parchment_n and_o then_o to_o ride_v unto_o the_o commissioner_n house_n that_o make_v the_o decree_n to_o get_v their_o hand_n and_o seal_n and_o have_v such_o a_o number_n as_o the_o law_n require_v be_v fix_v the_o clerk_n do_v not_o trouble_v himself_o to_o ride_v over_o the_o whole_a country_n to_o have_v every_o commissioner_n hand_n that_o make_v the_o decree_n nor_o be_v it_o necessary_a for_o all_o to_o sign_n it_o be_v enough_o that_o their_o name_n in_o the_o body_n of_o the_o decree_n do_v show_v it_o to_o be_v their_o act._n and_o if_o one_o man_n or_o more_o shall_v dissent_v they_o be_v include_v by_o the_o major_a part_n so_o that_o the_o major_a part_n be_v a_o number_n warrant_v by_o the_o statute_n if_o any_o doubt_n be_v make_v of_o this_o we_o do_v undertake_v to_o prove_v it_o all_o 2._o they_o say_v the_o earl_n do_v bribe_v the_o king_n and_o his_o lord_n to_o take_v away_o their_o fen_n we_o answer_v that_o the_o earl_n may_v dispose_v of_o his_o land_n as_o he_o please_v whether_o he_o give_v they_o or_o sell_v they_o i_o conceive_v concern_v not_o the_o drain_n nor_o those_o that_o adventure_v with_o the_o earl_n if_o any_o injustice_n be_v do_v for_o bribe_n let_v that_o appear_v and_o let_v they_o that_o do_v it_o answer_v for_o it_o 3._o they_o say_v the_o earl_n do_v drain_v these_o fen_n by_o prerogative_n power_n by_o the_o king_n letter_n and_o by_o the_o lord_n order_n we_o answer_v that_o the_o earl_n and_o we_o do_v claim_v our_o interest_n by_o the_o law_n of_o sewer_n as_o by_o the_o decree_n before_o you_o be_v prove_v and_o do_v disclaim_v all_o title_n or_o right_o by_o any_o prerogative_n power_n and_o do_v say_v that_o the_o king_n letter_n do_v only_o excite_v the_o commissioner_n to_o proceed_v in_o a_o public_a good_a work_n which_o be_v his_o duty_n as_o it_o now_o be_v the_o parliament_n to_o further_v such_o a_o beneficial_a undertake_n to_o enrich_v the_o state_n and_o we_o say_v those_o letter_n do_v but_o recommend_v the_o earl_n to_o be_v the_o undertaker_n but_o do_v not_o enjoin_v the_o commissioner_n to_o accept_v he_o we_o further_o say_v that_o by_o the_o date_n of_o all_o the_o lord_n order_n those_o from_o the_o star-chamber_n from_o the_o council-table_n and_o last_o from_o the_o parliament_n it_o do_v appear_v that_o no_o such_o order_n possession_n be_v use_v by_o the_o earl_n to_o procure_v the_o drain_n but_o to_o preserve_v the_o work_n do_v and_o do_v the_o first_o order_n be_v long_o after_o the_o work_n be_v begin_v and_o other_o after_o the_o earl_n have_v possession_n to_o preserve_v corn_n from_o be_v destroy_v and_o house_n from_o be_v pull_v down_o and_o to_o deter_v such_o rioter_n date_n by_o all_o this_o we_o conceive_v it_o be_v clear_a that_o the_o earl_n do_v not_o force_v the_o country_n to_o consent_v to_o drain_n by_o prerogative_n power_n as_o be_v allege_v 4._o they_o say_v the_o old_a commissioner_n of_o the_o country_n be_v put_v out_o and_o stranger_n 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that_o it_o be_v likely_a that_o some_o do_v desire_n to_o be_v put_v out_o for_o their_o own_o case_n which_o be_v very_o usual_a however_o it_o be_v evident_a there_o be_v no_o evil_a intend_v by_o alter_v the_o commission_n because_o there_o be_v above_o two_o hundred_o able_a and_o sufficient_a gentleman_n most_o of_o that_o country_n in_o the_o commission_n commission_n by_o which_o authority_n the_o earl_n contract_n be_v make_v with_o the_o country_n and_o but_o two_o stranger_n who_o can_v not_o over-rule_v that_o great_a number_n to_o prejudice_v their_o own_o country_n by_o any_o unjust_a act_n 5._o they_o say_v that_o the_o drainer_n be_v party_n and_o judge_n we_o answer_v that_o when_o the_o tax_n of_o 13s_o 4d_o be_v lay_v on_o every_o acre_n drown_v there_o can_v be_v no_o party_n because_o the_o earl_n have_v no_o interest_n nor_o at_o make_v the_o contract_n of_o 24000_o acre_n until_o it_o be_v make_v the_o earl_n have_v no_o interest_n and_o then_o of_o they_o that_o do_v make_v that_o contract_n between_o the_o country_n and_o the_o earl_n there_o be_v only_o two_o that_o have_v any_o relation_n to_o the_o earl_n for_o the_o now_o lord_n cobham_n sir_n edward_n heron_n and_o mr._n william_n langton_n do_v some_o year_n after_o his_o decree_n become_v purchaser_n of_o their_o own_o fen_n at_o 40_o a_o acre_n at_o which_o price_n those_o land_n be_v public_o offer_v to_o any_o of_o the_o country_n to_o adventure_v for_o and_o only_o these_o three_o gentleman_n do_v think_v those_o drown_a land_n to_o be_v so_o much_o worth_n in_o those_o day_n the_o date_n of_o these_o three_o gentleman_n deed_n will_v show_v how_o long_o after_o the_o contract_n they_o become_v purchaser_n and_o therefore_o can_v be_v just_o call_v judge_n and_o party_n at_o the_o make_n of_o the_o contract_n or_o lay_v the_o tax_n three_o year_n before_o the_o contract_n be_v make_v nor_o can_v sir_n peregrine_n bartu_n nor_o mr._n long_a be_v sit_v on_o the_o bench_n who_o be_v the_o only_a two_o that_o be_v afterwards_o concern_v in_o