Mr Bushell's abridgement Of the Lord Chancellor BACON'S PHILOSOPHICAL THEORY IN Mineral Prosecutions. The Impressa of Mr. Bushell's Golden Medal, of which see immediately before that LORD'S Atlantis. ·FRA· BACON· VICECO· SCT. ALBAN· ANGLIAE· CANCELL· EST· QVI· CLAVSA· RECLVDIT· THO· BVSHELL· DEVS· London 〈…〉 1650 To the Right honourable WILLIAM LENTHAL Speaker to the PARLIAMENT. Right honourable, MY old Master the Lord Chancellor Bacon would often say, That the magnificence of a Parliament, consisted much in the presence of their Prince; and that the reflection of his Royal Affection, was as a foil to render them as Diamonds of greater value in their Countries service. If those natural flaws of Self-interest, were not frequently known to become a motive to make them forfeit their Trust and subvert their Obedience, which invited that Lords observation to reflect upon such a Model of new Laws, as no forced power should be able to take away the regallity of sovereign Rights, nor their prerogative have a Medium to entrench upon the privilege of their Subjects; and that his philosophy should be the sole revenue to support the Magie of so magnificent a Machini, without any other imposition on the people, then its attendance upon Providence; and to change the temper of loose and avaricious minds into Moral and divine virtues: but that Lord being commanded by King James, to writ the life of Henry the Seventh, and his great employments in State affairs, were the divertisements which retarded his inclination to that study, and left only the essay of his Mineral Philosophy to support his Solomons House, described in his New Atlantis, as a test whereby the success of his other experiments might be judged. And now most honoured Sir, you having received the Lord Fairfax his Letter to the Parliament, in answer of mine, touching the making good my Articles, as also to recompense my great sufferings, hath made me so presume on your Lordship, as to beseech you to patronise this publication of my proceedings, and the rather for that I perceive by the weekly accurrance. Your Honor hath sent a Letter of Thanks to the Lord Fairfax, in the Name of the whole House, for his late opportune service done to the honourable Parliament, which hath emboldened me the more to put your Honor in mind of a result of the said Lords Letter directed to yourself,& dated the 29 of July last, least the interpretation of your Honors Letter should be held in the Diary of a compliment, when the L. Fairfax his Letter is laid aside, which concerns his and the Parliaments Honor to make good, and because his Lordship did me the favour to sand me a true Copy of what was writ, I have made bold humbly to present you with the grounds and reasons at large, which induced him to it, that the Parliaments wisdom might take a more present care of the whole matter, rather then the glory of such a work should perish for want of a right understanding. And if it may seem to any Person of that honourable House, too great a favour for me to have my Articles made good, I shall humbly pray no more, then that their Justice may protect my Mineral adventures at Rowpits upon the forest of Mendip, and other deserted places, and to defend my Feoffees in trust, who have resolved to make a true trial of my Lords philosophy in that affair, since most Men reputed me not well in my wits, for attempting the seeming impossibility of recovering their drowned conditions, otherwise those public spirits will doubtless inevitably suffer. From whence God led your Lordship by the hand, and all others that will take the pains to red the ensuing Treatise, for then my Genius invites me to believe, I shall have their unanimous consent so an errevocable Act like the Meeds and Persians, which is and shall be the Prayer Your most humble servant Tho. bushel. To the Reader. Reader, IF thou hast not faith to believe that Philosophy is the Mistress of all human Learning, and comes nearest to the Idea of Divine Knowledge, thou canst not hope for any good success in the Lord Chancellor Bacon's Mineral Conceptions, nor from the Practical experience of me his Pupil: since thou mayest learn from the oraculous truth of Holy Writ, That sacred Providence never conferred intended blessings on the incredulous, or such as preferred the fruits of any design above the Creators glory. For that Lord was of opinion, that little Philosophy brings a man to Atheism; but the intrinsical knowledge thereof teacheth him Religion, and to magnify the Omnipotent for the admirable Varieties of his handmaid Nature. For he which denieth there is a God, destroys his own original and nobility; for a man is of kin to the beast by his body, and if he be not kin to God by his spirit, he is a base and ignoble creature. If then the ensuing Remonstrance of my Mineral proficiency, and intended designs thereupon, shall be rightly weighed, and maturely scanned by thy Intellectuals without partiality, I have my desired ends; intending thee opportunity( by the experience of my known practise) to advance thy name with honor and profit, in the honest profession of a Miner; and if that prove idoneous to the eye of thy speculation, let me then obtain thy approbation, and utmost abilities to further the progress of this work so happily begun, and thereby make thyself as a corner-stone in this Philosophical fabric. For thou mayst know( gentle Reader) that my humble Petition to the Parliament preys no more then the concession and confirmation to me of all drowned and deserted Mineral works, whereon to try, if that Lord's Philosophical Theory can give life to their dead condition; hoping thereby( if happily accomplished) to make his merit appear the more remarkable in the Structure of his Solomon's House, modelled out in his New Atlantis; and this Nation to know the glory of her concealed Riches, by that Example. But to encourage thy Genius in so commendable an enterprise for the honor of thy Country, I must give thee to understand, that this was the renowned Parliament which gave the Lord Fairfax and the Lord Say power to capitulate with me concerning Lundy, and grant me Articles of War on their behalf, as by their Letters in answer of mine doth appear; together with the humble and earnest Petition of the Western Gentlemen versed in Minerals, to the then Ruling power, for the speedy ratification thereof, without my personal attendance, lest the inevitable invasion of age should prevent my service therein: And therefore I doubt not but the same Providence which hath brought them together in the strange vicissitudes of these later times, will dictate to their wisdoms, that this my Mineral service( dedicated by my obliged gratitude to my Lord Bacon's Philosophical Design) was originally transmitted to their prudential care, as well as the rest of public affairs; if their understandings be not clouded, as were the judgments of those Senators concerning Columbus his propositions in the time of Henry the 7. to our perpetual repentance: For that Lord my Master would often say, That if our three Nations could produce but such a number of pious and publique-minded true Philosophers, as Abraham proposed of Righteous ones to excuse Sodom, who would freely bequeath the mysteries and productions of their beneficent Arts to their Countries good, he did verily believe his Mineral Design( if by them undertaken) would in process of time, by a noble and innocent profit, exceed the magnificent advantages of the China-Trade, or the Spaniards American Revenue, through new discoveries of our Native Minerals, and philosophical cures of their natural crudities. For whereas the Spaniard( to the destruction of innocent people) hath consumed many millions of his Western vassals with excessive labour in gaining his Gold and Silver( though found in a perfect species) and by making use of that volatile body of poisonous Quicksilver to reduce its Atoms into pure Ingots of either quality; and therefore for many years past hath been forced to buy the persons of multitudes of Moors at Guiny and scape Blanco for the same employment: Here on the contrary, by that Lords philosophical new way of Mining, and Separation, we shall minister the bread of comfort to innumerable families, and add to our Common-wealth millions of native Silver, which our dull Ancestors sent away and lost in the crude body of our led; by which ignorance( only since the Conquest) our detriment amounts unto Three hundred and fifty Millions of pounds Sterling, as by a just calculation of the Transported plainly appears: And therefore I shall leave the consequence of both to the judicious Reader, which of those Miners at the day of judgement will be best esteemed, He which gets most Silver, and yet destroys millions of men in his way of working; or the other which preserves them, and gets the less. But because thy candid judgement may not suspect my Overtures as the chimera of a fanatic brain, or some project of deceit, I will demonstrate unto thee the truth of my proceedings; which in truth is thus: My affection to this work, and obedience to that Lords commands, moved me as his Pupil to practise such Notions of his Mineral Theory, as might conduce to the honor and profit of our Nation; although homebred simplicity were my education, and a younger Brothers fortune my portion to support that enterprise without a partner, which his Lordship ever advised me to decline, and trust wholly to Providence: But most perswasively at that time when he discovered to me the dearest Secrets of this his Design; adding, as a conjuration of gratitude, integrity, industry and constancy in the prosecution thereof, this form of speech, if my memory be faithful.[ Now, bushel, I have dealt with you in your naked simplicity, as God did with Adam in Paradise, when he gave him so large a royalty over all in that Garden, with so small an exception as the interdicted three: For I have made thee the Secretary of all my Mineral Studies, no ways restraining thee in the practise; only I prohibit thy arrogating to thyself the honor thereof, if it shall prove fortunate; and the employing such Treasures as shall be gained thereby, any way which shall not conduce to the raising, qualifying and endowing my Solomon's House, modelled in my New Atlantis, to my own proposed ends, according to the duty of an obliged Servant, and faithful Steward.] Wherefore thus resolved, I contracted with the late King, and the succeeding Lord Protector, for a Grant to search their barren Mountains, and to coin all such Silver as my industry should gain out of them( Providence assisting) if I should cut through their lowest levels to discover the Meander of such Mineral riches as are conceived by that Lord to lye in their Bases; six of which are called, the Darr●n, Broome-lloyd, Cumsumlock, Tallabont, Commervin and Cummustwith: And my success in following his Rules were crwoned with such unexpected blessings, that I did confidently believe, all Mountains in whose superficies I found such Mineral Rakes and Sparrs contained veins of like species and value as those I had pierced, and the fittest Flowers( being native gems) to adorn a princes Diadem, if happily cut; for so they might produce most honourable improvements to the Royal Revenue: A means more pious and heroic to happifie any sovereign Prince, then by heavy Taxes, Customs and Impositions, to draw their Subjects treasure into their own coffers, especially when they exact the fruit of poor mens labours to consume in their prodigious expenses; which may justly be feared hath been the accursed thing that hath so much displeased the sacred eye of the All-disposer, and occasioned such tragical alterations in some of their successions: By the latest of which my Mineral procedures have been interrupted, and I have suffered unspeakable losses through the hostile effects of the late Wars, whereby my hopeful Embrions became abortive; until I attempted the recovering those deserted Works mentioned in my annexed Remonstrance; to make an exact trial of my Masters philosophical way in discovering the unknown riches of this Nation, and to redeem my lost Credit, through the aid of the Divine providence, which I have humbly implored in my Prayer conjunct to the following Discourse; hoping by such harmless Adventures to revive the memory of Noble Bacon, and to procure the confirmation of my Agreement with the Miners by a Parliament-stamp, as it was ratified by the late Protector, upon the then Lord Chief Justice t approbation of the honor of that work: For who can expect, that in such a multitude as they are, all can be morally honest, when Christ himself amongst his twelve Disc ples had one a Traitor? But now seriously considering that the taper of my life burns in the socket,( I having already numbered twelve lustres of years) I intend to begin the foundation of that Philosophical fabric( modelled out in my Lords Atlantis) by placing a select Society of such aforesaid Philosophers in the City of Wells, whose virtuous Studies may first intend only the discovery of such Mineral Treasures, as are conceived by some learned Miners to be guarded by the subterranean Spirits lest my approaching period should prevent the experiment, and frustrate the many grateful intentions which my soul thirsteth to complete. And if Providence crowns these my endeavours in the West, all other deserted Works in the North may be recovered by the like practise. So that if by that Lords directions I should now at the last bring the deserted Works of a contemptible Soil( without damage to any person) to free me from obloquy, by clearing 40000 l. Debt contracted for the late King, and myself,( which I have been utterly disabled to satisfy, ever since by the sad effects of the late Civil wars all my own Estate hath been detained from me) which is very probable; should I not be barbarously ingrateful, if I did not attribute such a blessing to the Almighties providence? and conclude, that any person whatsoever who should seek to obstruct so hopeful a work for his Countries general good, was accursed in his conception, and ought to be abhorred as a plague-sore. Gentle Reader, I writ not this to constrain thy faith to an infallibility of my Lord Bacon's judgement in Philosophy, but only beg thy Talion-justice in thy censure hereof; and let not the pre-eminency of malice( which trepanned me into this Restraint) throw a prejudice upon the Design, or the the Modeller thereof: For( be confident) my nature scorns revenge, if in my power: God's providence is over, and in all our actions and sufferings; and peradventure, like Joseph sold into Egypt, my restraint here may beget a deliverance of all penitent Convicts, who( to expiate their crimes) had rather serve seven years in so hopeful a work within their native Country, then undergo a slavish condition in a barbarous Plantation: For that Lord( in order to this) would usually say, Nothing like a Diamond to cut a Diamond for hardness; and, The dead in Law were fittest to recover the dead in Opinion. Upon which gracious favour, I shall most willingly remain a Prisoner myself, without seeking the fruition of my Articles, until I have perfected the same, by the Searcher of all hearts, and in the wisdom of this honourable State. But if their clemency shall be so graciously propitious to this Design of that Lords Atlantis, as to grant me my Estate upon the Lord Fairfax his Letter of request, and his justification of my right therein, I shall most willingly submit the whole profit thereof to be consigned to Trustees deputed by themselves, and persuade the mayor part of my honest Creditors to attend the issue of satisfaction from the Mineral Discoveries of Your most humble Servant, Tho. bushel. THE CONTENTS of the ensuing TREATISE. MAster Bushels Letter to the Lord Fairfax, containing his suffering condition, and imploring his Honors redress according to Articles. The late Kings Letter to Mr. Bushel, concerning the surrender of the Isle of Lundy. Mr. Bushell's Articles upon his surrender of the said Isle. His late Highness confirmation of the said Articles. The Lord Fairfax his Letter to the Speaker, in Answer of Mr. bushels, wherein he justifieth his Articles, and desireth that the Parliament would recompense him for his great sufferings by their timely assistance. Mr. bushels Declaration, assuring all persons to ease the Taxes of such Parishes, wherein Minerals shall be discovered by their Plough, and notice thereof given to him by them, as also his former proceedings thereupon. The confirmation of his Agreement with the Miners of Mendyp, encouraging him to go on in so desperate a design, by the late Protector Richard. His Remonstrance to the present Parliament. The Case of a Mine-Royal judged to be by the