OF THE OPENING OF RIVERS FOR NAVIGATION, The Benefit exemplified, By The Two AVONS Of Salisbury and Bristol. WITH A Mediterranean Passage by Water for BILLANDERS of Thirty Tun, between Bristol and London. With the Results  
LONDON, Printed by G. Dawson, 1660.   

 engraved portrait of King Charles II, with chain, crown, and sceptre, and a second crown to one side 
Charles II. King of Great britain. etc.  
〈…〉 et excudit    

TO THE Most High and Mighty MONARCH, Charles the Second: By the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith.  
May it Please Your Majesty.  
THere is nothing of greater advantage to a Land, than the opening of Rivers, that by the Communication of them, the more Inland Countries may not only abound with all the varieties in which they exceed, but that all other manner of Goods,( though never of so great burden) may be daily imported or exported to the incredible case and benefit of the Subject.  
Your Majesties great Predecessor, Henry the 1st. was well experienced in this truth, who by cutting a Channel upon the Trent for seven miles length, did bring it down to his City of Lincoln, and being the first that conveyed so great a benefit to his people, doth stand alone by its self, in famed and glory. No doubt but the like hath been desired by other Princes of this Nation, who being hindered either by foreign or domestic wars, or wanting the help and advice of good Artists, could not accomplish( though attempted) with so much honour and advantage.  
It having pleased Almighty God, to restore Your Majesty to the Government of this Nation, and Your Majesty having of yourself a delight in the water, I have presumed to make this address unto Your Majesty, concerning a Navigable passage upon the two famous Rivers of Avon and Thames, to the Cities of London and Salisbury, and so to the Sea, which will be a work of great advantage, were your Majesty so graciously pleased, that it might be established by Act of Parliament( as was that noble passage by water from London to Oxford)& no less encouragement would it be to the undertakers, who then would undergo so famous a work even at their own charge, and through all ages would crown your Majesties praises,& love to the public; for Rivers will remain when Cities and Towns do fall, and it will be no little honour unto me, that in so great a work your Majesty will descend from the height of your own judgement, to reflect on the endeavours and the experience of him, who is,  
Your Royal Majesties most unworthy, but most humble and devoted Servant. Francis Matthew. Servant, and Captain of a Troop of Horse in His late Majesties Service; as by his Commissions doth appear.  
Who left noe way unsought with: those in r Govermt: to perfect so laudable a design  
If Your Majesty approve of this Overture presented, and be pleased to command my attendance on the Lords of your Majesties Privy Council, I shall be ready to give them further satisfaction herein, for the perfecting this so glorious a design, and remove all difficulties; and whereas I have set down in my printed papers this Navigable passage to be used only in the winter season, when our Rivers do Swell, yet upon a re-survey, we do find with a little more charge, for carrying Vessels of forty Tun burden, or thereabouts, all the yaer long.   

