Of the opening of rivers for navigation, the benefit exemplified, by the two Avons of Salisbury and Bristol. : with a Mediterranean passage by water for billanders of thirty tun, between Bristol and London, with the results.

OF THE OPENING OF RIVERS FOR NAVIGATION , The Benefit exemplified , By The Two AVONS Of Salisbury and Bristol . WITH A Mediterranean Passage by Water for BILLANDERS of Thirty Tun , between Bristol and London . With the Results

LONDON , Printed by G. Dawson , 1660.

engraved portrait of King Charles II, with chain, crown, and sceptre, and a second crown to one side Charles II . King of Great Brittain . etc.

〈…〉 et excudit

TO THE Most High and Mighty MONARCH , Charles the Second : By the Grace of God , King of England , Scotland , France , and Ireland , Defender of the Faith . May it Please Your Majesty .

THere is nothing of greater advantage to a Land , than the opening of Rivers , that by the Communication of them , the more Inland Countries may not only abound with all the varieties in which they exceed , but that all other manner of Goods , ( though never of so great burthen ) may be daily imported or exported to the incredible case and benefit of the Subject .

Your Majesties great Predecessor , Henry the 1st . was well experienced in this truth , who by cutting a Channel upon the Trent for seven miles length , did bring it down to his City of Lincoln , and being the first that conveyed so great a benefit to his people , doth stand alone by its self , in fame and glory . No doubt but the like hath been desired by other Princes of this Nation , who being hindred either by Forraign or Domestick Warrs , or wanting the help and advice of good Artists , could not accomplish ( though attempted ) with so much honour and advantage .

It having pleased Almighty God , to restore Your Majesty to the Government of this Nation , and Your Majesty having of your self a delight in the water , I have presumed to make this address unto Your Majesty , concerning a Navigable passage upon the two famous Rivers of Avon and Thames , to the Cities of London and Salisbury , and so to the Sea , which will be a work of great advantage , were your Majesty so gratiously pleased , that it might be established by Act of Parliament ( as was that noble passage by water from London to Oxford ) & no less encouragement would it be to the undertakers , who then would undergo so famous a work even at their own charge , and through all ages would crown your Majesties praises , & love to the publick ; for Rivers will remain when Cities and Towns do fall , and it will be no little honour unto me , that in so great a work your Majesty will descend from the height of your own judgment , to reflect on the endeavours and the experience of him , who is ,

Your Royal Majesties most unworthy , but most humble and devoted Servant . Francis Matthew . Servant , and Captain of a Troop of Horse in His late Majesties Service ; as by his Commissions doth appear .

Who left noe way vnsought with : those in r Govermt : to perfect so laudable a design

If Your Majesty approve of this Overture presented , and be pleased to command my attendance on the Lords of your Majesties Privy Council , I shall be ready to give them futher satisfaction herein , for the perfecting this so glorious a design , and remove all difficulties ; and wheras I have set down in my printed papers this Navigable passage to be used only in the winter season , when our Rivers do Swell , yet upon a re-survey , we do find with a little more charge , for carrying Vessels of forty Tun burthen , or thereabouts , all the yaer long .

Of the Opening of Rivers for Navigation , &c.

IN these Papers we are not to reflect upon this Island , as capable of such Waterings as the flat Netherlands , whose Benefits may seem to allure us to the like Industry ; Nevertheless Englands fair Valleys , and rich In-lets , through which many noble Rivers insinuate themselves , might , with the imitation of the industrious Netherlander , be made in many places docible of Navigation , to the inestimable comfort , satisfaction , ease , and profit of the publick , especially during the seven ( which we call ) Winter-months , when Waters abound in our Rivers , and the Sea-coasts so dangerous for Navigation : but with more charge Navigation may be maintained all the whole year , upon many of our Rivers .

The Objections of the differences of the Soyl , must not deterr us from so advantagious an enterprize , there wanting thereunto nothing but a Resolution of the powerful Undertaker .

And since that word Undertaker is fallen from my Pen , it must pass for a principle with me , That such great and publick Works are not to be attempted by private men , or any particular Corporation , But most fit it were , that the State it self should be the sole Undertaker , performing all at its own proper charge ; and so may justly settle upon every such Passage , a Revenue to the Common-wealth for ever .

