A
Discourse
concerning
the
drayning
of
the
Fennes
.
COncerning
the
drayning
of
the
Fennes
in
the
sixe
Counties
of
Norfolke
,
Suffolke
,
Cambridge
with
the
Isle
of
Ely
,
Huntington
,
Northampton
,
and
Lincolne
,
as
well
on
this
side
Boston
as
beyond
,
there
arise
three
maine
questions
.
The
first
,
whether
it
would
be
honorable
and
profitable
to
the
King
,
and
Common-wealth
in
generall
,
and
to
those
Countreys
in
particular
,
if
it
might
be
effected
.
The
second
,
whether
it
be
Feasable
.
The
third
,
how
a
compitent
reward
may
be
apportioned
for
them
that
should
vndertake
so
great
a
worke
.
For
the
first
,
the
first
argument
shall
be
the
counsell
and
care
of
the
State
in
euerie
age
since
this
Kingdome
began
to
be
improued
,
appearing
by
the
many
Acts
of
Parliament
concerning
this
businesse
,
as
against
Weares
,
Gorces
,
Stankes
,
&c.
begun
the
9.
of
H.
3.
itterated
the
25.
of
Ed.
1.
augmented
the
25.
and
45.
of
Ed.
3.
the
21.
of
Rich.
2.
the
1.
and
4.
of
H.
4.
And
at
length
more
districtly
the
12.
of
Ed.
4.
But
in
all
these
times
by
reason
of
the
turbulent
condition
of
the
State
at
home
and
abroad
,
the
prosecution
of
this
businesse
was
either
altogether
fore
flowed
,
or
so
snatchingly
persued
,
that
little
fruit
came
thereof
.
But
in
the
peaceable
time
of
King
Henry
the
8.
who
was
the
first
great
Improuer
,
and
in
whose
time
the
mischiefe
was
growne
to
a
great
height
,
a
setled
course
of
Commission
of
Sewers
was
established
,
with
a
verie
endlesse
power
,
such
as
hath
neither
length
nor
bredth
,
against
offendors
,
(
it
is
the
word
of
the
Statute
not
onely
against
the
fore-named
inconueniences
,
but
now
for
the
maintenance
and
increase
of
Walls
,
Ditches
,
Bankes
,
Gutters
,
Sewers
,
Goates
,
Caulcies
,
Bridges
,
Streames
and
other
defences
against
inundations
:
by
which
verie
names
of
things
in
the
former
Acts
not
mentioned
it
doth
appeare
how
the
mischiefe
was
growne
almost
past
remedy
before
any
sufficient
prouision
was
publikely
made
for
redresse
.
Yea
,
although
the
Lawes
of
Sewers
were
ordained
like
Acts
of
Parliament
,
not
examinable
by
any
other
authoritie
,
as
being
the
most
absolute
that
passeth
vnder
the
great
Seale
of
England
,
(
such
was
my
Lord
Pophams
iudgement
)
yet
so
bootlesse
seemed
the
labour
vnto
the
Countries
afflicted
,
that
the
wisdome
of
the
whole
Common-wealth
thought
fit
to
prouide
an
other
Act
two
yeeres
after
to
constraine
the
Gentlemen
of
the
Countrey
vnder
paine
and
forfeiture
to
take
the
oath
of
a
Commission
of
Sewers
as
they
should
be
thereunto
designed
.
In
this
time
also
that
royall
Lady
Margaret
,
Countesse
of
Richmond
,
procured
an
admeasurement
and
diuision
of
all
the
surrounded
grounds
on
the
North
side
of
Spalding
,
which
before
that
time
lay
promiscuously
.
This
was
a
great
worke
,
and
of
excellent
vse
,
not
for
those
times
onely
,
but
the
fruit
of
it
hath
continued
euer
since
,
euen
vnto
these
dayes
,
and
will
be
a
great
guid
in
this
drayning
businesse
whensoeuer
it
is
vndertaken
.
Neither
did
that
royall
Lady
rest
in
this
,
but
she
sat
her selfe
amongst
the
Commissioners
of
Sewers
,
yea
,
and
set
her
hand
to
the
verie
worke
of
drayning
,
and
indeed
,
hit
vpon
the
right
way
:
but
in
her
worke
there
were
some
notable
errors
(
the
world
not
being
then
so
skilfull
)
which
being
followed
by
the
neglect
of
the
Countrey
,
in
time
forfeited
her
gratious
intention
.
After
her
stood
vp
Iohn
of
Gaunt
;
Duke
of
Lancaster
,
and
tooke
great
paines
to
perfect
what
she
had
begun
:
He
went
into
the
Countrey
in
person
,
and
imployed
all
his
authoritie
in
it
;
but
because
the
Countrey
should
haue
borne
the
charge
,
when
he
was
once
passed
on
to
Yorke
,
nothing
went
forward
that
hee
had
proiected
,
notwithstanding
his
many
Letters
,
and
increpations
.
In
the
3.
of
Ed.
6.
the
Commission
of
Sewers
was
made
perpetuall
,
which
by
the
former
Statute
of
H.
8.
was
to
endure
but
twentie
yeeres
,
and
in
the
13.
of
Eliz.
it
was
enacted
that
euerie
particular
Commission
of
Sewers
should
continue
for
ten
yeeres
,
which
before
was
limitted
to
fiue
;
and
that
in
the
interim
betweene
the
determining
of
one
Commission
,
and
the
Awarding
of
another
,
the
Iustices
of
the
Peace
might
execute
the
Commission
of
Sewers
for
a
whole
yeere
.
After
that
by
these
prouisions
and
presidents
mens
wits
were
a
little
set
on
worke
,
in
the
29.
of
El.
some
Gentlemen
vndertooke
the
recouerie
of
the
Marishes
of
Erith
,
Lesnes
and
Plumstead
,
for
whose
encouragement
a
Statute
was
made
,
That
they
should
haue
the
moyetie
of
all
such
gained
Lands
,
and
an
eighth
part
of
the
other
moyetie
,
and
hold
it
of
the
Queene
as
of
the
Mannor
of
East-Greenwitch
in
Socage
by
Fealtie
,
pa●ing
a
pennie
an
Acre
yeerely
,
and
no
Tyth
for
seuen
yeeres
.
This
Act
of
Parliament
incouraged
many
men
to
vndertake
also
in
the
Isle
of
Ely
,
and
the
Countreys
confining
,
and
that
with
approbation
of
the
State
,
because
(
saith
the
Statute
)
such
Approuement
will
be
a
great
and
inestimable
benefit
to
her
Maiestie
,
her
Heires
and
Successors
,
disburthening
her
Highnesse
of
many
chargeable
Bankes
,
and
workes
of
Sewers
in
those
surrounded
grounds
,
and
in
the
increase
of
many
able
Subiects
by
habitations
being
there
erected
,
and
in
like
sort
,
profitable
to
many
her
Highnesse
Subiects
,
both
bodyes
Politike
,
as
Corporate
,
who
haue
estate
of
inheritance
,
and
other
interest
within
the
same
.
The
same
also
was
the
opinion
of
the
State
in
the
fourth
of
King
Iames
his
raigne
,
when
the
Parliament
passed
an
Act
for
the
vndertaking
of
Francis
Tindall
,
Henry
Far
,
and
Iohn
Cooper
in
the
Isle
of
Ely
,
which
Act
gaue
them
two
parts
of
the
Land
so
to
be
inned
and
drayned
,
and
immunitie
of
Tyth
for
seuen
yeeres
after
those
seuen
yeeres
which
were
allotted
to
them
to
doe
their
worke
in
.
To
speake
nothing
of
the
improuement
of
Marsh-Land
,
Waldersey
,
the
Londoners
proportion
,
and
diuers
others
,
which
though
they
remaine
chargeable
to
the
owners
,
because
the
generall
drayning
is
not
effected
,
yet
doe
they
yeeld
so
great
an
improuement
,
as
well
witnesseth
how
aboundant
it
would
be
if
those
charges
by
a
generall
drayning
were
preuented
.
But
if
any
man
beside
this
Argument
taken
from
the
consent
of
so
many
ages
,
wise
and
politike
Princes
and
assemblies
of
Parliament
,
doe
desire
to
be
led
into
those
particulars
whereby
it
is
probable
they
were
moued
,
let
him
consider
,
First
,
the
costly
and
troublesome
meetings
of
the
Commissioners
of
Sewers
;
Grieuous
(
though
necessarie
)
Taxations
,
Hartburnings
,
Emulations
,
Controuersies
,
and
insupportable
charges
,
for
cutting
,
clensing
and
repayring
of
Riuers
,
Draynes
,
Goates
,
Sluces
,
Bankes
,
and
such
like
costly
workes
of
Sewers
,
so
much
to
be
lamented
,
so
impossible
to
be
any
other
wayes
preuented
,
then
by
a
generall
drayning
of
the
seuerall
Leuels
wherein
those
Lands
respectiuely
doe
lye
.
