crest featuring rope, foliage, an anchor, knight's helmet, and snake   

A DIAMOND OR RICH JEWEL, PRESENTED To the Commonwealth of England, for enriching of the Nation; being necessary for the use of all Merchants and Tradesmen, and advantageous to the poor: Wherein is declared a way, 

1 How all foreign moneys may pass in England, and gain the Merchants 10 Per Cent. and to put off our Manufacture without passing our English coin into other Countries.  
2 To settle a Bank in London for furnishing all trades with money, and to quit the Nation of beggars.  
3 To supply the Nation with Salt at three half pence the Gallon.  
4 To increase the Trade of fishing without being beholding to others.  
5 To make England the richest Nation in Europe, both for Gold and Silver.  
6 To save half the charges of the Officers of Excise and Custom, for the ease of the freeborn people of the Nation.  
7. To free all necessary commodities from Taxes.  
8. To settle an insurance Office cheap, and not to pay above five in the hundred for insurance from Pirates in all parts of Europe and America.    
By Capt. SAMUEL CHAPEL.  
Licenced, and entered according to Order.  
LONDON, Printed for John Clowes, against the Lower-Pump in Grubstreet, 1650.   

A PETITION PRESENTED By Capt. Samuel Chappel, To the Right Honourable the Council for regulating of Trade. Dedicated, To the Lord Whitlock, and the Lords Keepers of the Great Seal of England, and to the Lord Chief Justice Role, and to the rest of the Lord Justices of the Common Law; Desiring them to solicit the effecting of it to the Parliament.  
Right Honourable,  
YOur servant having waited here in London this two years and three quarters to have Justice, he having done service, and desireth to be paid his arrears, and his money disbursed for the Parliament of England, which is yet unpaid to this day.  
And whereas he sees damage to many by cheating and cozening by some in Office, pretending good husbandry to the State, who eat the poor as bread, and others also act the like contrary to God's Laws and the Nations, making it their Trade to deceive and devour one another, counting themselves wise in their own eyes: So at your servants departure here hence, he thought good to write these lines, and to leave them in print, as a token of his love to his Nation; which he hopeth will prove for the good of all the people our brethren: hoping also that your honours in his absence, will endeavour the furthering of the public in it, to have it effected.  
So considering the cry of the poor, the great unjustice done unto our Liberties promised us, the neglect of settling Religion agreeable to Jesus Christ his Commission, to the Apostles rule in the Primitive Church, we professing Jesus Christ. Now all is turned from performance to vice and pride, self-ends, and Covetousness, and other crying sins which now reign to much amongst us; which is much wished and desired by the godly party, that there might be a reformation of it in this Nation.  
And because your Honours are in places of power, to cause justice to be executed upon all Offenders, and to do justice to the innocent that merit.  
Your servant conceiveth no fit money, to Dedicate these lines unto, but to your Honours, he publicly seeing so many put offs, in Courts of Authority, hoping that your Honours will become Instruments of settling up ways in this Nation, that God may be glorified by us; and that our poor Nation may be eased of yokes and burdens now laid upon them, against the written word of God; for never had a Nation more blessings endued them then now England hath, both of temporal and spiritual means, if we could make good use of them, but 'tis feared they make bad use of them; for profession draweth no man to Heaven, but by living a pure and undefiled life, for many are wise to do evil.  
So referring the consideration hereof, being short till his other lines come forth, which will be in his due time; Your servant taking leave doth commit your Honours, and his proceed to God's blessing, and shall ever rest,  
Your Honour's humble servant, SAMUEL CHAPEL. August 20. 1650.   

THE PARTICULARS Contained in the following BOOK.  

I.  
THe Recommendation of it to the Lords Keepers of the great Seal of England, and to the Lord Chief Justice Role, and Lord Justice of the Common Law.   

II.  
The Petition showeth.   

III.  
How all Foreign money may pass in England, and gain the Merchants 10 Per Cent. 20 Per Cent. and gain by Bills of Exchange 10 Per Cent. also, and put off our English Goods manifactured to strangers, to hinder them for carrying awayofour English money.   