Of the Opening of Rivers for Navigation, &c.  
IN these Papers we are not to reflect upon this iceland, as capable of such Waterings as the flat Netherlands, whose Benefits may seem to 'allure us to the like Industry; Nevertheless Englands fair Valleys, and rich In-lets, through which many noble Rivers insinuate themselves, might, with the imitation of the industrious Netherlander, be made in many places docible of Navigation, to the inestimable comfort, satisfaction, ease, and profit of the public, especially during the seven( which we call) Winter-months, when Waters abound in our Rivers, and the Sea-coasts so dangerous for Navigation: but with more charge Navigation may be maintained all the whole year, upon many of our Rivers.  
The Objections of the differences of the soil, must not deter us from so advantageous an enterprise, there wanting thereunto nothing but a Resolution of the powerful Undertaker.  
And since that word Undertaker is fallen from my Pen, it must pass for a principle with me, That such great and public Works are not to be attempted by private men, or any particular Corporation, But most fit it were, that the State itself should be the sole Undertaker, performing all at its own proper charge; and so may justly settle upon every such Passage, a Revenue to the Common-wealth for ever.  
But before any particular Work in this kind be Resolved upon, the expense is to be weighed, with the Benefits to the public; and these laid in equal balance, it will soon appear, Whether that one particular Design, will be profitable or not.  
To clear this, a supposed Instance may be made in the Citizens of the noble City of Salisbury, as humbly making svit, That their Avon falling into the Sea at christ-church, might be opened to small flat-bottom Vessels, Billanders of 30 Tun, which Loaden, draw only three foot and a half Water; and this as well for the Sea, and its Commodities to be imported, as for the easier carrying down the Fruits of Mendip-Hills, and of all that part of the West, to all those parts below, which stand in so much need thereof.  
The Charge must be looked into with the Profits: and though the expense might seem great, yet must it not affright the public Undertaker: For besides the high Obligation this should lay upon the City of Salisbury, and all those adjacent parts, for so great and everlasting a Gift, which to a State ought to be a prevalent motive: The State itself might also reflect upon the benefit not only to the people, but also to its own Revenue accrueing by that Navigable passage, settled upon the Commonwealth for ever: It being a known maxim of State, that by what the People, by the same the Government groweth rich.  
Moreover, it must be thought that the desires of the people in the instance before cited, were grounded upon apparent benefits conceived.  
This Example may serve for all other such passages by water aimed at, the which ought to be made as apparently beneficial, as feazible: the Charge, as hath been said, being fit for no Undertaker, but the State itself: and the more such Navigable passages should Meander and wind within the Land, still would the benefit more and more arise.  
Rivers may be compared to States-men sent abroad; they are never out of their way: so they pass by great Cities, Marts, Courts of Princes, Armies, Leaguers, Diets, and the like theatres of Action, which still contribute to the increase of their Observation; So Navigable Rivers, the more places of Note they pass by, the more they take up, or bring; still gleaning one Commodity or other from the soil they pass through, and are supplied by every Town they touch at with employment  
The benefits which will evidently arise by opening of such Rivers in this Common. wealth as shall be found beneficially capable of Navigation, 
Bacon in his Natural History calleth these the richest Mines above ground.  are numerous and great; of which some few we will her touch.  
By this industry, as it increaseth, will be raised many thousand of Watermen, fit at any time to be taken into the service of the State, and what waterman will not think hemself highly advanced, to come out of a River into the Sea; out of a Billander, into a man of War, whose constant pay will be far greater, and whose employment will be of much more credit, and carry it with more hope of preferment. Hence also many thousands of Horse, now only used for Packs and burdens, would be spared,& our Studderies more capable for Warlike service, and the feeding of small Tits employed upon improvable stocks.  
The facility of Commerce from one place to another, and the cheapness of transportation of Commodities, without so much grinding and ploughing up our highways, which maketh them now in many places so impassable.  
You shall see Western wagons, which they call Plows, carry forty hundred weight; insomuch as between Bristol and Marlborough, they have been enforced at a Hill they call Bagdown-hill, to put twenty Beasts, Horse and Oxen, to draw it up. This great abuse, by this means would be taken away, by keeping our highways pleasant; and withal, by this transportation of Commodities by Rivers, the price of Commodities would fall.  
The Imposition, though easy, laid upon every such Navigable passage, would, as Rivers by degrees are opened, amount to a fair revenue, without any grievance at all to the people, but rather with much comfort, as it is embraced in other Countries, where they cannot live without the help of these Billanders, passing and repassing daily from Town to Town, from Market to Market, and from cost to cost; These are onely some few of so many benefits, which will result from the opening of our Rivers.  

General Observations upon all Rivers, as they are thought fit to be made Navigable.  
TO rise as high in opening the said Rivers as they shal be found feazible; 

