THE CASE OF Thomas bushel, of Enston in the County of Oxon, Esquire. TRULY STATED. Together with his progress in Minerals, and the desires of several Merchants and others that are willing and ready to advance so good a work for the benefit of the Nation. Humbly tendered to the serious consideration of the Honourable House of COMMONS, And all other persons in Authority, whether Civil or Martial, that are desirous to advance the TRADE of the NATION, supply the Necessities of the Poor, by discovering the hidden Treasures of the Earth, preserve the lives of many poor Creatures from untimely death (who now are destroyed in their prime for petty Felonies) which might otherwise be made serviceable to the COMMONWEALTH. London, Printed in the Year 1649. THat whereas the right and interest in and to all Ours Royal, which are fountains of the Treasure of the Nation, hath always been an undoubted and legal right belonging to the Crown, and always enjoyed by several Letters Patents, and Farms taken from the Crown, and to that purpose in all grants of Lands from the Crown, the said Ours either by express word, or else by implication of Law have always been excepted and reserved, for that it hath been found by experience, that the owners of Land, who receive a constant profit by the Herbage and other fruits of the Earth above ground, are seldom willing to adventure any part of their fortune for discovering the hid Treasure in the bowels of the Earth: And whereas all Subjects were invited and encouraged by several Proclamations from his late Majesty, and his Royal Father King James, to spend their times and pains in discovery of the said Mines. And I Thomas bushel having had many years relation to that great Secretary of Nature, the late Lord Chancellor Bacon; and thereby from him learned many secrets in discovering and extracting Minerals; and that it was not only the harmliest gain, and greatest good to the Commonwealth, but the principal study and industry of the best bred persons of other Nations, and the honourablest improvement that this world is capable of, which was the first inducement that encouraged me to look after the search thereof, being by good and learned Council satisfied touching the legality of the title and also having found out a new way of discovering the concealed treasure of the Earth, with more certainty and less hazard, by means of a Portugal with whom I advised, and likewise was assured, that in the Mountains of Broomfloid, Tallibont, Geginan, Combmerven, & the Darren, there was great quantities of Silver & Lead, of which I informed his Majesty, moving him to undertake the work; but his Majesty, for some reasons to himself known, declined the same, and commanded me (the Lady Middleton holding the said Ours Royal in Wales, by virtue of a Grant from King James) to buy the same, and to take the Ours, which I accordingly did, paying unto the Lady Middleton 400 l. in hand, and 400 l. per annum, during the continuation of her interest therein, by virtue of the said Grant; having first obtained from his said Majesty (upon my engagement to cut through the said five Mountains, at My own charge, by a new way of discovery) not only a confirmation of the said Letters Patents, formerly granted to Sir Hugh Middleton, together with the several Leases from the Governors, Assistants, and Society of the City of London, but also an absolute engagement upon his Majesty's honour, and under his Signet and privy Seal, for the performance of any other Act of Grace, or assistance, that I or my Counsel should at any time desire, not being detrimental to his Honour, or the Commonwealth, as by the ensuing Grant appeareth. CHARLES R. TRusty and well-beloved, We having taken into consideration your late Relation concerning your proceed and intentions for the perfecting of that great work happily by you begun in our County of Cardigan in Our Principality of Wales, concerning those hopeful Ours by you discovered, approving well of your beginnings, proceed, and intentions, We have thought good out of Our Royal disposition, to the encouraging of you and all such as are studious or industrious, to do to Us or Our Commonwealth profitable service, to assure you by these Our Letters that you shall not only by Our protection peaceably enjoy the Contract and bargain by you made with the Lady Elizabeth Middleton, concerning the said Ours, with all things thereunto belonging: but also be well assured that both you, your Agents, Assistants, or Coadjutors shall from time to time have all the furtherance and favour We can vouchsafe to you or them. And for the better encouraging of you to go cheerfully and confidently on with the works, when your learned Council at the Law shall advise you to pray any further Act or Acts from Us, whereby the design may be advanced, and you and your Assistants secured, you shall find Us ready to grant unto you any your lawful desires: And in the mean time these Our Letters shall be a good and sufficient testimony of Our Royal