To Preserve the EAST-INDIA TRADE.  
IN such sort as to make it National truly for the good of the Public, and so that the Landed Men of the Kingdom who are most burdened with Taxes, and are the only Persons can and will suffer in their Rents and Estates, unless concerned some way in Interest by the now intended increase of this Mighty East India Trade may not be prejudiced, but rather much Advantaged thereby, and without paying down any thing for it.  
It's Proposed,  
That this Trade should be settled by Parliament, so as to be carried on by a Joint Stock Exclusive to others, and under such Regulations as shall be expressed in the Act.  
That this Trade should be Managed by a Number of Persons (less than Fifteen enough) to be Chosen by Parliament to whom they should be Accountable, and that upon Oath, when required.  
That that Number of Persons shall (by a common Seal) be Empowered to take up Money at Interest not exceeding 1400000 l for carrying on of this Trade at such time and in such proportions as shall by them be found needful for't.  
That the Money so taken up and Employed in this Trade, shall always be liable to pay Principal and Interest to the Lender's thereof as the same becomes due and be required. And,  
That there may be no fear of borrowing Money enough to thus carry on well this New intended East-India Trade, 'tis farther Proposed.  
That there should be settled for ever, one single Months Tax in a year, after the rate of 70000 l. per Mensem as a Fund to a perpetual Interest at 5 per Cent of 1400000 l but not to be raised but when found needful by the Persons appointed to Manage the Trade.  
So that besides the Money Employed in this Trade, and the Profit of it, out of which the Interest of the Money to be Borrowed for the carrying it on, may be easily paid, here will be Land Security as a perpetual Fund for the Interest settled, so that should the Stock fail, the Lender's will be secure, which will give the Company such a Credit, they can never want Money at the lowest Interest that any where it can be had. And,  
Thus the Profits first arising, may go to clear the Money first Borrowed, and after that is paid, to the Owners of Land in Proportion to their Estates as Rated to this single Months Tax; and to make this effectual, the whole Stock and its Proceed must for ever remain so fixed to the Land itself, that it shall be in the power of no Man to sell the one without selling the other at all, and it may be hence hoped, that after the first five or six years (without paying one Penny) the Landed Men of the Nation may have the whole Benefit of this great East-India Trade. And,  
When any Dividend (after the Money borrowed to carry on the Trade is repaid) shall be made of the Profits, it ought never to be under 15 per Cent, which (upon a Stock of 1400000 l to be kept always entire) amounts to 210000 l and that at the rate of 70000 l. per Mensem will be a just three months' Tax, which on such Dividend (to yearly be hoped for) should be paid to the Sheriff of the County, and by him be sent to each Division or Hundred of his County, and thence to each Parish, where the Owner of Land will receive as much Money as his Land would be assessest at for a three months' Tax after the rate of 70000 l. per Mensem on every such Dividend made. And this way of deviding will be very easy an●… safe. And,  
This would make it National truly, and a great Advantage to all, and Landed Men only being therein concerned, and such a Fund of Security settled, the Stock might at any time be easily enlarged (if found needful) for the Public Advantage and Profit; so that 'twould quickly outdo all Companies that ever set up in England, be a general Good, and to be never complained of, which any other (on a Stock raised by Subscriptions) will very soon be, and by especially such who may after have Money, they would gladly put into't, having not at the first subscribed to it.  
To this it may and will be objected and said,  
This is matter of Trade, and best managed by Merchants who know one another, and so are only able to choose fit Managers for it, whose Interest in a Stock (to be raised by Subscriptions) will always oblige them to act the best they can for it; and Merchants being this way Excluded, where will you find able and honest Men to undertake it, that will mind and manage the Trade to the best advantage, so well as such Merchants would do that might have great Stocks themselves in that Trade.  
Answer,  
Merchants are not so Excluded, but that they may be chosen for the Managers of it, and 'tis not to be doubted, but that the Parliament may choose as able and honest Men as Subscribers can, for a Committee to Manage this Trade, and those chosen by Parliament, being made Accountable to it upon Oath, are likely to act as honestly at least as a Committee chosen by Subscribers will do for the general good of this Stock, to the best of their knowledge and skill, and 'tis if they should have (besides a Salary of two Guinies Weekly) the ●…me Encouragement so to act for the good of the Stock, as if they ●…emselves had considerable Stocks in the Trade, all which may well ●…us be contrived.  
Suppose these Managers are obliged to meet twice a Week certain, ●…d oftener if needful to take care of this Stock, and that for such day ●… the two which they Personally appear, to have one Guiney paid ●…em, In lieu of a Salary of 100 l yearly, but not to be paid, but ●…ly for the days they appear, which will make them more duly at●…d. And,  
That for every Dividend made (which 'tis hoped may be yearly of 15 per Cent as aforesaid, that there should be paid two per Cent fo●… that Dividend, which as aforesaid supposing it to be 15 per Cent on 1400000 l Stock, makes 210000 l and for such Dividend supposing 2 per Cent. paid to the Managers, makes 4200 l which if divided twixt fourteen Managers, makes 300 l each, and is equal advantage to them, and will make them act full as well for the Commo●… good as if they had each 2000 l. Stock in the Trade, and yet tha●… advantage of 2 per Cent. for each Dividend (supposing 210000 ●… which is 15 per Cent each year divided) together with a Salary o●… 100 l yearly for 14 Managers of it, amounts to but 2 s in the 100 l unless a Dividend made, and then but to yearly 5600 l which is 8 ●… in each 100 l only on the whole Stock (supposed 1400000 l) fo●… taking this care of the Trade, which most easily will bear such ●… Charge.  
Other Objections no doubt may be made, and so will by the Merchant and such whose Interest and Care is either to maintain the Old Company or else by way of Subscriptions for their own sakes to set up a New, b●… those and all other Objections may, 'tis hoped, be easily Answered whe●… made, and Gentlemen are desired to take notice that if this be not do●… now, 'twill be One and Twenty Years more, ere it can.  
Decemb, the 13th 1692.