To the Right Honourable the Lords and Commons now Assembled in Parliament.  
The humble Petition of John Smith of Sandwich Draper, in the bebalfe of himself and the Inhabitants of Margate.  
Showeth,  
THat for near two and thirty years since, until within six years' last past, the Sea-works of Margate in the Isle of Thanet, were maintained by Scots on the Houses and Lands there, together with part of the benefits of the Peer (the said peer being a great and continual cause of the devastation of the said works) which Scots were imposed by the Commissioners of Sewers, who then viewed and took care of the said works; during all which time, by the blessing of God, the said Town was preserved, and little or no hurt done by the violence of the Sea.  
That about six years since, divers persons whose estates lies more backward from the Sea, and in less danger; aiming more at their private ends, than the public good, questioned the power of the Commissioners, alleging the said Seaworks were not in compass of the Statute, on which their Commission was granted: whereupon the Commissioners wholly rejected the said works: and since that time the Sea hath done above four thousand pounds worth of hurt there; and threatens the destruction of the Town. That at the time of the rejecting of their charge of the works, your petitioner was Expenditor of the same works, & had some estate there in housing, did for safeguard thereof, and the Town go on in repair of the said works; towards which he was forced to borrow two hundred pound upon his own band (for which he still pays use for) his Scot granted him by the Commissioners being denied to be paid him; But after great charges upon the said works, by the late violence of the Sea, a great part of the Jetty-works were taken away for want of due reparations, whereupon your petitioner, finding the burden in supportable for himself alone to undergo, & considering what the miserable event would be if neglected, did gain a Certificate from the Maior and Jurats of Dover, under the Town Seal (in whose jurisdiction Margate is) of the great danger the said Town was in, with a Petition subscribed by many of the Inhabitants of Margate, wherein was desired Timber for the present making up of the said works, and a Scot as formerly continued; which Petition and Certificate was presented to the right honourable Committee of Admiralty & Cinque Ports; and thereupon an order was made & directed to some Knights and gentlemen near Margate to view the said works, and to report the danger, and charge of repair to that Committee, as by the Order annexed appears: who with experienced workmen measured and cast up the charge, and made report of it accordingly, as by the Report also appears: upon which report the Committee of the Admiralty (after along and chargeable attendance) made a further Order: wherein they declared what they conceived fitting to be done therein. And in regard the same works lay within the jurisdiction of the Sinque-Ports, they thought fit to recommend the business to both Houses of Parliament, either to be by them confirmed, or otherwise ordered, as to their wisdoms should seem meet; as by that Order also appears. But by reason of the kingdoms more weighty business, your Petitioner as yet hath had no further order or redress herein, although the Sea hath done above five thousand punds worth of hurt within four years past, though in the interim, and for these six years past, your Petitioner hath defended a great part of the Town at his own charge, and expended the sum of four hundred eighty pounds eighteen shillings and eight pence, as by a particular account under the workmen's hands appears; besides his charges in soliciting of the business, amounting to above three hundred pounds, and in the neglect, loss and hindrance of his trade, to at least six hundred and fify pounds, without any penny recompense; which will be to his sudden ruin and destruction, if not relieved by your Honours.  
May it therefore please your honours to consider of the premises, and that a place of such consequence where ambassadors and persons of great quality take shipping, and are landed, may not be quite overwhelmed, and the estate of your Petitioner, and many others quite destroyed, and their wives, children and families ruined) to be pleased speedily to Order, that sufficient Timber may be allowed, so as the present breaches may be timely repaired, and for time to come upheld, by Scots on the houses and lands there, and by a poundage upon commodities exported and imported from and to the said Island; That the Peer Wardens may be yearly accountable to the Maior and Jurats of Dover, for the money by them received and expended about the same, a moiety of the overplus to be allowed yearly towards the said Works; and that your Petitioner may be speedily satisfied his said disbursements about the said Works. And Your Petitioner shall ever pray, &c.   