most learned Lawyers under their hands. Mr. bushels mineral Overtures to the council. A Letter to Mr. bushel relating some strange accidents which happened in the Mines. The Petition of the Proprietors, Commoners and Mineral Bounders of the deserted and drowned Mines within the Counties of cornwall and Devon, for the speedy making good of Mr. bushels Articles without his personal attendance. A Letter to Mr. bushel from the Lords Proprietors of Hingston Down, encouraging him to go on with that work, according to his draft, and Merlins prophecy therein. Mr. bushels draft of Hingston Down, modelled on by the late Lord Chancellor Bacon. Mr. bushels Letter to the Miners of Mendyp, with their Answer, and their Juries Order thereupon. The humble Petition of the Mineral-Bounders within the County of Somerset, for the Confirmation of Mr. bushels Articles without his personal attendance. Mr. Basbee's Affidavit. Christophers Whright's Affidauit touching Mr. bushels desperate Anventures in Rowpits in the forest of Mendyp. The Testimony of some Miners of Mendyp to the Council concerning the same. Another Order of the grand Jury of Chewton in confirmation of the former, and for redressing any injuries that shall( for the future) be offered to Mr. bushel in his works. Mr. bushels Petition to the late King to have Condemned men( for Petty-felonies) to work in the Mines. The Speech of the late Bishop of Worcester( near his death) to Mr. bushel, concerning two rich Mines by him discovered. A Letter of humble Thanks to the late King from the Judges and Justices of Wales, in behalf of all the Inhabitants of that Principality, for the Granu of his Mint to Mr. bushel. A Cirtificate from the Miners, Smelters, &c. to the Lords of his Majesties honourable Privy Council, concerning new Discoveries of Mines made by Mr. bushel. A Cirtificate from the Assay-masters of the Mint, &c. to the Council. An Order of the Lords in Parliament for Mr. bushels security and encouragement in the Mines in ●ardiganshire. The Lord Keepers Letter to the Justices of assize in reference to the said Order. Mr. bushels Letter of invitation to condemned-men( for Petty-felonies) rather to work in the Mines of their own Country, then be banished to slavery in foreign parts His Letter to his fellow Prisoners for Debt, in mind or body. The late Kings Letter of invitation to Mr. bushel, concerning his procedure in Mineral discoveries. The Merchants Letter of Barnstaple to Mr. bushel, concerning their accommodation of transporting his led and Oar gratis, &c. The Lord Fairfax his Letter to the Speaker of Parliament touching Mr. bushels reality of his surrendering Lundy-Isle, and his humble request to make good his Articles. The Miners Contemplative Prayer in his solitary Delves: The Impressa of Mr. bushels Golden Medal to be given in mart( by his Friends) for performance of his undertakings, and the draft of a Bill to that purpose. The Lord S. Albans Atlantis( usually annexed to his Natural History) is likewise conceived( by Mr. bushel) a fit Subject for the Reader to peruse, as an Appendix to this Mineral Treatise. Mr. BUSHEL'S LETTER To the Right honourable the LORD FAIRFAX Touching his Articles of War. Right honourable, BY the enclosed Remonstrance you will discern the readiness of my industry to do my country service, and by my Articles of War, how much your Lordship and my Lord Say and Seal are engaged in Honor to see them ratified; and therefore I shall not need to put your Lordship in mind of more then what proceeds from your quick-sighted genius, and springs from the veins of your Noble Blood, especially when the fidelity of performance on my part( as a private Gentleman) shall be balanced and scanned by your own Wisdom. For( my Lord) I held my Articles of War, made by such persons of quality, and from the Authority of Parliament, more impregnable then the strongest garrison: And why I should be made the onely trophy of Misfortune, by being rendered thus into a Prison upon an Arrest, through my confidence of your engagements to protect me, when( by my public Actions) the Honor of a Parliament, and your own interests are bound to make them good, I know not, neither do I see the Equity or Justice of it: For it is impossible your Lordships should conceive my judgement so weak( I having the late Kings Monitory Letter, a true Copy whereof is here under written) when you shall consider the great Debts I have contracted for him and myself, as to part from so Tenable a place as Lundy, without my Estate restored to enable me to pay them, or my person protected till I got the possession, but much rather have died in the place, then be exposed to a loathsome Prison, by the common rigor of Bailiffs and Sergeants; unless it be decreed by the Eternal Power, that future Ages shall find on Record, there was a time when a Writ, procured by a mechanic fellow, did baffle an Ordinance of Parliament, empowering their General and one of the greatest Peers of the Realm to Treat with me concerning that garrison. In a word, my Lord, solid judgments do conceive, that my person cannot suffer more by imprisonment, then your Honors in the censure of all States for suffering it. I writ not this my Lord to free myself from prison, until I pay the utmost farthing of any just debt I owe, either for the late King, or upon my own score; if both your engaged Honors are not concerned in my Restraint, but onely crave liberty to pursue those Mines which Providence hath in all probability designed to pay such patient Creditors, Orphans and Widows, as never laid other action upon me then their daily prayers: For( my Lord) the fears of not enjoying( when brought to perfection) do far transcend any doubts I have of recovering Mineral Riches out of the hardest Rocks; Isa. 45.3. and since Divine bounty was pleased to confer such hidden Treasures upon a Heathen King, it were a sin of a high nature in me, that profess Christianity to suspect a lesser success, when the All-seeing Eye well knows my designed end is no more then the love of gratitude to pursue those Philosophical Notions described in the Lord Bacons New Atlantis, for magnifying the God of Nature in his secret Works of Nature: And therefore I could wish and humbly pray, That the Nobleness of your Spirit might be the Corner ston of such a fabric to posterity, since his Highness heroic Disposition hath vouchsafed to protect the same from any powerful oppressor( upon the Lord Chief Justice St. Johns and the Lord says approbation) for the general good. My Lord, these sufferings in my Reputation, Life, and Fortune by this imprisonment, I was resolved to submit unto in a silent patience; but some of my distressed friends, fearing the deep wounds in my head from that unhappy Arrest might prove to be mortal, have occasioned this my Address, upon a confident hope, that the Parliaments Wisdom will not deny a favour of such just concernment to your Lordships Merits, and the Lord Viscount says, if their more weighty affairs can but permit them leisure to prie into that politic Act of State whereby garrisons were acquired for great sums, and then it is conceived, your Lordships care in securing Lundy Isle will redound to your greater Honor, when they shall consider that much Piracy might have been committed in that place without control, which was surrendered( through your Prudencies) without any other condition then one person to be protected until the possession of his estate were restored to satisfy the just debts of Your Lordships most humble Servant Thomas Bushel. April 18. 1659. His Majesties Answer to Mr. Bushel, concerning the Surrender of Lundy. BUSHEL, WE have perused thy Letter, in which We find thy care to answer the Trust We at first reposed in thee: Now since the place is inconsiderable in itself, and yet may be of great advantage unto you in respect of your Mines. We do hereby give you leave to use your discretion in it, with this Caution, That you take example by ourselves, and be not over-credulous of vain promises, which hath made Us great onely in Our Sufferings, and will not discharge your Debts. From Newcastle. 14 July. 1646. Mr. Bushels Articles upon his Surrender of the Isle of Lundy. The Propositions, Articles, Conditions, engagements, and Agreements made, concluded, and assented unto, the Tenth of September, in the year 1647. between his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, Knight, Lord General, and the Lord Viscount Say and Seal, of the one part, and Thomas Bushel Esq; Governor of the iceland of Lundy for the Kings Majesty of the other part, in pursuance of several Orders of the Committee of both Kingdoms, and an Order or Ordinance of the Lords and Commons in Parliament, as followeth, FIrst, It is agreed that the said Mr. Bushel shall Surrender and Deliver up the said iceland unto the said Lord Say, or unto such person as he shall appoint, and all Ammunition, and magazine there. And that in consideration thereof, The Delinquency of the said Mr. Bushel shall be taken off, and all Sequestration in respect thereof discharged; and he the said Mr Bushel shall be restored unto his Estate, and such right as he or his Assigns had in the Mines of Devon, cornwall, and Wales, before these troubles; and all the persons with him in the iceland, and not being persons of quality, shall be pardonned of their Delinquency, and suffered to live quietly at home, not acting any thing contrary to the Authority of Parliament. Secondly, That Mr. Bushel shall be protected from Arrest, until he obtain the possession of his said Estate. THO. FAIRFAX. His late Highness confirmation of the said Articles. OLIVER P. WHereas Tho. Bushel Esq; by his Articles of War, dated the 10th. of Sept. 1647. is to be protected from Arrests, until he shal obtain the possession of his estate, and having found that he is so just to all his Creditors, as by his own Petition, he hath tendered his whole estate to be divided amongst them by the Commissioners appointed by the late Act for relief of Creditors and poor Prisoners, that he may be the more free to serve this Common-wealth, in taking off the taxes from the people by such public profits as he shall raise out of his Mineral discoveries, in the performance of his duty to this State, and gratitude to his deceased Master the Lord Chancellor Bacon. We have therefore thought fit, and do hereby promise upon our word, to grant unto him and his Adventurers such conditions, accommodations, immunities and privileges in consideration thereof, and for carrying on of that affair expressed at large in his printed Overtures, as under the hands of the Lords Commissioners for the great Seal, and the Lord chief Justice of either Bench, or any two of them shall be approved of and recommended to us to be granted, ratified and confirmed, Given under our hand and Seal this second day of February, 1653. The Lord Fairfax Letter to the Speaker of the Parliament. Master Speaker, I Cannot but be sensible of any thing that reflects on the Honour of the Parliament as on myself, who for their service hath granted Articles to several persons as importancie of affairs required, and particularly to your Petitioner Mr. Bushel; but of late there hath been some obstruction in due execution of them to the prejudice of such as cast themselves on your protection, which Mr. Bushel more readily did, in hope of performance of those Articles made upon his surrender of the Isle of Lundy; with the Lord Say and myself on the behalf of the Parliament, then conceived most reasonable as his papers herewith do express; therefore entreat at your first opportunity, you would acquaint the honourable House with the contents of my humble desires, which is, That they would make good Mr. Bushels Articles, and be pleased to recompense his great sufferings with their timely assistance, that he may be better enabled to satisfy his Creditors which he cannot do but by pursuit of such Mineral discoveries as Art and Experience hath taught him which will not only be their advantage in securing those debts, but render him more capable of doing considerable service to the Commonwealth. And in so just an Act you will preserve the Justice and Honour of the Parliament, and his, who hath ever been, Your most humble Servant T. Fairfax. Bath, 29 July, 1659. These, To the right honourable William Lenthall Speaker of the Parliament of England. A Declaration of Thomas Bushel Esq; Touching Mines Royal, to all persons whatsoever, that are Lovers of the Commonwealth, and Promoters of public Actions, as well for the Welfare of the same, as for their own private Interest in a lawful way, to ease them of their Taxes. WHereas his Highness the Lord Protector, having received good assurance of the great Industry and long Experience of the said Thomas Bushel in Mineral discoveries,( demonstrated in his late Overtures presented to the Council of State) hath been graciously pleased, by his Letters patents under the Great Seal of England, bearing date the 16 day of February 1654 to grant to the said Thomas Bushel, and his Coadventurers, full power and Authority to Dig, Delve, and search for all Mines Royal within the Territories of this Commonwealth,( rendering to the State every fifth Tun of all such Oar as shall hold Gold or Silver worth the refining:) Provided, that if in pursuit thereof,( by carrying on their chargeable Adits or Delves thorough the lowest Levels of Hills or Mountains) they discover any Mines that do not prove Royal, they shall then pay every tenth Tun of such Oar, as they shall there dig or delve, to the Proprietors of such Lands, and not to the State; that so the expectation of all moderate persons may be answered with a certain Profit without Charge, and himself and his Co-Adventurers not discouraged in a work of so public concernment. In reference whereunto, his Highness the Lord Protector hath also graciously ratified to the said Thomas Bushel the former power he had to coin all such silver as he shall refine out of the Oar of the abovesaid Mines Royal: and in humble resentment of which favour, and as a grateful motive to stir up all mens affections and industries to the discovery of such Mines, the said Thomas Bushel hath engaged himself, to his Highness the Lord Protector, and his honourable council, and doth hereby engage himself, to free all such Parishes from their Taxes, or give to their poor the value thereof, in which any such Mine or Mines shall by the parishioners of the same be discovered unto him, so long as they shall be wrought; if by the judgement of the two next Justices of the Peace, they shall be proved rich and valuable. The Premises seriously considered, the said Thomas Bushel earnestly entreateth all and every of you his loving Countrymen, who are well-affected to the Commonwealth, That you will unanimously be pleased to join your utmost Industry and Observation, in the diligent Discovery of all such Shods, Spars, Rakes, and Veins, as may( to your best judgement) appear Mineral, in your digging, delving, or ploughing your Grounds: that, as much as in you lies, you may all agree in this great Work, and act as the united Faculties of one man; whereby you may not onely prove instrumental to the magnifying Gods glory in the excellency of his Creation, but perpetuate your Memories by the noble Titles of loving Patriots to your native Country: The honest desire whereof, hath so enflamed the said Thomas Bushel, that he unfeignedly professeth, as in the presence of God, That had he now an estate equal with the richest private person in England, he would employ it all in pursuance of so hopeful a Design, for the good of this Commonwealth, and in obedience to the Commands of his honoured Lord and Master, the late Lord Chancellor Bacon; albeit he hath in his former Undertakings of this nature, met with some of so contrary a disposition, that out of a poor private respect to their Herbage on some barren Mountains, by him proved to the Parliament not worth 3 d. an Acre per annum, they for seven yeers time concealed from him Mines therein so rich, that after his own happy discovery, one of them many yeers produced to him one hundred pounds sterling by the week, in Refined Silver, besides led to a good value. From whence may easily be inferred, that if you shall all prove cordial in this so great and good a Work, you may highly advance the honour and riches of our Country, and employ many thousands of poor men in an honest Labour, with good Wages, to support their Families, which now want employment. The consideration whereof, hath moved his Highness the Lord Protector further graciously to promise to the said Thomas Bushel all other assistances that his honourable council shall hereafter conceive conducible to the perfecting of so