WHEREAS The Kings most excellent Maiestie , by his gracious Letters , dated at Windsore the iiij . day of this instant moneth of September , directed vnto the Commissioners of Sewars in the Countie of Cambridge , Isle of Ely , Suffolke , Norfolke , Lincolne , Northampton , Huntingdon , &c. therein signifying , that Sr. WILLIAM AYLOFFE , Knight and Barronet , Sr. ANTHONIE THOMAS Knight , with other their friends , at their owne charge haue vndertaken the great and worthy worke , to draine the grounds surrounded with fresh or salt waters , in the seuerall Counties of Cambridge , the Isle of Ely , Norfolke , Suffolke , Lincolne , Northampton , Huntingdon , &c. whereby his Maiestie conceiueth , that a great and inestimable profit will arise to the Kingdome , and that the said worke will disburthen the said Counties , and the Inhabitants thereof , from the taxes and charges now continually imposed vpon them , and will reconcile , and vtterly take away all differences , and discontents heretofore arising about the leuying of such taxes : Also signifying , that the said Vndertakers haue alreadie concluded in point with his Maiestie , concerning the recompence for the draining his Maiesties lands , and the lands of the Prince his Highnes ; And hath by his Maiesties said Letters , recommended the said Vndertakers , and their designes to the especiall care of all the Lords , and other Commissioners of Sewars , for all and euery the said Counties , requiring them to be aiding and assisting to them in the Contracts to be made with the Subiects according to Lawe ; And that all persons should be respectiue , and conformable to that his Maiesties Royall pleasure .

AND therewithall , the right Honourable Lords , and others of his Maiesties most Honourable Priuie Counsell , for further direction and instruction , haue also directed their Honourable Letters , bearing date at Windsore aforesaid , the v. day of the said moneth of September , Wherein their Lordships for the better clearing of the said businesse , haue mentioned one cheife purpose of the said Vndertakers , That they entend to beginne their workes at the Sea , and to open the out-falls of Neane and Welland , and make them nauigable to the Townes of Spalding and Wishich , which ( their Lordships conceiued ) will take away all feare of turning the waters vpon any the neighbour-Countries , and drawe the same into their true and naturall channells , without any further trouble or inconuenience .

For the readier , and more speedie execution whereof , their Lordships by their said Letters did likewise require the said Commissioners of Sewars , to obserue well his Maiesties said gracious , and Princely direction .

WHEREFORE We the foresaid Commissioners , at this present Session of Sewars , assembled in all humble obedience to his most excellent Maiestie , and dutifull obseruation of his Maiesties said Royall pleasure ; And beeing very forward and willing , to giue all due respect to the right Honourable their Lordships instructions and commands ; And also because the said Vndertakers this day repairing vnto vs haue declared ,

That their intent is so to draine the said Fennes and grounds , as that by their said works , and drainings , none in generall , nor any person in particular , shall receiue any hurt or preiudice .

And that they will from time to time , maintaine and secure the same so drained .

And that they will not receiue any recompence , but where through their industrie an increase of benefit shall be raised to the owners , or occupiers thereof , and that after their workes shall be perfected .

And if any question arise whether any benefit be receiued in any particular by their said industry , it shall be decided by a sufficient and able Iurie , ( to be named by the Commissioners of Sewars of the Countie of Cambridge now beeing ) and inhabiting within the said Countie , or the greater part of them , for the Countie of Cambridge ; and such Iurors so nominated , and no others , shall be returned by the Sheriffe of the said Sheire .

And if any like question arise for the Isle of Ely , it shall be decided by a sufficient and able Iurie , to be named by the nowe Lord Bishop of Ely , and such Iurors so named , and no others , shall be returned by the Baliffe of the Liberties of the said Lord Bishop , vpon euidence giuen on either side .

And also that they will giue such recompence and satisfaction to those parties that shall receiue hurt or damage , by any of their said workes , as the foresaid now Commissioners , or the greater part of them , for lands lying in the Countie of Cambridge ; and the said L. Bishop now beeing , ( for the lands lying in the Isle of Ely ) shall thinke fit .

And that at their owne charge , they will make prouision , that water shall be conueled , and stay at those Townes ( where water hath heretofore come , and stayed ) for Nauigation and Transportation , and the Towneships afterwards to maintaine it .

And that they will better , and in no wise hurt , or impayre , the Nauigation in the Riuers of Graunt and Owse .

WEE ( beeing desirous so excellent a worke should haue all possible furtherance , as well in regard of the exceeding benefit which is intended , as for the incouragement of those persons that aduenture great summes of money to performe the same ) doe order , decree , enact , and establish , as followeth : viz.

THAT the said Vndertakers shall haue free consent and approbation of this Court , to proceede with their enterprise so soone as they shall thinke meete , We beeing determined to glue them all aide and assistance , which lawfully we may by authoritie of our said Commission : And that We shall also from time to time , assist and further them in the said Contracts , with the Lords , owners , commoners , and parties interessed in the said fennes and grounds , in all lawfull manner , according to his Maiesties said pleasure , and their Lordships said directions , and according to such agreements and Contracts , as by the said Vndertakers with the Lords , owners , commoners , and parties interessed in the said fennes and grounds , shall bee made and set downe .

IT IS ALSO agreed , and so ordered at this Court , that the Tenor of this Order be published in all and euery Towne , Parrish , Village , Mannor , or Lordship , within the Countie of Cambridge , and Isle of Ely , by the Lords of the Mannors in their Courts , Leetes , or Courts Barons next to be called , and by the Ministers of the Parishes in the Churches on this side , and before the fift of October next ; to the ende that all owners , commoners , and other persons interessed in any drowned grounds , within the Countie and Isle aforesaid , hauing notice therof , may apply themselues with speed to repaire vnto the Vndertakers , or their Assignes , abiding at the signe of the Bell at Ely , and at the signe of the Faulcon in Cambridge , for making and concluding their Contracts according to the true intent , and purport of this Order : That in default of such Contracts , this Court may ( at the next Session of Sewars , which is to bee holden at Cambridge Castle , at eight of the clocke in the forenoone , the thirteenth day of October next ) take further order for the expedition of the preceeding of the Vndertakers in their workes , according to his Maiesties pleasure .

MEMORANDVM , That it is not the intent and purpose of the Vndertakers , to alter or change the state of any Commons , but onely to haue such competent part thereof , to be set out in seueraltie to them , and their heires , as shall content them for their worthy worke of dreyning the same , and the residue of euery Common to remaine in the same Condition , ( to all intents and purposes ) as now it doth .