intentions towards you, and Our good wishes to the prosperity of your undertake. Given at Our Court at Whitehall under our Signet the three and twentieth day of February, in the twelfth year of Our Reign. To Our trusty and well-beloved Subject and Servant Thomas bushel, Esqu. This is entered in the Signet Book 23 Febr. 1636. Ja. Store. And further to prevent all disturbances which might discourage my proceed, His Majesty gave Warrant to Mr. Attorney general to proceed by information in the Starch amber against all such as should be so great enemies to their Country as to interrupt so public a good. The copy of which Warrant followeth. CHARLES R. TRusty and well-beloved, We Greet you well. Whereas we have taken into our serious consideration, of what consequence the probability of increasing our Ours Royal may prove to Us, and Our public weal, being diligently searched into. And for the better encouragement of Our loving Subjects and speedy pay of the poor Miners; Erected a Mint in Our Castle of Aberustwith and entrusted Our design to the sole care and Government of Our Servant Thomas bushel, whose industrious proceed We so well like and approve of, that Our resolution is absolutely bend to further the prosecution of his endeavours on Our behalf, for the perfecting so good and pious a work: As We will and Command you that you take special care, that you speedily proceed in Our Court of Starchamber against such malicious persons as have, or do go about, not only to Eclipse Our Prerogative in Minerals, and so frrustrate Our Princely Pleasure in a Common good, for the benefit of their own private ends, by endeavouring to make those Ours theirs, which hold Silver worth the refining, and of Right belonging unto Us; But also such persons as have of late practised Combinations of Affronts against those entrusted by Us, and Our Ours Royal to Our dishonour, As by the Certificates hereunto annexed will inform you; Authorising you likewise for the better regulating of unruly Miners complained of, to draw up a Warrant for a Stannary Court fit for Our Royal signature, that We may be troubled no further. And this shall be your special Warrant, Given at Our Court at Whitehall this seven and twentieth day of Febr. 1638. To Our Trusty and well-beloved Sir John Banks Knight, Our Attorney General, or Sir Edward Littleton Knight, Our Sollitor General. By virtue of which Grants from his Majesty, I being interessed in some of the Ours Royal in Wales, Devon, and Cornwall, and being desirous to know what was a Mine Royal in the sense of Law, I obtained the opinion of divers learned men in the Law, who declared their judgements therein, as followeth. The Declaration of learned Lawyers, what a Mine Royal is, according to former Precedents. Although the Gold or Silver contained in the base Mettle of a Mine in the Land of a Subject, be of less value th●n the base Metal; yet if the Gold or Silver do countervail the charge of the refining, or be of more worth than the base Metal spent in refining it, this is a Mine Royal, and as well the base Metal as the Gold and Silver in it, belong by Prerogative to the Crown. Sir Ralph Whitfield, his Majesty's Sergeant at Law. Sir Edward Herbert, Attorney General. Oliver St. John Solicitor. John Glanvill, Serjeant. John Wild, Serjeant. Rich Cresswell, Serjeant. Orlando Bridgman, the Prince's Solicitor. Robert Holborn. john Hern. Ed. Bagshaw. Tho. Lane. Rich. King. Edmund Prideaux. john Maynard. Edward Hid. john Glinne. Charles Fulwood. Harbottle Grimston. john White. George Peard. john Franklin. Richard Weston. john Glover. William Ellis. Tho. Culpepper. john Goodwin. William Sandford. john George. James Haward. THat shortly after my first entrance upon the Ours in Wales, there were drowned 80. plumps, by reason of a great deluge of water then happening, whereby my undertaking became unlikely in the judgement of others, to produce any good effect, either to myself, or the Nation, that I was by my friends pitied, and by my foes laughed at; so that had I not duly considered the Justice of the undertaking in respect of God, the honour in respect of my Country, and the possibility in respect of myself, meeting with so many discouragements I had certainly desisted: but God, who is the Author and Finisher of all just undertake, supported me under, and carried me through that great work; and after nigh four years' night and day spent in recovering of the said decayed Ours, by the continued maintenance and industry of five hundred Families, and the expense of about 7000 l. as a reward of my hazard, expense and labour, brought me to reap the harvest of my hope, with discovering far distant by the Art of dialing, where the Veins of Silver and Led Over sprang at the superficious of the Rocks, from the old Works in new places, which the malice or ignorance of some, that knows not the generation of Metals, nor the largeness of their extent in creation, of depth and length, for man's use and God's glory, would needs affirm that it was a