Provision for the poor, OR, A brief Representative, to make known the way, by a Fishing Trade, to employ many thousands of poor people, from eight years to ninety years Old (although one fifth part of them be Lame and Blind) to keep them from Begging and Starving by their own Labour; As they do in Holland, by the said Fishing, as can be proved by many good and sufficient Merchants, and mariners in and about the city of LONDON.  

Inprimis.  TO Buy Ten vessels fit for that Trade, some of forty, fifty, sixty, and seventy ton, which will cost (one with the other) 230 l. per vessel, or thereabouts (that is to say) all of them fitted and furnished with sails, &c. for a Fishing Trade or Voyage) which amounts unto the sum of— 2300 l.  
II. That each vessel will cost victualling, and for other necessaries belonging to the said Voyage about 50 l. per vessel (one with the other) which will amount to more, 0500 l.  
III. That each vessel must have a hundred Nets, or thereabouts, and every Net will cost thirty shillings per Net (one with the other) which will amount to more,— 1500 l.  
IV. That all the said vessels completely fitted for the said Fishing Voyage (with all materials thereunto belonging, as before expressed) will cost the sum of four or five thousand pounds, or thereabouts.  
V. That the said vessels be employed for the taking of Herrings upon our own Seas or Coasts, as the Flemings and French do employ every year (they having more than two thousand sail upon the said Fishing) beginning in June, and continue until towards the end of November following; and they come in, and go out again, every two or three months in the said time.  
VI. That the said vessels being so employed in the said Fishing Voyage, or Trade, six or seven months every year, it will be sufficient to keep many thousands of poor people from begging and starving (as they do in Holland by the said Fishing) And moreover bring in much profit to the general Stock, some years 30 or 30 l. per Cent. besides the making of all sort of Provisions cheaper in the Land.  
VII. That if a Stock be procured, many hundreds of poor people (within a few days) may be set to work in the City and Suburbs, to keep them from begging and starving (as now they do daily) and to live comfortably by their own labours; for it is commonly known (and will easily be made evident) what they can make of every pound of hemp, and how much they must have for their labour in Spinning, upon their re▪ delivery of it back again.  
VIII. That if a Stock be procured (or that some Aldermen or men of Estates will Adventure upon their own Account for the good of the poor) for their better encouragement and accommodation, some of the Members of the House of Commons have promised to get Greenwich-house, being a fit place, in regard it is near the River of Thames, and convenient for all concernments, and preservation of all the Materials belonging and appertaining to such an employment as aforesaid.  
Ix.. That if a Stock be procured (as abovesaid) care must be taken that as few Officers, and Overseers be employed in Negotiating the said Fishing and Spinning, as possibly may be; For it is conceived that one Treasurer will be sufficient to receive and issue forth all the money for the whole employment, and he to give an account thereof whensoever it shall be required.  
X. That if the aforesaid business proceed, one Husband also will be sufficient, that is a knowing Man, and hath been an Owner and Master in those affairs, and hath experience in the said Fishing, &c. And that will be faithful and careful in shipping such Masters and mariners for their shares, that will be industrious for the increase and augmentation of the general Stock.  
XI. That care also may be taken, that the said Treasurer and Husband, and other inferior Officers and Overseers have but reasonable and indifferent Salaries for their care and diligence in the premises; And that all frugal means may be used for the good of the poor, and the increase of the general Stock, as aforesaid.  
XII. That for the Encouragement of all that shall Contribute to so Charitable a work (as the relief and maintenance of the poor) they may remember that the Lord hath promised more than ordinary blessings (both spiritual and temporal) upon all such person or persons, as shall employ their labours and Estates in works of that nature.   

London, Printed in the year, 1649.