hopeful, public, and pious a Work. And the said Thomas Bushel doth hereby declare, that if it shall please the Almighty to prosper him in this his undertaking, that he shall then provide a certain convenient Place, and skilful Artists, for the trial and perfecting of all such Natural Experiments, as have been imparted to him by his said honoured Lord and Master: and in the mean time, he hath prepared a Place very convenient, in Lambeth-Marsh; to which house, all persons concerned may direct their Discoveries, to be assayed and tried at the charge of me. Richard P. WHereas our late deceased Father Oliver Lord Protector of happy memory, did by his Letters Patents under the great seal of England, grant unto Thomas Bushel Esq; and his Coadventurers, all such Mines royal as he or they should discover within this Commonwealth reserving one fifth part thereof; And did also confirm his grant from the late King for the coining of the Silver extracted out of his Mines; and whereas the said Tho. Bushel hath humbly remonstrated unto us, that he hath been at a great charge and expense in making of Addits and Swallows for the draining of Sir Bevis Bulmars deserted led Mines in Rowpits and green oar, on the forest of Mendyp, in the County of Somerset, and doubts not by God's assistance, to effect the same in a short time, if he be not impeded therein by some malicious and dissolute persons, who( as appears to us by several Affidavits) have already attempted to destroy the same; Wee, having received very good testimony of his abilities in Mineral affairs, and of his remarkable successses in following the Philosophical directions of his late Master the Lord Chancellor Bacon, and taking notice of the several Orders and Decrees of the grand Jury of Chewton, dated the 28 of May 1657, and the 28 of July 1658 for the regulating of the Miners there, and the encouraging of the said Tho Bushel in his undertakings, do hereby ratify and confirm the said Orders and Decrees, and by these presents straightly prohibit and forbid all persons whatsoever to hinder or molest the said Tho. Bushel, his servants or workmen, or any of them in their proceedings therein; And do require all Justices of Peace, Mayors, Sheriffs, bailiffs, Constables and other Officers, and all our colonels, Captains, Officers and Soldiers of our Army to assist the said Tho. Bushel and his Coadventurers against all violences and injuries that shall be attempted to hinder or spoil his said undertakings, and to punish severely all such as shall offend the aforesaid Decrees and our Commands herein, according as the offence shall merit, and as enemies to the Peace, Honor and Profit of this Nation, and as we expect their performance hereof; so this shall be their Warrant for so doing. Given under our Signet at Whitehall this Fifth day of February, 1658. To the supreme Authority of this Common-wealth, the Parliament of England. The humble Remonstrance of Thomas Bushel. Esq; Sheweth, 1. THat his Mineral service, grounded on his Master the Lord St. Albons Philosophical Theory may prove so advantageous and transcendent to the profit and honor of this Commonwealth, that in time( if rightly employed) it may exonerate the groaning Subjects of a considerable part of their heavy Taxes, and take from future Parliaments the necessity of ponderous Impositions upon a depressed People. 2. That he can assure your Honors by the oaths of divers persons of quality, that this unparalleled Lord in the autumn of his age did affirm to King James when he made him Viscount, That he much repeated he had not made Mineral Philosophy the darling study of his Youth, as well as the Laws of the Kingdom, conceiving that he might as a Philosopher, thereby have as much advanced the Glory of God in discovering the secrets of his Hand Maid Nature, as the honor of his Prince, and the profit of his Country, as a States man; concluding that if his Mineral Notions had by experiment been brought to perfection in his life time, when he had the assistance of his Princes power and favour, for the erecting and endowment of his Solomons house( designed in his new Atlantis) he had not left so hopeful an equivocation to abortion through his the said entrusted Bushels weakness, or future vicissitudes; And he doth also aver, that he was provoked by a grateful Zeal to his said Masters honor, and the republic in this Mineral service; and somewhat the more in remembrance of this saying of that Lord, That most politic Expedients for the increment of a Princes coffers, had a strong influence upon the peoples purses; But innocent Mineral Productions came nearest the Idea of Divine bounty. 3. He affirms, that by way of Mart he hath already delivered to his late Highness Oliver Lord Protector, and many other persons of quality One hundred three pound pieces of Gold, for which he is to receive five and ten for one, when he shall advance 1000 l. per week in Gold or Silver out of the Mines of the Territories of this Commonwealth. 4. That there hath been so many thousand tons of led transported since William the Conquerors time unrefined, as by Records do amount unto Seventy Millions, which had the Lord Bacons Philosophy been then known, as it is now to be practised, the Silver of every Tun would have produced five pound at the least one with another, and in the whole it had advanced to the treasure of this Nation Three hundred and fifty Millions of pounds sterling, and if this can be extracted out of the poorest led, with no loss to any moderate man, what will then the richer metals prove to the honor and profit of this republic if discovered by a diligent search after my old Masters way, designed in the annexed Model of Hingston Down and other places marked out by that Lord to defray the charges of the one out of the profits of the other, 5. That I am approaching, for president sake, to some memorable Act, worthy the honor of this State. and the trial of the Lord Bacons Philosophy, upon the forlorn hope of that great well-wisher Sir Bevis Bulmer's drowned and deserted Works of Rowpits, after 10000 l. were expended out of Queen Elizabeths Purse to perfect the same, but could not. 6. That he hath already discovered such Copper Mines and Calamunt stones, as we need not be any more obliged to foreign Nations, if your countenance will but quicken the ingenuity of domestic Industry for securing and encouraging those public Spirits that must survive his actions; and intend to make the World their Heir. In a word, most honourable sirs, He hath heard for truth, that the Lord Chancellor Bacon discoursing upon this Subject before King James and the then Spanish Ambassador, said, That if those two Princes would please to call their great Councils,& to deputy the extracted knowledge of all former Ages into one man, his Lordship did not doubt but in the notion of his own Philosophy to exceed them all for the future, both in easing the charges of Mineral discoveries, and their separating qualities for half the value, as well as the more certainty to find out their obscure Lodgings in their Mother Earth, then yet hath been promulged or practised by any; and that this Nation should not need to envy the King of Spains Silver Mines in America, which did much quicken my affections being a younger Brother of Fortune to search after the Meander of Natures Minerals. For know, this is the fourth time I have laid my Reputation in the dust, and given it as many happy resurrections by my Mineral discoveries, be pleased therefore to afford me the honor of your Justice to protect my innocent Actions according to my Articles, that your deep intellects may the more transparently discern the miraculous mineral game played now by Providence more clearly to manifest my Lords Philosophy; That Sirs, out of worse then in a manner nothing in myself, and out of those drowned and forsaken Works, reputed to be the ruin of most Adventurers these forty years, he should by putting my Lords Receipts into Acts, produce such store of treasure as to maintain a Mint in your City of Wells. And whether this my obliged performance, if once pe●fect● according to the Model of this my humble Remonstrance, may not be an Emblem of a providential honor to perpetuate your Name, I shall humbly submit to your own wisdoms after your honours have vouchsafed to peruse the ensuing lines, what a Mine Royal is known to be, and so resolved by the learned Lawyers of this Nation. And lastly, for that his Lordship would often say, That no person could pretend interest in Gold or Silver by the Law of Nations but the Sovereign Prince, lest a Subject might contest with the signory of his Prerogative power through discovering such concealed Treasure within his barren and contemptible Herbage, nor that ever any Prince denied the assistance of his power to the poorest of his Servants, when Providence and Industry hath found in his own Territory such Ingredients to the Diadem of his Crown: Be pleased therefore in your clemency to consider these my humble Addresses of so high concernment upon your own Pillows, and so resolve whether I shall obey your commands as your Votary, or your Miner, and either shall please The humblest of your Servants, Tho. Bushel. The Case of a Mine Royal judged to be by the most learned Lawyers under their Hands. ALthough the Gold or Silver contained in the base metals of a Mine in the Land of a Subject, be of less value then the base Mettall, yet if the Gold or Silver do countervail the charge of the refining it, or be of more worth then the base Mettal spent in refining it, this is a Mine Royal, and as well the base Mettal as the Gold and Silver in it belongs by Prerogative to the Crown. Sir Ralph Whitefield his Majesties sergeant at Law. Sir Edward Herbert Attorney General. Oliver St. John Solicitor General. Orlando Bridgman the Parlia. Solicitor. John Glanvil sergeant. Rich. Creswel sergeant. John wild sergeant. Rob. Holborn. John Hern. Edward Bagshaw. Thomas Lane. Richard King. edmond Prideaux. Esqs Jo. Maynard. Edward hid. John Glynne. charles Fulwood. Harbottle Grimstone. John White. George beard. John Franklin. Richard Weston. John Glover. William Ellis. Thomas Culpepper. John Goodwine. William Sanford. John George. Ja. Haward, Esqs FINIS. MR. Bushel's mineral OVERTURES. Right honourable, ACcording to your commands, I do here present your Lordships with a brief Narrative of the Lord chancellor BACONS directions to myself, for the management of his Mineral experiments, in case his own Death should stop his intended progress therein, before he could practically discover the true generation, and spreading qualities of Minerals, I being then his Menial Servant. King JAMES having already promised to grant his Lordship all his own discoveries of Mines Royal, and also of any drowned Lands, or deserted Works, by him to be recovered within the space of Forty years, paying him the fifth, according to the usual custom of the King of Spain, in his Mines of the West-Indies, and of other Princes, after the expiration of Fourteen years first granted gratis towards the great charge of his new Invention, to facillitate the obtaining the Mineral Riches of this Land, occasioned by a learned Speech his Lordship hath lately made to his Majesty,[ Count GUNDAMORE, and divers of the Nobility being present.] concerning the rise, and magnificent growth of the China Trade; wherein by a perfect demonstration he made it appear, that the invention of one man( by his helping the defects of Nature, with the Materials of Art, and the patience of three Ages industry to bring its concoction to perfection) became the great revenue of that Empire, and hath been for this thousand years the only honor of that people, as well as their livelihood and patrimony.] In which he seriously protested, That his utmost ambition in the affairs of this World affencted no greater glory, then to leave the real fruits of his best service to his sovereign, Honor to his Name, his written Works to Posterity, and by such Treasures as his own industry should raise out of his Mineral experiments, to accomplish the noble Design and fabric of his SOLOMONS House, described in his new Atlantis annexed to his Natural history; seeing that the Corporation of the Mines Royal, instituted by his Majesty, consisting of Lords and Gentlemen of quality produced but weak, or very small advantages to the Revene● the Crown, or the public good; although his Lordship did then really believe it very possible for himself( if qualified thereto by his regal Power) to bring it so to pass in one Age, that the barrenest Mountains in this Nation should produce such store of Treasure by their royal veins; as we need not envy the King of Spain's felicity in his Potezi, or any other Mines in America; and thereupon by way of similitude added this, That as a State, whose present dimensions were but small, might happily serve as a foundation for an ample Monarchy, if all regard of private propriety were laid aside, and every Member thereof would diligently devote his particular care to the public ben fit; even so it might happen in the advancement of the discoveries of those Mineral Riches supposed to lye hide in the bosoms of the most barren Mountains, when the whole industry of the many several persons employed, should be concentric in that service, and act as the united faculties of one man, their hearts being free from all ends and ambitious thoughts, save such as conduced to Gods glory and the common good. But so soon as his Lordship had vouchsafed to acquaint me concerning his proceedings with his Majesty in this Affair, he bad me call to mind the many fatherly favours which he had conferred upon me, as pious motives to retard my unripe years from hazardous travels; and having professed to his Lordship, that I could not with any content resolve to live in my Native Country, ever since I understood, that younger Brothers by the Law of the Land were not participant in their Fathers Inheritance, but that they were by the ways of virtue and industry, to attend the Almighties bounty, for acquiring such fortunes as primogeniture had conferred upon their elder Brothers, or otherwise to live in an inferior or servile condition; and then instanced his acceptance of me for his servant at fifteen years of age, upon my own Address; his clearing all my debts three several times, with no smaller sum in the whole then Three thousand pound, his preferring me in Marriage to a rich Inheretrix, and thereupon not only allowing me Four hundred pounds per annum, but to balance the consent of her Father in the Match, promised upon his honor to make me the Heir of his knowledge, in Mineral Philosophy, saying▪ That if those real expressions of his love could but find the due retalliation of my gratitude, he might then assure himself of the hoped Harvest of two Lives in one; infering, that although Fathers are bound to provide for their Children, and worse then Infidels if they do not, yet there is no such injunction upon Masters, in relation to their Servants; and therefore where a Masters pious bounty transcends a Fathers natural love, there that so obliged servant must appear most prodigiously ingratefull, which shall not with much zeal and faithfulness, discharge the duty of a surviving Trust; seriously adding this: Bushel, I must now use you, my intended instrument, in the prosecution of my Mineral Designs, as politic Princes do their nearest servants in their Cabinet-Counsels; who putting their Masters conceptions into act, if they take well with the people, must own no more of them then the approbation thereof, and the admiration of their Princes wisdom therein; but in the contrary effect( to salue their Princes honor) they must sadly aclowledge the matter wholly their own; an Error in their Counsels, and a crime in themselves: so you, if by my theory you prosper in your practic, must attribute all the honor of the whole work to me; if otherwise, you must gratefully preserve my reputation, by acknowledging your own misfortune, in mistaking and misacting my directions, and so you shall be sure to gain the Title and Character of a grateful servant in either event. And upon my serious protestation, that I would faithfully obey all his Commands, his Lordship advised me, not to follow the practise of our Predecessors, in their tedious and expensive ways of sinking airy shafts at every forty fathoms, nor to imitate the ancient Romans, by digging Mines through deep and open Trenches; but by cutting Addits into the Mountains at their lowest Level, and by supplying their defect of air with Pipe and Bellows, being an invention utterly unknown to former Ages. And for my first experience, to begin with those five Mountains in Cardiganshire, reported by Sir FRANCIS GODOLPHIN, and