MY
MOST
HONOURED
LORD
,
YOur
Lordship
having
done
me
the
honour
to
desire
my
opinion
concerning
a
late
Printed
Argument
,
intituled
Navigation
prejudiced
by
the
Fen-drainers
,
which
was
published
in
the
defence
of
the
Lin
Petition
,
lately
delivered
to
the
Committee
for
Petitions
;
I
shall
first
tell
your
Lordship
what
reputation
that
Petition
hath
here
in
the
Country
amongst
indifferent
and
sober
men
,
who
do
not
stick
to
say
;
That
it
was
a
senseless
Petition
,
presented
in
the
name
of
the
Town
,
whereas
the
chief
Merchants
and
Traders
there
disclaim
it
,
and
have
signifyed
their
dislike
thereof
to
the
late
Parliament
under
their
Hands
;
That
it
was
exploded
by
the
Commissioners
of
Sewers
lately
sitting
at
Lin
;
One
of
which
(
they
say
)
understands
more
of
that
Outfall
,
and
is
more
concerned
in
the
preservation
thereof
,
then
all
the
Petitioners
put
together
.
They
say
,
with
much
truth
likewise
,
that
the
Towns
of
Denner
,
Helgey
,
and
Littleport
have
counterpetitioned
the
Parliament
,
alledging
that
they
ought
not
to
be
destroyed
(
as
they
must
be
,
if
this
petition
take
place
)
upon
the
vain
feares
of
the
Petitioners
,
unless
they
brought
more
reason
for
what
they
say
.
But
that
which
is
most
wondred
at
here
is
,
that
so
little
conscience
should
be
used
in
the
framing
of
that
Petition
;
as
first
,
to
set
forth
the
Town
of
Lin
in
her
former
flourishing
condition
in
the
time
of
peace
,
what
number
of
Ships
she
had
,
what
Trade
they
drove
,
what
Countrys
she
enriched
,
what
Seamen
she
imployed
,
what
Revenew
was
raised
to
the
Commonwealth
,
&c.
and
then
to
bring
her
upon
the
stage
(
like
a
desolate
Widdow
)
lamenting
her
lost
glory
,
and
imputing
all
this
misery
(
forsooth
)
to
a
Dam
made
by
the
Adventurers
,
about
one
year
and
an
half
since
,
neer
a
place
called
Salters
Load
,
and
about
sixteen
miles
from
the
Town
of
Lin
:
when
all
men
know
,
that
the
change
(
if
any
such
be
)
it
is
the
effect
of
the
late
disturbances
at
Sea
;
and
that
is
the
common
Fate
of
all
the
Port
Towns
of
England
.
And
they
say
confidently
,
that
it
would
have
been
much
worse
with
them
at
Lin
,
if
the
Fenns
had
not
been
undertaken
,
whereby
so
much
money
and
Trade
hath
been
brought
thither
.
But
it
is
supposed
,
that
this
Artifice
was
used
,
only
to
accompany
and
aggravate
the
Clamours
,
which
were
stirred
up
in
other
places
by
Sir
Iohn
Mainard
and
his
Agents
,
upon
design
doubtlesse
to
overthrow
the
whole
work
,
by
the
forcible
impression
which
that
noise
might
make
upon
the
suddain
with
persons
,
that
were
not
well
acquainted
with
the
present
and
former
condition
of
this
Country
.
And
it
is
thought
,
that
many
complaints
came
in
,
that
would
not
have
appeared
,
but
that
Sir
Iohn
gave
them
assurance
by
his
Letters
(
that
were
publiquely
read
in
some
places
in
the
Level
)
that
they
should
not
doubt
to
have
their
Land
again
;
for
there
were
but
sixscore
of
the
Parliament
;
and
that
he
was
sure
of
fourscore
of
them
on
his
side
.
My
Lord
,
this
being
the
common
talk
and
opinion
here
of
this
Petition
,
I
can
assure
your
Lordship
,
that
it
will
receive
no
increase
of
reputation
or
credit
,
by
any
thing
that
is
alledged
in
this
printed
Argument
;
which
may
as
well
conclude
,
That
Tenterden
Steeple
is
the
cause
of
Goodwin
Sands
,
as
that
the
Dam
at
Salters
Load
is
the
cause
of
the
filling
of
Lin
Haven
.
But
now
to
begin
.
The
Petitioners
are
sorry
,
he
saith
,
to
see
so
much
tergiversation
used
,
&c.
What
is
meant
by
tergiversation
or
unwillingness
to
give
or
receive
satisfaction
I
know
not
.
To
the
Scandalous
Petition
of
Sir
Iohn
Mainard
the
Adventurers
gave
in
their
Answer
at
large
,
and
printed
it
.
To
the
Petitions
of
Cambridge
and
Lin
,
because
they
contained
matter
of
Fact
already
heard
and
determined
before
Legal
Judges
,
they
Petitioned
to
have
the
opinion
of
the
Parliament
whether
they
should
Answer
or
no
,
and
thereunto
annexed
their
reasons
,
which
are
likewise
in
Print
,
and
not
Answered
nor
pretended
to
be
by
this
Champion
for
the
Lin
Petition
.
A
Conference
with
the
Drainers
was
never
desired
,
and
if
it
be
,
it
will
(
no
doubt
)
be
embraced
,
for
they
are
apt
enough
to
believe
(
as
the
Defender
saith
)
that
no
good
work
hath
its
perfection
at
first
,
and
if
they
can
be
convinced
of
any
defects
or
omissions
in
their
works
,
they
will
no
doubt
be
willing
to
amend
it
.
But
for
the
Levitie
and
Blasphemie
which
the
Defender
is
pleased
to
note
in
the
expression
of
not
Draining
the
Seas
nor
the
Skies
,
he
is
too
sharp
and
censorious
;
it
was
an
Ironical
speech
,
which
that
Ingenious
Gentleman
,
who
wrote
those
short
Answers
and
published
them
upon
his
own
account
,
is
very
well
able
to
defend
.
And
now
we
are
come
to
the
Dam
at
Saltars
Load
,
alledged
to
be
the
Principal
cause
of
these
mischiefs
and
fears
.
The
Condition
of
the
Draining
without
prejudice
to
Navigation
is
admitted
:
and
we
shall
not
differ
about
the
word
Prejudice
;
call
it
Dammage
or
Injury
,
which
you
will
,
and
he
need
not
trouble
the
Great
Charter
of
England
,
nor
so
many
other
cited
Statutes
,
to
prove
that
no
prejudice
ought
to
be
done
to
Navigation
.
For
that
is
not
the
question
.
The
Adventurers
deny
,
any
prejudice
to
be
done
;
and
so
it
appeared
at
Ely
,
in
March
last
,
before
the
Commissioners
;
where
the
same
Arguments
were
used
,
that
are
now
,
and
six
Witnesses
examined
on
either
side
.
But
I
cannot
allow
that
Inference
that
he
would
make
;
that
because
a
private
man
may
not
set
a
Sasse
,
or
make
a
Dam
over
a
Navigable
River
;
therefore
neither
Commissioners
of
Sewers
,
nor
the
Drainers
(
though
they
have
an
Act
of
Parliament
,
which
particularly
inables
them
to
set
Sluces
and
Sasses
)
may
do
it
.
If
that
were
so
,
why
is
it
named
in
the
Act
?
for
every
one
knoweth
that
Sasses
are
only
set
upon
Navigable
Rivers
.
And
it
is
well
known
,
that
Francis
late
Earl
of
Bedford
,
your
Lordships
Father
,
did
erect
a
Sasse
at
Welcreake
(
which
the
Defender
calls
the
River
of
Nean
)
by
the
power
of
Lin
Law
only
,
which
was
never
presented
as
a
Nuisance
,
but
contrariwise
the
Watermen
themselves
have
desired
it
might
be
repaired
and
upheld
,
and
so
it
was
accordingly
.
