A Just and True REMONSTRANCE OF HIS MAJESTY'S mines-royals IN THE PRINCIPALITY OF WALES, Presented By Thomas bushel Esquire, Farmor of the said mines-royals, to his MAJESTY. SHREWSBURY, Printed by ROBERT BARKER, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majesty: And by the Assigns of JOHN BILL. 1642. Most high and mighty Sovereign, WHereas Your Majesty was graciously pleased not only to command the employment of my Service in Your Highness' mines-royals, occasioned by some discourse of them at Enston-Rock, Your Majesty vouchsafing to honour that place with your presence, but also to give your Majesty a true relation what they were when I entered upon them, what they are since at present, and of what hope for the future, if diligently pursued and cherished by your Royal aspect: In obedience whereunto, I do in all humility affirm, That the Mines at my first entrance were drowned with water, and consequently not worth the working, as by several certificates hereunto annexed appeareth, which did then much disencourage my undertake; but considering how deeply your Majesties many favours had engaged me, the meanest of your Subjects, I conceived myself obliged to adventure upon the undermining of the adjacent Mountains, thereby to make trial, whether those Mines (if once discovered at the surface of the earth) would not prove richer in their deeper search; of which, having received several opinions from the best Mineral-masters of our age, as Sir Francis Godolphin, M. Alexander Roberts, M. joseph Hexsteter, and M. Walter Barksby, with divers others well practised in that way, encouraging me therein; I then resolved to hazard my fortune on them, assuring myself that all Mines and Minerals were to be discovered by some one or other, because originally created for man's use, and God's glory: and thus having settled my former irresolute thoughts, I began with a cheerful heart to cut thorough five several mountains, at their lowest level, which by the Art of Dialling appeared to be some sixty, some eighty, and some an hundred fathoms perpendicular, and so continued these battery-works four years, night and day, before my hopes could give me any happy assurance that the Minerall-beds of these subterraneal riches lay fast locked in those barren Rocks, until my charge grew so great, that I became pitied of my friends, and insulted over by my enemies, which did anew perplex my mind: yet when I considered that I was not born for myself, but for the Service of God, your Majesty, and my Country, and that I had not only that heavenly guider to direct me, but also your sacred Majesty to encourage me, I then began to cast off my former justly conceived fears, and (notwithstanding any opposition or seeming dissuasive arguments) to pitch on this resolution, that better it were for me to suffer shipwreck in my poor estate and credit, then that such treasures should lie buried in the BOWELS of those vast mountains, and not be made both known, and beneficial to your gracious Majesty, being inherent to your prerogative, as by the Declaration under the hands of learned Counsel hereunto annexed appears, which hills, although large in extent, yet are not considerable in herbage, nor fit for any other plough, than the Miners sledge, gad, and twybill. That which first wrought in me a desire to try and fathom those Mines was a sensible discourse delivered me by a Portugal, in presence of Sir Francis Godolphin (by whose death I lost the hope of a most knowing Partner) who had for many years been employed under the King of Spain in his West India Mines, purporting that if his Master were Sovereign Lord of those British hills, as is your Majesty, he should not doubt but to make them a second Indies, deeply protesting that the greatest riches in those Mountains lay in their lowest levels, which I find to be true by undeniable experience in those five mountains. For by this way of driving thorough the depth of Rocks, we are not only freed from the danger and deluge of waters, but have also discovered the veins to prove richer in quantity and quality, some containing twenty pound, some fifteen, some ten, and some six in Silver, in the Tun of Lead upon the great Pest, which are answerable to most of the Mines of the King of Spain, the Emperor of Germany, and the Duke of Saxony; finding moreover, that by mixing and smelting these several veins together, the one proves a good additament to the other, and becomes thereby a means to advance the mines-royals, and in them the good of your Kingdom and Subjects. We have many gracious testimonies how much the Almighty is pleased with these our innocent labours, by continual preservation of the workmen amidst their hourly dangers, especially in one accident, which lately befell, by driving an Addit into one of those mountains