







 
   
     
       
         A briefe relation discovering plainely the true causes why the great levell of fenns in the severall counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridge, Huntington, Northampton, and Lincolne shires, being three hundred and seven thousand acres of low-lands, have been drowned and made unfruitfull for many yeares past and as briefly how they may be drained, and preserved from inundation in the times to come : humbly presented to the honourable House of Commons assembled in Parliament / by Andrewes Burrell, gent.
         Burrell, Andrewes.
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A30500 of text R2671 in the  English Short Title Catalog (Wing B5969). Textual changes  and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more  computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life.  The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with  MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.  This text has not been fully proofread 
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         EarlyPrint Project
         Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO
         2017
         A30500
         Wing B5969
         ESTC R2671
         12630204
         ocm 12630204
         64729
         
           
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         Early English books online.
      
       
         (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A30500)
         Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 64729)
         Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 252:E148, no 18)
      
       
         
           
             A briefe relation discovering plainely the true causes why the great levell of fenns in the severall counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridge, Huntington, Northampton, and Lincolne shires, being three hundred and seven thousand acres of low-lands, have been drowned and made unfruitfull for many yeares past and as briefly how they may be drained, and preserved from inundation in the times to come : humbly presented to the honourable House of Commons assembled in Parliament / by Andrewes Burrell, gent.
             Burrell, Andrewes.
          
           [6], 22 p.
           
             Printed for Francis Constable,
             London :
             1642.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Thomason Collection, British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Drainage -- England.
           Reclamation of land -- England.
           Fens, The (England)
        
      
    
       A30500  R2671  (Wing B5969).  civilwar no A briefe relation discovering plainely the true causes why the great levell of fenns in the severall counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridge Burrell, Andrewes 1642    7274 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 A This text  has no known defects that were recorded as gap elements at the time of transcription.  
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           A
           Briefe
           RELATION
           Discovering
           Plainely
           the
           true
           Causes
           why
           the
           great
           Levell
           of
           FENNS
           In
           the
           severall
           Counties
           of
           Norfolk
           ,
           Suffolk
           ,
           Cambridge
           ,
           Huntington
           ,
           North-hampton
           ,
           and
           Lincolne
           Shires
           ;
           BEING
           Three
           hundred
           and
           seven
           thousand
           Acres
           of
           Low-Lands
           ,
           have
           been
           drowned
           ,
           and
           made
           unfruitfull
           for
           many
           yeares
           past
           .
           AND
           As
           briefly
           how
           they
           may
           be
           drained
           ,
           and
           preserved
           from
           Inundation
           in
           the
           times
           to
           come
           .
        
         
           Humbly
           presented
           to
           the
           Honourable
           House
           of
           COMMONS
           Assembled
           in
           PARLIAMENT
           .
           By
           
             Andrewes
             Burrell
             ,
          
           Gent.
           
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Francis
             Constable
             .
          
           1642.
           
        
      
       
       
       
         
           TO
           THE
           HONOVRABLE
           House
           of
           COMMONS
           ,
           Assembled
           in
           PARLIAMENT
           .
        
         
           GReat
           and
           Honourable
           workes
           ought
           to
           bee
           directed
           by
           great
           and
           Honourable
           Councells
           ;
           And
           therefore
           to
           the
           intent
           this
           noble
           Enterprise
           may
           not
           be
           undervalued
           (
           as
           it
           is
           by
           some
           )
           I
           humbly
           informe
           this
           Honourable
           Court
           ,
           that
           besides
           sundry
           attempts
           made
           by
           divers
           Noble
           men
           ,
           who
           desired
           to
           improve
           the
           great
           levell
           of
           Fenns
           ;
           the
           undertaking
           was
           so
           well
           esteemed
           by
           King
           
             JAMES
             ,
          
           that
           Hee
           really
           intended
           to
           take
           it
           into
           His
           owne
           care
           ;
           the
           diversion
           
           of
           His
           Royall
           intention
           is
           unknowne
           .
           After
           him
           the
           Late
           Earle
           of
           
             Bedford
          
           and
           his
           friends
           adventured
           great
           summes
           of
           money
           to
           recover
           them
           ;
           But
           before
           their
           workes
           were
           finished
           ,
           they
           were
           circumvented
           and
           outed
           of
           all
           their
           intendments
           .
           The
           last
           undertaking
           was
           attempted
           by
           the
           Kings
           Majesty
           that
           now
           is
           ;
           but
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           His
           money
           being
           mis-spent
           ,
           and
           all
           his
           intended
           workes
           misled
           by
           Sir
           
             Cornelius
             Vermuden's
          
           mysticall
           designe
           ,
           His
           now
           Majesty
           hath
           declined
           His
           undertaking
           also
           ,
           so
           that
           it
           is
           like
           to
           returne
           to
           the
           now
           Earle
           of
           
             BEDFORD
          
           and
           his
           friends
           .
        
         
           This
           Noble
           Enterprise
           being
           thus
           misguided
           ,
           lyeth
           now
           before
           your
           grave
           Wisdomes
           ,
           expecting
           direction
           from
           this
           Honourable
           Assembly
           ,
           and
           wanting
           a
           better
           friend
           to
           petition
           for
           them
           ,
           (
           there
           being
           an
           Order
           made
           by
           the
           Honourable
           Committee
           for
           the
           Fens
           ,
           the
           twenty
           five
           of
           February
           last
           ,
           that
           all
           men
           whom
           it
           may
           concern
           may
           offer
           any
           other
           designe
           ;
           In
           regard
           a
           perfect
           designe
           concerneth
           the
           preservation
           of
           many
           mens
           estates
           ,
           which
           also
           may
           be
           ruined
           ,
           impaired
           ,
           or
           cast
           into
           eminent
           danger
           .
           )
           I
           am
           humbly
           bold
           to
           informe
           you
           ,
           that
           unlesse
           this
           Honourable
           Court
           command
           the
           now
           intended
           works
           to
           be
           published
           to
           the
           severall
           Counties
           (
           as
           was
           once
           intended
           by
           the
           Honourable
           Committee
           )
           so
           that
           the
           Countries
           approbation
           ,
           or
           exceptions
           may
           bee
           valued
           (
           or
           at
           the
           least
           heard
           .
           )
           And
           that
           before
           the
           works
           beginne
           ,
           equall
           compositions
           may
           bee
           made
           with
           all
           those
           whose
           Lands
           shall
           bee
           impaired
           ,
           endangered
           ,
           or
           
           taken
           from
           them
           :
           many
           men
           may
           bee
           ruined
           in
           their
           just
           Estates
           .
           There
           are
           two
           Reasons
           that
           make
           me
           earnest
           in
           this
           cause
           :
           The
           one
           is
           the
           former
           ill
           designing
           ,
           and
           ill
           mannaging
           of
           the
           workes
           ,
           wherein
           Wilfulnesse
           and
           Ignorance
           (
           in
           the
           Kings
           Name
           )
           over-ruled
           the
           Countries
           .
           The
           other
           concernes
           my selfe
           ,
           first
           ,
           in
           taking
           a
           great
           part
           of
           my
           owne
           Land
           (
           and
           some
           of
           that
           which
           I
           Farme
           )
           from
           me
           ,
           without
           satisfaction
           ,
           composition
           ,
           or
           leave
           to
           cut
           it
           ;
           and
           which
           is
           much
           worse
           ,
           by
           bringing
           all
           the
           rest
           of
           my
           Inheritance
           ,
           and
           leas't
           Lands
           (
           which
           together
           are
           not
           lesse
           than
           three
           thousand
           Acres
           )
           into
           eminent
           danger
           of
           drowning
           ,
           by
           cutting
           my
           old
           firme
           Banck
           ,
           and
           exposing
           my
           Lands
           to
           bee
           defended
           from
           the
           common
           waters
           by
           a
           hollow
           counterfeit
           Banck
           ,
           made
           of
           so
           light
           a
           composition
           ,
           that
           it
           will
           both
           burne
           and
           swim
           .
        
         
           And
           here
           I
           beseech
           you
           give
           mee
           leave
           to
           tell
           you
           ,
           that
           for
           want
           of
           Iustice
           in
           ENGLAND
           ,
           and
           Peace
           in
           IRELAND
           ,
           my
           aged
           Mother
           ;
           my selfe
           and
           foure
           Brethren
           ,
           have
           within
           a
           few
           yeares
           lost
           nine
           hundred
           and
           sixty
           pounds
           
             per
             annum
             :
          
           which
           when
           time
           will
           give
           me
           leave
           ,
           I
           hope
           to
           prove
           before
           this
           Honourable
           Parliament
           ;
           which
           makes
           me
           the
           more
           earnestly
           implore
           your
           aide
           in
           this
           my
           great
           necessity
           .
        
