To all Printers, Booke-sellers, Booke-binders, Free-men of the Company of Stationers
YOU are desired by the Committee that was chosen by you at a Common Hall the first of Aprill last, to be at Stationers Hall the 23. day of this instant June, being Munday, at eight of the clock in the morning, to take an Account from the said Committee, of what they have done in pursuance of that trust you reposed in them, concerning Reformation and Printing, and to compleat the Subscriptions for the printing of the Bible, &c. that the Manufacture of the Kingdome may not be utterly lost: of which you are desired not to faile, it being for a generall good. Dated this thirteenth day of June 1645.
Propositions concerning the sale of Delinquents Lands, most necessary for the good of this Kingdome.
1.
THat active Delinquents be not admitted to Composition, And that of their Estates which are within forty miles of London, Twelve hundred thousand pounds-worth be forthwith set forth to bee Morgaged, to advance foure hundred thousand pounds into the publique Treasurie, And foure hundred thousand pounds more for the paiment proportionably of moneys borrowed in kind upon the Publique Faith, and that foure hundred thousand pounds the remainder lye in the hands of the Morgager, [Page 2]as their security untill the end of five yeares, That a Committee be appointed to take care that if the Rents of the lands Morgaged amount above the use after 8. per cent, of the eight hundred thousand pounds advanc'd, the surplusage to be paid in to the State, The rates of purchase to be ten yeares value for Lands, and five for Houses, according as they yeelded in the ye [...]re one thoufand six hundred forty two, That if the State, or any other admitted by them, doe not after five years expired, repay the two thirds advanc'd, That then upon the payment of the other foure hundred thousand pounds by the Morgagers, those Lands to be assured to them and their heires for ever.
Reasons enforcing and perswading to this Proposition.
1. BY admitting Delinquents to Composition we receive Vipers into our bosomes to make a partie amongst us, and also hinder them from connection, as putting them into a securer and better [Page 3]estate then the best friends of the Parliament.
2. Iustice and Religion before God and man, declared both by Scripture and Ordinances of Parliament Requires, that their estates which have occasioned, and doe now prosecute a warre against us should bee expended to maintaine it, which appeares de facto, in the Order past for their sale in the Designe for Oxford, and in the feasance and forfeiture of all their personall estates. If their goods and moneys in our possession, why not their Lands which are moneys worth, and as serviceable to the State.
3. The Honour and Iustice of the Parliament in paying the Kingdomes Ingagements many creditours then able, being now ready to famish, when as there is sufficient in our power to repay, and make reparation, The Money thus repaid being but laid up in faithfull treasuries, untill the necessities of the State shall againe require it; Besides, the City of London thus faithfull dealt with, will bee [Page 4]ready upon all occasions to advance great and sufficient summes.
4. Policiy of State to ingage and confirme the souldery, as also the great Rich men both of the City and Counties, who though Malignant, yet out of one Respect or other will bee ready to purchase, The Commanders as low as Captaines will be I am perswaded, content to accept of their quarter pay, if not all upon these Conditions, Hence also wil follow a preservation of the Kingdome, and a hastning the conclusion of the Warre, since this of any way will soonest lessen and bring to Submission the contrary party especially since the goodnesse of the State hath reserved a third part unsold, if they come in within the yeeres prefixt, such that shall Stand out in Rebellion five yeares longer deserving not onely to loose two thirds with the Papists, but all.
5. Wisdome and good Husbandry to take time whilst time serves, These Lands being now in our power to bee disposed of, which [Page 5]the enemey in one Moneth may repossesse, By selling wee secure them, and make them usefull to the State, as being stocked by the Purchasers, and yeelding both contribution and Provisions whereas now they are in a manner fruitlesse and unprofitable.
6. Policie of State to have this foure hundred thousand pounds in Banke, which will bee above a quarters pay for our Army and Navy, and ease and spare the well affected partie, Also hereby the incredible expence for the recruite of Horse and Armes, besides the infinite pressure of free quarter, want of Discipline, losse of Oppertunityes and sudden Mouldring away of our Armyes will be remedied and prevented. Lastly by a generall proceeding in these sales and the helpe of the Excise (regulated that a third may not issue out to Officers) this Banke may be preserved even during the Warres.