A DISCOURSE CONCERNING THE draining OF FENS AND SURROUNDED GROUNDS in the six Counteys of Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridge with the Isle of Ely, Huntingdon, Northampton, and Lincoln.  
Printed at London, 1629.   

The Printer to the Reader.  
GEntle Reader, This discourse came unto my hands not long since from a well-willer to the business therein treated of; and I hearing that the Fennie-countreys' are at this time more than ordinarily overflown, have thought fit to publish the same, if haply it may persuade such as are interested, to set forward the work of draining which would be both honourable and profitable to the Commonwealth, as I conceive.   

A Discourse concerning the draining of the Fens.  
COncerning the draining of the Fens in the six Counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridge with the Isle of Ely, Huntingdon, Northampton, and Lincoln, as well on this side Boston as beyond, there arise three main questions. The first, whether it would be honourable and profitable to the King, and Commonwealth in general, and to those Countries in particular, if it might be effected. The second, whether it be Feasable. The third, how a compitent reward may be apportioned for them that should undertake so great a work.  
For the first, the first argument shall be the counsel and care of the State in every age since this Kingdom began to be improved, appearing by the many Acts of Parliament concerning this business, as against Wears, Gorces, Stankes, etc. begun the 9 of H. 3. itterated the 25. of Ed. 1. augmented the 25. and 45. of Ed. 3. the 21. of Rich. 2. the 1. and 4. of H. 4. And at length more districtly the 12. of Ed. 4. But in all these times by reason of the turbulent condition of the State at home and abroad, the prosecution of this business was either altogether fore flowed, or so snatchingly pursued, that little fruit came thereof. But in the peaceable time of King Henry the 8. who was the first great Improver, and in whose time the mischief was grown to a great height, a settled course of Commission of Sewers was established, with a very endless power, such as hath neither length nor breadth, against offenders, (it is the word of the Statute not only against the forenamed inconveniences, but now for the maintenance and increase of Walls, Ditches, Banks, Gutters, Sewers, Goats, Caulcies, Bridges, Streams and other defences against inundations: by which very names of things in the former Acts not mentioned it doth appear how the mischief was grown almost past remedy before any sufficient provision was publicly made for redress. Yea, although the Laws of Sewers were ordained like Acts of Parliament, not examinable by any other authority, as being the most absolute that passeth under the great Seal of England, (such was my Lord Pophams' judgement) yet so bootless seemed the labour unto the Country's afflicted, that the wisdom of the whole Commonwealth thought fit to provide an other Act two years after to constrain the Gentlemen of the Country under pain and forfeiture to take the oath of a Commission of Sewers as they should be thereunto designed. In this time also that royal Lady Margaret, Countess of Richmond, procured an admeasurement and division of all the surrounded grounds on the North side of Spalding, which before that time lay promiscuously. This was a great work, and of excellent use, not for those times only, but the fruit of it hath continued ever since, even unto these days, and will be a great guide in this draining business whensoever it is undertaken. Neither did that royal Lady rest in this, but she sat herself amongst the Commissioners of Sewers, yea, and set her hand to the very work of draining, and indeed, hit upon the right way: but in her work there were some notable errors (the world not being then so skilful) which being followed by the neglect of the Country, in time forfeited her gracious intention. After her stood up john of Gaunt; Duke of Lancaster, and took great pains to perfect what she had begun: He went into the Country in person, and employed all his authority in it; but because the Country should have borne the charge, when he was once passed on to York, nothing went forward that he had projected, notwithstanding his many Letters, and increpations. In the 3. of Ed. 6. the Commission of Sewers was made perpetual, which by the former Statute of H. 8. was to endure but twenty years, and in the 13. of Eliz. it was enacted that every particular Commission of Sewers should continue for ten years, which before was limited to five; and that in the interim between the determining of one Commission, and the Awarding of another, the justices of the Peace might execute the Commission of Sewers for a whole year. After that by these provisions and precedents men's wits were a little set on work, in the 29. of El. some Gentlemen undertook the recovery of the Marshes of Erith, Lesnes and Plumstead, for whose encouragement a Statute was made, That they should have the moiety of all such gained Lands, and an eighth part of the other moiety, and hold it of the Queen as of the Manor of East-Greenwitch in Socage by Fealty, pa●ing a penny an Acre yearly, and no Tithe for seven years. This Act of Parliament encouraged many men to undertake also in the Isle of Ely, and the Country's confining, and that with approbation of the State, because (saith the Statute) such Approvement will be a great and inestimable benefit to her Majesty, her Heirs and Successors, disburthening her Highness of many chargeable Banks, and works of Sewers in those surrounded grounds, and in the increase of many able Subjects by habitations being there erected, and in like sort, profitable to many her Highness' Subjects, both bodies Politic, as Corporate, who have estate of inheritance, and other interest within the same. The same also was the opinion of the State in the fourth of King james his reign, when the Parliament passed an Act for the undertaking of Francis tindal, Henry Far, and john Cooper in the Isle of Ely, which Act gave them two parts of the Land so to be inned and drained, and immunity of Tithe for seven years after those seven years which were allotted to them to do their work in. To speak nothing of the improvement of Marshland, Waldersey, the Londoners proportion, and diverse others, which though they remain chargeable to the owners, because the general draining is not effected, yet do they yield so great an improvement, as well witnesseth how abundant it would be if those charges by a general draining were prevented.  