         
           To
           conclude
           ,
           if
           this
           Noble
           Enterprise
           by
           your
           Honourable
           paines
           ,
           be
           well
           designed
           ,
           and
           so
           prosecuted
           ;
           The
           Improvement
           will
           not
           only
           returne
           a
           
           sufficient
           satisfaction
           to
           the
           adventurers
           ,
           but
           the
           Common-wealth
           will
           sweetly
           rellish
           the
           great
           Improvement
           which
           will
           follow
           .
           But
           because
           it
           is
           not
           safe
           to
           be
           over
           large
           in
           great
           promises
           ,
           I
           will
           say
           no
           more
           ;
           but
           GOD
           grant
           the
           Fenns
           may
           in
           due
           time
           be
           made
           VVinter
           grounds
           ,
           not
           impairing
           any
           private
           mans
           estate
           .
           So
           Prayeth
        
         
           
             
               Your
               Honours
               humble
               Supplyant
               ,
            
             Andrewes
             Burrell
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           A
           BRIEFE
           RELATION
           Of
           the
           true
           Causes
           why
           the
           FENNS
           In
           Norfolk
           ,
           Suffolk
           ,
           Cambridge
           ,
           Huntington
           ,
           Northampton
           ,
           and
           Lincolne
           Shires
           ,
           have
           beene
           drowned
           .
           AND
           As
           briefly
           how
           they
           may
           be
           drained
           ,
           and
           preserved
           from
           Inundation
           .
        
         
           BEfore
           I
           declare
           the
           Reasons
           why
           those
           Low
           Lands
           are
           subject
           to
           drowning
           ;
           I
           conceive
           it
           is
           fit
           to
           discover
           to
           them
           that
           doe
           not
           know
           those
           Countries
           ,
           in
           what
           condition
           the
           Fens
           were
           before
           they
           were
           drowned
           :
           How
           they
           are
           seated
           ,
           and
           how
           they
           are
           drowned
           .
        
         
           Mr.
           
             Cambden
          
           in
           his
           
             Brittania
             ,
             folio
          
           449.
           referres
           his
           Readers
           to
           
             William
          
           of
           
             Malmesbury
             ,
          
           who
           reporteth
           the
           Lordship
           of
           
             Thorney
          
           in
           his
           time
           to
           be
           so
           fruitfull
           and
           fragrant
           ,
           that
           for
           delight
           it
           resembled
           Heaven
           it selfe
           .
        
         
         
           That
           Lordship
           is
           indeed
           a
           large
           and
           rich
           piece
           of
           Land
           ,
           consisting
           of
           eighteen
           thousand
           Acres
           ,
           or
           thereabouts
           ,
           and
           pertaineth
           to
           the
           Earles
           of
           
             Bedford
             .
          
        
         
           But
           having
           lost
           the
           beauty
           lately
           mentioned
           (
           nay
           to
           be
           plaine
           )
           being
           quite
           lost
           ,
           and
           perpetually
           drowned
           ,
           save
           onely
           one
           Hillocke
           where
           the
           Abbey
           standeth
           ,
           was
           the
           cause
           that
           induced
           the
           late
           Earle
           to
           undertake
           the
           drayning
           of
           the
           great
           Levell
           .
           In
           which
           service
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           my
           imployment
           under
           his
           Lordship
           in
           the
           yeare
           1635.
           
           In
           deepning
           
             Wisbeach
          
           River
           ,
           I
           discovered
           a
           stony
           bottome
           ,
           upon
           which
           there
           was
           found
           lying
           at
           severall
           distances
           seven
           boates
           ,
           which
           for
           many
           yeares
           had
           laine
           buried
           eight
           foot
           under
           the
           bottome
           of
           the
           River
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           before
           the
           late
           Earles
           undertaking
           .
           And
           it
           is
           very
           likely
           ,
           that
           when
           
             Thorney
          
           flourished
           ,
           
             Neene
          
           did
           run
           as
           deepe
           as
           that
           bottome
           .
        
         
           After
           this
           discovery
           ,
           it
           was
           intended
           by
           the
           late
           Earle
           that
           the
           River
           
             Neene
          
           should
           have
           been
           enlarged
           and
           deepned
           from
           
             Wisbeach
          
           to
           
             Stanground
          
           (
           by
           the
           tract
           of
           
             Mourton
             Leame
          
           )
           as
           now
           it
           is
           from
           
             Wisbeach
          
           to
           
             Guyherne
             .
          
           And
           I
           am
           very
           confident
           that
           if
           
             Neene
          
           were
           made
           a
           hundred
           foot
           broad
           ,
           and
           so
           deepe
           as
           it
           is
           in
           
             Wisbeach
          
           Towne
           ,
           from
           
             Wisbeach
          
           to
           
             Stanground
             ,
             Thorney
             Fens
          
           in
           a
           few
           yeares
           would
           be
           as
           fruitfull
           and
           rich
           as
           ever
           they
           were
           in
           
             Malmesburies
          
           time
           ,
           whose
           story
           is
           ,
        
         
           
             That
             they
             represented
             a
             very
             Paradise
             ,
             for
             that
             in
             pleasure
             and
             delight
             ,
             it
             resembled
             Heaven
             it selfe
             ,
             in
             the
             very
             Marishes
             bearing
             trees
             ,
             that
             for
             their
             straight
             tallnesse
             ,
             and
             the
             same
             without
             knots
             ,
             strive
             to
             touch
             the
             Stars
             :
             A
             Plaine
             is
             there
             as
             even
             as
             the
             sea
             ,
             which
             with
             green
             grasse
             allureth
             the
             eye
             ;
             so
             smooth
             and
             levell
             ,
             that
             if
             any
             walk
             along
             the
             fields
             they
             shall
             finde
             nothing
             to
             stumble
             at
             ;
             there
             is
             not
             the
             least
             parcell
             
             of
             ground
             that
             lieth
             waste
             and
             void
             there
             .
             Here
             shall
             you
             finde
             the
             Earth
             rising
             some where
             for
             Apple
             trees
             :
             there
             shall
             you
             have
             a
             field
             set
             with
             Vines
             ,
             which
             either
             creep
             upon
             the
             ground
             ,
             or
             mount
             on
             high
             upon
             poles
             to
             support
             them
             :
             A
             mutuall
             strife
             there
             is
             betweene
             Nature
             and
             Husbandry
             ,
             that
             what
             the
             one
             forgetteth
             ,
             the
             other
             might
             supply
             and
             produce
             :
             What
             will
             be
             said
             of
             the
             faire
             and
             beautifull
             buildings
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           This
           great
           Levell
           of
           Low-Lands
           ,
           whereof
           
             Thorney
          
           is
           a
           part
           ,
           is
           almost
           compassed
           about
           with
           high
           Lands
           ,
           and
           lyeth
           betwixt
           the
           high
           Lands
           and
           the
           Sea
           .
           The
           superficies
           thereof
           being
           generally
           as
           high
           as
           the
           superficies
           of
           the
           Sea
           in
           ordinary
           Tides
           ,
           commonly
           called
           Neape
           Tides
           ;
           But
           foure
           or
           five
           foot
           lower
           than
           the
           superficies
           of
           the
           Sea
           ,
           when
           the
           Sea
           is
           at
           the
           highest
           ,
           which
           is
           in
           the
           Spring
           Tides
           ,
           whereof
           some
           doe
           very
           much
           exceed
           others
           ,
           being
           ruled
           by
           the
           windes
           :
           Such
           Tides
           doe
           happen
           twenty
           or
           thirty
           dayes
           in
           the
           course
           of
           a
           yeare
           ;
           some
           yeares
           more
           than
           the
           most
           ,
           and
           some
           yeares
           lesse
           than
           the
           least
           ,
           as
           the
           stormy
           windes
           doe
           force
           the
           Spring
           Tides
           into
           the
           Bay
           ,
           which
           is
           betwixt
           
             Burnham
          
           in
           
             Norfolk
             ,
          
           and
           
             Winthorp
          
           in
           
             Lincolnshire
          
           ;
           whereby
           it
           is
           apparant
           that
           the
           Rivers
           which
           are
           in
           the
           Fens
           cannot
           empty
           themselves
           into
           the
           Sea
           ,
           but
           at
           such
           times
           as
           the
           Sea
           floods
           are
           returned
           out
           of
           the
           Rivers
           to
           the
           place
           from
           whence
           they
           came
           ;
           By
           reason
           whereof
           the
           Fens
           are
           often
           drowned
           ,
           two
           ,
           three
           ,
           or
           foure
           foot
           deepe
           ,
           according
           as
           the
           floods
           are
           greater
           or
           lesse
           .
        
