sr._n william_n killigrew_n his_o answer_n to_o the_o fen_n man_n objection_n against_o the_o earl_n of_o lindsey_n his_o drain_n in_o lincolnshire_n print_v at_o london_n 1649._o the_o fen-mens_n objection_n against_o the_o earl_n of_o lindsey_n and_o his_o participant_n first_o our_o adversary_n do_v object_n that_o some_o commissioner_n who_o be_v name_v in_o the_o body_n of_o the_o decree_n have_v not_o set_v their_o hand_n and_o seal_n unto_o the_o say_a decree_n be_v engross_v into_o parchment_n 2._o they_o say_v the_o earl_n do_v bribe_v the_o late_a king_n and_o his_o lord_n to_o take_v away_o their_o fen_n 3._o they_o say_v the_o earl_n do_v drain_v these_o fen_n by_o prerogative_n power_n by_o the_o king_n letter_n and_o by_o the_o lord_n order_n 4._o they_o say_v that_o the_o ancient_a commissioner_n of_o the_o country_n be_v put_v out_o and_o stranger_n put_v into_o commission_n 5._o they_o say_v that_o the_o drainer_n be_v party_n and_o judge_n 6._o they_o say_v that_o the_o fen_n in_o question_n be_v not_o drown_v and_o do_v therefore_o need_v no_o drain_v 7._o they_o say_v that_o if_o the_o fen_n do_v need_v to_o be_v drain_v yet_o not_o by_o such_o malignant_n as_o we_o 8._o they_o say_v that_o the_o earl_n do_v undertake_v the_o work_n against_o the_o country_n consent_n 9_o they_o say_v the_o earl_n do_v take_v the_o best_a land_n and_o leave_v the_o worst_a land_n for_o the_o country_n 10._o they_o say_v that_o the_o fen_n between_o bourne_n and_o kimeeae_fw-la be_v the_o worst_a for_o drain_v 11._o they_o say_v that_o kesteum_fw-la side_n be_v drown_v by_o the_o bank_n of_o our_o great_a river_n which_o do_v secure_v our_o own_o land_n and_o do_v thrust_v up_o the_o water_n on_o the_o land_n leave_v unto_o the_o country_n 12._o they_o say_v that_o the_o earl_n bank_n do_v cut_v off_o the_o ancient_a sewer_n of_o the_o country_n which_o otherwise_o will_v have_v drain_v their_o fen_n 13._o they_o say_v the_o earl_n take_v possession_n by_o force_n of_o arm_n and_o keep_v possession_n by_o troop_n of_o horse_n by_o great_a gun_n and_o by_o murder_v the_o people_n 14._o they_o say_v that_o the_o commonner_n be_v imprison_v by_o the_o lord_n order_n 15._o they_o say_v that_o the_o country_n be_v deny_v the_o benefit_n of_o the_o land_n by_o the_o earl_n privilege_n of_o parliament_n 16._o they_o say_v that_o this_o parliament_n have_v declare_v against_o the_o drain_n of_o fen_n as_o a_o grievance_n to_o the_o commonwealth_n 17._o they_o say_v that_o sir_n robert_n barkham_n case_n be_v judge_v in_o parliament_n against_o i_o 18._o they_o say_v that_o the_o earl_n and_o his_o participant_n have_v drain_v the_o dry_a fen_n towards_o bourne_n and_o not_o meddle_v with_o the_o drown_a fen_n towards_o lincoln_n 19_o they_o say_v that_o the_o country_n be_v defraud_v by_o the_o commissioner_n who_o sell_v the_o earl_n too_o much_o land_n by_o his_o contract_n 20._o they_o say_v that_o the_o earl_n have_v take_v more_o land_n than_o be_v allot_v he_o 21._o they_o say_v that_o the_o earl_n have_v exchange_v certain_a land_n which_o the_o country_n will_v not_o allow_v of_o 22._o they_o object_n that_o the_o drainer_n have_v fight_v against_o the_o parliament_n 23._o they_o say_v that_o my_o father_n sir_n robert_n killigrew_n do_v by_o his_o will_n dispose_v of_o two_o hundred_o acre_n of_o these_o fen_n to_o his_o two_o young_a son_n before_o the_o earl_n work_n be_v begin_v 24._o they_o say_v that_o i_o be_v nominate_v a_o undertaker_n with_o the_o earl_n and_o do_v relinguish_v my_o right_n 25._o it_o have_v be_v also_o object_v that_o the_o countess_n of_o exeter_n have_v the_o brovage_n on_o many_o of_o the_o fen_n in_o question_n and_o do_v conceive_v her_o interest_n to_o be_v prejudice_v by_o the_o drain_n 26._o it_o have_v be_v also_o object_v that_o the_o earl_n do_v give_v to_o mr._n robert_n long_o 500.l_o a_o year_n to_o manage_v his_o work_n 27._o they_o do_v far_o say_v that_o the_o earl_n do_v smother_v a_o verdict_n by_o which_o the_o jury_n find_v that_o the_o fen_n in_o question_n be_v not_o surround_v sir_n william_n killigrew_n answer_n unto_o the_o fen-mens_n objection_n at_o the_o committee_n for_o the_o earl_n of_o lindsey_n his_o level_n concerning_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n mr._n goodwin_n i_o suppose_v our_o council_n have_v full_o show_v that_o we_o do_v claim_v our_o