But before any particular Work in this kinde be Resolved upon , the Expence is to be weighed , with the Benefits to the publick ; and these laid in equal balance , it will soon appear , Whether that one particular Design , will be profitable or not .

To clear this , a supposed Instance may be made in the Citizens of the noble City of Salisbury , as humbly making suit , That their Avon falling into the Sea at Christchurch , might be opened to small flat-bottom Vessels , Billanders of 30 Tun , which Loaden , draw only three foot and a half Water ; and this as well for the Sea , and its Commodities to be imported , as for the easier carrying down the Fruits of Mendip-Hills , and of all that part of the West , to all those parts below , which stand in so much need thereof .

The Charge must be looked into with the Profits : and though the Expence might seem great , yet must it not affright the publick Undertaker : For besides the high Obligation this should lay upon the City of Salisbury , and all those adjacent parts , for so great and everlasting a Gift , which to a State ought to be a prevalent motive : The State it self might also reflect upon the benefit not only to the people , but also to its own Revenue accruing by that Navigable passage , settled upon the Commonwealth for ever : It being a known maxime of State , that by what the People , by the same the Government groweth rich .

Moreover , it must be thought that the desires of the people in the instance before cited , were grounded upon apparent benefits conceived .

This Example may serve for all other such passages by water aimed at , the which ought to be made as apparently beneficial , as feazible : the Charge , as hath been said , being fit for no Undertaker , but the State it self : and the more such Navigable passages should Meander and winde within the Land , still would the benefit more and more arise .

Rivers may be compared to States-men sent abroad ; they are never out of their way : so they pass by great Cities , Marts , Courts of Princes , Armies , Leaguers , Diets , and the like Theaters of Action , which still contribute to the increase of their Observation ; So Navigable Rivers , the more places of Note they pass by , the more they take up , or bring ; still gleaning one Commodity or other from the Soyl they pass through , and are supplied by every Town they touch at with imployment

The Benefites which will evidently arise by opening of such Rivers in this Common . wealth as shall be found beneficially capable of Navigation , Bacon in his Natural History calleth these the richest Mines above ground . are numerous and great ; of which some few we will her touch .

By this industry , as it increaseth , will be raised many thousand of Watermen , fit at any time to be taken into the service of the State , and what waterman will not think hemself highly advanced , to come out of a River into the Sea ; out of a Billander , into a man of War , whose constant pay will be far greater , and whose imployment will be of much more credit , and carry it with more hope of preferment . Hence also many thousands of Horse , now only used for Packs and Burthens , would be spared , & our Studderies more capable for Warlike service , and the feeding of small Tits imployed upon improvable stocks .

The facility of Commerce from one place to another , and the cheapness of transportation of Commodities , without so much grinding and plowing up our high-wayes , which maketh them now in many places so impassable .

You shall see Western waggons , which they call Plows , carry forty hundred weight ; insomuch as between Bristol and Marlborough , they have been enforced at a Hill they call Bagdown-hill , to put twenty Beasts , Horse and Oxen , to draw it up . This great abuse , by this means would be taken away , by keeping our High-wayes pleasant ; and withal , by this transportation of Commodities by Rivers , the price of Commodities would fall .

The Imposition , though easie , laid upon every such Navigable passage , would , as Rivers by degrees are opened , amount to a fair revenue , without any grievance at all to the people , but rather with much comfort , as it is imbraced in other Countries , where they cannot live without the help of these Billanders , passing and repassing daily from Town to Town , from Market to Market , and from Coast to Coast ; These are onely some few of so many benefits , which will result from the opening of our Rivers .

General Observations upon all Rivers , as they are thought fit to be made Navigable .

TO rise as high in opening the said Rivers as they shal be found feazible ;

See Rastal at large in his Havens & Rivers upon the 67 of Eliz .

Let the head of the Avon wch falleth down from Rugby to Warwick , and so into the Severne , be examined with the Welland , which riseth neer to the head of the Avon , & falleth down to Stanford , and so through the Isle of Ely , into the Sea .

there to make a Wharf , Magazine , or Warehouse for all such Commodities as are useful to those parts of the Country , both for Trade in Merchandizing , & service in time of War , with far greater expedition .