Die Jovis, 18. Novemb. 1647. At the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Admiralty and Cinque-Ports  
IN reading the Petition of John Smith Expenditor for the Works against Margate, concerning the deficiency of the said Works, his charg●s in attending that business of the Isle of Thanet, the delays used by some that have addressed their Petition to this Committee in opposition of his; by their not standing to what had been mutually agreed before some of this Committee, and proposing away for repair of the said Works, and keeping of them for the future.  
Ordered that Henry Crisp Esquire, George Summer, William Coppin, Thomas Wheatley, Edward Brooks, and Stephen Bishop, do attend this Committee on this day three weeks, by themselves or some of them, or some other on their behalf, sufficiently instructed to answer the said Petition, and failing thereof, this Committee will proceed to settle such resolution upon John Shiloh's said Petition, as shall appear most meet, without further delay.  
Signed by my Lord of Warwick, and others of the said Committee.   

A true copy of the Agreement which the Island-men, before the Committee of the Admiralty agreed on, but now fall from, and refused to set their hands to: Here followeth,  
UPon debate before the Honourable Committee of Lords and Commons, for the Admiralty and Cinque-ports, of the matter in difference touching the repairing, sustaining, and keeping of Jetty-workes against the Sea at Margate, in the Isle of Thanet, for preventing the destruction and swallowing up of the said Town of Margate, by the violence of the Sea breaking in upon it. And upon hearing of John Smith, Expenditor for the said Town, and his council on the one side. And of Sir Henry Crisp, Henry Crisp Esq. Richard hearty, Jeffery Sandwell, John Broxland, Mark Ambrose, Tho. Smith Senior, George Somner, John Tomblin, Wil. Copin, John Pannell, James Hannaker, and Richard Jenvey, and their council on the other side. Upon the whole business there arose two Questions. The first, How the said Jetty-works might for the present be repaired, and for the future maintained, so that the Sea might be kept from breaking in, and the said Town might be preserved? The second, How the said Smith, the Expenditor might be satisfied and reimbursed the moneys and charges he had laid out, and been at in this public and common business, for the time past? And as to the first, the said Sir Henry Crisp, Henry Crisp Esq. Richard hearty, Jeffery Sandwell, John Broxland, Mark Ambrose, Tho. Smith, Senior, George Somner, John Tomblin, Wil. Coppin, John Parnell, James Hannaker, Richard Jenvey, and their council did offer, That if the repairing of the said Jetty-workes and the keeping thereof, might be entrusted to them, they would with 200. Tun of Timber, to be allowed unto them for the said work for the present sufficiently repair the said Jetty-works, and make them defensive against the Sea, and safe guard and preserve the said Town of Margate, and every part thereof, and of the Lands thereto belonging, against the violence and breaking in of the Sea, as well for the present as for the future for ever hereafter, without any further tax, allowance or charge, to be yielded, made, paid or imposed therefore, but only a scot, or tax of 12. pence in the pound, to be levied and paid out of the Houses erected against the said works, and to be paid but once in the year and no oftener. And for the performance thereof in every particular, viz. as well for the present repairing, as future sufficient keeping the same for ever, upon the rate aforesaid, and without any further demand. The said parties before mentioned did by themselves and their council, make offer, to put in sufficient Security, as this Committee or the Honourable Houses should approve and like of; which being accepted and yielded unto by the said Smith the Expenditor; the Committee thought fit that the same should be subscribed by the said parties, to remain with this Committee, or be presented to the Honourable Houses, as should be requisite.  
And as to the second Question, touching the charge and disbursements of the said Smith, for that the parties could not agree upon the same, nor how and in what manner they had been laid out. It was humbly prayed, That a Commission might be ordered to issue out of the Court of Admiralty of the Cinque-ports, to examine witnesses upon such matters, interrogations, and questions, as the said Smith for his part might see cause for the better ascertaining of the said disbursements, and charges by him expended; And wherein the said other parties might join and counterexamine likewise if they thought meet. That so examinations being duly taken, they might be returned to this Committee, whereupon this Committee might be truly informed of the true state of the matter; and so give such order for relief of the said Smith, as they should hold just and equitable.  
A certificate from the Inhabitants of Margate, showing the sad and lamentable condition that the said Town is in, by reason of a late breach which the Sea made; which might have been prevented, had the Island men stood to the forementioned Agreement. A true copy whereof here followeth.   