title_n to_o the_o fen_n in_o question_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o decree_n of_o sewer_n read_v before_o this_o honourable_a committee_n and_o remain_v before_o you_o and_o have_v full_o prove_v those_o decree_n to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o direction_n of_o the_o law_n and_o statute_n of_o this_o land_n and_o according_a to_o the_o precedent_n of_o former_a time_n for_o work_n of_o this_o kind_n and_o by_o those_o decree_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o our_o contract_n be_v legal_a and_o that_o we_o have_v perform_v our_o work_n according_a to_o our_o contract_n by_o which_o we_o have_v bring_v honour_n and_o profit_n to_o this_o nation_n and_o i_o say_v this_o lest_o by_o any_o witty_a exposition_n the_o letter_n of_o the_o law_n shall_v be_v now_o construe_v to_o a_o different_a sense_n from_o what_o those_o time_n understand_v it_o by_o which_o this_o letter_n of_o the_o law_n may_v now_o prove_v a_o mote_n point_n that_o be_v then_o clear_a if_o so_o we_o hope_v that_o equity_n will_v take_v place_n for_o it_o concern_v every_o man_n that_o have_v a_o estate_n as_o well_o as_o we_o that_o all_o equity_n be_v not_o devour_v by_o the_o strict_a letter_n of_o the_o law_n and_o chief_o in_o such_o case_n of_o profit_n to_o the_o state_n where_o the_o law_n be_v doubtful_a or_o short_a it_o be_v proper_a for_o the_o parliament_n to_o take_v care_n in_o equity_n and_o in_o our_o case_n the_o royal_a assent_n be_v have_v to_o our_o decree_n the_o word_n of_o the_o statute_n be_v that_o the_o parliament_n only_o can_v repeal_v they_o and_o to_o the_o parliament_n order_n we_o do_v as_o glad_o submit_v as_o our_o adversary_n will_v willing_o decline_v in_o the_o next_o place_n i_o observe_v that_o our_o opposer_n do_v endeavour_v to_o blast_v the_o credit_n of_o our_o just_a title_n of_o right_n by_o pretend_a miscarriage_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n in_o those_o that_o manage_v this_o business_n for_o the_o earl_n of_o lindsey_n and_o by_o throw_v several_a scandalous_a aspersion_n on_o the_o person_n of_o the_o drainer_n which_o make_v i_o think_v it_o very_o necessary_a to_o give_v the_o committee_n such_o answer_n to_o our_o opposer_n objection_n as_o i_o hope_v will_v vindicate_v the_o earl_n and_o his_o participant_n from_o be_v guilty_a of_o any_o wilful_a crime_n or_o from_o any_o mistake_n of_o consequence_n or_o any_o project_n or_o any_o thing_n like_o a_o project_n for_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o earl_n do_v undertake_v this_o drain_n at_o the_o suit_n of_o the_o country_n as_o appear_v by_o sir_n anthony_n erbye_n and_o the_o other_o commissioner_n letter_n to_o the_o late_a king_n and_o in_o pursuance_n of_o many_o ancient_a record_n of_o that_o county_n show_v he_o the_o endeavour_n of_o their_o ancestor_n to_o have_v drain_v the_o same_o fen_n by_o new_a work_n by_o general_a tax_n in_o the_o same_o method_n and_o in_o the_o same_o place_n as_o he_o now_o have_v do_v which_o be_v never_o heretofore_o blemish_v with_o the_o name_n of_o a_o project_n and_o all_o this_o ground_v on_o several_a invitation_n of_o former_a parliament_n to_o encourage_v private_a man_n to_o undertake_v those_o public_a work_n which_o this_o present_a parliament_n have_v also_o approve_v by_o settle_v of_o bedford_n level_v by_o a_o act_n and_o therefore_o we_o hope_v that_o we_o have_v walk_v in_o our_o predecessor_n step_n by_o the_o advice_n of_o learned_a man_n in_o the_o law_n of_o sewer_n and_o have_v bring_v our_o work_n by_o a_o great_a charge_n and_o hazard_n to_o the_o high_a perfection_n of_o any_o such_o work_n in_o this_o nation_n we_o shall_v have_v the_o protection_n of_o this_o parliament_n since_o in_o their_o wisdom_n they_o have_v think_v fit_a to_o settle_v bedford_n level_n 1._o our_o adversary_n do_v object_n that_o some_o commissioner_n who_o be_v name_v in_o the_o body_n of_o the_o decree_n have_v not_o set_v their_o hand_n and_o seal_n unto_o the_o say_a decree_n be_v engross_v in_o parchment_n we_o answer_v that_o when_o a_o great_a number_n of_o commissioner_n have_v unanimous_o make_v a_o decree_n and_o the_o clerk_n book_n perfect_v it_o be_v the_o constant_a use_n when_o the_o session_n be_v end_v for_o the_o commissioner_n to_o go_v home_o and_o for_o the_o clerk_n of_o the_o sewer_n a_o week_n or_o a_o fortnight_n after_o to_o engross_v the_o decree_n in_o