But if any man beside this Argument taken from the consent of so many ages, wise and politic Princes and assemblies of Parliament, do desire to be led into those particulars whereby it is probable they were moved, let him consider, First, the costly and troublesome meetings of the Commissioners of Sewers; Grievous (though necessary) Taxations, Hartburnings, Emulations, Controversies, and insupportable charges, for cutting, cleansing and repairing of Rivers, drains, Goats, Sluices, Banks, and such like costly works of Sewers, so much to be lamented, so impossible to be any other ways prevented, then by a general draining of the several Levels wherein those Lands respectively do lie. Next, it would be remembered, that in winter, when the Ice is strong enough to hinder the passage of Boats, and yet not able to bear a man, the Inhabitants upon the Hards, and the Banks within the Fens, can have no help of Food, no comfort for Body or Soul, no Woman aid in her Travel, no means to baptise a Child or to administer the Communion, no supply of any necessity, saving what those poor desolate places can afford. Moreover, it hath been the policy of this State to demolish all places of defence, saving those that be in the hand of the Sovereign power; this only remaineth, whether we know in the Barons Wars, the Rebels, upon the natural strength of the place and abundance of provision there, resorted, as into a Fastness, and to which purpose it might serve again, if God and the wisdom of our Governors were not watchful at the Helm. What should I speak of the health of men's bodies, where there is no Element good. The Aer Nebulous, gross and full of rotten Harres; the Water putrid and muddy, yea full of loathsome vermin; the Earth spewing, unfast and boggy; the Fire noisome turf and hassocks: such are the inconveniences of the Drown.  
But if a man would attend the manifold and great profits of Drayning, it were not hard to muster a royal Army of them. Consider first the quantity of the Pen-levels valued at 500000 Acres. Mr Cambden accounts it from the edge of Suffolk, to Waynflet in Lincolnshire, 68 Miles, and that is by the String; but if you reckon the Bow of the Fen which runneth up on both sides Witham till you come within a Mile of Lincoln (as rotten a piece as any of the rest) we may well call it 80 Miles in length; in breadth it is much 30, more 20, seldom so little as 10 Miles: a goodly Garden of a Kingdom; yea, a little Kingdom itself: as much and as good ground, it is supposed, as the States of the Low-countrieses enjoy in the Netherlands.  
For the riches of the soil if it were gained from the waters, much may be said. Compare it with high ground, who will not prefer a level Meadow? Compare it with the grounds in the same tract which lie but a yard higher than it; ordinarily let for 20. shil. an Acre and upward: not about Ely and other good Towns only, but at Thorny-Abbey my Lord of Beaford lets between 3 and 400 Acres of rising ground upon which the Abbey stands, for 300. li. per annum, whereas the rest of his Lordship of Thorny, containing 16 or 17000 Acres of drowned ground, is esteemed as it now lieth, of little or no value: yet it appeareth by the History of William of Malmesburie (vouched by Mr Camden) who lived about 1200 years since, that in his time it represented a very Paradise, for that in pleasure and delight it resembleth Heaven itself; in the very Marshes bearing Trees that for their strait tallness, and the same without knots, strive to touch the Stars. A Plain there is as even as the Sea, which with green grass allureth the eye: so smooth and level, that if any walk along the Fields, they shall find nothing to stumble at. There is not the least parcel of ground that lies waste and void there, here you shall find the earth rising somewhere for Appletrees, there shall you have a Field set with Vines, which either creep upon the ground, or mount on high upon poles to support them, etc. For in those day's Vineyards were very frequent in England. The like may be said of the Abbey of Crowland, of the great Lordship of Whittlesea, and of all the rest that consist of part dry and part drowned Land; yet those dry & drowned Lands are of the same nature, and where there is any difference, the drowned is the richer, as appeared in the two extraordinary dry years 1619 and 1620, when the edges of the drowned Fen being dry, yielded twice as much grass as the rising grounds did. I shall speak of a strange thing, yet was it related by a Gentleman interested in the place and of good credit: Borrough great Fen containeth about 7000 Acres, this Fen is usually so much surrounded, that the dry places and all, are not well able to bear the Inhabitants cattle: in those two years it was all dry and yielded such abundance of Foather, that they received for a great part of Summer 50. li. a day for the ioysting of cattle, as they call it, out of the high Countries. The like may be imagined to be the condition of all the rest of the Fens, especially if the ground be smooth and free from Hassocks. I will give you an instance. There is a bank in Thorny of a Mile long or more, cast up out of two drains of the most miry Fens, which lying somewhat high, as being a Horse-way from Thorny-Abbey to Peterborough, is grown into very fine and feeding grass.  
