THat your Petitioner hath served the Parliament by land and Sea, from 1641. and hath still proved constant to them, and hath seen much of passages in trading. That he desireth, finding no reason opposite, except [Page 2]it be, that we of this Nation, having been mi­staken by undervaluing of forraign Coyns; are by other Nations disesteemed, which to avoid his desire is, that if is please your Honours that all forraign Coyn in its full weight of good Gold and Silver Bullion, may passe in Eng­land, and Ireland, and other Countries amongst Merchants and others; for the advance of trade­ing to maintain the poor, and recrute the Na­tion, to be replenished with money after these sad times.

That in regard the King of Spain doth pay his Souldiers with Brasse, and Copper money, as their pieces of eight, Royals, plate for 20. Royals; 18. Royals, 16. Royals, 14. Royals, and 12. Royals the least, and so passeth among Merchants and others, the Spaniard advancing it 50. per cent. higher in their own Countries then in reason it should. And in France they pay the pieces of eight for 6. shillings, and in Portugal for 6. shillings, and in Holland for 48. stuyvers, and some for 5. shillings, and their Gold the like. And in the East Countrey and Germany the like, where it passeth among Merchants and others.

Your Petitioner desireth the premises consi­dered; that all their Gold and Silver Coyn may passe, as viz. That is to say; that all pieces of eight, Pistols bigger, or smaller pieces of Spa­nish Coyn, may passe for 20. per cent. higher then in Spain, which will be the piece of eight [Page 3]here for 5. shillings, which is lesse then in other parts, and their Gold the like; and that all French, Holland, Germane, and the Eastern Countries moneys of good Bulloin, Coyned Gold or Silver of its full weight, may passe here for 10. per cent. higher then in them parts; and that their Coyns be regulated, what of them shall passe here, and that this may be done in regard that they receive our Gold and Silver Coyn, and pay it in their Countries for above 10. per cent. higher then we pay it in England, for by their cunning conveying it away, we must beat them in their own play, that is by raising of their money here, and per­mitting it to passe amongst us. So we must still keep their money 10. per cent. higher here, then they pay it in them Countries, which must be looked after by the Mr. of the Mint. And still raised upon this report as they raise it, for this will cause linnen Cloath, and commodities in them Countries to be bought cheaper then now they are, by reason that Merchants will make their return in money, and it will return profit to them 10. per cent. upon Bills of Exchange. Also, for example I have money in Holland, and I write to my Factor, to return me a Bill of Exchange, of 9. pound Sterling, to be paid here in Fleamish money; so he takes the 9. pound Sterling, and payes it there for 10. pound Fleamish, and sends me the Bill of Exchange to be paid here 10. pound Fleamish, so that I [Page 4]am gainer 10. per cent. which is currant, being raised as before expressed here.

And so we may do it for more or lesse in France, and other parts, taking this caveat, to [...] what money they shall be paid for their goods, and by this rule the Merchants shall gain every way by trading or buying their goods cheaper, or upon return of their money, or up­on bills of Exchange.

This will beat them in their own play, for raising our money as above declared, and draw in money here from all those Countries, for we have no Articles of peace with any debar­ring us from it; but onely our peace is to com­merce with them so that they cannot except a­gainst us, except they deny our moneys in their Countries and commands, or passe it in pay­ment for no more then in England, for it is fit for our Nation to have State-policie: for com­merce and Trade, as well as they; which your Honours being chosen to take the premises in­to consideration, ought not through weaknesse to deceive your trust.

Also that all forriegners be ordered to give security to the Custom-houses, that they shall imploy the return of their goods, in English goods manifactured here, to carry away; which will preserve our money.

Your Petitioners caveat to your Honours is; that it is an Honour to a Nation, to pay no brasse nor copper Coins; but a dishonour to a [Page 5]Nation, that cannot pay their Debts for want of each sort, nor in Gold, nor Silver Bullion, neither, when as we may have it for the Coin­ing, and live gallantly by your Petitioners councel if it may be accepted; but now we are contented like the drones, to live beggerly as now we do in England, having to our shames great means of Gods blessings, and may live plentifull of money and other things, if we will, and have it better, if we did imploy men of pu­blick spirits, that hate covetousnesse and pride; but your Petitioner hopeth that our eyes will be opened.