parchment_n and_o then_o to_o ride_v unto_o the_o commissioner_n house_n that_o make_v the_o decree_n to_o get_v their_o hand_n and_o seal_n and_o have_v such_o a_o number_n as_o the_o law_n require_v be_v fix_v the_o clerk_n do_v not_o trouble_v himself_o to_o ride_v over_o the_o whole_a country_n to_o have_v every_o commissioner_n hand_n that_o make_v the_o decree_n nor_o be_v it_o necessary_a for_o all_o to_o sign_n it_o be_v enough_o that_o their_o name_n in_o the_o body_n of_o the_o decree_n do_v show_v it_o to_o be_v their_o act._n and_o if_o one_o man_n or_o more_o shall_v dissent_v they_o be_v include_v by_o the_o major_a part_n so_o that_o the_o major_a part_n be_v a_o number_n warrant_v by_o the_o statute_n if_o any_o doubt_n be_v make_v of_o this_o we_o do_v undertake_v to_o prove_v it_o all_o 2._o they_o say_v the_o earl_n do_v bribe_v the_o king_n and_o his_o lord_n to_o take_v away_o their_o fen_n we_o answer_v that_o the_o earl_n may_v dispose_v of_o his_o land_n as_o he_o please_v whether_o he_o give_v they_o or_o sell_v they_o i_o conceive_v concern_v not_o the_o drain_n nor_o those_o that_o adventure_v with_o the_o earl_n if_o any_o injustice_n be_v do_v for_o bribe_n let_v that_o appear_v and_o let_v they_o that_o do_v it_o answer_v for_o it_o 3._o they_o say_v the_o earl_n do_v drain_v these_o fen_n by_o prerogative_n power_n by_o the_o king_n letter_n and_o by_o the_o lord_n order_n we_o answer_v that_o the_o earl_n and_o we_o do_v claim_v our_o interest_n by_o the_o law_n of_o sewer_n as_o by_o the_o decree_n before_o you_o be_v prove_v and_o do_v disclaim_v all_o title_n or_o right_o by_o any_o prerogative_n power_n and_o do_v say_v that_o the_o king_n letter_n do_v only_o excite_v the_o commissioner_n to_o proceed_v in_o a_o public_a good_a work_n which_o be_v his_o duty_n as_o it_o now_o be_v the_o parliament_n to_o further_v such_o a_o beneficial_a undertake_n to_o enrich_v the_o state_n and_o we_o say_v those_o letter_n do_v but_o recommend_v the_o earl_n to_o be_v the_o undertaker_n but_o do_v not_o enjoin_v the_o commissioner_n to_o accept_v he_o we_o further_o say_v that_o by_o the_o date_n of_o all_o the_o lord_n order_n those_o from_o the_o star-chamber_n from_o the_o council-table_n and_o last_o from_o the_o parliament_n it_o do_v appear_v that_o no_o such_o order_n possession_n be_v use_v by_o the_o earl_n to_o procure_v the_o drain_n but_o to_o preserve_v the_o work_n do_v and_o do_v the_o first_o order_n be_v long_o after_o the_o work_n be_v begin_v and_o other_o after_o the_o earl_n have_v possession_n to_o preserve_v corn_n from_o be_v destroy_v and_o house_n from_o be_v pull_v down_o and_o to_o deter_v such_o rioter_n date_n by_o all_o this_o we_o conceive_v it_o be_v clear_a that_o the_o earl_n do_v not_o force_v the_o country_n to_o consent_v to_o drain_n by_o prerogative_n power_n as_o be_v allege_v 4._o they_o say_v the_o old_a commissioner_n of_o the_o country_n be_v put_v out_o and_o stranger_n put_v into_o commission_n we_o answer_v that_o the_o commission_n use_v of_o course_n to_o be_v renew_v every_o three_o or_o five_o year_n and_o it_o be_v at_o the_o lord_n keeper_n pleasure_n to_o change_v the_o commissioner_n and_o it_o be_v just_a and_o reasonable_a to_o put_v the_o chief_a of_o the_o drainer_n into_o the_o commission_n who_o be_v become_v a_o part_n of_o the_o country_n by_o that_o interest_n and_o we_o further_o say_v that_o the_o lord_n keeper_n may_v be_v inform_v by_o the_o earl_n that_o some_o eminent_a man_n of_o the_o country_n who_o at_o first_o do_v seek_v to_o advance_v this_o work_n be_v turn_v against_o it_o because_o they_o can_v not_o have_v such_o sharâ—s_n in_o the_o adventure_n with_o the_o earl_n as_o they_o desire_v or_o for_o some_o other_o private_a grudge_n which_o we_o conceive_v a_o just_a cause_n for_o the_o lord_n keeper_n to_o leave_v out_o such_o as_o will_v hinder_v a_o public_a good_a for_o private_a end_n and_o we_o further_o say_v that_o it_o be_v likely_a that_o some_o do_v desire_n to_o be_v put_v out_o for_o their_o own_o case_n which_o be_v very_o usual_a however_o it_o be_v evident_a there_o be_v no_o evil_a intend_v by_o alter_v the_o commission_n because_o there_o be_v above_o two_o hundred_o able_a and_o sufficient_a gentleman_n most_o of_o that_o country_n in_o