And here to prove the Richness of the Fen-soyle, let it be observed, that where water stands all the Spring in barren Land, there will be no grass at all; not so much as where for want of rain the Sun burneth the soil: and this is a certain argument of Sterile or lean Earth. But where though the waters stand, the Earth notwithstanding bringeth forth Fruit, it is an argument of a fat and lusty soil, and so much the fatter by how much the Fruit is courser and larger; for all grounds that will afford nourishment to Grass, will not suffice sap enough for Sedge or Reed; but on the contrary, that which will bear Reed or Sedge in any quantity, is able to yield sap enough for abundance of Grass. So great a quantity therefore of rich Land being gained, would marvelously increase & support the multitude of his Majesty's subjects, wherein consisteth the glory and strength of a Kingdom. Add hereto the augmentations of his Highness' Revenues (for there are in the Fen, if I remember a right, 16 Manors belonging to the Crown on the Southside of Boston, besides the great Honour of Bullingbrooke on the North, containing about it by estimation 60000 Acres of Fen-Land, which was lately let for 18. li. a year to Sr Vincent Skinner) besides his Customs, Subsidies, Provisions, Casualties, etc. What should I remember the profits which would accrue to the Commonwealth? the abundance of provision for victual, Flesh, Fish and whit-meats, the breed of Horses serviceable both in Peace and for War, the rich and necessary Merchandizes of Wool, Hydes, Tallow, Hemp, Rape, and such like; the transportation of the commodities of the Country from place to place for the use of the neighbour-parts; the ease of Travelers, who now are fain to make compass journeys to avoid the overflowings; the convoy of his Majesty's Armies if occasion should require, are all public profits, and of excellent consequence to the King and kingdom. Such also would be the restoring of the Navigation unto the Towns of Wisbich, Spalding and Waynflet, and from thence up into the Country's. These are public benefits: and for private the draining would increase the revenue of many Corparations, both Ecclesiastical and Civil, and of many his Majesty's particular Subjects, as well Laymen as Rectors and Vicars of many great Parishes which now afford the Incumbents very small means. There is one other great commodity which a draining will produce worthy to be insisted upon, and that is the securing of Sheep and other cattle from the rot. For it is a true thing, that when the Fens yield most pasturage, than they do the most mischief to men in their Sheep and cattle, thence is the common saying of the Country, From the Farm to the Fen, from the Fen to Ireland. The reason is, because the Fen is never so dry, but there are many watery plashes, and much rotting Spire-grasse in it, wherewith the Sheep are usually tainted in the Summertime, and whereof they die in the Winter, if men be not careful to sell them to the Butcher before: if they be so provident, then is the Country and City too, fed with unwholesome food. As for other cattle, together with the wet Grass they slap up such an abundance of small Stiklebacks, that when they dye of the rot, or be killed for use, their Maws will be found full of them. Contrariwise, in the Marshes beyond Wainflet in Lincolnshire, and such like, where the grounds be severed and trenched, it is hard to find a poor man, though they sit at great rents, for their cattle are always sound and thriving, and therefore ever merchandable: or if they come to a mischance, yet fit for food. And that this was the opinion of all the Commissioners of Sewers, appeareth by the Sessions at Peterborough the eighth of September, 1619, there being present the Lord Bishop of Peterborough, the Earl of Bedford, Sr Francis Fane, and 25 other Knights and Gentlemen Commissioners of Sewers, assisted by a multitude of the Country. They agreed and concluded, That by a draining, an apparent great profit would arise to the Countries and Owners of Lands, & that it would be without prejudice public or private. And thereupon did decree the design should be proceeded in, and determined to give all lawful aid & assistance thereto, according to the extent of the Commission of Sewers. Which also was confirmed the 23 of September following at Ely, and the 24 at St jues. And the business was prosecuted at Cambridge the 15 of Oct. and at St jews and Hunting. the 16 of Oct. where there was 20. shill. set upon every Acre for the accomplishment of the work.  
If men descend unto particular objections, then must several answers be given them. First therefore it is objected, that they find less burden of Foather upon the ground in dry years then in wet. I answer, it must be confessed that ground which beareth Reed or Sedge will not be so fruitful if it be dry, because such rank trash requireth a great deal of moisture, but when through want of such store of moisture it improveth into grass (as in a year or two it will certainly do) than a little moisture will suffice, as we see in ordinary Meadows. It will be urged that even in Meadows overflowings will do good. It is true, if so be the water remain not long upon the soil: but to be surrounded, or to lie in the suds, as we say, three quarters or half a year more or less, doth mischief not help the ground. I appeal to the Country if there were not in the year 1619 many thousand loads of Foather gotten where scarce ever any was had in the memory of man. Witness the great stacks which were then seen all along the wild Fens, as thick (to men's seeming that road aloof) as shocks of Corn in a Cornfield, and that of reasonable good Grass. For if the water be drained, and the cold moisture removed from the root of Reed-ground, that Reed will in one summer return into Sedge, and that Sedge shortly into good Grass, of which there hath been abundant experience throughout the Fens in the dry years 1619, and 1620.  
But the draining some say will decay Fishing and Fowling. I answer, it is neither possible nor profitable to drain Porsen in Crowland, or some Deeps in the East-Fen beyond Boston, or the Meres of Whittlesea, Ramsey, etc. which be the chief places for Fish and Fowl. For other Fens there are no Fish or Fowl taken in them, but only in the Rivers or drains; and those will be both more in number and more enlarged after the draining, and the Fish and Fowl better contained in them, and so more easily gotten: For now the water overflowing all, the Fowl are so dispersed, that men cannot come at them (for there is not, nor must there be any shooting in the Fen) and the Fry of the Fish is lost or devoured in the Reed or Sedge, which in the deep Rivers and drains would be secured. But all this is not considerable in respect of the great benefit that will be made of Grass in so large proportions of excellent Land.  
