A DECLARATION Concerning the newly invented Art of double WRITING.  
Wherein are expressed the reasons of the author's proceedings in procuring a privilege for the same: As also of the Time, Manner, and Price, of the discovery of the said Art, and of the Instruments belonging thereunto.  
For the satisfaction of all that desire to be partakers of the great benefit of the same, before they adventure any thing towards the reward thereof.  
Whereunto is annexed a copy of an Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament, approving the feasibility and great use of the said invention, and allowing a privilege to the Inventor, for the sole benefit thereof for 14 years, upon the penalty of one hundred pounds.  
LONDON, Printed by R. L. for R. W. at the Star under Saint Peter's Church in Cornhill, 1648.   

A brief DECLARATION concerning double WRITING, by the Inventor thereof,  
Chiefly to prevent misunderstanding of his proceedings in the discovery of the same.  
I shall not enlarge upon the praises of double writing, for every man best knoweth himself what use he can make of it, lest I thereby seem to praise myself, arrogating indeed what I do not deserve. For to speak truth, the manifold, universal, and perpetual uses of it to the commonwealth, did not at first put me upon the design, but the fair hint of the possibility of such a thing, which God unexpectedly put into my mind, cooperating with an affection that I have to do somewhat new and useful (though by never so slight means) and withal hopes to mend mine own fortunes by benefiting all, rather than prejudicing any, encouraged me to take pains (although by the simplicity of the Instruments it doth not appear) about the invention. On the contrary, I confess, that I rather deserve to be blamed of dulness, that it hath cost me any pains at all, to contrive so simple and plain things as my Instruments are, and I hope when it shall be discovered to better heads to be soon made ashamed by their improvements, that I have done no more unto them. So that according to the nature of the thing, I have more reason to expect profit then praise for my reward, and perhaps some men have been too apt to believe me herein, thinking that my procuring a Patent, and deferring the discovery do argue an ambition in me, not only of vast but unreasonable desires.  
But I hope to make such men understand, that neither by procuring the Patent, retarding the discovery, the price which I have set on it, nor by any other proceeding, I have expressed my desires to be unreasonable, no more than the satisfaction of them is like to be vast.  
For first, I had scarce any other course to take then to procure a Patent of privilege according to the Laws: For should I have given it away for nothing? the thing (as many others are) would have been contemned as of no use, because of no price, and I myself should have been as much jeered for my prodigality, as thanked for my industry.  
Should I have petitioned the State for a reward, that course would have disparaged the business, for if it be of the use pretended, it is able to reward itself, and why should one petition to give away a benefit? But besides all this, their engagements past, and imminent use of money (as I was informed) would have made my request unseasonable.  
Should I have addressed myself to any one Company in the City, it is to be feared that after much solicitation, I should have been at last answered, That since it concerned all Companies as much as any one, unless all would join, one would do nothing, and to make all of them so to join, was a work beyond my power and patience.  
As for particular men, I found them generally to profess a willingness to contribute, but many were unwilling that others should have the same benefit with them for nothing: besides, it was impossible for me to bring any considerable number of them together,  
I propounded to some friends, to move the State to lay an additional tax upon writing paper, though never so small, and to employ the same towards the advancement of Arts, somewhat (if they thought fit) according to my printed draught thereof, allowing me in particular some small part of those profits, not only as a reward of mineinvention, but as an engagement to labour in the design of promoting Arts. But this proposition (being thought too subject to debates in the Houses, and to cross too much the nature of the times, when men complain enough already of impositions) was waved, although, could it have been pursued, it had been the most proper and just of all other. For certainly, according to the use and expense of paper, the use of this invention might best be measured, and consequently rewarded, and if men paid a farthing extraordinary in two of three quires of paper, for the accommodation of such an Art, and for the carrying on of public, profitable, and honourable designs, I conceive it had been no crying oppression, so that all these several projections being full of impediments, I was forced upon this more common and legal way of procuring a Patent of privilege for 14 years.  
The reasons why I yet defer the publication of the secret, having obtained a grant from the State of England, are: 1 To obtain privileges also from some other Neighbouring States.  

1 Because it is unjust that the burden of rewarding an universal good should lie upon the place only where it was brought forth.  
2 To make the contributions of each particular man less considerable.  
3 That I might be relieved from other places in case the troubles should renew in England (which God avert) so as to break my design here.  
4 That I might improve this blessing and talon of God to the best advantage possible, thereby to effect other things tending to his glory, and the good of the world: being still resolved not to fail of my expectations (that is to say) never to account upon any thing but what I shall from time to time see.   
Secondly, Because I had some other contrivances standing upon the same principles with this, which upon the discovery of this would have been discovered also.  