the_o commission_n commission_n by_o which_o authority_n the_o earl_n contract_n be_v make_v with_o the_o country_n and_o but_o two_o stranger_n who_o can_v not_o over-rule_v that_o great_a number_n to_o prejudice_v their_o own_o country_n by_o any_o unjust_a act_n 5._o they_o say_v that_o the_o drainer_n be_v party_n and_o judge_n we_o answer_v that_o when_o the_o tax_n of_o 13s_o 4d_o be_v lay_v on_o every_o acre_n drown_v there_o can_v be_v no_o party_n because_o the_o earl_n have_v no_o interest_n nor_o at_o make_v the_o contract_n of_o 24000_o acre_n until_o it_o be_v make_v the_o earl_n have_v no_o interest_n and_o then_o of_o they_o that_o do_v make_v that_o contract_n between_o the_o country_n and_o the_o earl_n there_o be_v only_o two_o that_o have_v any_o relation_n to_o the_o earl_n for_o the_o now_o lord_n cobham_n sir_n edward_n heron_n and_o mr._n william_n langton_n do_v some_o year_n after_o his_o decree_n become_v purchaser_n of_o their_o own_o fen_n at_o 40_o a_o acre_n at_o which_o price_n those_o land_n be_v public_o offer_v to_o any_o of_o the_o country_n to_o adventure_v for_o and_o only_o these_o three_o gentleman_n do_v think_v those_o drown_a land_n to_o be_v so_o much_o worth_n in_o those_o day_n the_o date_n of_o these_o three_o gentleman_n deed_n will_v show_v how_o long_o after_o the_o contract_n they_o become_v purchaser_n and_o therefore_o can_v be_v just_o call_v judge_n and_o party_n at_o the_o make_n of_o the_o contract_n or_o lay_v the_o tax_n three_o year_n before_o the_o contract_n be_v make_v nor_o can_v sir_n peregrine_n bartu_n nor_o mr._n long_a be_v sit_v on_o the_o bench_n who_o be_v the_o only_a two_o that_o be_v afterwards_o concern_v in_o the_o earl_n interest_n be_v reasonable_o think_v to_o over-rule_v the_o other_o thirty_o commissioner_n that_o do_v make_v the_o decree_n of_o contract_n contract_n where_o the_o word_n be_v that_o no_o one_o man_n do_v dissent_v 6._o they_o say_v that_o the_o fen_n in_o question_n be_v not_o drown_v and_o therefore_o do_v need_v no_o drain_n we_o answer_v that_o by_o several_a record_n of_o that_o county_n now_o in_o court_n it_o appear_v that_o the_o fen_n in_o question_n have_v be_v ever_o hurtful_o surround_v with_o water_n and_o that_o it_o have_v be_v for_o some_o hundred_o of_o year_n the_o constant_a endeavour_n of_o the_o commissioner_n of_o that_o country_n and_o of_o many_o other_o eminent_a man_n book_n to_o have_v drain_v the_o same_o fen_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n and_o by_o new_a work_n in_o the_o same_o place_n where_o the_o earl_n have_v make_v his_o drain_n it_o do_v also_o appear_v by_o our_o adversary_n book_n late_o print_v and_o distribute_v to_o the_o member_n in_o parliament_n that_o a_o little_a before_o the_o earl_n undertake_v the_o country_n do_v proffer_v sir_n anthony_n thomas_n and_o sir_n william_n aylisse_n a_o five_o part_n to_o drain_v these_o very_a fen_n in_o question_n and_o that_o they_o demand_v a_o four_o part_n by_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o these_o fen_n be_v drown_v and_o that_o the_o country_n do_v desire_v to_o have_v they_o drain_v and_o be_v sufficient_a argument_n to_o persuade_v the_o earl_n to_o undertake_v the_o work_n and_o therefore_o no_o project_n and_o may_v satisfy_v all_o indifferent_a man_n that_o the_o earl_n have_v no_o prerogative_n power_n nor_o need_v any_o nor_o lord_n order_n to_o force_v the_o country_n to_o a_o compliance_n with_o he_o book_n it_o also_o appear_v by_o our_o adversary_n other_o print_a book_n distribute_v to_o the_o member_n of_o parliament_n that_o our_o opposer_n themselves_o do_v desire_v to_o become_v drainer_n of_o the_o fen_n in_o question_n by_o all_o which_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o these_o fen_n do_v require_v drain_v 7._o they_o say_v that_o if_o the_o fen_n do_v need_v to_o be_v drain_v yet_o not_o by_o such_o malignant_n as_o we_o we_o answer_v that_o when_o we_o become_v drainer_n there_o be_v no_o cause_n to_o call_v we_o so_o and_o we_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v drainer_n because_o in_o those_o day_n none_o in_o the_o country_n do_v understand_v the_o art_n of_o drain_v which_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o unuseful_a drain_n of_o the_o country_n before_o the_o earl_n undertake_v and_o by_o their_o wilful_a and_o ignorant_a cleanse_n of_o their_o old_a crooked_a drain_n this_o last_o year_n hope_v by_o so_o do_v to_o have_v show_v the_o