And
for
that
the
Defender
saith
,
because
they
could
not
be
heard
,
he
meanes
,
prevaile
(
for
heard
all
men
know
they
were
,
&
with
much
patience
)
at
Peterburgh
,
nor
at
Ely
,
they
were
forced
to
flee
to
the
Parliament
.
So
may
any
unjust
or
vexatious
person
say
;
Because
I
am
overthrown
at
Law
,
I
will
try
what
the
Legislative
power
will
do
for
me
.
But
the
Defender
hath
plain
and
evident
Demonstrations
and
Proofs
.
What
his
Proofs
are
,
it
doth
not
appear
,
being
taken
by
the
Committee
of
Petitions
and
not
published
;
but
this
I
shall
say
,
that
if
the
Deponents
be
Watermen
or
Commoners
they
are
Parties
;
and
if
they
depose
to
matter
of
opinion
(
towit
)
that
these
Dams
and
Sasses
are
the
Causes
of
the
pretended
prejudice
;
they
are
no
competent
Witnesses
,
it
being
matter
of
Art
,
wherein
they
can
have
no
knowledge
.
What
his
Demonstrations
are
comes
now
to
be
examined
,
and
they
consist
he
saith
of
two
heads
.
1.
That
their
Navigation
hath
received
of
late
very
real
and
considerable
prejudice
.
2.
That
the
Undertakers
for
Draining
are
the
Authors
of
it
.
The
six
Rivers
,
there
enumerated
,
did
lye
,
saith
he
,
all
open
,
and
the
Tides
from
Sea
did
put
into
them
more
or
less
,
&c.
It
is
true
,
the
Tides
,
at
least
the
Spring-Tides
,
did
put
up
into
some
of
these
Rivers
;
which
was
the
occasion
of
drowning
the
Level
.
For
when
the
Spring
Tides
meet
with
the
Land
Waters
that
came
down
those
Rivers
,
they
were
driven
over
the
surface
of
the
Level
;
and
the
mouthes
of
most
of
these
Rivers
were
so
silted
up
by
the
Tides
,
that
they
were
deeper
and
broader
above
,
then
they
were
below
:
and
at
this
time
it
is
like
that
some
of
them
might
have
been
landed
by
this
two
years
drought
,
if
not
prevented
by
the
Sasse
;
even
Ouse
it self
as
high
as
Ely
;
and
so
Navigation
lost
,
and
the
Level
destroyed
,
and
the
Rivers
left
to
find
new
Channels
,
(
as
that
of
Wisbich
was
,
before
the
Draining
)
the
Tides
being
stronger
then
the
Fresh
water
,
through
the
Drought
,
and
therefore
not
able
to
scoure
out
the
silt
.
And
he
must
note
by
the
way
,
that
much
of
this
water
which
now
falls
out
at
Lin
,
had
formerly
its
issue
at
Wisbich
,
which
was
then
a
very
considerable
Haven
:
and
this
appears
by
the
large
Channels
of
the
West
water
,
&
of
the
old
River
of
Welnea
;
which
diversion
,
hapning
(
as
it
is
supposed
)
by
the
neglect
of
Commissioners
of
Sewers
,
was
the
decay
of
Wisbich
Haven
,
and
the
making
of
Lin
:
by
which
it
is
evident
,
that
it
is
the
aboundance
of
fresh
that
keeps
these
outfalls
open
,
and
not
the
Tides
.
For
if
it
were
possible
to
set
a
Sluce
or
Sasse
within
half
a
mile
of
the
Town
of
Lin
,
that
should
stop
out
the
Tides
from
coming
up
the
River
;
If
the
Sasse
or
Sasses
could
be
made
great
enough
,
that
Haven
,
by
raising
the
water
from
within
by
the
salt
dore
;
to
let
it
goe
at
low
Water
,
might
be
,
as
well
scowred
and
kept
open
,
as
it
is
now
:
and
that
is
clear
in
the
Harbour
of
Dover
,
(
cited
by
the
Defender
)
that
a
very
small
fresh
kept
up
high
by
the
help
of
a
Sluce
,
and
let
goe
in
the
time
of
the
Ebbe
,
scowres
that
Harbor
and
keepes
it
open
.
I
doe
not
speake
this
,
that
I
am
against
the
coming
in
of
the
Tides
;
Nor
have
the
Adventurers
fallen
upon
that
way
of
draining
.
For
it
is
well
known
that
the
Sea
flowes
up
from
Lin
,
almost
twenty
miles
in
his
old
Channel
;
and
where
he
is
stopped
from
going
the
old
way
,
he
hath
a
new
River
,
and
a
large
Wash
provided
to
receive
him
;
which
are
of
much
larger
receipt
,
then
all
the
five
Rivers
put
together
.
And
whereas
he
saith
that
the
Old
Channel
of
the
Ouse
is
deeper
then
the
New
:
It
is
not
generally
true
.
In
some
places
it
is
deeper
,
and
in
others
it
is
not
two
foot
deep
,
as
at
Ely
,
Stretham
,
Willingham
,
&c.
when
as
the
new
River
is
eight
and
ten
foot
deep
in
some
places
,
and
in
none
lesse
then
six
foot
.
And
that
was
the
reason
,
why
that
narrow
Cut
was
made
below
Ely
,
at
Rassel
:
because
the
Water
there
(
which
running
in
a
broad
Channel
,
they
had
not
above
14.
inches
water
many
times
,
and
the
Liters
were
forced
to
stay
for
a
Spring-Tide
to
help
them
over
)
being
now
contracted
into
a
narrower
Cut
keeps
constantly
three
and
four
foot
water
.
But
of
this
there
will
be
occasion
to
speak
hereafter
.
The
true
state
of
Navigation
here
formerly
was
this
.
The
Fens
being
under
Water
,
as
they
were
a
great
part
of
the
year
,
the
Watermen
were
much
troubled
to
keep
within
the
Rivers
,
and
therefore
they
were
at
the
charge
every
year
to
have
them
beakoned
out
.
Their
hailing
Horses
and
their
Boyes
that
drove
them
,
were
forced
to
go
up
to
the
middle
in
Water
,
and
when
they
came
to
a
Dike
or
Slow
,
that
they
were
to
passe
,
(
which
were
very
many
in
the
Fens
)
they
were
fain
to
take
in
the
Boy
and
Horses
into
the
boat
,
and
set
them
out
again
when
they
were
past
it
,
which
was
no
small
hindrance
and
losse
of
time
,
besides
the
death
of
so
many
Boyes
and
Horses
with
this
unreasonable
dealing
.
And
when
a
Land-flood
came
down
from
St.
Ives
with
a
Westernly
or
Southernly
Wind
,
the
current
was
so
strong
,
and
the
footing
so
bad
for
Horses
,
that
they
were
forced
to
lye
still
a
week
together
.
Their
summer
Navigation
was
this
,
when
the
Springs
were
very
low
they
could
come
with
their
Keeles
no
higher
then
Modnie
Cole
or
Helgie
House
,
being
about
twelve
miles
short
of
Ely
,
by
reason
of
a
Cravel
there
,
that
at
a
low
Water
was
not
above
eighteen
inches
deep
;
but
most
commonly
the
Keeles
came
up
to
Lambs
Weare
,
four
miles
short
of
Ely
,
and
there
they
stayed
to
empty
their
Lading
into
Liters
,
and
those
Liters
when
they
came
to
the
Gravel
at
Rassel
,
they
were
forced
to
stay
for
a
Spring-Tide
to
help
them
over
,
the
neaps
not
coming
up
so
high
,
and
if
the
Wind
sat
so
as
to
keep
back
the
Tides
,
they
were
fain
to
stay
till
another
Spring
.
