The Hartlib Papers

Title:Letter, Ralph Austen To Hartlib
Dating:12 April 1653
Ref:41/1/22A-23B: 22B BLANK
[41/1/23A]

Honored Sir
Yours of the 6: April instant (with the inclosed Proposals) I received & have pervsed the same: And as to that part of the designe (of Iohn Thomas) concerning planting fruitt: I conceiue hee may spare his labour, a large worke being almost finished about the very subiect; soe that hee needs not Agere actum. This was the ground (as you may remember) which our worthie frend Mr Blith went vpon, in letting alone what hee had to say about Fruit-trees, (in his worke) vnto another who had ingaged [letter deleted] in that single Argument. But as to the other part of the Representation as it concernes the increase of Grasse by seeds, & Bees, Hemp, & Flax, for the Imployment of the poore to the Nations advantage) I am perswaded it would be a thing of great profit indeede, if it were carried on: Soe that if John Thomas labour vpon these subiects only, I suppose they will find him worke enough, to handle them throughly & substantially.
I haue sent inclos'd 4 more Sheets, I hope I shall now goe on a little faster, after the rate as that I Suppose all (I now intend to doe) may be dispatcht within a Month, or thereabouts.   Wherein I shall humbly craue your further assistance:   remayning your
                    Sir Your very much engaged Servant
                         Ra: Austen
April 12th
1653.
[41/1/22A]

-
[41/1/23B]

          For the worshipfull
          Samuel Hartlib
          Esqr at his house
          over against Angell
          Court neere Charing
            Crosse.
                    London./
[seal]