FOUR  
Another Proposition declaring a way to supply the Nation with Salt at three half pence the Gallon, to further the fishing Trade without being beholding to any other Princes for it.   

V  
A way also to settle a Bank in LONDON, to furnish money to all Tradesmen and others, to put all the Nation upon industry to live without beggars.   

VI  
Another regulating a way for conference for settling of good Trade.   

VII.  
Also a way to build great ships, to draw a little water serviceable for war, and carry Merchants goods cheap, and that no Guns be hindered to make use to fight, and Seamen may have the benefit for their careful industry, and that half the charges of the Officers of the Customhouse and Excise-Office, may be saved for the benefit of the Commonwealth; and that strangers pay double Custom and Excise, that our freeborn people may have the more employment to gain their livelihood.   

VIII.  
That Corn and other necessary Commodities, may be freed from Taxes, to ease our freeborn brethren.   

IX.  
A reason to make appear that what our Merchants pay for Custom and Excise, for what Goods they carry out of England, is no damage to them.   

X.  
A reason that all Goods of fantasy should pay great Customs and excise, by reason our Nation stands not in need of them; for the rich buy them to nourish their lust.   

XI.  
No reason but strangers should pay a duty for fishing upon our Seas.   

XII.  
A Reason that Harbours, Keys and Navigable Rivers, should not be neglected but kept in good order, that Vessels may pass safely.   

XIII.  
That all plantations may be regulated, for the good of the Commonwealth. That we may trade to the South-Seas, and Indies, to enrich this Nation.   

XIV.  
That Ships of War, and Commodities; may be provided to supply the Nation, and daunt all English Enemies, if men of public spirits be employed in it, and for the charges to defray it, the Petitioner will discover a way to the Parliament, to supploy all their wants, to make England the richest Nation for Gold and Silver in Europe.   

XV.  
Also a way to further fishing, making of linen Cloth, and employ many people to get their livelihood.   

XVI.  
That no men be suffered as spirits, to betray their brethren, and sell them for seven year.   

XVII.  
That a way may be regulated, that there may be a Court of audience, that all Petitions may be heard by the Parliament.  
Further, a way, to settle a way of an insurance office cheap, and not to pay above four in the hundred, for insurance from Pirates in all parts of Europe and America.    