Next
,
it
would
be
remembred
,
that
in
winter
,
when
the
Ice
is
stronge
enough
to
hinder
the
passage
of
Boates
,
and
yet
not
able
to
beare
a
man
,
the
Inhabitants
vpon
the
Hards
,
and
the
Bankes
within
the
Fennes
,
can
haue
no
helpe
of
Food
,
no
comfort
for
Body
or
Soule
,
no
Woman
ayd
in
her
Trauell
,
no
meanes
to
baptize
a
Child
or
to
administer
the
Communion
,
no
supply
of
any
necessitie
,
sauing
what
those
poore
desolate
places
can
afford
.
Moreouer
,
it
hath
beene
the
policie
of
this
State
to
demolish
all
places
of
defence
,
sauing
those
that
be
in
the
hand
of
the
Soueraigne
power
;
this
onely
remaineth
,
whether
we
know
in
the
Barrons
Warres
,
the
Rebels
,
vpon
the
naturall
strength
of
the
place
and
aboundance
of
prouision
there
,
resorted
,
as
into
a
Fastnesse
,
and
to
which
purpose
it
might
serue
againe
,
if
God
and
the
wisedome
of
our
Gouernours
were
not
watchfull
at
the
Helme
.
What
should
I
speake
of
the
health
of
mens
bodyes
,
where
there
is
no
Element
good
.
The
Aer
Nebulous
,
grosse
and
full
of
rotten
Harres
;
the
Water
putred
and
muddy
,
yea
full
of
loathsome
vermine
;
the
Earth
spuing
,
vnfast
and
boggie
;
the
Fire
noysome
turfe
and
hassocks
:
such
are
the
inconueniences
of
the
Drownings
.
But
if
a
man
would
attend
the
manifold
and
great
profits
of
Drayning
,
it
were
not
hard
to
muster
a
royall
Army
of
them
.
Consider
first
the
quantitie
of
the
Pen-Leuels
valued
at
500000
Acres
.
Mr
Camden
accounts
it
from
the
edge
of
Suffolke
,
to
Waynflet
in
Lincolneshire
,
68
Miles
,
and
that
is
by
the
Stringe
;
but
if
you
reckon
the
Bow
of
the
Fenne
which
runneth
vp
on
both
sides
Witham
till
you
come
within
a
Mile
of
Lincolne
(
as
rotten
a
peece
as
any
of
the
rest
)
we
may
well
call
it
80
Miles
in
length
;
in
bredth
it
is
much
30
,
more
20
,
seldome
so
little
as
10
Miles
:
a
goodly
Garden
of
a
Kingdome
;
yea
,
a
little
Kingdome
it selfe
:
as
much
and
as
good
ground
,
it
is
supposed
,
as
the
States
of
the
Low-Countreys
enioy
in
the
Netherlands
.
For
the
riches
of
the
soyle
if
it
were
gayned
from
the
waters
,
much
may
be
said
.
Compare
it
with
high
ground
,
who
will
not
preferre
a
leuell
Medow
?
Compare
it
with
the
grounds
in
the
same
tract
which
lye
but
a
yard
higher
then
it
;
ordinarily
let
for
20.
shil.
an
Acre
and
vpward
:
not
about
Ely
and
other
good
Townes
onely
,
but
at
Thorny-Abbey
my
Lord
of
Beaford
lets
betweene
3
and
400
Acres
of
rising
ground
vpon
which
the
Abbey
stands
,
for
300.
li.
per
annum
,
whereas
the
rest
of
his
Lordship
of
Thorny
,
containing
16
or
17000
Acres
of
drowned
ground
,
is
esteemed
as
it
now
lyeth
,
of
little
or
no
value
:
yet
it
appeareth
by
the
Historie
of
William
of
Malmesburie
(
vouched
by
Mr
Camden
)
who
liued
about
1200
yeeres
since
,
that
in
his
time
it
represented
a
very
Paradise
,
for
that
in
pleasure
and
delight
it
resembleth
Heauen
it selfe
;
in
the
very
Marishes
bearing
Trees
that
for
their
straight
talnesse
,
and
the
same
without
knots
,
striue
to
touch
the
Starres
.
A
Playne
there
is
as
euen
as
the
Sea
,
which
with
greene
grasse
allureth
the
eye
:
so
smooth
and
leuell
,
that
if
any
walke
along
the
Fields
,
they
shall
find
nothing
to
stumble
at
.
There
is
not
the
least
parcell
of
ground
that
lyes
wast
and
void
there
,
here
you
shall
find
the
earth
rising
somewhere
for
Apple-trees
,
there
shall
you
haue
a
Field
set
with
Vines
,
which
either
creepe
vpon
the
ground
,
or
mount
on
high
vpon
poles
to
support
them
,
&c.
For
in
those
dayes
Vineyards
were
verie
frequent
in
England
.
The
like
may
be
said
of
the
Abbey
of
Crowland
,
of
the
great
Lordship
of
Whittlesea
,
and
of
all
the
rest
that
consist
of
part
dry
and
part
drowned
Land
;
yet
those
dry
&
drowned
Lands
are
of
the
same
nature
,
and
where
there
is
any
difference
,
the
drowned
is
the
richer
,
as
appeared
in
the
two
extraordinarie
dry
yeeres
1619
and
1620
,
when
the
edges
of
the
drowned
Fenne
being
dry
,
yeelded
twice
as
much
grasse
as
the
rising
grounds
did
.
I
shall
speake
of
a
strange
thing
,
yet
was
it
related
by
a
Gentleman
interested
in
the
place
and
of
good
credit
:
Borrough
great
Fenne
containeth
about
7000
Acres
,
this
Fen
is
vsually
so
much
surrounded
,
that
the
dry
places
and
all
,
are
not
well
able
to
beare
the
Inhabitants
Cattell
:
in
those
two
yeeres
it
was
all
dry
and
yeelded
such
aboundance
of
Foather
,
that
they
receiued
for
a
great
part
of
Summer
50.
li.
a
day
for
the
ioysting
of
Cattell
,
as
they
call
it
,
out
of
the
high
Countreys
.
The
like
may
be
imagined
to
be
the
condition
of
all
the
rest
of
the
Fens
,
especially
if
the
ground
be
smooth
and
free
from
Hassocks
.
I
will
giue
you
an
instance
.
There
is
a
banke
in
Thorny
of
a
Mile
long
or
more
,
cast
vp
out
of
two
Draynes
of
the
most
mirie
Fens
,
which
lying
somewhat
high
,
as
being
a
Horse-way
from
Thorny-Abbey
to
Peterborough
,
is
growne
into
verie
fine
and
feeding
grasse
.
And
here
to
proue
the
Richnesse
of
the
Fen-soyle
,
let
it
be
obserued
,
that
where
water
stands
all
the
Spring
in
barren
Land
,
there
will
be
no
grasse
at
all
;
not
so
much
as
where
for
want
of
raine
the
Sunne
burneth
the
soyle
:
and
this
is
a
certaine
argument
of
Sterile
or
leane
Earth
.
But
where
though
the
waters
stand
,
the
Earth
notwithstanding
bringeth
forth
Fruit
,
it
is
an
argument
of
a
fat
and
lustie
soyle
,
and
so
much
the
fatter
by
how
much
the
Fruit
is
courser
and
larger
;
for
all
grounds
that
will
afford
nourishment
to
Grasse
,
will
not
suffice
sap
enough
for
Sedge
or
Reed
;
but
on
the
contrarie
,
that
which
will
beare
Reed
or
Sedge
in
any
quantitie
,
is
able
to
yeeld
sap
enough
for
aboundance
of
Grasse
.
So
great
a
quantitie
therefore
of
rich
Land
being
gayned
,
would
meruailously
increase
&
support
the
multitude
of
his
Maiesties
subiects
,
wherein
consisteth
the
glorie
and
strength
of
a
Kingdome
.
Adde
hereto
the
augmentations
of
his
Highnesse
Reuenews
(
for
there
are
in
the
Fen
,
if
I
remember
a
right
,
16
Mannors
belonging
to
the
Crowne
on
the
South-side
of
Boston
,
besides
the
great
Honour
of
Bullingbrooke
on
the
North
,
containing
about
it
by
estimation
60000
Acres
of
Fen-Land
,
which
was
lately
let
for
18.
li.
a
yeere
to
Sr
Vincent
Skinner
)
besides
his
Customes
,
Subsidies
,
Prouisions
,
Casualties
,
&c.