         
           Betwixt
           the
           Fens
           and
           the
           Sea
           there
           is
           much
           good
           Land
           that
           is
           improved
           and
           defended
           by
           substantiall
           Bankes
           made
           of
           Clay
           and
           Silt
           ,
           which
           doe
           preserve
           
           them
           from
           being
           drowned
           by
           the
           Sea
           on
           the
           one
           side
           ,
           and
           the
           high
           land
           waters
           on
           the
           other
           :
           The
           common
           Fens
           being
           at
           the
           least
           five
           foot
           higher
           than
           some
           of
           those
           lands
           ;
           so
           that
           the
           Sea
           commeth
           not
           neare
           the
           Fens
           by
           six
           miles
           ,
           or
           thereabouts
           .
        
         
           The
           fresh
           water
           Rivers
           which
           doe
           passe
           through
           this
           Levell
           ,
           are
           principally
           
             Owse
          
           and
           
             Neene
          
           :
           the
           rest
           are
           but
           branches
           that
           doe
           fall
           into
           
             Owse
          
           at
           their
           severall
           distances
           .
        
         
           The
           neerest
           way
           that
           any
           part
           of
           the
           River
           
             Owse
          
           doth
           run
           from
           the
           high
           land
           to
           the
           Sea
           ,
           is
           thirty
           six
           miles
           ,
           but
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           it
           runneth
           fifty
           six
           miles
           ,
           or
           thereabouts
           .
        
         
           The
           River
           
             Neene
          
           runneth
           through
           this
           Levell
           before
           it
           falleth
           into
           the
           Sea
           ,
           twenty
           miles
           ,
           or
           thereabouts
           .
           So
           much
           for
           the
           scituation
           and
           condition
           of
           the
           Fens
           .
        
         
           
             The
             reasons
             why
             the
             Fens
             are
             drowned
             ,
             are
             principally
             six
             .
          
           
             FIrst
             ,
             because
             the
             superficies
             of
             the
             Fens
             lyeth
             lower
             than
             the
             superficies
             of
             the
             Sea
             ,
             when
             the
             Spring
             Tides
             are
             at
             the
             highest
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             because
             the
             high
             land
             floods
             must
             of
             necessity
             passe
             through
             that
             great
             Levell
             of
             low
             Lands
             ,
             having
             very
             little
             descent
             to
             enforce
             a
             streame
             from
             the
             high
             Lands
             to
             the
             Sea
             ,
             but
             at
             such
             times
             as
             the
             Sea
             floods
             by
             retiring
             themselves
             doe
             leave
             the
             Rivers
             empty
             ,
             which
             many
             times
             is
             not
             above
             eight
             houres
             in
             twenty
             foure
             .
          
           
             A
             third
             reason
             is
             ,
             the
             Rivers
             through
             which
             the
             high
             Land
             waters
             should
             passe
             ,
             are
             not
             large
             enough
             to
             
             convey
             them
             to
             the
             Sea
             ,
             nor
             are
             they
             armed
             with
             sufficient
             banks
             to
             keepe
             the
             Sea
             and
             Land
             floods
             from
             dilating
             themselves
             over
             the
             face
             of
             the
             whole
             Levell
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             a
             hard
             question
             ,
             whether
             the
             Sea
             or
             the
             Land
             floods
             are
             the
             most
             potent
             enemies
             to
             the
             Fenns
             ;
             but
             this
             is
             most
             certaine
             ,
             that
             when
             the
             Sea
             floods
             and
             the
             Land
             floods
             meet
             ,
             as
             they
             often
             times
             doe
             ,
             halfe
             way
             betwixt
             the
             high
             Lands
             and
             the
             Sea
             ,
             in
             that
             very
             place
             like
             two
             powerfull
             enimies
             joyning
             in
             one
             ,
             they
             doe
             over-run
             the
             Levell
             ,
             and
             drowne
             it
             from
             one
             end
             unto
             the
             other
             .
          
           
             A
             fourth
             reason
             why
             the
             Fenns
             are
             drowned
             ,
             is
             occasioned
             by
             the
             Sea
             floods
             ,
             the
             violence
             whereof
             maketh
             so
             loud
             a
             noise
             at
             the
             first
             comming
             into
             the
             River
             
               Owse
               ,
            
             that
             it
             is
             oft
             times
             heard
             by
             those
             that
             are
             two
             miles
             from
             it
             ;
             and
             after
             the
             eager
             is
             past
             ,
             for
             the
             space
             of
             foure
             houres
             there
             followeth
             a
             mighty
             flood
             streame
             that
             runneth
             into
             the
             Country
             neere
             forty
             miles
             ;
             which
             waters
             returning
             more
             slowly
             ,
             must
             of
             necessity
             have
             more
             time
             to
             empty
             themselves
             then
             was
             spent
             in
             receiving
             them
             ;
             for
             those
             waters
             which
             the
             Sea
             forces
             into
             the
             Rivers
             ,
             must
             all
             returne
             before
             the
             high
             Country
             waters
             can
             possibly
             be
             admitted
             to
             passe
             .
             The
             disadvantage
             is
             very
             plaine
             ,
             the
             high
             Land
             waters
             comming
             from
             betwixt
             the
             hills
             are
             continually
             running
             into
             the
             Fens
             ,
             and
             the
             Sea
             floods
             are
             continually
             interrupting
             and
             repelling
             them
             where
             they
             should
             passe
             out
             of
             the
             Fens
             into
             the
             Sea
             ,
             and
             will
             not
             suffer
             them
             to
             run
             above
             foure
             houres
             in
             twelve
             :
             which
             is
             one
             chiefe
             cause
             why
             the
             Fens
             neare
             
               Ely
            
             are
             so
             often
             drowned
             .
          
           
             A
             fifth
             reason
             is
             the
             ill
             disposition
             of
             the
             Sea
             in
             those
             parts
             ,
             which
             being
             troubled
             by
             stormy
             windes
             ,
             
             doe
             carry
             such
             abundance
             of
             Silt
             or
             Sand
             into
             the
             Rivers
             in
             the
             Sommer
             season
             ,
             that
             for
             want
             of
             a
             fresh
             water
             streame
             to
             wash
             them
             back
             into
             the
             Sea
             ,
             the
             Rivers
             are
             choked
             and
             lost
             ;
             which
             Silt
             or
             Sands
             soon
             after
             the
             Spring
             Tides
             are
             past
             doe
             lie
             dry
             ,
             and
             presently
             gaine
             a
             firmenesse
             ,
             so
             that
             men
             and
             horses
             travell
             upon
             them
             ;
             and
             in
             the
             beginning
             of
             Winter
             they
             doe
             much
             hinder
             the
             streame
             of
             the
             high
             land
             waters
             as
             they
             passe
             to
             the
             Sea
             ,
             untill
             by
             many
             land
             floods
             they
             are
             removed
             and
             washed
             into
             the
             Sea
             from
             whence
             they
             came
             ;
             but
             it
             is
             so
             long
             before
             that
             can
             be
             effected
             ,
             in
             regard
             the
             high
             Land
             floods
             compared
             with
             the
             Sea
             floods
             ,
             are
             very
             weake
             ,
             that
             when
             it
             is
             done
             it
             is
             too
             late
             for
             the
             Country
             ,
             being
             seldome
             wrought
             before
             the
             end
             of
             Winter
             :
             The
             dryer
             the
             Sommer
             is
             ,
             the
             more
             the
             Rivers
             are
             filled
             and
             choked
             with
             Silt
             and
             Sand
             against
             Winter
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             commonly
             seen
             ,
             that
             after
             much
             drought
             there
             falleth
             much
             Raine
             ,
             which
             oftentimes
             occasioneth
             the
             greatest
             Inundations
             .
          
           
             The
             sixt
             and
             last
             reason
             why
             the
             Fens
             are
             often
             drowned
             ,
             is
             because
             there
             is
             no
             Land
             Eayes
             to
             receive
             the
             surplussage
             of
             the
             waters
             which
             proceed
             from
             Raine
             and
             Snow
             falling
             upon
             the
             high
             Lands
             adjacent
             to
             the
             Fens
             ,
             and
             to
             carry
             them
             into
             those
             Rivers
             or
             Draines
             which
             are
             next
             unto
             them
             .
          
        
         
           
             Now
             I
             have
             briefly
             showne
             the
             true
             causes
             why
             and
             how
             the
             great
             Levell
             of
             Fens
             are
             drowned
             ;
             I
             will
             particularly
             declare
             what
             works
             must
             be
             made
             to
             draine
             and
             preserve
             those
             low
             Lands
             from
             Inundation
             ,
             so
             that
             the
             greatest
             part
             of
             them
             may
             be
             made
             Culturable
             grounds
             .
          