TO THE Right Honourable the Council for regulating of TRADE. The humble Petition of Captain Samuel Chapel of Freminton, in the County of Devon, Merchant.  
SHOWETHS,  
THat your Petitioner hath served the Parliament by land and Sea, from 1641. and hath still proved constant to them, and hath seen much of passages in trading. That he desireth, finding no reason opposite, except it be, that we of this Nation, having been mistaken by undervaluing of foreign Coins; are by other Nations disesteemed, which to avoid his desire is, that if is please your Honours that all foreign Coin in its full weight of good Gold and Silver Bullion, may pass in England, and Ireland, and other Countries amongst Merchants and others; for the advance of tradeing to maintain the poor, and recrute the Nation, to be replenished with money after these sad times.  
That in regard the King of Spain doth pay his Soldiers with Brass, and Copper money, as their pieces of eight, Royals, plate for 20. Royals; 18. Royals, 16. Royals, 14. Royals, and 12. Royals the least, and so passeth among Merchants and others, the Spaniard advancing it 50. per cent. higher in their own Countries then in reason it should. And in France they pay the pieces of eight for 6. shillings, and in Portugal for 6. shillings, and in Holland for 48. stuyvers, and some for 5. shillings, and their Gold the like. And in the East Country and Germany the like, where it passeth among Merchants and others.  
Your Petitioner desireth the premises considered; that all their Gold and Silver Coin may pass, as viz. That is to say; that all pieces of eight, Pistols bigger, or smaller pieces of Spanish Coin, may pass for 20. per cent. higher then in Spain, which will be the piece of eight here for 5. shillings, which is less than in other parts, and their Gold the like; and that all French, Holland, German, and the Eastern Country's moneys of good Bulloin, Coined Gold or Silver of its full weight, may pass here for 10. per cent. higher then in them parts; and that their Coins be regulated, what of them shall pass here, and that this may be done in regard that they receive our Gold and Silver Coin, and pay it in their Countries for above 10. per cent. higher than we pay it in England, for by their cunning conveying it away, we must beat them in their own play, that is by raising of their money here, and permitting it to pass amongst us. So we must still keep their money 10. per cent. higher here, than they pay it in them Countries, which must be looked after by the Mr. of the Mint. And still raised upon this report as they raise it, for this will cause linen Cloth, and commodities in them Countries to be bought cheaper than now they are, by reason that Merchants will make their return in money, and it will return profit to them 10. per cent. upon Bills of Exchange. Also, for example I have money in Holland, and I write to my Factor, to return me a Bill of Exchange, of 9 pound Sterling, to be paid here in Flemish money; so he takes the 9 pound Sterling, and pays it there for 10. pound Fleamish, and sends me the Bill of Exchange to be paid here 10. pound Fleamish, so that I am gainer 10. per cent. which is currant, being raised as before expressed here.  
And so we may do it for more or less in France, and other parts, taking this caveat, to 〈◊〉 what money they shall be paid for their goods, and by this rule the Merchants shall gain every way by trading or buying their goods cheaper, or upon return of their money, or upon bills of Exchange.  
This will beat them in their own play, for raising our money as above declared, and draw in money here from all those Countries, for we have no Articles of peace with any debarring us from it; but only our peace is to commerce with them so that they cannot except against us, except they deny our moneys in their Countries and commands, or pass it in payment for no more than in England, for it is fit for our Nation to have state-policy: for commerce and Trade, as well as they; which your Honours being chosen to take the premises into consideration, ought not through weakness to deceive your trust.  
Also that all foreigners be ordered to give security to the Custom-houses, that they shall employ the return of their goods, in English goods manifactured here, to carry away; which will preserve our money.  
Your Petitioners caveat to your Honours is; that it is an Honour to a Nation, to pay no brass nor copper Coins; but a dishonour to a Nation, that cannot pay their Debts for want of each sort, nor in Gold, nor Silver Bullion, neither, when as we may have it for the Coining, and live gallantly by your Petitioners council if it may be accepted; but now we are contented like the drones, to live beggarly as now we do in England, having to our shames great means of God's blessings, and may live plentiful of money and other things, if we will, and have it better, if we did employ men of public spirits, that hate covetousness and pride; but your Petitioner hopeth that our eyes will be opened.  
Shows,  