At
Stretham
,
Twenty
Pence
and
Willingham
gravels
they
were
in
a
worse
condition
;
for
the
Tides
not
reaching
up
thither
,
they
were
forced
to
stay
there
sometime
till
a
fresh
came
down
,
and
sometimes
to
take
their
gangs
of
Liters
asunder
,
and
to
hale
them
over
one
by
one
,
still
emptying
and
taking
in
again
.
Which
Passage
was
so
troublesome
,
and
so
farre
about
,
that
after
Bedford
River
was
made
,
the
Watermen
presently
forsook
this
Navigation
round
about
by
Ely
,
and
carryed
all
their
Commodities
up
Bedford
River
,
in
a
Straight
Channell
from
Salters
Lead
to
Erith
,
St.
Jves
,
Huntington
,
and
the
parts
adjacent
.
Which
was
a
plain
confession
,
that
the
Drainers
new
Rivers
are
better
for
Navigation
,
then
their
Old
ones
.
The
use
of
which
Bedford
river
the
Country
had
for
the
space
of
fourteen
or
sixteen
years
without
paying
one
farthing
for
that
benefit
and
I
am
perswaded
that
if
but
two
pence
a
Tun
had
been
taken
for
that
passage
(
as
might
in
justice
have
been
done
)
it
would
have
raised
almost
money
enough
to
have
perfected
this
second
draining
.
But
these
Watermen
are
a
kind
of
people
,
my
Lord
,
that
for
all
the
good
you
do
them
,
you
must
expect
nothing
but
railing
;
which
is
so
customarie
amongst
them
,
that
they
cannot
forbear
one
another
.
But
I
wonder
it
should
be
fathered
upon
〈◇〉
the
Inhabitants
of
the
Town
of
Lin
,
who
cannot
be
ignorant
that
the
improvement
of
the
Fens
will
make
their
Port
the
third
(
if
not
the
second
)
of
England
.
But
such
is
the
perverse
nature
of
some
men
,
that
when
they
have
once
embraced
an
Errour
,
they
will
employ
all
their
witts
to
make
it
good
.
To
which
end
this
Defender
of
the
Lin
Petition
,
hath
taken
the
pains
to
trace
all
the
Rivers
from
one
end
to
the
other
;
and
quarrels
with
your
Lordship
,
because
he
cannot
go
the
old
way
from
Lin
to
Peterburgh
,
by
March
and
Ramsey
(
which
is
above
sixtie
miles
)
whereas
now
Wisbich
river
is
opened
by
your
Lordship
and
Participants
,
he
may
go
that
way
above
twenty
miles
nearer
.
These
are
the
injuries
he
complaines
of
.
1.
Concerning
the
River
of
Ouse
,
he
saith
,
that
it
is
now
laid
dry
between
Erith
and
Harrim●r
.
I
confess
there
is
not
much
water
at
present
,
and
yet
Boats
do
daily
pass
that
way
,
through
the
Sasse
at
the
Hermitage
(
as
the
Sasse-Keeper
will
be
deposed
.
)
And
the
reason
why
there
hath
been
so
little
water
there
this
Summer
is
;
because
the
Watermen
would
not
suffer
that
Sasse
to
stand
open
,
in
regard
that
it
drew
down
the
river
so
low
upwards
,
that
they
wanted
water
to
get
up
to
St.
Ives
:
But
as
the
Springs
rise
again
,
and
the
Drainers
become
Masters
of
their
own
works
(
which
hitherto
they
have
not
been
)
there
will
be
a
sufficient
Navigation
that
way
.
But
for
a
Boat
of
fifteen
Tun
to
passe
that
way
,
if
any
such
thing
were
(
whereof
I
am
very
doubtfull
)
I
am
sure
it
must
be
when
the
Fens
were
extreamly
drowned
.
And
such
a
depth
of
water
ought
not
to
be
expected
again
.
2.
At
Harrimer
,
he
saith
,
there
was
eight
or
nine
foot
water
.
There
he
equivocates
again
.
For
it
is
visible
,
there
cannot
be
such
a
depth
of
water
,
unless
it
be
when
the
Fens
are
very
much
drowned
,
for
the
mouth
of
that
River
,
being
gaged
,
is
not
four
foot
deep
from
the
Levell
soile
;
and
the
Watermen
cannot
deny
,
that
the
Grant
there
was
so
stopped
up
with
mud
and
Ouse
,
that
St.
Ives
water
brought
down
,
that
no
Boat
could
passe
in
and
out
that
River
:
in
so
much
that
a
Gentleman
of
this
Country
,
willing
to
befriend
them
,
made
a
short
Cut
through
his
own
Several
,
through
which
they
passe
to
this
day
(
paying
a
small
duty
)
and
left
the
main
Channel
,
it
being
unserviceable
.
3.
For
the
narrow
Cut
at
Rasshill
below
Ely
,
and
the
Dam
there
,
or
Overtoe
,
though
somewhat
hath
been
said
already
,
yet
thus
much
more
I
must
tell
him
;
That
as
soon
as
that
stop
was
made
,
the
water
in
the
River
at
Ely
was
raised
,
from
seventeen
inches
,
to
three
foot
and
an
half
;
and
that
accordingly
this
stop
serves
to
raise
the
Water
in
Grant
as
high
,
and
higher
,
then
the
Tides
did
formerly
raise
it
.
And
for
the
narrownesse
of
the
said
Cut
,
(
so
much
complained
of
by
this
Defender
)
it
is
neer
20.
foot
wide
,
and
being
about
one
mile
in
length
,
there
are
four
Triangles
(
or
broad
spaces
)
made
on
purpose
for
boats
to
passe
by
one
another
;
and
since
the
Sass
is
set
at
the
end
of
it
,
Boats
go
up
with
much
ease
,
that
is
to
say
,
a
Gang
of
Liters
is
haled
up
with
one
or
two
Horses
at
the
most
.
That
these
Rivers
are
scanted
with
water
because
the
Tides
are
kept
out
,
is
a
mistake
.
For
the
fresh
water
doores
of
the
Sass
at
Salters
Load
do
hold
up
the
fresh
to
supply
the
want
of
the
Tides
;
So
that
this
Sass
(
which
he
so
much
quarrels
at
)
hath
not
only
preserved
that
part
of
the
River
that
lyeth
behind
it
from
being
silted
up
this
Summer
,
as
high
as
Ely
,
being
about
twenty
miles
off
;
but
likewise
hath
kept
such
a
plump
water
all
this
dry
season
in
that
and
the
other
rivers
,
sometimes
even
Level
with
the
soile
,
that
no
Waterman
(
that
hath
any
honestie
)
but
must
confess
and
acknowledge
the
advantage
they
have
had
by
it
.
4.
To
the
delay
and
danger
of
passing
the
Sasse
at
Salters
Load
.
I
have
my
Lord
,
inquired
,
and
I
find
,
that
there
is
a
free
passage
granted
at
all
times
,
even
to
a
small
Boat
that
comes
alone
with
a
load
of
Turf
,
or
the
like
;
which
is
more
,
then
is
fitt
to
be
done
with
a
Sasse
of
the
consequence
this
is
;
and
that
there
is
no
danger
before
or
behind
(
if
Watermen
will
not
be
careless
)
not
half
so
much
as
passing
through
London
Bridge
;
and
of
above
30000.
