The Office of ADDRESSES AND ENCOUNTERS: Where all people of each Rank and Quality may receive direction and advice for the most cheap and speedy way of attaining whatsoever they can lawfully desire.  
OR, The only Course for poor people to get speedy employment, and to keep others from approaching poverty, for want of EMPLOYMENT.  
To the multiplying of Trade, the advancement of Navigation, and establishing this famous City of LONDON in a more plentiful and flourishing Condition than ever, as is earnestly desired, and shall be diligently endeavoured by a Well-willer of Hers  
HENRY ROBINSON.  
London, printed by Matthew Simmons next door to the Golden Lion in Aldersgate street, 1650.   

To all such as sincerely desire the Relief of the Poor, with the accommodation of the wealthy, and are truly cordial to the prosperity and welfare of the City of London in particular, as no little conducing to the Security, Plenty, and Glory of this Nation in General.  
IT is easily apprehended what great advantage accures, and what multitudes of businesses are daily dispatched by Merchants, and others, meeting upon the Exchange; and speaking to one another about some particular businesses only: but of how much more accommodation and dispatch, it would yet amount to, if not only every one of those Merchants, but all others besides might know whether to go to be satisfied concerning all manner of their Affairs, hath not as yet entered into our thoughts; much less been seriously considered on, otherwise, it would never have been kept so long from being put in Execution; our own exceeding benefit would have taught us the practice of it.  
And yet all this is to be compassed by such a Register of Addresses as we speak of; Oh the stupidity of this Nation, if not of Mankind, that boasts itself to be Constituted an absolute Tyrant over the whole Creation: Certainly it must be notoriously degenerated, if not besotted, that is become so unable to help itself: The very bruit beasts in many respects apprehend better their own Advantages, and are more dextrous at the practice of them. How many rare discoveries have been long▪ since made unto this Nation, for better ordering the Churches, and Government of the Commonwealth, which yet by most men are held Heretical, and for the most part obstructed because so few are at leisure to search into the depth and glory of them: But I will leave these high Concernments unto such Persons for whose Sphere they are more proper, and fall upon Considerations less troublesome, and more parallel to my own private Condition.  
We find by Experience that Multitudes of people, of all sorts, both Handicrafts, Artificers, Manufactors, and others, are brought to poverty and beggary, because they do not timely meet with any one to Set and continue them at Work; And yet at the very same time, we like wise meet with multitudes of others, both Merchants and Shopkeepers of all Callings, that cannot furnish their Customers so cheap and speedily as were to be desired, because either they cannot presently get Work-folk, or else not at such cheap rates as to make a benefit thereof.  
Now if such as have occasion or desire to set poor people on work: and poor people that desire continually to be kept at work; knew where to find one another at all times, they should never be necessitated to be idle; And being all the week long set at work, they would earn more at a low rate, then in working 3. or 4. or 5. days in a week only, at a higher rate, and so might afford their work-manship cheaper unto the Merchants and Shopkeepers, and they unto their Customers consequently, which would be the life of Trade.  
And this great relief unto the poor, and advantage to the increase of Trade, is infallibly secured by this Register of Addresses, this common Centre of Intelligence, from whence all persons may forth with be directed, and receive satisfaction, and encounter in whatsoever they can lawfully desire; For although so many several Arts, Trades, and Callings as are requisite to the Constitution of Cities, and Commonwealths, as so many parts and members of so great a Corporation, are purposely introduced, to be of mutual succour and assistance to each others occurrences; Yet, since most of them are situate some distance from one another, oftentimes unknown, & in number infinite; There is more than a seeming want unto the perfection of humane society, that as yet there never was any public place appointed which might have served as a Treasury, or Abridgement of all Accommodations .  
And although several great Politicians of former ages, have touched hereon as a thing they deemed necessary for completing their Commonwealths: yet it is no where more necessary than in this of ours, so abounding in People, and so aptly Situated for Trade and Negotiation; especially, in that the multitude of Persons with whom our Affairs oblige us to deal, renders our dealing more difficult, and confused, than in Countries or Cities less populous, and of smaller Traffic; much of our time, for want whereof, being spent in making search, through an indigested multitude both of Persons, and things, which for the most part do least present themselves, when most sought after; even like two men, who in seeking after, happen to follow each other, and so can never meet, though at other times they meet often unexpectedly, when their business requires it not: and all this comes to pass only for want of Order.  
