitting ſuddainly diſſolved; And now through providence your Honours (with whom were my firſt proceedings and addre • es) being reinveſted with the Power and Authority, from whence this Nation may receive thoſe fortunate ſucceſſes which are to be preſented by the Propoſer, who hath the good fate once more to make his Addreſſes to your Honours, although at preſent your Honours are full of publick employment,The deſigns are of ſo great worth that they merit the reſult of the Parliament, more than any other buſineſſe except the ſecurity of the Nation. yet the Propoſer well knowing (that ſetting aſide the ſecurity of the Nation) there is not any thing in the Houſe in agitation, that may better advance a flouriſhing plentie to your Honours and the people, than the entertainment of the premiſſes, which in the peircing eye of Prudence, is a moſt notable, pretious, publick buſineſs, and cannot be denied in the Reaſon, Judgement, and Wiſdom of your Honours, although this Nation is haunted with ſome injurious ignorant perſons, that will not ſtick to affirm it to be but a private buſineſs, in regard that the Owner, Founder, and Meſſenger of this myſtery, lays claim (according to the Law of Nations) to be gratified for fourteen years with ſome ſmall diminutive reward; whoſe penurious unworthy condition'd language,Sordid Calumniations by Detractors. or cuſtomary equivocation to quibble this Land out of a Succeſs and Character, muſt needs conſiſt of a peſtiferous malediction to all ingenuity, inſomuch that they do endeavour to blaſt the glorious Law of National requital of laborious Maſters in profitable new diſcoveries, with the odium of Monopolies,And other Cavillations. unleſs that ſuch invertors of rich enterpriſes and high diſcoveries, do give the honour and profit thereof, unto the Members of State, and be content to ſtand unto their reverſion; and queſtionleſs there are many, that will whiſper ſome great m • n to that purpoſe, although thoſe ſo whiſpered cannot but diſcern, that they, with thoſe pickthank Flatteries, would fain allure Magiſtracy, into a Monopolizing thoſe atchievments which they never ſought nor ſweat for. And if your Honours do by Argument and Reaſon contradict thoſe Motioners, as to a courſe improper, yet they, or ſuch as they are, will ſtart ſome other quaery, ſaying, Why ſhould not the Inventor diſcloſe all his skill and manner of action, as well as demonſtration (unto ſome great Members of Parliament) in every particular,Reaſons that the Propoſers undertakings are not to be diſcovered to any Members of Parliament, or others, without a ſettlement firſt granted. before that he hath an Act paſſed? And that it were good policy in any Committee to urge and preſs the Propoſer home to that point. Now then, when any of your Honours do reply, (as queſtionleſs you may and will) That, if that the skill were made known to any Members of State, that then, they the ſaid Members are bound, by virtue of their truſt, to publiſh all politick profits to the Nation, without any impoſition of payment for any skill, that is before-hand made known, unto their repreſentative, who, by receiving ſuch intelligence from the Inventor, were thereby diſabled to make a Law to that effect: And that the Maſter of thoſe Myſteries may better diſpenſe with the breach of promiſe unto his particular;☜ than the whole Nation with the truſt repoſed in any of its Members.A diſcovery in reaſon not to be requested before the ſettlement. Again it may be anſwered (queſtionleſs) that the Propoſer will not yield unto any ſuch thing, in that the likelyhood of the profits of his diſcoveries, do farr ſurmount (as to the benefit of the Common-wealth) the valew of ten, twenty, or forty Gentlemens Eſtates, ſetting their places or power aſide: And again, that thoſe perſons that are ſtudious in any mental myſteries, and are of perfect knowledge therein, doubtleſs are ſo Judicious, that they will not deliver their principles to the poſſeſſion of others upon any ſuch uncertainties,The inconvenience that may ariſe to the Propoſer and others by making a diſcovery to any without an Act. nor will they be guided in any unſtable courſe, for fear of loſing their benefits, and making themſelves a ſimple Preſident to other Authors and Founders; neither will it become Members of State (in point of honour of the whole houſe) to motion any deſign unto the Propoſer concerning his inventions, wherein there were any doubt of hazard; and for him the Propoſer, to ſubmit to ſuch adventures, is too much below the Honour of a perſon ſo endowed.

