THE honourable ASSEMBLY OF THE Commons House of Parliament.  
The humble Remonstrance of the benefits of draining fen Lands in the several Counties of york, lincoln, Cambridge, norfolk and huntingdon.  
Sheweth to this Honourable Assembly,  
THat the Springs of Riches, and Glory of this iceland, ariseth chiefly from the Labour and industry of Men, and by neglect hereof followeth poverty and shane.  
That the Springs of Labour may arise in the greater strength, Wee humbly present these profits for the encouragement thereof, which we conceive, will undoubtedly arise, by fen Land Drained and used as followeth.  
First, We offer unto your consideration what proportion of Drained Land will answer the full profit of fishing and uncertain pasturage upon drowned Lands( where the Thistle nor the Mould warp dare not inhabit, for these truly are to be accounted drowned Land;) In times past in some parts prized, it did appear, the third part of drained Land was better then the whole undrained upon meanest profit, which is pasturage of Horse or dry Beasts, yielded 20. s. the Acar, when an Acar of drowned Land, Com●unibus Annis was not worth five shillings by the year, The two parts of the three being put into severals; it remaineth to consider what profit may arise to the owne●s or occupiers of the two parts; The meanest profit that arriseth by grazing of horse; or gelded bests amounteth to 20. s. the Acar, if employed to milk Beast or Tillage 40. s. if employed in Rapes or Collseede, will be worth 4. l. the Acar; if in hemp with mean Labour 8. l. the Acar; if employed into Cordage or Poledavies or course Canvaces, the labour will double the materials, and beget 16. l. the Acar. An Acar of Flax spun into mean prized linen cloth of 2. s. or 3. s. the yard, will arise to more then 30. l. the Acar. An Acar of Madder for Dying we cannot estimate, which we buy from beyond Sea: This being manifest, we offer unto your consideration what the annual Quantity of these improved commodities, do amount unto in the whole, after an easy estimate.  
It cannot be denied, but there is six hundred thousand Acars of these watery grounds in the East part, of England, lying in the said five Counties; one part being drained and remaining unto the Comeners unaccompted the other two parts being meanly employed in pasturage, will render as aforesaid 20. s. the Acar, amounting to four Hundred Thousand Pounds profit yearly to the kingdom, upon the first improvement. Every Acar employed to milk Kine or Tillage, will improve 20. s. more. So that employing half to Tillage or milk Beasts, it increaseth two hundred thousand Pounds; which maketh the Anuall profit to arise to six Hundred Thousand Pounds. Thus much will arise out of common Husbandry without manufacture; the natural improvement of hemp, flax, and Rapes for so much as is so used will amount to 40. s. the Acar more, which may be one hundred thousand Acars; All which doth amount to eight hundred thousand Pound per annum. Yet remaineth the improvement to be made out of the flax and hemp by manufacture, of Cordage, Poledavies, Course Canvace and finer linen, to such an estimate as the Petitioners dare not take upon them to estimate: But do verily believe it may amount to above a Million per annum in toto to the kingdom.  
We further offer unto your consideration the profit that may redound unto the kingdom from without, by way of intercourse of traffic with foreigners, we may by our own Labours have these commodities within us, that we buy from without us, as our Cordage, Poledavies, Madder, common linen and course Canvasses, and in stead of buying be a Setler, which in the point of saving in our balance of trade cannot be less then five hundred thousand pounds a year; and so much yearley clear gain, in the balance of trade would import so much Bullion, for that which was exported: Which Bullion increasing yearly would in short time increase such plenty of money in our kingdom, that it would advance all our native Commodities, and Lands would be improved thereby: The improving of our kingdom would make us more renowned, and formidable in foreign parts, and give life and courage to every particular member. This we conceive to be the blessing agreeable to the good will of God performed by Labour.  
Together with Fifty Thousand Pounds customs yearly to the Kings Coffers, and many thousands of poor people set on work, who now are ready to perish for want. All these particulars are as we conceive upon an easy account, undeniable.  
These informations we humbly offer to this honourable assembly, hoping that they tend to the general good and honour of this kingdom.   

London Printed for George Bland Gent.