THat your Petitioner desireth for the in­riching of this Nation, to supply the Na­tions wants with Salt: that is, to get such num­ber of men and Vessels to take Herrings as the Hollanders do, and to supply new England, Newfound-land, and the North-Sea, Fishing-trades; which after improvement of 2. or 3. years, there will come into England, instead of hundred thousands pounds in Coin, many Millions for which improvement, the best way will be, (in your Petitioners opinion) to settle a place to be provided for with Salt of our own Nations, without being beholden to other Nations; for it is more Honour to have of our own, then to be beholden to other Prin­ces.

Your Petitioner will ingage his life with your Honors, that if your Honours will procure him letters patents, and a Commission from the Par­liament, to raise 150. men, & supply them with all necessaries for war, and lively-hood for one year, and pay the charge of a Ship; and their provisions and men for six Moneths, and give to him and his heirs such places where he will adventure to take them, making the places feasable to 7. of your Honours being now in the Enemies Countries, that he will sail to them parties and take them, and secure it and them, under God, to this Nations Command, and this Nation shall have supplied them (if it want) 20000. Tuns of Salt yearly, at the price of three half pence per Gallon, which is no more then now they pay excise for forraign salt, and after the said places are secured, all Mer­chant Ships that will come there to fetch any Salt, shall have it at the rate of 5. shillings per ton, (20. hundred weight to the Tun) brought for them to the water side, which will be chea­per then they can draw it out of the ponds, in Meat, Drink, and wages, and Ship-hire; so that in time our Ships will supply the Eastern Countries in abundance.

And for the benefit your Petitioner shall gain by acting this discovery; he shall pay a duty to the Common-wealth of England 1000. Tuns of Salt yearly, to victual the Na­vy, if the said Common-wealth do send their [Page 7]Ships to load it where it shall be provided for them. Allwayes provided that all Salt, that comes from those parts, and imployed in fish­ing, and made use of, for fishing improve­ment what way soever it may be done, shall be free from all Custome, Taxes, and Excise; and the charge of fetching the same Salt, will stand bringing home, but 30. shillings the Tun more.

And further out of his free will he will; at some convenient time, after that he is quietly possessed of his said places; pay the Lord or Lords of the said places there, full value for them, to be held for him and his heirs for ever, to trade unto, for the Common-wealth of Eng­land. All which he will do out of his good conscience.

Further, your Petitioner hopeth that after he hath performed with the Parliament, the afore­said promises. That your Honours will be­come suiters to the Honourable house, in your Petitioners behalf, that he may be paid his 4. or 500. pound due to him, from them; and have Justice, for those wrongs he hath su­stained: or that your Petitioner may have a grant, and a Commission, to take those parts mentioned above expressed, for himself and his partners, without paying the 1000. Tun of Salt by the year to the State, and the Petitioner shall perform what is mentioned, for the good of the Common-wealth.

THat your Petitioner desireth, for the im­provement of the Trade to this Nation, and for the incouragement of Trades; that a Bank be regulated, as in Venus, Naples, Genua, and other parts, which way may be done in this Nation, for furthering all sorts of people to live without beggery.

That is, that all sorts of men that have mo­ny lie by them, that if they will put it into the Bank; they shall have 5. per Cent. allowed them, and their heirs for ever; as the now usual purchasing of land is, for to come to their heirs, notwithstanding any offence committed, whereby now, it is forfeited to the State. So that the Monies in Bank to be exempt from all forfiaure, or Taxes. This will much further the Banks; as also free of all Taxes, payments, or any charge whatsoever.

That all others shall have 5. per Cent. and their money again, within 14. dayes notice, with their 5. per Cent. per annum profit, for the time it lies in Bank. Provided that it lies 6. Moneths in the Bank. The Bank lends mo­ney to the King of Spain, and great men, and all Merchants, and others, upon good security; for 10. per Cent. per annum for lesse, or more time, as occasion serves; out of which 10. per Cent. half of one, of the hundred, should be allowed for officers, and the other half of the one, in the hundred, to be allowed for the re­lief, [Page 9]or setting up, of poor decayed men; and the 4. per Cent. to remain in Bank, with the 5. per Cent. to supply improving of Trade and finding out of Trades, and new Plantations for Trading.

By this Bank, Commerce and Trading is kept, and all in them parts live rich, and pay no Interest nor use; for it is not esteemed use, when men pay 10. per Cent. for their own ends, to get more by it in trading.

For this will imploy many wise men in Trade, that are poor; by finding friends of credit, to be their security: for it is ordered for good uses, though Idolatours use it, and shows examples, to supply trading, for it sets up many a poor understanding man.

If the Banks want money, presently they send to those men of quality that have it by them; and for 5. per Cent. the Banck is fur­nished, and so lend out still.