See Rastal at large in his Havens& Rivers upon the 67 of Eliz.  
Let the head of the Avon which falleth down from Rugby to Warwick, and so into the Severne, be examined with the Welland, which riseth near to the head of the Avon,& falleth down to Stanford, and so through the Isle of Ely, into the Sea.   there to make a Wharf, Magazine, or Warehouse for all such Commodities as are useful to those parts of the Country, both for Trade in Merchandizing,& service in time of War, with far greater expedition.  
If any other River, practicable for Boats, lie near the head, or side of the said River, and that the ground favour the opening of a still River to be drawn between them, then to join them with Sasses, alias Locks, or otherwise. But should the ground be repugnant, then a fair ston causey, not exceeding one little daies journey for Horse, or Carts, to be raised between the said Rivers. Where the Navigation ends, a Wharf, or Magazine to be made as aforesaid, if these reach from Sea to Sea, not otherwise. For the example of Cawseys, let the head of Foy River,& that of Padston in Cornwall be examined, for a causey to be made between them. 
Which would revive that Country with employment.   
By the like industry, many Mediterranen passages by Water, with the help of such Cawseys, would be found from one Sea to the other, and not to have the old Channel of any River to be forsaken to gain a shorter passage. For, as hath been said, Rivers are never out of their way; and upon these Navigable passages, our chief Manufactures should be set up, for the commodity of trasportation.  
Object. These great Works always bring forth great difficulties, though the benefit be never so apparent.  
Answ. Can any thing of this nature seem difficult to a State resolved to do good to its peoole? Difficulties are the boundaries of narrow hearts, such is not to be the heart of a State, which should most rejoice in difficult things, in the overcoming of which, so much honor is achieved.  
A business well pondered and seriously resolved on, by a powerful Undertaker, is carried like the World upon Atlas shoulders, without groaning.  
Object. 2. Most of our Rivers in the Summer time will want water to carry a Boat, even our Thames sometimes is so shallow, as our Barges are gravelled.  

These expressly forbidden in Magna Charta, cap. 2. See Henr. pri. mi, cap. 12. Also Walsingham, in Edw. 3 And Sir John Davis in his Irish Reports.  Answ. Such Rivers as shall be judged fit for Navigation must not be debarred the Contribution which other Springs, Brooks, and Rivers would give them; wherefore all such Streams, great or small, which would willingly fall into our said Rivers designed for Navigation, ought to be free, and not to be bound up with Wears, sluices, Pens for Mills, and the like imprestures, which keep up, stop, and divert the Waters from their natural Course, and fall into those Navigable Rivers.  
Those Mills either the State should buy of the Owners of them, and erect for every Water-mill three Horse-mills, for the necessity of the Country adjoining, or so agree with the Owners of them, that they pulling up their Water-mills and such apparent purprestures for the free Course of Waters, should themselves set up the said Horse-mills for the use of the Country in places more convenient, then to go in some place a mile or two to a Water-mill, which asketh a daies employment for a man and Horse.  
And truly, if the consumption of our Timberhold on but some few yeers more, there will be none left to build either Water-mil, or windmill, they requiring the best and strongest Timber we have: so that of necessity we shal be driven to set up these Horse-mills, which are built with our meanest Wood, our Oak being little enough to maintain our Shipping, were it never so well preserved hereafter.  
The Avon of Bristol made Navigable as high as Malmsbury and Calne, with the Profits for transportation of Coals, and other Commodities.  
Which also may with facility produce a Mediterranean passage by Water ftom Bristol to London.  
The Coal-pits in Kings-wood near Bristol, and if they suffice not, those Colliaries upon the Severn side, to furnish that Country so much destitute of Fuel up to Malmsbury and Calne, in this manner may be looked upon: This River made Navigable for Billanders, flat-bottomed Boats of 30 Tun, which draw loaden but three foot and an half Water. The Work being feazible at a far less Charge than the yearly profits will come to; these Colliaries are to be dealt with to bring Coal either out of Kings-wood, or from the Severn, to a place assigned them for Wharfage, they affording the Newcastle cauldron at the said Wharf for 10 s. 2 d. being now sold at the pits at one penny the London Bushel.  

These of Kingswood are upon the States own soil.  Those Colliaries in Wales, the State may take into its own hands, giving the Owners yearly more for them than they now make of them.  
These Colliaries settled, and the River of Bristol made Navigable, 
Fewer will suffice should the Billanders carry 40 cauldron  the State to licence 300 of these Billanders, each bearing 30 cauldron( onely London measure) and these to bring Coal from the Wharf up the said River as high as Malmsbury and Calne, paying 10 s. 2 d. the London cauldron at the wharves, and 5 s. for every such cauldron for the passage up the River, and sell them at Malmsbury and Calne for 18 s. 2 d. the London cauldron, where now they are fold for much more.  

