To the Supreme Authority the Parliament of the Commonwealth of ENGLAND.  
The humble Proposals of Edmund Felton Gent.  
That which he humbly offers is,  
HOW Ireland and all other English Plantations may multiply and increase much more trading then now is, or hath been for many years; and all the Soldiers in Ireland paid, and other just debts, and yet not any money for so doing disbursed by the States, but to their great advantage; yea many hundred thousand pounds hereby to be brought into their Treasury: And for which so doing, in 1601. is a Precedent upon record: by which course the late Queen Elizabeth then carried on the War in Ireland, with small taxes to the Subjects, and as the state of Ireland now stands, by the prescribed course following, Ireland in few years may be fully planted with Englishmen and women, all which may be accomplished as followeth.  
1. If it shall please the States to cause 200000 l. or more forthwith to be coined in Occamy money, as they do in Holland, and the late Queen Elizabeth did for Ireland in 1601. and to pass there for currant coin; every hundred pound thus coined, to be in half-crowns, shillings, sixpences, and smaller pieces. The mettle, stamping and silvering of 100 l. of the said coin, will not stand the State in above five pound; three hundred pound of which coin any of the Inhabitants in Ireland to have for 100 l. in Gold or Silver, which there, is as good to them as gold or silver, there passing currant by Act of Parliament. The States hereby gets clear for every three hundred pound thus coined to pass in Ireland, eighty five pounds. By this course not any man there living can be prejudiced, but much bettered in his estate; for any man whose stock in money there (or here if he go for Ireland) be but 10 l. he shall have for it 30 l. in the new coin, for 20 l. to have 60 l. for 100 l. in gold or silver, 300 l. and so proportionably. Thus every dealer herein trebles his stock, and by this means when they are in Ireland it will keep them there; and the Soldiers there who hath land given them for their Arrears, will by this course be enabled to keep their Land and to stock it, if 100 l. or 50 l. of the said coin be lent to such Soldiers as have wife and children, for one year gratis, and for the years following they shall keep the said money, to pay to the State 5l. or 6 l. for 100 l. within two years will pay the States what they disbursed; and as long after as the said 100 l. or 50 l. shall by any be detained, to pay the rate of as aforesaid to the States use, which will come clearly unto them.  
The said coin likewise to pass currant in all other English Plantations and no where else, and upon the same terms as in Ireland; by this course both the gold and silver in English Plantations will also be brought into this Nation, to the great in riching of the States, and the Inhabitants both in Ireland and the said Plantations. And for that this is not a coin to be hoarded up, it will cause the more Trading, Planting, tilling and stocking of ground, and so consequently the more employment for the poor.  
If objected, How shall any come for England, and here travel and follow their occasions?  
It's answered, That whoso hath just cause so to do a● what Port-town soever he shall land, where the chiefest of able and honest men to be Treasurers, there to have 20 l. 10 l. or less, bringing triple the coin as they had when went for Ireland (and they to have sixpence in the pound) but not any man to have above 20 l. in silver (nor that if ten pound may serve for his occasions) to travel and return back. Spain and other Nations who are fare more richer in gold and silver then England, have much of Copper and Occamy money which goeth currently amongst them in their dominions.  
2 Also a great revenue for some years may as thus come unto the States, if they please to lend 100 l. or more of the said coin to Families that will go for Ireland, having a stock of Corn and Cattle, who wants money, and willing to farm Lands in Ireland of the States, which so doing will cause much people to go to inhabit there.  
And as for strangers that shall trade in Ireland, or any of the English Plantations, to trade with Commodities for Commodities, or to give gold or silver for what they shall buy there, but not to buy any Commodity with this States new coin, but for their expenses for meat, drink and lodging whilst they are in Ireland, or the English Plantations, if they give gold or silver, to have triple the sum of the Treasurers there, which will be a means to prevent bringing in of the like coin.  