new work, and not a branch of the old Mine, formerly deserted through the said deluge of water; which, to confute their incredulity therein, I have been at 10000 li. charge, for to thread the supposed new Mine to the old work, that others of my profession might as well be versed in the mystery of Myning, and encouraged therein, when all other hopes are frustrated of receiving profit from their deeper search for Mineral treasure, as I was assured of the truth by the aforesaid L. Chancellor Bacon, and a Portugals description of such a Mineral experiment. Having made the discovery as aforesaid, and b●ing satisfied in the Legality of my undertaking in respect of man, I endeavoured to proceed therein according to the Law of God, striving to do unto others as I would they should do unto me. In order whereunto (having discovered a branch that issued from the old Mine (at the mountain of Geginan) I at the general Assize held for the County of Cardigan (Judge Turner being on the Bench) publicly propounded unto the Gentry and Freeholders of the said County, being Owners of the Herbage, That if any of them would (by my example) adventure to discover the concealed Treasure in any Herbage, belonging unto them, at their own charge, they should (although the Grant was particular to me from his Majesty) enjoy the benefit of my Grant and Mint, for their encouragement therein; But if they did (in respect of the great charge and hazard) decline the same, That then, if afterward my endeavours were crowned beyond present probability or expectation, they would not envy or repine at that blessing which Gods providence as a reward of my labours, bestowed upon me: Further adding, That if, in the prosecution of the said work, I might commit any Trespass upon the Herbage of any Gentleman, or others, I would give such answerable satisfaction as should by the next Justice of Peace be judged double to the damage sustained by my trespass thereupon: which promise I have constantly performed ever since my first undertaking: The Ours mo●● commonly being discovered in such Grounds as are worth not above three pence per Acre, which hath been proved upon a full Hearing this Parliament. But to proceed. Having by the mercy of God raised a considerable benefit, I did not cast about how to hid, but to improve my Talon for the good of my Native Country, which my gracious Maker had bestowed: As an evidence whereof I improved my ability for the recovering of several drowned Ours, and discovering other new branches of the old Ours wrought by the Romans, (viz.) at the Mountains called Tall●bont, Broomfloid Combmervin, Geginan, Commustwith, Comsumlock and the Beacon hill of the Daren; by which means Trade was greatly increased the Common wealth enriched, and many thousands of poor people relieved. I applied myself to find out some more facile, less chargeable, and more expeditious way, (not only to discover new, but to recover the old decayed Ours. In order whereunto I contrived a way of Addits', cutting level through the lowest part of the Mountain, (and not beginning at the top, and sinking downward,) whereby the work was made more profitable, and less subject to the casualties of damps, and drowning, by preserving a constant water course, which was extreme incident to the other way of myning, whereby most commonly the Miners were drowned out before they could attain half the riches of the Mine; and also avoiding the tedious and chargeable sinking of air-shafts, by conveying air through the Mountain many hundred Fathoms, with Pipe and Bellows, away never before used by any undertakers, but now approved by all. And because I found that the wood of the Country was exceedingly wasted, by extracting the said Minerals; and that it could not be possible to afford sufficient supply, or if it did, it must be at such a rate as would devour the greatest part of the gain, besides the prejudice that would redound to the Country by the decay of Wood, being forced to use such great quantities thereof; I made trial of many expensive conclusions, and ceased not till I had contrived a way to make the defects of the Valley answer the fertile Mountain, by a supply of fuel; so that with Turf and Sea-coal charked, I have and do refine the Silver and Lead without Wood and Charcoal, by which means the undertaking is of much more advantage as well to the Commonwealth as to the persons engaged in the prosecution thereof. His late Majesty having received sufficient testimony of the Premises, and being sensible of the great good that was like further to redound to the Nation, by my charge and industry, for my better encouragement, and to the end that others might be induced to join in assisting me in a work, conducing so much to a general good; and in pursuance of his promise made at my entry thereupon in the year 1636. did, by and with the advice of his Privy Council, grant the Impost and Customs of all Lead that should be transported out of England and Wales, for the Rent of 6000 l. per annum, to be