Proposals For Building, In Every County, A Working Alms House or Hospital by Richard Haines
R >>
Richard Haines >> Proposals For Building, In Every County, A Working Alms House or Hospital
PROPOSALS
For Building in every COUNTY
A WORKING-ALMS-HOUSE OR HOSPITAL;
As the Best Expedient to perfect the TRADE and MANUFACTORY OF
Linnen-Cloth.
_LONDON_,
Printed by _W.G._ for _R. Harford_, at the Sign of the
_Angel_ in _Cornhil_, 1677.
* * * * *
_PROPOSALS for Building in every County a_ WORKING-ALMS-HOUSE _or_
HOSPITAL, _as the best Expedient to perfect the Trade and Manufactory of
Linnen Cloth_.
WHEREBY,
I. All Poor people and their Children from five or six years old may be
employed and maintained; as also all Beggars, Vagrants, _&c._ restrained
and for ever prevented, and so all Parishes eased of that intolerable
Burden.
II. Many Hundred Thousand Pounds kept at home, which now every year goes
out of the Kingdom for _Linnen_, whereby our Wealth becomes a prey to other
Nations.
III. Much Land improved in every County to great advantage of Landlord and
Tenant.
_Humbly Offered to the Consideration of the great Wisdom of
the whole Nation, now Assembled in Parliament_.
Considering the great Complaints of Poverty, the heavy Burdens most
Parishes lie under to maintain their Poor, which daily encrease; the Swarms
of Beggars, Vagrants and Idle People in City and Countrey; the great, and
'tis fear'd, irrecoverable decay of our Ancient Trade for Woollen Cloth;
the vast Charge we are yearly at in purchasing Linnen, _&c._ from other
Nations, whereby our Treasure is exhausted, and our Lands fall for want of
being improved some other way, besides planting Corn, breeding for Wool,
_&c._ Which are become of so low a price, as scarce to turn to Account: And
understanding, that for remedying thereof, the Improving the Manufactory of
Linnen is now under Debate, I have taken the boldness to Offer the
following PROPOSAL, which if thought fit to be put in practice, will (in my
opinion) infallibly conduce to all the good Ends desired and intended; viz.
_That there may be Erected in every County according to its Extent or
Populousness, a greater or lesser_ Working-Alms-House, _wherein the
Poor may be continually employed in the Manufactory of_ Linnen Cloth.
The Advantages whereof are evident; For,
I. This Manufactory is an Employment for the weakest people, not capable of
stronger Work, viz. Women and Children, and decrepit or aged people, now
the most chargeable; as likewise for Beggars and Vagrants, who live idly,
and by the sweat of other mens Labours, and can no way so effectually be
brought to Industry and Order, as when reduced into to narrow a Compass or
Confinement under fitly qualified Rulers, Officers, and Regular Government.
II. These Working-Alm-Houses may raise and supply the Nation yearly with a
sufficient Stock of Linnen Cloth (the finest sort excepted) if true
measures be taken, and the Design effectually prosecuted; As for example,
1352000 pounds worth of Cloth may yearly be spun in them only, besides what
is made in private Families--Thus demonstrated;
1. 'Tis well known by experience, that three quarters of a Pound of Thread
worth 12 d. _per_ Pound spinning, will make one Ell of Cloth worth _2 s._
_per_ Ell; which Three quarters of a Pound two Spinners may spin in one
day; Hence it follows,
2. That 2000 Spinners will spin Thread enough in one day to make 1000 Ells
of Cloth, worth 100 l. And working but 260 days in the year, may spin 26000
Pounds worth of Linnen Cloth in a year.
3. Suppose then there be as many publick Work-houses, as there are
Counties, which are 52, and in every Work-house, one with another, 2000
Spinners (though in some more, some less) then according to the reasonable
measures, there will be the forementioned Sum of 1352000 l. worth of Cloth
spun in one year; which is what we undertook to demonstrate.
This or some such prodigious Sum of Money might yearly be raised to the
Nation, whereby a Treble Benefit would ensue, First, we might save so much
Money now yearly sent out of the Nation for Linnen, which, as computed by
very worthy Intelligent persons, has of late cost us more than a Million
_per Annum_. Secondly, By employing those hands, which for the greatest
part are idle, it being reasonably supposed that there are at least 100000
Beggars or others who want a lawful Employment. Besides, almost all both
Men, Women and Children that can but pull Tire or Tow from the Distaff, or
such easie work, may be speedily employed and removed from being
chargeable; so that there will be no fear of any Parish in the Kingdom
being oppressed, or indeed charged, save only in case of extream Age, or
Children in their Infancy, neither of which continues long. And Thirdly,
Much land throughout _England_ will be greatly improved by sowing Hemp,
Flax, _&c._
_Obj._ It may be objected, _That if the House be stockt with so many weak,
ancient people and Children, this will cross the great Design, because they
will not be capable to spin their quantity of Cloth, nor so fine_.
_Answ._ As to Fineness, it matters not, if but one in five be employed in
it to an exquisite degree; for there is enough occasion for courser, for
Sacking, Sails, Ticking, Common Table-Linnen, Sheets, _&c._ And as to
Quantity, it may not be the less, because the most laborious thing in
Spinning is turning of the Wheel.
Now for the better effecting a Design so profitable and honourable to the
Kingdom, I have improved my small Genius to the utmost, notwithstanding I
above all Projectors, have been most discouraged: And I know whoever will
attempt any thing for publick Benefit, may expect these Three things. (The
first is Necessary, the second Customary, and the third Diabolical) _viz._,
To be the Object of wise mens Censure, other mens Laughter, and if
advantagious to himself, Envies implacable displeasure; of which last, I
have had share to the highest degree that Revenge could express; and this
too from a pretended loving Brother, a person of an honest Profession, and
of as debauched a Conscience; yet I say, notwithstanding such
discouragements, I have spent some time for Publick Advantage, _viz._ To
find out an Expedient both for Ease and quick Dispatch, so as that the weak
may do as much as the strong, and the strong much more than before.