3 If objected, that if there were such a coin the Dutch and other Nations would bring in abundance of the like, and carry away Commodities of great value for it; which may be prevented as aforesaid and followeth.  
First, Strangers to barter Commodity for commodity, unless they bring silver. Secondly, if there be as strict a Law for counterfeiting or making any of the said coin as the Act of Parliamnt is for stealing away any Maid under 21 years of age, not any will dare to venture (to be as a slave all his life) to make any of the said coin.  
Secondly, Whatsoever goods shall be brought into Ireland or any of the English Plantations to have the Governors seal set thereon as soon as landed, and what goods soever are to be opened for sale in that City or Town, the said Governor or chief Officer to appoint some honest men to be at the opening thereof, to see if any coin be conveyed therein, and if any Lead should be brought to Ireland or any of the said Plantations, than the Governor or chief Officer in view of the people where it shall be landed, to set a stamp on each sow of Lead, which is not to be melted in the said City or Town till the Governor or chief Officer, shall send some honest men to view the stamp and to be at the melting thereof, and therewith an Iron ladle to see if there be any coin therein conveyed.  
Thirdly, That there be the like course of searching of any cask wherein shall be wine, oil, or any other Commodity whatsoever, and that at their first landing if any liquid Commodity, and before it be housed.  
And if any of the said Commodities by whole sale be carried to other Cities or Towns, the chief Magistrate there to set his mark or seal on the said Pack, in the presence of some honest Townsmen, to the end (if not opened presently) that it shall not be opened till the said Magistrate shall send some honest men to be at the opening thereof. And to prevent favour or affecting any, if it may be thought fitting, the said Overseers to take this Oath following, (either voluntarily or given by the Magistrate) I A.B. desire of God I may not prosper in this life nor any thing I take in hand, if I prove deceitful in this my undertaking for the Commonwealth's good.  
Reason's conduceing hereunto, considering how this Nation is much impoverished in gold and silver, since these troubles; As 

First, by sending many hundred thousands of pounds out of England into Holland and other Countries.  
Secondly, the treasure cannot but be great that hath been hid this time of war, and to be believed, most of the hiders have lost their lives before they could discover where they hide it.  
Thirdly, many who now have much treasure, will not be known of it for fear of Taxes.  
Fourthly, it cannot but be a great prejudice to this Nation, if those that go for Ireland, shall carry what gold or silver they can thither in this impoverishing time.    
To prevent which, the Proposer humbly conceives this way of a new coin for Ireland and all other English Plantations, will wonderfully enrich that land, and make the people better able to pay their Taxes in England and Wales.  
Ireland hath now been this twleve years very chargeable to England by reason of the late troubles, and not any thing profitable by way of Trading to this Nation, (since which troubles, hundreds of thousands of pounds have been sent thither) all which time, the English inhabitants hath contentedly endured under great sufferings. If now for the like time men would with as much patience content themselves to have this prescribed new coin if but for 12 years, it would be the cause that Ireland would almost be fully inhabited, and have plenty of Corn, Cattle, Sheep, and all other necessary food, which as the Apostle saith is sufficient, exhorting the people of God to learn to be content therewith. But if not but by covetousness men will be rich in gold and silver, he plainly tells them it is an entrance into strife, and many foolish and and noy some lusts which drown men in perdition and destruction; as for those covetous ones who think gain godliness, the Apostle tells them not, it is not so, requiring all that fear God to withdraw themselves from such, saying, godliness with content is great gain, 1 Tim. 6. ch. and for men so to be, it would be the New birth, and much rejoice them to see their Brothers and Neighbours to thrive by them. But the covetous man thinks all too little for himself, which Solomon confirms (saying Prov. 1. 19) He that is greedy of gain taketh away the life of the owners thereof. It is content, not wealth, is man's happiness in this life.  
In all which the Proposer humbly submits unto your Honour's most grave wisdom, Edmund Felton.   

London, Printed by E. C. for M. S. 1653.