THat your Petitioner desireth for the enriching of this Nation, to supply the Nations wants with Salt: that is, to get such number of men and Vessels to take Herrings as the Hollanders do, and to supply new England, Newfoundland, and the North-Sea, Fishing-trades; which after improvement of 2. or 3. years, there will come into England, instead of hundred thousands pounds in Coin, many Millions for which improvement, the best way will be, (in your Petitioners opinion) to settle a place to be provided for with Salt of our own Nations, without being beholden to other Nations; for it is more Honour to have of our own, then to be beholden to other Princes.  
Your Petitioner will engage his life with your Honours, that if your Honours will procure him letters patents, and a Commission from the Parliament, to raise 150. men, & supply them with all necessaries for war, and livelihood for one year, and pay the charge of a Ship; and their provisions and men for six Months, and give to him and his heirs such places where he will adventure to take them, making the places feasable to 7. of your Honours being now in the Enemy's Countries, that he will sail to them parties and take them, and secure it and them, under God, to this Nations Command, and this Nation shall have supplied them (if it want) 20000. Tuns of Salt yearly, at the price of three half pence per Gallon, which is no more than now they pay excise for foreign salt, and after the said places are secured, all Merchant Ships that will come there to fetch any Salt, shall have it at the rate of 5. shillings per ton, (20. hundred weight to the Tun) brought for them to the water side, which will be cheaper than they can draw it out of the ponds, in Meat, Drink, and wages, and Ship-hire; so that in time our Ships will supply the Eastern Countries in abundance.  
And for the benefit your Petitioner shall gain by acting this discovery; he shall pay a duty to the Commonwealth of England 1000 Tuns of Salt yearly, to victual the Navy, if the said Commonwealth do send their Ships to load it where it shall be provided for them. Always provided that all Salt, that comes from those parts, and employed in fishing, and made use of, for fishing improvement what way soever it may be done, shall be free from all Custom, Taxes, and Excise; and the charge of fetching the same Salt, will stand bringing home, but 30. shillings the Tun more.  
And further out of his free will he will; at some convenient time, after that he is quietly possessed of his said places; pay the Lord or Lords of the said places there, full value for them, to be held for him and his heirs for ever, to trade unto, for the Commonwealth of England. All which he will do out of his good conscience.  
Further, your Petitioner hopeth that after he hath performed with the Parliament, the aforesaid promises. That your Honours will become suitors to the Honourable house, in your Petitioners behalf, that he may be paid his 4. or 500 pound due to him, from them; and have Justice, for those wrongs he hath sustained: or that your Petitioner may have a grant, and a Commission, to take those parts mentioned above expressed, for himself and his partners, without paying the 1000 Tun of Salt by the year to the State, and the Petitioner shall perform what is mentioned, for the good of the Commonwealth.  
Shows,  
THat your Petitioner desireth, for the improvement of the Trade to this Nation, and for the encouragement of Trades; that a Bank be regulated, as in Venus, Naples, Genua, and other parts, which way may be done in this Nation, for furthering all sorts of people to live without beggary.  
That is, that all sorts of men that have money lie by them, that if they will put it into the Bank; they shall have 5. per Cent. allowed them, and their heirs for ever; as the now usual purchasing of land is, for to come to their heirs, notwithstanding any offence committed, whereby now, it is forfeited to the State. So that the moneys in Bank to be exempt from all forfiaure, or Taxes. This will much further the Banks; as also free of all Taxes, payments, or any charge whatsoever.  
That all others shall have 5. per Cent. and their money again, within 14. day's notice, with their 5. per Cent. per annum profit, for the time it lies in Bank. Provided that it lies 6. Months in the Bank. The Bank lends money to the King of Spain, and great men, and all Merchants, and others, upon good security; for 10. per Cent. per annum for less, or more time, as occasion serves; out of which 10. per Cent. half of one, of the hundred, should be allowed for officers, and the other half of the one, in the hundred, to be allowed for the relief, or setting up, of poor decayed men; and the 4. per Cent. to remain in Bank, with the 5. per Cent. to supply improving of Trade and finding out of Trades, and new Plantations for Trading.  
By this Bank, Commerce and Trading is kept, and all in them parts live rich, and pay no Interest nor use; for it is not esteemed use, when men pay 10. per Cent. for their own ends, to get more by it in trading.  
For this will employ many wise men in Trade, that are poor; by finding friends of credit, to be their security: for it is ordered for good uses, though Idolatours use it, and shows examples, to supply trading, for it sets up many a poor understanding man.  
