The Hartlib Papers

I am taught and doe beleeve that christians ought to doe all thinges faithfully charitably and with humilitie Therefore am I come Into England to offer some proffitable advice to this State concerning fishing and husbandrie and concerning <a> plantation.

And although I did want more then 6 weekes beforre I could bee heard In respect the things which I proposed seemed Novelties off a high straine As[altered] if the truth of experience deserved noe credit In the world[altered from wold]) neverthelesse I overcame with patience the first difficultie which yet Is but ordinarie) did come in my waye Namely that I must speake all that I know plainly without any reserve if I did desire any conclusion. But <left margin: But yet then after I was heard the second difficultie> I [did? altered] not conceave that such a demand was iust and expedient for the Public good and particulars for many reasons Etc. Etc. Etc.

Therefore seeing time was spent in vaine I did write all that was expedient to shew the meanes which would bring the effect of the propositions to passe which I did offer

Once by word of mouth I said that if the Parlliament Please <to> harken to the expedients which I could shew that I thought It possible by wayes apparent and in a manner sure without hazarding any thing to bring Ireland In few yeares (at the most three) to perfect obedience which words I spoke In hope that such a consequence of my propositions would have made them commendable.

But the quit contrarie effect I perceive doth follow upon this discoursse whence a new difficultie more and more Intricassed In my way who though I am but a stranger yet cann appeall to my conscience that I whish better to England then many of the natives who goe about the bush as can some times disscourse but set not upon the worke itselfe.

But seeing I can have neither accesse In the counsells my simple endeavour shall bee to make good my conclusion &if I cannot obtaine the way to shew the effect thereof I hope It shall not bee [catchword : im-]

Neverthelesse I must confesse I conceived a fault In this that I did speake any thing concerning Ireland because I find by experience that that doth hinder the effect of my former propositions

But what I said I doe avow and will not call back my wordes but God willing will undertake it If it shall please the Parlliament only I humbly crave[altered] that I may bee commanded rather to doe then to speake and that theie would apoint from time to time that which shall bee expedient to bee done by degrees and one thing affter another to bring the worke to passe.

Now it Is sure that where noe meanes are there nothing can bee done and seeing money is the sinewes of warre &where noe good order Is there though money bee never so plentifull all which turne to confussion and ruine Therefore to lay a foundation for the reduction of Ireland to a full obedience unto England it is expedient to find a stocke of yearlie[altered from yealie] revenue particulary appointed to that effect without any diversion to any other usse and with full order and right direction for the employment therof Etc

And this ground being laid it is possible to make this effect double to what is proposed by the meanes of the Propositions which I have made. Now to make large disscourses of this matter which may turne to wind and various constructions is a thing which I cannot apply myselfe unto if the effects of reall endeavours may bee suffered to speake which I cannot aply myselfe unto but if the effects of reall endeavours may bee suffered to speake which will beare witnes of themselves without all reproch and from time to time In a regular course will proceed to their perfixed period without interupton Deviation retardation or dislocation then the matter

Ireland as every one doth know did beginne the quarel therefore not only meanes must bee used with prudent and rationall mistrust to provide that it doe noe more harme but also it must bee reduced with lenitie to intend a common good &that in a good and common way for to God it is noe wayes impossible to make us all better then wee thinke wee are nay then wee desire to bee.

In a word then to conclud a course must bee taken to caus the spring bee dried up that the brookes may faile as Scipio did bring the warre Into Affrica to [deliver?] Italie from the burden of it.

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        |       Hugh Lamy         |

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        |      Peeter le Pruvost |

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