Boats
at
least
that
have
gone
through
,
I
cannot
hear
of
above
one
that
was
overturned
,
which
was
at
the
stopping
of
the
Ouse
and
making
of
the
Dam
,
the
flood
being
then
let
in
through
the
Sass
,
first
of
all
,
&
all
Watermen
stayed
till
Level
water
,
except
one
of
them
who
would
venture
to
have
the
reputation
of
the
first
going
through
the
Sass
,
so
that
it
was
the
Watermans
fault
,
who
would
not
be
ruled
by
the
Sasse
keeper
;
but
no
goods
or
men
lost
.
Indeed
Order
was
given
,
that
Boats
should
not
passe
in
the
night
time
,
or
on
the
Lords
Day
(
and
it
is
fitt
it
should
be
observed
)
but
as
it
was
said
before
,
the
Drainers
are
not
Masters
of
their
own
works
;
nor
can
expect
to
be
,
as
long
as
the
Watermen
are
encouraged
by
the
like
Petitions
.
Now
he
comes
to
speak
again
of
the
silting
of
Lin
haven
.
It
will
be
necessary
to
say
somewhat
of
the
nature
of
that
Haven
.
It
is
about
ten
miles
from
Lin
haven
to
the
Deeps
;
all
that
way
the
Tide
comes
over
a
quick
or
moveable
sand
,
where
the
Channel
alters
very
often
:
in
so
much
that
the
Town
is
at
the
charge
of
one
hundred
markes
per
an
.
to
have
it
marked
and
beakoned
out
.
And
the
ships
that
are
inward
bound
,
if
they
cannot
reach
the
Port
with
the
Tide
of
flood
,
they
are
necessitated
to
fall
back
again
into
the
Deeps
,
for
fear
of
the
Sands
.
And
it
is
no
wonder
that
this
Haven
is
apt
to
silt
,
when
the
wind
&
Tides
raise
the
Sands
and
lodge
them
there
;
but
for
him
to
conclude
;
That
all
these
Prejudices
and
●nc●nveniences
are
to
be
imputed
to
the
taking
away
of
the
fresh
water
of
Nean
,
and
to
the
Dam
made
at
Salters
Load
,
I
see
not
the
least
probable
consequence
.
For
that
part
of
Nean
,
which
came
down
at
Welcrick
,
was
not
considerable
,
but
in
times
of
Land
Floods
,
when
the
Fens
were
drowned
;
and
the
Town
of
Wisbich
(
to
whom
that
river
doth
rightly
belong
,
to
maintain
their
Outfals
)
cannot
be
without
it
.
For
seeing
the
river
of
Welland
is
appropriated
to
Spalding
(
by
the
late
Act
of
Parliament
for
draining
,
&c.
)
and
that
the
Westwater
,
and
the
old
river
of
Welnea
are
carryed
to
Lin
(
which
went
formerly
to
Wisbich
)
it
were
great
injustice
to
deprive
them
of
one
drop
of
the
Nean
;
unlesse
he
will
say
,
that
no
consideration
is
to
be
had
of
any
Town
,
but
Lin
.
And
now
the
Defender
is
at
the
Dam
again
,
and
that
must
be
the
principal
Cause
,
because
he
saith
so
;
for
having
followed
him
in
and
out
(
as
the
river
of
Ouse
did
formerly
run
)
where
he
is
sometimes
at
fourthly
,
then
secondly
,
then
thirdly
,
then
secondly
again
,
then
thirdly
,
then
first
,
then
fourthly
,
then
fifthly
,
then
sixthly
,
then
fourthly
,
then
lastly
,
then
secondly
,
and
then
thirdly
,
I
do
not
find
,
in
all
this
labyrinth
of
clauses
,
any
thing
like
a
Demonstration
,
or
indeed
like
a
probable
Argument
:
but
(
by
his
leave
)
I
will
give
him
a
Demonstration
to
the
contrary
,
that
will
trouble
him
to
Answer
.
The
Outfall
of
Lin
hath
five
rivers
,
and
about
an
hundred
Land
Brookes
,
which
discharging
themselves
into
these
rivers
,
run
all
out
at
Lin
Haven
;
besides
all
the
Downfall
of
the
Middle
,
and
South
Levels
,
of
Marshland
,
Needham
,
Coldham
,
south
of
Wisbich
,
Churchfield
,
Playfield
,
&c.
the
Lands
on
the
North
side
of
Downham
,
amounting
to
above
300000.
acres
besides
the
river
which
comes
from
Pentney
,
and
the
flux
and
reflux
of
the
Sea
30.
miles
into
the
Land
.
The
three
Outfalls
of
Wisbich
,
Spalding
,
and
Boston
,
are
kept
open
by
four
small
rivers
only
,
which
do
not
all
of
them
bring
down
so
much
water
as
comes
down
to
Lin
.
And
therefore
the
Outfall
of
Lin
must
necessarily
be
kept
open
,
and
by
consequence
the
Haven
and
Navigation
maintained
.
And
whereas
he
saith
,
that
the
Outfall
may
be
maintained
as
to
Draining
,
and
yet
the
Navigation
lost
by
reason
that
the
Channel
may
grow
too
narrow
;
That
s
a
meer
Fancie
of
his
own
,
for
the
narrower
the
deeper
;
and
it
can
never
be
so
narrow
,
but
that
there
will
be
room
for
ships
to
passe
.
Now
to
give
him
the
true
reason
of
the
present
decay
,
and
silting
of
Lin
Haven
and
river
.
I
say
,
first
it
is
so
all
over
England
:
let
him
inquire
of
the
Thames
,
the
Severn
,
the
Trent
,
(
the
noblest
rivers
of
this
Island
)
or
,
which
are
neerer
,
Nean
,
Welland
,
Glin
,
Withen
;
and
he
will
find
,
they
are
all
this
year
extreamly
silted
,
and
the
water
carriage
much
risen
;
for
this
cause
alone
,
that
the
fresh
hath
been
so
weak
and
low
these
two
last
years
that
it
hath
not
been
able
to
carry
away
the
silt
which
the
Tides
put
up
.
And
when
Providence
will
,
that
the
Springs
rise
,
and
the
Brooks
run
again
,
all
this
silt
and
sand
will
be
scowred
out
and
carryed
away
.
And
this
shall
be
confirmed
by
the
reason
,
he
urgeth
from
Sir
Cornelius
Vermuyden
,
and
which
is
taken
as
granted
by
himself
,
where
he
saith
,
that
the
height
and
swift
running
of
the
fresh
is
that
,
which
grindeth
and
keeps
open
a
Channel
.
Now
pray
,
my
Lord
,
let
me
ask
him
this
question
.
When
Bedford
water
comes
down
contracted
and
lifted
up
,
between
the
North
and
the
South
Banks
,
from
Erith
to
Salters
Load
,
whether
doth
he
not
think
that
it
will
be
a
higher
water
,
then
ever
yet
was
upon
the
Fens
;
and
(
by
consequence
)
come
swifter
,
and
with
a
greater
force
towards
Lin
,
then
when
it
came
twenty
miles
about
by
Ely
,
and
spread
it self
over
the
whole
Level
,
where
it
was
carryed
up
and
down
with
every
wind
,
and
there
lay
socking
into
the
Fens
,
till
a
great
part
of
it
was
dryed
up
by
the
Sun
,
which
shall
hereafter
(
by
reason
of
those
banks
)
come
down
in
a
swift
current
,
whole
,
and
without
any
diminution
?
The
proof
whereof
is
apparent
,
by
the
wash
that
runs
from
Peterburgh
to
Guyhern
;
when
(
in
the
year
1650.
and
1651.