called Tallibont; but b●cause I was no eyewitness of it, I humbly desire your Majesty's perusal of the narration thereof (as I received it) being then in London, from a Minister resident Preacher to the Mineral men, hereunto annexed. And as I am bound to give to Caesar that which is Caesar's, so must I further humbly acknowledge your Majesty's large addition to your former Royal favours in granting me (the meanest of your Creatures) liberty to give your Majesty's impression to such Silver as the Mole-like Miners cast out of the Earth, for their speedier payment, they being the men who make the Rocks their resting place, and expect no other reward or benefit for their sweaty brows then what they gain from out of the dark Caverns of the earth by importunate labour. And for declaration of part of my poor endeavours, your humblest suppliant begs a perusal of the annexed remonstrance, presented by your honourable and grave ministers of Justice, and other noble Gentlemen of quality, residing within your Principality of Wales, whose eyes have been spectators, as your servant, a diligent labourer in those Mineral Vineyards. And having thus far traced out, & dived into the secrets of nature's treasures, and by the influence of your Majesty's favours, overcome those amazing difficulties, which hindered the entrance of these great adventures, (I then, for better improvement of the works, caused a meeting of Miners, Monyers, Smelters & Refiners, to consult, debate, and try, whether fuel of turf would not separate the oar, extract the silver, & reduce the lethargy, as well as the vast expense of whole Forests of woods formerly consumed for that purpose; and upon an exact trial made thereof, by altering the earthy substance of turf into charkie cinders, we found by infallible experience, that your Majesty's Turfaries will furnish Your Mines Royal with Fuel to all future ages. So that there remaineth nothing more to make the inside of these barren Mountains produce an addition of gems to your Crown, but to finish the building of your princely foundation by your Royal recommendation thereof to your High Court of Parliament, whose judgements will quickly discern how much these Mines would redound to the general good; your Majesty's gracious Letters having already caused sundry Merchants, and Gentlemen of quality to take a personal view of the gain, which accrewes from this public work of the Mines Royal, as a means to enrich Your Subjects the ancient Britain's of those parts, with the free trade and vent of their Home made cloth, and to enable them to become Merchant-adventurers, as well by land as sea. Many others also of eminent ability will be encouraged by these apparent possibilities of profit, to hazard a portion of their present fortunes as a lot, so as they may be secured to enjoy those prizes which divine providence shall cast and confer upon them in these their so honest adventures. And for manifest proof of my proceed in this business, I shall, with Your Royal assent, humbly desire a Commission from the High Court of Parliament, to examine the former and present state of the Mines Royal, and your Majesty's riches that are buried under the most inconsiderable herbage of these vast Mountains, which in time may alter the name of Welsh Rocks into Welsh Indies, and make it plainly appear to any, (who is not merely of an earthly and avaricious temper, and can in any measure resent the true support of a flourishing State) that they (if followed) cannot but prove flowers to the Crown, a glory to the Kingdom, and a rich blessing to the Subject. Be pleased therefore, most gracious Sovereign, to vouchsafe that the beams of your Royal favour may cherish the growth of this hopeful design, so as it be not blasted in the bud, and then my affectionate endeavours prove as fruitless to this Commonwealth, as was the neglected tender of Columbus his discovery of the West-Indian Mines in the reign of Henry the seventh. And to make it in some measure appear to your Majesty, how desirous I am to advance your revenue in an employment so much conducing to the public good, I do, in all humbleness offer (as an increase of rent after the expiration of the Lady Middleton's lease assigned to me, and yet in being) one thousand pounds by the year for and during the continuance of another lease thereof granted to me in reversion; for confirmation of which leases by your Majesty, and your High Court of Parliament, I do further humbly present 1000 Marks as a prefine to your Majesty's Privy Purse, over and above the benefit of your Majesty's Mintage, the increase of shipping, and he importation of necessary commodites, occasioned hereby, which as I am informed by Merchants of good worth that drive the trade, will amount to 4000 li. per annum. And for grant of the custom of exportation