It will again be objected, that although the draining will be benefitiall to the Lords and Owners, yet the poor Commoner shall be in danger to lose his Common by the encroaching Lords, or at lest when such Common-Fens are recovered and secured, the rich men will so overcharge them with cattle, that the poor man shall not be able to make any benefit, where now he getteth a poor living, partly by the Pasturage of a few Cows, partly by his labour in Fishing and Fowling, which labour the rich man will not take. Now saith the poor Fen-man, we have every year an Order brought from Northampton, which layeth a Law upon the rich, that they oppress not the Commons: he meaneth the confluence of waters which drown all. This is a great objection and of consequence, and hath two parts. To the first part concerning the Lord's encroaching upon the Commons, I know not what provision the State will think fit to make: but there is already a good care taken for it in that very Act of Parliament which was made for Approvements in this kind, the 43. Eliz. Cap. 11. the words be these, Provided always, and be it enacted, That this Act, nor any thing therein contained, shall not extend to the impairing, diminishing, letting, taking away, or extinguishing of the interest of the Commoners, or any of them, or of the Lords or Owners of the Soil, in or to any part of the residue of the Wastes or Commons which is not, or shall not be set forth or assigned to the Undertakers: Nor to any franchises or Liberties, or Waife, Stray, Leete, Law-day, nor other Liberties to be used or taken in the part so to the Undertakers assigned: But that as well the Commoners, as Lords and Owners of that Soil shall and may enjoy their Commons in the residue thereof. To the second part of the objection that rich men will over-charge the Common when it is secured, and so oppress the poor; I confess it is a common calamity in all unstinted Commons, and deserveth a great deal of wisdom and care in the State to prevent it, especially in such rich Soils. Two helps there are: One, that the Commoner who dwelleth upon, or near the Common will make good shift if the rich man dwell but a Mile off, as in the Fen it will often be. But if the Land which is set out for the recompense of the draining be let, part to the poorer sort at reasonable rents, than the poor man having several grounds (adjoining to the Common) wherein to succour his cattle at need and whereupon to get Foather for them, he may shift with his rich Neighbour so much the better. Other help I know none but an apportionment; which in the Fen will be more difficult then in other unstinted Commons, because in one Fen many Townships have interest of Common; and yet there will be enough for all if it be well ordered.  
It is farther objected, that if the draining should succeed there will be then as much want of water, as there hath been formerly too much. I answer, that when the Rivers and drains are deepened (which is a thing must be performed) they will hold a world of water more than they now do; and it will ordinarily be held up also to a sufficient height by the Works for the draining, except when a Flood is feared, which if it come, there will be water enough and two much; if it come not, yet within a few hours, if the Current of the water at the Works be inhibited, the Country will be full enough: beside, the partitions of the Land assigned for recompense of the draining, will in a short time make Ditches enough to contain more water than the cattle in those parts will use: and by common intendment, all good Husbands will make Ditches for divisions in their own grounds, and Sluices to detain or let go the water at their pleasure.  
Finally, some will say they are many times drained from Heaven and therefore need not man's help. True it is that God Almighty hath taught them by the experience of some dry years, though rarely, the difference between a wilderness of water & a goodly green Meadow: to lead them by sense (who are hardly governed by reason) to discern what may be best for themselves and their posterity: of which great document if they make sinister use, vainly fancying to themselves that which is to man's reason impossible, they must be content to be punished according to reason. That is to say, whereas such dry years shall have drunk up the waters, if not of the Rivers, yet of many of the drains, which thereupon are grown up and pestered with weeds and rubbish, it followeth necessarily, that upon the next confluence of waters into that Level, the Sewers which contained them being stifled, they have bred a greater and more fearful Inundation.  
Beside these there be certain Tacite and silent objections which some are either afraid, or ashamed to utter, and yet are obstinately governed by them. I will name but two: The one is, the loss of their Land: The other is, mere envy; or if you will give it a gentler name, Private Emulation. The former I may more boldly avouch, because it pleased his late Majesty to fasten upon it when he gave gracious audience to a hearing of this business in the year 1619. viz. The Lord or Owner had rather be said to be Lord or Owner of 1000 Acres though they be scarcely worth to him 1000 shill. in the year, than part with 500 to make the rest worth 500 Angels by the year: In like manner the Commoner. Reason for this if they could give any, it is likely I also were able to render some, but in truth I cannot, nor any shadow of reason, but as a sullen Bird that is taken when it is old will rather dye then feed, so such Fen-men; not considering that though the alotment for the reward of draining should be in Land, yet the expense being necessarily to be in money, much of the Land must be sold for supply thereof, which they that are able and willing may purchase before any other, to keep their inheritances entire, being exceedingly improved. For Emulation, it is so notorious, so diffusive a vice amongst them, as a man may imagine it to be bread there, as Hydra was in the Fen of Lerna. I will put a case. john a Style hath 2000 Acres in the Fen worth him haply 50. li. a year, and no other Live-load. john a Nokes hath 200 Acres in the same Fen worth 50. li. a year, but besides he hath an Inheritance of 300. li. a year, and thinks himself, and so is, a Gentleman of some reckoning, the other is but a poor man and lives hardly. When the question of the draining of the Fens comes, john a Style is glad, and promoteth it all he may: But john a Nokes his rich Neighbour (what saith he) shall john a Style be a better man than I, who hath been always glad to shroud himself under my wings, that I cannot, I must not endure: For if the Fen be drained, his Land may be worth 500 li. a year, though he part with one half for the draining: my improvement will be little worth, no draining therefore by my consent. But enough in an unpleasing Argument, it being against my disposition to have but touched so harsh a string.  