There sold at 18 s. 2 d. London cauldron. That is, 6 d. the Bushel.  The Owner, or Merchant of the Wharf having for every such London cauldron delivered, 10 s. 2 d. The State for the passage of every such cauldron 5 s.  
The Billander for his freight for every such cauldron, 3 s.  
The difference of Newcastle and London measure in the cauldron, 
Surplus of measure to belong to the State.  being the third Coal, two Newcastle cauldron making three of London: The surplus of measure should be given to the State, to be landed near the said wharves, upon a Wharf called the States Wharf.  
The other wharves to be divided into six; every Wharf having its Squadron of 50 Billanders, belonging to the Owners and Merchants of the several wharves; which wharves may have their names from the Colours they shall bear.  
These wharves to be kept by the Owners of the Coal which lieth upon them, who are to receive( as hath been said) 10 s. 2 d. for every cauldron given out, London measure.  
These Billanders are to sail up the River, every Squadron by its self, having each his Admiral, and Rear-Admiral, 
Thus we may play upon Rivers.  carrying their Flags of proper Colours, none of the said Squadron sailing before his Admiral, nor any behind his Rear-Admiral; and this to prevent disorder as they pass through the Country.  
They are so to discharge both the duties at the Wharf, and the duties for the Passage, as to make no stay at all.  
Every Admiral at the discharge of the duties for his whole Squadron( for he is to undertake it) is to receive a Ticket for his free passage through the River, without which they are not to pass the Block-house or Fort erected for preserving the States revenue, if any mutiny should arise.  
These wharves aforesaid, are to have correspondent wharves at Malmsbury, and Calne, and to be regulated as the former, one Squadron not unlading at anothers Wharf; where each Billander is to receive for its freight of 30 Chaldrons, 4 l. 10 s. every voyage; and two of these voyages may well be made in one month.  
The wharves paying the Billanders their Salary, and keeping the Coal for all such as fetch it there at 18 s. 2 d. the London cauldron.  
As concerning the Coal before mentioned to be laid upon the States Wharf, being the third Coal gained in the Newcastle measure, that also is to have at Malmsbury and Calne a Wharf called the States Wharf, corresponding to the former, where that surplus of measure should be laid, and kept for the benefit of the State, in thankfulness for that great charge in making the River thus Navigable, for the benefit of the Country: And here both the benefit of the Coal, and Passage, cometh to the State( the freight of the Billander onely excepted.)  

The ground-work being thus laid, the Profits are these:    l. s. d. Every Billander freight with 30 London cauldron for the Passage only, Fruits to the State every voyage 7 10 0 Every Squadron of 50 of these Billanders, for Passage onely, fruits to the State every voyage 375 0 0 Every voyage of 300 Billanders for Passage onely, fruits to the State 2250 0 0  

Surplus of Measure to the State alone:    l. s. d. Every such Billander freight with the Surplus of measure upon the third Coal, fruits to the State, both for Coal and Passage 22 10 0 Every Squadron of 50 Billanders, every voyage freight as aforesaid, fruits to the State 1125 0 0 Every voyage of those 300 Billanders freight as aforesaid, fruits to the State 6750 0 0 These in general from Bristol to Malmsbury,& Calne, making two voyages every month in 7 months, carry 126000 cauldron, which fruits to the State in these 7 months, in this sole commodity of Coal, though much more Coal will be carried 52500 0 0  
The Coal as they are first brought to the wharves should be so ordered, as the third Coal be duly carried to the Wharf of the State.  
As to clear what hath been said, If 20 cauldron Newcastle measure be brought from the Pits to the wharves, they are to be divided into 30 cauldron London measure, of which the State is to have ten cauldron laid upon its Wharf, and so proportionably to all that are brought from the Pits to any Wharf, the third Coal being always carried to the States Wharf. The Staple of Coal being thus settled for all that Country about Malmsbury and Calne, and Coal being sold there constantly for 18 s. 2 d. the London cauldron to all that will fetch them, that is, at the price of 6 d. the London Bushel; No question is to be made, but that a marvellous great quantity will be thus vented, to the great blessing of the People, who now pay about Calne and Malmsbury not much under 12 d. the bushel,& commonly more, being carried by Horse from Bristol: Should 50000 cauldron only be thus yearly vented, it is a great Revenue, and would in the very  