of such Led only, out of which the silver is refined, I will (so it please your Majesty) be bound to double the yearly Revenue of the Farmer's book, according to a medium, of seven years cast up for that Port of Dovy: your Majesty having not from any former undertaker, or Farmor of those Mines, ever received either fine or penny of rent, all which I submissively propose, and desire the rather, to encourage my Coadventurers, who as they were first invited by Your Princely letters of assurance, so will they now (things b●ing thus honourably settled) be most willing to expose their fortunes for the consummating of so advantageous, so honourable, and so public a good work. Having thus made to your Majesty a true relation of the state of your mines-royals in Wales, & a faithful explication of my loyal intendments, and of other Mineral men's opinions conceived of those Mines, I profess before God and your sacred Majesty, that I therein have no other ends, than the glory of my Maker, the honour of your Majesty, and the good of my Country. Let me therefore, on a bended knee, humbly implore your Sovereign goodness, not only to peruse these Petitions and Certificates annexed, but also to pardon the constrained prolixity of Your Majesty's most humble and devoted Servant, Thomas bushel. The Declaration of learned Lawyers, what a MINE-ROYALL is to former precedents. ALthough the Gold or Silver contained in the base mettle of a mine, in the lands of a Subject, be of less value than the base Mettle, yet if the Gold or Silver do countervail the charge of the refining, or be of more worth than the base Mettle spent in refining it, this is a Mine-Royall, and as well the base Mettle, as the Gold and Silver in it, belong by prerogative to the Crown, Sir Ralph Whitfield. His Majesty's Sergeant at Law. Sir Edw. Harbert Att. Gen. Oliver Saint john's. Solicitor john Glandvill, Serjeant. john Wild, Serjeant. Richard Creswell, Serjeant. Or. Bridgman the Pr. Solic. Esquires. Robert Holborn. john Hern. Edward Bagshaw. Thomas Lane. Richard King. Edmund Prideaux. john Maynard. Edward Hid. john Glyn. Christopher Fulwood. Harbottle Grimston. john white. George Peard. john Franklin. Richard Weston. john Glover. William Ellis. Thomas Culpeper. john Goodwin. William Sanford. john George. james Haward. To the Kings most Excellent MAJESTY. The humble Petition of THOMAS bushel Your Majesty's Servant. Most humbly Sheweth, THAT whereas your Royal Father, of ever blessed memory, who was truly styled the King of Peace, and mirror of mercy to the sparing of life and blood, was graciously pleased, for saving the lives of such malefactors as were condemned to death by the Law for Petty felonies, being such as were not any scandal to the Church or State, nor had embrued their hands in blood, to admit their transportation to the East India, and Virginia-Companies, for furtherance of their plantations. In which action doubtless he did also cast his eyes upon the warrantable proceed and precedents of other most famous Princes in the like kind, as the late Queen Elizabeth, who put certain Galleys of purpose for employment of such kind of offenders, of strong and able bodies, as might attend her memorable designs at Sea, especially upon all sudden and resolute erterprises; it being the usual course of other Christian Princes, as the King of Spain, both for the supply of his Galleys against the Turks and Moors, and especially for the enlargement of his Indian Mines of Gold, Silver, Quicksilver, and the like, and his conquests of Mollocco, Goa, Ormus, and other rich & populous Lands. The King of France for his Galleys at Marseilles. The State of Venice. The Duke of Florence, who by such kind of saved offenders built Leghorn (one of the most famous Seaports within the Straits) In all which States and Services, divers of these malefactors by good encouragements have sought, not so much by surviving, as by their incredible labours, effecting matters, otherwise held invincible, to obliterate their former ignominies by merit of rewards. And whereas in this your Majesty's populous Kingdom, too many such offenders are most untimely cut off in their best abilities of service, so is there within the pale of this Your Kingdom, and without any occasion of Sea, or foreign service, means of employment for such persons, to redeem their lost reputation, by endeavouring to do faithful service for their Country's honour, and the Kingdom's good, in that happy work, begun by your Sacred Majesty, for the better discovery of Your Silver Mines. His most humble suit therefore is, that You would be pleased, out of all these weighty considerations and beneficial consequences, tending so much to your Honour, Crown and Dignity, and good of the Commonwealth, to grant your Majesty's Commission, (if it may be thought