blazon of the Commonwealth  
A COMMISSION Improwering the Persons therein named, to hear and determine several Matters and things concerning the Work of Dreyning the great Level of the Fens.  
WHEREAS by an Act of Parliament, entitled, An Act for the Dreyning of the great Level of the Fens extending itself into the Counties of Northampton, Norfolk, suffolk, Lincoln, Cambridge, Huntingdon, and the Isle of Ely, several Persons therein particularly named, were appointed Commissioners, and thereby Empowered by view or otherwise, as to them should seem meet, from time to time, when and as often as any part of the said Level, amounting to the quantity of 30000 Acres or more should be drained as aforesaid, to judge the same to be drained, and forthwith to give unto William Earl of Bedford, Edward Russel, Robert Henly, and Robert Castle, Esqs their Heirs and Assigns, upon such Trust as is expressed in the said Act, Seisin and Possession of his and their Proportions of ninety five thousand Acres formerly set forth unto them; And whereas the said Commissioners have, in pursuance of the said Act, at several times adjudged the said Levelly drained, and delivered Possession and Seisin of the 95000 Acres accordingly, And whereas, by the said Act, the term of three years from and after the said Adjudication is limited for the said Commissioners to give relief in several Cases expressed in the said Act, In which time it will not be possible, through the multitude of the Petitions that are daily exhibited to them, to hear and determine the several Cases and Complaints of Persons who pretend damage by the Adventurers cutting through their Lands, or to be otherwise relieved within the said Act of Parliament, especially seeing the said Commissioners sit very seldom, And their meeting usually in the Middle Temple Hall, which is a great distance from the Level, and thereby the Petitioners put to great Expense, and travel, in seeking their relief, Therefore we being willing to provide for the just ease of all persons concerned herein, and reposing Trust and Confidence in the prudence, honesty, and discretion of Sir John Hobbart, Sir Ralph Hare, John Gurdon Esq Samuel Moody Esq Tho. Hatcher Esq James Berry, Esq Talbot Pepys, Tho. Bendish, Rob. Brewster, Tho. Ducket, John Cleypool Esq Rob. Vintner, theelder, Tristram Diamond Esq Dr. Richard Stanes, Hen. Ferrour Gent. Mr. Joseph Eversden, Captain Moses, Mr. Richard Timbs, Dr. Syncots, Mr. Robert Robson, Mr. _____ Barber of Denver, Mr. _____ Life of Downham, and Mr. Robert Carrier of Peterburgh, Have Appointed, Constituted and Authorized, and by these Presents do Appoint, Constitute and Authorise them the said Sir John Hobbart, Sir Ralph Hare, John Gurdon Esq Samuel Moody Esq Tho. Hatcher, James Berry, Esqs Talboth Pepys, Tho. Bendish, Rob. Brewster, Tho Ducat, John Cleypool Esq Rob. Vintner, the elder, Tristram Diamond Esq Dr. Rich Stanes, Hen. Ferrour Gent. M. Joseph Eversden, Captain Moses, Mr. Rich. Timbs, Dr. Syncots, Mr. Rob. Robson, Mr. _____ Barber of Denver, Mr. _____ Life of Downham, and Mr. Robert Carrier, ●r any six or more of them, to be Commissioners to hear and examine the Petitions, Complaints, Matters, and Things, for which the Commissioners named in the said Act can or may by virtue thereof, or any Clause or Article therein, give relief, not having been before ordered, settled and adjudged by the said Commissioners named in the said Act, And either to determine, order and adjudge all such Complaints, Matters, and Things, according to the true intent and meaning of the said Act, or otherwise to transmit the same or such of them as they shall think fit, with the state of the Case, to the said Commissioners named in the said Act, for their Final Determination. And the said Commissioners, or any six of them, have hereby Power for executing the Premises to meet at the Bell at Ely upon the 20 day of July next, And are hereby impowered from time to time to adjourn their meeting to such other time and place as they shall think fit, and to send for and to examine Witnesses upon oath, which any six or more of them have Power to administer to any Person or Persons whatsoever. And such Orders, Directions, and judgements, as the said Commissioners, or any 6 of them, shall make, in, and concerning the Premises, shall be as effectual to all intents and purposes, as if the Commissioners named in the said Act, had Ordered, Directed, and Adjudged the same. And all Persons are required to give obedience thereunto: And all Mayors, Sheriffs, and other Officers and Ministers, as well Civil as Military, are hereby required to be aiding and assisting in all and singular the Premises. And this Authority and Commission shall continue and be in force until the 24. day of June, which shall be in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred fifty four, and no longer.   

Tuesday June 28. 1653.  
At the Council of State at White-Hall, Ordered, That this Declaration be forthwith Printed and Published.  
John Thurloe Secretary