paid by me to His Majesty, his Heirs, etc. for 21 years: giving me also full power to deduct out of the said Rend all such sums of money as I had formly disbursed for his service, with 8 l. per Cent. for the forbearance thereof. His Majesty seeming to be convinced by his Council at a full debate: That it was much better that I should enjoy the Customs for a certain Rent (though happily (some years) beneath the value thereof) for that by my charge and industry the staple Commodity of the Nation would be greatly increased; so that if I, by the discovery of the concealed Treasure got 100 l. the Commonwealth would gain 1000 l. by the advancement of Trade, in respect of exportation and Importation, then that the said customs should be trusted to the general Farmers or Collectors, who could add nothing to that Nationall work (unless it were discouragement to me and my fellow undertakers;) and also that the Grant of the said Customs could not be less than 21 years, for that no man could be encouraged otherwise to adventure his estate in the promotion thereof, since a short Lease would be expired before a man could possibly obtain the fruit of his charge and hazard, a dozen years being many times spent before a Mine could be attained. But in the unhappy difference between the King and Parliament I was forced by the power of the Parliaments Army, and necessitated to retire myself into the Island of Lundy, of which His Majesty made me Governor, where I remained peaceably, without doing prejudice to any, until the Lord General in his Letter bearing date the 8 of April, 1646. sent me by a Drummer this following Order. Die Sabbati, 12 january, 1645. At the Committee of both Kingdoms at Derby house. It is Ordered, That a Proposition be made to Mr. bushel, That if he will deliver up the Isle of Lundy this Committee will use their endeavours with the Parliament, that he may be restored to his Interest in the Silver Mynes. GUALTHER FROST Secretary to the same Committee. Together with which Order his Excellency sent a safe Conduct for me to come to the Head Quarters to treat with the Lord Say, or with such as he should appoint touching the said Proposition made by the said Committee. Some months after the said Committee sent another Order, thereby promising their Endeavours to the Parliament, for the taking off the Delinquency of the Soldiers that were with me in Lundy, etc. After receipt whereof (having first obtained his Majesty's consent for the Resignation thereof,) I informed my Lord Say by Letter, That I could willingly yield obedience to the said Orders, if the sight thereof would relieve my losses, or cancel my Obligations; But since I could receive neither satisfaction or security by those, I proposed, That the Honourable Committee of both Kingdoms would be pleased to procure the restitution of my estate with all other immunities thereunto belonging by an Ordinance of Parliament, that thereby I might be enabled to pay my debts, and prosecute that public employment which I had formerly undertaken, and that before my Surrender thereof, otherwise I should be constrained to retain it as the refuge of my fortune, etc. Many Messages, Letters and Replies passed for some months about the Surrender thereof, after which it pleased the honourable Parliament to grant my desire, as appears by the ensuing Order. Die Sabbati, 10 July, 1647. Ordered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That upon the delivery up of the Jsle of Lundy to the Lord Viscount Say and Seal, The sum of my desires are, That since his late Majesty, in pursuance of his said promise made at my entrance upon the Mines in the year 1636. being convinced by his Council at a full debate: That it was much better that I should enjoy the Customs for a certain Rent (though happily (some years) beneath the value thereof) for that by my charge and industry the staple Commodity of the Nation would be greatly increased; so that if I, by the discovery of the concealed Treasure, got 100 l. the Nation would gain 1000 l. by the advancement of Trade, in respect of exportation and Importation, then that the said customs should be trusted in common to Farmers or Collectors, who could add nothing to that Nationall work (unless it were discouragement to me and my fellow undertakers;) and also that the Grant of the said Customs could not be less than 21 years, for that no man could be encouraged otherwise to adventure his estate in the promotion thereof, since a short Lease would be expired before a man could possibly obtain the fruit of his charge and hazard, a dozen years being many times spent before a Mine could be attained: for these and the other reasons before specified, his Majesty was pleased to sever the said Custom of Lead from the great Farm, and to grant the same to me and my Assigns for the term of twenty one years, for the Rent of 6000 l. per annum, giving me power thereby to deduct out of the said Rent, all such sums of money as I had formerly disbursed for his service, with