fit by the advice of your High and Honourable Court of Parliament) for the choosing of such several persons out of the prisons in this your Kingdom, as are and shall be condemned for small offences, and of able serviceable bodies, by the approbation of Your Judges, and shall implore your Majesty's mercy to be employed by your said subject in the works of your mines-royals, they giving security for their good behaviour, with such limitation of time, and allowance for their sustentation, as to your Majesties said High Court of Parliament shall be thought fit, that by their dutiful and laborious performance therein, they may afterwards come into the happiness of your Majesty's pardon of grace for their former offences; And your Petitioner shall ever rest, etc. To the Kings most Excellent MAJESTY. Most Gracious Sovereign, THE Loyalty of my faithful service will not suffer me to conceal a bequeathed Legacy to your Majesty by the last Will and Testament of your most Loyal Subject john Bishop of Worcester lately deceased, of a treasure discovered by him, and committed to my trust, for revealing thereof to your Majesty. Who perceiving the inclination and affection I had to Mines and Minerals, much commending it, as the most honest gain and greatest good to a Commonwealth, began this ensuing discourse unto me. Mr. Bushel, YOur own eyes see how near I am to the dwelling of death, by my grey hairs, which are the true records of fourscore and fourteen years of age, next my limbs which have no more strength than those that are laped in the Sepulchre of their winding-sheet, only my intellectual parts are yet preserved to ascribe God the glory, and to disclose the secrets of two rich Mines, the one holding some quantity of Gold worth the extracting, the other in Silver worth the refining, to your trust and fidelity, with a confidence that your charity cannot conceive me guilty, of betraying your judgement with an imaginary treasure, when my soul and body are so near the approach of death, as I must suddenly give an account in the other world, besides I have taken upon me the calling of a spiritual profession, and have this day received the Sacrament, as a pledge of my redemption, which I trust are sufficient motives, to believe truth from a dying man's tongue, who hath no other end, then that the hopefulness of such riches may not be buried by my dissolution, but that the honour and profit thereof might redound to his Majesty, and his royal posterity, as a living and loyal remembrance of his Princely favours to me and mine. And thereupon he did enjoin me, upon the integrity of my allegiance, to consecrate the first fruits of my labours therein, as his discovery and service to your sacred self: And thus having made a true relation of his discourse to me, I leave it to your Majesty's wisdom, to approve or dislike. Your Majesty's most humble Servant Thomas bushel. TO The most Illustrious PRINCE CHARLES Prince of Wales. Most High and Mighty Prince, AS the smaller Rivulets, by their natural motions, make haste to pay their tribute unto the vast Ocean, as well as do the greatest Rivers; So come I with humble assurance, that your Highness will not despise this poor present, extracted out of your Welsh Mines, wishing the coin could speak that language of Ophir, as it doth this of Cardigan, wherein I trust by Divine Providence, and your princely prevailing with the most honourable Court of Parliament, for the confirmation thereof; nothing doubting but that in process of time, I shall be able, with the assistance of my Coadventurers, and help of their greater purse and fortunes, to make these British hills, as in situation, so in esteem too; resemble the West Indies, or at least wise those renowned Mines of Saxony. Thus I most humbly take leave of your Highness, hoping your Princely goodness will pardon my presuming to present so great a Prince with so poor a present, as doth in all humbleness. Your Highness' devoted Beadsman. Thomas bushel. TO Our Dread Sovereign Lord the KING'S most Excellent Majesty. May it please your Majesty, WE do most humbly and thankfully acknowledge, that Your Majesty's vouchsafing to this your Principality the trust of a branch of your Royal Mint, is an honour that neither our Ancestors nor ourselves durst wish for; and we do as humbly and as thankfully acknowledge and confess, that by it you have not only honoured us more than any of your Royal predecessors, but have thereby offered us the means to enrich ourselves, to the making of us happier than our fathers, in freeing us from the cares and fears that hindered us from diving into these Mountains that promise a mass of treasure. For be pleased to know, that before Your Majesty vouchsafed unto us this great favour, we were fearful to adventure far into the Mountains, because we had