world_n that_o our_o work_n be_v needless_a to_o which_o end_n they_o have_v to_o this_o day_n damn_v up_o the_o earl_n great_a river_n and_o by_o so_o do_v have_v now_o drown_v all_o the_o fen_n to_o the_o great_a damage_n and_o discontent_n of_o the_o country_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o presentment_n of_o sewer_n this_o last_o summer_n in_o which_o those_o dam_n be_v present_v as_o common_a nuisance_n and_o be_v order_v to_o be_v take_v up_o but_o yet_o do_v still_o remain_v and_o do_v keep_v the_o fen_n drown_v by_o which_o it_o seem_v our_o opposer_n do_v not_o former_o nor_o do_v yet_o understand_v drain_v and_o therefore_o not_o so_o fit_a to_o be_v drainer_n as_o the_o earl_n court_n by_o who_o work_n the_o fen_n be_v keep_v dry_a until_o they_o malicious_o destroy_v they_o on_o purpose_n to_o drown_v what_o he_o have_v drain_v 8._o they_o say_v the_o earl_n do_v undertake_v the_o work_n against_o the_o country_n consent_n we_o answer_v that_o the_o contract_n be_v make_v by_o 32._o commissioner_n many_o of_o they_o lord_n and_o owner_n of_o the_o say_a fen_n and_o this_o at_o a_o public_a session_n of_o sewer_n in_o sleaford_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o many_o thousand_o of_o the_o people_n all_o hear_v the_o contract_n debate_v open_o in_o the_o church_n because_o the_o great_a hall_n can_v not_o receive_v the_o assembly_n and_o the_o people_n do_v express_v much_o joy_n to_o have_v the_o earl_n undertake_v it_o and_o do_v unanimous_o work_v in_o his_o drain_n court_n and_o hereby_o enrich_v themselves_o nor_o be_v here_o any_o appear_a dissent_n in_o the_o country_n until_o our_o adversary_n persuade_v they_o that_o they_o may_v have_v all_o the_o earl_n land_n for_o ask_v 9_o they_o say_v the_o earl_n do_v take_v the_o best_a land_n and_o leave_v the_o worst_a for_o the_o country_n we_o answer_v that_o by_o the_o map_n it_o will_v appear_v that_o the_o earl_n have_v allot_v to_o he_o that_o land_n which_o be_v worst_a the_o low_a and_o most_o drown_v the_o very_a pan_n of_o all_o the_o fen_n and_o lie_v most_o remote_a from_o all_o the_o town_n so_o that_o if_o those_o land_n that_o be_v worst_a be_v now_o become_v best_a it_o be_v a_o good_a evidence_n that_o the_o earl_n have_v do_v his_o work_n well_o for_o the_o truth_n be_v those_o worst_a land_n which_o be_v ever_o drown_v before_o the_o drain_n be_v by_o our_o work_n make_v good_a winter_n corn_n land_n and_o yet_o to_o let_v the_o world_n see_v how_o unjust_a this_o complaint_n be_v the_o earl_n do_v offer_v the_o country_n to_o exchange_v all_o his_o land_n for_o so_o much_o of_o they_o and_o they_o refuse_v it_o at_o a_o full_a hear_n in_o the_o lord_n house_n the_o truth_n be_v that_o the_o wit_n of_o man_n can_v set_v out_o the_o earl_n proportion_n in_o any_o other_o place_n so_o profitable_a for_o the_o country_n 10._o they_o say_v that_o the_o fen_n between_o bourne_n and_o kime-eae_n be_v the_o worse_a for_o drain_v we_o answer_v that_o those_o fen_n be_v improve_v by_o drain_v from_o 2s_o 3s_o 4s_o a_o acre_n to_o 8_n 10s_o and_o 13s_o the_o acre_n as_o appear_v by_o testimony_n before_o this_o committee_n we_o say_v also_o that_o the_o earl_n do_v at_o a_o hear_n in_o the_o lord_n house_n offer_v the_o country_n to_o become_v tenant_n to_o the_o country_n for_o all_o the_o remain_v common_a at_o 10s_o the_o acre_n which_o they_o refuse_v and_o by_o all_o record_n as_o well_o as_o by_o several_a testimony_n it_o appear_v thoso_a fen_n be_v not_o worth_a a_o forth_o part_v so_o much_o before_o the_o drain_n therefore_o now_o improve_v to_o the_o great_a advantage_n of_o the_o country_n 11._o they_o say_v that_o kesteven_n side_n be_v drown_v by_o the_o bank_n of_o our_o great_a river_n which_o do_v secure_v our_o own_o land_n and_o thrust_v up_o the_o water_n on_o the_o land_n leave_v unto_o the_o country_n we_o answer_v that_o if_o kesteven_n side_n or_o any_o other_o fen_n in_o the_o earl_n level_v do_v lie_v forty_o day_n under_o water_n the_o country_n may_v re-enter_v on_o all_o his_o land_n for_o not_o perform_v his_o contract_n with_o they_o and_o for_o the_o bank_n of_o the_o complain_v of_o it_o be_v true_a that_o when_o that_o river_n be_v full_a upon_o great_a sudden_a flood_n