the_o earl_n interest_n be_v reasonable_o think_v to_o over-rule_v the_o other_o thirty_o commissioner_n that_o do_v make_v the_o decree_n of_o contract_n contract_n where_o the_o word_n be_v that_o no_o one_o man_n do_v dissent_v 6._o they_o say_v that_o the_o fen_n in_o question_n be_v not_o drown_v and_o therefore_o do_v need_v no_o drain_n we_o answer_v that_o by_o several_a record_n of_o that_o county_n now_o in_o court_n it_o appear_v that_o the_o fen_n in_o question_n have_v be_v ever_o hurtful_o surround_v with_o water_n and_o that_o it_o have_v be_v for_o some_o hundred_o of_o year_n the_o constant_a endeavour_n of_o the_o commissioner_n of_o that_o country_n and_o of_o many_o other_o eminent_a man_n book_n to_o have_v drain_v the_o same_o fen_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n and_o by_o new_a work_n in_o the_o same_o place_n where_o the_o earl_n have_v make_v his_o drain_n it_o do_v also_o appear_v by_o our_o adversary_n book_n late_o print_v and_o distribute_v to_o the_o member_n in_o parliament_n that_o a_o little_a before_o the_o earl_n undertake_v the_o country_n do_v proffer_v sir_n anthony_n thomas_n and_o sir_n william_n aylisse_n a_o five_o part_n to_o drain_v these_o very_a fen_n in_o question_n and_o that_o they_o demand_v a_o four_o part_n by_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o these_o fen_n be_v drown_v and_o that_o the_o country_n do_v desire_v to_o have_v they_o drain_v and_o be_v sufficient_a argument_n to_o persuade_v the_o earl_n to_o undertake_v the_o work_n and_o therefore_o no_o project_n and_o may_v satisfy_v all_o indifferent_a man_n that_o the_o earl_n have_v no_o prerogative_n power_n nor_o need_v any_o nor_o lord_n order_n to_o force_v the_o country_n to_o a_o compliance_n with_o he_o book_n it_o also_o appear_v by_o our_o adversary_n other_o print_a book_n distribute_v to_o the_o member_n of_o parliament_n that_o our_o opposer_n themselves_o do_v desire_v to_o become_v drainer_n of_o the_o fen_n in_o question_n by_o all_o which_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o these_o fen_n do_v require_v drain_v 7._o they_o say_v that_o if_o the_o fen_n do_v need_v to_o be_v drain_v yet_o not_o by_o such_o malignant_n as_o we_o we_o answer_v that_o when_o we_o become_v drainer_n there_o be_v no_o cause_n to_o call_v we_o so_o and_o we_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v drainer_n because_o in_o those_o day_n none_o in_o the_o country_n do_v understand_v the_o art_n of_o drain_v which_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o unuseful_a drain_n of_o the_o country_n before_o the_o earl_n undertake_v and_o by_o their_o wilful_a and_o ignorant_a cleanse_n of_o their_o old_a crooked_a drain_n this_o last_o year_n hope_v by_o so_o do_v to_o have_v show_v the_o
world_n may_v see_v how_o unjust_a this_o complaint_n be_v we_o will_v prove_v that_o the_o current_n of_o water_n which_o do_v former_o run_v by_o their_o old_a drain_n through_o holland_n several_n to_o the_o sea_n do_v now_o run_v backward_o into_o our_o drain_n and_o we_o do_v carry_v those_o water_n by_o our_o river_n into_o the_o sea_n another_o way_n by_o which_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o our_o drain_n be_v of_o use_n and_o their_o old_a drain_n be_v of_o no_o use_n and_o by_o this_o it_o be_v also_o clear_a that_o the_o land_n allot_v to_o we_o be_v the_o low_a land_n in_o the_o level_n because_o both_o from_o kesteven_n side_n and_o from_o holland_n side_n the_o water_n do_v run_v into_o our_o river_n and_o by_o they_o into_o the_o sea_n and_o by_o this_o also_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o earl_n 14000._o acre_n be_v the_o low_a be_v the_o most_o drown_v and_o so_o the_o worst_a before_o the_o drain_n and_o now_o the_o say_a land_n bear_v good_a winter_n corn_n it_o be_v as_o evident_a that_o the_o earl_n have_v do_v a_o good_a work_n and_o perform_v his_o contract_n full_o when_o that_o which_o be_v worst_a of_o the_o fen_n be_v make_v the_o best_a by_o he_o and_o that_o holland_n fen_n be_v as_o well_o drain_v as_o his_o own_o so_o that_o two_o part_n of_o three_o contract_n be_v better_a drain_v then_o by_o his_o contract_n he_o be_v oblige_v and_o kesteven_n be_v the_o other_o three_o part_n be_v as_o well_o as_o art_n can_v make_v it_o and_o as_o well_o drain_v as_o by_o his_o contract_n he_o be_v bind_v to_o do_v 13._o they_o say_v that_o the_o earl_n take_v possession_n by_o force_n of_o arm_n and_o keep_v his_o possession_n by_o troop_n of_o horse_n and_o great_a gun_n and_o by_o murder_v the_o people_n we_o answer_v that_o we_o have_v prove_v our_o come_n peaceable_o into_o possession_n by_o authority_n of_o a_o decree_n of_o sewer_n and_o that_o we_o do_v build_v plow_n proof_n and_o reap_v two_o year_n crop_n quiet_o and_o part_n of_o the_o three_o summer_n crop_v also_o in_o all_o which_o time_n there_o be_v neither_o troop_n or_o gun_n use_v or_o any_o man_n slay_v we_o have_v also_o prove_v that_o our_o house_n be_v pull_v down_o our_o corn_n burn_v our_o drain_n spoil_v