If any other River , practicable for Boats , lye neer the head , or side of the said River , and that the ground favour the opening of a still River to be drawn between them , then to joyn them with Sasses , alias Locks , or otherwise . But should the ground be repugnant , then a fair stone Cawsey , not exceeding one little daies journey for Horse , or Carts , to be raised between the said Rivers . Where the Navigation ends , a Wharf , or Magazine to be made as aforesaid , if these reach from Sea to Sea , not otherwise . For the example of Cawseys , let the head of Foy River , & that of Padston in Cornwall be examined , for a Cawsey to be made between them . Which would revive that Country with imployment .

By the like industry , many Mediterranen passages by Water , with the help of such Cawseys , would be found from one Sea to the other , and not to have the old Channel of any River to be forsaken to gain a shorter passage . For , as hath been said , Rivers are never out of their way ; and upon these Navigable passages , our chief Manufactures should be set up , for the Commoditie of trasportation .

Object . These great Works alwaies bring forth great difficulties , though the benefit be never so apparent .

Answ . Can any thing of this nature seem difficult to a State resolved to do good to its peoole ? Difficulties are the boundaries of narrow hearts , such is not to be the heart of a State , which should most rejoyce in difficult things , in the overcoming of which , so much honor is atchieved .

A business well pondered and seriously resolved on , by a powerful Undertaker , is carried like the World upon Atlas shoulders , without groaning .

Object . 2. Most of our Rivers in the Summer time will want water to carry a Boat , even our Thames sometimes is so shallow , as our Barges are gravelled .

These expresly forbidden in Magna Charta , cap . 2. See Henr . pri . mi , cap . 12. Also Walsingham , in Edw . 3 And Sir John Davis in his Irish Reports . Answ . Such Rivers as shall be judged fit for Navigation must not be debarred the Contribution which other Springs , Brooks , and Rivers would give them ; wherefore all such Streams , great or small , which would willingly fall into our said Rivers designed for Navigation , ought to be free , and not to be bound up with Wears , Sluces , Pens for Mills , and the like imprestures , which keep up , stop , and divert the Waters from their natural Course , and fall into those Navigable Rivers .

Those Mills either the State should buy of the Owners of them , and erect for every Water-mill three Horse-mills , for the necessity of the Country adjoyning , or so agree with the Owners of them , that they pulling up their Water-mills and such apparent purprestures for the free Course of Waters , should themselves set up the said Horse-mills for the use of the Country in places more convenient , then to go in some place a mile or two to a Water-mill , which asketh a daies imployment for a man and Horse .

And truly , if the consumption of our Timberhold on but some few yeers more , there will be none left to build either Water-mil , or Wind-mil , they requiring the best and strongest Timber we have : so that of necessity we shal be driven to set up these Horse-mills , which are built with our meanest Wood , our Oak being little enough to maintain our Shipping , were it never so well preserved hereafter .

The Avon of Bristol made Navigable as high as Malmsbury and Calne , with the Profits for transportation of Coals , and other Commodities .

Which also may with facility produce a Mediterranean passage by Water ftom Bristol to London .

The Coal-pits in Kings-wood neer Bristol , and if they suffice not , those Colliaries upon the Severn side , to furnish that Country so much destitute of Fuel up to Malmsbury and Calne , in this manner may be looked upon : This River made Navigable for Billanders , flat-bottomed Boats of 30 Tun , which draw loaden but three foot and an half Water . The Work being feazible at a far less Charge than the yeerly profits will come to ; these Colliaries are to be dealt with to bring Coal either out of Kings-wood , or from the Severn , to a place assigned them for Wharfage , they affording the Newcastle Chaldron at the said Wharf for 10 s . 2 d . being now sold at the Pitts at one penny the London Bushel .

These of Kingswood are upon the States own soyl . Those Colliaries in Wales , the State may take into its own hands , giving the Owners yeerly more for them than they now make of them .

