The fourth point, is a point wherein I shall differ from the project rather in quantity and proportion, than in matter. There is allowed to the undertaker, within the five years of restraint, to alien a third part in fee farm, and to demise another third for forty years which I fear will mangle the portions, and will be but a shift to make money of two parts; whereas, I am of opinion, the more the first undertaker is forced to keep in his own hands, the more the work is like to prosper. For first, the person liable to the state here to perform the plantation, is the immediate undertaker. Secondly, the more his profit dependeth upon the annual and springing commodity, the more sweetness he will find in putting forward manurance and husbanding of the grounds, and therefore is like to tal e more care of it. Thirdly, since the natives are excluded, I do not see that any persons are like to be drawn over of that condition, as are like to give fines, and undertake the charge of building. For I am persuaded, that the people transported will consist of gentlemen and their servants, and of labourers and hinds, and not of yeomen of any wealth. And therefore the charge of buildings, as well of the tenements and farms, as of the capital houses themselves, is like to rest upon the principal undertakers. Which will

be recompensed in the end to the full, and with much advantage, if they make no long estates or leases. And therefore this article to receive some qualification.

Fifthly, I should think it requisite that men of experience in that kingdom should enter into some particular consideration of the charges and provisions of all kinds, that will be incident to the plantation; to the end, that thereupon some advice may be taken for the furnishing and accommodating them most conveniently, aiding private industry and charge with public care and order.

Thus I have expressed to your majesty those simple and weak cogitations, which I have had in myself touching this cause, wherein I most humbly desire your

pardon, and gracious acceptance of my good affection and intention. For I hold it for a rule, that there belongeth to great monarchs, from faithful servants, not only the tribute of duty, but the oblations of chearfulness of heart. And so I pray the Almighty to bless this great action, with your majesty's care; and your care with happy success.

REPORT

MADE BY

SIR FRANCIS BACON, KNIGHT,

IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS,

Of a speech delivered by the earl of Salisbury; and another speech delivered by the earl of Northampton, at a conference concerning

THE PETITION OF THE MERCHANTS UPON THE SPANISH GRIEVANCES.

Parliament 5 JACOBI.

AND it please you, Mr. Speaker, I do not find myself any ways bound to report that which passed at the last conference, touching the Spanish grievances, having been neither employed to speak, nor appointed to report in that cause. But because it is put upon me by a silent expectation, grounded upon nothing, that I know, more than that I was observed diligently to take notes; I am content, if that provision which I made for mine own remembrance may serve this house for a report, not to deny you that sheaf that I have in haste bound up. It is true, that one of his majesty's principal counsellors in causes of estate did use a speech that contained a world of matter; but how I shall be able to make a globe of that world, therein I fear mine own strength.

His lordship took the occasion of this, which I shall now report, upon the answer which was by us made to the amendments propounded upon the bill of hostile laws; quitting that business with these few words; that he would discharge our expectation of reply, because their lordships had no warrant to dispute. Then

continuing his speech, he fell into this other cause, and said; that being now to make answer to a proposition of ours, as we had done to one of theirs, he wished it could be passed over with like brevity. But he did foresee his way, that it would prove not only long, but likewise hard to find, and hard to keep; this cause being so to be carried, as above all no wrong be done to the king's sovereignty and authority: and in the second place, no misunderstanding do ensue between the two houses. And therefore that he hoped his words should receive a benign interpretation; knowing well that pursuit and drift of speech, and multitude of matter, might breed words to pass from him beyond the compass of his intention: and therefore he placed more assurance and caution in the innocency of his own meaning, and in the experience of our favours, than in any his wariness or watchfulness over his own speech.

This respective preface used, his lordship descended to the matter itself; which he divided into three considerations: for he said he would consider of the petition,

First, As it proceeded from the merchants.

Secondly, As from them it was offered to the lower

house.

And thirdly, As from the lower house it was recommended to the higher house.

In the first of these considerations there fell out naturally a subdivision into the persons of the petitioners, and the matter and parts of the petition. In the persons of the merchants his lordship made, as I have collected them, in number, eight observations, whereof the three first respected the general condition of merchants; and the five following were applied to the particular circumstances of the merchants now complaining.

His lordship's first general observation was, that merchants were of two sorts; the one sought their fortunes, as the verse saith, per saxa, per ignes; and, as it is said in the same place, extremos currit mercator ad Indos; subjecting themselves to weather and

tempest; to absence, and, as it were, exile, out of their native countries; to arrest in entrances of war; to foreign injustice and rigour in times of peace; and many other sufferances and adventures. But that there were others that took a more safe, but a less generous course in raising their fortunes. He taxed none, but did attribute much more respect to the former.

The second general observation which his lordship made was, that the complaints of merchants were usually subject to much error, in regard that they spake, for the most part, but upon information; and that carried through many hands; and of matters done in remote parts; so as a false or factious factor might oftentimes make great tragedies upon no great ground. Whereof, towards the end of his speech he brought an instance of one trading into the Levant, that complained of an arrest of his ship, and possessed the council-table with the same complaint in a vehement and bitter fashion; desiring and pressing some present and expostulatory letters touching the same. Whereupon some counsellors, well acquainted with the like heats, and forwardness in complaints, happened to say to him out of conjecture, and not out of any intelligence, "What will you say if your ship, "which you complain to be under arrest, be now "under sail in way homewards?" Which fell out accordingly: the same person confessing, six days after, to the lords, that she was indeed in her way homewards.

The third general observation which his lordship made was this, in effect; that although he granted that the wealth and welfare of the merchant was not without a sympathy with the general stock and state of a nation, especially an island; yet nevertheless, it was a thing too familiar with the merchant, to make the case of his particular profit, the public case of the kingdom.

There follow the particular observations, which have a reference and application to the merchants that trade to Spain and the Levant; wherein his lordship did first honourably and tenderly acknowledge, that their grievances were great, that they did multiply, and that