THat the Springs of Riches , and Glory of this Island , ariseth cheifely from the Labour and industry of Men , and by neglect hereof followeth poverty and shame .

That the Springs of Labour may arise in the greater strength , Wee humbly present these profits for the incouragement thereof , which we conceive , will undoubtedly arise , by Fenne Land Drained and used as followeth .

First , We offer unto your consideration what proportion of Drained Land will answere the full profit of fishing and uncertaine pasturage upon drowned Lands ( where the Thistle nor the Mould warpe dare not inhabit , for these truely are to be accompted drowned Land ; ) In times past in some parts prized , it did appeare , the third part of drained Land was better then the whole undrained upon meanest profitt , which is pasturage of Horse or dry Beasts , yeilded 20. s . the Acar , when an Acar of drowned Land , Com●unibus Annis was not worth five shillings by the yeare , The two parts of the three being put into severalls ; it remaineth to consider what profit may arise to the owne●s or occupiers of the two parts ; The meanest profitt that arriseth by grasing of horse ; or gelded bests amounteth to 20. s . the Acar , if imployed to Milke Beast or Tillage 40. s . if imployed in Rapes or Collseede , will be worth 4. l. the Acar ; if in Hempe with meane Labour 8. l. the Acar ; if imployed into Cordage or Poledavies or course Canvaces , the labour will double the materialls , and beget 16. l. the Acar . An Acar of Flax spunne into meane prized Linnen cloth of 2. s . or 3. s . the yard , will arise to more then 30. l. the Acar . An Acar of Madder for Dying we cannot estimate , which we buy from beyond Sea : This being manifest , we offer unto your consideration what the Annuall Quantity of these improved commodities , doe amount unto in the whole , after an easie estimate .

It cannot be denied , but there is sixe hundred thousand Acars of these watery grounds in the East part , of England , lying in the said five Counties ; one part being drained and remaining unto the Comeners unaccompted the other two parts being meanely imployed in pasturage , will render as aforesaid 20. s . the Acar , amounting to Foure Hundred Thousand Pounds profit yearly to the Kingdome , upon the first improvement . Every Acar imployed to Milke Kine or Tillage , will improve 20. s . more . So that imploying halfe to Tillage or Milke Beasts , it increaseth two hundred thousand Pounds ; which maketh the Anuall profitt to arise to Sixe Hundred Thousand Pounds . Thus much will arise out of common Husbandry without manufacture ; the naturall improvement of Hempe , Flaxe , and Rapes for so much as is so used will amount to 40. s . the Acar more , which may be one hundred thousand Acars ; All which doth amount to eight hundred thousand Pound per annum . Yet remaineth the improvement to be made out of the Flaxe and Hempe by manufacture , of Cordage , Poledavies , Course Canvace and finer Linnen , to such an estimate as the Petitioners dare not take upon them to estimate : But doe verily beleeve it may amount to above a Million per annum in toto to the Kingdome .

We further offer unto your consideration the profitt that may redound unto the Kingdome from without , by way of entercourse of traffick with forraigners , we may by our owne Labours have these commodities within us , that we buy from without us , as our Cordage , Poledavies , Madder , common Linnen and course Canvasses , and in stead of buying be a Setler , which in the point of saving in our ballance of trade cannot be lesse then five hundred thousand pounds a yeare ; and so much yearley cleare gaine , in the Ballance of trade would import so much Bullion , for that which was exported : Which Bullion increasing yearely would in short time increase such plenty of money in our Kingdome , that it would advance all our native Commodities , and Lands would be improved thereby : The improving of our Kingdome would make us more renowned , and formidable in forraigne parts , and give life and courage to every particular member . This we conceive to be the blessing agreeable to the good will of God performed by Labour .

Together with Fifty Thousand Pounds Customes yearely to the Kings Coffers , and many thousands of poore people set on worke , who now are ready to perish for want . All these particulars are as we conceive upon an easie accompt , undeniable .

These informations we humbly offer to this Honorable assemblie , hoping that they tend to the generall good and honour of this Kingdome .