Profits to the State rise in this sole    l. s. d. commodity of Coal, unto 20833 6 8 
But there will be triple the quantity vented.  That is, for Passage 12500 0 0 And for the third Coal gained 8333 6 8  
And no doubt Bristol, so great a place of traffic, would make use of this River as high as Calne towards the Transportation of their merchandise from Bristol to London, it being the worst and most Hilly part of the way, and lieth full in the passage to London.  
  l. s. d. A Billander of 30 Tun, laden with merchandise from Bristol to Calne, taking but one Farthing per pound, fruits to the State every Voyage 62 10 0  
It may well make two Voyages every Month.  
This River being thus practised as high as Malmsbury and Calne, should our Seas be at any time infested with Enemy Fleets in such sort as without eminent danger, London and other parts of this Common-wealth, could not be served with Coal from Newcastle and Sunderland:  
How facile a thing it were from Malmsbury, lying upon the said River, to open a passage for these Billanders of 30 Tun, 
Were the Billanders to carry 40 cauldron, 250 of them would carry 10000 cauldron at one Voyage.  which draw Water but three foot and half, loaden, into the River Isis, by Creek-lade and Letchlad, and so into the Thames, all that Land-passage being not fully 3 miles( inviting the Undertaker) being very low, and practicable ground, most fit for the Design.  
This Passage opened, the profits to the State, would rise to a vast Sum, and far greater then that of Coal.  
By this means there would be a Mediterranean passage opened from Bristol to London by Water.  
Not only for the supply of much Coal in time of necessity, but for all other Commodities brought into Bristol, which in time of Hostility London could not otherwise enjoy, but by excessive Rates for Land-carriages, or convoys by Sea: but by this Passage once opened, all Commodities may be brought from Bristol to London( even at one Farthing per ponnd) we now paying all the Winter-time for carriage by Land between London and Bristol, 4 s. per cent.  
Our foreign Vintage never permitting us to bring home Wines till the beginning of November when our Channel is very dangerous, the Merchant would be glad to secure his Voyage by this Mediterranean Passage by unloading his Wines at Bristol, without any further hazard.  
The whole Charge of this Navigable Passage would be paid with the profits of the first year: And as for Coal for 2 s. more upon the London cauldron for freight, they also this way would be brought to London at 20 s. 2 d. the cauldron, London cauldron. Howsoever great Caution ought to be used, that during times of Peace no Coal should be brought to London this way, to the end our Shipping, which is much employed in the Transportation of that Commodity, might still be kept up, for the safety, benefit, and honour of this State.  
It were good that the 2 d. upon every cauldron were paid towards the defraying of the Salaries of Officers upon the wharves, and towards the maintenance of the Passage yearly.  
At Cardiff, the nearest Colliary to Bristol, that is upon the Severn, excellent Scotish-Coals, which also would drive a great Trade upon this Passage, being sold by the Tun.  
This Passage in time of Peace might be used for Transportation of merchandise to London, and from London to Bristol, only from the first of October to the first of April; partly not to obstruct our Navigation by Sea, all the Summer-time, when the doubling of the scape of cornwall is not dangerous, nor our Coasts so subject to storms: And partly by reason of the Avon, and Isis, and the Thames itself in those Winter-months will not want Water, which in the Summer they do, unless other Rivers be let into them, which cannot be done without more Charge: And for Coal, our Seas being not infested, none should pass higher then Malmsbury and Calne, not to hinder, as hath been said, our Navigation, for that Commodity by Sea, which must still be endeavoured to be kept up to the full.  
Now who should be the Undertaker of this great Work, but the State itself? it being too great an expense for any private man or Corporation to lay out; and of too great a Profit for them to receive, being effected.  