that_o bank_n do_v thrust_v up_o the_o water_n upon_o the_o edge_n of_o the_o commons_o next_o to_o the_o river_n more_o or_o less_o as_o the_o flood_n do_v happen_v but_o when_o the_o i'ide_n turn_v within_o few_o hour_n that_o water_n be_v carry_v off_o again_o but_o suppose_v the_o water_n shall_v upon_o very_o great_a flood_n in_o winter_n be_v thrust_v up_o by_o this_o bank_n over_o half_a the_o commons_o on_o kesteven_n side_n for_o some_o hour_n or_o some_o few_o day_n it_o be_v no_o harm_n to_o the_o commons_o nor_o breach_n of_o contract_n in_o the_o earl_n unless_o the_o whole_a commons_o do_v lie_v forty_o day_n under_o water_n than_o we_o confess_v they_o may_v re-enter_v and_o we_o do_v refer_v ourselves_o to_o the_o earl_n contract_v for_o this_o particular_a it_o be_v worth_a the_o note_v that_o they_o say_v this_o bank_n complain_v of_o do_v preserve_v our_o own_o land_n dry_a winter_n and_o summer_n against_o all_o flood_n and_o we_o acknowledge_v it_o do_v so_o and_o do_v answer_v that_o all_o holland_n fen_n which_o do_v all_o lie_v behind_o our_o land_n be_v as_o well_o secure_v by_o this_o bank_n complain_v of_o as_o our_o own_o land_n be_v for_o when_o the_o water_n shall_v break_v over_o this_o bank_n it_o must_v run_v over_o all_o our_o land_n before_o it_o can_v come_v into_o holland_n fen_n so_o that_o those_o of_o holland_n who_o be_v our_o chief_a opposer_n ought_v not_o to_o complain_v nor_o have_v those_o of_o kesteven_n any_o cause_n since_o we_o have_v perform_v our_o contract_n with_o they_o and_o over_o perform_v it_o with_o those_o of_o holland_n but_o the_o business_n be_v they_o do_v all_o grudge_n to_o see_v the_o drainer_n land_n bear_v winter_n corn_n and_o rape-seed_n hemp_n and_o flax_n and_o will_v not_o allow_v we_o to_o improve_v our_o enclose_a land_n above_o the_o commons_o which_o be_v very_o unjust_a for_o it_o those_o of_o kesteven_n side_n do_v please_v they_o may_v enclose_v one_o half_a of_o their_o commons_o into_o small_a parcel_n as_o the_o drainer_n have_v do_v and_o those_o of_o holland_n may_v inlose_v all_o their_o commons_o and_o be_v as_o dry_a as_o our_o land_n be_v but_o this_o subdivision_n of_o their_o commons_o be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o earl_n contract_v we_o desire_v the_o contract_n may_v be_v strict_o observe_v and_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o the_o earl_n have_v overdo_v his_o work_n rather_o than_o be_v short_a in_o any_o part_n of_o it_o and_o no_o man_n injure_v by_o it_o but_o those_o that_o complain_v most_o have_v most_o benefit_n 12._o they_o say_v that_o the_o earl_n bank_n do_v cut_v off_o the_o ancient_a sewer_n of_o the_o country_n which_o otherwise_o will_v have_v drain_v their_o fen_n we_o answer_v that_o if_o their_o old_a drain_n can_v have_v drain_v they_o how_o come_v the_o country_n to_o lie_v drown_v so_o many_o hundred_o of_o year_n and_o how_o come_v we_o to_o find_v so_o many_o record_n extant_a that_o show_v several_a attempt_n to_o have_v drain_v the_o fen_n in_o question_n by_o new_a work_n if_o their_o old_a drain_n will_v have_v do_v the_o work_n we_o do_v acknowledge_v that_o our_o great_a river_n do_v cut_v off_o all_o those_o old_a country_n drain_n on_o kesteven_n side_n which_o ever_o do_v and_o still_o do_v bring_v down_o the_o rain_n water_n from_o the_o high_a country_n into_o the_o fen_n by_o which_o the_o fen_n be_v always_o drown_v and_o by_o our_o take_n of_o those_o water_n into_o our_o river_n we_o carry_v they_o into_o the_o sea_n which_o former_o do_v lie_v most_o part_n of_o the_o year_n on_o the_o fen_n because_o they_o have_v no_o sufficient_a vent_n by_o the_o old_a out-fall_n and_o by_o this_o mean_n only_o be_v those_o fen_n capable_a of_o be_v drain_v as_o by_o the_o map_n appear_v so_o that_o we_o have_v cut_v off_o their_o old_a drain_n which_o do_v drown_v the_o fen_n but_o not_o meddle_v with_o their_o old_a drain_n which_o do_v drain_v they_o as_o they_o pretend_v for_o by_o their_o old_a out-fall_n to_o the_o sea_n they_o can_v only_o drain_v and_o all_o those_o old_a drain_n and_o out-fall_n to_o the_o sea_n do_v lie_v behind_o the_o bank_n complain_v of_o and_o behind_o all_o our_o enclose_a land_n on_o holland_n side_n and_o we_o have_v not_o cut_v off_o those_o old_a drain_n nor_o out-fall_n to_o the_o sea_n but_o have_v leave_v they_o for_o the_o use_n of_o holland_n several_n and_o that_o the_o
