A SPEECH CONCERNING A WEST INDIE Association, at a Committee of the whole house in the Parliament, 21. IACOBI. By Sir Benjamin Rudyerd.  
Printed in the year 1641.   

A SPEECH CONCERNING a WEST INDIE Association, at a Committee of the whole House of Parliament.  
Sir Dudley Digs,  
I do profess, that as my Affection, my Reason, and my judgement, go strongly with the scope and drift of this Proposition; so shall a good part of my poor fortune, when it comes to execution.  
For to my understanding, there was never propounded in Parliament, a design more proper for this kingdom, nor of more pregnant advantage to it, whether we consider the nature of our situation, or the quality of our enemy's Forces.  
As we are an island, it concerns our very being to have store of ships to defend us, and also our well-being by their Trade to enrich us.  
This association for the West Indies, when it shall be regulated and established by act of Parliament, and thereby secured from the violence and injury of any intruding hand, it will certainly give many men encouragement & confidence, voluntarily to bring in large and liberal contributions, towards so noble, so profitable an Enterprise. So that in short time, we shall see many new ships built, many brave men employed, and enabled for the service of their country, none of this money shall be carried out of the kingdom, but laid out for shipping, which is the defence of it, and bestowed upon our own men, who must be fed and maintained, though they stay at home. For this, we shall reap the fruit of whatsoever benefit Plantation, traffic, or Purchase can procure us, besides honour and security.  
Now, let us a little consider the Enemy we are to encounter, the King of Spain. They are not his great territories which make him so powerful, and so troublesome to all Christendom. For it is very well known, that Spain itself is but weak in men, and barren of natural Commodities. As for his other Territories, they lie divided and asunder, which is a weakness in its self; besides, they are held by force, and maintained at an extraordinary charge. Insomuch, as although he be a great King, yet is he like that great giant, who was said to have 100 hands, but he had 50 bellies to feed, so that ●atably, he had no more hands than another man.  
No Sir, they are his Mines in the West Indies, which minister fuel to feed his vast ambitious desire of universal Monarchy: It is the money he hath from thence, which makes him able to levy, and pay soldiers in all places; and to keep an army continually on foot, ready to invade and endanger his Neighbours.  
So that we have no other way, but to endeavour to cut him up at root, and seek to impeach, or to supplant him in the West Indies. By part of which course, that famous Queen of most glorious memory, had heretofore almost brought him on his knees. And this our undertaking (if it please God to bless it) must needs effect it sooner and quicker: the whole body of the kingdom being united and concur●ing in a perpetual supply to this action, so that he will have no free time given him to rest.  
Moreover, this will be a means not only to save, but to fill His majesty's Coffers, enabling the people to give him liberally, and often; the King's ships will have little to do, but to guard the coasts, for the sea-war will chiefly be made at the charge of the subject. Thus, (Sir Dudley Digs) I doubt not but that in short time, both King and people shall be safe at home, and feared abroad.  
To conclude, I shall be very glad to hear any man make objections against this design, so that he do it with an intention to refine and perfect the work; but if any shall speak against it with a mind to hinder and destroy it, I must entreat him to pardon me, if I do scarce think him to be a good Englishman.  
FINIS.