fare to send before we could make the silver currant, that we should at charge recover. Nor was our care of carriage and recarriage the least hindrance to our proceed, from all which, by your Majesty's goodness, and the endeavours of your industrious and faithful servant Thomas bushel, we are happily freed; for which favour, we whose names are hereunto subscribed in the behalf of all the inhabitants of this your Principality of Wales, do render all humble and hearty thanks, and for them, and ourselves, do hereby promise to Your sacred Majesty, that we will do our utmost endeavours to find out that measure, which we believe God and Nature from the Creation hath preserved for Your Majesty's use; that thereby we may approve ourselves your Majesty's loyal and most obedient Subjects and humble Servants. Thomas Milward Knight, Chief Justice of Chester. Marmaduke LLoyd Knight. Richard Price Knt. Baronet. james Price Knight. Samson Ewer Knight. john Lewis Knight. Timothy Turnor Esquire. L. Littleton Esquire. Walter LLoyd Esquire. Thomas Price Esq Robert Corbet Esq Evan Gwin Esq Morgan Herbert Esquire. john Vauhan Esq Vincent Corbet Esq Humphrey Greene Esq john LLoyd Esq David LLoyd ap Reighnald Esq Thomas Phillip's Esq john Edmund Esquire. Hugh LLoyd Gentleman. David Rees Gent. john Bowen Gent. William Watkin Gent. john Meredith Gent. james Kegitt Gent. A Certificate from the Miners, presented to the Right Honourable, the Lords and other of his Majesty's most Honourable Privy COUNCIL. May it please your Lordships, ACCORDING to your commands, We whose names are under written, being Miners, Smelters, Refiners, Carrier's, Washers, and Monyers belonging to his Majesty's mines-royals, in the County of Cardigan, in all humility do certify of our certain knowledge and experience, concerning the new works lately discovered by God's providence to Thomas bushel Esquire, Farmer of his Majesty's mines-royals in these parts, That the said Master bushel at his inestimable charge, having cut six hundred Fathom thorough the Rock at the lowest levels, North and South, for discovering the lost vein of Cum-sum lock, lying East and West, two hundred Fathom thorough the Mountain of Tallibont, at sixty Fathom perpendicular, three several Addits' at Koginean, one above another, twenty, and thirty Fathom centre, another at the Darren, to come under the Romans work, at an hundred Fathom centre, another at Bryn LLoyd fifty Fathom in length, and thirty Fathom centre, working day and night for the draining of the water, which formerly in the time of Customer Smith, and Sr. Hugh Middleton in their working of the mines-royals was never used, they only working upon the Superficies of the Earth, the works being drowned with water before they could sink to the best of the vein, both for quantity and quality, and so the charge made to exceed the benefit, which danger is prevented by the aforesaid Addits', and the Royal Mines become more hopeful, especially by the assistance of his Majesty's Mint, for the speedy payment of all those that are employed in the said works, and Mr. Bushels own invention to save Wood, by reducing the Ore into Lead, and Silver, with Turf and Sea-coal Charked, which happy invention had it not been found out, the works must needs have been left unwrought, the Country not able to have supplied necessary Fewell. And further, by the prohibition of transporting Over unwrought, that holdeth silver worth the refining, which His Majesty in his Princely wisdom saw to be very prejudicial, even to the utter overthrow of his mines-royals. We have therefore great reason to be confident that his way of working, with the restraint of transporting Over, will in short time greatly increase the Bullion of this Kingdom, for the honour of the King, and good of the Commonwealth, together with the employment of many hundred poor people, which would be otherwise an unsupportable burden to this barren Country, who by their present labour in these Mines are able to subsist with their Family, and thousands more might be daily set on work, if Mr, Bushels undertake in the mines-royals may be confirmed for a certain time by this present High Court of Parliament Miners. David Fowls. William Rashly. Henry Cockler. David Bebb. joseph jefferies'. George Turner. Robert Lowning. Thomas Fletcher. David Evans. George Dixon. Hugh Mason. David ap Richard. David Loyd. David Williams. Henry Emblin. Maurice Taylor. john Emblin. Edward Reece. Hugh Reece. William david's. George Scotsmer. Thomas Brickhead. William Griffith. Peter Baltiser. Francis Pierce. Maurice Lewis. Peter Edriser. Edward Blewys. Rob. Emblin. Rob. Tailor. David jinkins. joseph Acherson. Thomas Blewys. Michael Sanders. Morgan Williams. Thomas Clocker. Thomas Green. Barthol. Clocker. Francis Fisher, Hugh Benn. john Mason. George