To his Highness, OLIVER, LORD PROTECTOR Of the COMMONWEALTH OF England, Scotland, and Ireland, AND The Dominions thereto belonging:  
Is Humbly presented A Mediterranean Passage by Water Between the Two Sea Towns LYNN & YARMOUTH, Upon the Two RIVERS The Little OWSE, and WAVENEY. With farther Results.  
LONDON: Printed by Gartrude Dawson, 1656.   

To his Highness, OLIVER, Lord PROTECTOR of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the Dominions thereto belonging.  
May it please your Highness,  
HAving made my former Addresses in this kind to your Highness concerning the Navigable Passage upon the Rivers Avon and Thames, between Bristol and London, and finding that to have been a Service so acceptable to your Highness as that your deep judgement approved thereof, as a thing very advantageous to the West and South of England, I thought good in this Paper to offer unto your Highness a Work no less beneficial to the North and East, that by this means all parts of this flourishing Commonwealth under your gracious Protection, might have cause to bless your Highness, and to be suitors to your powerful hand for the allowance and performance of a Work so highly conducing to the Public good,  
By your Highness most Humble, and most Faithful Servant, Francis Matthew.   

A Mediterranean Passage by Water between the two Towns of Lynn and Yarmouth, etc.  
May it please your Highness,  
THus I shall state the business which at present I intent to present to your powerful hand, and under your potent Protection to the whole Common wealth, the which Work is even already framed to the end intended; that is, Nature having so bountifully concurred with her own endeavours to the effecting thereof, in undergoing the greatest charge, which commonly is the chiefest stop in all businesses of this nature.  
The flourishing Havens of Lyn and Yarmouth being so Portuous, so much frequented with Shipping, and so plied with Trade, it is apparent that the two Counties adjoining Norfolk and Suffolk receive much comfort thereby, being more indulgently dealt withal by their two Havens then remoter parts, as particularly assisted by their importations, furnished by that means with many Foreign commodities, which come flowing into those Ports.  
These two Rivers above named, the little Owse and Waveney, running as it were between the two Havens, and in a manner dividing those two Counties, were they opened for Navigation, would very much increase the benefit both to those Haven Towns, in venting of those their Importations, as also prove a great ease to the said two Counties to have so facile and cheap a passage made to bring those Commodities unto them, and withal thereby to vent what they produce of their own.  
These two Rivers are so favourably cast by Nature, as in the Winter (when they will be most for use) the Heads of them already almost meet, at a place called Loppham-Bridge, where a Navigable Channel being cut, (in length less than a mile) the two Rivers would join for mutual Commerce from Lynn to Yarmouth; and withal Boats might rest at any place of these Rivers, there to make their Magazines of such Foreign Importations, as the Countries adjoining stand in need of; others might touch at every Market Town, there standing at the least six or seven upon, or very near adjoining to the said Rivers; and within distance of ten miles very many Market Towns more, the which in the end of this Paper I shall set down, with their several distances from those two Rivers; which Rivers I observe to lie so near upon a Level, as few Sasses will be required, to lessen the charge. What a blessing and ease would this afford to all the Inhabitants near adjoining, upon all Market days (as they do in Flanders) to carry themselves and their Commodities by Water (avoiding those deep ways in the Winter season, especially on Suffolk side) from Town to Town, from Market to Market, at such rates, as will not be considerable, if compared to their charge and trouble in going by Horse or Cart?  
These advantages for the increase of Commerce, and Trade, your Highness' wisdom will soon penetrate and give heat unto, by your potent approbation, your Highness being generally observed to be most zealous in the setting forward of Trade, taking so much to heart the increase thereof.  
Neither doth this Design of mine contain itself within the verge of the aforesaid two Rivers, nor in the advance of Trade brought into those great Havens of Lynn and Yarmouth, but it reacheth higher, and extends to the uniting the Inland Commerce upon Rivers between the North and East of England, there being no obstacle (were these two Rivers opened for Navigation) no hindrance at all, (but that which our carelessness hath negligently cast aside, and made not use of for many years) to impead our Navigation upon Rivers within the Land, from the Haven of Yarmouth, to the City of York.  
Our Henry the first, (as Mr. Camden well observeth in his description of Lincoln shire) cut a Channel for the space of seven miles from Torksea upon the Trent down to the City of Lincoln, there to join with the River Witham, which falling into the Haven of Boston, come through the Isle of Ely, into these our two Rivers the Little Owse and Waveney, and so to Yarmouth. Mr. Camden saith, this gallant King caused that memorable work of seven miles to be cast up for the benefit of his City of Lincoln, though other Writers speak of a mixed intention therein, as partly to facilitate his own Removes from one part of the Kingdom to another, he being the first King who brought Progresses into fashion, so making his people equally participant of him, that they might see and know him better by himself, than by his picture.  
He was an active and wise Prince, and as all Rulers of States have ever their designs headed with several ends, so might this King in this very work; as upon any foreign invasion, or domestic insurrection, to transport from one side of the Kingdom to another his Army, without grievances to his people for billeting of his Soldiers through the Country as they passed, or tiring out his men with long Marches, but to have them ready for action upon a moment; for by this very work of his of seven miles, cut out for Navigation, (conjoined to what Nature before had wrought) he might have transported an Army by Water, all within the Land from the East part of England into the North, without the least noise of landing, and have been upon his enemies before they dreamt of him, in this silent and covered way. Howsoever his ends were, it was a noble work, and a gift worthy to come from a Crown, it being the first Precedent that I have found in England of joining Rivers for Navigation, which showeth (even then) how forward, and prone toward Improvement this Kingdom was.  
But what an unworthy neglect thereof hath been in these latter times, I blush to write 〈◊〉 To let it fall, to be of no use, and the Work (though yet extant) to lie empty, waste, and dry, far from the intention of the Royal giver 〈◊〉 in so much as now Sheep and  graze, where formerly Barks have sailed, and perhaps a King in them.  
This Work, or Channel of 7 miles, commonly called Fosse Dike, were it repaired, and the Banks in some places made up, would easily again be made capable of Navigation, and revive that safe, rich, and large extended Commerce, which by that means did formerly spread itself within the Land, and would open the passage for Boats, as hath been said, between York and Yarmouth, to the unspeakable comfort or very many Towns and Villages lying near, and upon the Passage, and would yield a general benefit both to the East and North of England, and by participation all England over.  
It hath been observed upon Level taken, that the Trent lieth lower than Fosse Dike by Two Foot, or thereabouts, so that of necessity in that place there must be A Sasse to draw, and let down the Boats. And indeed if we look upon our Sea Coasts of Lincolnshire and Norfolk, they are so wanting of Harbours, and of places to relieve Ships in, in time of stress, especially upon a strong Easterly Wind, as I may well term them importuous, for any Ships of Burden, so that in the Winter time (when our inland passage will be most in play) the great frequented Haven of Hull will be willing to serve itself with these Rivers Navigable, for the more safe conduct of their Merchandise into the East parts of England.  
These, and the further advantages of this secure Transportation of all Commodities within the Land upon Rivers, between the North and East of England all the Winter season (when the Coast is so dangerous) I need not any further set forth to your Highness, whose Wisdom will soon embrace them all, and accordingly reflect upon them to the benefit of the public.  
One thing I had almost omitted, amongst the many helps which the opening for Navigation of these Two Rivers between Norfolk and Suffolk would afford those Counties, that is, the supply of Fuel, which by this means may be brought unto them with great facilety, Sea Coal now supplying the defects of our Wood so much these latter years consumed, and I may well say destroyed.  
And were Fosse Dike repaired for Navigation (which now lieth waste) what a recruit would that also bring to all the East parts of England, by Transporting this way out of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, & Leicester-shire, Pitt Coal (which in Foreign parts they call Scots Coal) which in abundance might be fetched by the help of this passage.  
Though in this very point Caution were to be had; that no such Coal should be carried out of those Counties this way, but from Pitts new sunk, and from places where Coals have not been sought. That the inhabitants of those parts should not suffer by this exportation: And I shall make evident to your Highness, that there are indeficient Ours of this Coal to supply this Trade abundantly, where never any yet were sought for, and not in any far distance from the River of Trent; the State contracting with the owners of the Soil (much of that Soil is now already in the possession on of the State) so that by this means no prejudice should arise to the Inhabitants.  
Moreover at Boston (where they must pass) there might be a Magzine for that Coal, either for us to Transport, or for Foreigners to fetch them there, 
But much fit for us to do it.  which would raise a very great Revenue to the State, that Coal being sold in Foreign parts by weight, at very high Rates.  
This Paper out of my bounden Respect, and Duty to your Highness, I offer unto your Prudence and deep Consideration, I conceiving it to contain matter of very great Honour to your Highness, and no less benefit and comfort to the whole Commons Wealth.  
Rivers running through the Earth, at the Veins of that Body, which Opened in due time, and with good advice, give comfort and refreshments to all the Earth they run through, like to the veins in our bodies, which being opened by the advice of the learned Physician, restore health, repair strength to the decaying man, and brings him into a flourishing condition.  
By this Passage your Highness will see all Foreign Commodities brought into us from the East parts of the world equally distributed, to the North and East of England; As by the former Design of Opening the Rivers between Bristol and London, all the Western Commodities brought in from abroad, were to be Communicated to the West and South of England.  
Designs worthy to be brought forth under the happy Protection of your Highness.   

