Selected quad for the lemma: act_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
act_n	law_n	parliament_n	repeal_v	2,928	5	12.0628	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A81788	Proceedings concerning the improvement of all manner of land, and also for all sorts of leather VVith many addresses unto Parliaments, and other supreme authorities formerly in power. As also petitional motions unto the supreme authority of this nation, the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the dominions and territories thereunto belonging, that they would be pleased to make use of the proposer, in entertaining his abilities with acts of Parliament, according to the lawes of this and all civil nations; that then thereby he may be impowred lawfully and honourable to put in exercise his undertakings: the profitable effects and conveniences of them being hereafter sufficiently proved and cleared. All which designes are undertaken to be performed by new wayes and means, more speedy, cheap and easie than hath hitherto been discovered, and are acquired by the industry and diligent search into the mysteries of nature, of Thomas Ducket, Esq; very well deserving the perusal of persons of all degrees ... prosperity of the Commonwealth.	Duckett, Thomas.	1657 (1657)	Wing D2430C; ESTC R231962	32,839	30

liquors or ingredients but Bark of Oaks and other ingredients then in use and limiting set times in Tannage the maker of such Statutes by all likelihood not imagining that any better way or invention could be found out by the means whereof it proved this nations unhappiness Reasons why the said Patents were of no validity to be suppressed delayed hazarded in the hope of the accommodation of those rich precious benefits that might then speedily have ensued by power of Broad-Seal Patents if those foresaid old acts had not frustrated the progresse and exercise of the premises For although it fell out that those old barres in Law proved to be against the law of right and reason yet neverthelesse there was no remedy to avoid the same although it were to the daily losse and prejudice of the people and must have so continued until the errors of those former Parliament lawes were through the prudence of some new Parliament-Magistrates discerned deserted and repealed to make way for better opportunities and then the Proposer by a Parliamentary act impowred And upon these and some other accounts and procrastinations the said Thomas Ducket was in reason necessitated to forbear the discovery of his designed intentions and so did untill there was a Parliament assembled at Westminster in September 1656. where then the Proposer after addressing himself and his cause unto them then after sufficient debate and through the virtue of several Certificates from many worthy Patriots conducing to land as also the new testimony of his late Highnesse Oliver Lord Protector and his Council as to Land and Leather as also the Certificate of the chiefest Tanners The Tanners addresse and certificates to the Parliament and Committees for Trade of the Proposers ability and other tradesmen as to Leather recommended unto the said Parliament together wi●h the appearance of numerous companies of Tanners and other dealers in Leather at several times did make their personal addresse unto the whole body of the house of Parliament in that behalf and also when occasion required did present themselves at other times unto several Committees of Parliament and at last through very much inveterate trouble perplexity tediousnesse incident to English Proceedings afterwards this ensuing report was made in answer to a grand Committee of that Parliament by power of an Order granted by them unto a Sub-Committee the words being thus returned viz. The Report The report of a Committee of Parliament IN observance of an Order of this Committee bearing date the 23. day of December last we have examined and considered of the proposals and new inventions of Thomas Ducket Esq for the improvement of all sorts of lands and also for the converting all sorts of raw hides and skins into leather without Bark of Oaks or other usual ingredients upon conference with him his reasons and demonstrations hath given us good satisfaction as well of his abilities as of the benefit that may come to this Commonwealth thereby and we are the more induced to believe the same for that his Highnesse and Council have certified on his behalf and l●kewise many other persons of worth and quality in several Counties to the same effect And we do farther report that we have supervised his bills for improvement of Lands and Leather and have made many alterations and restrictions therein and do humbly conceive that the said Thomas Duckets undertakings deserve all due incouragement that this Commonwealth may enjoy the benefit thereof Dated the 1. of May. 1657 The Committee consisted of 5 or 6 but any three of two were impowred to report Henry Pickering Richard Timbs Robert West The bills likewise prepared by the said Commi tee Sir Henry Pickering ordered to move it in the house After the return of this report from the Sub-Committee unto the Grand Committee together with the two bills for Land and Leather as they were prepared and made fit to be enacted it was then resolved and so ordered by that Grand Committee that the then Henry Pickering Esq now Henry Pickering Knight one of the Sub-Committees whose name is unto the said report should with all convenient speed wait the House daily for an opportunity and there to move the Right Honourable Speaker Sir