our_o tenant_n throw_v out_o and_o our_o possession_n take_v from_o we_o by_o violence_n while_o we_o make_v no_o resistance_n for_o while_o my_o house_n be_v pull_v down_o the_o sheriff_n and_o a_o justice_n of_o peace_n look_v on_o and_o do_v use_v entreaty_n but_o no_o force_n to_o make_v the_o riotter_n desist_v what_o be_v do_v by_o sir_n edward_n heron_n when_o he_o be_v high_a sheriff_n i_o know_v not_o for_o we_o be_v then_o drive_v out_o of_o the_o country_n only_o i_o have_v see_v several_a order_n from_o the_o parliament_n to_o require_v he_o to_o quiet_v our_o possession_n and_o i_o believe_v by_o his_o place_n he_o may_v call_v aid_n to_o assist_v he_o for_o preserve_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o country_n which_o our_o adversary_n now_o call_v a_o force_n nor_o do_v i_o know_v what_o happen_v by_o troop_n in_o the_o follow_a war_n which_o be_v after_o our_o be_v eject_v i_o do_v undertake_v to_o prove_v that_o my_o brass_n gun_n so_o much_o talk_v of_o be_v a_o raritle_a make_v by_o my_o father_n which_o i_o do_v for_o many_o year_n remove_v from_o house_n to_o house_n where_o ever_o i_o dwell_v as_o a_o ornament_n to_o stand_v in_o my_o hall_n i_o also_o say_v that_o myself_o be_v out_o of_o the_o country_n when_o my_o house_n be_v pull_v down_o and_o never_o since_o have_v see_v the_o place_n it_o stand_v on_o till_o this_o last_o summer_n 1649._o 14._o they_o say_v that_o the_o commoner_n be_v imprison_v by_o the_o lord_n order_n we_o answer_v that_o when_o any_o of_o the_o commoner_n be_v indict_v for_o riot_n prove_v before_o the_o commissioner_n on_o oath_n that_o the_o jury_n do_v still_o acquit_v they_o which_o do_v encourage_v those_o ill_n affect_v to_o hire_v some_o poor_a man_n to_o cut_v the_o earl_n drain_v by_o which_o in_o one_o night_n great_a quantity_n of_o corn_n be_v drown_v to_o prevent_v this_o evil_a the_o earl_n be_v constrain_v to_o petition_v the_o lord_n and_o to_o seek_v a_o speedy_a remedy_n then_o to_o sue_v a_o poor_a man_n not_o worth_a a_o groat_n for_o a_o 1000_o damage_n during_o which_o suit_n the_o evil_n will_v still_o be_v act_v by_o other_o 15._o they_o say_v that_o the_o country_n be_v deny_v the_o benefit_n of_o the_o law_n by_o the_o earl_n privilege_n of_o parliament_n we_o answer_v that_o in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o lord_n house_n the_o earl_n have_v such_o a_o privilege_n and_o yet_o he_o do_v decline_v his_o privilege_n and_o submit_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o a_o committee_n of_o this_o honourable_a house_n and_o while_o the_o cause_n do_v depend_v in_o hear_v before_o they_o he_o be_v throw_v out_o of_o his_o right_n by_o those_o who_o now_o complain_v against_o we_o which_o be_v a_o high_a contempt_n against_o this_o parliament_n than_o ever_o be_v do_v before_o to_o a_o parliament_n and_o a_o mighty_a oppression_n upon_o we_o by_o our_o adversary_n 16._o they_o say_v that_o this_o parliament_n have_v declare_v against_o the_o drain_n of_o fen_n as_o a_o grievance_n to_o the_o commonwealth_n we_o answer_v that_o we_o believe_v it_o be_v a_o mistake_n in_o our_o adversary_n and_o that_o if_o there_o be_v such_o a_o declaration_n it_o be_v on_o some_o other_o fen_n and_o on_o misinformation_n or_o before_o they_o be_v full_o inform_v what_o great_a benefit_n the_o state_n will_v receive_v by_o drain_v as_o appear_v by_o their_o subsequent_a act_n for_o the_o settle_n of_o bedford_n level_v in_o the_o preamble_n of_o which_o act_n they_o recite_v what_o benefit_n the_o commonwealth_n receive_v by_o drain_n 17._o they_o say_v that_o sir_n robert_n barkham_n case_n be_v judge_v in_o parliament_n against_o i_o we_o answer_v that_o sir_n robert_n barkham_n case_n concern_v sir_n anthony_n thomas_n his_o level_n and_o be_v for_o his_o ancient_a enclose_a several_n on_o the_o title_n of_o melioration_n and_o be_v in_o no_o kind_n agree_v with_o our_o case_n in_o question_n for_o we_o claim_v only_a commons_o and_o have_v not_o touch_v any_o several_n nor_o yet_o demand_v any_o melioration_n though_o they_o be_v due_a unto_o we_o 18._o they_o say_v the_o earl_n and_o his_o participant_n have_v drain_v the_o dry_a fen_n towards_o bourne_n and_o not_o meddle_v with_o the_o drown_a fen_n towards_o lincoln_n we_o answer_v that_o the_o earl_n have_v drain_v above_o one_o half_a of_o his_o level_n and_o according_a to_o his_o contract_n have_v 14000_o acre_n set_v out_o by_o the_o commissioner_n that_o he_o may_v by_o reimburse_a part_n of_o his_o money_n be_v enable_v to_o go_v through_o with_o his_o whole_a undertake_n but_o the_o country_n have_v by_o force_n take_v the_o 14000_o acre_n from_o he_o how_o be_v he_o able_a to_o go_v on_o with_o his_o work_n they_o beat_v we_o out_o of_o the_o country_n and_o now_o complain_v that_o we_o do_v not_o finish_v our_o work_n and_o yet_o in_o this_o too_o they_o be_v mistake_v in_o what_o they_o say_v for_o the_o earl_n have_v make_v his_o sluice_n and_o his_o river_n at_o the_o out-fall_n of_o a_o double_a capacity_n for_o his_o first_o