And thus with trouble and woful experience, the Propoſer is able to Characterize the diſſerviceable part of thoſe puzzling Inc • ndiaries, that out of rancour will endeavour to foreſtall all good actions and intentions, whereby your Honours may eaſily diſcern, that their prating and practice hath a great affinity, with the skill and artifice of Achitophel; theſe their agitations plainly ſhewing, that ſuch perſons are none of thoſe godly wiſe men,What kind of perſons Detractors are, and from whence their natures are, and what is predominate over them, and what they are addicted to. who, as the Scripture ſaith, doe command the ſtars; For certainly, theſe wretches, for want of Grace, do permit malevolent planets to predominate over them, even to the naturalizing of their minds, to the love of miſchief to others, and the impoveriſhing of all but themſelves, they being owners of ſome ſmall heap of droſſie ſubſtance, ſo much as doth advance and ſupport them ſo to overlook other mens matters as to breed diſturbances, controverſies, and cruelties, or elſe they would not project, and monopolize ſo many inſolencies, to divert the Settlement of Plentie.

And certainly thoſe that have been adverſe to theſe proceedings are none of the wiſeſt, in ſeeking to hinder themſelves from the good ſucceſſe of profitable inventions atcheived by ingenuity; it may be they may be wittie, craftie, ſubtile, and inplacably politick, but yet want Judgement to diſcern, that there is no profit on the face of the earth, that taketh his firſt entrance of ſettlement, with ſo little charge and pains as new diſcovered myſteries; For in all ſea practices and proceedings, and all land affairs and actions, the events require charge, time, venture, loſſe and hazard,No perſon at one penny charge in ſetling the diſcovery but the Propoſer. ☞ and many times ill ſucceſſe doth croſſe thoſe enterpriſes: But in the entrance of theſe proceedings, to accommodate the Nation with knowledge, there is not one penny loſſe, not a ſheet of paper to any Clerk, nor fee to a ſubordinate Officer, but what muſt and ſhall be ſatisfied by the Propoſer, after that your Honours have breathed out the concluding vote of an Act for the eſtabliſhment.

It hath been reported, that Charls the fifth Emperour, and Philip of Spain called by his Subjects Philip the wiſe,☞ and other Monarchs great in wiſdome and power, ſaid, it was very fitting that if it did ſo fall out that any perſon relating to them, did pretend a new diſcovery of any new Art or Science, or profitable Manufactory, if it were tendred without a charge, or coſt at firſt entrance and entertainment thereof, that all ſuch affairs ſhould be lovingly embraced by all men of reaſon, firſt for avoyding the diſcouragement of induſtry, Secondly, for that if any one rarity of new skill, or but any part of a ſpecial skill prove current, feaſible, laudable, and profitable to a Common-wealth, then if one of twenty ſuch proffers did thrive effectually and proſperouſly, the trouble of Settlement was recompenſed more than an hundred times treble; yet this Propoſers deſigns being many, and ſeveral, and alſo viſible and perfect, to the eyes of ſence, and ears of underſtanding, and as freely proffered without any coſt as can be expected, have been retarded in the ſetling, by the means of ſuch perſons as have, and will, if they may be permitted and believed, ſtill endeavour to ſtupifie the ears of Authority with falſe pleadings, to the great loſſe and inconvenience of the people, and inſtead thereof gain the Nation a diſgrace, being a rhing very unreaſonable and ſhameful.

Now if theſe Emblems of the ſeditious and ſpightful blaſters of the bloſſoms and flowers of welfare, will not abate their croſſe reſolutions,A caution not to regard ſuch Calumniators. then may they range where they pleaſe, and ſow tares where they liſt, provided that your Honours will vouchſafe, to make it one of your principal buſineſſes to ſuperviſe the laborious works and producements of the Propoſer, with more eager conſpicuity than formerly, and then he is confident your Honours ſhall find his performances, to be a ſufficient antidote againſt the putrified Air of thoſe, by whoſe breath tares (as aforeſaid) and other weeds and land impediments would be continued and increaſed, if your Honours prevent it not,The Propoſer ſtands upon his credit and reputation in juſtification of his buſineſſe. ☜ and take hold of occaſion, and contemn ſuch peeviſh Criticks, in owning theſe propoſals as a publick buſineſs of Parliament, whoſe profitable effects to the Nation may well ſupport it with the true title of the ſame, although the Propoſer will not exclude himſelf, and the name of Duckets, of that Honour and ſhare that the Laws of God and Man affords them, which muſt be ſo if he would complie with an Ignoramus to himſelf and Friend, in diſclaiming a moderate ſatisfaction, which no way can ariſe unto him and them by any falſe, uncouth, ſiniſter, deluſion or evaſion, as will preſently be made manifeſt for ſatisfaction of your Honours, and for calming the boyſterous tempeſtuous winds of all that are envious, needie, greedy or factious, unleſs (the Author of all miſchief) be in it.