Thomas Widdringto● to give way for the publication of those bills so prepared and the said Honourable Speaker was made acquainted therewith who was very writing to give way to the said Sir Henry Pickerings motion in causing the bills to be read and he in his loyalty and goodness to the Wealpublick being well satisfied of the proposers ability and the great advantage that hereby might arise to the Nation was contented to assist those proceedings and rather then the business should receive any delay by the motion of Sir Henry Pickering he was honourably pleased that those bills should be moved as private bills by himself Cause why the business was not setled but just at the time when most of the Members were acquainted with these Proceedings and were in a readiness to give audience as to a settlement then it so pleased God that the said Thomas Ducket was visited with sicknesse so that he could not attend the House but was forced to let his business lye dormant and proceed no farther in which time of his sicknesse the Parliament was first adjourned and after their next sitting suddainly dissolved And now through providence your Honours with whom were my first proceedings and addre●es being reinvested with the Power and Authority from whence this Nation may receive those fortunate successes which are to be presented by the Proposer who hath the good fate once more to make his Addresses to your Honours although at present your Honours are full of publick employment The designs are of so great worth that they merit the result of the Parliament more than any other businesse except the security of the Nation yet the Proposer well knowing that setting aside the security of the Nation there is not any thing in the House in agitation that may better advance a flourishing plentie to your Honours and the people than the entertainment of the premisses which in the peircing eye of Prudence is a most notable pretious publick business and cannot be denied in the Reason Judgement and Wisdom of your Honours although this Nation is haunted with some injurious ignorant persons that will not stick to affirm it to be but a private business in regard that the Owner Founder and Messenger of this mystery lays claim according to the Law of Nations to be gratified for fourteen years with some small diminutive reward whose penurious unworthy condition'd language Sordid Calumniations by Detractors or customary equivocation to quibble this Land out of a Success and Character must needs consist of a pestiferous malediction to all ingenuity insomuch that they do endeavour to blast the glorious Law of National requital of laborious Masters in profitable new discoveries with the odium of

●●CEEDINGS Concerning the Improvement of all manner of LAND And also for all sorts of LEATHER VVith many Addresses unto Parliaments and other Supreme Authorities formerly in Power AS ALSO Petitional Motions unto the supreme Authority of this Nation the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging that they would be pleased to make use of the Proposer in entertaining his abilities with Acts of Parliament according to the Lawes of this and all Civil Nations that then thereby he may be impowred lawfully and honourably to put in exercise his undertakings The profitable Effects and Conveniences of them being hereafter sufficiently proved and cleared All which Designes are undertaken to be performed by new wayes and means more speedy cheap and easie than hath hitherto been discovered and are acquired by the Industry and diligent search into the Mysteries of Nature Of THOMAS DUCKET Esq Very well deserving the perusal of persons of all degrees that love ingenuity and the more flourishing prosperity of the Commonwealth LONDON Printed by Thomas Leach May the last 1659. The Preface May it please your Honours THe alterations in State affairs and other occurrences being so many as are hereafter published do therefore require this Preface or Introduction whereby to give satisfaction unto your Honours and all good people that have so long expected the fruition of what is here tendred The Contents of all after repetitions giving sufficient proof and reason to convince all Objections and crosse Arguments As also a Breviate of his Bills as they were prepared by Councel Learned in the Law and afterwards approved of by Committees of a former Parliament deputed for that purpose who made their report of the said Bills as also of the Proposers ability to perform the Contents therein conteined when they should be passed into Acts of Parliament And although the intent of all that is hereafter declared may seem tedious in the perusal yet questionlesse your Honours and all worthy Perusers will think the time well spent for that many Ages never had the like Tender nor have delayed such hopefull Successes and therefore might have required a larger Scope to demonstrate the great benefits this Nation might long before this time have received if that such causes as are after recited had not obstructed the Settlement And that your Honours may receive an Account from the Proposer why he doth expostulate and drive so close and home against persons that he doth conceive to have been and likely to be Antagonists to such rich and transcendent hopes although no such person hath as yet published himself in print to be an Enemy to these new principles so held forth for answer thereto I am to let your Honours understand First albeit none but of unreasonable impudence and depraved nature dare let the world judge of their Folly by subscribing