This to be observed well by the Cities of Bath and Bristol, lest they labour in vain.  Some endeavours have been used by that noble Patriot, Sir John Harrington, to make this River Navigable between Bristol and the Bath, which Work I have seen: but the Design being too narrow for this our great Proposal, it were in vain to be again set upon, either by any private man, or the said two Towns, unless they intend to make the River and their Sasses so large as the River to carry Billanders of 30 Tun, or more.  
I went down to see Sir John Harringtons intended Sasse, some two miles below the Bath, and I found the Engineer to have much abused the noble Knight in his Work, making his Sasse upon the very Dam of the River, which would have been a perpetual and forcible Enemy to his Work. Besides, I found by Measuring his Sasse, that it would contain but one Boat of 8 Tun: which narrow Design would no way have served to this our Mediterranean Passage, but must have been again ript up and destroyed: The Sasse itself being to be otherwise placed, and made far larger, capable of a Boat of 30 or 40 Tun.  
He who hath seen the Sasse, between Ipris and Vuerne in Flanders, will confess it a noble Work, and capable of public Service( which this I spoken of no way is) yet much is the memory of that noble Knight to be honoured, in showing himself to his Ability, a public man, labouring so much for the good of his Country.  
Many Sasses are to be made upon this River of Avon, it being so much a Falling-water, insomuch it is now forced to be kept up with many Dams, every one of which must have his Sasse, but not upon the Dam, but upon the side of it.  
The Proposer of this Paper hath no other interest in this Design, then a true Patriot ought to have, a desire for the public good, to see it effected, and by it his Country served: And if he shall perceive it embraced, it will encourage him to offer up to the public Service of his Country other Improvements of greater Consequence.   
FINIS.   