These Colliaries setled , and the River of Bristol made Navigable , Fewer wil suffice should the Billanders carry 40 Chaldron the State to licence 300 of these Billanders , each bearing 30 Chaldron ( onely London measure ) and these to bring Coal from the Wharf up the said River as high as Malmsbury and Calne , paying 10 s . 2 d . the London Chaldron at the Wharfs , and 5 s . for every such Chaldron for the passage up the River , and sell them at Malmsbury and Calne for 18 s . 2 d . the London Chaldron , where now they are fold for much more .

There sold at 18 s . 2 d . London Chaldron . That is , 6 d . the Bushel . The Owner , or Merchant of the Wharf having for every such London Chaldron delivered , 10 s . 2 d . The State for the passage of every such Chaldron 5 s .

The Billander for his Fraight for every such Chaldron , 3 s .

The difference of Newcastle and London measure in the Chaldron , Surplus of measure to belong to the State . being the third Coal , two Newcastle Chaldron making three of London : The surplus of measure should be given to the State , to be landed neer the said Wharfs , upon a Wharf called the States Wharf .

The other Wharfs to be divided into six ; every Wharf having its Squadron of 50 Billanders , belonging to the Owners and Merchants of the several Wharfs ; which Wharfs may have their names from the Colours they shall bear .

These Wharfs to be kept by the Owners of the Coal which lieth upon them , who are to receive ( as hath been said ) 10 s . 2 d . for every Chaldron given out , London measure .

These Billanders are to sayl up the River , every Squadron by its self , having each his Admiral , and Rear-Admiral , Thus we may play upon Rivers . carrying their Flags of proper Colours , none of the said Squadron sayling before his Admiral , nor any behind his Rear-Admiral ; and this to prevent disorder as they pass through the Country .

They are so to discharge both the duties at the Wharf , and the duties for the Passage , as to make no stay at all .

Every Admiral at the discharge of the duties for his whole Squadron ( for he is to undertake it ) is to receive a Ticket for his free passage through the River , without which they are not to pass the Block-house or Fort erected for preserving the States revenue , if any mutiny should arise .

These Wharfs aforesaid , are to have correspondent Wharfs at Malmsbury , and Calne , and to be regulated as the former , one Squadron not unlading at anothers Wharf ; where each Billander is to receive for it s fraight of 30 Chaldrons , 4 l. 10 s . every voyage ; and two of these voyages may well be made in one month .

The Wharfs paying the Billanders their Salary , and keeping the Coal for all such as fetch it there at 18 s . 2 d . the London Chaldron .

As concerning the Coal before mentioned to be laid upon the States Wharf , being the third Coal gained in the Newcastle measure , that also is to have at Malmsbury and Calne a Wharf called the States Wharf , corresponding to the former , where that surplus of measure should be laid , and kept for the benefit of the State , in thankfulness for that great charge in making the River thus Navigable , for the benefit of the Country : And here both the benefit of the Coal , and Passage , cometh to the State ( the fraight of the Billander onely excepted . )

Theground-workbeingthuslaid,theProfitsarethese: l. s . d . Every Billander fraight with 30 London Chaldron for the Passage only , Fruits to the State every voyage 7 10 0 Every Squadron of 50 of these Billanders , for Passage onely , fruits to the State every voyage 375 0 0 Every voyage of 300 Billanders for Passage onely , fruits to the State 2250 0 0

SurplusofMeasure to the State alone: l. s . d . Every such Billander fraight with the Surplus of measure upon the third Coal , fruits to the State , both for Coal and Passage 22 10 0 Every Squadron of 50 Billanders , every voyage fraight as aforesaid , fruits to the State 1125 0 0 Every voyage of those 300 Billanders fraight as aforesaid , fruits to the State 6750 0 0 These in general from Bristol to Malmsbury , & Calne , making two voyages every month in 7 months , carry 126000 Chaldron , which fruits to the State in these 7 months , in this sole Commoditie of Coal , though much more Coal will be carried 52500 0 0

The Coal as they are first brought to the Wharfs should be so ordered , as the third Coal be duly carried to the Wharf of the State .