their Names to such a dangerous discomposure of a national benefit notwithstanding their high pitch in Envy yet they dare vent their spightfull invectives against the Proposer in malicious and contemptible frothy discourses behind his back so that since his first Addresses which were many years agoe the Proposer hath been subject to the pressure of Multiplicity of provocations in several companies by spightfull and perverse Detractors in headlesse and absurd Arguments especially by those who have thought themselves pregnant and Powerfull and there can hardly be a greater plague upon Earth than to be liable to Evill Tongues and Censures as the Proposer hath alwayes been which cannot be redressed for that the Company of those self-conceited Criticks who will rail against any mans principles but their own are numerous and it is better to have one two or three of such Malevolent spirits to answer unto if they durst publish their Malignancy in writing than a thousand others whom reason will not satisfie but will at all times and in all companies belch forth their spight and Envy against any thing which exceeds their common capacities but this many times turns to their own disgrace and shame when the Proposer discerneth just cause to joyn in contest with them some part of their presumption arising from the Proposers long delay in gaining an authority to put in Execution what he hath so long held forth and divers other uncought Arguments as barren of reason as that aforesaid But the Proposers cause be●ng just doth give him the advantage to master them by Reason and confute them by Arguments so much as is sufficient to dash out of Countenance any unbelieving Criticks Busie-bodies Quibling Sophisters Pickthanks trifling Ieerers Buffoons or froward Humorists composed of indigested Ignorance and the virtue of those Truths which the Proposer holds forth doth so much out bear their brain-sick Arguments that it doth increase the Malevolency of their Spleens to malign all his proceedings with Gall and bitternesse which is the cause this relation is so fully proved to give such Evidence as may convince them in behalf of the Commonwealth And therefore it is high time for the Proposer to apply himself to your Honours for a speedy Settlement of the Premisses to the end that he may perform such service to the Nation as may quite extinguish all contradiction by cavelling Detractors especially those who are impudently resolved neither to see or hear although their own Conscience convince them and bring them to the unwor hy Odium in the old Proverb being there is none so blind as those that will not see and none so deaf as those that will not hear And for this cause by way of Addresse the Proposer could present no lesse than what doth hereafter follow for of necessity there must be the full substance and property of his designs with their proofs of performance and answers unto all self-ended Objections and cavelling Expressions touching the commodity or discommodities of Improvements together with the Prop●sers justification of his person and reputation and proofs and attestations of his knowledge and abilities as also of the high Degree and Magnitude of what he hath attained unto in Natures Storehouse with many liberal applauses of the virtue of his new Enterprises and with more reiterations than is usual in repugning and publikely defying persons that formerly have and still may breath noisome Air against laudable Actions that are above their Meridian and are thereby prodigious to their own good and the Nations pleasure and plenty And also treating of the glory that your Honours may attain unto by entertaining these Tenders which conduce to a national Improvement and therefore with good cause humbly craving your Honours serious vi●w and rev●ew of the Proposers real integrity in these works tendred wherein your Honours will discern just cause for all these ensuing expressions and will thereby the better be induced to hold excused all the rehersals and recitals in this dictate that could not be explained without reiteration and repetition to introduce some addition of new matter fit for observation though

much of affinity with what hath been aforesaid And although the full observation of the contents and the many large promises there●n conteined may unto the vulgar capacities seem ostentatious Yet your Honours prudence will on the contrary weigh them as they are touching an vniversal benefit and that these new discoveries may be a preferment to the Nation in general or to Nations generally and your Honours will perceive just cause to confesse that the Theorical Methoditical and Practical proceedings in renowned enterprizes ought to be supported with a more Magisterial fullnesse in words than can belong to the hope of gaining some small profit of little value and short continuance And therefore by your Honours cannot be esteemed vain boasting But if there should escape my pen some faulty branches yet I hope it may in wisdome by your Honours receive a pardon according to the Proverb of giving a loser leave to speak that hath spent and disbursed the best of his years and the best of his estate in this faithful service and hath had no encouragement or returns suitable to his merits the which would nettle the pen of any b●● those Naturallists who do study observe the conditions f men with as much circumspection as they do the natures of Creatures Minerals and Vegetatives by which inspection they have acquired so much discretion as to sleight and invalue those constitutions whose