A Mediterranean Passage by Water between the two Towns Lynn and Yarmouth, &c.  
May it please your Highness.  
THus I shall state the business which at present I intend to present to your powerful hand, and under your potent Protection to the whole Commonwealth, the which Work is even already framed to the end intended; that is, Nature having so bountifully concurred with her own endeavours to the effecting thereof, in undergoing the greatest charge, which commonly is the chiefest stop in all businesses of this nature.  
The flourishing Havens of lin and Yarmouth being so Portuous, so much frequented with Shipping, and so plied with Trade, it is apparent that the two Counties adjoining, Norfolk and Suffolk, receive much comfort thereby, being more indulgently dealt withal by their two Havens then remoter parts, as particularly assisted by their importations, furnished by that means with many foreign commodities, which come flowing into those Ports.  
These two Rivers above name, the little Owse and Waveney, running as it were between the two Havens, and in a manner dividing those two Counties, were they opened for Navigation, would very much increase the benefit both to those Haven Towns, in venting of those their Importations, as also prove a great ease to the said two Counties to have so facile, and cheap a passage made to bring those Commodities unto them, and withal thereby to vent what they produce of their own.  
These two Rivers are so favourably cast by Nature, as in the Winter( when they will be most for use) the Heads of them already almost meet, at a place called Loppham Bridge, where a Navigable Channel being cut,( in length less than a mile) the two Rivers would join for mutual Commerce from Lynn to Yarmouth; and withal Boats might rest at any place of these Rivers, there to make their magazines of such foreign Importations, as the Countries adjoining stand in need of; others might touch at every Market Town, there standing at the least six or seven upon, or very near adjoining to the said Rivers; and within distance of ten miles, very many Market Towns more, the which in the end of this Paper I shall set down, with their several distances from those two Rivers; which Rivers I observe to lye so near upon a Level, as few Sasses will be required, to lessen the charge. What a blessing and ease would this afford to all the Inhabitants near adjoining, upon all Market daies( as they do in Flanders) to carry themselves, and their Commodities by Water( avoiding those deep ways in the Winter season, especially on Suffolk side) from Town to Town, from Market to Market, at such rates, as will not be considerable, if compared to their charge, and trouble in going by Horse or Cart?  
These advantages for the increase of Commerce; and Trade, your Highness wisdom will soon penetrate, and give heat unto, by your potent approbation, your Highness being generally observed to be most zealous in the setting forward of Trade, taking so much to heart the increase thereof.  
Neither doth this Design of mine contain itself within the verge of the aforesaid two Rivers, nor in the advance of Trade brought into those great Havens of Lynn and Yarmouth, but it reacheth higher, and extends to the uniting the In-land-Commerce upon Rivers between the North and East of England, there being no obstacle( were these two Rivers opened for Navigation) no hindrance at all, but that which our carelessness hath negligently cast aside, and made no use of for many years) to impead our Navigation upon Rivers within the Land, from the Haven of Yarmouth, to the city of York.  
Our Henry the first,( as Mr. cambden well observeth in his description of lincoln shire) cut a Channel for the space of seven miles from Torksea upon the Trent down to the city of lincoln, there to join with the River Witham, which falling into the Haven of Boston, comes through the Isle of Ely, into these our two Rivers the Little Owse and Waveney, and so to Yarmouth, Mr. cambden saith, this gallant King caused that memorable work of seven miles to be cast up for the benefit of his City of lincoln, though other Writers speak of a mixed intention therein, as partly to facilitate his own Removes from one part of the kingdom to another, he being the first King who brought Progresses into fashion, so making his people equally participant of him, that they might see and know him better by himself, than by his picture.  
He was an active and wise Prince, and as all Rulers of States have ever their designs headed with several ends; so might this King in this very work; as upon any foreign invasion, or domestic insurrection, to transport from one side of the Kingdom to another his Army, without grievance to his people for billeting of his Souldiers through the Country as they passed, or tiring out his men with long Marches, but to have them ready for action upon a moment; for by this very work of his of seven miles, cut out for Navigation,( conjoined to what Nature before had wrought) he might have transported an Army by Water, all within the Land from the East part of England into the North, without the least noise of landing, and have been upon his Enemies before they dreampt of him, in this silent and covered way. Howsoever his ends were, it was a noble Work, and a Gift worthy to come from a Crown, it being the first President that I have found in England of joining Rivers for Navigation, which showeth( even then) how forward, and prove toward Improvement this Kingdom was.  
But what an nnworthy neglect thereof hath been in these latter times, I blushy to writ! To let it fall, to be of no use, and the Work( though yet extant) to lie empty, wast, and dry, far from the intention of the Royal giver! in so much as now Sheep, and cattle graze, where formerly Barks have sailed, and perhaps a King in them.  
This Work, or Channel of 7 miles, commonly called Fosse Dike, were it repaired, and the Banks in some places made up, would easily again be made capable of Navigation, and revive that safe, rich, and large extended Commerce, which by that means did formerly spread itself within the Land, and would open the passage for Boats, as hath been said, between York and Yarmouth, to the unspeakable comfort of very many Towns and Villages lying near, and upon the Passage, and would yield a general benefit both to the East and North of England, and by participation all England over.  
It hath been observed upon Level taken, that the Trent lieth lower than Fosse Dike by Two Foot, or thereabouts, so that of necessity in that place there must be A Sasse to draw up, and let down the Boats. And indeed if we look upon our Sea Coasts of Lincolnshire and Norfolk, they are so wanting of Harbours, and of places to relieve Ships in, in time of stress, especially upon a strong Easterly Wind, as I may well term them importuous, for any Ships of Burden, so that in the Winter time( when our Inland passage will be most in play) the great frequented Haven of Hull will be willing to serve itself with these Rivers Navigable, for the more safe conduct of their merchandise into the East parts of England. And seeing our foreign Vintage never comes into our dangerous Channel till the beginning of November, in my judgement he were a desperate Merchant who will adventure Men, Ship, and Goods in sailing farther North, when he might secure all by unloading at Yarmouth, and making use of this safe Passage upon Rivers, even up to York.  
These, and the further advantages of this secure Transportation of all Commodities within the Land upon Rivers, between the North and East of England all the Winter season( when the cost is so dangerous) I need not any further set forth to your Highness, whose Wisdom will soon embrace them all, and accordingly reflect upon them to the benefit of the public.  
One thing I had almost omitted, amongst the many helps which the opening for Navigation of these Two Rivers between Norfolk and Suffolk would afford those Counties, that is, the supply of Fuel, which by this means may be brought unto them with great facility; Sea Coal now supplying the defects of our Wood, so much these latter years consumed, and I may well say destroyed.  
And were Fosse Dike repaired for Navigation( which now lieth waste) what a recruit would that also bring to all the East parts of England, by Transporting this way out of Nottingham-shire, derbyshire,& Leicester-shire, pit Coal( which in foreign parts they call Scots Coal) which in abundance might be fetched by the help of this passage?  
Though in this very point Caution were to be had, that no such Coal should be carried out of those Counties this way, but from pits new sunk, and from places where Coals have not been sought. That the inhabitants of those parts should not suffer by this exportation: And I shall make evident to your Highness, That there are indeficient Mynes of this Coal to supply this Trade abundantly, where never any yet were sought for, and not in any far distance from the River of Trent; the State contracting with the Owners of the soil( much of that soil is now already in the possession of the State) so that by this means no prejudice should arise to the Inhabitants.  
Moreover at Boston( where they must pass) there might be a Magazine for that Coal, 
But much fitter for us to do it, for increase of our Shipping.  either for us to Transport, or for foreigners to fetch them there, which would raise a very great Revenue to the State, that Coal being sold in foreign parts by weight, at very high Rates.  
This Paper out of my bound Respect, and Duty to your Highness, I offer unto your Prudence and deep Consideraiion, I conceiving it to contain matter of very great Honour to your Highness, and no less benefit and comfort to the whole Common Wealth.  
Rivers running through the Earth, as the Veins of that Body, which Opened in due time, and with good advice, give comfort and refreshments to all the Earth they run through, like to the veins in our bodies, which being opened by the advice of the learned physician, restore health, repair strength to the decaying man, and brings him into a flourishing condition.  
By this Passage your Highness will see all foreign Commodities brought into us from the East parts of the world equally distributed, to the North and East or England; As by the former Design of Opening the Rivers between Bristol and London, all the Western Commodities brought in from abroad, were to be Communicated to the West and South of England.  
Designs worthy to be brought forth under the happy Protection of your Highness.  