level_n from_o bourne_n on_o purpose_n to_o receive_v and_o carry_v off_o the_o water_n of_o the_o second_o level_v from_o lincoln_n so_o that_o a_o great_a part_n of_o that_o second_o work_n be_v do_v which_o they_o understand_v not_o that_o say_v the_o earl_n have_v not_o begin_v his_o work_n towards_o lincoln_n there_o be_v also_o a_o forty_o foot_n drain_n of_o 8_o mile_n long_o make_v with_o a_o particular_a sluice_n to_o it_o for_o the_o level_n towards_o lincoln_n and_o two_o 15_o foot_n drain_v more_o for_o the_o same_o level_n to_o lincoln_n 19_o they_o say_v that_o the_o country_n be_v defraud_v by_o the_o commissioner_n who_o sell_v the_o earl_n too_o much_o land_n by_o his_o contract_n we_o answer_v part_n that_o the_o fen_n in_o question_n be_v before_o the_o drain_n worth_a but_o 40_o a_o acre_n and_o so_o the_o earl_n sell_v those_o land_n at_o the_o time_n to_o all_o that_o will_v buy_v of_o he_o and_o we_o say_v that_o if_o by_o our_o labour_n charge_n and_o hazard_n the_o same_o land_n be_v now_o worth_a ten_o pound_n a_o acre_n they_o do_v complain_v unjust_o and_o may_v by_o this_o rule_n value_v a_o ship_n return_v from_o the_o east-indies_n at_o the_o rate_n it_o be_v set_v out_o which_o be_v a_o good_a way_n to_o overthrow_v all_o industry_n in_o a_o commonwealth_n 20._o they_o say_v that_o the_o earl_n have_v take_v more_o land_n than_o
sr._n william_n killigrew_n his_o answer_n to_o the_o fen_n man_n objection_n against_o the_o earl_n of_o lindsey_n his_o drain_n in_o lincolnshire_n print_v at_o london_n 1649._o the_o fen-mens_n objection_n against_o the_o earl_n of_o lindsey_n and_o his_o participant_n first_o our_o adversary_n do_v object_n that_o some_o commissioner_n who_o be_v name_v in_o the_o body_n of_o the_o decree_n have_v not_o set_v their_o hand_n and_o seal_n unto_o the_o say_a decree_n be_v engross_v into_o parchment_n 2._o they_o say_v the_o earl_n do_v bribe_v the_o late_a king_n and_o his_o lord_n to_o take_v away_o their_o fen_n 3._o they_o say_v the_o earl_n do_v drain_v these_o fen_n by_o prerogative_n power_n by_o the_o king_n letter_n and_o by_o the_o lord_n order_n 4._o they_o say_v that_o the_o ancient_a commissioner_n of_o the_o country_n be_v put_v out_o and_o stranger_n put_v into_o commission_n 5._o they_o say_v that_o the_o drainer_n be_v party_n and_o judge_n 6._o they_o say_v that_o the_o fen_n in_o question_n be_v not_o drown_v and_o do_v therefore_o need_v no_o drain_v 7._o they_o say_v that_o if_o the_o fen_n do_v need_v to_o be_v drain_v yet_o not_o by_o such_o malignant_n as_o we_o 8._o they_o say_v that_o the_o earl_n do_v undertake_v the_o work_n against_o the_o country_n consent_n 9_o they_o say_v the_o earl_n do_v take_v the_o best_a land_n and_o leave_v the_o worst_a land_n for_o the_o country_n 10._o they_o say_v that_o the_o fen_n between_o bourne_n and_o kimeeae_fw-la be_v the_o worst_a for_o drain_v 11._o they_o say_v that_o kesteum_fw-la side_n be_v drown_v by_o the_o bank_n of_o our_o great_a river_n which_o do_v secure_v our_o own_o land_n and_o do_v thrust_v up_o the_o water_n on_o the_o land_n leave_v unto_o the_o country_n 12._o they_o say_v that_o the_o earl_n bank_n do_v cut_v off_o the_o ancient_a sewer_n of_o the_o country_n which_o otherwise_o will_v have_v drain_v their_o fen_n 13._o they_o say_v the_o earl_n take_v possession_n by_o force_n of_o arm_n and_o keep_v possession_n by_o troop_n of_o horse_n by_o great_a gun_n and_o by_o murder_v the_o people_n 14._o they_o say_v that_o the_o commonner_n be_v imprison_v by_o the_o lord_n order_n 15._o they_o say_v that_o the_o country_n be_v deny_v the_o benefit_n of_o the_o land_n by_o the_o earl_n privilege_n of_o parliament_n 16._o they_o say_v that_o this_o parliament_n have_v declare_v against_o the_o drain_n of_o fen_n as_o a_o grievance_n to_o the_o commonwealth_n 17._o they_o say_v that_o sir_n robert_n barkham_n case_n be_v judge_v in_o parliament_n against_o i_o 18._o they_o say_v that_o the_o earl_n and_o his_o participant_n have_v drain_v the_o dry_a fen_n towards_o bourne_n and_o not_o meddle_v with_o the_o drown_a fen_n towards_o lincoln_n 19_o they_o say_v that_o the_o country_n be_v defraud_v by_o the_o commissioner_n who_o sell_v the_o earl_n too_o much_o land_n by_o his_o contract_n 20._o they_o say_v that_o the_o earl_n have_v take_v more_o land_n than_o be_v allot_v he_o 21._o they_o say_v that_o the_o earl_n have_v exchange_v certain_a land_n which_o the_o country_n will_v not_o allow_v of_o 22._o they_o object_n that_o the_o drainer_n have_v fight_v against_o the_o parliament_n 23._o they_o say_v that_o my_o father_n sir_n robert_n killigrew_n do_v by_o his_o will_n dispose_v of_o two_o hundred_o acre_n of_o these_o fen_n to_o his_o two_o young_a son_n before_o the_o earl_n work_n be_v begin_v 24._o they_o say_v that_o i_o be_v nominate_v a_o undertaker_n with_o the_o earl_n and_o do_v relinguish_v my_o right_n 25._o it_o have_v be_v also_o object_v that_o the_o countess_n of_o exeter_n have_v the_o brovage_n on_o many_o of_o the_o fen_n in_o question_n and_o