a Portugues, to be rich in Silver and led. But if I should by my practic part fail in my deeper search, either for want of convenient air, or a sufficient Vein of Ore, his Lordship commanded me to pursue his Directions in that particular no further; yet if my happy success should prove his theory true in this, as also in the several ways of separating the Mettle from the Dross, and the Silver from the led, that then I should not fail to illustrate the innocent Trade of the poor Miners, by making his Lordship the Patron of their Profession, nor neglect to dedicate the whole profit which Divine Providence should reveal in the one, to find out the Riches of the other; and above all, that I should take special care to elect such honest Agents for the carrying on this innocently profitable work, as their virtuous ambitions should aim at no by respect beyond the public good of their Country, they having a competent salary for their modest maintenance: But these Embrions proving abortive, by the death of that Lord in the reign of King James, where the sad motive which persuaded my pensive retirements to a three years sollitude, until divine providence calling me to a more active life, I discovered and perfected Natures ingenious designs upon my Rock at Enston in Oxfordshire, by making it such a delightful Grotto, that the same of it invited the late King charles to a voluntary visit: By which means I not only became known to his Majesty, but also found an apt occasion to discourse the above mentioned Proposals of the Lord BACONS Philosophy, who so well approved of my ingeny upon that place, and his Lordships Mineral Model, that he presently promised me the assistance of his Mint, according to the president of other Princes, when I should find silver worth the coining; and likewise the accommodation of my own led so discovered, Custom, free for 21. years, as also my choice of renting the whole Custom of that commodity at the rate of the Farmers Books, calculated by the account of seven years Audit, to put the speculations of my Masters Theory into practise. These high favours of the late King conferred on myself, in memory of that Lords eminent abilities, and this his admonition( before the Earl of Dorset) to me at York: That if( in the War then like to ensue) I should not prove real, and active in his service, and cordial in the trust reposed in me by my quondam Lord, I should justly me: it the Title and reputation of a Knave; which did then provoke me forward in my undertakings, with a most zealous observation of my obliged fidelity to both, till his Majesty( at CAUSAM) disengaged me in the first, that he might enable me as much as in him say, to perform the latter, by his gracious letter of permission to surrender Lundy at my own charge fortified and maintained,( without injury or violence to any) upon such Articles as might take off my delinquency, and restore me to my Estate, and the grants of my Mines, Mints, and customs, rather then the fore mentioned design so well digested by my honourable Lord, for the general good, should be made frustrate by my incapacity to prosecute; I being the only man made privy to all those his Mineral speculations, and some other of his Philosophical Lucubrations, not yet to be promulged, until my proficiency and success in the Min s shall enable me thereto; since he, in the depth of his wisdom, thought it not only the harmlessest gain and greatest good that could befall a Commonwealth, but also found it to be the chiefest study and industry of the most knowing and best bread persons of other Nations, and the highest and most honourable improvement that this world was capable of, and I protest, as in the presence of God,( such a progress I have already made herein) that if I could now command as much wealth as ever the Lydian Croesus did possess, I would gladly adventure it all in perforating the barren Mountains, to discover the vast Treasures which lye hide in their Rocky entrails, for the good of this Nation, and to leave after my debts paid a magnificent Monument in memory of my most deserving Master, by finishing his SOLOMONS House in all its dimensions, and with all the accommodations and endowments thereof, according to his Lordships own heroic Idea; if the honourable Parliament sh ll be pleased to ratify my Articles, I having already by his direction cut through five of the 28 Mountains at the lowest Level, which his Lordship and Sir FRANCIS GODOLPHIN did mark out as the most pregnant Hills, for discovering the Beds, and spreading Branches of this Nations Mineral Treasures: so that no man of known judgement, but must conclude the rest to be of the same species, or of richer natures, in their deeper search both for quantity and quality; and how happy a success the great God of Nature hath given to my endeavours in this particular, the ensuing Letter, sent from Mr. Brodway, a learned and judicious Divine, and one constantly resident amongst the Miners, will better speak, then any Pen whatsoever. THOMAS bushel. A LETTER to Mr. BUSHELL, relating some strange accidents, which happened in the MINES. honoured Sir; SUffer my congratulations of your late success at Tallybont to be admitted among 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 interested, I, a looker on your Addit or great drift of Tallibont: after above 400 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, least in the fore-field 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 re●olved 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 driven 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 prodigiousness 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 then 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 clothes 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 style 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 a one as is able to convert the most Sophistical Athe st; 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 those Mountains are as so many pregnant Wombs, and now in labour call for your fortunate hands to deliver them, to the honor 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 ingenious conjecture of probabiliti●●● with a cheerful and indefatigable industry which hath hitherto succeeded beyond expectation of most, and( peradventure) the desires of some. But who,( as Agricola makes the question) that is not of a nature impoison'd with envy and malitiousness, Lib. 1. de R. M 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 and States have raised their Crowns, by descending into such abysses as these; with some of whom wanton Antiquity hath been pleased to sport her self, and to play upon the simplicity of many, as M●d●s, Gyges, the Argonauts, C●oesus, with the States of Athens, over whose Minerals was that renowned Thucydides a P●aefect, as you are here. Of which, Pliny delivers what may be worth 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 Britains 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 lately drew from the Mountains of Keginian, Tallybont, the Darren, Broom-Floyd, and Cum-mervin? What did the outside of these promise you, more then the countenances of their Neighbors? But the Complaint of Learned D. Jourdan may here take place, that much Silver was lost for want of taking it out of Lead-Oares: for whereas those Oars which are rich in Silver, are commonly hard of fusion, our Mineral men neglect those Oars. No doubt many are concealed, by reason they are Mines royal. Where had been the Woods and Forrests 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, THOMAS BRODWAY. Julii 4. 1641. To his Highness the Lord PROTECTOR of England, Scotland and Ireland, &c. The humble Petition of the Proprietors, Commoners and Mineral Bounders of the Deserted and Drowned Mines within the Counties of cornwall and Devon. Sheweth, THat your Petitioners observing the Experimental way of Mr. Bushell's Proceedings, to be not only the most probable to discover the vast Mineral-Treasure supposed to lye in the Metal-loads of that Beacon-Hill called Hingston-Down, Coome-Martin in Devon, and Guynop in cornwall; But likewise the onely probable means to enrich these Western parts, and your other Territories with inestimable treasure, by following his example in all drowned and deserted Works; And because we find he hath no more desire of Partnership then the assistance of Providence, and your Highness patronising this his commendable Enterprise, nor any other ambition then gratitude to the memory of that great Philosopher, his deceased Master, the Lord Chancellor Bacon, and to make our Age the president and honor of fulfilling the old proverb, Hingston-Down welly wrought, is worth London-Town dearey bought. Now in regard the Lords of the Fee, and Commoners thereof, as well as the mayor part of the Mineral bounders, have with all cheerful alacrity( for the public good of this Nation) subscribed their affectionate Consents to this great Work, in a Letter to Mr. bushel hereunto annexed: We your Petitioners do in the behalf of ourselves and the Mineral Bounders of cornwall and Devon, implore your Highness speedy Confirmation of Mr. Bushell's Articles, without his personal attendance in London, according to the gracious signification of your Highness favours to his Petition, that no time may be lost in so honourable a Design, nor he disabled or dismayed in so general a Concernment; since we find him exceeding active to study the preservation of your Honors and Dignities, with the Countries advancement, as to your Highness wisdom may appear by the demonstration of his Mineral Overtures, and a draft of his unanswerable Reasons likewise annexed. charles Trevanion Tho. Mainard Edw. Herle Jo. Chatley John Tremenhere Phi. Lanyon William Edw. Wise Richard arundel Fran. Buller jun. Ja. lance David haws Chr. Wood Will. Wise J. Boscowen Tho. Lower. John Coryton John Lampen Tho. gross John Fathers William Wrey Nath. Tarvanion Will. Rous. SIR, WE have seriously considered the proffered Civilities in your Letter, and the plain Demonstrations in your ingenuous Reasons, to cut North and South through the lowest Level of Hingston-Down, for crossing all such Metal-loads as lye East and West, and for freeing the Mines from the impediment of water; by which you may verefie the old proverb, Hingston-Down welly wrought, is worth London-Town dearey bought: And therefore you may rest assured, that we shall give our free consents and endeavours to procure other Gentlemen of our County to further your most noble and unparralleld design, that a speedy dispatch may be made thereof for the general good of the Nation, which is and shall be ever very much desired by Novemb. 11. 1656. Sir, Your very ready friends and Servants, Edw. Herle. Cha. Trevanion. J. Boscowen: Chicheste Wr ey. Edw. Wise. William Wise. John Lampen. Ja. lance. Richard Erisey. Jo. Chatley. Phi. Lanyon. Natha. Tarvanyon. Hu. Pomeroy. Tho. gross. Richard arundel. William Rous. N. Borlace. Tho. Lower. Fran. Buller. John Coryton. John Harris. Nich. Sharsell. John Battersby. J. Tremenhere Will. Wrey. William Coysgrave. Edward Wilcocks. John Fathers. David Haws. For our Noble Friend Tho. bushel Esq; These. Mr. Bushels Letter to the Miners of Mendyp, and their Answer, with the Juries Order. Fellow Miners, UPon the Overtures of my Mineral Discoveries taught me by the Theory of my old Master the Lord Chancellor Bacon's Philosophical Conceptions; His Highness the Lord Protector upon hopes of the like providence in all his other Territories to ease the Nation of their Taxes, gave me power to try the aforesaid Experiments, since it was conceived by the aforesaid Lord, that great riches lay in the Bowels of our Mother Earth, and underneath the superficies of the most barren Mountains; and in order to such his commands, I have not onely published the enclosed declaration for satisfaction to all moderate persons, which have not unbiased Principles against the honor of their native Country, but also am setting on foot the drowned and deserted works in the naked Promentories of H●ngston Down, Coom-Martine in Devon, and Guynop in cornwall: And being likewise informed by your fellow Miners, that Millions of wealth lye in Rowpit near Chewton-Minery, which yet cannot be recovered from the inundation of water by the greatest Artists of former Ages: I have upon my own deliberation and viewing the place, thought fit to render you the experience of my practical endeavours, and with a willing mind to attempt the Forelorn hope of their recoveries at my own charge, if I may have the well-wishes of you in general, and the moiety or half, bearing equal charge, when the water is drained your speedy answer shall make me decline or prosecute the same with effect, which is the only ambition of Your faithful Friend, T. B. April 21. 1657. For his very loving Friends, John Phelps, Tho. Voules, Will. coal, Alex. jet, Will. Betten, Rob. Radford, and Tho. Wood, with the rest, these deliver. Right Worshipful, MAnna from Heaven was not more welcome to the Pilgrims of Israel, then the good news your Letter brought to us poor Miners of Mendyp, who now are like Moses in the Mount, which saw the Land of Promise, and yet could not enjoy the propriety thereof; even so fares it now with us: For a month or two of a droughty Summer we behold the appearance of much treasure lying in the veins of those metal Loads, and so soon as we are preparing for Harvest, to reap a mite of its Mineral profit, the inundation of water takes away our present possession, and leaves us exposed to a sad condition, having no other Profession for our livelihood. But if your goodness and charity will be pleased to extend the interest of your knowledge to drain the rak called the Broad rak of Sir Bevis Bulmars Works in Rowpits near Chewton Minery, which is known to be the lowest Level, and Sole of those Works; We do herein engage ourselves under our hands and Seals, and on the behalf of all others that shall hereafter work in the said rak, that you and your Assigns shall have the moiety of the whole, paying half the charge; and likewise procure the Lord of the Soil to do the like, if you please to proceed with speed for the perfecting of the same; and in token of our affection to serve you, we have presumed not onely to petition his Highness in your behalf for the better encouragement, but also oblige ourselves to tender you the first refusal of all our parts and shares of Oar, paying ready money, and giving us from time to time the same rate as other Merchants shall conceive it to be worth: And so we bid you hearty farewell, resting May 2. 1657. Your ever obliged Servants, Valen Tryme, for his part. Tho. White. joh. Hoskins. Andrew Baller. Nich. Barrel. John Blackhouse. John Johnsons. Will. Norman. John Thrisel. Tho. Atwood sen. John Naish. Edw. Hopkins. Nich. Plumley. John Hinsh. Rich. Friar. Jam. Midleham. John Phelps. Will. Voules. John coal. Rob. clerk sen. Rob. clerk jun. Tho. Voules. Tho. Atwood jun. Alex. jet. Tho. Rowles. Nich. Parker. Will. Dudden. John Radford. Rob. Radford. For Tho. Bushel, Esq; Chewton-Jury, May 28. 