To the Right honourable the Committee for the Admiralty and the Cinque-Ports.  
THese are further to inform your honours, That whereas the Jetties of Margate, in the Isle of Thanet, and County of Kent; and the great danger of the said Town, have many times and late been discussed before your honours, and whereupon your honours out of a commisseration, and due consideration, of the danger of the said Town and Inhabitants there; have been favourably pleased to grant some convenient quantity of Timber, for the better defence of the said Town and Inhabitants there, against that raging and merciless Element, the Sea. And whereas it hath pleased God on Sunday last past, (being the 12. day of this instant March,) to send a most tempestuous tide, against the said Town, (as at other places) by reason whereof, a great part of the said works is broken down, and some part of a House of this bearer John Smith, is demolished; and whereas not only the estate there of the said John Smith, but of many other the Inhabitants of the said Town, are (if not very speedily secured) like to come to utter ruin and decay.  
The premises considered, May it yet again please your honours, to take the deplorable condition of the said Town and Inhabitants, into your speedy and mature consideration, and to afford such a quantity of Timber for the defence of the said Town and Inhabitants; and also to appoint and ordain some able man (whom your honours shall think fit) to take care of the said works, as in an exigence of so much concernment and danger is required.  
In witness whereof, we your honour's humble petitioners have subscribed our hands (Inhabitants of the said Town) the 13. day of March, Non salutis, 1647. Subscribed by the Inhabitants of Margate.   

To the Right Honourable the Committee of the Cinque-Ports and Admiralty.  
May it please this honourable Committee:  
WE whose names are here under written (Inhabitants of the Town and Port of Sandwich) do humbly certify (being thereunto requested) unto your honours in the name, and behalf of John Smith, (one of our said Town). That (to our knowledge) he hath been a man always well-affected to the Parliament, in their actings, and proceedings for the public Interest, welfare, and happiness of the kingdom; And in order thereunto he hath declared his forwardness, (we believe beyond his abilities) in contributions and subscriptions for Horse, Plate, and moneys, and in regard he hath (as we are informed, through the opposition of some ill-affected persons) suffered much in his estate (sundry ways) by his long attending on his business of Margate, in the Isle of Thanet; (which if effected we believe would tend to a public good, and benefit.)  
We, (your humble servants, considering the premises) do humbly beseech and request, this honourable Committee, for to consider his cause, and to answer his desire, (which we are confident of) as your honours apprehend them just: and with what convenient expedition it may be; which otherwise (considering also his great charges and expenses in prosecuting thereof) may prove to be to the extreme wrong and damage (if not the utter undoing) of himself, and his Family.  
Humbly represented and subscribed, by the Major and Jurets, &c.   