           
             TO
             remove
             the
             first
             and
             second
             causes
             of
             Inundation
             ,
             there
             must
             be
             a
             descent
             gained
             from
             the
             high
             
             Lands
             to
             the
             Sea
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             work
             of
             a
             double
             consequence
             ,
             and
             indeed
             it
             is
             one
             of
             the
             greatest
             works
             which
             is
             to
             be
             effected
             .
             The
             waters
             in
             the
             Fens
             may
             be
             fitly
             compared
             to
             the
             beame
             of
             a
             paire
             of
             Skales
             when
             it
             hangeth
             Levell
             ,
             which
             being
             raised
             at
             one
             end
             doth
             at
             the
             same
             instant
             settle
             as
             much
             at
             the
             other
             ;
             Such
             a
             contrivement
             must
             be
             made
             of
             the
             fal
             that
             is
             to
             be
             gained
             betwixt
             the
             high
             Lands
             and
             the
             Sea
             ;
             the
             one
             halfe
             must
             be
             gained
             by
             raising
             the
             waters
             next
             the
             high
             Lands
             by
             Banks
             of
             a
             convenient
             heigth
             ,
             and
             by
             setling
             of
             the
             waters
             in
             that
             part
             of
             the
             Rivers
             that
             is
             next
             unto
             the
             Sea
             ,
             which
             latter
             work
             must
             be
             wrougt
             by
             mending
             and
             enlarging
             of
             the
             old
             Rivers
             and
             Draines
             where
             they
             are
             crooked
             ,
             and
             where
             they
             are
             too
             narrow
             ,
             or
             too
             shallow
             ,
             and
             by
             placing
             of
             Sluces
             to
             repell
             the
             Sea
             floods
             .
          
           
             To
             remove
             the
             third
             impediment
             ,
             it
             is
             necessary
             that
             every
             River
             and
             Rivolet
             should
             be
             enlarged
             to
             such
             a
             breadth
             and
             depth
             as
             may
             convey
             the
             greatest
             Winter
             floods
             the
             nearest
             way
             from
             the
             high
             Land
             to
             the
             Sea
             ,
             and
             on
             either
             side
             of
             them
             to
             have
             a
             continued
             Bank
             able
             to
             keepe
             the
             high
             Land
             waters
             from
             spreading
             over
             the
             superficies
             of
             the
             Fens
             ;
             the
             Rivers
             being
             so
             perfected
             ,
             there
             must
             bee
             many
             Draines
             opened
             which
             are
             now
             lost
             ,
             and
             some
             new
             made
             for
             the
             leading
             of
             the
             waters
             to
             the
             next
             adjacent
             River
             .
             There
             must
             be
             also
             many
             division
             Dikes
             which
             will
             lead
             the
             Raine
             waters
             into
             the
             neighbouring
             Draines
             .
             The
             particulars
             will
             in
             this
             place
             take
             up
             too
             much
             time
             ,
             I
             will
             therefore
             leave
             them
             to
             the
             Designe
             it selfe
             .
          
           
             There
             must
             be
             a
             large
             Sluce
             placed
             upon
             the
             outfall
             of
             
               Owse
            
             that
             may
             be
             able
             to
             repell
             the
             Sea-floods
             ,
             and
             keep
             up
             the
             high
             Land
             waters
             in
             dry
             Sommers
             ;
             
             of
             which
             kinde
             there
             is
             already
             one
             upon
             the
             River
             
               Neene
               ,
            
             built
             by
             the
             late
             Earle
             of
             
               Bedford
               :
            
             at
             which
             time
             had
             
               Neene
            
             beene
             enlarged
             to
             a
             sufficient
             bredth
             and
             depth
             ,
             from
             the
             Sluce
             to
             
               Peterborough
               ,
            
             and
             the
             Banks
             continued
             and
             maintained
             on
             both
             sides
             at
             the
             same
             heigth
             that
             the
             Southside
             Banks
             were
             once
             made
             ,
             having
             a
             Sasse
             placed
             at
             
               Stanground
               ,
            
             as
             was
             intended
             ,
             to
             keep
             all
             
               Neene
            
             to
             
               Wisbeach
               ,
            
             the
             petty
             draines
             and
             division-dikes
             being
             also
             made
             ,
             That
             side
             of
             the
             Fenns
             will
             be
             perfectly
             drained
             ;
             but
             as
             it
             is
             ,
             there
             is
             but
             a
             part
             of
             that
             work
             perfected
             .
             The
             making
             of
             Sluces
             is
             very
             chargeable
             ,
             and
             so
             difficult
             ,
             that
             every
             Bank-maker
             doth
             not
             understand
             how
             to
             place
             them
             nor
             make
             them
             ;
             but
             the
             advantage
             which
             they
             bring
             ,
             being
             well
             built
             ,
             cureth
             the
             fourth
             and
             fifth
             inconvenience
             ,
             and
             indeed
             is
             very
             materiall
             to
             the
             perfect
             draining
             of
             the
             Fenns
             .
          
           
             The
             last
             work
             is
             a
             great
             work
             ,
             and
             will
             cost
             much
             money
             :
             It
             is
             the
             making
             of
             so
             many
             Land
             Eayes
             as
             may
             receive
             the
             surplussage
             of
             the
             waters
             which
             doe
             fall
             upon
             the
             high
             Lands
             that
             are
             next
             the
             Fenns
             ,
             and
             convey
             them
             to
             the
             next
             River
             ,
             rivolet
             ,
             or
             draine
             ,
             so
             that
             they
             may
             not
             offend
             the
             neighbouring
             Fenns
             .
          
        
         
           
             Having
             acquainted
             you
             with
             the
             scituation
             and
             condition
             of
             the
             great
             Levell
             ,
             and
             briefely
             declared
             how
             they
             may
             be
             preserved
             from
             Inundation
             ,
             I
             am
             humbly
             bold
             to
             present
             my
             designe
             unto
             this
             Honourable
             Court
             ,
             therein
             expressing
             every
             particular
             work
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             totall
             charge
             and
             time
             when
             the
             works
             may
             be
             perfected
             .
          
           
             TO
             enlarge
             
               Wisbeach
            
             River
             from
             the
             Sluce
             to
             
               Guihern
               ,
            
             so
             that
             it
             may
             be
             twenty
             foot
             broader
             than
             
             now
             it
             is
             from
             the
             top
             to
             the
             bottome
             ,
             and
             to
             take
             up
             the
             two
             ten
             foot
             Banks
             which
             do
             lie
             hid
             under
             water
             ,
             on
             each
             side
             of
             the
             River
             one
             ;
             and
             to
             leave
             a
             foreland
             of
             thirty
             foot
             broad
             on
             the
             south
             side
             from
             the
             brink
             upwards
             ,
             being
             in
             all
             six
             measured
             miles
             ,
             whereof
             there
             is
             one
             mile
             halfe
             wrought
             by
             Sir
             
               Cornelius
               ,
            
             at
             the
             rate
             of
             forty
             shillings
             the
             Rod
             ,
             is
             ,
             three
             thousand
             five
             hundred
             and
             twenty
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             purchase
             divers
             Lands
             and
             Tenements
             which
             doe
             stand
             upon
             the
             brink
             of
             
               Wisbeach
            
             River
             ,
             and
             must
             be
             removed
             before
             the
             River
             can
             be
             enlarged
             ,
             with
             the
             extraordinary
             charge
             of
             carting
             the
             earth
             out
             of
             the
             Town
             ,
             may
             cost
             twelve
             hundred
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             a
             wharfe
             of
             Brick
             fourteen
             foot
             high
             ,
             foure
             foot
             thick
             in
             the
             bottome
             ,
             and
             two
             foot
             thick
             on
             the
             top
             ,
             from
             
               Elme
            
             sluce
             to
             the
             Town
             bridge
             ,
             being
             an
             hundred
             and
             twenty
             rods
             ;
             the
             stuffe
             ,
             workmanship
             and
             earth
             work
             at
             the
             rate
             of
             seven
             pounds
             the
             rod
             ,
             will
             cost
             eight
             hundred
             and
             forty
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             a
             Cart
             bridge
             in
             
               Wisbeach
            
             Town
             in
             the
             same
             place
             where
             the
             old
             bridge
             did
             stand
             ,
             may
             cost
             two
             hundred
             and
             fifty
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             remove
             the
             Bank
             which
             is
             now
             on
             the
             south
             side
             of
             
               Mourton
               Leame
               ,
            
             so
             farre
             back
             ,
             that
             there
             may
             bee
             thirty
             foot
             foreland
             betwixt
             the
             new
             Bank
             and
             the
             brink
             of
             the
             