As to clear what hath been said , If 20 Chaldron Newcastle measure be brought from the Pits to the Wharfs , they are to be divided into 30 Chaldron London measure , of which the State is to have ten Chaldron laid upon its Wharf , and so proportionably to all that are brought from the Pits to any Wharf , the third Coal being alwaies carried to the States Wharf . The Staple of Coal being thus setled for all that Country about Malmsbury and Calne , and Coal being sold there constantly for 18 s . 2 d . the London Chaldron to all that will fetch them , that is , at the price of 6 d . the London Bushel ; No question is to be made , but that a marvelous great quantity will be thus vented , to the great blessing of the People , who now pay about Calne and Malmsbury not much under 12 d . the bushel , & commonly more , being carried by Horse from Bristol : Should 50000 Chaldron only be thus yeerly vented , it is a great Revenue , and would in the very

Profits to the State riseinthissole l. s . d . Commoditie of Coal , unto 20833 6 8 But there will be treble the quantity vented . That is , for Passage 12500 0 0 And for the third Coal gained 8333 6 8

And no doubt Bristol , so great a place of Traffick , would make use of this River as high as Calne towards the Transportation of their Merchandize from Bristol to London , it being the worst and most Hilly part of the way , and lieth full in the passage to London .

l. s . d . A Billander of 30 Tun , laden with Merchandize from Bristol to Calne , taking but one Farthing per pound , fruits to the State every Voyage 62 10 0

It may well make two Voyages every Month .

This River being thus practised as high as Malmsbury and Calne , should our Seas be at any time infested with Enemy Fleets in such sort as without eminent danger , London and other parts of this Common-wealth , could not be served with Coal from Newcastle and Sunderland :

How facile a thing it were from Malmsbury , lying upon the said River , to open a passage for these Billanders of 30 Tun , Were the Billanders to carry 40 chaldron , 250 of them would carry 10000 Chaldron at one Voyage . which draw Water but three foot and half , loaden , into the River Isis , by Creek-lade and Letchlad , and so into the Thames , all that Land-passage being not fully 3 miles ( inviting the Undertaker ) being very low , and practicable ground , most fit for the Design .

This Passage opened , the proffits to the State , would rise to a vast Sum , and far greater then that of Coal .

By this means there would be a Mediterranean passage opened from Bristol to London by Water .

Not only for the supply of much Coal in time of necessity , but for all other Commodities brought into Bristol , which in time of Hostility London could not otherwise enjoy , but by excessive Rates for Land-carriages , or Convoyes by Sea : but by this Passage once opened , all Commodities may be brought from Bristol to London ( even at one Farthing per ponnd ) we now paying all the Winter-time for carriage by Land between London and Bristol , 4 s . per cent .

Our Forreign Vintage never permitting us to bring home Wines till the beginning of November when our Channel is very dangerous , the Merchant would be glad to secure his Voyage by this Mediterranean Passage by unloading his Wines at Bristol , without any further hazard .

The whole Charge of this Navigable Passage would be paid with the proffits of the first year : And as for Coal for 2 s . more upon the London Chaldron for Fraight , they also this way would be brought to London at 20 s . 2 d . the Chaldron , London Chaldron . Howsoever great Caution ought to be used , that during times of Peace no Coal should be brought to London this way , to the end our Shipping , which is much imployed in the Transportation of that Commodity , might still be kept up , for the safety , benefit , and honour of this State .

It were good that the 2 d . upon every Chaldron were paid towards the defraying of the Salaries of Officers upon the Wharfs , and towards the maintenance of the Passage yearly .

At Cardiff , the nearest Colliary to Bristol , that is upon the Severn , excellent Scotish-Coals , which also would drive a great Trade upon this Passage , being sold by the Tun .

This Passage in time of Peace might be used for Transportation of Merchandize to London , and from London to Bristol , only from the first of October to the first of April ; partly not to obstruct our Navigation by Sea , all the Summer-time , when the doubling of the Cape of Cornwal is not dangerous , nor our Coasts so subject to storms : And partly by reason of the Avon , and Isis , and the Thames it self in those Winter-months will not want Water , which in the Summer they do , unless other Rivers be let into them , which cannot be done without more Charge : And for Coal , our Seas being not infested , none should passe higher then Malmsbury and Calne , not to hinder , as hath been said , our Navigation , for that Commodity by Sea , which must still be endeavoured to be kept up to the full .