What
should
I
remember
the
profits
which
would
accrew
to
the
Common-wealth
?
the
aboundance
of
prouision
for
victuall
,
Flesh
,
Fish
and
whit-meats
,
the
breed
of
Horses
seruiceable
both
in
Peace
and
for
Warre
,
the
rich
and
necessarie
Merchandizes
of
Wooll
,
Hydes
,
Tallow
,
Hempe
,
Rape
,
and
such
like
;
the
transportation
of
the
commodities
of
the
Countrey
from
place
to
place
for
the
vse
of
the
neighbour-parts
;
the
ease
of
Trauellors
,
who
now
are
faine
to
make
compasse
iournies
to
auoid
the
ouerflowings
;
the
conuoy
of
his
Maiesties
Armies
if
occasion
should
require
,
are
all
publike
profits
,
and
of
excellent
consequence
to
the
King
and
kingdome
.
Such
also
would
be
the
restoring
of
the
Nauigation
vnto
the
Townes
of
Wisbich
,
Spalding
and
Waynflet
,
and
from
thence
vp
into
the
Countreys
.
These
are
publike
benefits
:
and
for
priuate
the
drayning
would
encrease
the
reuenew
of
many
Corparations
,
both
Ecclesiasticall
and
Ciuill
,
and
of
many
his
Maiesties
particular
Subiects
,
as
well
Lay-men
as
Rectors
and
Vicars
of
many
great
Parishes
which
now
afford
the
Incumbents
verie
small
meanes
.
There
is
one
other
great
commoditie
which
a
drayning
will
produce
worthy
to
be
insisted
vpon
,
and
that
is
the
securing
of
Sheepe
and
other
Cattell
from
the
rot
.
For
it
is
a
true
thing
,
that
when
the
Fens
yeeld
most
pasturage
,
then
they
doe
the
most
mischiefe
to
men
in
their
Sheepe
and
Cattell
,
thence
is
the
common
saying
of
the
Countrey
,
From
the
Farme
to
the
Fenne
,
from
the
Fenne
to
Ireland
.
The
reason
is
,
because
the
Fen
is
neuer
so
dry
,
but
there
are
many
watry
plashes
,
and
much
rotting
Spire-grasse
in
it
,
where-with
the
Sheepe
are
vsually
tainted
in
the
Summer-time
,
and
whereof
they
dye
in
the
Winter
,
if
men
be
not
carefull
to
sell
them
to
the
Butcher
before
:
if
they
be
so
prouident
,
then
is
the
Countrey
and
Citie
too
,
fed
with
vnholesome
food
.
As
for
other
Cattell
,
together
with
the
wet
Grasse
they
slap
vp
such
an
aboundance
of
small
Stiklebacks
,
that
when
they
dye
of
the
rot
,
or
be
killed
for
vse
,
their
Mawes
will
be
found
full
of
them
.
Contrariewise
,
in
the
Marishes
beyond
Wainflet
in
Lincolneshire
,
and
such
like
,
where
the
grounds
be
seuered
and
trenched
,
it
is
hard
to
find
a
poore
man
,
though
they
sit
at
great
rents
,
for
their
Cattell
are
alwayes
sound
and
thriuing
,
and
therefore
euer
merchandable
:
or
if
they
come
to
a
mischance
,
yet
fit
for
food
.
And
that
this
was
the
opinion
of
all
the
Commissioners
of
Sewers
,
appeareth
by
the
Sessions
at
Peterborough
the
eighth
of
September
,
1619
,
there
being
present
the
Lord
Bishop
of
Peterborough
,
the
Earle
of
Bedford
,
Sr
Francis
Fane
,
and
25
other
Knights
and
Gentlemen
Commissioners
of
Sewers
,
assisted
by
a
multitude
of
the
Countrey
.
They
agreed
and
concluded
,
That
by
a
drayning
,
an
apparent
great
profit
would
arise
to
the
Countreys
and
Owners
of
Lands
,
&
that
it
would
be
without
preiudice
publike
or
priuate
.
And
thereupon
did
decree
the
designe
should
be
proceeded
in
,
and
determined
to
giue
all
lawfull
ayd
&
assistance
thereto
,
according
to
the
extent
of
the
Commission
of
Sewers
.
Which
also
was
confirmed
the
23
of
September
following
at
Ely
,
and
the
24
at
St
Iues.
And
the
businesse
was
prosecuted
at
Cambridge
the
15
of
Oct.
and
at
St
Iues
and
Hunting
.
the
16
of
Oct.
where
there
was
20.
shill.
set
vpon
euerie
Acre
for
the
accomplishment
of
the
worke
.
If
men
descend
vnto
particular
obiections
,
then
must
seuerall
answers
be
giuen
them
.
First
therefore
it
is
obiected
,
that
they
find
lesse
burthen
of
Foather
vpon
the
ground
in
dry
yeeres
then
in
wet
.
I
answer
,
it
must
be
confessed
that
ground
which
beareth
Reed
or
Sedge
will
not
be
so
fruitfull
if
it
be
dry
,
because
such
ranke
trash
requireth
a
great
deale
of
moisture
,
but
when
through
want
of
such
store
of
moisture
it
improueth
into
grasse
(
as
in
a
yeere
or
two
it
will
certainly
doe
)
then
a
little
moisture
will
suffice
,
as
we
see
in
ordinarie
Meddows
.
It
will
be
vrged
that
euen
in
Meddows
ouerflowings
will
doe
good
.
It
is
true
,
if
so
be
the
water
remaine
not
long
vpon
the
soyle
:
but
to
be
surrounded
,
or
to
lye
in
the
suds
,
as
we
say
,
three
quarters
or
halfe
a
yeere
more
or
lesse
,
doth
mischiefe
not
helpe
the
ground
.
I
appeale
to
the
Countrey
if
there
were
not
in
the
yeere
1619
many
thousand
loads
of
Foather
gotten
where
scarce
euer
any
was
had
in
the
memorie
of
man
.
Witnesse
the
great
stacks
which
were
then
seene
all
along
the
wild
Fennes
,
as
thicke
(
to
mens
seeming
that
road
aloofe
)
as
shocks
of
Corne
in
a
Corne-field
,
and
that
of
reasonable
good
Grasse
.
For
if
the
water
be
drayned
,
and
the
cold
moisture
remoued
from
the
root
of
Reed-ground
,
that
Reed
will
in
one
summer
returne
into
Sedge
,
and
that
Sedge
shortly
into
good
Grasse
,
of
which
there
hath
beene
aboundant
experience
throughout
the
Fens
in
the
dry
yeeres
1619
,
and
1620.
But
the
drayning
some
say
will
decay
Fishing
and
Fowling
.
I
answer
,
it
is
neither
possible
nor
profitable
to
drayne
Porsen
in
Crowland
,
or
some
Deepes
in
the
East-Fen
beyond
Boston
,
or
the
Meares
of
Whittlesea
,
Ramsey
,
&c.
which
be
the
chiefe
places
for
Fish
and
Fowle
.
For
other
Fens
there
are
no
Fish
or
Fowle
taken
in
them
,
but
onely
in
the
Riuers
or
Draynes
;
and
those
will
be
both
more
in
number
and
more
enlarged
after
the
drayning
,
and
the
Fish
and
Fowle
better
contained
in
them
,
and
so
more
easily
gotten
:
For
now
the
water
ouerflowing
all
,
the
Fowle
are
so
dispersed
,
that
men
cannot
come
at
them
(
for
there
is
not
,
nor
must
there
be
any
shooting
in
the
Fen
)
and
the
Fry
of
the
Fish
is
lost
or
deuoured
in
the
Reed
or
Sedge
,
which
in
the
deepe
Riuers
and
Draynes
would
be
secured
.
But
all
this
is
not
considerable
in
respect
of
the
great
benefit
that
will
be
made
of
Grasse
in
so
large
proportions
of
excellent
Land
.
It
will
againe
be
obiected
,
that
although
the
drayning
will
be
benefitiall
to
the
Lords
and
Owners
,
yet
the
poore
Commoner
shall
be
in
danger
to
loose
his
Common
by
the
incroaching
Lords
,
or
at
lest
when
such
Common-Fens
are
recouered
and
secured
,
the
rich
men
will
so
ouercharge
them
with
Cattell
,
that
the
poore
man
shall
not
be
able
to
make
any
benefit
,
where
now
he
getteth
a
poore
liuing
,
partly
by
the
Pasturage
of
a
few
Cowes
,
partly
by
his
labour
in
Fishing
and
Fowling
,
which
labour
the
rich
man
will
not
take
.
Now
saith
the
poore
Fen-man
,
we
haue
euerie
yeere
an
Order
brought
from
Northampton
,
which
layeth
a
Law
vpon
the
rich
,
that
they
oppresse
not
the
Commons
:
he
meaneth
the
confluence
of
waters
which
drowne
all
.
This
is
a
great
obiection
and
of
consequence
,
and
hath
two
parts
.
To
the
first
part
concerning
the
Lords
incroaching
vpon
the
Commons
,
I
know
not
what
prouision
the
State
will
thinke
fit
to
make
:
but
there
is
already
a
good
care
taken
for
it
in
that
verie
Act
of
Parliament
which
was
made
for
Approuements
in
this
kind
,
the
43.