Market-Townes Standing upon, or near The Little Owse AND WAVENEY.  
Brandon,  
Thetford,  
Dis,  
Harleston,  
Bungey,  
beccles,  
Lestof,  
Yarmouth.   

OTHER Market-Townes Within Ten Miles of these RIVERS.  
FRom beccles to Yarmouth 9 miles.  
From beccles to Lestof 8 miles  
From Bungey to Norwich 10 miles.  
From Yarmouth to Norwich already a Navigable passage.  
From Harlestone to Windham 9 miles  
From Dis to Windham 10 miles  
From Loppham-Bridge to Higham 10 miles  
From Loppham to Harling 3 miles  
From Loppham to Bucknam 5 miles  
From Thetford to Watton 9 miles  
From Brandon to Swafham 10 miles  
From beccles to Sowld 9 miles  
From beccles to Harlestone 7 miles  
From Bungey to Harlestone 7 miles  
From Harlestone to Framlingham 8 miles  
From Dis to Buddesdall 3 miles  
From Dis to Debenham 9 miles  
From Dis to ay 3 miles  
From Loppham to Wolpett 9 miles  
From Loppham to Stow 9 miles  
From Loppham to Nedeham 10 miles  
From Brandon to Mildnall 6 miles   
All these Market-Towns, besides innumerable Villages, with many Gentlemens-Houses of Note, would so make use of these Two Rivers, 
Being but one dayes Work for a Teem.  that a marvellous Trade would be driven upon them; and sailing out of the Little Owse, the Boats enter into the Great Owse, which already is Navigable to Lynn, and to all the Towns within the Isle of Ely, even up to Cambridge.  
FINIS.