Now who should be the Undertaker of this great Work , but the State it self ? it being too great an Expence for any private man or Corporation to lay out ; and of too great a Profit for them to receive , being effected .

This to be observed well by the Cities of Bath and Bristol , lest they labor in vain . Some endeavours have been used by that noble Patriot , Sir John Harrington , to make this River Navigable between Bristol and the Bath , which Work I have seen : but the Design being too narrow for this our great Proposal , it were in vain to be again set upon , either by any private man , or the said two Towns , unless they intend to make the River and their Sasses so large as the River to carry Billanders of 30 Tun , or more .

I went down to see Sir John Harringtons intended Sasse , some two miles below the Bath , and I found the Engineer to have much abused the noble Knight in his Work , making his Sasse upon the very Dam of the River , which would have been a perpetual and forcible Enemy to his Work . Besides , I found by Measuring his Sasse , that it would contain but one Boat of 8 Tun : which narrow Design would no way have served to this our Mediterranean Passage , but must have been again ript up and destroyed : The Sasse it self being to be otherwise placed , and made far larger , capable of a Boat of 30 or 40 Tun .

He who hath seen the Sasse , between Ipris and Vuerne in Flanders , will confesse it a noble Work , and capable of Publick Service ( which this I spoke of no way is ) yet much is the memory of that noble Knight to be honoured , in shewing himself to his Ability , a publick man , labouring so much for the good of his Country .

Many Sasses are to be made upon this River of Avon , it being so much a Falling-water , insomuch it is now forced to be kept up with many Dams , every one of which must have his Sasse , but not upon the Dam , but upon the side of it .

The Proposer of this Paper hath no other interest in this Design , then a true Patriot ought to have , a desire for the Publick good , to see it effected , and by it his Country served : And if he shall perceive it embraced , it will encourage him to offer up to the Publick Service of his Country other Improvements of greater Consequence .

FINIS .

A Mediterranean Passage by Water between the two Towns Lynn and Yarmouth , &c. May it please your Highness .

THus I shall state the businesse which at present I intend to present to your powerful hand , and under your potent Protection to the whole Commonwealth , the which Work is even already framed to the end intended ; that is , Nature having so bountifully concurred with her own endeavours to the effecting thereof , in undergoing the greatest charge , which commonly is the chiefest stop in all businesses of this nature .

The flourishing Havens of Lyn and Yarmouth being so Portuous , so much frequented with Shipping , and so plyed with Trade , it is apparent that the two Counties adjoyning , Norfolk and Suffolk , receive much comfort thereby , being more indulgently dealt withal by their two Havens then remoter parts , as particularly assisted by their importations , furnished by that means with many Forreign commodities , which come flowing into those Ports .

These two Rivers above named , the little Owse and Waveney , running as it were between the two Havens , and in a manner dividing those two Counties , were they opened for Navigation , would very much encrease the benefit both to those Haven Towns , in venting of those their Importations , as also prove a great ease to the said two Counties to have so facile , and cheap a passage made to bring those Commodities unto them , and withal thereby to vent what they produce of their own .

These two Rivers are so favourably cast by Nature , as in the Winter ( when they will be most for use ) the Heads of them already almost meet , at a place called Loppham Bridge , where a Navigable Channel being cut , ( in length lesse than a mile ) the two Rivers would joyn for mutual Commerce from Lynn to Yarmouth ; and withal Boats might rest at any place of these Rivers , there to make their Magazins of such Forreign Importations , as the Countries adjoyning stand in need of ; others might touch at every Market Town , there standing at the least six or seven upon , or very neer adjoyning to the said Rivers ; and within distance of ten miles , very many Market Towns more , the which in the end of this Paper I shall set down , with their several distances from those two Rivers ; which Rivers I observe to lie so neer upon a Level , as few Sasses will be required , to lessen the charge . What a blessing and ease would this afford to all the Inhabitants neer adjoyning , upon all Market daies ( as they do in Flanders ) to carry themselves , and their Commodities by Water ( avoyding those deep waies in the Winter season , especially on Suffolk side ) from Town to Town , from Market to Market , at such rates , as will not be considerable , if compared to their charge , and trouble in going by Horse or Cart ?