world_n may_v see_v how_o unjust_a this_o complaint_n be_v we_o will_v prove_v that_o the_o current_n of_o water_n which_o do_v former_o run_v by_o their_o old_a drain_n through_o holland_n several_n to_o the_o sea_n do_v now_o run_v backward_o into_o our_o drain_n and_o we_o do_v carry_v those_o water_n by_o our_o river_n into_o the_o sea_n another_o way_n by_o which_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o our_o drain_n be_v of_o use_n and_o their_o old_a drain_n be_v of_o no_o use_n and_o by_o this_o it_o be_v also_o clear_a that_o the_o land_n allot_v to_o we_o be_v the_o low_a land_n in_o the_o level_n because_o both_o from_o kesteven_n side_n and_o from_o holland_n side_n the_o water_n do_v run_v into_o our_o river_n and_o by_o they_o into_o the_o sea_n and_o by_o this_o also_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o earl_n 14000._o acre_n be_v the_o low_a be_v the_o most_o drown_v and_o so_o the_o worst_a before_o the_o drain_n and_o now_o the_o say_a land_n bear_v good_a winter_n corn_n it_o be_v as_o evident_a that_o the_o earl_n have_v do_v a_o good_a work_n and_o perform_v his_o contract_n full_o when_o that_o which_o be_v worst_a of_o the_o fen_n be_v make_v the_o best_a by_o he_o and_o that_o holland_n fen_n be_v as_o well_o drain_v as_o his_o own_o so_o that_o two_o part_n of_o three_o contract_n be_v better_a drain_v then_o by_o his_o contract_n he_o be_v oblige_v and_o kesteven_n be_v the_o other_o three_o part_n be_v as_o well_o as_o art_n can_v make_v it_o and_o as_o well_o drain_v as_o by_o his_o contract_n he_o be_v bind_v to_o do_v 13._o they_o say_v that_o the_o earl_n take_v possession_n by_o force_n of_o arm_n and_o keep_v his_o possession_n by_o troop_n of_o horse_n and_o great_a gun_n and_o by_o murder_v the_o people_n we_o answer_v that_o we_o have_v prove_v our_o come_n peaceable_o into_o possession_n by_o authority_n of_o a_o decree_n of_o sewer_n and_o that_o we_o do_v build_v plow_n proof_n and_o reap_v two_o year_n crop_n quiet_o and_o part_n of_o the_o three_o summer_n crop_v also_o in_o all_o which_o time_n there_o be_v neither_o troop_n or_o gun_n use_v or_o any_o man_n slay_v we_o have_v also_o prove_v that_o our_o house_n be_v pull_v down_o our_o corn_n burn_v our_o drain_n spoil_v our_o tenant_n throw_v out_o and_o our_o possession_n take_v from_o we_o by_o violence_n while_o we_o make_v no_o resistance_n for_o while_o my_o house_n be_v pull_v down_o the_o sheriff_n and_o a_o justice_n of_o peace_n look_v on_o and_o do_v use_v entreaty_n but_o no_o force_n to_o make_v the_o riotter_n desist_v what_o be_v do_v by_o sir_n edward_n heron_n when_o he_o be_v high_a sheriff_n i_o know_v not_o for_o we_o be_v then_o drive_v out_o of_o the_o country_n only_o i_o have_v see_v several_a order_n from_o the_o parliament_n to_o require_v he_o to_o quiet_v our_o possession_n and_o i_o believe_v by_o his_o place_n he_o may_v call_v aid_n to_o assist_v he_o for_o preserve_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o country_n which_o our_o adversary_n now_o call_v a_o force_n nor_o do_v i_o know_v what_o happen_v by_o troop_n in_o the_o follow_a war_n which_o be_v after_o our_o be_v eject_v i_o do_v undertake_v to_o prove_v that_o my_o brass_n gun_n so_o much_o talk_v of_o be_v a_o raritle_a make_v by_o my_o father_n which_o i_o do_v for_o many_o year_n remove_v from_o house_n to_o house_n where_o ever_o i_o dwell_v as_o a_o ornament_n to_o stand_v in_o my_o hall_n i_o also_o say_v that_o myself_o be_v out_o of_o the_o country_n when_o my_o house_n be_v pull_v down_o and_o never_o since_o have_v see_v the_o place_n it_o stand_v on_o till_o this_o last_o summer_n 1649._o 14._o they_o say_v that_o the_o commoner_n be_v imprison_v by_o the_o lord_n order_n we_o answer_v that_o when_o any_o of_o the_o commoner_n be_v indict_v for_o riot_n prove_v before_o the_o commissioner_n on_o oath_n that_o the_o jury_n do_v still_o acquit_v they_o which_o do_v encourage_v those_o ill_n affect_v to_o hire_v some_o poor_a man_n to_o cut_v the_o earl_n drain_v by_o which_o in_o one_o night_n great_a quantity_n of_o corn_n be_v drown_v to_o prevent_v this_o evil_a the_o earl_n be_v constrain_v to_o petition_v the_o lord_n and_o to_o seek_v a_o speedy_a remedy_n then_o to_o sue_v a_o poor_a man_n not_o worth_a a_o groat_n for_o a_o 1000_o