Having thus long held the Candle to the Sun, that is, proved what no reasonable man can deny, that the draining of the Fens in the six Counties will be both honourable and profitable to the King and Kingdom and many particular persons, and answered the objections which some ignorant or wilful people stand most upon, give me leave to proceed to the second Question, that is, whether it be feasible or no.  
First, Let it be for the time admitted not granted, that this great work cannot be accomplished; I ask what shall the Country lose? For they that undertake it, must have no benefit till the work be done. If it be not done, they indeed lose both labour and cost, the Country looseth nothing, but on the contrary must gain much, For it cannot be endeavoured that all the Fens should be drained, but at lest some must necessarily reap great benefit, all some, by such endeavour. But the wisdom of the Parliament thought the work feasible, and that not long since to wit in the last Parliament of Queen Elizabeth, the words are these. Wherein it is apparent to such as have travailed in execution of the Commission of Sewers in the Isle of Ely and Counties adjoining, that the Wastes, Commons, Marshes, and Fenny-grounds there subject to surrounding, may be recovered by skilful and able undertakers. And the Commissioners of Sewers at Peterborough the 8. of September, 1619, were resolved of the possibility of the same. But what are the reasons men think the Fens cannot be drained? Forsooth because many and great men have attempted it and failed: as if all wisdom and insight were conferred on great men. It may be their misses have taught other men wisdom: there is no greater advantage then to learn by other men's losses. Hence it is that we see many things performed every day which our forefathers thought bootless to attempt: beside, the causes of mischiefs and so the remedies are oftentimes not perceived till the mischief be perfected. But will you give me leave to render you also a reason why those many and great men failed in their enterprises? I hold it for a certainty, that it is utterly impossible to drain, or fruitfully to recover any notable part of the Fen unless all that Level of Fen whereof it is a part, be jointly recovered. And this hath been abundantly proved by the miscarriage of all particular works, except Marshland, and that is gained by imbanking, partly because it lieth on the outside of all the rest next the Sea and adjoineth upon the excellent out-fall of Linne; partly also, because as much cost hath been and is bestowed upon it, as the very Soil is worth, for it now costs about 3000. li. a year to maintain the Banks, and so the medicine hath been as ill as the disease. Something might be said also for Holland-Ellow by South of Spalding, which is bettered by the Banks, but neither recovered nor secured, and likewise of Waldersey and such portions. But for the draining of all together, my Lord Popham of worthy memory may be an example somewhat to stay men's minds from thinking it so utterly impossible, who being a wise experienced Gentleman, and of better estate then that he should be contented wilfully to cast it away, yet was very desirous to have adventured upon the draining of all Cambridgeshire, and the Isle of Ely, and surely had put it to the hazard, if he had lived but two years longer. But if I may speak without disparagement to his wisdom, that course which he intended (for I have seen his Card and the ways he intended to work) would rather have bettered much, then won or secured any.  
After his time and not above 13 or 14 years since, his Majesty and the Lords were so afflicted with Petitioners out of those parts, all imploring help against that common calamity (whereof they are now again made sensible) that it was thought fit by the State to send Sr Clement edmond's to take view of the Country, being assisted by the Lords and other Commissioners of Sewers. In which his Peregrination (for it was an uncouth and wild way he went, and a long time he spent in searching into every nook and corner) he observed with all diligence whatsoever might invite him to think the draining feazible, or discourage him from it. At length in the return of his Report to the State, he resolveth that it may be done. Yet not probably by any consent of the Country, or such as are interested in the Land, but rather by others. His reasons I forbear here to touch upon. After that, the right noble Patriot, the Earl of Arundel, by direction from King james, and the advice of the Lords of the Council, made a journey into those parts to promote the general draining, as a business of great honour to his Majesty, with whom joined the honourable and worthy Commissioners of Sewers, & by an unanimous decree designed unto his Majesty 120000 Acres of the Fens to enable him to accomplish so great a work. Which Decree his Majesty ratified by his Royal assent and acceptation, and would certainly have performed the work Royally and Really, saving that he was at that time and unto his death, taken and kept off by his weighty and important affairs of State. Since whose decease, his Royal Majesty that now is, hath greatly desired that the said work might be proceeded in, and for that purpose, finding that he could not presently relieve the great distress the Country is now in by reason of the Inundation, hath remitted unto the said Commissioners the forenamed Decree to enable them to provide some other more expedite way for the Country's relief. By all which it appears that by the judgement of King james, of the Lords of the Counsel, and the Commissioners of Sewers, the work is feasible and greatly desired. For the Soil I doubt not it is well disposed to a draining, both because it hath a sufficient fall to the sea, and because the Sewers (though with some difficulty and greater charge which yet the profit will far surmount) may be in a short time sufficiently eased. That the Fens have a Competent fall to the sea, it is argument enough because they at length empty themselves into the Sea, which the deep Meres do not. Whether that fall be sufficient to empty them sooner and with a stronger Current than now they have, is the question. I leave the particular fall of every level how many foot it hath to the high water mark to farther examination; but it is evident that from the heads of the several drains unto the low water mark there is fall sufficient.  