These advantages for the increase of Commerce ; and Trade , your Highness wisdom will soon penetrate , and give heat unto , by your potent approbation , your Highness being generally observed to be most zealous in the setting forward of Trade , taking so much to heart the increase thereof .

Neither doth this Design of mine contain it self within the verge of the aforesaid two Rivers , nor in the advance of Trade brought into those great Havens of Lynn and Yarmouth , but it reacheth higher , and extends to the uniting the In-land-Commerce upon Rivers between the North and East of England , there being no obstacle ( were these two Rivers opened for Navigation ) no hinderance at all , but that which our carelesness hath negligently cast aside , and made no use of for many years ) to impead our Navigation upon Rivers within the Land , from the Haven of Yarmouth , to the Citie of York .

Our Henry the first , ( as Mr. Camden well observeth in his description of Lincolne shire ) cut a Channel for the space of seven miles from Torksea upon the Trent down to the Citie of Lincolne , there to joyn with the River Witham , which falling into the Haven of Boston , comes through the Isle of Ely , into these our two Rivers the Little Owse and Waveney , and so to Yarmouth , Mr. Camden saith , this gallant King caused that memorable work of seven miles to be cast up for the benefit of his City of Lincolne , though other Writers speak of a mixt intention therein , as partly to facilitate his own Removes from one part of the Kingdome to another , he being the first King who brought Progresses into fashion , so making his people equally participant of him , that they might see and know him better by himself , than by his picture .

He was an active and wise Prince , and as all Rulers of States have ever their designs headed with several ends ; so might this King in this very work ; as upon any forreign invasion , or domestick insurrection , to transport from one side of the Kingdom to another his Army , without grievance to his people for billeting of his Souldiers through the Country as they passed , or tyring out his men with long Marches , but to have them ready for action upon a moment ; for by this very work of his of seven miles , cut out for Navigation , ( conjoyned to what Nature before had wrought ) he might have transported an Army by Water , all within the Land from the East part of England into the North , without the least noise of landing , and have been upon his Enemies before they dreampt of him , in this silent and covered way . Howsoever his ends were , it was a noble Work , and a Gift worthy to come from a Crown , it being the first President that I have found in England of joyning Rivers for Navigation , which showeth ( even then ) how forward , and prone toward Improvement this Kingdom was .

But what an nnworthy neglect thereof hath been in these latter times , I blush to write ! To let it fall , to be of no use , and the Work ( though yet extant ) to lye empty , wast , and dry , far from the intention of the Royal giver ! in so much as now Sheep , and Cattel graze , where formerly Barks have sayled , and perhaps a King in them .

This Work , or Channel of 7 miles , commonly called Fosse Dike , were it repaired , and the Banks in some places made up , would easily again be made capable of Navigation , and revive that safe , rich , and large extended Commerce , which by that means did formerly spread it self within the Land , and would open the passage for Boats , as hath been said , between York and Yarmouth , to the unspeakable comfort of very many Towns and Villages lying near , and upon the Passage , and would yield a general benefit both to the East and North of England , and by participation all England over .

It hath been observed upon Level taken , that the Trent lyeth lower than Fosse Dike by Two Foot , or thereabouts , so that of necessity in that place there must be A Sasse to draw up , and let down the Boats . And indeed if we look upon our Sea Coasts of Lincolnshire and Norfolk , they are so wanting of Harbours , and of places to relieve Ships in , in time of stresse , especially upon a strong Easterly Wind , as I may well term them importuous , for any Ships of Burden , so that in the Winter time ( when our Inland passage will be most in play ) the great frequented Haven of Hull will be willing to serve it self with these Rivers Navigable , for the more safe conduct of their Merchandize into the East parts of England . And seeing our Forreign Vintage never comes into our dangerous Channel till the beginning of November , in my judgment he were a desperate Merchant who will adventure Men , Ship , and Goods in sayling farther North , when he might secure all by unloading at Yarmouth , and making use of this safe Passage upon Rivers , even up to York .