If the Banks want money, presently they send to those men of quality that have it by them; and for 5. per Cent. the Bank is furnished, and so lend out still.  
If the Bank break, than they return in all their bonds, and security to pay their Creditors which is still feasible for it.  
By this means, Trade is advanced, and no Beggars.  
This is worthy in these times of acceptance, thought it come from a poor man; for your Petitioner expecteth such a reward, as he, who delivered a City by his wisdom, for men are as bad now as then, but he is sure to take the less pains, in not giving thanks for naught.  
Shows,  
THat your Petitioner sees no reason, that we gained our Liberty by the sword, should have any Companies admitted in Trading, Privileged more than others of our freeborn brethren; but that for the better managing of good Trade, it is desired, that all Companies that are now, or shall be, impowered in Companies for advance of Trading, that all, that would adventure their money, upon profit or loss; should be admitted to put in their money in stock, or Bank; and to receive profit and loss, equally; which to further many men of Quality, having plenty of money, will be willing to do the like, for their own advantage, and the Commonwealth's good. Provided, that there may be Master, and Officers of Companies, for the well-governing of Trades, that one may not hinder another in Trading, as now they do to their own great damage, and the Commonwealth's great loss, for trading well regulated will advance much, to the trades and Commonwealth also.  
That Masters of Shipwrights, may be regulated a way to build Ships, of no less burden than 300 Tuns, and draw not above 12 foot of water, with sufficient length to serve the State, and carry Guns to preserve the Merchant's goods, who will sail with few men, as cheap as the Hollanders, to ease the Nation of charges. And that in new England the like be ordered, except for some small Vessels, to trade in places of safety, without danger of Pirates, when they must draw but little water, for fear of shelves and rocks.  
That a course be taken, that 14. Ships at least 300. Tuns per piece, may be provided yearly in New-England; for service and trades, as occasion serves.  
That all Ship-masters, that carry Guns with them, be engaged, to load no goods that shall hinder their Guns from fight; for many have loaden so much goods, & have stowed the places of the Guns with goods, that when they should have made use of their Guns, they could not; by which reason they have lost their Ships, Goods, and all; for not being able to fight, to their utter undoing, and hindering of the Commonwealth, their Ships after becoming Enemies, and have taken many of our Ships.  
That all Seamen, that navigate in any Vessels; do take their Oaths, what goods they carry with them, or bring home in their Ships; that the Custom and Excise may be paid, and and further care and encouragement to fight, and preserve their Ships and Goods, and every Factor to have 5. l. the Master 4. l. the Purser 4. l. the Master's mate 3.l. a piece, the Quarter master, Boatsman, and Gunner 40. shillings a piece, their Mates 30. shill. a piece, the Common men 20. shill. a piece allowed them.  
In Customs and Excise, if it be a Ship of 300. Tuns or more, or less, as the burden of the Ship is proportionally, to that rate this to be given them for their furtherance in Customs of goods, that is to say; if other goods be their own to encourage them, by which means half the Officers now employed, may be taken off from their charges, that the State pays them now in the Customhouse, and Excise Office.  
That all foreign Nations, that bring goods into England, or Ireland, or carry goods out of it, pay double Custom and Excise, that trading may be made use of, by our Freeborn people.  
That Corn, Deals, Tar, Hemp, Flax, or any Victualling Materials, nor Timber, Wares, unmanufactured, and Masts, pay nothing at all; and that Barielia, salad Oil, and Pot-ashes, pay but half Custom and Excise, being materials to make Soap and Glasses.  
That goods which go out of England, or Ireland, & come to foreign Nations, be highly taxed, except Fish, and fish-Oyls; for the strangers pay it, though our Merchants disburse it here.  
That all Tobacco, Wines, Silk, fine Linen, of above 3. shill. an ell, dying Comoditieses, Sugars, Spices, Calicoes, Drugs, and Indigo; pay double Excise and Custom.  
That all Ships, or Vessels that are strangers, that fish upon our English Coast, and under our Command, pay tribute to England, 10 l. per Vessels in fish or money, for each Voyage.  
That Swansey and Aberdawe, in Glamorganshire in Wales, barred Harbours, may be cleansed, that Ships may safely come in and out to them; and that Clavelley Key in Devon, and the Mumbles Key, by Swansey, be repaired and made fit for the Vessels to secure themselves in.  
That all Werries in Rivers, may not be suffered to annoy Boats, as now they do, lying quite overthwart the Rivers.  