If the Banck break, then they return in all their bonds, and securitie to pay their Credi­tours which is still feaseable for it.

By this means, Trade is advanced, and no Beggers.

This is worthy in these times of acceptance, thought it come from a poor man; for your Petitioner expecteth such a reward, as he, who delivered a City by his wisdom, for men are as bad now as then, but he is sure to take the lesse pains, in not giving thanks for naught.

THat your Petitioner sees no reason, that we gained our Liberty by the sword, should have any Companies admitted in Trading, Priviledged more then others of our free-born brethren; but that for the better managing of good Trade, it is desired, that all Companies that are now, or shall be, impowered in Com­panies for advance of Trading, that all, that would adventure their money, upon profit or losse; should be admitted to put in their money in stock, or Bank; and to receive profit and losse, equally; which to further many men of Quality, having plenty of money, will be wil­ling to do the like, for their own advantage, and the Common-wealths good. Provided, that there may be Master, and Officers of Com­panies, for the well-governing of Trades, that one may not hinder another in Trading, as now they do to their own great damage, and the Common-wealths great losse, for trading well regulated will advance much, to the trades and Common-wealth also.

That Masters of Ship-wrights, may be regu­lated a way to build Ships, of no lesse burthen then 300 Tuns, and draw not above 12 foot of water, with sufficient length to serve the State, and carry Guns to preserve the Merchants goods, who will sail with few men, as cheap as the Hollanders, to ease the Nation of charges. And that in new England the like be ordered, [Page 11]except for some small Vessels, to trade in pla­ces of safety, without danger of Pirats, when they must draw but little water, for fear of shelves and rocks.

That a course be taken, that 14. Ships at least 300. Tuns per piece, may be provided yearly in New-England; for service and trades, as occasion serves.

That all Ship-masters, that carry Guns with them, be ingaged, to load no goods that shall hinder their Guns from fight; for many have loaden so much goods, & have stowed the places of the Guns with goods, that when they should have made use of their Guns, they could not; by which reason they have lost their Ships, Goods, and all; for not being able to fight, to their utter undoing, and hindering of the Com­mon-wealth, their Ships after becoming Ene­mies, and have taken many of our Ships.

That all Sea-men, that navigate in any Ves­sels; do take their Oaths, what goods they car­ry with them, or bring home in their Ships; that the Custom and Excise may be paid, and and further care and incouragement to fight, and preserve their Ships and Goods, and every Factour to have 5. l. the Master 4. l. the Purser 4. l. the Masters mate 3.l. a piece, the Quarter master, Boatsman, and Gunner 40. shillings a piece, their Mates 30. shill. a piece, the Com­mon men 20. shill. a piece allowed them.

In Customs and Excise, if it be a Ship of [Page 12]300. Tuns or more, or lesse, as the burthen of the Ship is proportionally, to that rate this to be given them for their furtherance in Cu­stoms of goods, that is to say; if other goods be their own to incourage them, by which means half the Officers now imployed, may be taken off from their charges, that the State payes them now in the Custom-House, and Excise Office.

That all forreign Nations, that bring goods into England, or Ireland, or carry goods out of it, pay double Custom and Excise, that trading may be made use of, by our Free-born peo­ple.

That Corn, Deals, Tar, Hemp, Flax, or any Victualing Materials, nor Timber, Wares, un­manufactured, and Masts, pay nothing at all; and that Barielia, sallet Oyl, and Pot-ashes, pay but half Custom and Excise, being materials to make Sope and Glasses.

That goods which go out of England, or Ireland, & come to forreign Nations, be highly taxed, except Fish, and fish-Oyls; for the stran­gers pay it, though our Merchants disburse it here.

That all Tobacco, Wines, Silk, fine Linnen, of above 3. shill. an ell, dying Comodities, Su­gars, Spices, Callicoes, Drugs, and Indico; pay duble Excise and Custom.

That all Ships, or Vessels that are strangers, that fish upon our English Coast, and under [Page 13]our Command, pay tribute to England, 10 l. per Vessels in fish or money, for each Voy­age.

That Swansey and Aberdawe, in Glamorgan­shire in Wales, barred Harbours, may be cleans­ed, that Ships may safely come in and out to them; and that Clavelley Key in Devon, and the Mumbles Key, by Swansey, be repaired and made fit for the Vessels to secure themselves in.

That all Werries in Rivers, may not be suffer­ed to annoy Boats, as now they do, lying quite overthwart the Rivers.

