| Title: | Copy Letter In Scribal Hand B?, Edmond Felton To Hartlib |
|---|---|
| Dating: | 1 November 1643 |
| Ref: | 26/45/1A-2B |
| Notes: | Original at 65/6/1. |
[26/45/1A]
Worthy Sir
I am much obliged unto you for your forwardnes to further me in those waies it hath pleased God to give me knowledge of<H:,> wherby those that seekes the ruine of this Comon wealth may be Surprized with little bloode-shed and much saveing of Charges. It is now two yeares since<H:,> I earnestly importuned some Honorable personages of the Lords Howse & howse of Commons for an acceptance[altered] of such waies by Engins (of myne owne invention) as would not only have saved the State many Thousand pounds but have brought the Adversaries[H capitalises] to a greate Strait<H:,> if not subdued them before this time. And for that such waies hath not beene put in execution they have grown very powerfull and neglected noe meanes to subdue[altered] where they went[altered] or come. The like profer made I too the Citty Millitia and there had the approbation of some of them and of severall commanders in the City that one of my Engins would Secure the Foote from the horse and that I could[altered] [deletion] make a defence for the Musquetiers to secure[altered] them from Musquet-shott Yet could[altered] I not herein prevaile for vse thereof for good of the state. Favour and Freindship hath preferred some hundreds to places of Command who hath nothing more in them to doe the Parliaments service [catchword: more]
[26/45/1B]
more [deletion] than theire[altered] persons and some of them who hath beene highly commended and as well stored with money have proved false yet the preferers of such not disliked for their Choice and though I have Certificats that two Engins (showne by me) will doe greate good service for the state, yet I am slighted and neglected as if I were suspected to be an
[26/45/2A]
number! Or to cause Inhabitants[H capitalises] in townes[altered] and villages to secure themselves from being plundred by the enemies horse and in a Cheape way and being soe provided many of their Enemies cannot scape taking. The Inconvenience to a man that wants meanes to make good his owne Inventions are as followeth, If what a man sayes he can doe, be not in the apprehension or conceiuing of the hearers than they cry it downe with imposibilitie If discovered than it is another mans/ <left margin, H: /as well as the Inventors> as the. If an
[26/45/2B]
best respects I shall remaine
November the Your assured freind &
first 1643./ servant to Command
Edmond Felton./