That all Plantations in foreign Countries, do cause Vines to be planted, for Wines, Sugar, Canes, Indigo, Wood, Hemp, Flax, Cotron, all sorts of Fruit, Trees, and search for dying Wood, Gold, Silver, Copper, Brass, Iron, Tin, Led, or Salt, get Spice-Trees, and Canifisttula-Trees, India Commodities, from the back side of their Land, in the South Sea, and make a way through the Land to trade to it; to keep Ships there, and to keep commerce with the Heathens, till they be converted; which may be easily done, from Virginia with 500 men, which if the Plantors would do, they should be free from any Taxes, for 14. years, but if they refuse, your Petitioner will hereafter acquaint more of it.  
That if the Parliament will provide money by a way, your Petitioner will show them, he will put them in a way to provide 70. Sail of great Warlike Ships, and provide them 100 Ships more which shall be capable with our Ships, we have to encounter all the Ships in Christendom, to make all Christendom and all Countries and Nations to tremble at our Nation as well by Sea as by Land, and furnish the Nation with Deale, Masts-and- Holland Commodities for 7. years, and also have a free Trade open to the West India's, and from the back side of the South Seas, to trade to the East India, where great treasuries would come from and enrich this Nation, if men of public spirits take it in hand.  
Then all may come to the insureing office, and pay 5. per Cent within the Straits, 3. per Cent, for assurance to be secured from men of War, & Pirates, according to what they load by their Cockets, if they go into the straits mouth. And 2. per Cent to the Northward of the Barlings for P●rtingal, and the other parts of Spain, and 1. per Cent for France, Flanders, Greenland, and the Eastern Countries, and thereabouts, which assurance be paid for outward, and the like homeward, and after that rate for other parts.  
That for the furthering of fishing, and making of Linnen-cloth, and other industry in Trading, that all those Women in London, or other parts of the Nation, that keep stand of retail or petty shops, that they be ordered to spin Worstead Cotton, Flax, Him or Wool to the said places, they stand at, and they to have their turns Wheels, and Distaffs to their girdle to spin, or knit stockings, or sow upon some saleworks, or make lace or laces, or some manufacture work. And that all Barbers, Tapestrs, and petty Shopkeepers, be ordered that they the time of their not being employed in their Trade, that they knit nets to catch fish, or the like, except it be on market-days, so that every one may gain a Livelihood to further themselves, and if any one be not in action or provided with materials for the work, than the said party to forfeit 5 s. or to set in the flocks, half the money to the Officer that finds the said party faulty, and the other half to the poor of the said Parish.  
1. For the furthering of Trade and securing of Ships, Men, and Merchants Goods, it is desired as it was some 20. years past, that there might be a light set upon the Island of Louday, that all Ships that come into the Channel of Sevoron, might have the benefit of it, to know where they are in the night, and for the maintenance of it there, there should be paid from Clovelley in Devon, to St. Deigns in Pembrookshire, betwixt which two places all Seavorun runs, so they might be paid the same payments that are paid here, as they are paid here in London for lights of the sneeze, and other parts which will refray the same, and the Petitioner will undertake it, if your Honours please; for Ships have been lost, and Men and Goods, for want of it upon the said Island, and other parts thereabouts the winter time.  
2. Also it is desired, that all ships that carry above 50. men, may have a Chaplain to be paid his salary, 6 d. per pound of each Seaman's wages, and so much more, and all they that pay him, should be by the honour of the ship, & to have his Victuals allowed him with the Captainand Master.  
That special regard be had for the preservation of their young fry of fish, to the furtherance of the Trade of fishing.  
That none of those men that are termed spirits, may be suffered to take up any person upon pretence, and after house them and carry them aboard ships, and carry them to Plantations and sell them for 7. years against their wills, which breeds great sorrow to their friends, not knowing what is become of them, which is a great sin against God and Man, and our Liberty.  
Your Petitioners desireth for the better regulating of Trade, and easement of all the Petitioners, that for as much as many Petitions are daily by several persons desired to be preferred to the Parliament, who for a long space have seldom admitted of them, or if admitted, seldom taken the Contents into consideration, in regard of the great and mighty affairs of the public, have been esteemed and regarded as private to the great discouragement of the Petitioners, and others of the public spirits, towards the Commonwealth; for the avoiding of which inconveniences, it might greatly be wished that a Committee or Court of audience might forthwith be instituted and appointed to receive de diem in diem, all Petitions whatsoever, and make a true and exact report of all such Petitions as shall to the said Committee or Court seem fitting to be presented to the Parliament, & that there be nothing paid by any Petitioner, or to any of the said