1657. WHereas we of this Mineral Grand Jury are credibly informed of the great design for the public good of the Miners, which do adventure in Rowpits, and is now undertaken by Tho. Bushel Esq; which were formerly the deserted Works left by Sir Bevis Bulmar in the time of Queen Elizabeths Reign, and whereas many of the chief Adventurers in the said Rowpits do and have consented to surrender the one half of their Works and Mines there unto the said Tho. Bushel and his Assigns, when the said Tho. Bushel doth make it appear, that by his or their Workmanship they be freed of the inundation of their Waters, unto the Mineral Court for the time being: We of this Jury do order and make this Decree, that when it shall happen that the said Tho. Bushel doth prove that he hath by his Workmanship done by him and his Assigns, cleared any Miners work as aforesaid, unto the Jury as aforesaid, he shal enjoy the one half of the Works: Provided always, the said Tho. Bushel and they shall be liable to pay all Mineral costs and charges, as far as he and they are entrusted, agreeable to the custom and Law of the Occupation; and to this we all agree, and have subscribed our hands, the day and year first above written. Andrew Baller. Jo. Phelps. Tho. Attwood sen. Nich. Barrel. Will. Norman. Nich. Parker. jo. Cornish. Edw. Hopkins. Will. Dudden. Tho. Rowles. John Blackhouse. John House. John Hoskins. John Thristle. John Johnsons. Tho. Attwood jun. Nich. Plumley. Valen Dudden. To his Highness the Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland, &c. The humble Petition of the Mineral-Bounders within the County of Somerset. Sheweth, THat your Petitioners observing the experimental way of Mr. Pushell's proceedings to recover the vast Mineral Treasure known to lye in the drowned and deserted Works of that ancient forest called Mendyp-hill; And being likewise the onely probable means to enrich your other Territories, by following his example in concealed places of the like nature: We your Petitioners do in the behalf of ourselves, and the generality of laborious Miners, who have no other subsistence then Providence in those harmless affairs, humbly implore your Highness confirmation of Mr. Bushell's Articles without his personal attendance, that no time may be lost in such an honourable concernment; since his active diligence in that Mineral proceed is to study the preservation of the Poor's livelihood under ground, as well as the riches, honor and profit it may afford to the Nation by this his invention, according to your Highness trust reposed in him for that purpose, as appears by the demonstrative Reasons of his Mineral Overtures. The Grand-Jury for the liberty of the Castle of Richmond upon the forest of Mendyp. Jo. Radford Foreman Will. collier Jo. Spiring Jo. Midell Jo. Liget Will. Ames Roger Tegg Rich. Harris Walter Hoads Will Fry Tho. Vowles Mich. Curtis Hen. Hutchins Tho. Chapman William barrel John barrel And. Spirrin Jo. Bates Will. Bush Jo. Haydon Will. Haydon Rich. Haydon Will. Chyles Rich. Filer Geo. Filer Jo. Canby James Tucker Jo. Tucker Na. Brown Jo. Bary Jo. Martin James Hyden Andrew Bath Sam. Cox Jo. Tegg Tho. Blackman Anth. Eggesfield Jo. Harris. The Grand-Jury for the liberty of Charterhouse-Hydon upon the forest of Mendyp. Robert Radford James Brown Mat. Chansler Jo. Plumley Peter Herler Leonard Fox Geo. Colse Will. Bluning Will. Tucker Will. Lane sen. Jo. Lane Rich. Thomas clerk Will. Lane jun. Geo. Whithead Jo. Chansler Fra. Ozer Walter Thutchen Jo. Brock Geo. Tucker Will. coal Jo. Blackman Tho. Blackman Jo. Waker Geo. Hoskins. Mr. Basbee's Affidavit. WAlter Basbee aged about eighty years, maketh oath, That he was Saymaster to Goldsmiths Hall about fifty years ago, and versed in Minerals ever since both at home and abroad, and was by King James sent to the Emperor of Russia to make him a Standard of Gold and Silver in his Mint in the City of Moscovia, equivalent to the Tower of London; And no sooner was that service performed by this Deponent, but his Imperial Majesty commanded him to refine the Gold of a rich Copper-mine lying in Cyberea, five hundred miles beyond the river Volgo, which held of Gold in every Tun to the value of three, four, or five hundred pounds; where this Deponent did remain until he was taken prisoner by the Tartars, and afterwards exchanged by the Emperor to be sent for England; where this Deponent hath ever since spent most of his time, under Mr. Bushell's Philosophical way, taught him by the late Lord Chancellor Bacon, which( in the judgement of this Deponent) cannot be paralleled by any, and if now practised according to his printed Remonstrance, and the Mineral Grand-Jury's Order of Chewton, this Deponent doth verily believe that the Age we live in will exceed all former Ages in Mineral Discoveries and their Separations. Walter Basbee. sworn the 7. of December 1658. before me one of the Masters of Chancery in ordinary, W. Glascock. Christopher Wright's Affidavit. CHristopher Wright aged fifty six years maketh oath, That he was sent by Mr. Joseph Hexeter of Cumberland to be in the same place of Steward for direction of Mr. Bushels Minerals under ground, as the said Mr. Hexeter was under him in Wales at 100 l. per ann. salary: And finding the said Mr. bushel to give such probable reasons for recovering the inundation of water out of the vast and drowned Works of Rowpits, by pursuing a Drift as a Common-shore, from the Concaves of a natural swallow twenty fathom deep, after his industry had sunk twenty shafts to discover the same, on purpose to come to the rich loads of metal known to be butted in the adjacent groves of water: This Deponent and others, upon confidence of making good his great undertakings therein( although his judgement was then much questioned by the Inhabitants for the attempt) did and do desire but half wages ever since the Miners of Mendip had invited the said Mr. bushel under their hands and Decree of their Court, to have half the profit, bearing half the charge, after the water was drained, which this Deponent doth verily believe will be in a short time perfected, and appear for precedent sake, as well as for present profit, the greatest work that hath been done by any Mineralist these hundred years, if the malicious attempts of some ill-natured persons do not now hinder the growth of his proceedings therein: For this Deponent doth depose, that by some wicked persons there was a great Lake of muddy water turned about the hour of midnight, and upon a great flood, into the Swallow, on purpose as is conceived to choke it, and so consequently to drown his men that came from foreign parts, and were then working twenty fathom deep, which this Deponent doth aver were forced to save their lives by running up their grooves at the same time, the swallow being not able to receive the torrent of its water. And this Deponent doth likewise depose, That about the 10. of October last there was some other such envious person who pulled down so much of the undertimber of his Shaft, that the whole groove of earth fell into Mr. Bushels Drift, when his men were at work underneath; and it was supposed by divers never to be recovered: But thanks be to God, the danger is past, and Mr. Bushels Drift goeth on towards the rich works known to lye 150 fathom before him; for this Deponent was one of the workmen that landed 100l 100l. per week out of one Shaft this last summer, and saw 200l 200l. per week out of another; but the charge of drawing water, though in the drought of summer, stood( as they reported) in 80 l. per week apiece, which Mr. Bushels Drift will prevent; and likewise to 1000 more of the like nature as are supposed to be within the verge of Rowpits. Christopher Wright. sworn the 3. of December 1658. before me one of the Masters of Chancery in ordinary, W. Glascock. The Testimony of some Miners of Mendyp to the Council. WE whose names are hereunder written, being Miners, and well versed in the Mineral Rakes of Rowpits upon the forest of Mendyp, are ready to testify upon oath, That the great wrongs done to the works of Tho. bushel Esq; in Rowpits, as is deposed by Christopher Wright before a Master of Chancery, are of a certain truth; And we are likewise ready to testify our opinions upon oath, That if the way of Mr. Bushels now proceeding to recover those drowned and deserted works, may go on without molestation, according to the Orders of the Grand Jury of Chewton made for his encouragement, we do believe in our consciences that there hath not been these hundred years such a service done to this Commonwealth, in advancing the knowledge of the Miners trade, for profit and precedent. And we also humbly conceive, that if a binding Order be made by your Lordships to confirm( ●n all points) the said Grand Jury of Chewton's Orders for deferring unruly Miners from such exorbitancies, as also that no persons should lose any more their Summers work to follow the Mines of Rowpits( which are now to no more purpose in matter of profit, then to wash the Blackmoor) until Mr. Bushels Drift can come up to drain their inundation of waters, which( as we find expressed in his Remonstrance) he doth undertake to perfect in four years; and we do verily believe, that not only all the Oar may be then landed for two shillings per Tun, but that we shall then also know the inestimable riches of that place without further charge, or ruining more families in working upon Rowpits. And we do also confidently believe in our consciences, that when Mr. Bushels now Drift from his Swallow doth come up to the old works drowned, and that he doth pursue likewise his Cross-Rake from his Swallow to the forebreast of Sir Bevis Bulmars deserted work,( as he saith he intends to do, so soon as he hath secured the place according to agreement, and the Grand Jury's Order of Chewton dated the 28. of May) the said Mr. bushel will make good his Marqus of a Thousand pounds per week: For there are men yet alive that will justify, that the forebreast of Sir Bevis Bulmar's work was nine foot wide in oar; and we ourselves know, that a hundred pounds per week out of one Groove in the old work is ordinary, when the suffocation of water doth not hinder them. Jo. Bakehouse Tho. Bakehouse Jo. doxy. Chewton 28 of July, 1658. WHereas wee of the Mineral grand Jury finding by a decretal Order of our Predecessors May 28, and their Letter May 2 in answer of Tho. Bushell's Esq; to encourage him to go on in his adventures for recovering the drowned works of Rowpits, which were formerly the deserted works of Sir Bevis Bulmar in the time of Q. Eliz. Reign. And whereas many of the chief Adventurers in the said Rowpits, do and have consented to surrender not only the one half of their works and Mines there, but likewise the preemption of the other half, paying as much as any other Merchant will give, unto the said Tho. bushel and his Assigns, when the said Tho. bushel doth make it appear unto the mineral Court for the time being, that by his and their workmanship they be freed from the inundation of their waters. Wee of the grand Jury do Order and confirm the said Decree. And whereas wee find the said Tho. bushel hath( in relation to his undertakings of recovering their waters) brought it so near a probability of perfection, that in time all persons of known Judgement cannot but conclude the same will be done for the general good of those that had formerly suffered by those Grooves, and likewise a president for others to follow the like example, as also the certainty of knowing the vast riches that lye in Rowpits and Green oar: And whereas wee are informed by the said Tho. bushel and others, of several misdemeanours committed against him by turning floods into his swallow, to choke and extirpate all his proceedings, stealing of his tools from his works, depraving of his Person with scandalous language, and making new pitches in Rowpits before him, so soon as they saw the forefield of Mr. Bushell's Drift from his Swallow had but a vein of ground oar, 4 foot wide; and 3 fathom high to cherish his chargeable undertakings, which uncivil actions of theirs were as we conceive contrary to all equity and good conscience; and in a manner an Act of syranny in us, that Mr. bushel should drain our waters; and wee should suffer strangers to take the benefit of new pitches from his adventures, to recover such drowned and forsaken works as the greatest Engineer hath deserted, when all persons have the whole Hill of Mendyp to make their fortunes by such pitches, as he allegeth, and not to discourage his desperate undertakings therein by such malicious practices, and especially to such a person as Mr. Bushell● that is sent by his Highness the Lord Protector, to recover such drowned and deserted works for the public good of the Nation, with power to dig, delve, and search in the several grounds of all his Territories by Letters Patents, paying double trespass, as well as in all vast Commons, upon hopes from such experiments to ease in time the Taxes of the Subject, and to give new birth to the drooping condition of a Miners profession; Wee of the grand Jury of Chewton( and other Workmasters and Miners) for the reasons aforesaid, and for preventing any just complaints to t●e Lord Paramount against our Lord Royall's Court of Chewton for such incivilities to the person which his Highness hath trusted in that affair, do Order and make this Decree( for the said Tho. Bushell's better encouragement) That from the day of the date of the Order May 28, all such new pitches shall be voided in Rowpits and Green oar, but such as the said Tho. bushel shall approve and allow of; and that all former works that have been wrought upon within these 5 years, and sunk 5 fathom deep, to stand good by consent, provided that they keep them lawful, and sink them to the water, when the said Tho. bushel is come near them with his Drift of 16 fathom deep by the approbation of this grand Jury, that so the wilfulness of any malicious person might not hinder such a proceed to know the Meanders of those Mineral Rakes in their deepor search, and the way to go to their recoveries, for their own good as well as Mr. Bushell's reputation in the attempt of that great design. And whereas the said Tho. bushel doth aver, that he never did intend to make it a Mine-Royall by his Art and Skill( to the prejudice of us, our Laws and Liberties) as it was reported, unless it were against the interest of some cross-grained scurrilous fellow, that will not be governed by our own grand Jury, but rather contest with his Highness right to Rowpits, and bids defiance to prerogative Power, or are backed by a malicious faction that would hinder the growth of the Lord Chancellor Bacons Philosophy in recovering the same for the glory of the Nation these considerations, and at our request to him upon the aforesaid agreement that he would show his quondam Masters Philosophy for recovering Rowpits and Green oar from their inundations of water, which is well known to us to be rich in the treasures of led, and to free other works of greater moment from their contagious damps, that now lye deserted, on purpose that the overplus of their revenue, proceeding from such a deplorable condition, and raised by the hand of Providence and Industry, might go( as Mr. bushel did likewise aver, upon the word of a Gentleman) to charitable uses of discovering richer metals expressed in his late Remonstrance to his Highness, as well as by his late Will and Testament, for the first fruits thereof to led the Tower and school in the Church of Wells. Wee of the grand Jury do likewise make this Order and Decree, That if any misdemeanour as aforesaid, shall be proved to be done against the said Tho. bushel, his Agents, Servants, or works, such are not only to be banished the occupation upon Mendyp, but wee do humbly implore his Highness to sand them to the Mines of Jamaica, that they may not infect others, nor bring by their exorbitant corses more scandal upon the whole profession of a Miners innocent calling; since we are satisfied in our consciences, that the way of Mr. Bushell's Mineral proceedings, will in this Age bring wonderful things to pass, and be admired in the next, for the glory of the Nation, And especially when as the said Tho. bushel doth aver that he will transport all his rich Western Mines, lying upon the Sea-side, which are or shall be discovered in Wales, Devon, Cornwall and Ireland, unto the Port or Haven at Uphill, to receive their true separations according to the Lord Chancellor Bacons Philosophy, and so to be minted in the adjacent City of Wells for satisfying all returns as well as to pay the Miner with his own coin, and( without any further salary then in one place) to pay the whole of that Commerce. Jo. Radford Foreman of the Mineral Grand Jury there, with his fellows. Walter web. Richard frank. Richard Adams. Jahn Phelps. Thomas young. William Dowling. Alexandor Cuer. William Hopkins Jonas Lexstond. John House. Richard Ayrer. A Table setting forth the manner of that great Philosopher the Lord chancellor Bacons searching for metals by making Addits through the lowest Level of Hills or Mountains, and conveying air into the innermost parts of their Center by Pipe and Bellows; as well as by Art to mollify the hardest ston, without the tedious way and inestimable charge of sinking airy Shafts; and is now intended to be put in practise by his Menial Servant Thomas Bushel, on Hingston-Down, and other places, according to his Lordships command, and the approbation of that great Mineralist, Sir Francis Godolphin. FIrst, the true description of Hingston down, lieth in Longitude East and West five Miles, with Millions of Shafts that have been visibly Sunk upon several loads of Mettall, by the Romans, Danes, Saxons, Jews, and Britans, And is in breadth 700 Fathom, at the Basis lying North and South, as well as in depth 200 Fathom from the Beacon Perpendicular to the Center of that Addit now intended. The reason why I undertake a work of this nature, and in these parts, is as followeth; FIrst, a grateful Ambition to answer his Highness heroic trust reposed in me to discover this Nations Mineral Treasure. Secondly, my obliged fidelity to my Lord Chancellor Bacon, to practise this his Philosophical invention, for the General good; and in particular to give new birth to the drooping conditions of my fellow pupils, the poor Miners drowned and