The Hartlib Papers

Worthie Sir

Though I wrote to you yesterday yet having some serious thoughts about the businesse mentioned: I apprehend more fitnesse & conveniency in procuring a Testimoniall as you haue said, which I shall goe in hand with: And indeede if I had conceiu'd of the businesse according to my present thoughts, my Peticion to his highness should have had something more in it: as to this purpose: This Publique businesse of Planting might bring in a very considerable revenue to his highnesse, & the State, as all other Commodities doe: by way of Custome or Excise: for in Case a Law be made to enioyne men to Plant, they will not (espetially in many places) know how, or where to haue young Plants for that purpose, so that if my selfe, with some others were imployed, & enabled to plant too or 3 Nursseries apeece, or as many as wee could manage, in seuerall parts of the Nation: wee could (by the blessing of god) Multiply, & prepare many thousands of young Trees yearely: I know by what I now doe yearely, that my selfe with two workemen to helpe me, might prepare [left margin:] as was formerly said Twenty thousand Plants yearely at least: & these being sould at the Common Rates of 12^d apeece amount to 1000^li: so that many being imployd about them might multiply many which would arise to a very considerable

Sir I humbly leaue these things to your consideration, desiring to know the result of your thoughts thereabout & so rest

Febr: 8^th                       your humble Servant

    1653:                         Ra: Austen

     This I send by my very loving & worthie

     freind & neighbour Captaine Hunt

          For the worshipfull

           Samuel Hartlib

            Esqr: at his house

           over against Angell

            Court neere

               Charing Crosse.