It is also evident that Deeping Fen lies lower than Thorny, Burrough or Croyland Fens (whence also saith Mr. Cambden it hath his name) yet hath the Earl of Exeter made a conveyance of the water from Deeping Fens under Spalding river to the sea, and that to some good effect if the out fall at sea were kept open: whence it followeth, that there is a fall into the Sea out of the lowest Fens, and a descent much lower than the bottom of Spalding river; and yet the Flood at Spalding is not one hour in ordinary Tides, and consequently the Ebb there above 10. From which observation it may be gathered, that a fall may be had from Spalding to the low water mark of twenty foot, which fall being improved by skilful workmen will produce a strange effect. The like may be said of Wisbich, Clowes Cross, Salter's Load, etc. But how that must be done, and how the incoveniences thereupon ensuing are to be prevented is the very Elusinium sacrum the mystery of draining, which belongeth not to this place. For the out fall at Linne, no man maketh question of it, only the difficulty will be thought to be in the placing of the works, which will indeed be chargeable but of necessary and excellent use. I would have it also considered that within these few years the Tide from Spalding did flow up beyond Crowland and near Thorny, where as now the Tides are seldom seen above Spalding; an evident argument that the Fens grow every year worse than other. For the out falls of Wisbich and Spalding being daily more and more choked with sands from the sea and mud out of the drains which cannot now pass to sea, and the rivers stifled with weeds for want of a current; it comes to pass that the whole Fen is now under water; though this present drought hath brought all other rivers of the Kingdom to a very low ebb. Which mischief if it grow but a few years more (as it will certainly do if it be not prevented) the whole Level will be drowned perpetually and become of no use at all. Besides, those waters growing deep in so large a level, and being increased by a Flood; a storm of wind will have so much water to work upon, that it will raise billows as in a sea, the force whereof neither the banks of Marsh land nor of other inned grounds, nor houses, nor bridges will be able to resist. What then will become of the fishing and fowling (their principal comndities) when the game is dispersed so wide that it will not be worth the labour and charge to go about to take them? What will become also of the multitude of poor people, who now live (though very meanly) in those Fens by taking Fish and Fowl, by gathering Hassock, Reed, etc. and by transporting by their Boats passengers and commodities too and fro? Finally the Towneships and particular men that live now upon the Hards, will be confined as into small Lands in an open sea: and even those Lands will be daily lessened by the billows which storms will drive against them on all sides. Add hereto that the Meres (and Whitlesea Meare saith Mr. Cambden is six miles long and three miles broad) which have of late years much enlarged themselves, being yet more deepned and their waves raised by storms and raging like the sea, will daily swallow more and more of the light Fenny soil bordering upon them, and so at length may grow to an immense both longitude and latitude, and make it truly Circumfusa Palus. But to insist a little more upon the fall or descent of the Level of the Fens into the sea; it appeareth that the river of Peterbrough, (whose natural Current, as it is most plentiful, so his excess is most inundant) which should fall out at Splading, or at Wisbich, or both, if it had vent, passeth now on to Whittlesea Meare, and so runs through the whole Isle, and meeting the rivers of Ouse, Grant, Brandon and Stoke, overflows all, and falleth out leisurely at Linne above threescore miles from his aberration; in which tract running upon a level and in small and cloyed drains, it makes the greatest deluge: beside, the winds having the advantage of the waters when they are out, with greater violence than any bank made of loose earth can resist, carry them whether they list upon the face of the whole Fen, because they have no such strength of Current as will violently lead them away: so that if the wind be Northerly and stiff, it beateth them toward Linne, and then the Fen is sooner dry; but if it blow out of the East or South, the whole mass of waters is carried from Lin ward, & finding no other out-fall, continues upon the face of the Fen till those winds remit, and the waters fall back to Linne, where they find no very free discharge because they are holden up by the Tide 12 hours in 24. and thence it comes that if any Flood happen in April or after, the Fens are lost for that whole year.  
More concerning the possibility to drain the Fens need not be said, this being no place fit to discover the manner of the Works or the places of Advantage whereon to set them, or the old or new drains that must lead unto them. Only thus much I think fit to intimate, that there is a great difference between these Fens and the Levels in the Low Countries. For there the sea is higher than the Land, and therefore their only way is by Banking to keep out the sea, and then by mills and other devices to heave out the water: which work of banking though it be exceeding chargeable and dangerous for breaches, yet they are constrained to trust to it, because they have no fall to the sea, and beside they are so scanted for Land that the value thereof doth countervail that excessive charge: but with us in the Fens all is otherwise. For we have a fall to the low water mark of more than twenty foot to empty the waters into the sea. Beside, we have abundance of rivers and drains to lead them unto the several out-fals which may and must be deepned; but we have no firm earth in place to make banks, nor sound ground to place them upon. Besides, the Land to be gained will not defray that charge neither (if all the trust be upon banks) can it be secure to encourage men to inhabit, build, plant and stock the ground to be gained, because we have had experience that some few breaches in Marshland and other banked grounds have brought great deluges and destruction of houses, Cattle, etc. many of which are not yet regained, others held good at an excessive charge, and under desperate dangers.  