Tickle. john Mason. john Fisher. Edmund Poole. Edward Bebb. john Mason sen. William Ficharett. Evan Thomas. john Harris. Will. Tyson. Watkin Reece. john Smith. Morgan Pritchet. Griffith john. William Reece. john Tuddar. john Huson. Philip Benn. Thomas james. with two hundred more, whom for brevity we omit to name. Moniers. Henry Such. john Corbet. Richard Arnold. Refiners. john Estopp. David Estopp. Samuel johnson. Edward Gibbon. Thomas Parker. Arthur Elissa. Smelters. Thomas Botham. Hugh james. Griffith Evans. john Watkin. jinkin Owen. john Epslie. john Evans. john Lewes. james Meredith. Washers. john Wring. Morgan john Lewis. Davy john. john jinkins. Morgan Griff. john. Edmund Symons. Reece Morgan. Charles Williams. Thomas adam's. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE the LORDS and others of His MAJESTY'S most Honourable Privy Council. ACcording to your Honour's command, we have enquired and considered how the mines-royals were left to Master bushel by the Lady Middleton, and do in all humility declare, that the silver Mines were not worth the working, until M. bushel, at his great charge, discovered rich Ore in the adjacent mountains, which in all likelihood will both increase the Bullion, and by his way of working, in short time give his Majesty a true trial what the invaluable riches of these his Welsh mountains are: for whereas the Mines in these parts were formerly wrought by Pumps, & so growing deep were left drowned with water, Master bushel cuts thorough the main Rocks, at the lowest level, to an hundred fathom perpendicular, according to the Germane manner of working, which though chargeable, yet certain, having four several Addits' which he continueth driving day and night into four several mountains, his industry also hath outstripped former times; for by melting the poor fusible Ore with the rich, he produceth a third part more of silver with the same charge: and for accommodating the works with all materials fit for Mines Royal, he hath spared no cost about repairing the Milles, hath also built in his Majesty's Castle of Aberystwith a fair Mint, hath contracted with Merchants of our own and other Nations to supply the people's necessity with Corn and other provisions, and payeth the Miners and carriers at the Scales, and doubteth not to make them able Pioneers, and fit Soldiers to do his Majesty and their Country service upon any assault of an enemy. All which we commend to your honourable consideration, praying, etc. Your Lordships humbly to be commanded, joseph Hexsteter, chief Steward of the Mines. Samuel Reynish, Assay-Masters of the Mint. Water Barkesby, Assay-Masters of the Mint. Humphrey Owen, Clerk of the Mines. DIE SABBATI 14. Aug. 1641. WHereas this house hath been informed, that Thomas bushel Esquire, undertaker of his Majesty's mines-royals in the County of Cardigan, by his great charge and industry in cutting Addits' hath gained His Majesty's old drowned and forsaken works of Tallybont, and other works, and made new discoveries of Royal Mines there, which are already very considerable; And whereas divers persons of quality encouraged by his Majesty's Letters to them directed, do intent to adventure great sums of money in the said works, which in time (if well encouraged) may prove of great Consequence, both for honour and profit to His Majesty and the Kingdom. And whereas also it appeareth unto this House by divers Affidavits and Certificats of credit that some persons ill affected to these honourable and public services who in time may receive deserved punishments, have disturbed the possession of the said Tho. bushel in some of his Majesty's mines-royals, and Edifices appertaining to the Royal works, and have plucked up divers Plumps cast in the rubbish, drowned, and (so much as in them did lie) destroyed the said works, so as it hath been a labour of four year's night and day to recover the same. And that also the said Thomas bushel hath been disturbed in the getting of Turf and Peat for the Service of His MAJESTY'S works, being an invention of his own, very commendable and commodious for the preserving of Wood, which hath been heretofore by the former undertakers much wasted in those parts. Now for the remedy of the said mischiefs, and that the said Thomas bushel and his Assigns, and such persons as are or shall be Undertakers and Adventurers with him in the said Service may receive all due Encouragement and Assistance in those Chargeable undertake; It is ordered by the LORDS in the upper House of Parliament now assembled, That the Speaker of this House, in the Name, and by the Authority of the same, shall direct His Letters unto the Judges of Assize, and Justices of the Peace of the said County of Cardigan: Requiring them, that they do in all lawful things endeavour to advance, and encourage