)
the
water
came
down
in
six
hours
,
from
Peterburgh
to
Wisbich
,
which
was
formerly
a
week
,
or
a
forthnight
in
coming
;
and
was
,
at
the
lower
end
of
that
wash
,
five
or
six
foot
above
the
Levell
soile
;
which
sent
such
a
stream
through
Withich
Town
,
that
the
like
was
never
seen
before
;
Boats
could
hardly
steere
through
the
Bridge
;
and
it
did
grind
the
Channell
(
below
the
Horshoe
)
nine
or
ten
foot
deeper
,
then
it
was
;
which
is
almost
an
incredible
thing
to
be
done
with
one
flood
;
it
checked
the
Tide
(
which
usually
flowes
up
to
Eldernel
)
and
turned
it
back
to
Sea
,
at
the
Horshoe
;
which
I
can
very
well
affirm
;
for
I
saw
it
my self
,
and
I
doubt
not
,
but
I
may
see
the
like
on
the
other
side
of
the
Country
.
To
that
he
saith
(
my
Lord
)
that
the
water
is
a
free
Element
and
ought
not
to
be
restrained
,
all
that
is
but
childish
Rhetorick
.
For
all
men
know
,
that
Fire
and
Water
are
good
Servants
,
but
ill
Masters
;
and
that
it
ought
to
be
restrained
,
when
otherwise
it
would
drown
a
whole
Country
,
as
this
did
.
And
for
the
discourse
,
de
Mari
libero
,
&
Mari
Clauso
,
I
confesse
they
are
much
better
handled
,
then
his
Argument
;
and
yet
he
may
observe
thus
much
by
the
way
;
That
the
Hollanders
(
who
plead
so
much
for
Mare
liberum
)
are
the
greatest
Imprisoners
and
restrainers
of
waters
in
the
world
.
For
the
Sasses
and
Sluces
in
their
Country
are
innumerable
;
by
which
they
have
the
benefit
of
water
carriage
to
and
from
every
Town
:
and
quite
contrary
here
in
England
,
men
have
set
Mills
,
and
erected
weares
over
most
of
the
Navigable
rivers
,
to
the
great
obstruction
of
Navigation
;
But
if
a
Sasse
be
set
up
for
the
advantage
of
it
(
as
this
clearly
is
)
The
great
Clarter
of
England
must
be
called
upon
to
beat
down
a
supposed
Prejudice
;
which
could
not
in
those
times
be
thought
of
;
That
ingenious
Invention
being
some
hundreds
of
years
younger
,
then
that
Statue
.
Whereas
the
Navigation
from
London
to
Reading
and
so
Westward
,
could
not
be
maintained
,
but
by
the
Locks
and
Sasses
upon
the
River
,
and
so
likewise
upon
many
other
Navigable
Rivers
of
England
.
As
for
his
Milkie
way
;
if
he
cite
that
,
in
commendation
of
the
river
of
Ouse
;
I
must
tell
him
,
that
it
was
one
of
the
worst
Navigable
Rivers
of
England
and
(
before
the
Drainers
removed
them
)
the
fullest
of
Weares
,
Shallows
,
and
Gravels
.
For
it
was
usuall
here
in
the
Fens
(
to
save
the
charges
of
making
Bridges
)
to
fill
the
rivers
with
gravell
,
which
(
as
it
wore
away
)
they
supplyed
every
year
by
common
dayes
work
:
and
I
must
do
the
Fen-men
that
right
,
that
in
this
particular
they
were
very
industrious
.
Now
the
Defender
is
at
his
Rhetorick
again
,
and
(
having
fancied
to
himself
the
losse
of
the
Port
of
Lin
)
he
declames
upon
the
Consequence
and
impertance
,
that
Sea
Ports
are
to
this
Nation
,
which
is
confessed
;
but
it
is
told
him
again
,
that
the
decay
of
Trade
and
shipping
is
caused
by
the
disturbance
at
sea
,
as
aforesaid
,
whereas
he
saith
,
that
they
had
eighty
sail
of
ships
formerly
.
I
can
tell
him
,
that
the
Port
of
Dover
(
by
him
here
mentioned
)
had
before
the
late
Warre
,
above
a
hundred
faile
of
better
ships
;
and
I
could
wish
,
that
they
had
twenty
left
;
Their
customes
came
to
above
fifty
thousand
pounds
per
an
.
and
do
not
now
rise
to
four
thousand
pound
per
an
.
which
is
a
greater
fall
,
then
that
he
speakes
of
;
and
yet
no
Drainers
came
neer
them
.
But
supposing
with
him
,
that
the
Trade
should
return
again
.
(
I
perceive
by
this
,
that
he
hath
some
hope
left
)
there
will
not
be
Keeles
and
Boats
enough
(
he
feares
)
to
carry
up
all
their
Commodities
.
What
Keeles
and
Boats
do
belong
to
all
the
rivers
,
that
run
through
the
great
Level
,
is
more
then
any
man
living
can
tell
;
and
it
would
require
more
time
and
charge
to
bring
in
a
true
particular
of
them
,
then
the
knowledge
is
worth
;
so
that
for
a
man
to
affirm
,
that
there
are
not
vessels
enough
to
carry
up
eight
voyages
in
a
year
,
(
not
knowing
what
Vessels
there
are
belonging
to
the
said
Rivers
)
is
an
Assertion
at
Random
;
and
no
credit
ought
to
be
given
to
any
conclusion
,
drawn
from
so
uncertain
premisses
.
If
they
have
not
Keeles
or
Lighters
enough
,
who
hinders
from
building
more
?
for
if
their
Gangs
of
Lighters
did
reach
from
Lambs
Weare
to
Cambridge
(
which
is
above
thirty
miles
)
what
hinders
but
that
they
may
all
passe
,
one
after
another
,
and
move
all
together
.
For
they
never
had
but
one
haling
side
,
and
(
by
consequence
)
came
one
after
another
,
which
they
may
still
do
with
much
more
ease
and
convenience
;
for
they
come
up
now
with
their
Keeles
to
Lambs
Weare
,
and
sometimes
to
the
Sluce
or
Sasse
at
Rassel
,
as
they
did
formerly
;
there
they
unload
into
Liters
,
as
they
did
formerly
:
and
I
would
fain
know
why
they
should
be
above
ten
or
twelve
hours
getting
up
to
Cambridge
,
being
less
then
thirty
miles
;
considering
,
that
they
stop
for
no
Gravell
,
as
before
;
and
having
a
constant
Water
;
and
that
they
have
dry
Land
for
their
haling
Horses
and
Boyes
,
which
they
had
not
before
;
and
that
they
can
hale
in
the
night
time
,
which
before
they
could
not
,
the
fens
being
drowned
.
From
Lin
to
the
great
Sasse
they
come
in
four
hours
,
from
thence
to
Lambs
Weare
four
hours
,
from
thence
to
Cambridge
twelve
houres
(
in
all
twenty
houres
)
the
Navigation
from
Lin
to
Cambridge
is
performed
.
So
that
his
Multiplex
Prejudicium
,
is
indeed
Multiplex
Beneficium
;
and
he
might
have
spared
his
expression
of
Halfing
out
the
Navigation
,
and
that
half
the
Marriners
must
either
beg
or
starve
,
and
answer
to
this
question
.
What
would
have
become
of
half
their
Watermen
,
these
two
last
years
,
when
their
Forraign
Trade
failed
them
,
if
they
had
not
taken
four
or
five
thousand
pound
of
the
Drainers
money
,
for
carrying
of
Cole-seed
,
Wheat
,
and
other
Commodities
,
which
grew
in
the
Fens
by
occasion
of
this
Draining
?
And
whereas
he
saith
,
that
though
the
Constomes
be
raised
to
one
thousand
three
hundred
pound
this
year
at
Lin
by
the
Fen-commodities
,
yet
there
is
as
much
more
lost
in
the
revenew
of
Coles
and
salt
.
Every
one
knoweth
,
that
there
was
never
any
Custome
paid
for
Coles
,
and
Salt
,
that
were
brought
from
Newcastle
to
Lin
.