an allowance of 8 l. per cent. for the forbearance thereof, as by the said Grant appeareth: By virtue of which Grant, as by my Council I am advised, I have a legal interest in the said Customs during that term. And forasmuch as the Custom, which formerly was 2 l. 8 s. p●r Fodder, hath been by the Parliament, for the good of the Commonwealth reduced to 20 s. per Fodder; And for that the quantity of Lead now transported, is nothing near so much as was shipped and transported formerly, as by the certificate of Customs annexed may appear: That therefore, although I might justly claim the benefit of the said Grant from His Majesty by virtue of the former recited Order of Parliament, which provideth, that I should upon the performance of the Conditions therein specified, be restored to all my Estate, with such right as I, or my Assigns, had, or aught to have had, in the Mines, etc. Yet declining my Interest herein, by virtue of the said Grant, I humbly submit myself to the Judgement of Parliament, not doubting their readiness to give all just encouragement to my endeavours, which shall tend only to the advancement of the public good. In pursuance whereof I humbly propose and desire. That forasmuch as by my charge, vast expense and hazard (being thereby damnified many thousands of pounds) the Trade of Lead being a Staple Commodity, hath been, and is likely to be advanced, That therefore I may be permitted to farm the said Customs of Lead, for the term of years abovesaid, paying 2500 l per annum for the same; which according to the due computation of the quantities of Lead transported for two seven years last passed (abating the reducement of the Customs by the Parliament, from 2l. 8 s. per Fodder, to 20 s. per Fodder, together with the deductions and allowance of the charge of the Collection thereof, which amounted to above 1000 l. per annum) as a Rent sufficiently proportionable, as by the Certificates from the Farmers and Commissioners, who by order of the Committee of the Navy have examined and certified the same, may fully appear; the substance of which certificates, for better satisfaction, are here inserted. It appeareth by the Certificate from the Farmers of the Customs herewith presented, that there was transported in An. 1634. and from thence till the end of the year 1640. (being seven years) 40772 Fodders, three quarter of Lead, and no more. For which, if there had been received (as the Book of Rates now allows) only 20 s. per Fedder, the Customs of Lead for these seven years, would then have amounted unto 40772 l. 15. s. 0. d. Which being divided into seven parts, it appeareth that the Customs did yield yearly. l. s. d. 5824. 13. 6. It appeareth also by the said Certificates, that in the year 1641. and to the end of the year 1646. (being six years, there was transported 25483. Fodders and a quarter of Lead, and no more. For which, if there had been received only 20 s. per Fodder, the Customs for those six years, would have amounted unto 25483 l. 5 s. which being divided into six parts, it appeareth that the Customs did for that time yield yearly (besides above a twentieth part that pays double Customs) l. s. d. 4247. 4. 2. But in case it shall not be judged convenient for me to Farm the same, that then I may be permitted to enjoy the Lead and Oar Custom free, which I already have, or hereafter shall (at my own cost, or the charges of such as shall adventure with me) discover out of new Ours, or such as have been drowned and discerted for many Ages: And to the end that a work of such Nationall advantage may not be retarded, nor myself and other undertakers discouraged; but rather, by all just ways and means enabled to prosecute and carry on the same: I further humbly propose, That for the future, the Parliament would be pleased to Ordain, That all persons convicted of petty Felonies may be employed in the said Ours, giving sufficient security for their true service therein, until such time be exspired as shall be adjudged meet for the expiation of their Crimes; by which means I conceive many poor Creatures will not only be preserved from untimely death, and removed from their idle company, but being forced to work, be made serviceable to the Commonwealth, and sensible of their own follies; the charge greatly lessened to those who venture their fortunes in the said undertake, for the reasons following: Whereas it hath been the custom in all Kingdoms, States and Commonwealths, where Mines are happily discovered to give all encouragement to Miners and Adventures in Mineral Works, by the Grant of several Charters, Franchises, and Privileges, whereby they might the more diligently attend the same; and in pursuance thereof so to be governed and ordered under a particular jurisdiction in all places; as Georgius Agricola, who was the most expert Mineralist of these latter Ages, and himself King of the Mines of all Germany, doth testify and affirm; as the Staneries heretofore in England in some sort were. And whereas the late King