deserted works. Thirdly, my Cordial desire to serve these Western parts with the benefit of so useful a president, I having already practised the same in Wales and found the fruitful effects thereof. Secondly, the reasons why I begin my Addit or Aqueducts from Small-Coome and Hooke-Coome, to meet underneath the Beacon at the aforesaid Center, is; FIrst, for that by mine own experience, I found not any of our Predecessors to search lower then 40 Fathom. So that I am confidently assured that cutting North and South through the aforesaid 700 Fathom, I shall command all the Loads, Rakes, and Veins of Mettal in that Hill; and how probable then it may be to discover another Indies out of the drowned and deserted works of our Nation by this example, I shall leave to the rational Judgments of them who are practitioners in those affairs; Especially whether these mine endeavours will not give much hopes to verify the old Proverb, Hingston-down well wrought, is worth London town dearly bought. For if the riches of those Groves in 40 Fathom sinking, hath occasioned the aforesaid proverb, as well as the inundation of water hath caused them to desert from their Mineral profit, it cannot be denied by common sense, or rules of reason, this Addit undermining most of the said works 150 Fathom, and then ascending up into their several loads of Metal, to drain the waters in their old Groves, but that it carries the fairest encouragement of probable conjecture to make good the true riches of the old proverb of Hingston down, in this age of ours. The reason why I use Pipe and Bellows, is, FIrst, to convey air into the innermost part of my Addit without the sinking of Airy shafts, and preventing the vast expense and tediousness of time, which caused our Forefathers being ignorant of this invention, to leave such supposed riches of hidden Treasure to us their posterity. The reason why I make my Addit or Aqueducts open 150 Fathom at each end, is, FIrst, to facilitate the dispatch of 300 Fathom of the 700 the first year, by the reason of the multitude of hands that may be set on work, which will not be admitted if close, and likewise it being the shallowest place of the Hill, it will require but the same expense. Secondly, that the close Addit may be but in length 400 Fathom of the 700 and to shorten likewise the drift of the same in point of time, I begin my Addits at each end of my open Trench as Counterdrifts to meet each other; And so consequently the whole will be dispatched in half the time; And therefore you may rest assured that I have so maturely calculated the ways and means, not only of this great work at Hingston-down, but also of that of Coom-Martin in Devon, Guinop in cornwall, and Mendyp in Summerset, that I doubt not, but in four years to set a period to all expectations, if God permit, and I have the honor of your wellwishes. The reason why I do not willingly desire any Partner but Providence, in this great enterprise, is, FIrst, because I have had already the experience of some Partners, and found the fruits of Providence to assist me more when they did ever decline the Mineral design, then when I had compliance with their several purses, which made me call to mind his Lordships frequent observation, that many partners in the public acts of Mineral adventures, where greediness of gain had more rule in their hearts, then to illustrate the Creators glory, became usually the sad elegy of misfortune, and disencouragement to others. Besides, one tenth part must be solely dedicated to prosecute the like works in the other 20 Mountains marked out by the aforesaid Lord, and that great Mineralist Sir Francis Godolphin, who both subscribed it under their hands, to be the most harmless gain, and greatest good to a Common-wealth, the choicest study and endeavours of the best bread persons in other Nations; and the most honourable employment this world was capable of. Lastly, Because I conceive all Mines were created for Mans use, and Gods glory, but in what Age to be revealed, or by whom, is only known to the Searcher of all hearts, who can best judge of mine, and my designed ends. And what person then of an ingenuous spirit that is not empoisoned with envy, will bear unfriendly thoughts to those that search after such subterranean treasure at their own charge, for the good and honor of their native Country, and which in a manner is presented unto them by the hands of God? May it please your Lordships. WE in all humbleness make bold to certify your Honors, that Mr. Bushels way of Mineral proceed to undermine the waters of drowned and deserted Works, is, as we humbly conceive, of such high concernment for the honor and profit of this Nation, as we confidently believe before our Lady day next, he will crown his labours with store of hidden Treasure out of the Works now in Rowpits, and be enabled, though at present poor in purse, to put on all his other Works of the West; without any Partnership but Providence to assist his Industry, which we find by his daily expression, to be his sole ambition of gratitude for his Highness trusting him in that Affair, and in obedience to his old Masters commands the Lord Chancellor Bacon, for the service of his Country in those particulars. Valent. Trime, Steward of Chewton Liberty wherein Rowpits is. Alexander Jet. Christ. Wright. Ja. Middleham. Rob. Hill. John Ford. Ralph Conyers. Hen. Baron. Valent. Powel. Tho. Nixton. Rich. friar signior. Rich friar junior. Robert Hole. Richard vigour. Wil. Smith Mayor. Tho. White Recorder Tho. Salmon Justice. William Walrond. George Bampfield. Tho: Coward. Wil. Morgan Esquirs. Mr Bushels PETITION to the late KING. TO THE Kings most excellent Majesty. The humble Petition of THOMAS BUSHEL Your Majesties 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, not had embrewed 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 proceedings and presidents of other most famous Princes in the like kind, as the late Queen Elizabeth, who built certain Gallies 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 enterprizes, it being the usual course of other Christian Princes, as the King of Spain, both for the supply of his Gallies against the Turks and Moores, and especially for the enlargement of his Indian Mines of Gold, Silver, Quicksilver, and the like, and his conquests of Molocco, Goa, Ormus, and other rich and populous islands. The King of France for his Gallies at Marsellis. The State of Venice. The Duke of 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 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 Majesties 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 Countries honour, and the Kingdoms 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 Honor, Crown and Dignity, and good of the Common-wealth, to grant Your Majesties 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 of 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 Majesties mercy, to be employed by your said Subject in the Works of your Mines-Royal, 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 Majesties pardon of Grace for their former offence●, And your Petitioner shall ever rest, &c. The Speech of the late Bishop of Worcester( near his death) to Mr. bushel, concerning the two rich Mines by him discovered. Mr. bushel, YOur own eyes see how near I am to the dwelling of death, by my gray 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 lap'd 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 mans tongue, who hath no other end, than that the hopefulnesse of such riches, may not be butted 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 three and mine. To our Dread sovereign Lord the KINGS most Excellent MAJESTY. May it please your Majesty, we do most humbly and thankfully aclowledge, that your Majesties 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 aclowledge 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 far to sand before we could make the silver current, that we should at charge recover. Nor was our care of carriage and recarriage the least hindrance to our proceedings, from all which, by your Majesties 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 wee be leeve God and Nature from the Creation hath preserved for your plaintiffs use; that thereby we may approve ourselves your Majesties loyal and most obedient Subjects, and humble Servants. Thomas Milward Knight, chief Iustice of Chester. Marmaduke LLoyd Knight. Richard Price K. Baronet. james Price Knight. samson ewer Knight. John Lewis Knight. Timothy Turner Esq; L. Littleton Esq; Walter LLoyd Esq; Thomas Price Esq; Robert Corbet Esq; Evan Gwin Esq; Morgan Herbert Esq; John Vaughan Esq; Vincent Corbet Esq; humphrey green Esq; John LLoyd Esq; David LLoyd ap Reighnald Esq; Thomas Phillips Esq; John edmond Esq; Hugh LLoyd Gentlem. 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 Majesties most Honourable Privy council. May it please your Lordships, ACcording to your commands, Wee whose names are under written, being Miners, Smelters, Refiners, carriers, Washers, an Monyers belonging to his Majesties Mines Royal, in the County of Cardigan, in all humility do certify of our certain knowledge and experience, concerning the new works lately discovered by Gods providence to Thomas bushel Esquire, Farmer of his Majesties Mines-Royal in these parts, that the said Master bushel at his inestimable charge, having cut six hundred fathom through 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 through the Mountain of Tallibont at sixty fathom perpendicular, three several Addits at Koginenn, one above another twenty and thirty fathom center, another at the Darren, to come under the Romans work, at an hundred Fathom center, another at Bryn Lloyd fifty Fathom in length, and thirty Fathom center, working day and night for the draining of the water, which formerly in the time of Customer Smith, and Sir Hugh Middleton in their working of the Mines royal 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 Majesties 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 led, and Silver, with turf and Sea-cole 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 fuel. And further, by the prohibition of transporting Ore 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-Royall. We have therefore great reason to be confident that his way of Working, with the restraint of transporting Ore, will in short time greatly increase the Bullion of this Kingdom, for the honour of the King, and good of the Common-wealth, together with the employment of many hundred poor people, which would be otherwise an unsupportable burden to this barren Country, who by rheir present labour in these Mines are able to subsist with their Family, and thousands more might be daily set on work if Mr. Bushels undertakings in the Mines-Royall may be confirmed for a certain time by this present High Court of Parliament. Miners. David Fowles. William Rashly. Henry Cockler. David Bebb. joseph Iefferies. George Turner. Robert Lowning. Thomas Fletcher. David Evans. George Dixon. Hugh Mason. David ap Richard. David Loyd. David Williams, Henry Emblin. Maurice tailor. John Emblin, Edward Reece. Hugh Reece. William Davids. George Scotsmer. Thomas Brickhead. Will. Griffith. Peter Baltiser. Francis Pierce. Maurice Lewis. Peter Edriser. Edward Blewys. Rob. Emblin. Rob. Tailor. David Iinkins. joseph Acherson. Tho. Blewys. Michael Sanders. Morgan Williams. Tho. Clocker. Tho. green. Barthol. Clocker. Francis Fisher. Hugh Benn. John Mason. George Tickle. John Mason. John Fisher. edmond pool. Edw. Bebb. John Mason sen. Will. Ficharets. Evan Thomas. John Harris. Will. Tyson. Watkin Reece. John Smith. Morgan Pritchet. Griffith John. Will. 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. Edw. Gibbon. Thomas Parker. Arthur Elissa. Smelters. Thomas Botham. Hugh james. Griffith Evans. John Watkin. jinkin own. John Epslie. John Evans. John Lewes. james Meredith. Washers. John wring. Morgan John Lewis. Davy John. John Iinkins. Morgan Griff. John. edmond Symons. Reece Morgan. Charles Williams. Thomas Adams; To the Right Honourable the Lords and others of his Majesties most Honourable Privy council. ACcording to Your Honours command we have inquired and considered how the Mines-Royal were left to Mr. bushel by the Lady Middleton, and do in all humility declare, that the silver Mines were not worth the working, until Mr. 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, and so growing deep were left drowned with water; Mr. bushel cuts through the main Rocks, at the lowest level, to an hundred farhom perpendicular, according to the German 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 fufible 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 mills, hath also built in his Majesties Castle of Aberystwith a fair Mint, hath contracted with Merchants of our own and other Nations to supply the p oples necessity with Corn and other provisions, and payeth the Miners and carriers at the Scales, and doubteth not to make them able Pyoners, and fit Souldiers to do his Majesty and their Country service upon any assault of an enemy. All which we commend to your Honourable consideration, praying, &c. 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 own, clerk of the Mines. Die Sabbati 14. Aug. 1641. WHereas this House hath been informed, that Thomas bushel Esquire, undertaker of his Majesties Mines-Royal in the County of Cardigan, by his great charge and industry in cutting Addits hath gained His Majesties 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 Majesties Letters to them directed, do intend 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 certificates of credit that some persons ill affencted 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 Majesties Mines-Royal, 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 years night and day to recover the same. And that also the said Tho. bushel hath been disturbed in the getting of turf and pet for the Service of His Majesties 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 Tho. Bushhll 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 undertakings; 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 law ul things endeavour to advance, and encourage the said sereice in his Majesties Royal Mines, and assist the said Tho. Bush ll and other Undertakers, in all things so far 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 pet, according to his Legal right upon his Majesties Wastes, and other places lawful, and all other lawful accommodations of necessary passages, and other Legal things, which may any ways advance His Majesties service in the said Royal Mines. JO. brown clear. Parliament. A Letter from the L. Keeper, to the Justices of Assize, &c. 