Lastly, Because I would take away all occasions which men might have to incur the danger of the penalty allowed by the Parliament by hindering them so to do, at least until I could so provide for myself, as that I need not to be extremely rigorous against any, but such as shall contumeliously affront the Authority of my grant.  
And this later consideration (namely the avoiding of all suits and vexations from the which clamour and trouble must necessarily reflect upon myself) is one of the grounds why I accept of this small sum of five shillings present payment, and another is, because it may happen (though against my wishes and interest) that the discovery may not be made until about 11 months hence, although, if any reasonable number shall appear, it may be done within less than three. For it can be no disadvantage to me to make all convenient haste since after discovery I am no longer obliged to accept the small rate propounded. A third reason for the same is to prevent all grudgings suspicion of injury, picking needless quarrels, and prosecuting frivolous faults against the invention itself (whereunto the exacting of a full (though just) price may move captious spirits, specially at first, till they have found the goodness of their bargain) for in as much as it is impossible to foretell or divine what each man will approve of or dislike, seeing by daily experience, that all things (even the best) are diversely received and accepted by diverse men, so that there are never or rarely any which all men do like in all points, and that in the highest degree, we may not expect such perfections in this business. Only we presume that those who shall be most froward and exceptious against the invention, and shall have least need of it, cannot think five shillings ill bestowed on so rare an attempt. For if a man can in a small time learn for to write as fast and as fair by this double, as by the usual way, all men allow that it may in the 14 years (which is the term of my privilege) save some hundreds of pounds to some men, and exceedingly more than five shillings to any man. Now as to the matter of fastness and dispatch, I say, that about 20 persons of such credit, worth, and judgement (most of them strangers to me) have so impartially attested how I have written by the help of this art, double to other swift and expedite writers, that the great council of this Kingdom have acquiessed in their Certificates. As for the fairness, many hundreds in this City and elsewhere have seen the fairness of my writings made by it, in comparison with what I can do otherwise, and all men (nemine contradicente) rest satisfied in its sufficiency.  
Having thus cleared these two points by experiment to the senses, it remaineth to consider whether any man may practise this Art according to my proposals, to which, all that I can possibly say is, that I did it myself at the very first sight and handling of the Instrument, having never the reputation of more than an ordinary dexterity of hand, common to all men that are familiar with the pen; so that if a man should not do according to my said propositions, I should more wonder than I can now diffide. And I believe that I might have set a longer time for the learning of this Art, but should I have done it, men may take just distaste at me, for undervaluing their abilities so far, as not to think them able to attain in an hours serious endeavour, what I myself did at the first assay. But suppose, that some men could not do according to these propositions, certainly those are most likely to fail, who are least used and able to write, and consequently such as have least need of the invention.  
Suppose none could do it within the time allotted, but should either write not so fair, or not so fast, or neither so fair nor so fast. First, though not so fair, the inconvenience is no more essential to a man's business, then to write a few days longer with a bad pen, or other unfit tools. Secondly, though not so fast; nay, but with half the promised advantage, still I say that in much writing the advantage would be great. Lastly, though neither so fast nor so fair, I affirm, that yet the defects cannot be so great as to weigh down the commodities, even then, besides that those defects may be made up with a little longer times practice. Suppose, again, that a very long time were requisite to reduce the hand to the same quickness and fastness in this as in the common way, yet children might be conveniently brought up to it, and others may better swallow this difficulty then that of Short writing and the like.  
Lastly, suppose that it was for ever impossible. Nevertheless it cannot be supposed but that a man who can write otherwise very fair, may write by this Instrument as fair as is needful to any business whatsoever. And if there be any writing which requireth a greater beauty than the Instrument is able to afford, yet they are very few, and perhaps such as need no copying at all, now to write such things by the common way, will be neither a great nor frequent labour, as for swiftness it can never come behind the ordinary way, especially if a little of the fairness be dispensed withal, and very little otherwise.  
Now if all these conceits were any more than mere suppositions, yet there will be still found conveniences in this Art above what are in the common way, to repair its inconveniences, namely, the likeness of the copies, whereby the labour of examination (no small matter in many cases) is saved; and the danger of falsification either prevented or discovered. Besides many impediments may be lestned by the alteration of many indifferent circumstances, about writing-books and paper now usual, as to write in books that open well and easily, rather in those whose backs are stubborn and stiff bound, to write in folio rather than in smaller folds, in single paper rather than in much doubled and boisterous, with all which particulars this Art will sufficiently consist to practisers nor monstrously unhandy.  
Lastly, other ingenious men may, and certainly will soon mend any thing that shall be found amiss, as to any man's particular use, for mine own part I shall never be wanting thereunto, and could at present alter the instrument in several particulars, did I not fear that in making them more fit for one man's use, they would be less fit for another's; But if any man shall considerately better the business, I shall be willing to gratify him proportionably, to what I myself shall gain by it, and that by such a reasonable way as I shall hereafter more particularly propound.  