do_v conceive_v her_o interest_n to_o be_v prejudice_v by_o the_o drain_n 26._o it_o have_v be_v also_o object_v that_o the_o earl_n do_v give_v to_o mr._n robert_n long_o 500.l_o a_o year_n to_o manage_v his_o work_n 27._o they_o do_v far_o say_v that_o the_o earl_n do_v smother_v a_o verdict_n by_o which_o the_o jury_n find_v that_o the_o fen_n in_o question_n be_v not_o surround_v sir_n william_n killigrew_n answer_n unto_o the_o fen-mens_n objection_n at_o the_o committee_n for_o the_o earl_n of_o lindsey_n his_o level_n concerning_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n mr._n goodwin_n i_o suppose_v our_o council_n have_v full_o show_v that_o we_o do_v claim_v our_o title_n to_o the_o fen_n in_o question_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o decree_n of_o sewer_n read_v before_o this_o honourable_a committee_n and_o remain_v before_o you_o and_o have_v full_o prove_v those_o decree_n to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o direction_n of_o the_o law_n and_o statute_n of_o this_o land_n and_o according_a to_o the_o precedent_n of_o former_a time_n for_o work_n of_o this_o kind_n and_o by_o those_o decree_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o our_o contract_n be_v legal_a and_o that_o we_o have_v perform_v our_o work_n according_a to_o our_o contract_n by_o which_o we_o have_v bring_v honour_n and_o profit_n to_o this_o nation_n and_o i_o say_v this_o lest_o by_o any_o witty_a exposition_n the_o letter_n of_o the_o law_n shall_v be_v now_o construe_v to_o a_o different_a sense_n from_o what_o those_o time_n understand_v it_o by_o which_o this_o letter_n of_o the_o law_n may_v now_o prove_v a_o mote_n point_n that_o be_v then_o clear_a if_o so_o we_o hope_v that_o equity_n will_v take_v place_n for_o it_o concern_v every_o man_n that_o have_v a_o estate_n as_o well_o as_o we_o that_o all_o equity_n be_v not_o devour_v by_o the_o strict_a letter_n of_o the_o law_n and_o chief_o in_o such_o case_n of_o profit_n to_o the_o state_n where_o the_o law_n be_v doubtful_a or_o short_a it_o be_v proper_a for_o the_o parliament_n to_o take_v care_n in_o equity_n and_o in_o our_o case_n the_o royal_a assent_n be_v have_v to_o our_o decree_n the_o word_n of_o the_o statute_n be_v that_o the_o parliament_n only_o can_v repeal_v they_o and_o to_o the_o parliament_n order_n we_o do_v as_o glad_o submit_v as_o our_o adversary_n will_v willing_o decline_v in_o the_o next_o place_n i_o observe_v that_o our_o opposer_n do_v endeavour_v to_o blast_v the_o credit_n of_o our_o just_a title_n of_o right_n by_o pretend_a miscarriage_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n in_o those_o that_o manage_v this_o business_n for_o the_o earl_n of_o lindsey_n and_o by_o throw_v several_a scandalous_a aspersion_n on_o the_o person_n of_o the_o drainer_n which_o make_v i_o think_v it_o very_o necessary_a to_o give_v the_o committee_n such_o answer_n to_o our_o opposer_n objection_n as_o i_o hope_v will_v vindicate_v the_o earl_n and_o his_o participant_n from_o be_v guilty_a of_o any_o wilful_a crime_n or_o from_o any_o mistake_n of_o consequence_n or_o any_o project_n or_o any_o thing_n like_o a_o project_n for_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o earl_n do_v undertake_v this_o drain_n at_o the_o suit_n of_o the_o country_n as_o appear_v by_o sir_n anthony_n erbye_n and_o the_o other_o commissioner_n letter_n to_o the_o late_a king_n and_o in_o pursuance_n of_o many_o ancient_a record_n of_o that_o county_n show_v he_o the_o endeavour_n of_o their_o ancestor_n to_o have_v drain_v the_o same_o fen_n by_o new_a work_n by_o general_a tax_n in_o the_o same_o method_n and_o in_o the_o same_o place_n as_o he_o now_o have_v do_v which_o be_v never_o heretofore_o blemish_v with_o the_o name_n of_o a_o project_n and_o all_o this_o ground_v on_o several_a invitation_n of_o former_a parliament_n to_o encourage_v private_a man_n to_o undertake_v those_o public_a work_n which_o this_o present_a parliament_n have_v also_o approve_v by_o settle_v of_o bedford_n level_v by_o a_o act_n and_o therefore_o we_o hope_v that_o we_o have_v walk_v in_o our_o predecessor_n step_n by_o the_o advice_n of_o learned_a man_n in_o the_o law_n of_o sewer_n and_o have_v bring_v our_o work_n by_o a_o great_a charge_n and_o hazard_n to_o the_o high_a perfection_n of_o any_o such_o work_n in_o this_o nation_n we_o shall_v have_v the_o protection_n of_o this_o parliament_n since_o in_o their_o wisdom_n they_o have_v think_v fit_a to_o settle_v bedford_n level_n 1._o our_o adversary_n do_v object_n that_o some_o commissioner_n who_o be_v name_v in_o the_o body_n of_o the_o decree_n have_v not_o set_v their_o hand_n and_o seal_n unto_o the_o say_a decree_n be_v engross_v in_o parchment_n we_o answer_v that_o when_o a_o great_a number_n of_o commissioner_n have_v unanimous_o make_v a_o decree_n and_o the_o clerk_n book_n perfect_v it_o be_v the_o constant_a use_n when_o the_o session_n be_v end_v for_o the_o commissioner_n to_o go_v home_o and_o for_o the_o clerk_n of_o the_o sewer_n a_o week_n or_o a_o fortnight_n after_o to_o engross_v the_o decree_n in_o