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, I bid you hearty farewell and rest Your very loving friend Ed. Littleton Cust. Sig. Excester-house, 26. Aug. 1641 Mr. Bushell's Invitation by Letter to Condemned men for Petty-felonies, to work in the Mines of their own Country, rather then be banished to Slavery in Foreign parts. FEllow-sufferers in restraint, although upon different accounts, for you have sought death by the errors of your lives, I an Imprisonment by a licentious prodigality; But I hope your Consciences( like faithful Mirrors) have presented to the eye of your afflicted souls the deformities of your several Crimes, as mine hath to my serious consideration my manifold Transgressions: We have no City of refuge in these our sad perplexities; the impartial doom of our Laws hath banished you from the land of the living, unless its mercy exile you from the land of your nativity by a ten years absence to a sordid slavery in some torrid iceland, whose climate, air, diet, and manner of labour will prove very irksome unto you; But the implacable revenge of some of my Creditors doth endeavour to bury me alive in this house of woe, when( God knows) I was plunged in my Mineral inundations with care and pains to pay them their just debts by the help of Providence. But, dear Brethren, Friends, and Companions in Bonds, to assure you that I commiserate your deplorable condition more then mine own, I would present you with a more solacious Cordial then that of society in your miseries, which I have humbly petitioned the honourable Parliament for, and hope I shall obtain to your temporal and eternal advantage. You are therefore first to understand, that when our English Aristotle, Natures best modern Secretary, that excellent Philosopher the Lord Chancellor BACON, my ever honoured Master, had completed his now extant Natural History of Philosophical Experiments, he then modelled his Solomon's House in his New Atlantis thereto annexed, in which Academy they might be practised; but not by those common ways( as he was used to say) where even Fools might raise a pyramid, Colossus, or Mausoleum to their ridiculous memories, Viz. from the Exchequers of bounteous and magnificent Princes, Piratick depredations, or Monopolous exactions from an opulent people; but rather by a Philosophical elixir and chemical extraction, so quaint and admirable, that it seems to convince the Maxim, Out of nothing is made, nothing. For he proposed no other means to erect and maintain that stupendious fabric and the Magi thereof, who were by him designed thereto by his theory, then the recovery of the Lost by the help of the Dead. Resolve the Riddle, and find your Cordial; for though it be truly Magical, 'tis not Necromantick. But not to delay you, I( as your Oedipus) thus open it: The Lost, are drowned and desperately deserted Mineral Works; the Dead, convicted and attainted persons, who are indeed so in Law; and what is lost, is not in nature as to the use and propriety of mankind. Cheer up my Comrades, I have opened my dark lantern to you, and light is comfortable to the benighted. Now know, that that excellent Lord affecting my homebred simplicity, and being ambitious to raise a Younger brothers fortunes by such Experiments, instituted me as his much favoured Pupil in his mysterious Philosophical way of recovering and searching Mines, by mollifying their hardest Rocks, undermining their Waters, separating their Metals, and carrying Air through their lowest levels of hills or mountains, without the vastness of former charge to sink Shafts for air every twenty fathom. But he suddenly falling from an eminent height, as I by that time had deviated from his grave directions in the secure paths of virtue, imposed on me a new task, which was not to search the rocky bosoms of the barren Mountains, but by a timely retirement to some solitary place where I might servile myself from the treacherous vanities of the tumultuous world, to explore the deceitful meanders of my stony Heart, and when Divine grace should have assisted my better Reason in overcoming the rebellious affections of my sensual appetite, if then the like providence should call me thence to a more active life in the prosecution of his Mineral documents, I should without any regret of my former penance attend the good hand of God in that design with humble patience; assuredly believing, that since he had supported me in the conquest of myself, he would conduct me through all difficulties, to the accomplishing so great a work for my Countries good, and his own glory. And according to his counsel and prediction, after I had lived three years as a Recluse in a desolate iceland in the Irish seas, only conversing with God in my repentant tears, prayers and contemplations, he miraculously called me thence to an unexpected fortune, brought me into favour with my Prince, who granted me a Patent for all the Mines-Royal, in order to my Lords Proposals, and a Branch of his Royal Mint to coin such Silver as I should extract from all led of my own finding; which was not a little, witness the many great services I did for that King therewith, notwithstanding my great losses in the late Wars. But as the Times, so we in them are changed. Now here to prevent any that may ask, why since by my Articles of War I am to be restored to all my former rights, I seek no more from the present State, then an assurance of the deserted Mines of our Territories? I answer, that they will be enough, which is better then more: that then I was no way obnoxious to that government but in my sovereigns favour, and he in Peace, now these States look upon me as a pardonned and reconciled Enemy; and their vast expense in the republic service, permits Delinquents no such allowance, therefore I modestly ask the crumbs which they scorn to gather up, and therewith doubt not to perform my undertakings to the honor of my Country, and my Masters memory. But me thinks I hear our proud first Enemy( that envious spirit of delusion) whisper to some of you, What will your condition of slavery be better here in your native Mines, then in a foreign Plantation, where your friends cannot see your sufferings, nor you their prosperities, to their or your afflictions, because they cannot mitigate yours, nor you participate of theirs, which will be no small abatement to your shames, and their sorrows? To this I reply, that as the innocence of the sufferer, not the rigor of the torment makes one a Martyr, so the cause of shane is in the act of the Crime, not in the nature of the servitude; wheresoever to be suffered, your guilt is known, and accompanies you every where; is it not then better here to expiate it where a safer and easier means is offered, if you intend to led a new life? Consider the tediousness and dangers of your transportations, through storms, Enemies, and a sparing salt diet: If you Land safely, 'tis but to be sold like Beasts, and most likely to men of barbarous souls, through whose cruelty you shall gasp out your dolorous lives with excessive labours; and when Hunger shall call for natures recruits, be forced to think the worst employed horses of your own Country happier then yourselves in their natural food; and after all this, if you can outlive your bondage in enriching your taskmasters, the Spaniard for revenge or avarice may surprise your completed plantations, and carry you away to consume the sad remnant of your miserable dayes in his Mines, without merit, expiation, or hope; but thus you cannot suffer at home, where you may turn your necessities into virtues, by a patient and humble submission to Gods will, for all evil of punishment is from him. I propose not this to you as Mineral Pionears out of any design of advantage to myself, your food, clothes, and materials, will cost me as much as the hired expert Miners, my plot upon you is the only salvation of your souls, and restitution of your liberties, through your contrition and penance by Christs merits and Gods mercy, with temporal rewards of benefit, and expiation by your industrious discoveries in your allotted portions; which that you may obtain, sacrifice but your sins on the broken altars of your contrite hearts to the Lord of mercies, and you have his own word for your free pardons. O how will your conversion and deliverance make your friends and the Angels of Heaven to rejoice, for I verily believe the true compunction of your hearts will more facilitate the penetration of our rocky Addits then the stroke of your hands: And to encourage and assist you therein, I shall provide such holy and Orthodox Instructors for you, that by your conscientious observance of their moral and divine lectures as well as their examples, you shall with much alacrity be able to overcome all the obstacles of this great work; for they will voluntarily participate with you in all things, that thereby they may cheerfully led you into Christs own fold. And therefore consult with your consciences& they will doubtless dictate to your memories, that the best way to pilot your sad souls, bodies, lives, and reputations from tempestuous storms of worldly vanities into a safe harbour, was with humble hearts to take this Mineral calling upon you, and to think, speak, and deport yourselves towards God in it, as if all the world did behold you, and to live and converse with man as in the immediate sight of our divine Creator, and then we shall rejoice in enjoying one another; for as I desire the Almighty, not to forgive me my sins, nor receive my soul, if I have any other ends then what hath been expressed, so I desire none of you to remove yourselves to this harmless and laborious calling, unless your resolutions be firm to those ends, which may crown your industry, otherwise we must be forced in obedience to our trust, to return you back to the Judge of your first condemnation, and pray that the All disposer may call you by some other means to repentance, which shall be the constant and fervent petition of Your most Compassionate Friend Thomas bushel. To my Fellow-Prisoners for Debt, in Mind or Body. DEarly beloved Brethren in bonds, I could hearty rejoice if we were so only for Christs sake, for then our patience therein would render us happy in his mercy: Yet since the inhumanity of our Creditors( through the power of the Laws) usurps that revenge which is only God's in justice, let us with all humility submit ourselves to his permissive will, for the evil of punishment is his. My honourable Master the late Lord Chancellor Bacon was wont to tell me, That as Gentry bought nothing at Market, so Imprisonment paid no Debts, but those of the Penal laws; and that he did verily believe, the fraudulent Contracts of most Creditors begot the disability of their Debtors satisfaction. I shall refer to your own consciences the respective cause of your several restraints: Mine own is like that of the adventurous Merchant, who having sent all his own Stock in several Vessels to far distant Factories through the various dangers of the Deep, is constrained to take up on Trust at home, till the return of his Cargazoons according to their success proclaim him happy, or bankrupt; and if I had ever any other design in borrowing, let my Redeemer exclude me from the general pardon of his precious merits, who came not to call the just, but sinners to repentance, assuring us that the blessed Angels rejoice more at the conversion of one true Penitent, then the integrity of ninety nine righteous; from whence we may conclude, 'tis ninety nine to one odds, that there are very few sincere Converts. But my beloved Fellow-sufferers, since now the Supreme Power of this Commonwealth doth, as I hear, intend like S. Peters good Angel to open the doors of your Prisons by the wisdom of their mercies, I earnestly exhort you to mark the first day of your unexpected jubilee with a white ston or read letter, in commemoration of so happy a deliverance,( lest God consume your lives with new afflictions& troubles) always remembering his glory and your own eternity: And then take the grave admonition for your Cure, as the Mirror of my honoured Master prescribed to me, which was, To deny all my treacherous Senses their most delighting Objects: I fed on nothing that pleased my appetite; looking willingly on nothing which I formerly liked; nor accompanied any creature that affencted my concupiscence; But frequented devious ways and solitary groves, and at last found out a desolate iceland in the Irish seas, where three years I sadly lamented the errors of my youth, mingling the waters which I drank with the brine of mine eyes, and did sparing eat the bread of affliction as it had been ashes. These were my first steps towards Gods Mercy-seat, in a most unfeigned contrition for the Treason I committed against his Eternal Majesty: And surely he was not displeased therewith; for out of this depth of desolation he graciously called me to the public service of my Country, in the innocent way of a Miner; and how I have proceeded therein, with intention chiefly to glorify him, this annexed Treatise will give you an account. But there the inhumanity of my Creditors stopped me; yet I am confident, so soon as the Republique-affairs will permit, the honourable Parliament will enlarge me in order to my Mineral service, and their own Articles, as they have done you in mercy: And then I say, if any of you( either for a present subsistence, or a penitential way to expiate your former errors, or to reclaim your affections, or in hope to raise your lost fortunes and enable you to pay your honest Debts) will sweat with me in the way of this hopeful, virtuous, and Philosophical labour, you shall eat bread with me so long as you please, whereby at last we may obtain such Mineral blessings from the Lord of Bounty, that we in true charity may be able to eat our bread upon the waters, by relieving many distressed Penitents whose sins have brought them to want bread, and whose age or sickness hath taken away their ability to work. And here I think 'tis proper to give you the Epitome of my Lords Design for the regulating his Solomon's House or Academy. He proposes six principal Officers of State to succeeding times as Trustees, six exquisite lucre-hating Philosophers to bring his theory into experimental practise, are to be handsomely maintained, upon a sacred oath to be true to the trust of his Philosophical secrets; Convicted men and adventurous volunteers, are to be chief instruments of the Mineral work, and are to be clothed in good Canvas or Welsh Cottons, their food biscuit, Beef, Pease and Bacon thrice a week, the other daies White-meat, Oil and Roots; their drink of allowance for the most part is to be Water, but they shall not be barred Beer or Ale in orderly proportion; they are to lye on Mats, unless they rather choose a clean Plank; Lots and Delves shall be assigned to them, in which if God bless their honest diligence, they shall comfortably participate, whereby at last they may make themselves free, if a true and constant penitence be their heavenly guide; for impenitence barracadoes the gates of heaven faster rgainst us then our sins: For as true contrition makes our hearts grateful sacrifices to God, so earnest prayer on her dove-like wings presents them before his Mercies seat, and unfeigned penitence softly sheaths up the sword of his Justice. And for your better encouragement, if you come cheerfully into this Philosophical work, you shall also enter into the school of Christ; for I shall provide men excellently qualified in Theology, Morality and Humanity, whose examples as well as doctrines shall direct you in the ways of eternal life, and daily walk hand in hand with you towards Christs paradise, the Saints New Jerusalem. But methinks I hear some self conceited and censorious critic thus prevaricate upon the whole design: Truly I must profess it seems to my understanding very like a lunacy in any whatsoever to propose or undertake so magnificent a fabric as the atlantic Solomons house, without so much as Straw to burn, Bricks for its foundation, no Princes Coffers, Monopoly, Smoke-mony, Lottery, Impost or Mart upon the discovery, but to the incredulous, no not so much as a partner save Providence in this new way of search for never discovered Mines, and recovering desperately deserted Works. To which I answer, first if your Ancestors in former ages had been such sceptics, fire had been for ever concealed in the Flint, and all Metals in their native beds, Thule with the Western Islands and America had been as yet undiscovered: pray tell me, is not Divine Providence the dispensator of Gods Omnipotence? which the Eagle-sighted eye of this Philosophical Lords illuminated intellect most perspicuously discovered, and therefore resolved thus to prove it without detriment or hazard to any individual person: Is it not then a Godlike Imitation? the Lord of the universal World brought all things which never had being, out of nothing; this Lord of universal Philosophy thereby offers mankind that good which never can be useful to him but by this means, which will cost him nothing, the dead in Law to search the dead and barren Mountains, and recover the dead and butted works; for Mineral treasure here is nothing but the dead, and the dead are nothing to the living. But these dead here( to whose lives the Law and opinion hath set a period) by searching the graves of Minerals, preserve their lives for the present, and in time find their own resurrection by a temporal expiation of their fatal Crimes, though their other hopes prove frustrate: but if the Almighty crowns their labours, observe how glorious it will prove: the Prince or State that shall then Rule, shall receive the first fruits; thousands of poor Subjects shall eat the bread of comfort thereby; Offenders shall be purged and freed; Trade shall be increased, and Customs augmented, a matchless Academy erected and maintained, new Arts discovered for the universal good, and honor of the Nation; the honourable Trustees of the whole work shall merit glory, and gain philosophical recreations; the experimenting Philosophers shall have a competent and comfortable subsistence during life, and after their change their respective Statues erected in the City of Wells; and as the Athenians when they dedicated a lively Image to the memory of the ancient Philosopher Pherecydes, gave it a golden tongue, as a proper emblem of his excellent eloquence, so each of theirs shall hold a significant character of their peculiar Inventions in their well-proportion'd hands. Which word hands, minds me of a saying of my Lords concerning the Convicted, which was, That he did steadfastly believe that the hands of such whose stony hearts God had penetrated by true penitence, would