Thus we see how man, the only helpless creature of the whole Creation, stands in need of so many several perquisites, in Order to his well-being, whether in point of Security, Food, or Raiment, as that he is compelled unto a Co-habitation with others.  
He cannot make himself happy alone; he can neither protect, feed, nor  himself alone; but must be beholding to others for each of these Accommodations: And out of this respect, Mankind found it absolutely necessary to live together in Cities, and other populous places, where each one might be conducible, and subservient unto an others necessities.  
Now that Mankind, might not be longer thought constituted, in a more unhappy Condition, than the Irrational and Brutish Creatures, after a Revolution of so many Ages and thousands of years; It hath pleased God, in these later times, to make some men Instruments of very great discoveries, whereby the state of Mankind hath already, and may be much more meliorated; Amongst which, the Invention of an Office, or Register of Addresses and Encounters, will not be found one of the least; neither in relation to particular men, who thereby may with the greatest expedition that this world affords, be satisfied concerning whatsoever they desire. Nor as it regards the public Magistrate, the Powers, who, I will be bold to say, may make thereof such an Instrument or Engine, both for the securing of themselves, and the happy estating of a Nation in Peace, Plenty, and Contentation, to perpetuity, as hitherto was never known to be enjoyed by any: But this is Arcanum Imperij: It may yet a while rest in reserve, and for the present, I shall only insist upon more inferior Advantages, and those branched out but into some few Particulars, which this Register of Addresses will undeniably gratify withal, both the poor and wealthier sort, to the great increase of Trade, and facilitating all people's Negotiations.  
The only way to prevent the multiplying of poor people, is forthwith to give all opportunities, and improve all Advantages, that may be, unto all manner of people, to relieve themselves by their own labour and industry, without loss of time, or expense of money; the rather, in that we find a great cause of beating down the price of poor men's labour, is, because such poor people are not acquainted with other people's wants, besides their own; they have hitherto had no means to come to the speedy knowledge of such persons as stand as much in need of poor men's labours, as the poor people do of rich men's monies; and therefore the poor men's seeking is rather a begging, than a bargaining for employment; which rich men take advantage of, to the daily more and more undervaluing poor men's pains, and labours: But when the rich, as well as the poor men's occasions, and necessities, are equally known to one another, the poor will be able to treat with more reputation, and get more indifferent and advantageous prices, both for their workmanship and labour.  
And whereas at present, poor people, and others, spend much time, in running up and down, from one place to another to seek employment, and sell their work; If they repair unto this Office, they shall either be directed forthwith to one that wants such Artificers, Manufactors, Labourers, and others, or their Workmanship; Or if they but leave their names, with the place of their abode, what employment they desire, and upon what terms, in a Ticket at this Office, so soon as their turn comes they shall have notice of it; and till than they may keep at home, and employ themselves in such manner, as may be most for their own benefit and improvement.  
And to this purpose, in Threed-needle-street, over against the Castle Tavern, close to the Old Exchange, in London, shall be kept particular Registers, of all manner of Addresses, to which all persons are invited to repair, who desire, either 

1. To buy or sell outright; to mortgage, take or let out to Farm, by Lease for term of years, or Lives, or otherwise, Lands, or Houses, in any part of England.  
2. To buy, or sell any kind of Wares or Merchandise.  
3. To take or deliver monies at Interest, upon security of Bond, Land, or Pawns.  
4. To take or deliver monies by Exchange, for any part of England, or Foreign Countries,  
5. To take or let out Ships to Fraight, by the whole, or in part; or to lad piece Goods on them, for any Port or Ports of England, or Foreign Countries.  
6. To entertain, or to be entertained, Professors of the Liberal Sciences, and Languages, Chaplains, Secretaries, Tutors, Schoolmasters, Gentleman-ushers, Stewards, Butlers, Cooks, Barbers, Servingmen, or as Factors, Agents, or as Journeymen of any manner of occupations.  