be_v allot_v he_o we_o answer_v that_o our_o land_n be_v set_v out_o by_o swear_a surveyor_n and_o we_o desire_v that_o they_o may_v be_v new_o survey_v so_o that_o those_o man_n will_v bear_v the_o charge_n if_o they_o have_v without_o cause_n complain_v 21._o they_o say_v that_o the_o earl_n have_v exchange_v certain_a land_n which_o the_o country_n will_v not_o allow_v of_o we_o answer_v that_o those_o exchange_n be_v make_v by_o a_o commission_n of_o sewer_n and_o be_v rather_o a_o benefit_n to_o the_o country_n than_o a_o prejudice_n and_o only_o some_o do_v in_o a_o peevish_a humour_n dislike_v it_o but_o if_o no_o reason_n will_v satisfy_v they_o the_o land_n shall_v be_v re-exchange_v 22._o they_o object_n that_o the_o drainer_n have_v seek_v against_o the_o parliament_n we_o answer_v that_o many_o participant_n with_o the_o earl_n of_o lindesey_n have_v not_o fight_v against_o the_o parliament_n and_o those_o that_o have_v be_v now_o admit_v to_o composition_n and_o by_o that_o to_o grace_n and_o so_o that_o our_o action_n in_o the_o war_n be_v not_o now_o in_o question_n ought_v to_o be_v forget_v and_o our_o behaviour_n since_o only_o to_o be_v look_v on_o but_o our_o adversary_n urge_v our_o delinquency_n as_o if_o that_o be_v a_o sufficient_a argument_n to_o deny_v we_o justice_n in_o which_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o parliament_n be_v more_o concern_v than_o we_o in_o profit_n this_o objection_n put_v i_o in_o mind_n on_o a_o old_a proverb_n that_o there_o be_v more_o confidence_n to_o be_v put_v in_o a_o reconcile_a enemy_n thou_o in_o a_o disaffect_a friend_n 23._o they_o say_v that_o my_o father_n sir_n robert_n killigrew_n do_v by_o his_o will_n dispose_v of_o 200._o acre_n of_o these_o fen_n unto_o his_o young_a son_n before_o the_o work_n be_v begin_v i_o answer_v that_o this_o objection_n be_v a_o mistake_n for_o by_o his_o will_n there_o be_v none_o of_o these_o land_n dispose_v 24._o they_o say_v that_o i_o be_v nominate_v a_o undertaker_n with_o the_o earl_n and_o do_v relinguish_v my_o right_n i_o answer_v that_o it_o be_v as_o lawful_a for_o i_o to_o be_v a_o undertaker_n as_o for_o any_o man_n and_o i_o be_v by_o reason_n of_o my_o father_n sickness_n make_v undertaker_n in_o his_o right_n and_o until_o my_o father_n death_n i_o never_o see_v lincolnshire_n when_o the_o earl_n do_v some_o year_n after_o desire_v i_o to_o relinguish_v my_o title_n of_o be_v drainer_n that_o his_o lordship_n may_v be_v sole_a drainer_n as_o a_o person_n most_o acceptable_a to_o the_o country_n by_o which_o i_o hope_v i_o have_v commit_v no_o crime_n 25._o it_o have_v be_v also_o object_v that_o the_o countess_n of_o exeter_n have_v the_o brovage_n on_o many_o of_o the_o fen_n in_o question_n and_o do_v conceive_v her_o interest_n to_o be_v prejudice_v by_o the_o drain_n we_o answer_v that_o those_o fen_n on_o which_o she_o have_v brovage_n be_v improve_v to_o a_o treble_a value_n by_o the_o drain_n and_o consequent_o her_o brovage_n be_v so_o too_o but_o to_o avoid_v all_o dispute_n let_v the_o countess_n show_v what_o profit_n herself_o or_o her_o predecessor_n have_v ever_o make_v by_o the_o brovage_n and_o we_o will_v be_v liable_a to_o make_v she_o a_o increase_n of_o profit_n that_o she_o may_v have_v benefit_n by_o the_o drain_n 26._o it_o have_v be_v also_o object_v that_o the_o earl_n do_v give_v to_o mr._n robert_n long_n 500l_o a_o year_n to_o manage_v his_o work_n we_o answer_v that_o if_o the_o earl_n have_v give_v he_o a_o 1000_o a_o year_n his_o pain_n and_o care_n may_v deserve_v it_o but_o if_o that_o gentleman_n have_v commit_v any_o error_n in_o order_v the_o business_n let_v they_o be_v prove_v or_o if_o he_o have_v injure_v any_o man_n in_o his_o management_n of_o this_o drain_n let_v the_o drainer_n estate_n make_v satisfaction_n but_o let_v not_o our_o opposer_n lay_v his_o particular_a action_n to_o our_o charge_n that_o have_v no_o hand_n in_o the_o order_n of_o the_o business_n i_o say_v this_o because_o myself_o be_o often_o name_v as_o if_o i_o have_v direct_v all_o the_o proceed_n concerning_o this_o work_n who_o do_v never_o look_v after_o it_o until_o now_o that_o want_v of_o bread_n make_v i_o search_v into_o the_o old_a paper_n that_o show_v i_o the_o earl_n proceed_n at_o the_o first_o committee_n before_o the_o war_n begin_v and_o from_o those_o paper_n i_o have_v what_o i_o do_v know_v of_o this_o business_n 27._o they_o do_v further_o say_v that_o the_o earl_n do_v smother_v a_o verdict_n by_o which_o the_o jury_n find_v that_o the_o fen_n in_o question_n be_v not_o surround_v we_o answer_v that_o the_o verdict_n which_o they_o mention_v be_v six_o year_n before_o the_o earl_n undertake_v begin_v and_o the_o next_o day_n after_o the_o commissioner_n have_v lay_v a_o tax_n of_o ten_o shilling_n the_o acre_n on_o the_o say_a fen_n and_o at_o the_o instant_a time_n when_o the_o commissioner_n be_v in_o treaty_n with_o sir_n anthony_n thomas_n and_o sir_n william_n