               Leame
               ,
            
             being
             ten
             miles
             in
             length
             ,
             at
             three
             shillings
             foure
             pence
             the
             rod
             ,
             it
             will
             cost
             six
             hundred
             and
             forty
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             
               Mourton
               Leame
            
             an
             hundred
             foot
             broad
             from
             
               Guihern
            
             to
             
               Stanground
               ,
            
             it
             must
             be
             enlarged
             fifty
             six
             foot
             on
             the
             north
             side
             to
             the
             same
             depth
             which
             the
             south
             side
             now
             hath
             ,
             which
             was
             six
             foot
             when
             it
             was
             wrought
             ,
             being
             twelve
             miles
             in
             length
             at
             twenty
             
             foure
             shillings
             the
             rod
             ,
             will
             cost
             foure
             thousand
             six
             hundred
             and
             eight
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             the
             old
             and
             new
             works
             as
             deep
             as
             the
             bottome
             of
             
               Wisbeach
            
             River
             ,
             being
             three
             foot
             and
             a
             halfe
             ,
             and
             with
             that
             manure
             to
             heighten
             the
             Banks
             on
             either
             side
             of
             the
             
               Leame
            
             leaving
             thirty
             foot
             foreland
             to
             each
             Bank
             at
             forty
             shillings
             the
             rod
             ,
             it
             will
             cost
             seven
             thousand
             six
             hundred
             and
             eighty
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             Pile
             the
             dike
             Ends
             ,
             Swamps
             and
             low
             Lands
             which
             break
             off
             the
             Banks
             in
             many
             places
             ,
             and
             convey
             by
             Boat
             so
             much
             earth
             thither
             as
             will
             make
             the
             Banks
             as
             high
             there
             as
             they
             will
             be
             elsewhere
             ,
             which
             may
             bee
             Eight
             foot
             ,
             may
             cost
             three
             hundred
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             an
             Indike
             on
             the
             southside
             of
             the
             south
             bank
             twenty
             five
             foot
             broad
             at
             
               Guihern
               ,
            
             and
             fifteene
             foot
             broad
             at
             
               Witelsey
            
             high
             Lands
             ,
             six
             foot
             deep
             at
             
               Guiherne
               ,
            
             and
             five
             foot
             deep
             at
             
               Witelsey
               ,
            
             at
             twelve
             shillings
             the
             rod
             ,
             will
             cost
             one
             thousand
             nine
             hundred
             and
             twenty
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             an
             Indike
             on
             the
             north
             side
             of
             the
             north
             Bank
             twenty
             foot
             broad
             at
             
               Guihern
               ,
            
             and
             fifteene
             foot
             broad
             at
             
               Stanground
               ,
            
             six
             foot
             deep
             at
             
               Guihern
            
             and
             five
             foot
             deep
             at
             
               Stanground
               ,
            
             at
             ten
             shillings
             the
             rod
             ,
             it
             will
             cost
             one
             thousand
             nine
             hundred
             and
             twenty
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             the
             twenty
             five
             foot
             draine
             which
             is
             on
             the
             north
             side
             of
             the
             
               Leame
               ,
            
             two
             foot
             deeper
             than
             now
             it
             is
             ,
             will
             cost
             three
             shillings
             the
             rod
             ,
             which
             is
             five
             hundred
             seventy
             six
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             two
             Cart
             Bridges
             over
             
               Mourton
               Leame
            
             neere
             
               Witelsey
            
             Town
             ,
             each
             of
             them
             to
             have
             two
             peeres
             and
             no
             more
             ,
             may
             cost
             three
             hundred
             and
             sixty
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             new
             doores
             for
             the
             Sasse
             at
             
               Stanground
               ,
            
             with
             Spring
             doores
             in
             them
             that
             may
             open
             on
             a
             sudden
             ;
             
             and
             that
             for
             the
             safety
             of
             the
             Country
             in
             times
             of
             danger
             ,
             some
             part
             of
             the
             extreame
             floods
             may
             be
             turned
             into
             
               Witelsey
            
             Meare
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             adjacent
             Meares
             ,
             which
             being
             empty
             ,
             will
             receive
             a
             great
             water
             without
             prejudice
             to
             any
             ,
             may
             cost
             fourscore
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             place
             a
             Brick
             Sasse
             on
             South
             
               Eay
            
             Draine
             neare
             
               Guyherne
            
             Crosse
             twenty
             foot
             broad
             ,
             the
             bottome
             to
             lie
             even
             with
             the
             bottome
             of
             
               Wisbeach
            
             River
             ,
             with
             spring
             doores
             ,
             that
             may
             open
             on
             a
             sudden
             to
             receive
             some
             part
             of
             a
             great
             flood
             in
             times
             of
             danger
             ,
             the
             draines
             being
             empty
             ;
             this
             Sasse
             may
             cost
             one
             thousand
             foure
             hundred
             pounds
             .
          
           
             The
             like
             Sasse
             to
             be
             placed
             on
             
               Bevill
               Leame
               ,
            
             that
             in
             times
             of
             danger
             some
             part
             of
             the
             great
             floods
             may
             be
             turned
             into
             
               March
            
             River
             :
             it
             may
             cost
             one
             thousand
             foure
             hundred
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             South
             
               Eay
            
             twenty
             five
             foot
             broad
             ,
             and
             three
             foot
             deeper
             than
             now
             it
             is
             ,
             being
             twelve
             miles
             in
             length
             ,
             at
             eight
             shillings
             the
             rod
             ,
             it
             will
             cost
             one
             thousand
             five
             hundred
             thirty
             six
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             
               Cats
               Water
            
             twenty
             foot
             broad
             ,
             and
             six
             foot
             deep
             ,
             being
             nine
             miles
             in
             length
             ,
             at
             eight
             shillings
             the
             rod
             ,
             it
             will
             cost
             one
             thousand
             one
             hundred
             fifty
             two
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             open
             the
             Shire
             Draine
             ,
             and
             to
             continue
             it
             from
             
               Hills
            
             Sluce
             to
             the
             South
             East
             corner
             of
             
               Sutton
            
             Marsh
             ,
             being
             a
             mile
             and
             a
             quarter
             ,
             at
             twenty
             shillings
             the
             rod
             ,
             is
             six
             hundred
             pounds
          
           
             To
             make
             a
             Brick
             Sluce
             twenty
             foot
             broad
             ,
             with
             two
             paire
             of
             doores
             to
             keepe
             out
             the
             Sea
             ,
             and
             one
             paire
             to
             keepe
             up
             the
             fresh
             Waters
             ,
             to
             be
             placed
             at
             
             the
             South
             East
             corner
             of
             
               Satton
            
             Marsh
             ,
             in
             regard
             it
             must
             stand
             very
             deep
             on
             a
             Sandy
             foundation
             :
             It
             may
             cost
             two
             thousand
             foure
             hundred
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             bring
             the
             many
             crooked
             Channels
             which
             are
             in
             the
             Washes
             into
             one
             straight
             Channell
             ,
             is
             a
             work
             that
             must
             be
             first
             wrought
             with
             the
             Spade
             ,
             and
             after
             that
             is
             accomplished
             ,
             there
             must
             bee
             many
             Jetties
             made
             with
             Piles
             ,
             Stones
             ,
             and
             Brushwood
             ,
             to
             keepe
             the
             Channell
             straight
             from
             the
             lower
             end
             of
             
               Wisbeach
            
             River
             to
             the
             Sea
             Deepe
             ,
             being
             a
             work
             of
             great
             consequence
             ,
             it
             may
             cost
             foure
             thousand
             pound
             .
          
        
         
           
             Bedford
             River
             .
          
           
             TO
             make
             
               Bedford
            
             River
             five
             foot
             broader
             on
             either
             side
             ,
             and
             three
             foot
             deeper
             than
             now
             it
             is
             ,
             and
             to
             cast
             all
             the
             manure
             which
             now
             lyeth
             upon
             the
             forelands
             ,
             with
             that
             which
             will
             be
             taken
             out
             of
             the
             bottome
             of
             the
             River
             upon
             the
             Banks
             ,
             being
             twenty
             one
             miles
             and
             a
             halfe
             in
             length
             ,
             at
             thirty
             five
             shillings
             the
             rod
             ,
             it
             will
             cost
             twelve
             thousand
             and
             forty
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             pile
             the
             Dike
             ends
             and
             Swamps
             ,
             which
             else
             will
             not
             be
             able
             to
             support
             the
             Banks
             when
             more
             waight
             shall
             be
             laid
             upon
             them
             ,
             and
             to
             convey
             by
             Boat
             so
             much
             earth
             thither
             as
             will
             make
             the
             defective
             places
             as
             high
             as
             the
             Banks
             are
             generally
             else
             where
             ,
             may
             cost
             foure
             hundred
             pound
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             the
             two
             Indikes
             ten
             foot
             broader
             on
             the
             Fen
             side
             ,
             and
             foure
             foot
             deeper
             then
             now
             they
             are
             ,
             and
             to
             cast
             all
             the
             manure
             that
             commeth
             out
             of
             them
             upon
             the
             Bank
             ,
             at
             ten
             shillings
             the
             rod
             ,
             for
             each
             