Eliz.
Cap.
11.
the
words
be
these
,
Prouided
alwayes
,
and
be
it
enacted
,
That
this
Act
,
nor
any
thing
therein
contained
,
shall
not
extend
to
the
impairing
,
diminishing
,
letting
,
taking
away
,
or
extinguishing
of
the
interest
of
the
Commoners
,
or
any
of
them
,
or
of
the
Lords
or
Owners
of
the
Soyle
,
in
or
to
any
part
of
the
residue
of
the
Wasts
or
Commons
which
is
not
,
or
shall
not
be
set
forth
or
assigned
to
the
Vndertakers
:
Nor
to
any
franchises
or
Liberties
,
or
Waife
,
Stray
,
Leete
,
Law-day
,
nor
other
Liberties
to
be
vsed
or
taken
in
the
part
so
to
the
Vndertakers
assigned
:
But
that
as
well
the
Commoners
,
as
Lords
and
Owners
of
that
Soyle
shall
and
may
enioy
their
Commons
in
the
residue
thereof
.
To
the
second
part
of
the
obiection
that
rich
men
will
ouer-charge
the
Common
when
it
is
secured
,
and
so
oppresse
the
poore
;
I
confesse
it
is
a
common
calamitie
in
all
vnstinted
Commons
,
and
deserueth
a
great
deale
of
wisedome
and
care
in
the
State
to
preuent
it
,
especially
in
such
rich
Soyles
.
Two
helpes
there
are
:
One
,
that
the
Commoner
who
dwelleth
vpon
,
or
neere
the
Common
will
make
good
shift
if
the
rich
man
dwell
but
a
Mile
off
,
as
in
the
Fen
it
will
often
be
.
But
if
the
Land
which
is
set
out
for
the
recompence
of
the
drayning
be
let
,
part
to
the
poorer
sort
at
reasonable
rents
,
then
the
poore
man
hauing
seuerall
grounds
(
adioyning
to
the
Common
)
wherein
to
succour
his
Cattell
at
need
and
whereupon
to
get
Foather
for
them
,
he
may
shift
with
his
rich
Neighbour
so
much
the
better
.
Other
helpe
I
know
none
but
an
apportionment
;
which
in
the
Fen
will
be
more
difficult
then
in
other
vnstinted
Commons
,
because
in
one
Fen
many
Towne-ships
haue
interest
of
Common
;
and
yet
there
will
be
enough
for
all
if
it
be
well
ordered
.
It
is
farther
obiected
,
that
if
the
drayning
should
succeed
there
will
be
then
as
much
want
of
water
,
as
there
hath
beene
formerly
too
much
.
I
answer
,
that
when
the
Riuers
and
Draynes
are
deepened
(
which
is
a
thing
must
be
performed
)
they
will
hold
a
world
of
water
more
then
they
now
doe
;
and
it
will
ordinarily
be
held
vp
also
to
a
sufficient
height
by
the
Works
for
the
drayning
,
except
when
a
Flood
is
feared
,
which
if
it
come
,
there
will
be
water
enough
and
two
much
;
if
it
come
not
,
yet
within
a
few
houres
,
if
the
Current
of
the
water
at
the
Workes
be
inhibited
,
the
Countrey
will
be
full
enough
:
beside
,
the
partitions
of
the
Land
assigned
for
recompence
of
the
drayning
,
will
in
a
short
time
make
Ditches
enowe
to
containe
more
water
then
the
Cattell
in
those
parts
will
vse
:
and
by
common
intendment
,
all
good
Husbands
will
make
Ditches
for
diuisions
in
their
owne
grounds
,
and
Sluces
to
detaine
or
let
goe
the
water
at
their
pleasure
.
Finally
,
some
will
say
they
are
many
times
drayned
from
Heauen
and
therefore
need
not
mans
helpe
.
True
it
is
that
God
Almightie
hath
taught
them
by
the
experience
of
some
dry
yeeres
,
though
rarely
,
the
difference
between
a
wildernesse
of
water
&
a
goodly
greene
Meddow
:
to
lead
them
by
sence
(
who
are
hardly
gouerned
by
reason
)
to
discerne
what
may
be
best
for
themselues
and
their
posteritie
:
of
which
great
document
if
they
make
sinister
vse
,
vainly
fancying
to
themselues
that
which
is
to
mans
reason
impossible
,
they
must
be
content
to
be
punished
according
to
reason
.
That
is
to
say
,
whereas
such
dry
yeeres
shall
haue
drunke
vp
the
waters
,
if
not
of
the
Riuers
,
yet
of
many
of
the
Draynes
,
which
thereupon
are
growne
vp
and
pestered
with
weeds
and
rubbish
,
it
followeth
necessarily
,
that
vpon
the
next
confluence
of
waters
into
that
Leuell
,
the
Sewers
which
contained
them
being
stifled
,
they
haue
bred
a
greater
and
more
fearfull
Inundation
.
Beside
these
there
be
certaine
Tacite
and
silent
obiections
which
some
are
either
afraid
,
or
ashamed
to
vtter
,
and
yet
are
obstinately
gouerned
by
them
.
I
will
name
but
two
:
The
one
is
,
the
losse
of
their
Land
:
The
other
is
,
meere
enuie
;
or
if
you
will
giue
it
a
gentler
name
,
Priuate
Emulation
.
The
former
I
may
more
boldly
auouch
,
because
it
pleased
his
late
Maiestie
to
fasten
vpon
it
when
he
gaue
gratious
audience
to
a
hearing
of
this
businesse
in
the
yeere
1619.
viz.
The
Lord
or
Owner
had
rather
be
said
to
be
Lord
or
Owner
of
1000
Acres
though
they
be
scarcely
worth
to
him
1000.
shill.
in
the
yeere
,
then
part
with
500
to
make
the
rest
worth
500
Angels
by
the
yeere
:
In
like
manner
the
Commoner
.
Reason
for
this
if
they
could
giue
any
,
it
is
likely
I
also
were
able
to
render
some
,
but
in
truth
I
cannot
,
nor
any
shaddow
of
reason
,
but
as
a
sullen
Bird
that
is
taken
when
it
is
old
will
rather
dye
then
feed
,
so
such
Fen-men
;
not
considering
that
though
the
alotment
for
the
reward
of
drayning
should
be
in
Land
,
yet
the
expence
being
necessarily
to
be
in
money
,
much
of
the
Land
must
be
sold
for
supply
thereof
,
which
they
that
are
able
and
willing
may
purchase
before
any
other
,
to
keepe
their
inheritances
entire
,
being
exceedingly
improued
.
For
Emulation
,
it
is
so
notorious
,
so
diffusiue
a
vice
amongst
them
,
as
a
man
may
imagine
it
to
be
bread
there
,
as
Hydra
was
in
the
Fen
of
Lerna
.
I
will
put
a
case
.
Iohn
a
Stile
hath
2000
Acres
in
the
Fen
worth
him
haply
50.
li.
a
yeere
,
and
no
other
Liue-load
.
Iohn
a
Nokes
hath
200
Acres
in
the
same
Fen
worth
50.
li.
a
yeere
,
but
besides
he
hath
an
Inheritance
of
300.
li.
a
yeere
,
and
thinkes
himselfe
,
and
so
is
,
a
Gentleman
of
some
reckoning
,
the
other
is
but
a
poore
man
and
liues
hardly
.
When
the
question
of
the
drayning
of
the
Fens
comes
,
Iohn
a
Stile
is
glad
,
and
promoteth
it
all
he
may
:
But
Iohn
a
Nokes
his
rich
Neighbour
(
what
saith
he
)
shall
Iohn
a
Stile
be
a
better
man
then
I
,
who
hath
beene
alwayes
glad
to
shroud
himselfe
vnder
my
wings
,
that
I
cannot
,
I
must
not
endure
:
For
if
the
Fen
be
drayned
,
his
Land
may
be
worth
500.
li.
a
yeere
,
though
he
part
with
one
halfe
for
the
drayning
:
my
improuement
will
be
little
worth
,
no
drayning
therefore
by
my
consent
.
But
enough
in
an
vnpleasing
Argument
,
it
being
against
my
disposition
to
haue
but
touched
so
harsh
a
string
.
Hauing
thus
long
held
the
Candle
to
the
Sunne
,
that
is
,
proued
what
no
reasonable
man
can
denie
,
that
the
drayning
of
the
Fens
in
the
sixe
Counties
will
be
both
honourable
and
profitable
to
the
King
and
Kingdome
and
many
particular
persons
,
and
answered
the
obiections
which
some
ignorant
or
wilfull
people
stand
most
vpon
,
giue
me
leaue
to
proceed
to
the
second
Question
,
that
is
,
whether
it
be
feazable
or
no.
First
,
Let
it
be
for
the
time
admitted
not
granted
,
that
this
great
worke
cannot
be
accomplished
;
I
aske
what
shall
the
Countrey
loose
?