Certainly all oppoſites (though never ſo ill minded to others) would gladly have payment for any goods they ſell, and reciprocal returns for civilities,Every man will look 〈◊〉 a Reward 〈◊〉 what he d •• h ſell, or doe for any man. favours and Friendſhips, with a full recompence for any good ſervice, if they be of a capacity in any of theſe (as ſeldom they are) and according to that the Propoſer doth but expect to be reſpected with ſome little and mean requital, farr beneath the deſert of his great ſervice to the Commonwealth, in which Proceedings no man can be jealous of any falſhood, whereby he might delude, and draw the Nation to raiſe him a profit farr tranſcending the benefit of his diſcoveries during the fourteen years; for if his deſigns are of little conſequence, ſmall profit, and hardly of any uſe, then hath he with diſgrace loſt all his former time, and charge, yet none but himſelf damnifi • d. And if they prove moderately profitable, and proſperouſly worthy of uſe,The Propoſers reward will be according to the merit of his deſigns. and of ſome ſufficient benefit, then will the ſhape, ſize, and quantity of his reward be ſuitable according to the beneficial aſſiſtance the Weal-publick receiveth. But if his deſigned diſcoveries ſhould prove to be of a moſt vaſt valew in additional honour to your Honours, and a wealthy proſperity to the Commonwealth, then by a true rule of proportion, a fair and fitting well-deſerved honour,If his deſigns prove ſuc ••• efull and good his 〈…〉 ought 〈…〉 according • y. and large recompence the Propoſer doth conceive himſelf (againſt the World) to be a meritorious deſerver of. And if the numerous ſmall compoſitions for Licences from all that make uſe of his diſcoveries ſhould ariſe to great ſums or Mulcts, yet in deſpight of contradiction the performer is a well deſerving owner thereof, and queſtionleſs will ſhew himſelf as able in diſtribution of what he hath gained, upon charitable good wayes and uſes,The 〈…〉 as he was induſtrious in atchieving and accompliſhing the poſſeſſion of the ſame; for who doth know but that he is naturally addicted unto the relief of the poorer ſort, and the practice of laudable actions therewith in ſome eminent degree of Religious pious charity, ſuch as may be as great a preſident in good works, and gratious liberality, as he hath been ſtudious in advancing welfare and plentie.

A strange caſe that ſuch wealthy deſigns ſhould be retarded by detracting ſelf-ended people. The Propoſer will not ſubject himſelf to any diſgrace, to be a diſcouragement to ingenious perſons for the future. The P • opoſers good will to benefit his Native Countrey demonſtrated by keeping ſo long his ſecrets undiſcovered to forein Nations. The Propoſers ſtudies and natural inclinations conſidered, why may not God bleſſe this Nation as well as others to breed a perſon of remarkable parts fit perpetually to be m • morized?Is it not then ſtrange that upon theſe weak barres of perſons indigent in diſcretion, or the like incidences, or Epitomies of envy and wretchedneſſe as are afore deſcribed, that the Propoſers deſignes might then be raiſed to the high name of a ſpecial publick buſineſſe, and not otherwiſe? This is very rigid in thoſe that would endeavour to have your Honours adhere therewith, but muſt neceſſarily be a great debaſing of the Propoſers diſcretion, and very much beneath any Naturaliſt that hath atchieved to perfection in ſmaller myſteries, and therefore he cannot ſubmit to ſuch an ignominie, without a foul ſcorn and diſdain therein to be guilty, as alſo by ſuch actions to become a diſcourager of any Academick, or other ingenuous perſons, who in this, or enſuing ages, ſhall, or may attain unto eminent knowledge in the myſteries of nature, or the like.

The P • opoſer hopeth, that he deſerveth better things than theſe intricacies of his native Countrey, in reference to his good intentions of their future proſperity, as alſo his care of their honour, they being ſo dilatory in the ſettlement of their own welfare. Yet hath the Propoſer hitherto had the patience not to ſend his diſcoveries into any other Nation, although often ſolicited to that purpoſe by ſeveral agents of thoſe forein parts, that would have raiſed thereby their own riches, and advanced their pleaſure in farther laughter and deriſion at the people of this Nation, for ſlighting and letting paſſe the opportunity of every new renowned enterprize.