Committee, or Court for his dispatch, nor to any Clerk or Officer of the said Committee; but that allowance out of the public treasury be granted unto them for their pains, and that whosoever of them or their Officers, that shall be known to take and receive any money whatsoever, or bribe or gift from any Petition, in regard of his Petition, shall suffer imprisonment for one whole year, and repay triple the value, and be disenabled of bearing any Office for 7. years. Provided, that the said Committee or Court be not required to make report of such things as belong to the Courts of Judicature and Chancery, but that such things wholly be left to the Law. Moreover, that the Parliament appoint some certain days, viz. 2. or 4. in a month to hear the Reports of Petitions, and there to return answer.  
The Petitioner humbly requesteth, that he with others may be thought worthy to nominate and propound such men, as to him and others may seem most sincere, and fit for this employment of audience.  
Your Petitioner desireth, that if the Parliament please, he will show them a way to have such great sums of money to be capable to perform all those undertake, viz. And to pay all the Nations debt, and take off all Taxes, and have money in Cash to maintain War against all our Enemies; also to set up an Office for the advance of Trade, which is to insure all Merchants Goods and Ships, from the danger of Pirates at Sea in these Wars.  
The Petitioner doth humbly desire your Honours for the better regulating of Trade at Sea. And for the safety of Merchant's goods, & Ships, that your Honours do Petition the house that some conveinent ships with goods or, money, besent to the great Turk's Countries and other parts, to redeem all our English christians there, and that there may be a league made with them, that our ships and men may safely sail by them parts. And that all Protestants may have liberty of Conscience in all Nations where they trade to have books freely to be edified by them, in making use of them ta serve God in our profession: so that they may not be liable to Mahomet's laws, nor the Pope's Inquisition and Doctrine, nor hindered of our protestant Religion, to live as Christians, professing Jesus Christ freely, as now we do in England.  
Your Petitioner will do the State some further service, if he see that this take any effect. And your Honours may have oticen of him at Mr. Anthony Travilions in the Minories.  
And your Petitioner shall pray, etc. And I shall rest a Servant to the Commonwealth of England, SAMUEL CHAPPLE  
Right Honourable,  
YOur Petitioners absence hath been from your Honours by being in prison these 12. weeks, for not paying 34 s. 2 d. for cost in a suit, he was overthrown in London, by one false witness, where your petitioner sued an Aposthicary he the said Aposthicary being bound to pay your petitiotioner one hundred thirty five half Crowns for a Debenter your Petitioner sold him by a broker in which Debentor the Honourable Parliament owed your Petitioner 135 l. 3 s. 4 d. where your Petitioner being in prison, had other actions laid against him, for meat and drink in attending the Parliaments affairs, so that now your Petitioner may say, that he is in prison for his good service done the Parliament, which if they had paid him, your Petitioner had not sold his Debentor, nor suffered this imprisonment. And for liberty, he with others did petition by Col. Pride, the 11. of Novemb. 1650. these heads, viz: Directed unto the supreme Authority assembled for the Parliament of England.  
That the Petitioner and others, having settled your Honours in the Parliaments Thrown, to cause justice to be executed in the Nation, are now cast into prison for debt, waiting in London for our arrears in service and money disbursed, had not your Honours owed us our money, our creditors would not deal so cruelly with us, but be favourable and free us upon easy terms, as men that had nothing.  
And whereas for our good service we are become a prey to Gaolers, and suffer for not being paid, (we greue) being it is much to the dishonour of God, and our Profession and Liberty.  
Your humble Petitioner desires your Honours to order that none of us of the Jmprisoned Soldiery shall never be paid our Arrears, that our Creditors may commiserate our causes, or that your Honours do grant forth the Act so long promised to set us at liberty, or that our Creditors do accept by your Honour's Command of our Debentors, for their debts or to cause Justice to be executed, that Bread, Beer, and Porvisions may be at the rates in prisons as abroad. And that some godly men may have the review of the prisons, to examine, settle, & makegood orders for the prisoners for debt, that we starve not for our good service, as some have, and others lie starving at present.  
I pray accept of your Captain's Council, that is, to pay your old faithful Soldiery lest they by being provoked, fly from your Honours for malice for not being paid; for when they are gone your Honours will not have them so speedily again for in these wavering times they will do more for malice, then for love without money.  
Your Honour's humble Servant to Command, SAMUEL CHAPEL.  
FINIS.