damage_n during_o which_o suit_n the_o evil_n will_v still_o be_v act_v by_o other_o 15._o they_o say_v that_o the_o country_n be_v deny_v the_o benefit_n of_o the_o law_n by_o the_o earl_n privilege_n of_o parliament_n we_o answer_v that_o in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o lord_n house_n the_o earl_n have_v such_o a_o privilege_n and_o yet_o he_o do_v decline_v his_o privilege_n and_o submit_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o a_o committee_n of_o this_o honourable_a house_n and_o while_o the_o cause_n do_v depend_v in_o hear_v before_o they_o he_o be_v throw_v out_o of_o his_o right_n by_o those_o who_o now_o complain_v against_o we_o which_o be_v a_o high_a contempt_n against_o this_o parliament_n than_o ever_o be_v do_v before_o to_o a_o parliament_n and_o a_o mighty_a oppression_n upon_o we_o by_o our_o adversary_n 16._o they_o say_v that_o this_o parliament_n have_v declare_v against_o the_o drain_n of_o fen_n as_o a_o grievance_n to_o the_o commonwealth_n we_o answer_v that_o we_o believe_v it_o be_v a_o mistake_n in_o our_o adversary_n and_o that_o if_o there_o be_v such_o a_o declaration_n it_o be_v on_o some_o other_o fen_n and_o on_o misinformation_n or_o before_o they_o be_v full_o inform_v what_o great_a benefit_n the_o state_n will_v receive_v by_o drain_v as_o appear_v by_o their_o subsequent_a act_n for_o the_o settle_n of_o bedford_n level_v in_o the_o preamble_n of_o which_o act_n they_o recite_v what_o benefit_n the_o commonwealth_n receive_v by_o drain_n 17._o they_o say_v that_o sir_n robert_n barkham_n case_n be_v judge_v in_o parliament_n against_o i_o we_o answer_v that_o sir_n robert_n barkham_n case_n concern_v sir_n anthony_n thomas_n his_o level_n and_o be_v for_o his_o ancient_a enclose_a several_n on_o the_o title_n of_o melioration_n and_o be_v in_o no_o kind_n agree_v with_o our_o case_n in_o question_n for_o we_o claim_v only_a commons_o and_o have_v not_o touch_v any_o several_n nor_o yet_o demand_v any_o melioration_n though_o they_o be_v due_a unto_o we_o 18._o they_o say_v the_o earl_n and_o his_o participant_n have_v drain_v the_o dry_a fen_n towards_o bourne_n and_o not_o meddle_v with_o the_o drown_a fen_n towards_o lincoln_n we_o answer_v that_o the_o earl_n have_v drain_v above_o one_o half_a of_o his_o level_n and_o according_a to_o his_o contract_n have_v 14000_o acre_n set_v out_o by_o the_o commissioner_n that_o he_o may_v by_o reimburse_a part_n of_o his_o money_n be_v enable_v to_o go_v through_o with_o his_o whole_a undertake_n but_o the_o country_n have_v by_o force_n take_v the_o 14000_o acre_n from_o he_o how_o be_v he_o able_a to_o go_v on_o with_o his_o work_n they_o beat_v we_o out_o of_o the_o country_n and_o now_o complain_v that_o we_o do_v not_o finish_v our_o work_n and_o yet_o in_o this_o too_o they_o be_v mistake_v in_o what_o they_o say_v for_o the_o earl_n have_v make_v his_o sluice_n and_o his_o river_n at_o the_o out-fall_n of_o a_o double_a capacity_n for_o his_o first_o level_n from_o bourne_n on_o purpose_n to_o receive_v and_o carry_v off_o the_o water_n of_o the_o second_o level_v from_o lincoln_n so_o that_o a_o great_a part_n of_o that_o second_o work_n be_v do_v which_o they_o understand_v not_o that_o say_v the_o earl_n have_v not_o begin_v his_o work_n towards_o lincoln_n there_o be_v also_o a_o forty_o foot_n drain_n of_o 8_o mile_n long_o make_v with_o a_o particular_a sluice_n to_o it_o for_o the_o level_n towards_o lincoln_n and_o two_o 15_o foot_n drain_v more_o for_o the_o same_o level_n to_o lincoln_n 19_o they_o say_v that_o the_o country_n be_v defraud_v by_o the_o commissioner_n who_o sell_v the_o earl_n too_o much_o land_n by_o his_o contract_n we_o answer_v part_n that_o the_o fen_n in_o question_n be_v before_o the_o drain_n worth_a but_o 40_o a_o acre_n and_o so_o the_o earl_n sell_v those_o land_n at_o the_o time_n to_o all_o that_o will_v buy_v of_o he_o and_o we_o say_v that_o if_o by_o our_o labour_n charge_n and_o hazard_n the_o same_o land_n be_v now_o worth_a ten_o pound_n a_o acre_n they_o do_v complain_v unjust_o and_o may_v by_o this_o rule_n value_v a_o ship_n return_v from_o the_o east-indies_n at_o the_o rate_n it_o be_v set_v out_o which_o be_v a_o good_a way_n to_o overthrow_v all_o industry_n in_o a_o commonwealth_n 20._o they_o say_v that_o the_o earl_n have_v take_v more_o land_n than_o