             Indike
             ,
             it
             will
             cost
             six
             thousand
             eight
             hundred
             and
             fourescore
             pound
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             two
             Brick
             Sluces
             at
             the
             outfall
             of
             the
             two
             Indikes
             ,
             that
             each
             of
             them
             may
             have
             sixteene
             foot
             waterway
             ,
             with
             a
             paire
             of
             doores
             to
             keepe
             out
             the
             Sea
             floods
             ,
             and
             a
             paire
             of
             doores
             to
             keep
             up
             the
             fresh
             waters
             ,
             may
             cost
             two
             thousand
             foure
             hundred
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             two
             Bridges
             of
             foure
             foot
             broad
             over
             
               Bedford
            
             River
             ,
             one
             at
             
               Welney
               ,
            
             and
             the
             other
             at
             
               Maney
               ,
            
             and
             to
             make
             a
             Cart
             Bridge
             at
             
               Mepell
               ,
            
             may
             cost
             two
             hundred
             and
             forty
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             the
             West
             water
             twenty
             five
             foot
             broad
             and
             six
             foot
             deep
             from
             
               Erith
            
             to
             
               Plantwater
               ,
            
             being
             nineteene
             miles
             in
             length
             ,
             at
             twelve
             shillings
             the
             rod
             ,
             it
             will
             cost
             three
             thousand
             six
             hundred
             forty
             eight
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             a
             Sasse
             in
             the
             Northbank
             of
             
               Bedford
            
             River
             twenty
             foot
             broad
             ,
             to
             be
             placed
             in
             the
             roome
             of
             a
             little
             Sluce
             at
             the
             entrance
             of
             the
             West
             water
             ,
             being
             within
             halfe
             a
             mile
             of
             
               Erith
            
             :
             It
             must
             have
             two
             paire
             of
             doores
             against
             the
             water
             in
             
               Bedford
            
             River
             ,
             that
             Boats
             may
             passe
             at
             all
             times
             ,
             and
             may
             cost
             one
             thousand
             foure
             hundred
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             
               Elme
               Leame
            
             forty
             foot
             broad
             and
             six
             foot
             deeper
             than
             now
             it
             is
             from
             
               Wisbeach
            
             River
             to
             
               March
            
             Streame
             ,
             will
             mend
             the
             outfall
             of
             
               VVisbeach
            
             River
             ,
             and
             maintain
             the
             Navigation
             from
             
               VVisbeach
            
             to
             
               Norfolk
               ,
               Suffolk
               ,
               Cambridge
               ,
            
             and
             
               Huntington
            
             Shires
             .
             The
             work
             is
             six
             miles
             in
             length
             ,
             and
             will
             bee
             very
             chargeable
             for
             the
             space
             of
             a
             mile
             ,
             and
             may
             therefore
             cost
             five
             and
             forty
             shillings
             the
             rod
             ,
             one
             with
             
             another
             ,
             which
             is
             foure
             thousand
             three
             hundred
             and
             twenty
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             a
             Brick
             Sasse
             twenty
             foot
             broad
             ,
             where
             
               Elme
               Leame
            
             falls
             into
             
               Wisbeach
            
             River
             ,
             with
             two
             paire
             of
             doores
             to
             keep
             out
             
               Neene
               ,
            
             and
             one
             paire
             of
             doors
             to
             keep
             up
             the
             back
             water
             ,
             may
             cost
             one
             thousand
             eight
             hundred
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             two
             Cart
             bridges
             and
             one
             foot
             bridge
             over
             
               Elme
               Leame
               ,
            
             being
             made
             of
             Oken
             timber
             with
             Brick
             Pieres
             ,
             may
             cost
             three
             hundred
             and
             forty
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             
               Witelsey
            
             Meare
             Draine
             two
             foot
             deeper
             than
             now
             it
             is
             from
             
               Guyherne
            
             to
             the
             Meare
             ,
             being
             thirteen
             miles
             in
             length
             at
             foure
             shillings
             the
             rod
             ,
             it
             will
             cost
             eight
             hundred
             thirty
             two
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             two
             Cart
             Bridges
             over
             
               Witelsey
            
             Meare
             Draine
             right
             against
             
               Witelsey
            
             high
             Lands
             ,
             may
             cost
             eighty
             pounds
             .
          
           
             These
             generall
             works
             ,
             together
             with
             a
             Land
             Eaye
             from
             
               Peterborough
            
             to
             the
             Crosse
             neere
             
               Crowland
            
             and
             the
             division-dikes
             ,
             will
             be
             sufficient
             for
             that
             part
             of
             the
             Levell
             which
             lieth
             on
             the
             north
             side
             of
             
               Bedford
            
             River
             ,
             being
             much
             about
             one
             halfe
             of
             the
             Levell
             ;
             Provided
             alwayes
             that
             the
             River
             
               Welland
            
             be
             kept
             to
             its
             proper
             outfall
             ,
             which
             may
             be
             effected
             by
             mending
             the
             new
             Bank
             that
             the
             late
             Earle
             of
             
               Bedford
            
             caused
             to
             be
             made
             from
             
               Waldram
            
             Hall
             to
             
               Crowland
               ,
            
             and
             by
             maintaining
             the
             Queenes
             Bank
             at
             a
             sufficient
             heigth
             from
             
               Crowland
            
             to
             
               Spalding
               ,
            
             which
             at
             this
             time
             is
             much
             setled
             and
             in
             great
             decay
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             The
             River
             of
             Owse
             .
          
           
             TO
             make
             a
             Bank
             of
             six
             foot
             high
             on
             either
             side
             of
             the
             River
             
               Owse
               ,
            
             from
             
               Erith
            
             to
             
               Southery
            
             Ferry
             ,
             on
             the
             South
             and
             East
             side
             ,
             and
             to
             
               Salters
               Load
            
             on
             the
             North
             and
             West
             side
             ,
             leaving
             twenty
             foot
             foreland
             between
             the
             Banks
             and
             the
             River
             .
             These
             Banks
             are
             to
             be
             made
             of
             the
             manure
             which
             riseth
             out
             of
             the
             Indikes
             ,
             being
             twenty
             foot
             broad
             ,
             and
             six
             foot
             deep
             :
             either
             of
             these
             Banks
             will
             be
             twenty
             eight
             miles
             in
             length
             ,
             and
             being
             for
             the
             most
             part
             Silt
             ,
             will
             cost
             ten
             shillings
             the
             rod
             ,
             which
             is
             eight
             thousand
             nine
             hundred
             and
             sixty
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             a
             Bank
             on
             either
             side
             of
             the
             River
             
               Grant
            
             from
             
               Harimer
            
             to
             
               Clay
               Hive
               ,
            
             six
             foot
             high
             ,
             leaving
             twenty
             foot
             foreland
             between
             the
             Banks
             and
             the
             River
             .
             These
             Banks
             are
             to
             be
             made
             of
             the
             manure
             which
             riseth
             out
             of
             the
             twenty
             foot
             Indike
             ,
             six
             foot
             deep
             ,
             being
             ten
             miles
             in
             length
             ,
             at
             ten
             shillings
             the
             rod
             ,
             will
             cost
             three
             thousand
             two
             hundred
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             take
             up
             the
             Hards
             or
             Shoulds
             which
             are
             in
             the
             River
             
               Grant
               ,
            
             betwixt
             
               Harimer
            
             and
             
               Cambridge
               ,
            
             being
             Gravell
             ,
             Sand
             ,
             or
             Chalk
             ,
             and
             nine
             in
             number
             ,
             whereof
             some
             are
             long
             and
             some
             are
             short
             ,
             is
             a
             work
             that
             must
             be
             performed
             by
             a
             water
             Engine
             ,
             which
             may
             cost
             two
             thousand
             foure
             hundred
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             maintaine
             the
             Navigation
             from
             
               Lyn
            
             to
             
               Cambridge
               ,
            
             there
             must
             be
             a
             Brick
             Sasse
             made
             at
             
               Harimer
            
             two
             and
             twenty
             foot
             broad
             ,
             with
             four
             paire
             of
             doores
             ,
             so
             that
             the
             Boats
             may
             passe
             at
             all
             times
             ,
             which
             may
             cost
             sixteen
             hundred
             pounds
             .
          