For
they
that
vndertake
it
,
must
haue
no
benefit
till
the
worke
be
done
.
If
it
be
not
done
,
they
indeed
loose
both
labour
and
cost
,
the
Countrey
looseth
nothing
,
but
on
the
contrarie
must
gaine
much
,
For
it
cannot
be
indeauoured
that
all
the
Fens
should
be
drayned
,
but
at
lest
some
must
necessarily
reape
great
benefit
,
all
some
,
by
such
indeauour
.
But
the
wisedome
of
the
Parliament
thought
the
worke
feazable
,
and
that
not
long
since
to
wit
in
the
last
Parliament
of
Queene
Elizabeth
,
the
words
are
these
.
Wherein
it
is
apparant
to
such
as
haue
trauailed
in
execution
of
the
Commission
of
Sewers
in
the
Isle
of
Ely
and
Counties
adioyning
,
that
the
Wastes
,
Commons
,
Marishes
,
and
Fenny-grounds
there
subiect
to
surrounding
,
may
be
recouered
by
skilfull
and
able
vndertakers
.
And
the
Commissioners
of
Sewers
at
Peterborough
the
8.
of
September
,
1619
,
were
resolued
of
the
possibilitie
of
the
same
.
But
what
are
the
reasons
men
thinke
the
Fens
cannot
be
drayned
?
Forsooth
because
many
and
great
men
haue
attempted
it
and
fayled
:
as
if
all
wisedome
and
insight
were
confer'd
on
great
men
.
It
may
be
their
misses
haue
taught
other
men
wisedome
:
there
is
no
greater
aduantage
then
to
learne
by
other
mens
losses
.
Hence
it
is
that
we
see
many
things
performed
euerie
day
which
our
fore-fathers
thought
bootlesse
to
attempt
:
besides
,
the
causes
of
mischiefes
and
so
the
remedies
are
often-times
not
perceiued
till
the
mischiefe
be
perfected
.
But
will
you
giue
me
leaue
to
render
you
also
a
reason
why
those
many
and
great
men
failed
in
their
enterprises
?
I
hold
it
for
a
certaintie
,
that
it
is
vtterly
vnpossible
to
drayne
,
or
fruitfully
to
recouer
any
notable
part
of
the
Fen
vnlesse
all
that
Leuell
of
Fen
whereof
it
is
a
part
,
be
ioyntly
recouered
.
And
this
hath
beene
aboundantly
proued
by
the
miscariage
of
all
particular
workes
,
except
Marshland
,
and
that
is
gayned
by
imbanking
,
partly
because
it
lyeth
on
the
out-side
of
all
the
rest
next
the
Sea
and
adioyneth
vpon
the
excellent
out-fall
of
Linne
;
partly
also
,
because
as
much
cost
hath
beene
and
is
bestowed
vpon
it
,
as
the
verie
Soyle
is
worth
,
for
it
now
costs
about
3000.
li.
a
yeere
to
maintaine
the
Bankes
,
and
so
the
medicine
hath
beene
as
ill
as
the
disease
.
Some-thing
might
be
said
also
for
Holland-Ellow
by
South
of
Spalding
,
which
is
bettered
by
the
Bankes
,
but
neither
recouered
nor
secured
,
and
likewise
of
Waldersey
and
such
portions
.
But
for
the
drayning
of
all
together
,
my
Lord
Popham
of
worthy
memorie
may
be
an
example
somewhat
to
stay
mens
minds
from
thinking
it
so
vtterly
impossible
,
who
being
a
wise
experienced
Gentleman
,
and
of
better
estate
then
that
he
should
be
contented
wilfully
to
cast
it
away
,
yet
was
verie
desirous
to
haue
aduentured
vpon
the
drayning
of
all
Cambridgeshire
,
and
the
Isle
of
Ely
,
and
surely
had
put
it
to
the
hazzard
,
if
he
had
liued
but
two
yeeres
longer
.
But
if
I
may
speake
without
disparagement
to
his
wisedome
,
that
course
which
he
intended
(
for
I
haue
seene
his
Card
and
the
wayes
he
intended
to
worke
)
would
rather
haue
bettered
much
,
then
wonne
or
secured
any
.
After
his
time
and
not
aboue
13
or
14
yeeres
since
,
his
Maiestie
and
the
Lords
were
so
afflicted
with
Petitioners
out
of
those
parts
,
all
imploring
helpe
against
that
common
calamitie
(
whereof
they
are
now
againe
made
sensible
)
that
it
was
thought
fit
by
the
State
to
send
Sr
Clement
Edmonds
to
take
view
of
the
Countrey
,
being
assisted
by
the
Lords
and
other
Commissioners
of
Sewers
.
In
which
his
Perigrination
(
for
it
was
an
vncouth
and
wild
way
he
went
,
and
a
long
time
he
spent
in
searching
into
euerie
nooke
and
corner
)
he
obserued
with
all
diligence
whatsoeuer
might
inuite
him
to
thinke
the
drayning
feazible
,
or
discourage
him
from
it
.
At
length
in
the
returne
of
his
Report
to
the
State
,
he
resolueth
that
it
may
be
done
.
Yet
not
probably
by
any
consent
of
the
Countrey
,
or
such
as
are
interested
in
the
Land
,
but
rather
by
others
.
His
reasons
I
forbeare
here
to
touch
vpon
.
After
that
,
the
right
noble
Patriot
,
the
Earle
of
Arundel
,
by
direction
from
King
Iames
,
and
the
aduice
of
the
Lords
of
the
Councell
,
made
a
iourney
into
those
parts
to
promote
the
generall
drayning
,
as
a
businesse
of
great
honour
to
his
Maiestie
,
with
whom
ioyned
the
honourable
and
worthy
Commissioners
of
Sewers
,
&
by
an
vnanimous
decree
designed
vnto
his
Maiestie
120000
Acres
of
the
Fennes
to
inable
him
to
accomplish
so
great
a
work
.
Which
Decree
his
Maiestie
ratified
by
his
Royall
assent
and
acceptation
,
and
would
certainly
haue
performed
the
worke
Royally
and
Really
,
sauing
that
he
was
at
that
time
and
vnto
his
death
,
taken
and
kept
off
by
his
weightie
and
important
affaires
of
State
.
Since
whose
decease
,
his
Royall
Maiestie
that
now
is
,
hath
greatly
desired
that
the
said
worke
might
be
proceeded
in
,
and
for
that
purpose
,
finding
that
he
could
not
presently
relieue
the
great
distresse
the
Countrey
is
now
in
by
reason
of
the
Inundation
,
hath
remitted
vnto
the
said
Commissioners
the
fore-named
Decree
to
inable
them
to
prouide
some
other
more
expedite
way
for
the
Countries
reliefe
.
By
all
which
it
appeares
that
by
the
iudgement
of
King
Iames
,
of
the
Lords
of
the
Counsell
,
and
the
Commissioners
of
Sewers
,
the
worke
is
feazable
and
greatly
desired
.
For
the
Soyle
I
doubt
not
it
is
well
disposed
to
a
drayning
,
both
because
it
hath
a
sufficient
fall
to
the
sea
,
and
because
the
Sewers
(
though
with
some
difficulty
and
greater
charge
which
yet
the
profit
will
farre
surmount
)
may
be
in
a
short
time
sufficiently
eased
.
That
the
Fennes
haue
a
Competent
fall
to
the
sea
,
it
is
argument
enough
because
they
at
length
empty
themselues
into
the
Sea
,
which
the
deepe
Meares
doe
not
.
Whether
that
fall
bee
sufficient
to
emptie
them
sooner
and
with
a
stronger
Current
then
now
they
haue
,
is
the
question
.
I
leaue
the
particular
fall
of
euery
leuell
how
many
foote
it
hath
to
the
high
water
marke
to
farther
examination
;
but
it
is
euident
that
from
the
heads
of
the
seuerall
draynes
vnto
the
low
water
marke
there
is
fall
sufficient
.
It
is
also
euident
that
Deeping
Fenne
lyes
lower
then
Thornie
,
Burrough
or
Croyland
Fennes
(
whence
also
saith
Mr.
Cambden
it
hath
his
name
)
yet
hath
the
Earle
of
Exeter
made
a
conueyance
of
the
water
from
Deeping
Fennes
vnder
Spalding
riuer
to
the
sea
,
and
that
to
some
good
effect
if
the
out
fall
at
sea
were
kept
open
:
whence
it
followeth
,
that
there
is
a
fall
into
the
Sea
out
of
the
lowest
Fennes
,
and
a
descent
much
lower
then
the
bottome
of
Spalding
riuer
;
and
yet
the
Flood
at
Spalding
is
not
one
houre
in
ordinary
Tides
,
and
consequently
the
Ebbe
there
aboue
10.