aylisse_n to_o undertake_v the_o drain_n so_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a this_o verdict_n be_v a_o practice_n by_o some_o private_a interest_a party_n to_o interrupt_v that_o treaty_n and_o no_o way_n concern_v the_o earl_n of_o lindsey_n who_o many_o year_n after_o do_v become_v drainer_n we_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o judicious_a man_n whether_o that_o jury_n may_v not_o as_o well_o have_v returneda_fw-la verdict_n that_o the_o sun_n never_o shine_v in_o england_n as_o that_o the_o fen_n between_o the_o river_n of_o glean_v and_o witham_n be_v not_o surround_v when_o so_o many_o record_n in_o court_n do_v show_v those_o fen_n to_o have_v be_v many_o hundred_o year_n hurtful_o surround_v and_o the_o endeavour_n of_o all_o age_n to_o get_v they_o drain_v which_o the_o earl_n have_v now_o do_v in_o perfection_n beyond_o all_o work_n of_o this_o kind_n in_o this_o nation_n as_o to_o the_o many_o print_a paper_n of_o our_o adversary_n concerning_o this_o work_n of_o drain_v they_o be_v so_o full_a of_o malice_n and_o impertinency_n that_o i_o rest_v confident_a in_o the_o judgement_n of_o all_o prudent_a man_n they_o carry_v their_o answer_n with_o they_o and_o therefore_o i_o have_v not_o consider_v they_o what_o benefit_n the_o commonwealth_n receive_v by_o this_o drain_v 1_o the_o commonwealth_n will_v receive_v all_o the_o benefit_n by_o the_o earl_n of_o lindsey_n drain_n that_o it_o receive_v by_o the_o earl_n of_o bedford_n drain_n and_o do_v merit_v a_o act_n to_o settle_v it_o equal_a with_o bedford_n level_v and_o we_o desire_v it_o on_o the_o same_o term_n in_o which_o act_n there_o be_v provision_n make_v for_o all_o grievance_n immaginable_a 2_o the_o state_n will_v receive_v present_a benefit_n by_o the_o increase_n of_o the_o custom_n to_o many_o thousand_o pound_n a_o year_n when_o these_o new_a plantation_n be_v settle_v 3_o three_o when_o the_o 14000_o acre_n belong_v to_o the_o drainer_n shall_v be_v employ_v for_o corn_n the_o city_n of_o london_n will_v not_o be_v force_v as_o it_o now_o be_v to_o send_v 300000_o livre._n a_o year_n out_o of_o the_o land_n to_o buy_v in_o corn_n 4._o in_o perfect_v of_o the_o work_n and_o in_o husbandry_n when_o all_o be_v finish_v many_o thousand_o of_o poor_a people_n will_v be_v employ_v and_o several_a manufacture_n be_v set_v up_o by_o use_v flax_n and_o make_v of_o linen_n cloth_n 5._o the_o state_n will_v receive_v honour_n by_o improve_n so_o much_o useless_a ground_n to_o so_o great_a profit_n and_o by_o do_v justice_n to_o the_o drainer_n who_o have_v ruin_v there_o own_o estate_n by_o bring_v benefit_n to_o the_o state_n the_o drainer_n humble_a desire_n 1._o the_o drainer_n do_v humble_o desire_v that_o personal_a recrimination_n may_v not_o prejudice_v their_o just_a title_n to_o the_o fen_n 2._o that_o since_o the_o parliament_n have_v admit_v we_o to_o composition_n and_o by_o that_o to_o grace_n and_o we_o hope_v our_o action_n in_o war_n will_v be_v forget_v and_o our_o behaviour_n since_o only_o look_v on_o as_o in_o other_o man_n case_n in_o like_o condition_n 3._o we_o humble_o desire_v that_o those_o few_o man_n who_o do_v oppose_v we_o and_o have_v not_o authority_n from_o the_o major_a part_n of_o the_o country_n to_o hold_v up_o this_o contest_n against_o we_o may_v be_v look_v on_o as_o ungrateful_a person_n because_o the_o most_o violent_a of_o they_o be_v those_o that_o have_v destroy_v the_o wealth_n of_o the_o land_n that_o have_v against_o all_o law_n and_o equity_n ruin_v our_o work_n pull_v down_o our_o house_n and_o burn_v our_o corn_n while_o this_o suit_n depend_v before_o a_o committee_n of_o this_o parliament_n and_o this_o do_v in_o contempt_n of_o the_o speaker_n letter_n which_o
be_v read_v while_o my_o house_n be_v pull_v down_o as_o be_v prove_v by_o testimony_n 4._o i_o say_v that_o the_o chief_a of_o our_o opposer_n be_v those_o rich_a man_n who_o the_o poor_a commoner_n do_v petition_n against_o for_o over_o stocking_n their_o commons_o and_o do_v oppose_v we_o that_o they_o may_v still_o oppress_v the_o poor_a commonner_n 5._o we_o desire_v that_o they_o may_v be_v look_v on_o as_o man_n that_o ever_o have_v and_o still_o do_v decline_v the_o justice_n of_o this_o committee_n and_o parliament_n as_o appear_v by_o their_o many_o petition_n to_o leave_v they_o to_o law_n court_n when_o they_o know_v the_o parliament_n be_v the_o only_a competent_a judge_n of_o the_o case_n in_o question_n and_o our_o decree_n not_o reversable_a but_o in_o parliament_n 6._o that_o they_o may_v be_v look_v on_o as_o man_n that_o do_v abuse_v the_o trust_n repose_v in_o they_o by_o those_o of_o the_o country_n who_o do_v employ_v they_o with_o false_a report_n of_o their_o proceed_n at_o the_o committee_n and_o do_v seek_v private_a interest_n under_o colour_n of_o a_o public_a good_a their_o main_a design_n be_v to_o out_o we_o that_o have_v do_v the_o work_n and_o to_o become_v drainer_n themselves_o who_o have_v drown_v the_o fen_n at_o this_o day_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o