           
           
             To
             make
             another
             Brick
             Sasse
             at
             
               Harimer
            
             on
             the
             West
             side
             of
             the
             great
             Sasse
             ,
             sixteen
             foot
             broad
             for
             the
             waters
             of
             the
             two
             Indikes
             of
             
               Owse
            
             and
             
               Grant
               ,
            
             with
             two
             paire
             of
             doores
             to
             keepe
             out
             
               Owse
               ,
            
             and
             one
             paire
             of
             doores
             to
             keepe
             up
             the
             water
             in
             Sommer
             ,
             may
             cost
             twelve
             hundred
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             a
             Brick
             Sasse
             neere
             
               Breame
               ,
            
             sixteen
             foot
             broad
             ,
             with
             two
             paire
             of
             doores
             to
             keepe
             out
             
               Owse
               ,
            
             and
             one
             other
             paire
             to
             keepe
             up
             the
             water
             in
             the
             Sommer
             ,
             to
             be
             placed
             at
             the
             outfall
             of
             the
             Indike
             ,
             which
             will
             be
             betweene
             
               Erith
            
             and
             
               Breame
               ,
            
             on
             the
             North
             side
             of
             
               Owse
               ,
            
             may
             cost
             twelve
             hundred
             pound
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             
               Grunty
            
             Fen
             Draine
             twenty
             foot
             broad
             at
             the
             outfall
             ,
             and
             ten
             foot
             broad
             at
             the
             head
             ,
             and
             six
             foot
             deepe
             ,
             being
             two
             miles
             in
             length
             ,
             and
             a
             great
             part
             of
             that
             very
             deepe
             worke
             ,
             it
             may
             cost
             ten
             shillings
             the
             rod
             ,
             which
             is
             three
             hundred
             and
             twenty
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             the
             new
             Draine
             which
             is
             between
             
               Little-port
               Chaire
            
             and
             
               Turbesey
               ,
            
             ten
             foot
             broader
             on
             either
             side
             ,
             and
             foure
             foot
             deeper
             than
             now
             it
             is
             ,
             leaving
             twenty
             foot
             foreland
             between
             the
             River
             and
             the
             Banks
             ;
             and
             to
             cast
             the
             manure
             which
             commeth
             out
             of
             the
             River
             upon
             the
             Banks
             on
             either
             side
             ,
             being
             three
             miles
             and
             a
             halfe
             in
             length
             ,
             at
             forty
             five
             shillings
             the
             rod
             ,
             will
             cost
             two
             thousand
             five
             hundred
             and
             twenty
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             a
             Sasse
             twenty
             foure
             foot
             broad
             ,
             at
             
               Little-port
               Chaire
               ,
            
             at
             the
             lower
             end
             of
             the
             last
             work
             ,
             for
             the
             preservation
             of
             the
             Navigation
             from
             
               Lyn
            
             to
             
               Cambridge
               ,
            
             may
             cost
             two
             thousand
             and
             two
             hundred
             pounds
             .
          
           
           
             To
             make
             two
             Indikes
             of
             fifteen
             foot
             broad
             and
             six
             foot
             deepe
             ,
             the
             manure
             to
             be
             cast
             upon
             the
             maine
             Banks
             ,
             may
             cost
             six
             shillings
             the
             rod
             ,
             is
             six
             hundred
             seventy
             two
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             two
             Brick
             Sluces
             of
             ten
             foot
             broad
             at
             the
             ends
             of
             the
             two
             last
             Indikes
             ,
             may
             cost
             six
             hundred
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             a
             Bank
             on
             either
             side
             of
             
               Milnall
            
             River
             from
             
               Prickwillow
            
             to
             
               Milnall
               ,
            
             six
             foot
             high
             ,
             leaving
             twenty
             foot
             foreland
             betweene
             the
             River
             and
             the
             Banks
             ,
             being
             eleven
             miles
             in
             length
             ,
             at
             ten
             shillings
             the
             rod
             ,
             will
             cost
             three
             thousand
             five
             hundred
             and
             twenty
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             a
             Brick
             Sasse
             twenty
             foot
             broad
             ,
             with
             foure
             paire
             of
             doores
             ,
             so
             that
             Boats
             may
             passe
             at
             all
             times
             ,
             and
             to
             place
             it
             at
             the
             Lower
             end
             of
             
               Milnall
            
             River
             ,
             may
             cost
             eighteen
             hundred
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             a
             Brick
             Sasse
             for
             the
             North
             West
             Indike
             of
             
               Milnall
            
             River
             ,
             and
             the
             South
             Indike
             of
             
               Grant
               ,
            
             sixteen
             foot
             broad
             ,
             with
             two
             paire
             of
             doores
             to
             keepe
             out
             
               Owse
               ,
            
             and
             two
             other
             paire
             of
             doores
             to
             keepe
             up
             the
             water
             in
             the
             Sommer
             ,
             may
             cost
             twelve
             hundred
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             a
             Dam
             crosse
             the
             River
             of
             
               Owse
            
             at
             
               Turbesey
            
             to
             be
             piled
             and
             wrought
             to
             the
             same
             heigth
             that
             the
             Banks
             are
             else
             where
             ,
             may
             cost
             three
             hundred
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             a
             Bank
             on
             either
             side
             of
             
               Brandon
            
             River
             ,
             from
             
               Priests
               Houses
            
             to
             
               Brandon
               ,
            
             six
             foot
             high
             ,
             leaving
             twenty
             foot
             foreland
             betweene
             the
             Bank
             and
             the
             River
             ,
             being
             twenty
             miles
             in
             length
             ,
             at
             ten
             shillings
             the
             rod
             ,
             may
             cost
             six
             thousand
             foure
             hundred
             pounds
             .
          
           
           
             To
             make
             a
             Brick
             Sasse
             at
             the
             outfall
             of
             
               Brandon
            
             River
             ,
             twenty
             foure
             foot
             broad
             ,
             with
             foure
             paire
             of
             doores
             ,
             so
             that
             the
             Boats
             may
             passe
             at
             all
             times
             ,
             may
             cost
             two
             thousand
             two
             hundred
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             a
             Brick
             Sasse
             for
             the
             West
             Indike
             of
             
               Brandon
            
             River
             ,
             and
             the
             South
             Indike
             of
             
               Owse
               ,
            
             from
             
               Milnall
            
             Sasse
             to
             
               Brandon
            
             Sasse
             ,
             sixteen
             foot
             broad
             ,
             having
             two
             paire
             of
             doores
             to
             keepe
             out
             
               Owse
               ,
            
             and
             two
             other
             paire
             to
             keep
             up
             the
             water
             in
             the
             Sommer
             time
             ,
             may
             cost
             fifteen
             hundred
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             a
             Brick
             Sasse
             at
             
               Southery
            
             Ferry
             for
             the
             Indike
             which
             will
             be
             on
             the
             East
             side
             of
             
               Brandon
            
             River
             ,
             and
             also
             for
             the
             Indike
             which
             will
             be
             on
             the
             East
             side
             of
             
               Owse
               ,
            
             from
             
               Brandon
            
             Sasse
             to
             
               Southery
            
             Ferry
             ,
             sixteene
             foot
             broad
             ,
             with
             two
             paire
             of
             doores
             to
             keep
             out
             
               Owse
               ,
            
             and
             two
             other
             paire
             of
             doores
             to
             keepe
             up
             the
             water
             in
             the
             Sommer
             time
             ,
             it
             may
             cost
             fifteen
             hundred
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             remove
             the
             Banks
             of
             
               Feltwell
               Cut
               ,
            
             so
             that
             there
             may
             be
             twenty
             foot
             foreland
             on
             either
             side
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             the
             Draine
             two
             foot
             deeper
             than
             now
             it
             is
             ,
             being
             five
             miles
             in
             length
             ,
             at
             eight
             shillings
             the
             rod
             ,
             it
             will
             cost
             six
             hundred
             and
             forty
             pound
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             an
             Indike
             of
             ten
             foot
             broad
             ,
             and
             five
             foot
             deep
             on
             either
             side
             of
             
               Feltwell
               Cut
               ,
            
             and
             to
             cast
             all
             the
             manure
             to
             the
             two
             Banks
             ,
             at
             three
             shillings
             the
             rod
             ,
             it
             will
             cost
             foure
             hundred
             and
             fourscore
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             two
             Brick
             Sluces
             at
             the
             outfall
             of
             the
             two
             Indikes
             ,
             six
             foot
             broad
             ,
             with
             one
             paire
             of
             doores
             to
             keepe
             out
             
               Owse
               ,
            
             and
             one
             other
             paire
             to
             keepe
             up
             the
             water
             in
             the
             Sommer
             time
             ,
             may
             cost
             foure
             hundred
             pounds
             .
          