the said service in His MAJESTY'S Royal Mines, and assist the said Thomas bushel and other Undertakers, in all things so fare as lawfully they may, both for the continuance of his lawful Possessions, and the quiet and peaceable working of the said Mines, until he shall be evicted by due course of Law, as also for getting and working of Turf and Peat, according to his Legal right upon his MAJESTY'S Wastes, and other places lawful, and all other lawful accommodations of necessary passages, and other Legal things, which may any ways advance His MAJESTY'S service in the said Royal Mines. JO. BROWNE. Cler. Parliament. A letter from the L. KEEPER to the Justices of Assize, etc. AFter my very hearty Commendations, I have here enclosed sent you an Order made in the House of the Lords now assembled in Parliament, which you are carefully to observe and perform according to the directions thereof in all things, so far as Lawfully you may. So not doubting of your readiness therein, Ibid you hearty farewell, and rest Excester-house, 26. Aug. 1641. Your very loving friend ED. LITTLETON Cust. Sig. A letter to Mr. bushel, relating some strange accidents, which happened in the MINES. Honoured Sir, SUffer my congratulations of your late success at Tallybont to be admitted amongst the rest who have represented the same to your imagination; not so much for the historical report of it, as for speculation on it; So it becomes my quality, for the rest are interessed, I a looker on your Addit or great drift of Tallybont, after above 200 fathom in four years driving to come at the chief shaft of the old drowned work of 38 fathom deep, being pierced by the water of the old work, june 27, at midnight there befell two memorable accidents. The four workmen about one in the night (as their manner was) withdrew to take Tobacco within ten fathom of the Addits' mouth, lest in the Forefield it should damp the air, which was conveyed to them by your Leaden pipes with bellows: Their smoky banquet was not yet at an end when they heard a mighty and fearful noise, which some of them said was thunder: But old Bartholomew Clocker (a well experienced Miner) although he left the work without any suspicion of so near an approach, resolved suddenly, the work is hole, come let us away. No sooner had they gotten the free air, but out gusheth the torrent of water with an incredible fury, such a breach it made in the solid Rock, that it arose a full yards height at the Addits' mouth, and drove away above 100 Tun of the rocky deads', affrighting the people of Tallybont, who heard the noise, and felt the water in their houses. I do not remember that I was ever more astonished at the prodiglousnesse of any spectacle, to see what perdition was threatened to the poor men, and they so to escape it. About four hours after, the violence of water being past, Fisher, one other of the Miners, went in with more curiosity than wit, to see what effect it had wrought there: and being some sixty fathom in, creeping very low, his candle enkindled a vapour, which came on him with three or four flashes, and he suddenly returning had his hair burnt off, and his scorched, in which conclusion it gave a crack like the report of a piece, and in a fierce gust of wind blew out the Candles of three more coming after him. To omit the Philosophical inquisition of natural causes, I account his preservation in as high a degree of wonder as the first. Thus happy are you here when least you think of it, for I find the subterranean spirits, the supposed guardians of concealed treasure, as officious for you as if they were in pay with you. But in a stile more proper to my pen, Behold Sir, how dear you are to Providence, which for your sake hath vouchsafed to digress into a miracle, and such an one as is able to convert the most Sophistical Atheist, whence your piety will infer, that the gracious Author of this incomparable bounty, expects from you some grateful service, as high above ordinary (according to mortal capacity) as this favour hath been extraordinary. We are all deeply in the same engagement, and have learned by this experiment, that these Addits' or Approaches (for that's, the sense of the name of old deluge works) are attempts of desperate hazard. Me thinks these Mountains are as so many pregnant wombs, and now in labour call for your fortunate hands to deliver them, to the honour of your Royal Master, and perpetuated glory of the Nation. What should you doubt in an employment so serenely smiled upon, by the highest both of Heaven and Earth? You use no Enchantment, or Magnetical Rod to discover the veins; your only Magic is an ingenuous conjecture of probabilities, with a cheerful and indefatigable industry, which hath hitherto succeeded beyond expectation of most, and (peradventure) the desires of some. Lib. 