Die Sabba. 27. February 1646. At the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Admiralty and Cinque-Ports.  
ON consideration of a Petition presented to this Committee, by John Smith Expenditor for Margate in the Isle of Thanet in the County of Kent, in behalf of himself, and the Inhabitants, and owners of the houses and lands lying against the Sea at Margate aforefaid; the same setting forth the great danger the said Town is in of being carried to Sea, and the great loss already befallen the estates of many the Inhabitants; by the carrying of many of their houses already to Sea, through the decay of certain Jetty works heretofore made for defence thereof; and praying that Timber may be appointed for repair of the same; as also that money may be raised for the perfecting thereof, out of the arrears of a Scot of two shillings per pound, heretofore charged upon the houses and lands there; and of another Scot of thirty six pound per Annu. laid upon the Peer of Margate, by the Commissioners of Sewers for the East of Kent, about twenty five years ago, the paying thereof having been for some years discontinued: and that for the future maintaining thereof, the said Scots may be continued; or that in lieu of a moiety of two shillings per pound, reasonable poundage may be set down upon certain commodities going in and out of the said Island, a list of which commodities, and of rates proposed to be set upon them respectively was now presented, and upon reading a Certificate from some Gentlemen of the County of Kent, to whom the State thereof was referred by the Committee, to be viewed and certified; they thereby setting forth, That the said Jetty works, being by them surveied, and workmen consulted with; They found that fifty five Rods of Timber-work is in decay, which requiring double work will take up six hundred and five Tun of Oaken Timber, that the workmanship will amount to as much or more charge, than the Timber; and there will need a continual charge to keep it for the future: And for that this Committee is informed by some Members of both Houses, that they have viewed the same, and find the defect and danger of the said Town to be very great; and for as much as the same is within the jurisdiction of the Cinque-Ports, this Committee doth thereby conceive it their duty to represent it to both Houses of Parliament, and doth recommend it to them, that the present defects may be repaired, and sufficient Timber for that end allowed; and that the Town may in time to come be secured, by a Scot upon the said Houses and lands, or by a poundage upon commodities exported and imported, from and to the said Island, or otherwise, as they in their wisdoms shall think fit; as also that consideration may be had of the Petitioner John Smith, his disbursements for the upholding of the said works (which by his Petition is alleged to amount unto four hundred and twenty pounds) in such a way as they shall think meet; he having offered (as by the said Certificate is mentioned, upon allowance of a moiety of the said Scot, & of a poundage on the said commodities, to perform the said work (being first furnished with timber as aforesaid) and to engage an estate of a thousand pound value to keep the same for ever.  
And it is lastly Ordered, That a Copy of the said Certificate and of the Schedule of rates upon the said commodities be annexed to this Report.  
WARWICK.   

Whereas the Jetty-works of Margate in the Isle of Thanet, according to an Order of the Right Honourable Committee of the Admiralty and Cinque-Ports, being surveied by us James Oxenden Knight, Major Boyce Esq Henry Crisp, Esq; and we calling three sufficient Carpenters to measure the works, it was found to be in decay, as following.  
1. That there was 55. rods of work measured and found in decay, each of which rods was conceived would take up 5. Tunns and half of Timber for single works, and for double works so much more, and the same requiring all double work, it will take up in the whole 605. Tunns of Oaken Timber.  
2. That the workmanship for Carpenters, Sawyers, and other workmen, will amount to as much or more charges, than the Timber to complete the said works.  
3. That it will require a constant and continual charge in repairing, upholding and keeping the same works.  
4. That if the now Expenditor John Smith, may be yearly allowed 12. pence in the pound upon all Houses and Lands, which for 25. years passed paid 2. shillings in the pound, as appears by Scot. And also if he may receive according to the rates of, and upon the particular commodities set down and expressed in a Schedule hereunto annexed, and as this honourable House shall think fit, and as is used in other maritan Towns, he is willing to undertake to perform the said work, being furnished with Timber sufficient as aforesaid, and will engage 1000l. Lands and Houses in the said Island, for performance and keeping of the said works for ever, he being the fittest man for the same, as being already entrusted for by the said Town, and the said Town being now in most eminent danger to be lost, if not speedily helped, as aforesaid.  
JAMES OXENDEN.   

Having about eight months past, with the Lieutenant of Dover Castle, and Mr. Henry Crisp, surveighed the dangerous condition of Margate, I did find that there is fifty five rods or thereabouts, which of necessity must be maintained against the rage of the Sea, and did also find by the judgement of able workmen then present, that the premises will require the Timber and expense here above mentioned.  
HENRY HEYMAN.