7. To entertain, or to be entertained, waiting Gentlewomen, School-mistrisses, Nurse-keepers, Nurses, Chambermaids, Darie-maids, Cook-maids, or for any other kind of lawful services.  
8. To buy or sell Bonds, or Bills of debt upon rebate.  
9 To buy, or sell Publique-faith money, of what sort soever.  
10. To buy, or sell Leases, or Annuities, whether in possession, or Reversion.  
11. To be sent, or send others abroad, into any of our Plantations.  
12. To employ, or be employed as Captains, Masters of Ships, Masters mates, Factors, Pursers, Boat swains, Surgeons, Gunners, Cooks, Pilots, or common Mariners.  
13. To buy, sell, or hire Household stuff, Apparel, or any manner of Goods, at the secondhand.  
14. To take, or let out to hire, by Lease, or yearly Rent, Houses, Lodgings, Beware houses, or Sellers, within the Cities of London, and Westminster, as also Country-houses, near adjoining.  
15. To take, or deliver monies at Bottomarie, or upon return of the Voyage, or Shipp, for any Port of England, or Foreign Countries.  
16. Here likewise, may every one inquire after any thing that is lost; and whosoever shall give notice of any thing that is found, will not only discharge a good conscience, but be rewarded for his pains, and in the mean time, shall see it Registered in a Book for that purpose, and if he please, have a receipt thereof: and whensoever he will call at this Office, be made acquainted what is become of it, whether still remaining, or returned to the Proprietor thereof, and know who he is, etc.  
17. Here, whosoever desires to travel, or make a Journey, may give in his name before hand, and have notice what other company there is, for any of the Principal Roads, or Towns of England, or any Foreign parts.  
18. Here you may know what Ships arrived lately from, and when any depart for any port of England, or any Foreign parts, and with what goods they are laden.  
19 Hither may resort such poor people as desire relief, and to know what means and Legacies are given to pious uses; and such as would willingly meet with fit objects of their charity and Bounty.  
20. Such as desire to dispose of themselves, or friends in Marriage, may here likewise be informed, what encounters there are to be had, both of Persons and Portions.  
21. If any person, have any manner of Wares, or Merchandise to sell, let him direct them to this Office, and they shall be taken care of, and forthwith put to sale, either for ready money, or at time, according as the Owner shall give order for his most advantage; and in the mean time, if he please, be furnished with monies to serve his other occasions, at a reasonable rate: Finally,  
22. If any person, living in any part of England, desire to have any Merchandise, or necessaries bought fo● him in London, any Lawsuit solicited, or any other honest bu●●ne●se looked after, and taken care of in the said City of L●ndon, or Country adjoining, let him only send the Particul●●●, of his desires, in a letter directed to the said Office of Addresses, on Threed-needle-street, over against the Castle Tavern, close to the Old Exchange in London, with promise to pay the charges, his business shall be dispatched; and a speedy account thereof returned him to his own dwelling, or according to his direction without his coming up to London, troubling, or being beholding to any of his friends.    
The poor, together with all others, will likewise reap this benefit, by this Office, in that it will much prevent retailing, which is but a higling of Commodities, to a greater quantity and value; whereas, if the Buyer buys for his use, and to serve his petty Customers only, and the Seller sells to put himself into money: both the buyer pays less than he should get the same Commodity for, from a Retailer; And the Seller also, sells for more than a Retailer would likely give him.  
In brief, the use of this Register may extend as far as humane necessity, which is little less than infinite; and therefore,  
If any person, solicitous of public good, shall suggest any thing else, which this Office may particularly undertake, either for relief of the Poor, or accommodation of the Rich, it shall be gladly entertained, and the Propounder reckoned amongst the Benefactors of this Office.  
The Poor shall have all these services done for them in charity, and all others for six pence a time, or entry, so often as their turn is served. And for this purpose, the said Office shall be kept open every day (except the Lord's day) from 8. of the Clock till 12. at Noon, and from 2. to 6. in the Evening, for entertaining all such as shall have recourse thereto.  
FINIS.