Now
he
goes
on
.
These
the
Petitioners
proofs
of
prejudice
,
&c.
He
must
not
make
me
believe
,
that
he
hath
proved
any
thing
as
yet
;
nor
hath
been
in
the
way
to
do
it
,
the
question
not
being
rightly
stated
.
And
that
which
follows
,
concerning
Nean
,
Harrimer
,
and
the
Cutt
of
Rasshill
(
being
but
repetitions
,
and
already
answered
)
I
passe
by
;
and
meet
him
(
the
third
time
)
assaulting
the
Dam
at
Salters
Load
;
meaning
to
blow
it
up
with
an
Argument
of
(
him
that
made
it
)
Sir
Cornelius
Vernyden
,
wherein
(
though
enough
hath
been
said
already
,
to
satisfie
any
indifferent
man
,
yet
)
because
I
hope
this
will
be
his
last
Assault
,
I
shall
edeavour
to
defend
it
.
It
is
a
Principle
,
saith
he
,
not
denyed
by
the
undertakers
,
that
no
Inland
Harbour
can
possibly
be
preserved
without
a
sufficient
backwater
to
scoure
it
out
.
This
is
confessed
:
but
if
he
mean
by
his
backwater
,
that
it
must
necessarily
be
the
Tides
;
that
is
not
generally
true
.
For
all
the
Havens
in
the
Mediterranean
,
and
in
the
Arches
,
and
the
Black
Sea
,
are
preserved
by
the
fresh
only
;
there
being
(
as
all
men
know
)
no
flux
or
reflux
in
those
seas
.
But
to
answer
him
again
:
supposing
that
the
five
Rivers
,
Brooks
,
and
Downfall
(
as
aforesaid
)
be
not
sufficient
(
which
certainly
they
are
)
to
keep
open
Lin
Haven
;
yet
they
have
the
Tides
flowing
up
thirty
miles
into
the
Country
;
and
a
large
Receptacle
to
boot
,
which
will
hold
much
more
water
,
then
all
the
other
Rivers
.
Will
nothing
serve
his
turn
,
but
that
they
must
flow
in
,
just
the
same
way
they
did
before
?
That
the
Haven
of
Lin
,
and
the
Channel
to
Sea
are
sufficiently
Preservd
,
this
will
confute
all
hath
been
said
to
the
contrary
.
About
ten
dayes
since
,
there
was
a
Ship
of
four
hundred
Tun
,
laden
with
Wheat
(
of
the
grouth
of
the
Fens
)
set
sail
from
that
Port
bound
for
Spain
,
as
I
take
it
;
and
though
she
did
not
take
in
her
full
lading
,
till
she
came
to
the
Deeps
;
yet
she
could
not
draw
lesse
then
sixteen
foot
water
,
when
she
fell
down
.
I
do
believe
(
my
Lord
)
that
a
Ship
of
that
burthen
hath
not
formerly
been
seen
there
;
and
indeed
the
Defender
(
when
he
speakes
of
the
Shipping
belonging
to
Lin
)
saith
,
that
they
had
eighty
saile
,
from
two
hundred
Tun
downwards
.
Let
this
be
well
weighed
;
and
then
let
him
tell
me
,
whether
there
were
any
just
cause
for
this
great
outcry
to
the
late
Parliament
,
which
(
I
hear
)
hath
cost
them
two
hundred
pound
in
bringing
up
their
witnesses
,
and
other
charges
.
What
the
operation
of
a
Receptacle
(
or
Indraught
)
is
,
I
will
give
him
one
pregnant
instance
;
and
that
is
in
Newenden
Levell
,
in
Kent
,
where
Sir
Thomas
Culpeper
(
a
most
experienced
,
and
ingenious
Commissioner
of
Sewers
)
by
making
a
small
Indraught
,
hath
gained
such
a
Channel
,
that
a
Ship
of
two
hundred
Tun
may
ride
at
a
low
water
,
where
a
small
boat
could
hardly
come
before
:
and
the
reason
is
clear
.
For
that
the
Tides
standing
in
a
Receptacle
(
which
ebbs
drie
)
the
filt
setteth
to
the
bottome
,
and
the
Water
returns
clearer
and
thinner
,
then
it
came
in
;
and
so
hath
the
same
operation
in
scowring
out
the
Channell
,
as
if
it
were
a
fresh
:
which
is
not
so
when
it
flowes
up
into
the
five
Rivers
(
as
he
would
have
it
)
by
reason
that
(
being
alwaies
in
motion
)
it
hath
not
time
to
settle
so
much
;
nor
can
it
(
that
way
)
ever
ebbe
dry
;
Which
is
enough
to
prove
,
that
the
new
way
(
the
Tides
now
flow
)
is
much
better
for
the
keeping
open
of
the
Channell
and
Outfall
,
then
the
Old.
I
desire
to
know
of
the
Defender
,
why
the
Haven
and
Channel
at
Lin
is
ever
better
in
Winter
then
in
Summer
;
and
why
,
in
the
year
1648.
the
Outfall
became
deeper
then
it
had
been
in
many
years
before
or
since
?
was
it
not
the
great
fresh
that
came
down
that
year
?
All
the
Sluce-keepers
on
Marshland
side
can
tell
him
this
;
and
that
in
Summer
time
the
Tides
gain
upon
the
fresh
,
silting
the
Channell
in
some
places
four
,
six
,
and
ten
foot
high
;
and
that
in
Winter
the
fresh
gains
upon
the
Tides
,
and
carryes
all
that
sand
out
again
,
which
the
Summer
had
brought
in
.
As
for
the
Argument
he
takes
from
Sir
Cornelius
:
nothing
can
make
more
against
him
(
as
was
said
before
.
)
For
if
the
higher
and
contracted
Water
do
the
execution
,
it
must
be
that
which
comes
down
between
the
new
banks
.
What
Fall
there
is
between
Ely
and
Lin
,
is
not
materiall
,
for
the
same
fall
remains
still
for
the
four
lesser
Rivers
:
but
the
Adventurers
have
mended
the
fall
of
the
Ouse
;
which
by
new
Bedford
River
,
hath
the
same
fall
in
twenty
one
miles
running
,
that
it
had
before
in
forty
.
But
where
he
saith
,
That
the
Keeles
came
up
within
twelve
miles
of
Cambridge
,
he
must
be
arrested
for
that
fallacie
;
and
told
,
that
(
if
ever
any
such
thing
was
)
the
Fens
were
then
very
much
drowned
:
otherwise
I
do
affirm
(
upon
view
taken
)
that
it
is
impossible
.
And
truly
in
this
particular
he
must
be
looked
to
,
when
he
speakes
of
eight
or
nine
foot
water
at
Harrimer
;
of
ten
foot
above
the
low
water
Marke
at
Salters
Load
;
and
of
Keeles
coming
up
to
Willingham
,
or
Erith
;
it
must
be
when
the
Fens
are
deep
covered
with
water
.
For
when
there
is
eight
foot
water
at
Harrimer
,
the
Fens
are
drowned
then
five
foot
deep
,
gaged
by
W.
P.
And
then
(
for
ought
I
know
)
a
Keele
might
have
gone
any
where
crosse
the
Fens
;
But
I
hope
he
doth
not
expect
this
from
the
Drainers
,
who
must
keep
the
water
rather
two
foot
below
the
soyl
,
then
two
foot
above
it
.
And
now
,
my
Lord
,
being
almost
quite
tyred
with
following
this
wanderer
,
through
his
perplexed
method
,
and
vain
repetitions
,
(
in
pursuit
of
the
Demonstration
he
promised
long
agoe
)
I
do
find
,
that
he
hath
proved
nothing
:
but
that
he
is
put
upon
a
Subject
,
which
he
doth
not
understand
.