For it hath been noted, that many nations and territories of the world have produced ſome perſons of ſingularity in all arts, ſciences, faculties and callings, and all derived from the Meridian of invention; the which illuſtrious excellence of perſons renowned, have adorned moſt part of the univerſe with the ſplendent glitter of glorious diſcoveries, their names and qualities needing no recital; for that no intelligible perſon is ignorant of their particular excellence, in Wiſdome and Knowledge; and ſeeing that it hath pleaſed God to bleſs other parts of the world with meſſengers of tranſcendent gifts, why then ſhould England be obnoxious to their own honour and profit in neglecting the employment of the Propoſer? whoſe intellectuals were ever naturally from the ſpring of his youth, addicted to the love of profitable rarities, and new inventions in the Theorick part of Elements and temperaments, and the methods of practice, with as much willingneſs to enrich his native Countrey, in reſembling former founders of high and mighty things. Yet with all humble obedience in his ſubmiſſive apprehenſion, he hath aimed and endeavoured at knowledge, with as much earneſtneſs and eagerneſs as to his undertakings are recited, with as faithfull intention, as any of thoſe ſurmounting perſons that acquired to much fame and glory to themſelves and their Native Countries. The which your honours may experimentally know by making uſe of the Propoſer, who is able to fill up the room and places left void and barren, with the fulneſs of skill, and better advantage in husbandry, and other myſteries and manufactories which were left at too low a gage of perfection by former diſcoverers; the which may by vertue of the Propoſers care be more perfectly eſtabliſhed and ſetled, and thereby as he hath had place, liberty and room left him for ſuch performance that others could not do: ſo when he ſhall have perfected what hitherto hath been left undone in the premiſes, he certainly then ſhall juſtly merit a place of remembrance in thoſe liſts and rolls in which learned Authors and Hiſtorians have recorded the honour and dignity of former renowned Diſcoverers, the which preferment is one of the guerdons deſired by Naturaliſts, they having felicity in fame beyond the poſſeſſion of Riches.

Now if theſe motives of truth and reaſon may occaſion theſe humble motions to be in ſome convenient time diſpatched and ſetled,The great honour and profit which the honourable Members of Parliament will attract by a ſpeedy ſettlement of the premiſes. then will your Honours be made famous with the glory of all thoſe proſperous agitations and deſcriptions, together with all ſort of ſatisfactions, which are at large deſcribed in this enſuing addreſſe; to the end that your Honours may be fully ſatisfied of thoſe rich land affairs, whoſe wealthy income will in many degrees ſurmount the indigency which this Nation is often incident unto; and the real aſſurance thereof will appear more evident by your Honours peruſal of this following deſcription, whereof this firſt part hath relation unto, which will in truth and reaſon outbear all miſconſtructions, ſordid ſuggeſtions and pretences, and all ſuch malign Incendiaries, as do, as aforeſaid, endeavour to divert the laudable intentions of the moſt renowned Magiſtrates,Any Honourable Member of Parliament may receive ample ſatisfaction in the premiſes in leſs than an houres time. from ſettlement of any great and publick good or benefit, which is like to enſue to the Commonwealth in general, and to the particular honour of thoſe who intend to be the chief promoters thereof, who may receive ample ſatisfaction by proof, as to Land, and experimental demonſtration as to Leather, arguments to oppoſition, and reſponſe to queries in all the aforeſaid paſſages in about an houres time, if cauſe there be that any Honourable Member require the ſame.