That all Plantations in forraign Countries, do cause Vines to be planted, for VVines, Sugar, Canes, Indico, VVood, Hemp, Flax, Cotron, all sorts of Fruit, Trees, and search for dying VVood, Gold, Silver, Copper, Brasse, Iron, Tin, Lead, or Salt, get Spice-Trees, and Cani­fisttula-Trees, India Commodities, from the back side of their Land, in the South Sea, and make a way through the Land to trade to it; to keep Ships there, and to keep commerce with the Heathens, till they be converted; which may be easily done, from Virginia with 500. men, which if the Plantors would do, they should be free from any Taxes, for 14. years, but if they refuse, your Petitioner will hereaf­ter acquaint more of it.

That if the Parliament will provide money by a way, your Petitioner will showe them, he will put them in a way to provide 70. Sail of great Warlike Ships, and provide them 100. [Page 14]Ships more which shall be capable with our Ships, we have to encounter all the Ships in Christendom, to make all Christendom and all Countries and Nations to tremble at our Na­tion as well by Sea as by Land, and furnish the Nation with Deale, Masts-and- Holland Commodities for 7. years, and also have a free Trade open to the VVest Indias, and from the back side of the South Seas, to trade to the East India, where great treasuries would come from and inrich this Nation, if men of publick spi­rits take it in hand.

Then all may come to the insureing office, and pay 5. per Cent within the Straits, 3. per Cent, for assurance to be secured from men of War, & Pyrates, according to what they load by their Cockets, if they go into the straits mouth. And 2. per Cent to the Northward of the Barlings for P [...]rtingal, and the other parts of Spain, and 1. per Cent for France, Flanders, Greenland, and the Eastern Countries, and thereabouts, which assurance be paid for outward, and the like homeward, and after that rate for other parts.

That for the furthering of fishing, and make­ing of Linnen-cloth, and other industry in Trading, that all those Women in London, or other parts of the Nation, that keep standings of retail or petty shops, that they be ordered to spin VVorstead Cotton, Flax, Hem or VVooll to the said places, they stand at, and they to have their turns VVheels, and Distaffes to their girdle to spin, or knit stockings, or sowe upon some [Page 15]saleworks, or make lace or laces, or some ma­nufactury work. And that all Barbers, Tape­strs, and petty Shop-keepers, be ordered that they the time of their not being imployed in their Trade, that they knit nets to catch fish, or the like, except it be on Market-dayes, so that every one may gain a Livelihood to further themselves, and if any one be not in action or provided with materials for the work, then the said party to forfeit 5 s. or to set in the flocks, half the money to the Officer that finds the said party faulty, and the other half to the poor of the said Parish.

1. For the furthering of Trade and securing of Ships, Men, and Merchants Goods, it is de­sired as it was some 20. years past, that there might be a light set upon the Island of Louday, that all Ships that come into the Channel of Sevoron, might have the benefit of it, to know where they are in the night, and for the main­tenance of it there, there should be paid from Clovelley in Devon, to St. Dains in Pembrook­shire, betwixt which two places all Seavorun runs, so they might be paid the same payments that ar paid here, as they are paid here in Lon­don for lights of the Nese, and other parts which will refray the same, and the Petitioner will undertake it, if your Honours please; for Ships have been lost, and Men and Goods, for want of it upon the said Island, and other parts thereabouts the winter time.

2. Also it is desired, that all ships that carry [Page 16]above 50. men, may have a Chaplain to be paid his sallary, 6 d. per pound of each Seamans wa­ges, and so much more, and all they that pay him, should be by the honour of the ship, & to have his Victuals allowed him with the Cap­tainand Master.

That special regard be had for the preserva­tion of their young fry of fish, to the furthe­rance of the Trade of fishing.

That none of those men that are termed spi­rits, may be suffered to take up any person up­on pretence, and after house them and carry them aboard ships, and carry them to Planta­tions and sell them for 7. years against their wills, which breeds great sorrow to their friends, not knowing what is become of them, which is a great sin against God and Man, and our Liberty.