Market-towns Standing upon, or near The Little Owse▪ AND WAVENEY.  

Brandon,  
Thetford.  
Dis,  
Harleston,  
Bungey,  
Beckles.  
Lestof,  
Yarmouth.    

OTHER Market-Towns Within ten Miles of these RIVERS  

FRom Beckles to Yarmouth 9 miles  
From Beckles to Lestof 8 miles  
From Bungey to Norwich 10 miles  
From Yarmouth to Norwich already a Navigable passage  
From Harlestone to Windham 9 miles  
From Dis to Windham 10 miles  
From Loppham▪ Bridge to Higham 10 miles  
From Loppham to Harling 3 miles  
From Loppham to Bucknam 5 miles  
From Thetford to Watton 9 miles  
From Brandon to Swasham 10 miles  
From Beckles to Sowld 9 miles  
From Beckles to Harleston 7 miles  
From Bungey to Harleston 7 miles  
From Harleston to Framlingham 8 miles  
From Dis to Buddesdall 3 miles  
From Dis to Debenham 9 miles  
From Dis to Ay 3 miles  
From Loppham to Wolpett 9 miles  
From Loppham to Stow 9 miles  
From Loppham to Nedeham 10 miles  
From Brandon to Mildnall 6 miles   
All these Market-Towns, besides innumerable Villages, with many Gentlemens-Houses of Note, would so make use of these Two Rivers, 
Being but one days Work for a Teem.  that a marvellous Trade would be driven upon them; and Sailing out of the Little Owse, the Boats enter into the Great Owse, which already is Navigable to Lynn, and to all the Towns within the Isle of Ely, even up to Cambridge.  
FINIS.