natures want true season or some degrees of concoction to operate in fullnesse of vertue and knowledge the which the Proposer doth represent to your Honours as a just reason of the great pains and much patience the Proposer is driven unto in seeking meanes by all lenity to convince erronious opinions by offering all manner of curtesie and civil argument to their curst contradictions thereby to calm them with Reasons and satisfactory Arguments for the Proposer hath no other way to qualify their Malice unlesse it were in giving some of the chiefest in pride and presumption some special share and partnership in the honour and profit which ought to accrue unto the Pr●poser and his posterity by virtue of those Trophees that Nature and Industry hath indowed him withall And therefore for quietnesse sake and a more easie proceeding that the way may be cleared of all such interruptions to a national good The Proposer could have willingly thereunto condescended but that the Heraulds at Arms and other honorable Antiquaries would have thereby just cause to take Recognizance of the Proposers Transgressions as to the disgrace of his Name Descent and Pedigree whereof he is so sensible and tender that whensoever he doth make room for such a blot against his Friends and falsity against himself then let those Officers aforesaid joyn in defacing his antient Coat of Arms by creating the Embleme of some corrupt vermine or beast of prey to be placed upon the Authors antient Coat of Arms The Crest belonging to the Arms of Ducket is an Ostrige feather gules invironed in a Crownet of Gold instead of the present Crest as an allusion that he so unworthily submitted to pragmattick greedy persons fraighted with Avarice but empty of Goodnesse and that Falsehood had overcome Truth contrary to the known Maxim And thus the Proposer in his faithfull indulgence to your Honours and the weal publique could not possibly say any thing lesse than what is herein and in the ensuing Relation to be expressed the length and prolixity whereof he hopes will be the rather dispenced withall because that things of so large and general a concernment could not without prejudice and Injury to the matter be wound up and concluded in so concise a brevity as proceedings of small consequence yet all the contents require not above the twelfth part of a Natural day to be perused scanned and considered of But because many persons cannot admit of so much time to peruse the whole the Proposer thought it necessary to give some good part of satisfaction in every page or leaf the contents whereof with all humble submission the Proposer referrs to your Honours great wisdomes as also what may seem improper or imperfect in this dictate or the Printers mistakes the Proposer doth likewise submit having already too much intrenched upon your Honours patience who are further to be used in the premisses and therefore what ever else ought to have been said yet in good manners and order there must no more bee said but only that the Proposer in all constant faithfullnesse is resolved to be Your Honours in all devout and devoted Obedience Thomas Ducket A Narrative of the Proceedings of Thomas Ducket Esq c. THat the said Thomas Ducket The Proposers undertaking by his great charge and study in Natures operation hath by Gods assistance discovered several rich and profitable Secrets Arts and Mysteries for the Improvement of all sorts of Land by destroying of all sorts of Weeds Trash Shrubs and other Incumbrances Raising of Waters Creating of a new soil or manure Together with more expeditions cheap and easie actions and motions to perform the same And likewise for the improvement of Leather of all sorts in excellency and perfection of Strength Grain and Colour being designs of great honour and plenty for English People The Real performance of which Inventions first as to Land The reality of his inventions for land attested by many persons of honour and quality was testified by Certificates under the hands of many persons of Honour and qualitie of several Counties unto you the Right Honourable Members of this present Parliament not long before your Honours were disturbed being in April the 23. 1653. for before those accidents and alterations in State your Petitioner did daily solicit the worthy and most renowned members of this Parliament then sitting that they would be pleas'd to peruse and take into consideration in the House the Bill he had prepared by Council learned in the Law to be passed into an Act for improvement of Land But multiplicity of State-affairs as it seem'd or else new inventions in these Septe●trional Countries seeming strange New inventions being a wond●r to the apprehension of some people hath been a chief remora or else National Malediction did retard the settlement of such good fortune notwithstanding the exact and clear descriptions of the particulars and the confirmation of many honourable and worthy persons as aforesaid who attested and largely satisfied your Honours of the Proposer's ability to perform his undertakings yet neverthelesse your Honours not putting a dispatch to so great a National advantage occasioned a doubtfulnesse in the Proposer lest his publick tenders amongst the generality of people might be reflected on him as nothing but pretences and that he were not able to set forth any additional thing that were rich and good for improvement of Land more than what former ages and present time had or have produced And there upon the Pro●oser minding the good of his Native Country and the honour of his own