james, who was truly styled, The King of peace, and mirror of mercy, 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 imbrued their hands in blood, to admit their Transportation by the East India and Virginia Companies, for their furtherance of Plantations: In which action 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 Eliz. who built 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 way and course not only of the ancient Romans, to adjudge persons condemned for notorious crimes to work in the mettle Mines, but also 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 Moloceo, Goa Ormus, and other rich and populous Islands; The King of France, for his Galleys of Marseilles; The State of Venice; The Duke Florence, who by such kind of saved Offenders built Ligorn (one of the most famous Sea Ports within the Straits.) In all which States and Services, divers of these Malefactors, by good encouragement, have sought not so much by surviving as by their incredible Labours, effecting matters otherwise held invincible, to obliterate their former Ignomies by merit of Reward. And whereas in this Commonwealth too many such Offenders are most untimely cut off, in their best abilities of Service; so there is means of employment for such persons, to redeem their lost Reputation, by endeavouring to do faithful Service for their Countries honour, and the Commonwealths good, in the happy work of discovering Minerals out of the barren Rocks: My humble Suit therefore is, That you would be pleased, out of all these weighty considerations, and beneficial consequences, tending so much to the good of the Commonwealth, to grant me power for the choosing of such several persons out of the Prisons in this Nation, as are and shall be condemned for small Offences, and of able serviceable bodies, by the approbation of the Judges; as shall implore your mercy, to be employed by me in the works of the Mines Royal, they giving security for their good behaviour, with such limitation of time, and allowance for their sustentation, as to your Wisdoms shall be thought fit; that by their dutiful and laborious performance therein, they may afterwards come into the happiness of your Pardon for their former Offences. Thus having given you a perfect Narrative of my Rise, Growth, and Progress in this common good; together with the sum of my desires, as matter of encouragement in the further prosecution thereof, I will only add some few particulars to manifest the advantage that would by the said Grant, redound immediately thereupon, to the Honour and Profit of the Nation, and then leave the premises to the serious consideration of the Parliament, & all others that desire to further a work of such public concernment. As for example. 1. If in three or four thousand Tuns of Lead yearly raised, (which for some years last passed have been, and now is) the Trade and Customs both by Transportation and Importation, be kept up and increased to many thousand pounds profit yearly, than it must be inferred (and cannot be denied) That if double and triple the quantity be so raised, by the charge and practice of myself and fellow-undertakers, The result thereof must of necessity be equivalent, and increase the value of the Customs imported; whereby the Nation is advantaged, and the Adventurers encouraged. I desire to propound this Quaere, Whether 2. If the concealed riches of our Nation so discovered (with less danger and greater honour) be not much more advantageous for the inhabitants to seek them (by God's providence) at home, then to embark their thoughts and Estates upon the hopes of Foreign parts to enrich themselves, by advancing the Trade of another Country, since by the practic experience of a private man, the general Charge of a Miners profession is reduced to half the value of former disbursments, and as much more certainty in the way of discoveries. Tho. bushel. These considerations, and my late practic experience at Combmartin in Devon, did not only invite the worthy Merchants of Barnstable and Bydifford to write this ensuing Letter unto me, for Transporting all my Lead and Oar Fraight-free in stead of Ballast; but also divers other Merchants, by their good example, were induced to adventure upon my having a Farm of the Customs, according to the proportion of my Rent abovementioned, the several sums hereafter expressed, as to a public work, and in hope of enriching themselves by the same providence. SIR, SInce, you have been pleased at your own great charge to discover those deserted Works at Combmartin for the public good of our Country: And whereas you are interessed in the Ours of Wales, which furnish you both with Lead and Lead-Oar, These are to request you, to be pleased to make this our Harbour partaker of the Benefits may proceed therein, and what we buy not from you for ready moneys, we shall be ready to transport for you Fraight-free instead of Ballast, you rendering it aboard to all such Ports, as our Vessels shall commerce withal: In so doing, we suppose the result thereof will more properly conduce to your hopeful proceed in the said works of Comhmartin, which we wish all happy success, and remain Your Loving friends, Richard Harris. William Leigh. George Shirt. Robert Dennis. john Tucker. Thomas Horwood. Anthony Benny. William Palmer. Lyonel Becher. Richard Harris. William Nottel. john Down. Walter Tucker. R. Fleming. Richard Medford. William Wood Francis Newton. Edward Fleming. Tho. Cox. Nathaniel Fisherleigh. Robert Frayn. Barnstable 6 Octob. 