To the right hon[']ble lords, and hon[']ble knights, citizens, and burgesses of the High Court in Parliament assembled the humble petition of Thomas Dvcket, Gent., practitioner in physick.

The Certificate of the Committee of the County of Monmouth.

To our much honoured friend Henry Herbert Esqu. one of the Members of the Hon^ble. house of Commons, or to whom he shall appoint to proceed, &c.

Noble Sir,

WHereas Collonel Hughes Governour of Chepstow, your selfe and wee of the Committees of the Coun∣ty of Monmouth, have in certifying letters for∣merly declared our hope and expectation of the re∣ality of many inventions and profitable additi∣ons and discoveries of this hearer Thomas Duc∣ket Gent. practitioner in Phisicke, for the advantage of the Common-wealth, by the improvement of Land, and other speciall benefits, in which be seemed to us to be so for a Mr. of knowledge, that we held it fit to assist and further his endeavours therein, that they might the better be presented to the high Court of Par∣liament, by which meanes he might receive credit and estimation, preferment and rewards, suiting to the worth and validity of such beneficiall accomplishes, as he by his experience and industry, hath made fit to accommodate this Kingdome therewith; and whereas the said Gentleman ever since your absence, still conti∣nuing in these parts upon his occasions, did take notice that ma∣ny persons were somewhat incredulous of his former intentions which so wrought upon his judgement, that he was loath to let his reputation remaine in such doubtfull suspence. To prevent the which, he justly and ingeniously did rather conceive it fit to disclose and perfect some beneficiall and effectuall designes which accordingly he did so truly and perfectly performe, that we should not do him right, if we should not give him his due deserts, by declaring that he hath made manifest some experiments to our viewes, and also to our apprehensions; which without doubt or further question, will perfectly hold good, in procuring great benefit to this Nation; and therefore we do even more certain∣ly and fully then heretofore approve of his sufficiency, and do con∣fidently beleive that other of his inventions and secrets undis∣covered,

which he saith is of farre greater consequence and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 respect he hath already shewed us such good patternes of his know∣ledge, wee do the more credibly beleeve that his other designes will appeare as rightly perfect, and as materially certain for the future, as these apparances that are made known unto us: which may justly challenge a requitall of this Nation for his directions therein. And therefore our motion and request unto you is, that you will recommend him and his designes to the friendship and consideration of the powerfull Members of both the Hon^ble hou∣ses of Parliament, that thereby they may the better take notice of his deserts, entertaine his good service for the Common-wealth with love, and speedy setling a certaine course, that he may have fitting preferment and recompence correspondent to the worth of every particuler discovery, when they or any of them are made apparant to the Hon^ble. Houses, by demonstration or by any of the models thereof, or by rationall iudgement and understanding, that any of his Works or Arts seeme infallibly beneficiall, and that then there may be no delayes in advancing and dignifying the said Gent. with such sutable assistance and valuable requitals, as he shall justly merit by publishing and directing others, in these laudable parts and qualities, the which by his studious endea∣vours and observations, he hath attained unto. And therefore according to the former excellent estimations, of this and other civil Nations, of and concerning the Inventions of industrious persons, we make no question but the present state of this Kingdom will ever be ready to requite, cherish and incourage all that la∣bour for the weal-publicke, to which good actions we are assured of your willingnesse and readinesse in your particuler ayd and opportunity, to assist in the effects of these our loving motions, and to persevere in the same untill a fitting course be establish∣ed, and for your endeavours herein you shall oblige.

Chepstow this first of May. 1646.

Your servants,

• Tho. Hughes,
• Edm. Morgan,
• Jo: Walter,
• Will. Iones,
• Rice Williams,
• Will. Blething,
• Chr. Catchmay.