From
which
obseruation
it
may
bee
gathered
,
that
a
fall
may
bee
had
from
Spalding
to
the
low
water
marke
of
twenty
foote
,
which
fall
being
improued
by
skilfull
workemen
will
produce
a
strange
effect
.
The
like
may
be
said
of
Wisbich
,
Clowes
Crosse
,
Salters
Load
,
&c.
But
how
that
must
be
done
,
and
how
the
incoueniences
thereupon
ensuing
are
to
be
preuented
is
the
very
Elusinium
sacrum
the
mystery
of
drayning
,
which
belongeth
not
to
this
place
.
For
the
out
fall
at
Linne
,
no
man
maketh
question
of
it
,
onely
the
difficulty
will
be
thought
to
be
in
the
placing
of
the
workes
,
which
will
indeede
bee
chargeable
but
of
necessary
and
excellent
vse
.
I
would
haue
it
also
considered
that
within
these
few
yeeres
the
Tide
from
Spalding
did
flow
vp
beyond
Crowland
and
neere
Thornie
,
where
as
now
the
Tides
are
seldome
seene
aboue
Spalding
;
an
euident
argument
that
the
Fennes
grow
euery
yeere
worse
then
other
.
For
the
out
fals
of
Wisbich
and
Spalding
being
daily
more
and
more
choaked
with
sands
from
the
sea
and
mudd
out
of
the
draynes
which
cannot
now
passe
to
sea
,
and
the
riuers
stifled
with
weedes
for
want
of
a
current
;
it
comes
to
passe
that
the
whole
Fenne
is
now
vnder
water
;
though
this
present
drought
hath
brought
all
other
riuers
of
the
Kingdome
to
a
very
low
ebbe
.
Which
mischiefe
if
it
grow
but
a
few
yeeres
more
(
as
it
will
certainly
doe
if
it
bee
not
preuented
)
the
whole
Leuell
will
be
drowned
perpetually
and
become
of
no
vse
at
all
.
Besides
,
those
waters
growing
deepe
in
so
large
a
leuell
,
and
being
increased
by
a
Flood
;
a
storme
of
winde
will
haue
so
much
water
to
worke
vpon
,
that
it
will
rayse
billowes
as
in
a
sea
,
the
force
whereof
neither
the
bankes
of
Marsh
land
nor
of
other
inned
grounds
,
nor
houses
,
nor
bridges
will
bee
able
to
resist
.
What
then
will
become
of
the
fishing
and
fowling
(
their
principall
comndities
)
when
the
game
is
dispersed
so
wide
that
it
will
not
be
worth
the
labour
and
charge
to
goe
about
to
take
them
?
What
will
become
also
of
the
multitude
of
poore
people
,
who
now
liue
(
though
very
meanely
)
in
those
Fennes
by
taking
Fish
and
Fowle
,
by
gathering
Hassocke
,
Reede
,
&c.
and
by
transporting
by
their
Boates
passengers
and
commodities
too
and
fro
?
Finally
the
Towneships
and
particuler
men
that
liue
now
vpon
the
Hards
,
will
be
confined
as
into
small
Ilands
in
an
open
sea
:
and
euen
those
Ilands
will
be
daily
lessened
by
the
billowes
which
stormes
will
driue
against
them
on
all
sides
.
Adde
hereto
that
the
Meares
(
and
Whitlesea
Meare
saith
Mr.
Cambden
is
six
miles
long
and
three
miles
broade
)
which
haue
of
late
yeeres
much
enlarged
themselues
,
being
yet
more
deepned
and
their
waues
raysed
by
stormes
and
raging
like
the
sea
,
will
dayly
swallow
more
and
more
of
the
light
Fenny
soyle
bordering
vpon
them
,
and
so
at
length
may
grow
to
an
immense
both
longitude
and
latitude
,
and
make
it
truly
Circumfusa
Palus
.
But
to
insist
a
little
more
vpon
the
fall
or
descent
of
the
Leuell
of
the
Fennes
into
the
sea
;
it
appeareth
that
the
riuer
of
Peterbrough
,
(
whose
naturall
Current
,
as
it
is
most
plentifull
,
so
his
excesse
is
most
inundant
)
which
should
fall
out
at
Splading
,
or
at
Wisbich
,
or
both
,
if
it
had
vent
,
passeth
now
on
to
Whittlesea
Meare
,
and
so
runnes
through
the
whole
Isle
,
and
meeting
the
riuers
of
Ouse
,
Grant
,
Brandon
and
Stoke
,
ouerflowes
all
,
and
falleth
out
leasurely
at
Linne
aboue
threescore
miles
from
his
aberration
;
in
which
tract
running
vpon
a
leuell
and
in
small
and
cloyed
draynes
,
it
makes
the
greatest
deluge
:
beside
,
the
windes
hauing
the
aduantage
of
the
waters
when
they
are
out
,
with
greater
violence
then
any
banke
made
of
loose
earth
can
resist
,
carry
them
whether
they
list
vpon
the
face
of
the
whole
Fenne
,
because
they
haue
no
such
strength
of
Current
as
will
violently
lead
them
away
:
so
that
if
the
winde
bee
Northerly
and
stiffe
,
it
beateth
them
toward
Linne
,
and
then
the
Fenne
is
sooner
drie
;
but
if
it
blow
out
of
the
East
or
South
,
the
whole
masse
of
waters
is
carried
from
Lin
ward
,
&
finding
no
other
out-fall
,
continues
vpon
the
face
of
the
Fenne
till
those
winds
remit
,
and
the
waters
fall
backe
to
Linne
,
where
they
find
no
very
free
discharge
because
they
are
holden
vp
by
the
Tide
12
houres
in
24.
and
thence
it
comes
that
if
any
Flood
happen
in
Aprill
or
after
,
the
Fennes
are
lost
for
that
whole
yeere
.
More
concerning
the
possibility
to
drayne
the
Fennes
need
not
bee
said
,
this
being
no
place
fit
to
discouer
the
manner
of
the
Workes
or
the
places
of
Aduantage
whereon
to
set
them
,
or
the
old
or
new
draynes
that
must
leade
vnto
them
.
Onely
thus
much
I
thinke
fit
to
intimate
,
that
there
is
a
great
difference
betweene
these
Fennes
and
the
Leuels
in
the
Low
Countryes
.
For
there
the
sea
is
higher
then
the
Land
,
and
therefore
their
onely
way
is
by
Banking
to
keepe
out
the
sea
,
and
then
by
mils
and
other
deuices
to
heaue
out
the
water
:
which
worke
of
banking
though
it
be
exceeding
chargeable
and
dangerous
for
breaches
,
yet
they
are
constrayned
to
trust
to
it
,
because
they
haue
no
fall
to
the
sea
,
and
beside
they
are
so
scanted
for
Land
that
the
value
thereof
doth
counteruaile
that
excessiue
charge
:
but
with
vs
in
the
Fennes
all
is
otherwise
.
For
we
haue
a
fall
to
the
low
water
marke
of
more
then
twenty
foote
to
empty
the
waters
into
the
sea
.
Beside
,
we
haue
abundance
of
riuers
and
draynes
to
lead
them
vnto
the
seuerall
out-fals
which
may
and
must
bee
deepned
;
but
we
haue
no
firme
earth
in
place
to
make
bankes
,
nor
sound
ground
to
place
them
vpon
.
Besides
,
the
Land
to
be
gained
will
not
defray
that
charge
neither
(
if
all
the
trust
be
vpon
banks
)
can
it
be
secure
to
incourage
men
to
inhabit
,
build
,
plant
and
stocke
the
ground
to
bee
gained
,
because
we
haue
had
experience
that
some
few
breaches
in
Marshland
and
other
banked
grounds
haue
brought
great
deluges
and
destruction
of
houses
,
Cattle
,
&c.
many
of
which
are
not
yet
regained
,
others
held
good
at
an
excessiue
charge
,
and
vnder
desperate
dangers
.
There
is
also
an
other
danger
in
Banking
procured
by
a
small
contemptible
Vermine
,
they
be
Water-rats
,
which
make
their
holes
in
the
banks
close
to
the
water
when
it
is
at
the
shallowest
in
infinite
number
,
and
feeding
vpon
the
frie
of
fish
,
doe
multiply
like
fishes
.
These
burrough
deepe
into
the
bankes
,
which
being
made
of
light
earth
,
when
the
waters
do
rise
and
are
beaten
into
them
by
the
winde
,
many
of
those
holes
are
worne
into
one
,
and
so
the
whole
banke
is
in
no
long
time
demolished
;
a
mischiefe
which
it
is
impossible
to
remedy
,
&
yet
such
as
will
render
all
Banking
insufficient
to
keepe
out
the
water
,
much
more
vnsafe
for
men
to
trust
vnto
if
they
should
be
desirous
to
inhabit
neere
them
or
vnder
their
protection
.