1. de R. M. But who (as Agricola makes the question) that is not of a nature empoisoned with Envy, and Maliciousness, can bear unfriendly thoughts to him, whose substance is in a manner presented by the hand of God. I know it would be a motive of very feeble operation to tell you how Princes & States have raised their Crowns, by descending into such Thysseses as these; with some of whom wanton Antiquity hath been pleased to sport herself, and to play upon the simplicity of many, as Midas, Gyges, the Argonauts, Croesus, with the States of Athens, over whose Minerals was that renowned Thucydides a Praefect, as you are here; of which Pliny delivers what may be worthy your attention, when he says of them, that they were in a fruitless soil, and on the hills, (as these with us:) and wheresoever one vein was found, it was not far from another; among which was one called Bebelo, that afforded him 300 pound weight of Silver a day. These were then the veins which conveyed the blood and spirit of life through all the limbs of his victorious Host. And have you not here our Britain's Asturia before you? Who knows whether it may not yield a Bebelo? at least a Sneberg or Anneberg, who hath heretofore dreamt of a Mine at Comsomloch, or of the happy lot you lat●ly drew from the Mountains of Keginian, Talybont, the Darren, Broom-Floyd and Cum-mervin? What did the outside of these promise you more than the countenances of their neighbours? But the complaint of learned Dr. jurdan may here take place, That much Silver was lost, for want of taking it out of Lead-Ores. For whereas those Oars which are rich in silver are commonly hard of fusion, our Minerall-men neglect those Oars. No doubt many are concealed by reason they are Mines Royal. Where had been the Woods and Forests yet undestroyed on these bald-headed Promontories that might suffice, had you not taught the earth to afford you all, and the worthless Valley to meet the barren Hill, by sending in fuel, to give form to the matter: so that here is a rich bequest you leave to posterity, I mean your eternising the works, by preventing the excess of water, and defect of fire. I have no more, but to signify my confidence, that as your desires are set on the material Rocks of Wales and Enstone, so will your better affections be firmly grounded upon the Rock Christ jesus, that no tempest may be able to shake you, when the sandy projects of other will be laved to nothing by the floods they are built upon: Which will give more comfort and satisfaction to you then can be expressed by Your true friend and servant, Tho. Brodway. julii 4. 1641. An Answer to Mr. Broadwayes LETTER. M. Broadway, YOur true Relation, and lively expression of the miraculous delivery of the poor Miners from the deluge of waters, which issued forth, upon the cutting through of Tallibont mountain, seemeth by the contents of your Letter to promise no other reward to the first discoverers, then imminent danger of present death, in which, as in all things, we must ascribe the glory to God alone, and as the Children of Israel were to meet with many hard accidents in those Deserts, so must we resolve to encounter with many bitter storms before we can discover Nature's riches hidden in those Mountains, and who can express my sufferings, prising my reputation above life or fortunes? For Fame flying with the wings of Malice, desirous to put a period to these my harmless endeavours, hath made, as you partly know, my supposed friends, to become my professed foes, and my nearest in blood, my greatest sorrow, leaving me as naked as was job in his greatest affliction, some construing these my Mineral adventures to be but the Fabric of a fantastic brain, others alleging that the greatness of my charge would ruin both me, and those who gave me credit, whereby those friends that conferred on me timely courtesies, instead of increasing, or continuing them, were moved to press me for speedy payment, tha● my present abilities were able to make good. What throes of sorrow perplexed my midnight thoughts in these deep engagements, I leave to you to judge. I will therefore hasten my coming down, to settle the affairs of this great work, that I might redeem the misspent time of my youth by some memorable design in my age, the hopefulness whereof you are pleased so to amplify, which I trust will give livelihood to many, injury to none, and be of much honour to our Nation, which was ever the height of my ambition, resolving to rest content with whatsoever the wise Diposer of all should confer upon me, and hereafter to leave those friends in trust, whom I found firmest, thereby both to pay themselves, and satisfy others, to whom I stand engaged. And thus with many thanks for your kind Letter, and good counsel, I shall ever remain, Your faithful Friend Thomas bushel.