1648. WHereas Thomas Bushel Esquire, Farmer of the Ours Royal, is willing and ready to adventure his pains, and a great part of his Estate, in discovering of the deserted Ours of Combmartin in Devonshire, and in cutting through divers Mountains in Wales, or elsewhere in Darbishire, for the discovering of Silver and Lead Mynes. And whereas by his Relation, he is in good hopes that he shall get an act of Parliament freeing the said Mines, so to be discovered and recovered, from payment of any Customs for twenty one years, or else that he shall become Tenant to all the Customs of England and Wales, at such a Rent as they are now worth, for which he hath already Letters Patents from his Majesty: Now for that the said Thomas bushel, doubting his own Estate will not be sufficient to go through with, and perfect these chargeable Adventures; and being contented to admit of such persons as will adventure with him in the Ours, to have a proportionable charge of the profits thereof Custom free. We whose Names are hereunder written, being desirous to forward the public good of this Kingdom, and hoping (by God's Providence) to gain profit to ourselves, do hereby declare, That so soon as the said Mr. bushel shall by an Act of Parliament have the said Customs granted unto him, we will each of us according to our several Subscriptions, lay down and pay the said several sums of money, to be employed by the said Mr Bushel in the said Mines as aforesaid; to the end we may have a proportionable share of the profits arising by Adventures, as aforesaid. We whose Names are underwritten, will adventure in the business abovesaid, as followeth: Martin jefferson 800 li. William Parkhurst 300 li. Timothy Lumm 500 li. Francis Ottley 500 li. Henry Seley 500 li. George Goodman 300 li. james Ingram 300 li. Robert Mees 500 li. Henry Archibold 300 li. Edmund Goodyer 500 li. Many others have proffered and promised to adventure, if the Customs be granted as desired. Which public Service was likewise a great motive to his Excellency, and the Lord Viscount Say and Seal, to direct the Letter of Request, at followeth: To the Honourable William Lenthal Esq. Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons. Mr Speaker, I Formerly granted safe conduct unto Thomas Bushel Esquire, who had the command of the Isle of Lundy, to come hither to Treat concerning the surrender of that place, and he like a Gcntleman truly performed on his part such Articles as were agreed on; since which time he hath been very industrious in finding out of Lead Mines, which are like to produce good quantities of Silver, proof whereof you may please to see, and having seen a Letter under the hands of the Merchants of Barnstable, to further his endeavours for the public; I could not but out of a sense I have the general good will be exceedingly advantaged by the way of his industry humbly offer it as a request of mine, That Mr. Bushel may have for his better encouragement, your best assistance in restoring him to all his Estate, according to mine agreement, and the Order of both houses, dated the Tenth of july, 1647. And although by that agreement and Order, he humbly conceives he may justly claim the Customs of Lead of England and Wales, at such Rent as the same were formerly granted him by Letters Patents from His Majesty under the Great-Seal for a good Term of years unexpired, yet he hath been, and still is contented to decline that claim, and submit to such a reasonable Rent for the same, as the Committee of the Revenue shall propose; And in pursuance hereof, the then Farmers of the Customs have by Order of the said Committee of the Navy (as I am informed) returned a certificate, whereby the true values of the said Customs of Lead may appear; I have therefore thought fit, humbly to recommend the said Certificate, together with the Petition of the Miners of Derbyshire and Devon, and his Propositions for the public good and make it my request that he may speedily Farm the said Customs of Lead, during the time of his former Grant, whereby his adventures for discovering Minerals, and recovering the deserted works of this Kingdom, may be encouraged to join with him in so common a good, lest he be enforced to leave this Realm, and so good a work perish by his absence: For truly Sir, this last discovery of his in the County of Devon, with the port of other his proceed, hath almost persuaded him to become an Adventurer; Who remains, Queenstreet 14. Martii, 1648. Your humble Servant, THO: FAIRFAX.