These , and the further advantages of this secure Transportation of all Commodities within the Land upon Rivers , between the North and East of England all the Winter season ( when the Coast is so dangerous ) I need not any further set forth to your Highness , whose Wisdom will soon imbrace them all , and accordingly reflect upon them to the benefit of the publick .

One thing I had almost omitted , amongst the many helps which the opening for Navigation of these Two Rivers between Norfolk and Suffolk would afford those Counties , that is , the supply of Fuel , which by this means may be brought unto them with great facility ; Sea Coal now supplying the defects of our Wood , so much these latter years consumed , and I may well say destroyed .

And were Fosse Dike repaired for Navigation ( which now lieth waste ) what a recruit would that also bring to all the East parts of England , by Transporting this way out of Nottingham-shire , Darby-shire , & Leicester-shire , Pitt Coal ( which in Forrein parts they call Scots Coal ) which in abundance might be fetched by the help of this passage ?

Though in this very point Caution were to be had , that no such Coal should be carried out of those Counties this way , but from Pitts new sunk , and from places where Coals have not been sought . That the inhabitants of those parts should not suffer by this exportation : And I shall make evident to your Highness , That there are indeficient Mynes of this Coal to supply this Trade abundantly , where never any yet were sought for , and not in any far distance from the River of Trent ; the State contracting with the Owners of the Soyle ( much of that Soyle is now already in the possession of the State ) so that by this means no prejudice should arise to the Inhabitants .

Moreover at Boston ( where they must pass ) there might be a Magazine for that Coal , But much fitter for us to do it , for increase of our Shipping . either for us to Transport , or for Forreiners to fetch them there , which would raise a very great Revenue to the State , that Coal being sold in Forrein parts by weight , at very high Rates .

This Paper out of my bounden Respect , and Duty to your Highness , I offer unto your Prudence and deep Consideraiion , I conceiving it to contain matter of very great Honour to your Highness , and no less benefit and comfort to the whole Common Wealth .

Rivers running through the Earth , as the Veins of that Body , which Opened in due time , and with good advice , give comfort and refreshments to all the Earth they run through , like to the veins in our bodies , which being opened by the advice of the learned Physitian , restore health , repair strength to the decaying man , and brings him into a flourishing condition .

By this Passage your Highness will see all Forreign Commodities brought into us from the East parts of the world equally distributed , to the North and East or England ; As by the former Design of Opening the Rivers between Bristol and London , all the Western Commodities brought in from abroad , were to be Communicated to the West and South of England .

Designs worthy to be brought forth under the happy Protection of your Highness .

Market-Townes Standing upon , or near The Little Owse AND WAVENEY . Brandon , Thetford , Dis , Harleston , Bungey , Beckles , Lestof , Yarmouth . OTHER Market-Townes Within Ten Miles of these RIVERS . FRom Beckles to Yarmouth 9 miles . From Beckles to Lestof 8 miles From Bungey to Norwich 10 miles . From Yarmouth to Norwich already a Navigable passage . From Harlestone to Windham 9 miles From Dis to Windham 10 miles From Loppham-Bridge to Higham 10 miles From Loppham to Harling 3 miles From Loppham to Bucknam 5 miles From Thetford to Watton 9 miles From Brandon to Swafham 10 miles From Beckles to Sowld 9 miles From Beckles to Harlestone 7 miles From Bungey to Harlestone 7 miles From Harlestone to Framlingham 8 miles From Dis to Buddesdall 3 miles From Dis to Debenham 9 miles From Dis to Aye 3 miles From Loppham to Wolpett 9 miles From Loppham to Stow 9 miles From Loppham to Nedeham 10 miles From Brandon to Mildnall 6 miles

All these Market-Towns , besides innumerable Villages , with many Gentlemens-Houses of Note , would so make use of these Two Rivers , Being but one dayes Work for a Teem . that a marvelous Trade would be driven upon them ; and Sayling out of the Little Owse , the Boats enter into the Great Owse , which already is Navigable to Lynn , and to all the Towns within the Isle of Ely , even up to Cambridge .

FINIS .