Finally
,
the
cure
by
Banking
is
impossible
for
our
Fennes
,
vnlesse
the
water
could
be
taken
into
those
banked
draynes
before
it
fall
into
the
leuell
of
the
Fennes
,
that
is
to
say
,
as
the
riuers
descend
from
the
high
ground
;
otherwise
the
waters
can
neuer
rise
to
make
vse
of
the
height
of
such
bankes
,
but
will
rather
returne
and
drowne
Peterborrough
,
Deeping
Huntington
,
&c.
Therefore
the
way
must
bee
to
begin
at
the
Out-fals
and
there
to
repulse
the
salt
water
and
sands
,
and
by
taking
aduantage
of
the
fall
to
low
water
marke
,
to
conuey
away
the
fresh
and
the
sand
and
other
silte
which
now
choketh
the
riuers
and
draynes
.
Besides
these
arguments
against
trusting
to
Bankes
in
a
case
where
in
great
aduentures
of
mens
persons
,
habitations
and
estates
are
to
be
borne
;
there
is
another
argument
against
entertaining
of
Strangers
to
performe
this
work
,
for
this
Banking
is
the
conceite
of
Strangers
who
are
accustomed
only
to
banking
at
home
.
And
this
is
an
argument
first
of
Honor
,
secondly
of
security
,
thirdly
of
profit
.
For
the
matter
of
Honour
:
Now
,
if
euer
,
we
haue
reason
to
insist
vpon
it
,
when
the
reputation
of
our
Country
is
brought
into
competition
with
our
neighbours
,
who
were
wont
to
haue
their
dependance
vpon
vs
,
and
reliefe
from
vs
.
Is
the
old
Actiuity
and
abilities
of
the
English
Nation
(
who
in
former
times
were
esteemed
the
greatest
vndertakers
in
the
Westerne
parts
of
the
world
)
growne
now
so
dull
and
insufficient
that
we
must
pray
in
ayde
of
our
neighbours
to
improue
our
owne
Demaynes
?
The
Duke
of
Venice
is
said
to
marry
the
sea
,
as
if
he
had
with
it
but
diuisum
Imperium
;
wee
haue
beene
alwayes
Lords
of
the
sea
,
and
our
Common
Law
hath
adiudged
the
sea
to
be
part
of
our
Kingdome
,
shall
wee
suffer
that
Regality
to
become
obnoxious
to
Strangers
,
and
not
that
onely
,
but
the
fresh
waters
within
our
Continent
,
as
if
our selues
were
not
able
to
bring
them
into
order
?
Surely
our
great
plenty
and
abundance
of
fruitful
Land
hath
beene
hitherto
one
cause
why
this
improuement
hath
beene
neglected
:
but
of
late
the
blessing
of
peace
hath
so
multiplyed
our
people
vnder
our
last
two
peacefull
Princes
,
that
we
haue
transplanted
many
Colonies
into
Ireland
,
Virginea
,
Bermuda
,
St.
Christophers
,
New
England
,
&c.
and
beside
hath
stirred
vp
men
at
home
to
gaine
much
rich
Land
from
the
seas
,
and
in
particular
to
attempt
vpon
this
surrounded
Leuel
,
wherin
that
they
haue
not
hitherto
preuailed
,
hath
not
beene
want
of
skill
,
or
will
,
nor
yet
of
indeauour
.
For
diuers
worthy
men
haue
appeared
in
the
vndertaking
,
the
last
and
worthiest
being
our
late
Soueraigne
Lord
of
blessed
memory
,
who
thought
it
no
dishonour
to
declare
himselfe
an
Vndertaker
herein
,
but
being
translated
hence
,
hath
left
The
Honour
of
this
Worke
to
Crowne
the
Raigne
,
Of
his
deere
Sonne
our
now
dread
Soueraigne
.
For
matter
of
security
;
shall
wee
esteeme
it
of
small
moment
to
put
into
the
hands
of
Strangers
three
or
foure
such
Ports
and
Harbours
as
Linne
,
Wisbeach
,
Spalding
and
Boston
will
be
when
the
out-fals
shall
bee
opened
to
Low
water
marke
,
and
permit
the
Countrey
within
and
betweene
them
to
be
peopled
by
ouerthwart
neighbours
whose
strength
and
vndertakings
begin
to
grow
formidable
;
or
if
they
quaile
themselues
must
giue
place
to
our
most
Auncient
&
dangerous
enemies
,
who
will
be
ready
enough
to
take
aduantage
of
so
many
faire
Inlets
into
the
bosome
of
our
Land
,
lying
so
neere
together
,
that
an
Army
landing
part
in
each
of
them
,
may
easily
meete
and
strongly
intrench
themselues
with
wals
of
water
and
drowne
the
Countrey
about
them
at
their
pleasure
?
This
very
thing
was
obiected
by
a
worthy
Patriot
in
a
late
Parliament
,
wherein
a
bill
was
preferred
for
the
admitting
of
Strangers
to
vndertake
this
Worke
,
and
thereupon
cast
out
.
Finally
,
if
nothing
were
considerable
but
the
matter
of
profit
,
would
it
be
thought
fit
to
giue
so
great
a
portion
of
our
Land
as
the
third
part
of
that
Leuell
to
Strangers
to
empty
themselues
into
,
and
leaue
our
owne
Countreymen
with
so
great
trauell
,
charge
and
aduenture
to
seeke
for
seates
abroad
in
remote
parts
,
when
we
may
comfort
both
them
and
our selues
by
placing
them
at
home
?
Neither
yet
would
I
be
vnderstood
to
be
so
enuious
to
Strangers
,
as
that
I
had
rather
the
water
then
they
should
possesse
the
Land
;
but
the
question
being
whither
should
be
preferred
to
the
Vndertaking
of
the
worke
,
Strangers
or
men
of
our
owne
Countrey
,
I
am
out
of
doubt
that
no
true
English
man
will
be
scrupulous
in
the
choyce
.
Yet
I
doe
ingeniously
acknowledge
that
the
industrye
of
some
of
our
neighbours
,
especially
the
Dutchmen
,
deserueth
commendations
and
imitation
for
enlarging
themselues
into
the
sea
,
especially
in
,
and
about
Amsterdam
,
and
securing
themselues
from
the
sea
by
costly
and
ingenious
deuices
;
but
such
deuices
are
not
proper
for
our
busines
,
which
is
to
be
performed
in
a
farre
different
manner
,
the
error
leading
vs
directly
to
the
remedy
which
is
meerely
Naturall
:
for
Nature
hath
giuen
to
all
riuers
and
waters
as
well
their
courses
,
issues
and
out-fals
into
the
sea
as
their
heads
and
springs
;
and
by
the
former
hath
as
well
prouided
for
the
vse
of
man
as
by
the
latter
.
This
guidance
of
Nature
if
wee
follow
,
and
adde
Art
as
a
hand-mayd
vnto
it
,
wee
shall
by
remouing
the
cause
auoyd
also
the
effect
;
and
by
consideration
how
the
mischiefe
hath
growne
,
learne
to
preuent
it
in
the
future
;
wherein
the
sparing
of
cost
is
no
frugality
.
But
if
it
be
questioned
,
Whether
those
Englishmen
that
offer
to
aduenture
their
estates
and
the
reputation
of
their
skill
,
be
able
to
accomplish
the
businesse
?
the
answer
is
,
That
beside
that
they
can
demonstrate
their
abilities
,
What
praejudice
can
it
be
to
any
man
to
be
an
idle
spectator
,
whilest
they
expend
their
money
and
exercise
their
skill
,
they
requiring
no
recompence
till
the
Worke
be
performed
?
The
third
and
last
Question
is
,
How
a
Competent
Reward
may
be
apportioned
for
them
that
should
vndertake
so
great
a
Worke
?
This
indeed
hath
beene
the
great
and
maine
Impediment
of
the
Drayning
of
the
Fennes
,
for
many
yeeres
;
most
men
interessed
,
being
vnable
to
disburse
Money
,
and
also
vnwilling
to
part
with
any
of
their
Land
,
of
how
little
value
soeuer
it
hath
beene
vnto
them
,
or
how
great
soeuer
the
improuement
of
the
remainder
might
be
:
or
if
some
were
willing
,
yet
the
minds
of
the
multitude
haue
not
beene
vnlike
the
Waters
of
the
Fenne
;
which
not
being
contained
within
due
limits
,
but
dispersed
abroad
ouer
the
surface
of
so
great
a
Leuell
,
are
easily
interrupted
in
their
course
by
the
slender
opposition
of
Flagges
and
Reedes
:
euen
so
,
these
mens
minds
not
being
restrained
by
Authoritie
,
nor
guided
by
rule
of
Reason
,
doe
stray
into
seuerall
Opinions
,
and
receiue
Impediment
from
Oppositions
as
slender
as
those
Weedes
:
some
of
them
being
not
ashamed
to
alleadge
,
that
by
gayning
of
Grasse
,
they
should
loose
their
Reedes
and
Sedge
,
not
considering
the
difference
of
their
values
.