And
I
am
at
length
arrived
at
his
Answers
to
the
Drainers
Objections
,
as
he
calls
them
;
though
indeed
very
few
of
them
belong
to
the
Drainers
,
but
to
the
Gentlemen
(
mentioned
before
)
who
wrote
the
short
and
full
Answers
;
but
to
such
as
are
materiall
(
and
not
answered
in
the
precedent
discourse
)
I
shall
give
short
Replies
.
He
saith
,
That
the
bottome
of
the
old
river
is
deeper
then
the
new
.
In
some
places
it
is
,
&
in
some
places
it
is
not
,
as
aforesaid
.
That
the
Tides
are
half
spent
,
before
they
run
up
into
the
new
Rivers
.
They
may
be
half
spent
at
Lin
;
but
if
he
say
,
that
they
are
half
spent
at
Salters
Load
,
it
is
apparantly
otherwise
.
For
at
this
present
they
flow
between
three
and
four
hours
there
,
as
they
did
formerly
.
And
for
his
exception
to
that
expression
,
That
the
Tides
do
flow
as
high
into
the
Country
as
formerly
;
the
meaning
is
plain
.
The
Tides
have
raised
the
water
at
the
Hermitage
;
and
they
did
no
more
at
Harrimer
;
and
that
Harrimer
is
no
further
from
Salters
Load
(
in
a
straight
line
)
then
the
Hermitage
.
2.
To
his
Answer
to
the
second
Objection
.
It
is
true
,
that
at
Ely
some
of
the
Country
did
object
,
that
it
was
not
the
Undertakers
but
the
dry
Season
had
drained
the
Fens
,
and
so
desired
respite
of
judgement
,
and
to
hold
the
possession
of
their
Lands
till
further
triall
of
the
works
.
But
doth
any
man
think
,
that
this
was
a
reasonable
motion
?
you
contract
with
me
for
five
hundred
pound
to
build
you
an
house
;
and
when
't
is
finished
,
I
demand
my
money
.
No
,
you
will
have
a
years
tryall
,
to
see
if
the
house
will
stand
or
no
,
and
after
another
year
,
&
so
in
infinitum
.
This
is
the
Drainers
Case
.
They
were
tyed
by
the
Act
to
imbank
the
rivers
,
so
as
they
should
not
overflow
the
Level
;
this
was
proved
to
be
done
sufficiently
and
according
to
the
Act.
What
could
the
Lords
and
other
Commissioners
at
Ely
,
(
or
any
just
man
say
)
but
that
they
must
have
their
Land
after
the
performance
of
their
undertaking
,
according
to
their
contract
?
And
yet
their
Lordships
,
and
the
rest
of
the
Commissioners
did
so
farre
incline
to
the
Country
,
as
that
an
offer
was
made
by
them
,
(
with
the
consent
of
the
undertakers
)
that
the
Country
,
(
giving
security
for
the
rent
of
the
Lands
,
to
be
paid
only
in
case
they
were
not
drowned
)
should
have
the
experience
of
another
year
;
but
the
Country
,
after
consideration
had
,
returned
a
Negative
.
But
he
saith
,
That
they
made
use
of
a
dry
season
to
gain
a
judgment
,
and
of
the
same
drought
to
excuse
the
prejudices
done
to
Navigation
.
I
do
wonder
with
what
forehead
this
can
be
affirmed
,
for
it
is
well
known
,
that
the
Drainers
did
not
go
about
to
excuse
any
Prejudices
done
to
Navigation
;
but
they
stood
upon
it
then
(
as
they
do
still
)
that
no
Prejudice
at
all
was
,
or
is
done
;
And
they
did
prove
it
,
both
by
Watermen
,
Merchants
,
and
others
of
skill
,
who
came
then
from
sounding
the
Channell
;
and
did
depose
precisely
,
to
the
severall
depths
,
both
below
,
and
on
this
side
Lin
;
which
did
so
clearly
evince
,
what
the
Watermen
had
alledged
;
that
the
Court
was
fully
satisfied
.
And
the
said
Commissioners
upon
examination
drew
this
Confession
from
one
of
their
chief
Watermen
of
Lin
;
(
whom
they
brought
as
a
Witnesses
,
Ellis
,
by
name
)
that
if
the
fresh
Water
doores
of
the
Sasse
at
Salters
Load
be
kept
shut
,
the
Navigation
was
as
good
as
ever
.
3.
That
Navigation
was
never
so
bad
formerly
in
the
greatest
droughts
.
I
make
some
Question
of
that
.
For
it
will
be
proved
,
that
in
a
dry
Season
formerly
,
an
empty
Boat
could
hardly
get
up
to
Cambridge
;
And
that
the
Keeles
could
not
get
higher
then
Stow
Bridge
:
whereas
this
Summer
the
Keeles
have
come
up
constantly
to
Lambs
Weare
,
and
sometimes
to
the
Sasse
at
Rasshill
;
and
the
Liters
have
daily
(
without
any
impediment
)
gone
from
thence
to
Cambridge
.
4.
To
his
very
pertinent
Instance
of
making
a
Dam
over
the
Thames
at
Greenwich
,
or
at
London
Bridge
,
it
is
worth
no
better
answer
then
this
.
That
if
such
a
Dam
would
save
the
City
of
London
from
being
drowned
(
as
the
Dam
at
Salters
Load
doth
all
the
South
Level
)
and
that
a
better
River
were
made
to
uphold
the
Navigation
;
and
all
this
Authorised
by
an
Act
of
Parliament
;
I
see
not
where
the
crime
would
lye
.
And
I
should
be
very
sorry
,
that
the
Sasse
at
Salters
Load
should
bring
half
that
danger
and
impediment
to
the
Watermen
here
,
as
doth
the
passing
through
London
Bridge
to
those
there
:
And
yet
for
the
common
benefit
,
the
Watermen
there
are
contented
to
dispence
with
their
own
Interest
.
And
yet
I
know
not
,
whether
that
Bridge
was
set
by
Authority
of
an
Act
of
Parliament
,
as
the
said
Sasse
undoubtedly
was
.
The
Adventurers
do
not
say
,
That
more
cannot
be
done
by
man
:
but
they
say
,
That
what
is
already
done
hath
been
sufficient
to
improve
the
Navigation
.
And
here
the
Defender
begins
to
confesse
,
That
the
Navigation
may
be
the
better
above
the
Sasses
,
by
keeping
up
the
water
;
but
what
availes
that
,
if
the
Channell
be
lost
below
?
Let
him
take
no
care
for
that
;
for
if
there
were
any
danger
of
that
,
the
Drainers
would
be
as
sensible
thereof
as
he
,
or
the
Town
of
Lin
can
be
.
5.
That
the
Commissioners
sitting
at
Ely
in
March
Last
,
did
not
view
the
Navigation
at
Lin
.
It
was
enough
,
that
they
did
see
the
Navigation
within
the
Level
;
and
for
that
of
Lin
,
they
were
sufficiently
informed
by
good
witnesses
upon
oath
,
as
aforesaid
.
6.
He
wonders
,
with
what
confidence
the
undertakers
could
affirm
,
that
it
was
proved
,
at
the
Adjudication
,
that
full
as
much
(
if
not
more
)
fresh
water
did
run
out
at
Lin
Haven
,
as
formerly
.
This
is
undenyably
true
.