There is also an other danger in Banking procured by a small contemptible Vermin, they be Water-rats, which make their holes in the banks close to the water when it is at the shallowest in infinite number, and feeding upon the fry of fish, do multiply like fishes. These burrow deep into the banks, which being made of light earth, when the waters do rise and are beaten into them by the wind, many of those holes are worn into one, and so the whole bank is in no long time demolished; a mischief which it is impossible to remedy, & yet such as will render all Banking insufficient to keep out the water, much more unsafe for men to trust unto if they should be desirous to inhabit near them or under their protection. Finally, the cure by Banking is impossible for our Fens, unless the water could be taken into those banked drains before it fall into the level of the Fens, that is to say, as the rivers descend from the high ground; otherwise the waters can never rise to make use of the height of such banks, but will rather return and drown Peterborrough, Deeping Huntingdon, etc. Therefore the way must be to begin at the Out-fals and there to repulse the salt water and sands, and by taking advantage of the fall to low water mark, to convey away the fresh and the sand and other silte which now choketh the rivers and drains.  
Besides these arguments against trusting to Banks in a case where in great adventures of men's persons, habitations and estates are to be borne; there is another argument against entertaining of Strangers to perform this work, for this Banking is the conceit of Strangers who are accustomed only to banking at home. And this is an argument first of Honour, secondly of security, thirdly of profit. For the matter of Honour: Now, if ever, we have reason to insist upon it, when the reputation of our Country is brought into competition with our neighbours, who were wont to have their dependence upon us, and relief from us. Is the old Activity and abilities of the English Nation (who in former times were esteemed the greatest undertakers in the Western parts of the world) grown now so dull and insufficient that we must pray in aid of our neighbours to improve our own Demaynes? The Duke of Venice is said to marry the sea, as if he had with it but divisum Imperium; we have been always Lords of the sea, and our Common Law hath adjudged the sea to be part of our Kingdom, shall we suffer that Regality to become obnoxious to Strangers, and not that only, but the fresh waters within our Continent, as if ourselves were not able to bring them into order? Surely our great plenty and abundance of fruitful Land hath been hitherto one cause why this improvement hath been neglected: but of late the blessing of peace hath so multiplied our people under our last two peaceful Princes, that we have transplanted many Colonies into Ireland, Virginea, Bermuda, St. Christopher's, New England, etc. and beside hath stirred up men at home to gain much rich Land from the seas, and in particular to attempt upon this surrounded Level, wherein that they have not hitherto prevailed, hath not been want of skill, or will, nor yet of endeavour. For diverse worthy men have appeared in the undertaking, the last and worthiest being our late Sovereign Lord of blessed memory, who thought it no dishonour to declare himself an Undertaker herein, but being translated hence, hath left 
The Honour of this Work to Crown the Reign,  
Of his dear Son our now dread Sovereign.   
For matter of security; shall we esteem it of small moment to put into the hands of Strangers three or four such Ports and Harbours as Linne, Wisbeach, Spalding and Boston will be when the out-fals shall be opened to Low water mark, and permit the Country within and between them to be peopled by overthwart neighbours whose strength and undertake begin to grow formidable; or if they quail themselves must give place to our most Ancient & dangerous enemies, who will be ready enough to take advantage of so many fair Inlets into the bosom of our Land, lying so near together, that an Army landing part in each of them, may easily meet and strongly entrench themselves with walls of water and drown the Country about them at their pleasure? This very thing was objected by a worthy Patriot in a late Parliament, wherein a bill was preferred for the admitting of Strangers to undertake this Work, and thereupon cast out.  
Finally, if nothing were considerable but the matter of profit, would it be thought fit to give so great a portion of our Land as the third part of that Level to Strangers to empty themselves into, and leave our own Countrymen with so great travel, charge and adventure to seek for seats abroad in remote parts, when we may comfort both them and ourselves by placing them at home? Neither yet would I be understood to be so envious to Strangers, as that I had rather the water than they should possess the Land; but the question being whither should be preferred to the Undertaking of the work, Strangers or men of our own Country, I am out of doubt that no true English man will be scrupulous in the choice. Yet I do ingeniously acknowledge that the industry of some of our neighbours, especially the Dutchmen, deserveth commendations and imitation for enlarging themselves into the sea, especially in, and about Amsterdam, and securing themselves from the sea by costly and ingenious devices; but such devices are not proper for our business, which is to be performed in a far different manner, the error leading us directly to the remedy which is merely Natural: for Nature hath given to all rivers and waters as well their courses, issues and out-fals into the sea as their heads and springs; and by the former hath as well provided for the use of man as by the latter. This guidance of Nature if we follow, and add Art as a handmaid unto it, we shall by removing the cause avoid also the effect; and by consideration how the mischief hath grown, learn to prevent it in the future; wherein the sparing of cost is no frugality. But if it be questioned, Whether those Englishmen that offer to adventure their estates and the reputation of their skill, be able to accomplish the business? the answer is, That beside that they can demonstrate their abilities, What praejudice can it be to any man to be an idle spectator, whilst they expend their money and exercise their skill, they requiring no recompense till the Work be performed?  