And now the Propoſer having given a ſufficient account of his proceedings, humbly craveth your Honours favour to ſpare a ſmall time in peruſal of what is hereafter to be ſaid; which queſtionleſſe will induce as great a willingneſſe in all worthy Patriots to countenance, and further a ſpeedy ſettlement of the premiſes, for the benefit of their reſpective Countries, as was performed by his late Highneſſe Oliver Lord Protector, and prudent Council, in their grant of Patents, as was before expreſsed. And by ſuch a ſettlement the Propoſer will be cleared of the Aſperſions of various cenſurers, who often make doubts and ſuggeſtions by reaſon of the Propoſers many expreſſions and writings, and that he hath been ſo long in performance of what he hath held forth;Reaſons why there hath hitherto been no performance of what is held forth. not conſidering that it was divers Alterations in State, Barrs in Old Lawes, Mortality of ſome gratious Friends to good works, Sickneſs in the Propoſer, and ſundry other procraſtinations, which hindred and delayed the proſecution, and actual performance of the premiſes, and not any failing, or diſability in the Propoſer, who hath followed his agitations with ſo much eagerneſs, that it hath ſtirred up many detractors, who out of envy to ſuch high undertakings, breath out trifling ſuſurrations againſt the Propoſers perſon and undertakings;Depravers objections anſwered. and others ambitious not to be outſtript in Ingenuity, or to ſee another mans increaſe of honour, expreſs and caſt forth ſtrange, and uncouth prevarications, with private emulations, that if not diſcerned, might corrode the hold this Nation might take of this preſent opportunity, in advancing their greater plenty, which they themſelves might live to ſee, after authority is granted to the Propoſer, and other Nations prevented in their hope of Englands declination thereof, as they have formerly done Columbus, and many other Miniſters of profit, which in this caſe would appear more ſtrange, for that the charge of acting, performing, publiſhing,☜ and giving poſſeſſion of the premiſes, will come clear to the Nation, without the coſt of one penny, and the charge incident to the ſettlement will be very little: and moreover the Propoſer will carry on his deſignes and undertakings, until they be clearly diſcovered, at his own charge; for he ſtands upon the points of his reputation, and juſt meaning in theſe particulars, and all others, as he hath done all his life time,The Propoſer renounces all bye ends or favour, other than a legal ſettlement. (if not miſtaken) and renounces all benefit from any perſon in the world, in reference to his undertakings, with as much deteſtation as is proper to the moſt worthy Obliging perſon in the world, or any favour, other than that Law of fourteen yeares privilege, for the Exerciſe of his Inventions, as is peculiar in ſuch Caſes, for the incouragement of all thoſe who by their Studies and Endeavours, have attained unto high and laudable diſcoveries in Elemental myſteries.

And as much as lies in the power of the Propoſer, touching himſelf and his deſigns, the people of this Nation ſhall not be guilty of the firſt preſident of ingratitude, and ſuppreſſion of any flouriſhing proſperity, which might illuſtrate the glory of this and other Nations: Therefore God forbid that the arguments of ſelf-ended and detracting perſons, or any ſuch that want parts to underſtand Myſteries; or vulgar wits, that love old cuſtomes or dull actions, more than profit; or ſpleeny Cynicks, who will ſpeak againſt all things, and like nothing but what they do themſelves; or any ſuch oppoſites, who may now make it their buſineſſe to obſtruct the Propoſers proceedings;What miſchief Depravers may do in a Nation. ſhould divert, and prevail with your Honours, to let ſuch an Emolument and Ornament of a Nation fall to the ground; eſpecially conſidering that Store can be no Sore, and that there is ſufficient need for profitable ſupply, and no want of lawfull power of prudent Magiſtrates; and under favour of your Honours, no lack of ſerenity or ability in the Propoſer, to give his Native Country the firſt Livery and Seiſin of thoſe rich inventions, wherewith he is indued. Neither are there any barres in Law, or any obſtacles to blind the Nation from the lively view thereof, but only the damp and foggy air ariſing from dulneſs, or the dark clouds of brow-bent malice, or the faithleſſe, fruitleſſe blaſtings of incredulity, or ſuch like ill-aſpected motions; unleſſe that any ſuch barking and bawling depravers, can face to face, before the Honourable Members of Parliament, diſprove, or make appear any thing againſt the faithfull Integrity, Skill, Knowledge, Perſon, Parts or Undertakings of the Propoſer: but if ſuch perſons ſhall not ground their oppoſition on Truth and Reaſon, but think to bear it out with a liberty derived from falſhood and ignorance, they will find themſelves deceived, and in danger to runne the hazard of bringing a laſting diſgrace and Odium upon themſelves,The Propoſers defiance to ſuch Depravers. for unworthily endeavouring to obſtruct and hinder the increaſe of ſuch honour and fertility, as might be advanced to the enriching of your Honours Treaſury, and the Commonwealths future happineſſe and proſperity. And by this means the expectation of all worthy perſons, may be ſatisfied; the Peſt of envy, antidoted; the Author, and all other perſons ſtudious in good works, encouraged; your Honours, eternally magnified; and this our Air and Climate purged of all the contagious infections of Spirits Malevolent to high and worthy principles; wherein they have not abilities of apprehenſion to diſcern the various myſteries of Nature, which the vaſt world plentifully affordeth unto all thoſe who are ſerious Obſervers of her Eſſence and Deity, and diligent Searchers into the Multiplicity of her Natural Effects and Cauſes, with her other Contingencies: which the Propoſer all his life time having been ſtudious, and converſant in, hath attained to the knowledge and perfection, chiefly of theſe enſuing Deſignes, and many others not herein expreſſed: which if hereafter entertained and ſettled, may as well as the reſt, be very advantagious to the Commonwealth.