last_o summer_n presentment_n now_o before_o you_o 7._o the_o drainer_n do_v humble_o desire_v that_o if_o it_o shall_v have_v happen_v that_o any_o miscarriage_n in_o the_o earl_n overseer_n of_o his_o work_n or_o if_o there_o shall_v have_v be_v any_o mistake_n of_o a_o word_n in_o law_n that_o may_v make_v our_o title_n a_o mote_n point_n that_o for_o this_o all_o we_o who_o be_v adventurer_n and_o purchaser_n with_o the_o earl_n of_o lindesey_n may_v not_o on_o so_o nice_a a_o point_n be_v utter_o ruin_v with_o our_o whole_a family_n after_o the_o expense_n of_o 80000_o l._n by_o which_o the_o commonwealth_n be_v much_o enrich_v 8._o we_o humble_o desire_v that_o if_o any_o man_n have_v receive_v prejudice_n by_o the_o drain_n or_o any_o be_v injure_v by_o the_o drainer_n or_o their_o agent_n that_o such_o injury_n may_v be_v proy_v and_o we_o do_v submit_v to_o make_v such_o satisfaction_n as_o this_o committee_n or_o the_o parliament_n shall_v appoint_v 9_o we_o do_v also_o humble_o desire_v the_o like_a justice_n and_o satisfaction_n from_o those_o that_o have_v destroy_v we_o and_o our_o work_n by_o such_o unexampled_a riot_n i_o may_v say_v by_o such_o ingratitude_n and_o so_o barbarous_a a_o malice_n that_o no_o civilise_a nation_n can_v parallel_v and_o it_o be_v worthy_a consideration_n that_o if_o multitude_n of_o man_n shall_v be_v suffer_v to_o pull_v down_o house_n at_o their_o will_n which_o be_v erect_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o decree_n of_o sewer_n they_o may_v do_v as_o much_o against_o a_o decree_n of_o chancery_n and_o then_o where_o be_v our_o property_n so_o much_o talk_v of_o 10._o we_o humble_o desire_v that_o sir_n johu_n maynard_n may_v be_v consider_v as_o a_o man_n that_o have_v no_o interest_n in_o those_o fen_n now_o in_o question_n but_o do_v oppose_v we_o in_o hope_n after_o our_o overthrow_n if_o this_o design_n take_v effect_n to_o repeal_v bedford_n act_n but_o we_o do_v hope_v the_o commonwealth_n good_a will_v be_v prefer_v before_o his_o private_a design_n and_o that_o a_o act_n of_o parliament_n will_v not_o be_v so_o easy_o blow_v away_o by_o he_o 11._o and_o whereas_o some_o man_n do_v say_v that_o the_o drainer_n be_v much_o enrich_v by_o this_o work_n i_o do_v acknowledge_v that_o myself_o have_v the_o great_a share_n of_o all_o the_o participant_n and_o i_o do_v only_o desire_v to_o pay_v my_o just_a debt_n due_a before_o this_o war_n begin_v to_o provide_v for_o my_o wife_n and_o child_n in_o a_o very_a moderate_a way_n and_o to_o have_v but_o two_o hundred_o pound_n a_o yeaâ—_z for_o myself_o if_o any_o man_n that_o envize_v my_o estate_n will_v do_v this_o i_o will_v quit_v all_o my_o interest_n in_o the_o fen_n to_o he_o and_o whatever_o else_o i_o have_v in_o england_n and_o account_v he_o the_o best_a friend_n i_o ever_o meet_v with_o 12._o and_o last_o we_o humble_o desire_v that_o we_o may_v be_v restore_v to_o our_o possession_n in_o those_o fen_n between_o bourne_n and_o kime-eae_n and_o set_v in_o the_o same_o condition_n we_o be_v when_o the_o first_o complaint_n be_v prefer_v to_o the_o parliament_n and_o that_o the_o earl_n undertake_v may_v be_v confirm_v by_o a_o act_n of_o parliament_n as_o in_o justice_n it_o shall_v be_v we_o have_v as_o much_o merit_v a_o act_n as_o bedford_n level_v or_o any_o other_o which_o have_v from_o time_n to_o time_n be_v confirm_v by_o former_a parliament_n w._n killigrew_n postscript_n in_o the_o five_o objection_n they_o say_v some_o of_o the_o commissioner_n be_v party_n and_o judge_n because_o they_o do_v purchase_v land_n of_o the_o earl_n some_o year_n after_o his_o contract_n be_v make_v by_o this_o rule_n if_o any_o member_n of_o this_o parliament_n shall_v now_o after_o bedford_n act_n be_v pass_v adventure_v any_o money_n for_o land_n in_o that_o level_n our_o adversary_n may_v as_o well_o say_v that_o such_o adventurer_n be_v party_n and_o judge_n who_o do_v design_n to_o become_v adventurer_n before_o they_o make_v the_o act_n which_o be_v just_a the_o case_n of_o our_o few_o commissioner_n here_o complain_v of_o finis_fw-la these_o order_n be_v after_o the_o earl_n have_v possession_n see_v the_o order_n and_o the_o letter_n and_o observe_v their_o date_n see_v the_o name_n in_o the_o commission_n see_v the_o law_n of_o the_o contract_n see_v the_o book_n see_v their_o print_a book_n see_v the_o presentment_n in_o court_n see_v the_o several_a pettion_n from_o the_o country_n in_o the_o drainer_n behalf_n which_o lie_v before_o you_o in_o court_n see_v the_o contract_n in_o all_o the_o time_n of_o mr._n ellis_n his_o committee_n our_o adversary_n do_v not_o once_o mention_v our_o take_a possession_n by_o force_n and_o if_o any_o force_n be_v it_o be_v to_o keep_v the_o possession_n at_o our_o ejection_n as_o by_o the_o date_n of_o the_o year_n appear_v by_o their_o own_o proof_n note_v that_o the_o whole_a land_n find_v hurtful_o surround_v in_o this_o level_n be_v 71000._o acre_n so_o that_o the_o earl_n 24000._o acre_n be_v a_o just_a three_o part_n