We come to explain ourselves in some other Circumstances, first, concerning the manner of discovering the Art, when the time shall come; which shall be this: viz. I will some space before hand appoint a convenient place where all contributors shall receive a printed paper, at large describing both by words and figures, the fabric, use and application of all and each part of the Instrument, and such as have paid for Instruments shall there receive them, and there will I also give a weeks constant attendance to resolve all difficulties arising to the less nimble apprehensions in the practice of the Art.  
Now, as for security, that it shall be so discovered according to promise, I have taken care, That (in case of sudden death, or any like accident which may befall me) all impediments thereof may be removed, by depositing in the hands of trusty and able friends an Instrument exactly fitted, with a punctual and clear description of the uses and applications thereof. Or if any very scrupulous person shall happen to dream of any ground of suspicion, why I should of purpose not discover it, or can imagine, where and how I can protect myself from the discredit, the loss of all future fruits of my privilege, and the suits of every contributer against me (which must attend so unworthy a piece of folly) he shall have security for his five shillings in that behalf.  
As for the price of the Instruments (which men that desire to have them, are to deposit above the five shillings) it is two shillings six pence, namely, for those which I conceive to be of most general and common use, which if I can between this and the time of discovery, better and improve, it shall be done at mine own charges, although they should grow dearer thereby, so as (if they become cheaper by my improvement) to man will think himself wronged if I make no retribution out of the said price.  
As for the Instruments of multiple writing, I would not have them expected, because their use is not generally needful, and incomparably more hard than of those for double only: Wherefore I have thought it rather fit to reserve them for the peculiar use of some, who for want of better employment, may make a trade of that practice.  
To conclude all, I shall be ashamed of my judgement rather than my honesty, if (at the worst) the discovery of a thing so rare, unheard of, thought by many at first hearing to be impossible, so necessary, and almost of hourly use to most men in the whole world, as well to those that live in this present age, as to those that shall ever live after us, with 14 years' licence to reap the benefit of the same, be not well worth five shillings, In all which time if it may s●ve the writing of ten sheets only, the contributors can be no losers by the bargain. For mine own part, I do not doubt but that thousands will receive in that time a thousand fold profit for their adventure, and have great cause to thank God that he hath given gifts unto men.   

Sexto Martii, 1647.  
An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, to enable the Commissioners of the Great Seal, to grant his majesty's Letters Patents to William Petty or to his assigns, for his having and quiet enjoying the sole benefit of his late Invention of Double and Multiple Writing for the term of 14 years, according to the Proviso of the Statute of the 21 year of King JAMES in that behalf made.  
THE Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, having by several certificates from credible men received full satisfaction, not only of the feasibility of a late invention of double and multiple writing, found out and discovered by the industry of William Petty, and by him made practicable by Instruments, and means of several natures and fashions, but also of the great use and profit which may redonnd to the commonwealth in general, and especially to those who have mu●● and frequent use of writing, and being desirous to encourage not only the pains and labour of William Petty, but also of all others that shall bend their thoughts to the search of such secrets as shall be profitable to the commonwealth, do Ordain, and be it Ordered and Ordained, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, that the said William Petty, shall have the sole benefit of his ●aid inventions to him or his assigns▪ for and during the term of 14 years, either by teaching, or otherwise discovering the same, or by the sale of such Instruments as are useful to the practice of the said Art: Prohibiting and strictly forbidding all or any person or persons whatsoever for and during the said term, the sale or use of any of the said Instrument or Instruments, or practice of the said Art upon any other Instruments (It being an easy matter to add unto, or otherwise to alter these, which are already contrived by the said William Petty) without the licence of him the said Inventor, or his assigns, upon the penalty of a hundred pound, to be forfeited to his or their use, forasmuch as it will be very difficult to discover any such delinquents.  
And it is further ordained, That Oliver Saint John Esquire, his majesty's Solicitor general do prepare a Bill to be signed by the Clerks of both Houses of Parliament, containing his majesty's Grant to William Petty, of the sole profit of the said Art accordingly.  
And the Commissioners of the great Seal are hereby required upon delivery of the said Bill so prepared and signed by the Solicitor general, and Clerks of both Houses of Parliament into the Chancery, to make their Receiptments and to sign the same: to the end the said Bill may be forthwith engrossed under the great Seal. And this Ordinance or the Duplicate thereof shall be sufficient Warrant, as well to the said Solicitor general and Clerks of both Houses of Parliament, as to the said Commissioners and every of them for the de●ng hereof, and passing the said grant under the said great Seal, and also to all and every O●ficer of the said great Seal.  


John Brown Cler. Parliament.  
H. Elsing Cler. Parl. Dom. Com.