Your Petitioners desireth for the better re­gulating of Trade, and easement of all the Pe­titioners, that for as much as many Petitions are daily by several persons desired to be pre­ferred to the Parliament, who for a long space have seldom admitted of them, or if admitted, sildom taken the Contents into consideration, in regard of the great and mighty affairs of the publick, have been esteemed and regarded as private to the great discouragement of the Peti­tioners, and others of the publick spirits, to­wards the Common-wealth; for the avoiding of which inconveniences, it might greatly be wished that a Committee or Court of audi­ence [Page 17]might forth-with be instituted and ap­pointed to receive de diem in diem, all Petitions whatsoever, and make a true and exact report of all such Petitions as shall to the said Com­mittee or Court seem fitting to be presented to the Parliament, & that there be nothing paid by any Petitioner, or to any of the said Commit­tee, or Court for his dispatch, nor to any Clark or Officer of the said Committee; but that al­lowance out of the publick treasury be granted unto them for their pains, and that whosoever of them or their Officers, that shall be known to take and receive any money whatsoever, or bribe or gift from any Petition, in regard of his Petition, shall suffer imprisonment for one whole year, and repay treble the value, and be disinabled of bearing any Office for 7. years. Provided, that the said Committee or Court be not required to make report of such things as belong to the Courts of Judicature and Chancery, but that such things wholly be left to the Law. Moreover, that the Parliament ap­point some certain dayes, viz. 2. or 4. in a moneth to hear the Reports of Petitions, and there to return answer.

The Petitioner humbly requesteth, that he with others may be thought worthy to nomi­nate and propound such men, as to him and o­thers may seem most sincere, and fit for this imployment of audience.

Your Petitioner desireth, that if the Parlia­ment please, he will shew them a way to have [Page 18]such great sums of money to be capable to per­form all those undertakings, viz. And to pay all the Nations debt, and take off all Taxes, and have money in Cash to maintain War against all our Enemies; also to set up an Office for the advance of Trade, which is to insure all Merchants Goods and Ships, from the danger of Pyrates at Sea in these Wars.

The Petitioner doth humbly desire your Honours for the better regulating of Trade at Sea. And for the safty of Merchants goods, & Ships, that your Honours do Petition the house that some conveinent ships with goods or, money, besent to the great Turkes Countries and other parts, to redeme all our English christians there, and that there may be a league made with them, that our ships and men may safely sayl by them parts. And that all Protest­ants may have liberty of Conscience in all Na­tions where they trade to have books freely to be edisied by them, in making use of them ta serve God in our profession: so that they may not be liable to Mahomets laws, nor the Popes Inquisition and Doctrine, nor hindered of our protestant Religion, to live as Christians, pro­fessing Jesus Christ freely, as now we do in England.

Your Petitioner will do the State some fur­ther service, if he see that this take any effect. And your Honours may have oticen of him at Mr. Anthony Travilions in the Minories.

YOur Petitioners absence hath been from your Honours by being in prison these 12. weeks, for not paying 34 s. 2 d. for cost in a sute, he was overthrown in London, by one false witness, where your petitioner sued an Aposthicary he the said Aposthicary being bound to pay your petitiotioner one hundred thirty five half Crowns for a Debenter your Petitioner sould him by a broker in which De­bentor the Honourable Parliament owed your Petitioner 135 l. 3 s. 4 d. where your Peti­tioner being in prison, had other actions layed against him, for meat and drink in attending the Parliaments affairs, so that now your Petitioner may say, that he is in prison for his good service done the Parliament, which if they had paid him, your Petitioner had not sold his Debentor, nor suffered this imprison­ment. And for liberty, he with others did petition by Col. Pride, the 11. of Novemb. 1650. these heads, viz: Directed unto the supreme Authority assembled for the Parlia­ment of England.

That the Petitioner and others, having setled your Honours in the Parliaments Thrown, to cause justice to be executed in the Nation, are now cast into prison for debt, waiting in Lon­don for our arrears in service and money dis­bursed, had not your Honours owed us our money, our creditors would not deal so cruel­ly with us, but be favourable and free us upon easie terms, as men that had nothing.

And whereas for our good service we are be­come a pray to Goalers, and suffer for not being paid, (we greue) being it is much to the dishonour of God, and our Profession and Liberty.

Your humble Petitioner desires your Ho­nours to order that none of us of the Jmpri­soned Souldiery shall never be paid our Ar­rears, that our Creditors may commiserate our causes, or that your Honours do grant forth the Act so long promised to set us at liberty, or that our Creditors do accept by your Honors Command of our Debentors, for their debts or to cause Justice to be executed, that Bread, Beer, and Porvisions may be at the rates in pri­sons as abroad. And that some godly men may have the review of the prisons, to examine, settle, & makegood orders for the prisoners for debt, that we starve not for our good service, as some have, and others lye starving at present.

I pray accept of your Captains Councel, that is, to pay your old faithful Souldiery lest they by being provoked, fly from your Ho­nours for malice for not being paid; for when they are gone your Honours will not have them so speedily again for in these wave­ring times they will do more for malice, then for love without money.