The third and last Question is, How a Competent Reward may be apportioned for them that should undertake so great a Work? This indeed hath been the great and main Impediment of the draining of the Fens, for many years; most men interessed, being unable to disburse Money, and also unwilling to part with any of their Land, of how little value soever it hath been unto them, or how great soever the improvement of the remainder might be: or if some were willing, yet the minds of the multitude have not been unlike the Waters of the Fen; which not being contained within due limits, but dispersed abroad over the surface of so great a Level, are easily interrupted in their course by the slender opposition of Flags and Reeds: even so, these men's minds not being restrained by Authority, nor guided by rule of Reason, do stray into several Opinions, and receive Impediment from Oppositions as slender as those Weeds: some of them being not ashamed to allege, that by gaining of Grass, they should lose their Reeds and Sedge, not considering the difference of their values. But of late, receiving information from the King and his Council, and the Commissioners of Sewers taking into their consideration, that the Wisdom of several Parliaments have thought fit to give a part of such Lands to those that should improve the whole, and pondering how great the benefit of such improvement would be to them and their posterity, have (not many years since) fallen upon an excellent course to encourage men of skill and ability to embark themselves in that Design. Whereupon, after a Tax laid upon the Lands of that whole Country by the Acre, to enable the Commissioners of Sewers legally to convey part thereof to bear the charge of advancing the whole, King james of blessed memory declaring himself to be the Undertaker, a Decree of Sewers was enacted at Cambridge the 20. day of February, in the years of the Reign of our late Sovereign Lord King james, of England, France, and Ireland, the 19 and of Scotland, the 55. Whereby was designed to be granted to his Majesty for the supportation of that vast Charge, 120000. Acres of the Fen Lands, to be conveyed unto his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors: that is to say, out of every particular part, a proportion answerable to the quantity of the Land, and the benefit that should redound unto the Owners thereof, so that in the whole it should accomplish the said number of 120000. Acres, as the Commissioners of Sewers, after a particular survey, should think fit to allot the same. Which Lands notwithstanding, the King was not to have any interest in, or possession of, until either the whole Fens, or some notable part, were effectually drained, and so adjudged by the Commissioners, or a competent number of them. The reason why this Decree took no effect, was the many and important affairs of State, wherewith his Majesty was exercised the whole time of his life, after the said Decree was enacted. Whereupon all the good intentions and preparation, both on the part of his Majesty, and the Commissioners fell to the ground.  
Since which time, those Countries having been grievously afflicted with the continuance and increase of Inundations, they are now by the hand of God not led only, but constrained to seek some effectual means for speedy relief. Whereupon some of them (as men ready to perish by the Waters, are wont) have reached out their hands, to take hold upon such weak and defective helps, as the examples of their predecessors have left unto them, that is to say, upon particular Works of Goats, drains, Banks, etc. not duly weighing, how they have formerly failed those that have laid hold upon them: Witness the costly drains of Morton Bishop of Ely called The New Leame; Clowes Cross, Popham Mea, The Londoners Load and many others; and the many miles of Banks about Deeping, Thorny Walter Sea, The Londoners Land, and infinite others: all which are now of little or no use, though the charge of them hath been so great, as if it had been bestowed at once upon the general Work, would have gone far toward the accomplishment of a Real draining, which long before this time had made a rich Improvement. Others there are, who finding the Disease of the Fen to be like the stopping of the Urine near the fall of the Kidneys; from whence being returned, it first filleth up all the veins of the body which before were near full with blood, and then drowns the Patient in his own Water: of which Disease there is no possible Cure, but to remove the Impediment near the Kidneys, so to regain the natural Out-fall. In like manner, the Waters that annoy the Fens, do first fill the Rivers and drains; at whose issues being returned back by Impediment, they overflow and stifle the whole Body of the Fen: of which Disease, there is no possible Cure, but the opening and securing of the Natural Outfalls; at which, the whole Body of the Fen will equally and speedily unburden itself, and so return to that pristine Condition, so much extolled in the Monuments of Antiquity. This then being the only way for Cure of that grand Disease, under which many thousand Acres of Ground, and (which more is) many thousand People do languish, those only shall approve their judgements in this Cure, who themselves incline and labour to incline others to further by Art that Natural Remedy.  
Yet how Natural soever this Remedy be, it cannot be imagined that so vast and enorm a quantity of Land as these Levels do contain can be drained without a huge expense; and the prevention of the same mischief for time to come by apt Works will greatly increase if not double the charge, beside the necessary provision to maintain, nay to better the Navigation by deepning the rivers, etc. Add hereto the adventure of so great sums as are necessary to be expended in these Works; whereof although such as shall undertake the business, well knowing their own ways and means are (as behoveth them) secure, yet their assistants (for without adventureres no private man's ability is able to effect it) relying upon their credit and skill, have reason to require no Litigeous, but a Legal and pregnant assurance of a valuable recompense which being conformed to the decree for the 120000 Acres before recited will be indifferent both for the Adventurers and the Owners, as it seemeth was concluded by the Commissioners before they enacted that Decree.  
Here it may be objected, that many Noblemen and Gentlemen interested in those Levels, will choose rather to disburse some sums of money for their parts to keep their Inheritances entire, than part with any of their Lands. The answer whereunto is, that a book may be made according to the Custom of Adventures, wherein every man that listeth may write such a proportion for his adventure as will entitle him to so many Acres as upon the survey shall be set out of his Land to make up the number of 120000 Acres. Out of which also it must be considered, that a good proportion must be set apart for the perpetual securing of the works to be effected, as the Commissioners of Sewers in the forenamed Decree have judiciously provided.  
Thus much being collected out of loose papers which had lain long by the walls, and tied together with some Additions out of new observations, is presented by a friend to this incomparable design; which if it be effected, will be registered to all succeeding ages, and haply this may conduce somewhat thereto, with which if the Author be honoured he is well ap●●ed, but if he be remembered to have cast in his Mite into the Treasury he will exult.  
H. C.  
FJNJS.