           
           
             To
             make
             a
             Bank
             of
             six
             foot
             high
             on
             either
             side
             of
             
               Stoke
            
             River
             ,
             from
             the
             River
             
               Owse
            
             to
             
               Stoke
            
             Bridge
             ,
             leaving
             twenty
             foot
             foreland
             between
             the
             River
             and
             the
             Banks
             ,
             being
             ten
             miles
             in
             length
             ,
             at
             ten
             shillings
             the
             rod
             ,
             it
             will
             cost
             three
             thousand
             two
             hundred
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             a
             Brick
             Sasse
             at
             the
             outfall
             of
             
               Stoke
            
             River
             ,
             twenty
             foot
             broad
             ,
             having
             foure
             paire
             of
             doores
             ,
             so
             that
             the
             Boats
             may
             passe
             at
             all
             times
             ,
             may
             cost
             eighteen
             hundred
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             a
             Brick
             Sluce
             and
             a
             Brick
             Sasse
             upon
             the
             River
             
               Owse
            
             neere
             
               Mandlin
            
             Falls
             ,
             that
             may
             have
             one
             hundred
             sixty
             foot
             water-way
             ,
             with
             double
             doors
             in
             every
             Arch
             to
             keepe
             out
             the
             Sea
             floods
             ,
             and
             Land
             doores
             to
             keepe
             up
             the
             fresh
             waters
             ;
             and
             those
             Land
             doores
             must
             have
             Spring
             doores
             in
             them
             to
             discharge
             the
             fresh
             waters
             on
             a
             sudden
             ,
             for
             the
             better
             maintaining
             and
             preserving
             of
             the
             Channell
             from
             the
             Sluce
             to
             the
             Sea
             .
             The
             Sluce
             ,
             the
             Sluce-pit
             ,
             and
             the
             casting
             of
             water
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             cutting
             of
             a
             new
             River
             to
             and
             from
             the
             Sluce
             ,
             and
             making
             of
             a
             Dam
             in
             the
             old
             River
             ,
             may
             cost
             one
             and
             twenty
             thousand
             pounds
             .
          
           
             To
             make
             so
             many
             Land
             Eayes
             as
             may
             convey
             the
             downfall
             of
             all
             the
             high
             Land
             waters
             into
             their
             proper
             streames
             ,
             so
             that
             they
             may
             not
             drown
             those
             Fens
             which
             are
             next
             them
             ,
             may
             be
             a
             work
             of
             one
             hundred
             and
             five
             miles
             in
             length
             ,
             considering
             one
             place
             with
             another
             ,
             they
             may
             cost
             ten
             shillings
             the
             rod
             ,
             which
             is
             sixteen
             thousand
             and
             eight
             hundred
             pounds
             .
          
           
             The
             purchasing
             of
             Several
             ,
             through
             which
             many
             of
             the
             Draines
             are
             to
             be
             made
             ,
             may
             cost
             six
             thousand
             pounds
             .
          
           
           
             To
             make
             Horse-mills
             ,
             Tun-mills
             ,
             Wheele-barrowes
             ,
             Store-houses
             ,
             and
             work
             houses
             ,
             and
             to
             buy
             Spars
             ,
             Deals
             ,
             Nailes
             ,
             Ginropes
             ,
             and
             such
             like
             materials
             which
             will
             be
             used
             in
             this
             work
             ,
             may
             cost
             foure
             thousand
             five
             hundred
             pounds
             .
          
           
             The
             making
             of
             division
             Draines
             may
             cost
             five
             thousand
             pounds
             .
          
           
             The
             Sallary
             of
             Officers
             imployed
             in
             this
             work
             may
             in
             foure
             years
             amount
             to
             foure
             thousand
             pounds
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             knowne
             to
             Builders
             that
             after
             great
             care
             and
             examination
             of
             their
             intended
             charge
             ,
             there
             will
             be
             some
             Nailes
             omitted
             .
             For
             which
             reason
             ,
             if
             you
             please
             ,
             you
             may
             cast
             the
             odde
             money
             into
             this
             estimate
             ,
             and
             reckon
             the
             totall
             charge
             to
             be
             one
             hundred
             and
             fourescore
             thousand
             pounds
             :
             and
             that
             with
             this
             caution
             ,
             that
             the
             Springs
             of
             the
             yeares
             must
             not
             be
             lost
             for
             want
             of
             money
             .
          
           
             The
             works
             above
             mentioned
             cannot
             be
             performed
             in
             lesse
             time
             than
             foure
             compleat
             Sommers
             .
          
           
             The
             placing
             of
             a
             great
             Sluce
             upon
             the
             River
             
               Owse
            
             neare
             
               Lyn
               ,
            
             together
             with
             those
             other
             works
             which
             are
             here
             designed
             under
             the
             title
             of
             that
             River
             ,
             will
             draine
             all
             the
             Fenns
             that
             are
             on
             the
             Southside
             of
             
               Bedford
            
             River
             ,
             so
             that
             the
             greatest
             part
             of
             them
             will
             be
             culturable
             grounds
             ;
             and
             peradventure
             it
             will
             spare
             the
             charge
             of
             those
             Banks
             which
             are
             intended
             to
             bee
             made
             on
             either
             side
             of
             the
             River
             
               Owse
               ,
            
             from
             
               Salters
               Load
            
             to
             
               Little-port
               .
            
             But
             the
             making
             of
             that
             Sluce
             is
             a
             work
             of
             so
             great
             a
             consequence
             ,
             that
             of
             my selfe
             I
             dare
             not
             absolutely
             resolve
             it
             .
             It
             is
             true
             that
             the
             Fens
             are
             drowned
             by
             the
             high
             Land
             waters
             onely
             ;
             yet
             an
             I
             have
             said
             before
             ,
             the
             Sea
             floods
             are
             as
             Potent
             an
             
             Enemy
             to
             the
             Fenns
             as
             the
             Land
             floods
             are
             .
             In
             confideration
             wherof
             ,
             my
             conclusion
             is
             ,
             That
             the
             making
             of
             a
             Sluce
             upon
             the
             River
             
               Owse
               ,
            
             neare
             
               Lyn
               ,
            
             to
             keepe
             out
             the
             Sea
             floods
             ,
             will
             undoubtedly
             prevent
             and
             remove
             one
             halfe
             of
             that
             cause
             which
             occasioneth
             the
             drowning
             of
             that
             great
             and
             rich
             Levell
             .
          
           
             The
             objections
             that
             will
             be
             made
             against
             the
             making
             of
             that
             Sluce
             will
             be
             three
             :
             And
             under
             favour
             of
             this
             Honourable
             Court
             ,
             I
             conceive
             they
             will
             bee
             weak
             in
             comparison
             of
             the
             great
             benefit
             which
             that
             work
             will
             produce
             by
             keeping
             out
             the
             Sea
             floods
             .
          
           
             The
             first
             objection
             is
             ,
             the
             greatnesse
             of
             the
             charge
             .
          
           
             The
             second
             is
             ,
             the
             hazzard
             in
             placing
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             The
             third
             is
             ,
             the
             oppositions
             that
             
               Cambridge
            
             and
             
               Lyn
            
             will
             make
             against
             it
             ,
             in
             regard
             of
             their
             Navigation
             ,
             which
             consisteth
             principally
             of
             three
             parts
             .
             
               
                 The
                 first
                 and
                 greatest
                 is
                 ,
                 whether
                 the
                 repulsing
                 of
                 the
                 Sea
                 floods
                 will
                 impaire
                 
                   Lyn
                
                 Haven
                 or
                 not
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 second
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 a
                 flood
                 Stream
                 ,
                 the
                 Keeles
                 must
                 of
                 necessity
                 make
                 lesse
                 speed
                 in
                 their
                 passage
                 from
                 
                   Lyn
                
                 to
                 
                   Cambridge
                   .
                
              
               
                 The
                 third
                 and
                 last
                 objection
                 will
                 be
                 ,
                 Some
                 losse
                 of
                 time
                 by
                 staying
                 the
                 Keeles
                 at
                 the
                 Sluce
                 ,
                 in
                 regard
                 they
                 must
                 take
                 their
                 turnes
                 in
                 passing
                 through
                 it
                 ;
                 which
                 I
                 humbly
                 leave
                 to
                 the
                 grave
                 consideration
                 of
                 this
                 Honourable
                 Court
                 .
              
            
          
           
           
             Being
             serious
             for
             the
             Fens
             ,
             these
             objections
             were
             once
             strooke
             out
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             not
             a
             question
             whether
             this
             be
             the
             best
             way
             to
             Drain
             the
             Fens
             or
             not
             .
             These
             doubts
             therefore
             were
             only
             inserted
             in
             regard
             of
             
               Lyn
            
             Haven
             ,
             and
             the
             Navigation
             from
             
               Lyn
            
             to
             
               Cambridge
            
             (
             as
             is
             said
             before
             .
             )
             But
             being
             awfull
             of
             what
             I
             present
             to
             this
             Great
             Councell
             ,
             I
             durst
             not
             omit
             them
             :
             And
             now
             having
             with
             all
             care
             and
             diligence
             finished
             my
             Designe
             ,
             I
             earnestly
             implore
             your
             Noble
             acceptance
             ,
             humbly
             entreating
             you
             to
             heare
             all
             ,
             chuse
             the
             best
             ,
             and
             God
             grant
             the
             Kingdom
             may
             flourish
             in
             your
             Honourable
             Resolves
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
    