But
to
understand
it
,
the
Defender
must
know
,
that
the
River
of
Nean
(
being
passed
Peterburgh
Bridge
)
did
Branch
it self
formerly
into
three
streams
;
whereof
one
went
towards
Crowland
,
another
towards
Wisbich
,
by
Mortons
Leame
;
and
the
third
came
dowe
to
Wittlesea
,
and
Ramsey
Meare
,
and
from
thence
(
by
Bevills
Leame
,
and
Lower
by
Plantwater
)
part
went
out
by
Wisbich
;
and
the
remainder
of
this
third
part
of
the
Nean
(
which
did
not
issue
by
Wisbich
)
fell
down
to
Well
Creake
,
(
a
narrow
Channel
)
and
so
to
Lin
;
which
course
it
holds
still
.
But
if
he
say
,
That
more
water
would
come
that
way
by
Stanground
Sasse
,
if
it
were
not
restrained
;
it
will
be
made
appear
(
as
was
hinted
before
)
that
a
greater
part
of
the
Ouse
went
to
Wisbich
by
the
Westwater
,
and
Welnea
river
(
which
is
now
carryed
wholly
to
Lin
)
then
will
countervaile
the
stop
that
is
made
of
that
part
of
the
Nean
at
Stanground
Sasse
,
which
Sasse
was
set
about
fourteen
years
since
,
and
so
the
water
Nean
diverted
from
coming
to
Lin
;
and
by
the
late
works
,
the
water
of
Ouse
is
prevented
from
going
to
Wisbich
So
that
the
diversion
was
before
,
and
the
addition
of
waters
since
;
and
yet
before
the
benefit
there
was
no
complaint
for
Navigation
.
The
seventh
is
answered
formerly
.
8.
That
the
raising
of
the
princes
of
water
carriages
was
a
contrivance
of
the
watermen
.
It
was
proved
at
Ely
,
that
Allen
the
waterman
went
every
week
with
his
Boats
from
Cambridge
to
Lin
,
and
back
again
;
commonly
with
five
Tun
weight
;
and
for
the
same
rate
he
formerly
took
;
which
weekly
passage
he
hath
continued
all
this
summer
.
It
will
rest
upon
the
Defender
to
name
any
man
before
the
draining
,
that
made
this
voyage
(
being
120.
miles
)
constantly
,
with
such
a
lading
in
lesse
then
a
weeks
time
:
and
this
will
trouble
him
more
then
his
Demonstration
.
9.
That
there
was
never
any
constant
and
certain
Navigation
between
Lin
and
Cambridge
(
in
summer
time
)
till
since
the
draining
.
Which
is
a
truth
;
and
it
stands
upon
this
bottom
.
That
in
summer
time
the
neap
Tides
were
not
high
enough
,
to
help
their
Liters
over
the
gravel
below
Ely
:
which
shall
be
proved
(
if
he
please
)
by
an
hundred
witnesses
.
The
conclusion
of
that
Clause
,
to
wit
,
Therefore
the
Petitioners
were
not
to
be
relieved
,
even
in
Parliament
,
is
not
any
where
(
that
I
know
)
asserted
by
the
adventurers
;
but
is
his
own
inference
.
That
which
they
said
,
was
this
(
and
they
think
they
have
reason
on
their
side
)
That
they
did
desire
to
know
the
opinion
of
the
House
,
in
this
Particular
,
whether
matter
of
Fact
,
already
heard
and
determined
before
Legal
Judges
(
not
at
all
impeached
as
criminous
or
corrupt
)
should
be
reexamined
before
the
Committee
of
Petitions
;
which
was
so
sober
a
demand
;
that
I
do
wonder
any
man
of
conscience
(
or
indeed
of
Common
sence
)
can
interpret
this
,
to
the
questioning
of
the
power
of
Parliament
;
and
much
lesse
,
to
the
giving
of
Laws
to
the
Supream
Authority
.
And
for
that
he
speaketh
of
the
want
of
power
in
the
Commissioners
after
the
Adjudication
;
and
would
make
that
the
ground
of
their
appeal
to
the
House
:
It
is
clear
by
the
Act
for
Draining
,
that
(
notwithstanding
the
judgement
given
)
they
are
for
three
years
after
,
a
standing
Judicature
;
and
that
they
now
are
,
and
hereafter
are
to
be
,
without
limitation
of
time
,
Commissioners
of
Sewers
within
this
Level
.
But
for
the
Inconsistencie
,
which
he
hath
discovered
,
between
Navigation
and
Draining
,
There
is
no
such
thing
.
They
do
agree
(
for
ought
I
know
)
like
man
and
wife
together
;
and
may
alwaies
do
so
,
if
busie
and
envious
men
do
not
raise
jealousies
,
and
foment
quarrels
between
them
purposely
to
ruine
both
:
which
hath
been
too
much
practised
of
late
.
To
that
he
saith
,
That
Prejudice
is
done
to
Navigation
since
the
Adjudication
,
and
would
make
that
another
ground
for
an
appeal
to
the
House
.
Though
there
can
be
no
pretence
for
any
such
thing
(
the
contrary
being
manifest
)
yet
let
me
aske
him
this
question
:
why
he
did
not
trie
the
Commissioners
here
in
the
Country
,
or
the
Commissioners
sitting
at
London
,
before
he
flew
to
the
House
?
for
if
they
had
either
shewn
want
of
will
,
or
want
of
power
to
relieve
him
,
he
might
have
had
some
colour
for
his
appeal
.
But
I
am
apt
to
believe
,
that
this
Gentleman
had
heard
of
Sir
John
Maynards
letters
(
before
mentioned
)
and
from
thence
grew
consident
that
he
should
carry
all
before
him
.
For
I
am
certainly
informed
,
that
the
Enemies
(
or
rather
the
enviers
)
of
this
noble
work
;
when
they
had
long
(
in
vain
)
laboured
to
prove
the
Levell
not
drained
,
then
fell
to
alledge
that
Draining
did
not
meliorate
;
which
mistake
,
or
rather
falshood
,
being
so
irrationall
,
that
all
men
condemned
it
;
they
(
as
a
last
refuge
)
flew
to
the
Navigation
;
(
as
knowing
that
if
the
same
had
not
been
preserved
,
it
was
the
overthrow
of
the
work
,
as
indeed
it
is
;
)
And
(
through
the
dryness
of
the
season
)
they
indeavoured
by
fallacies
to
overthrow
the
work
;
but
the
falshood
and
subtilty
of
their
allegations
being
easie
to
be
discovered
by
knowing
men
upon
the
place
,
they
leave
the
Judges
,
appointed
to
determine
upon
the
place
,
and
endeavoured
to
have
their
complaints
heard
by
the
Committee
of
Petitions
,
who
they
knew
could
not
be
spared
to
go
to
the
place
,
and
discover
their
fallacies
.
To
that
which
followes
,
Answers
have
already
been
given
;
and
every
part
of
his
Argument
,
either
confessed
and
avoyded
,
or
fully
refuted
;
though
not
alwaies
in
the
same
Order
they
stand
in
his
Discourse
;
lest
I
should
have
made
this
(
confused
enough
already
)
as
intricate
and
perplexed
as
his
.
And
now
,
my
Lord
(
after
tyring
your
Lordship
,
and
my self
)
I
am
quitt
,
I
hope
,
of
this
tedious
wrangler
,
who
hath
forced
me
to
draw
out
this
Scroll
beyond
the
ordinary
length
of
a
Letter
;
lest
he
might
have
thought
that
he
had
said
something
,
that
could
not
be
Answered
;
And
I
doubt
not
,
but
your
Lordship
,
and
all
Intelligent
men
are
fully
satisfied
,
that
the
Navigation
is
not
prejudiced
by
the
works
of
Draining
;
but
contrarywise
made
more
Constant
,
Easie
,
and
Certain
,
then
it
was
before
.
So
craving
pardon
for
this
long
trouble
,
I
humbly
kisse
your
Lordships
hand
,
and
rest
My
Lord
,
Your
Lordships
most
Humble
SERVANT
.
Jan.
18.
1653
FINIS
.