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. 1

Secondly, because no Statesman, nor any belonging to them, or any other per­son, 2 [Page] shall be charged with any cost, trouble, or damage, until he have a full knowledge, and possession of the skill.

3 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 [Page 3] 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, [Page 4] 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 [Page] 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 [Page] 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 [Page] 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 [Page] 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 [Page] 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: [Page] 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.