make a more speedy, easy and successful progress in any Mineral work they undertook, then three times the number of the most skilful Miners that work for wages only. For that learned Lord was of opinion, that the subterranean Spirits did much hinder the perfect discoveries of the richest Mines, sometimes by their apparition, and often by the mischievous gambols they played there, as by raising Damps, extinguishing the Miners lights, firing the sulphurous matter of the Mine, and scorching the greedy and faithless Workmen. For not only Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle are of opinion, that there are multitudes of Evil Spirits in the airy region, as also in the Waters, and the hollow Concaverns of the Earth; but divers of our more modern learned Writers and Theologians are of the same persuasion, as Tho. Aquinas, Gaudentius Merula, Pselius Bodinus, and S. Augustine, who conceive that God hath permitted their temporal habitations therein, partly for mens trial, as that of Job, and partly for the punishment of the wicked, as the demoniac in the 5. of S. Marks Gospel, out of whom Christ cast a whole legion of Devils, and by whose permission they destroyed a numerous Herd of the Gadarens Swine. These were created in the beginning, as Divines conclude out of the 38. of Job, when the Morning-stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy; as may be conjectured at the Archangel Michaels victory over Lucifer and his rebellious Army of ambitious Spirits: And Christ himself tells us in the 10. of Luke, He beholded Satan as Lightning fall from Heaven. What need I say more? That audacious Spirit who had the impudence to tempt our Saviour, daies continually circled the Earth, still like a roaring Lion seeking whom he may devour. But Faith is the best armour, and fervent Prayer the sharpest sword to vanquish him, who being but so resisted flies from us, and true Contrition and humble penance conjures him away: And I pray you who ought to be more cordially penitent, then such whom the just Laws and their own consciences having cast into the jaws of death, Gods mercy hath reprieved to expiate their crimes in so innocent and hopeful a work as this, to the good of their afflicted souls, their Countries profit, and his own glory? for Penitence, Reformation, and virtuous Emulation, are the most prevalent Engines to effect this noble Enterprise; which I had rathet decline and utterly relinquish, then use any corrosive or compulsory means to constrain any of my penitential brethren to proceed in or accelerate their labours, as the Spaniard doth to his miserable Miners in America, and others in other places. Now concerning the validity and grandeur of this Mysterious Attempt, you are to understand that the college of our most honoured Physitians, which is the Philosophical Oracle of our Commonwealth, have candidly certified the late Lord Protector Oliver cronwell, That as the Design was heroic and magnificent, so if it were not prejudiced and obstructed by the obloquy and sinister contrivance of self-interessed persons, it was like to produce much profit and honor to this our native Country. In a word, howsoever you value my Invitation to participate in my Mineral profession, neglect not my cordial Counsel in matters of Devotion and sincere Penitence: For 'tis conceived by some truly religious and very learned, that the Penitent only shall recruit the Regiments and glorious Host of the intellectual Angels, by supplying the place of them that fell with Lucifer in his great Rebellion. To which God of his mercy for the Son of his love's sake bring us all in his appointed time, by what several ends he shall think most fit, is the prayers of your faithful Friend; as well as to find out by his holy Spirit those freeborn Mines of Noble Souls in either sex for my Executors, as will make the World their Heir, and are endowed with such virtuous Actions of love and charity, as might eternize the memory of my old Master, and magnify the Creators glory in his works of Nature; which is and shall be the ambition of Your most humble Servant, Tho. bushel. The late Kings Letter of Invitation to Mr. bushel, confirming his procedure in Mineral discoveries. CHARLES R. TRusty and well-beloved, We having taken into consideration your late Relation concerning your proceedings 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 Mines by you discovered, approving well of your beginnings, proceedings, 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 Mines, 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 advice 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 undertakings. 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 Esq; This is entred in the Signet-book 23 Febr. 1636. Ja. Store. The Merchants Letter of Barnstaple to Mr. bushel concerning their accommodation of transporting his led and Oar gratis, &c. 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 interested in the Mines of Wales which furnish you both with led and Lead-Oar. These are to request you, to bedleased 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 Frait-free instead of Ballast, you rendering it aboard to all such Ports as our Vessels shall commerce withall In so doing, we suppose the result thereof will more properly conduce to your hopeful proceedings in the said works of Combmartin, which we wish all happy success, and remain Barnstable 6 Octob. 1648. Your Loving Friends, Richard Harris William Leigh. George Shu●t. R●bert 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 Fishe●leigh. Robert Frayn. To the honourable William Lenthal Esq; Speaker of the honourable house of Commons. Mr. Speaker, I Formerly granted safe conduct unto Thomas Bushel Esq; who had the command of the Isle of Lundy to come hither to Treat concerning the surrender of that place, and he like a Gentleman truly performed on his part such Articles as were agreed on; since which time he hath been very industrious in finding out of led 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 conceivs he may justly claim the Customs of led 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 valves of the said Customs of led may appear; I have therefore thought fit, humbly to recommend the said Certificate, together with the Petition of the Miners of Derby-shire and Devon, and his Propositions for the public good; and make it my request that he may speedily Farm the said Customs of led, 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, least 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 report of other his proceedings, hath almost persuaded him to become an Adventurer; Who remains, Your humble Servant, Tho. Fairfax. Queenstreet, 14 Martii, 1648. The Miners contemplative Prayer in his solitary Delves, which is conceived requisite to be published, that the Reader may know, his heart implores providence for his Mineral increase, aswell as petitions liberty from men to dig for treasure in their barren Mountains. MOst glorious and omniscient Lord God, who inhabitest Eternity, and by thy omnipotent fiat didst in the beginning create the admirable fabric of the Universe; the Heavens are thy Throne, and the Earth is thy footstool, on which thou didst frame our first Parent of read day, and from thence gavest him his name, into whose Nostrils thou didst breath the Spirit of Life, enduing him with a reasonable soul, and madest him Lord of all thy Creatures; But he being in honor could not abide so, but became like the Beast that perisheth, through the treachery of that first Rebel Satan, who ever since endeavoreth to supplant his wretched posterity, of whom my sinful self am one. Give me therefore( O Lord) a true sense of mine own sins without despair, sincere contrition, unfeigned sorrow and earnest repentance without hypocrisy; make my Prayers fervent, holy and grateful, that they may come before thee as the incense of a true penitent soul; for a broken and contrite heart is a sacrifice which thou wilt not despise: And now, O God, having first sought thy mercy on my soul, give me leave to implore thy blessing on my temporal affairs to thy sole glory. O Lord, thy Spirit hath affencted mine with the speculation and practise of Mineral Philosophy, and thou wert pleased to bless that most Royal and ancient Philosopher, who understood and writ of the natures of all vegetables, from the Cedar of Lebanon to the pellitory or moss on the wall, as plainly appeared by the success of his Miners transported by Hyram's Mariners to Opher, whence they returned with 450 Talents of gold, for effecting whereof that King built and rigged a powerful Navy at Ezron Geber on the read sea, with a vast expense of his own or peoples ●reasure; But( O Lord) my modest design requires no such charge or means, the propositions of that great modern Philosopher, my worthy honoured Lord, are to discover those hidden Treasures, which thy inscrutable wisdom hath lodged in the Bowels of the most barren mountaines, and desperately deserted Mineral works of our native Countries. It is true( Lord) they that descend to the Sea in ships see they wonders in the depth thereof; but such as search the secret Entrails of the Earth, to find out thy concealed wonders there, carry their lives in their hands, being free among the dead, whence they pray unto thee, and praise thy marvelous works of nature, when men ride over their heads. But( O Lord) the insatiate thirst of riches or vain glory spurs not me on to this dangerous and laborious attempt, but my zeal to thy glory, and my Countreys good. Solomon beautified thine own Temple which he had built with his far sought Mineral Treasure, and I would therefore willingly erect a house to the honor of his name; in which fabric( designed by my honoured Master) true Christian Philosophers, of eminent knowledge, virtuous lives, and holy conversations, might by practical search and discoveries reveal to succeeding ages these beneficent rarities, and profitable experiments which that great King first treated of, being lost( as is conceived) to all mankind through thy several Judgements thrown in thine own backsliding people, till that Lord( my quondam Master) assisted by thy Spirit of wisdom, did in his natural History, and that most excellent model in his New Atlantis propose to the world a new means to make use of them, to thy glory, and the benefit of all thy servants, without any considerable charge to this or any other State. But( O Lord) the blindness, stupidity and diffidence of mans heart hath as yet obstructed the procedure thereof. Dives desired no other means then a messenger from Hell for the conversion of his Brethren which he had misled; now the living which converse with the subterranean spirits cannot be believed in reporting thy wonders in the bosom of the Earth. The Ninevites were converted when thy fugitive prophet brought them a penitential Sermon out of the belly of the Whale; grant( O my God) that I which am at present butted alive, and secluded from the World may be thence heard by thee, and so credited by the present ruling Power, that I thy humble suppliant( who like the poor bedridden men at the pool of Bethesda have lain long impotent and unable to move) may find some faithful Patriots to assist my cause, and make them sensible that I beg nothing but that which is lost, and the help of the dead onely to recover it. The Mines that I petition for are drowned, and their works desperately deserted; the persons I propose for their recovery, are such as are dead in Law, and crave as a mercy to be butted in them, by a patient undergoing their punishment as pioners, and turning their necessities into such virtuous actions, rather then a forced banishment should expose them to a seven years slavery in foreign plantations. Diamonds, best cut Diamonds, the stony-hearted are fittest to cut the stony Addits of the Mines, and like to like will agree best, when a penitential soul strikes the blow. For( O Lord) we all know, the Prodigal Child was punished with its opposite; and believe all others have congruity in the like, when thy only Son was forced for taking upon him the sins of man, to descend himself into Hell before he could ascend into Heaven; and who knows( O Lord) but that this Mineral employment is the best way found out for us Mortals, to discipline all offenders capable of mercy, with discovering thy concealed treasures, and make such thy onely creatures, when the person which thou placest over them by thy Ministers of State, shall take delightful care in their education and amendment, to thy own glory and the public good, since thou joyest more in one of them then in 99 righteous, that need no repentance. O Lord, in these designs I earnestly beg thy assistance, since thy Son our Saviour hath bid us to ask, seek and knock, that wee may obtain, find and be admitted; pardon then my confidence, diligence and importunity: I have now spent many Lustres of my Life, and some treasure in prosecution of this design; O let me effect it so to thy glory before I go hence, as my Feoffees in trust may not be discouraged to go on where I have left; for time makes hast, to call for natures debt, and Death is none of thy Creature. Let not then my worst Creditor be onely satisfied, before thou hast assisted me in some measure to pay the Debt of zeal and Obedience which I owe to thee, that of Love and Service due to my native County, the real sums due to confiding friends, and the great Debt of gratitude to the memory of my famous Master, Foster-Father and Instructor in these undertakings. Pardon then my sins, and grant this my boon, since mercy and bounty are the most essential Attributes of thy Glory; to whom all Honor, Obedience, Praise and Thanksgiving is now and ever due. Amen. The Impressa of Mr. Bushell's golden medal. ·FRA· BACON· VICECO· SCT. ALBAN· ANGLIAE· CANCELL· EST· QVI· CLAVSA· RECLVDIT· THO· BVSHELL· DEVS· THe Lord St. Alban's Atlantis is a Magazine of compendious( but sublime) documents to enrich a Common-wealth with universal Notions, as far above a vulgar capacity, as the imperial Heavens are the Earth; for which cause himself styled it his Solomons house, or six daies work: But the way to advance a proportionable Revenue( proposed by his philosophical Theory) to accomplish the vast design of such a magnificent structure, without a Princes Purse, will seem as abstruse to some acute apprehensions, as the immortal descent of the soul to animate the embryo in the womb: yet if any responsible Persons are incredulous of Mr. Bushell's proceedings to perfect the said Lords Philosophical Theory in Mineral discoveries, according to his undertakings, let them, or any other that have heretofore given him credit upon the late Kings score, or his own, repair to the assurance Office at the royal Exchange, where they shall have tendered( by Friends of his) Medals of Gold, by way of Mart, according to the Tenor of the ensuing Bill, so soon as it is settled in Parliament for their encouragement, and himself hath liberty to attend providence in the success. KNow all men by these presents, That I 〈◇〉 〈◇〉 of 〈◇〉 in the County of 〈◇〉 do hereby aclowledge to have received from 〈◇〉 Trustees for the late Lord Chancellor Bacon's Mineral design, that is now to be practised by his menial Servant. Tho. bushel Esq; one medal of Gold( with that Lords Effigies) of the full value of 5 l. by way of Mart, upon condition to pay unto the abovesaid 〈◇〉 their Executors, Administrators, or Assigns, the several sums of money following, that is to say, the sum of 5 l. for every one pound of the said medal, If the said Tho. bushel shall within 18 moneths from the date hereof, by himself, his Agents, and assigns, advance out of his Mineral undertakings in recovering the drowned works of Rowpits upon the forest of Mendyp, and other deserted places within the Territories of this Commonwealth, the sum or value of 500 l. per week in Copper, tin, or led mixed with Silver, or in all for the whole year following, by the approbation of the Mineral grand Jury of Chewton, and the Warden of the Mint of the Tower of London for the time being upon their Oaths; and upon like condition to pay unto the said 〈◇〉 〈◇〉 their Executors, &c. the sum of 10 l. more, for every one pound of the said medal, if the said Tho. bushel shall within 18 moneths more from the date hereof by himself, his Agents and Workmen, advance out of the mineral works as aforesaid, 1000 l. per week for the whole year following: And for the payment of all and every the said sums of money, so to be well and truly paid, I the said 〈◇〉 〈◇〉 do bind me, my Heirs, Executors, and Administrators firmly by these presents, In witness whereof I the said 〈◇〉 〈◇〉 do hereunto put my hand and seal this 〈◇〉 day of 〈◇〉