But
of
late
,
receiuing
information
from
the
King
and
his
Councel
,
and
the
Commissioners
of
Sewers
taking
into
their
consideration
,
that
the
Wisdome
of
seuerall
Parliaments
haue
thought
fit
to
giue
a
part
of
such
Lands
to
those
that
should
improue
the
whole
,
and
pondering
how
great
the
benefit
of
such
improuement
would
be
to
them
and
their
posteritie
,
haue
(
not
many
yeeres
since
)
fallen
vpon
an
excellent
course
to
encourage
men
of
skill
and
abilitie
to
embarke
themselues
in
that
Designe
.
Whereupon
,
after
a
Tax
layd
vpon
the
Lands
of
that
whole
Countrey
by
the
Acre
,
to
enable
the
Commissioners
of
Sewers
legally
to
conuey
part
thereof
to
beare
the
charge
of
aduancing
the
whole
,
King
Iames
of
blessed
memorie
declaring
himselfe
to
be
the
Vndertaker
,
a
Decree
of
Sewers
was
enacted
at
Cambridge
the
20.
day
of
February
,
in
the
yeeres
of
the
Reigne
of
our
late
Soueraigne
Lord
King
Iames
,
of
England
,
France
,
and
Ireland
,
the
19.
and
of
Scotland
,
the
55.
Whereby
was
designed
to
be
granted
to
his
Maiestie
for
the
supportation
of
that
vast
Charge
,
120000.
Acres
of
the
Fenne
Lands
,
to
be
conueyed
vnto
his
Maiestie
,
his
Heires
and
Successors
:
that
is
to
say
,
out
of
euery
particular
part
,
a
proportion
answerable
to
the
quantitie
of
the
Land
,
and
the
benefit
that
should
redound
vnto
the
Owners
thereof
,
so
that
in
the
whole
it
should
accomplish
the
said
number
of
120000.
Acres
,
as
the
Commissioners
of
Sewers
,
after
a
particular
suruey
,
should
thinke
fit
to
allot
the
same
.
Which
Lands
notwithstanding
,
the
King
was
not
to
haue
any
interest
in
,
or
possession
of
,
vntill
eyther
the
whole
Fennes
,
or
some
notable
part
,
were
effectually
Drayned
,
and
so
adjudged
by
the
Commissioners
,
or
a
competent
number
of
them
.
The
reason
why
this
Decree
tooke
no
effect
,
was
the
many
and
important
affaires
of
State
,
wherewith
his
Maiestie
was
exercised
the
whole
time
of
his
life
,
after
the
said
Decree
was
enacted
.
Whereupon
all
the
good
intentions
and
preparation
,
both
on
the
part
of
his
Maiestie
,
and
the
Commissioners
fell
to
the
ground
.
Since
which
time
,
those
Countries
hauing
beene
grieuously
afflicted
with
the
continuance
and
encrease
of
Inundations
,
they
are
now
by
the
hand
of
God
not
led
onely
,
but
constrained
to
seeke
some
effectuall
meanes
for
speedie
reliefe
.
Whereupon
some
of
them
(
as
men
readie
to
perish
by
the
Waters
,
are
wont
)
haue
reached
out
their
hands
,
to
take
hold
vpon
such
weake
and
defectiue
helpes
,
as
the
examples
of
their
predecessors
haue
left
vnto
them
,
that
is
to
say
,
vpon
particular
Workes
of
Goates
,
Draynes
,
Bankes
,
&c.
not
duly
weighing
,
how
they
haue
formerly
fayled
those
that
haue
layd
hold
vpon
them
:
Witnesse
the
costly
Draynes
of
Morton
Bishop
of
Ely
called
The
New
Leame
;
Clowes
Crosse
,
Popham
Mea
,
The
Londoners
Loade
and
many
others
;
and
the
many
miles
of
Bankes
about
Deeping
,
Thornie
Walter
Sea
,
The
Londoners
Land
,
and
infinite
others
:
all
which
are
now
of
little
or
no
vse
,
though
the
charge
of
them
hath
beene
so
great
,
as
if
it
had
beene
bestowed
at
once
vpon
the
generall
Worke
,
would
haue
gone
farre
toward
the
accomplishment
of
a
Reall
Drayning
,
which
long
before
this
time
had
made
a
rich
Improuement
.
Others
there
are
,
who
finding
the
Disease
of
the
Fen
to
be
like
the
stopping
of
the
Vrine
neere
the
fall
of
the
Kidneyes
;
from
whence
being
returned
,
it
first
filleth
vp
all
the
veines
of
the
body
which
before
were
neere
full
with
bloud
,
and
then
drownes
the
Patient
in
his
owne
Water
:
of
which
Disease
there
is
no
possible
Cure
,
but
to
remoue
the
Impediment
neere
the
Kidneyes
,
so
to
regayne
the
naturall
Out-fall
.
In
like
manner
,
the
Waters
that
annoy
the
Fennes
,
doe
first
fill
the
Riuers
and
Draynes
;
at
whose
issues
being
returned
backe
by
Impediment
,
they
ouerflow
and
stifle
the
whole
Body
of
the
Fenne
:
of
which
Disease
,
there
is
no
possible
Cure
,
but
the
opening
and
securing
of
the
Naturall
Out-falls
;
at
which
,
the
whole
Body
of
the
Fenne
will
equally
and
speedily
vnburthen
it selfe
,
and
so
returne
to
that
pristine
Condition
,
so
much
extolled
in
the
Monuments
of
Antiquitie
.
This
then
being
the
onely
way
for
Cure
of
that
grand
Disease
,
vnder
which
many
thousand
Acres
of
Ground
,
and
(
which
more
is
)
many
thousand
People
doe
languish
,
those
onely
shall
approue
their
Iudgements
in
this
Cure
,
who
themselues
incline
and
labour
to
incline
others
to
further
by
Art
that
Naturall
Remedie
.
Yet
how
Naturall
soeuer
this
Remedy
be
,
it
cannot
be
imagined
that
so
vast
and
enorme
a
quantity
of
Land
as
these
Leuels
do
containe
can
be
drayned
without
a
huge
expence
;
and
the
preuention
of
the
same
mischiefe
for
time
to
come
by
apt
Works
will
greatly
increase
if
not
double
the
charge
,
beside
the
necessary
prouision
to
maintaine
,
nay
to
better
the
Nauigation
by
deepning
the
riuers
,
&c.
Adde
hereto
the
aduenture
of
so
great
summes
as
are
necessary
to
be
expended
in
these
Workes
;
whereof
although
such
as
shall
vndertake
the
businesse
,
well
knowing
their
owne
wayes
and
meanes
are
(
as
behoueth
them
)
secure
,
yet
their
assistants
(
for
without
aduentureres
no
priuate
mans
abilitie
is
able
to
effect
it
)
relying
vpon
their
credit
and
skill
,
haue
reason
to
require
no
Litigeous
,
but
a
Legall
and
pregnant
assurance
of
a
valuable
recompence
which
being
conformed
to
the
decree
for
the
120000
Acres
before
recited
will
be
indifferent
both
for
the
Aduenturers
and
the
Owners
,
as
it
seemeth
was
concluded
by
the
Commissioners
before
they
enacted
that
Decree
.
Here
it
may
be
obiected
,
that
many
Noblemen
and
Gentlemen
interested
in
those
Leuels
,
will
choose
rather
to
disburse
some
summes
of
money
for
their
parts
to
keepe
their
Inheritances
entire
,
then
part
with
any
of
their
Lands
.
The
answer
whereunto
is
,
that
a
booke
may
bee
made
according
to
the
Custome
of
Aduentures
,
wherein
euery
man
that
listeth
may
write
such
a
proportion
for
his
aduenture
as
will
intitle
him
to
so
many
Acres
as
vpon
the
suruey
shall
be
set
out
of
his
Land
to
make
vp
the
number
of
120000
Acres
.
Out
of
which
also
it
must
bee
considered
,
that
a
good
proportion
must
be
set
apart
for
the
perpetuall
securing
of
the
workes
to
be
effected
,
as
the
Commissioners
of
Sewers
in
the
forenamed
Decree
haue
juditiously
prouided
.
Thus
much
being
collected
out
of
loose
papers
which
had
lien
long
by
the
wals
,
and
tyed
together
with
some
Additions
out
of
new
obseruations
,
is
presented
by
a
friend
to
this
incomparable
designe
;
which
if
it
be
effected
,
will
be
●egistred
to
all
succeeding
ages
,
and
haply
this
may
conduce
somewhat
thereto
,
with
which
if
the
Author
be
honoured
hee
is
well
ap●●ed
,
but
if
hee
be
remembred
to
haue
cast
in
his
Mite
into
the
Treasury
he
will
exult
.
H.
C.
FJNJS
.