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THE HONORABLE ASSEMBLY OF THE Commons House of Parliament.
The humble Remonstrance of the benefits of Dray∣ning Fenne Lands in the severall Counties of Yorke, Lincolne, Cambridge, Norfolke and Huntington.
THat the Springs of Riches, and Glory of this Island, ariseth cheifely from the Labour and industry of Men, and by neg∣lect hereof followeth poverty and shame.
That the Springs of Labour may arise in the greater strength, Wee humbly present these profits for the incourage∣ment thereof, which we conceive, will undoubtedly arise, by Fenne Land Drained and used as followeth.
First, We offer unto your consideration what proportion of Drained Land will answere the full profit of fishing and uncertaine pastu∣rage upon drowned Lands (where the Thistle nor the Mould warpe dare not inhabit, for these truely are to be accompted drowned Land;) In times past in some parts prized, it did appeare, the third part of drained Land was better then the whole undrained upon meanest profitt, which is pasturage of Horse or dry Beasts, yeilded 20. s. the Acar, when an Acar of drowned Land, Com••unibus Annis was not worth five shillings by the yeare, The two parts of the three being put into severalls; it remaineth to consider what profit may arise to the owne••s or occupiers of the two parts; The meanest profitt that arriseth by grasing of horse; or gelded bests amounteth to 20. s. the Acar, if imployed to Milke Beast or Tillage 40. s. if imployed in Rapes or Collseede, will be worth 4. l. the Acar; if in Hempe with meane Labour 8. l. the Acar; if imployed into Cordage or Poledavies or course Canvaces, the labour will double the materialls, and beget 16. l. the Acar. An Acar of Flax spunne into meane prized Linnen cloth of 2. s. or 3. s. the yard, will arise to more then 30. l. the Acar. An Acar of Madder for Dying we cannot estimate, which we buy from beyond Sea: This being manifest, we offer unto your consideration what the Annuall Quantity of these improved commodities, doe amount unto in the whole, after an easie esti∣mate.
It cannot be denied, but there is sixe hundred thousand Acars of these watery grounds in the East part, of England, lying in the said five Counties; one part being drained and remaining unto the Comeners unaccompted the other two parts being meanely imployed in pasturage, will render as aforesaid 20. s. the Acar, amounting to Foure Hundred Thousand Pounds profit yearly to the Kingdome, upon the first improvement. Every Acar imployed to Milke Kine or Tillage, will improve 20. s. more. So that imploying halfe to Tillage or Milke Beasts, it increaseth two hundred thousand Pounds; which maketh the Anuall profitt to arise to Sixe Hundred Thousand Pounds. Thus much will arise out of common Husbandry without manufacture; the naturall improvement of Hempe, Flaxe, and Rapes for so much as is so used will amount to 40. s. the Acar more, which may be one hundred thousand Acars; All which doth a∣mount to eight hundred thousand Pound per annum. Yet remaineth the improvement to be made out of the Flaxe and Hempe by ma∣nufacture, of Cordage, Poledavies, Course Canvace and finer Linnen, to such an estimate as the Petitioners dare not take upon them to estimate: But doe verily beleeve it may amount to above a Million per annum in toto to the Kingdome.
We further offer unto your consideration the profitt that may redound unto the Kingdome from without, by way of entercourse of traffick with forraigners, we may by our owne Labours have these commodities within us, that we buy from without us, as our Cor∣dage, Poledavies, Madder, common Linnen and course Canvasses, and in stead of buying be a Setler, which in the point of saving in our ballance of trade cannot be lesse then five hundred thousand pounds a yeare; and so much yearley cleare gaine, in the Ballance of trade would import so much Bullion, for that which was exported: Which Bullion increasing yearely would in short time increase such plenty of money in our Kingdome, that it would advance all our native Commodities, and Lands would be improved thereby: The im∣proving of our Kingdome would make us more renowned, and formidable in forraigne parts, and give life and courage to every parti∣cular member. This we conceive to be the blessing agreeable to the good will of God performed by Labour.
Together with Fifty Thousand Pounds Customes yearely to the Kings Coffers, and many thousands of poore people set on worke, who now are ready to perish for want. All these particulars are as we conceive upon an easie accompt, undeniable.
These informations we humbly offer to this Honorable assemblie, hoping that they tend to the generall good and honour of this Kingdome.