To show the Countreys consent for the draining of Lindesey level.  
1. THe Commission of Sewers was before all other Courts of Record, and a Decree of Sewers for non-payment of Taxes, Enrolled in Chancery with the Royal Assent, under the Great Seal is only controlable in Parliament, and all our Decrees are so Enrolled.  
2. By many ancient Records,( now in Mr. Goldesbrough's Custody) 'tis evident that these fens called Lindesey Level now in question, were hurtfully surrounded with Waters, some hundred years since, and have been several times endeavoured to be drained by several Persons of great quality, but could not; which shows the Countreys desire and consent to the draining in those dayes.  
3. By the Countreys proffer to Sir Anthony Thomas, and Sir William Alife to drayn the said fens, 'tis evident these Lands did need draining, and that the country did Consent, and desire to have them drained.  
4. By edmond Jackson Mayor of Boston, Sir Anthony Irby, John Brown, Robert Callis sergeant at Law, Herbert Pelham, Richard Skipper, Leonard Cammack, George Thorold, Richard Barfoot, and the rest of the Commissioners, certifying the late King of the need of draining, and their Compliance and Assistance therein, the Countreys consent for draining is again declared.  
5. By the Countreys public and joyful reception of the Earl of Lindesey to be drayner, when recommended by the late King, their consent is further declared.  
6. By the Commissioners viewing all the drowned Lands in Boats, from one end of the Level to the other, and then laying several Taxes for three years time( which were not paid) and thereby declared their consent, and desire to have the draining proceed, because if the Taxes had been paid, the Earl could not be Undertaker.  
7. By Sir Charles Huseyes Bill put into this House, and promoted by all the Members that serve for Lincolnshire, 'tis evident they did consent, and desire to be drained.  
8. The Commissioners being 32 persons of eminent quality, most of them, and many Lords and owners of the said fens, did after three years treating in presence of many thousand Commoners at a public Sessions of Sewers, proffer and contract with the Earl of Lindesey for 24000 Acres as a compensation, for his charge and hazard of draining the said level, and no Commissioners dissenting, and this done in the face of many thousand Commoners in open Court no man dissenting, but with loud ●●clamations of joy attended the Earl to his lodging, which did sufficiently declare their free consents.  
9. Note that the Commissioners of Sewers were then 217 persons whereof were 

earls 13.  
barons 5.  
Knights 43.  
Esquires 93.  
Gent. 63.   in all 217.  
10. Of which number the Commissioners that acted in viewing and taxing the Lands and making the contract, and all the other Decrees, were 78 Commissioners, most of them Lords and owners, whereas by the Law of Sewers, Six commissioners are sufficient; public notice being given for every Session, which was strictly observed, by which those Commissioners who appeared not, are included as consenting; and what ever is so decreed by the Bench in the face of the Country so publicly Summoned, is taken for the consent of all men any way interested, unless some do oppose, which no man did during the Earls three years treaty, nor at his Contract making, nor in two years more, before he began to work, nor in all the time of making the Works, in Building, and Planting, being about nine years time spent.  
Note also that the country people did make all the Works, built all the drayners houses, Planted and ploughed their Lands, brought in their Harvests two years, and received all their Moneys, and no one word of dislike to the draining, but all encouragement to the Work, which shewed a full consent; though the Commissioners have full power to make such Contracts, and to order such public Works, for an universal good to the Nation, if any froward perverse men should oppose; all this well considered, 'tis not possible to have a more unanimous consent from a whole country, nor is it at all required, or any where practised that every individual man should consent: If this Work had been disliked in those days, why did not these mens fathers( who call themselves Lords of the fens) oppose the Earl in the least word, which would have deterred him and his Participants from laying out such vast Sums of Money; But now thirty years after an expense of 80 thousand pounds, invited to it by such an universal desire, and so great applause, 'tis strange that these unjust Clamours, and more unjust demands should now arise.  
Note that the Commissioners do covenant in their Contract with the Earl to become suitors to the next parliament to confirm it by an Act, by which it is evident there was neither fraud nor compulsion on the Earls part, and so full and cheerful consent from the country, as cannot be more expected; all which has been proved at several times at the House bar, by the Records, and divers Witnesses of good quality, and Commoners of that country; And thus we conceive that we have shewed a general unanimous consent of all the Commissioners, and also of all the country, in those days, when those who now oppose were very young.  
The 16. of March. 1670. 

William Killigrew.  
Henry Heron.