As thus; One man may turn 50 Spinning Wheels, which shall serve 100 persons
to Spin with at once; so that the Spinners shall have nothing to do but
employ both hands to draw Tire from the Distaff. The Demonstration of the
Infallibility of this Invention may be easily made when commanded.
As also, An Engine by which 50 men may, without striking a stroke, beat as
much Hemp in one day, as 100 shall do in two days.
Besides the Advantage of this Spinning Engine in Ease, Its expedition
will also be considerable; For if (as we doubt not) by this help
Spinners can earn 9 d. _per_ day, as easie as 6 d. _per_ day without:
By that means computing only 1000 Spinners in each of the 52
Work-houses, in one years time will be gained the Sum of 163968 Pounds
and upwards, as by Calculation appears; and the Invention for
Hemp-beating (which is the hardest work of all) will likewise in its
kind be very considerably advantagious.
_Obj. 2._ But some will be ready to object, and tell us, _That we talk of
brave things, if words would do the Work; but where's the Money for the
Building of such great Hospitals? and providing all Tools and Materials
will cost many Thousand Pounds._
I confess here's the Knot, which seems knit by Magick Art; but if it
can be untied without cutting or breaking the Thread, then I hope our
Proposals will not be rejected.
_Answ._ To this therefore I humbly Answer, That it may be done by a
County-Charge, with as much Satisfaction, Pleasure and Advantage, as to
part with 5 l. to prevent paying 50 s. _per An._, which I think no wise
people will judge to be an hard Bargain; especially if they consider the
other vast profit to the Nation, and that thereby they purchase (in the
Country) 50 s. _per Annum_ more by improvement of their Lands for Hemp or
Flax.--As thus;
Suppose every Parish, one with another, throughout the Nation, relieves
as many poor People, Beggars, _&c._ as doth amount to 12 d. in the
Pound, so that every 100 l. _per Annum_, pays 5l. _per Annum_ to the
poor; Now if every 100 l. _per Annum_, pay 5 l. towards Building such
Hospital, then whereas more than half their poor consists of Children,
Women, and decrepit weak persons, unfit for any other Employment, but
such as may fitly be removed to this Hospital; it follows, more than
half their Charge will for the future be abated; yea, many Parishes
have scarce any poor to provide for.
Wherefore as for raising Money, we will take our measures thus; In
_England_ there are commonly accounted 9725 Parishes, and 52 Counties; so
that one with another, there are 187 Parishes to each County, and each
Parish supposed to be worth 1500 l. _per Annum_ (some more, some less) at
the Rate of 12 d. _per_ Pound, it will amount to the Sum of 14025 l. in
each County, which undoubtedly will compleat the House and Materials.
Obj. 3. _But this Method will not hold, because one County hath not so many
Parishes as another_.
_Answ._ It matters not; Let each County build proportionally to their Money
as it will arise at 12 d. _per_ Pound, we doubt not but it will be
sufficient.
_Obj. 4._ It may further be Objected as impossible, _That the Spinning
Engine should turn to account, because as oft as one Spinner has occasion
to stop, all the rest must be idle; and again, since every Wheel hath its
motion alike, and several Spinners work some faster, some slower, therefore
all considered, this Project will make but a Confusion._
_Answ._ To this I reply; Any one may stop, and the rest work on, and also
may vary the motion of each Spinning Instrument, so as the nimblest and the
slowest may have their desire: Nor may these Instruments be contemned,
since they are as cheap as the other, and so ordered that the Spinners may
sit or stand when they please; which doubtless will be a good conveniency.
The Invention of these Engines is wholly mine, and if they prove
effectual, I hope I shall not be deprived of receiving some benefit
thereof; because I am so free, as in effect to discover it beforehand.
However, I submit to what the Pleasure of Authority shall allow; And to
the intent these Hospitals may never fail of encouragement, that the
Invention may be for ever secured to them, and prohibited to all
others, so that the same may be improved only for their benefit, and
private persons not take the advantage thereof to the prejudice of this
our pious and necessary Design: I doubt not but many will say, Tush!
this is easie; any body may invent such things as these.--Thus the
Industry of one is gratified with the contempt of others: Howbeit I
leave it with all humble submission to the grave Wisdom aforesaid, to
consider,
1. Whether these great Hospitals may not become Nurseries for bringing up
all poor peoples Children to Industry, and how by a Methodical Government
every one may be so encouraged, that one striving to excel the rest, in
very short time, the finest Linnen may be made at home upon far better
terms than what comes from beyond the Seas; and whether there be not a
probability, if the Engines take, that we may come to transport Linnen upon
as good terms as other Nations, since Flax and Hemp may here be as
plentifully produced as in any other Countrey.
2. Whether this great and profitable Trade may not be managed for the most
part by those who at present are a burden; so that those which before were
industrious, may follow their former employments, and so no want of People
for Husbandry, _&c._
Obj. 5. _But what shall we do for Weavers_?
_Answ_. I propose it to consideration, whether it might not be a more
Christian and effectual course to suppress notorious Malefactors (except
only in cases of Treason and Murder) to condemn them hither for life or
years, where they may be serviceable to turn Wheels, fit Tier to the
Distaffs, reel Yarn, swingle or hitchel Hemp or Flax, Weave, _&c._ which an
ordinary Ingenuity may learn in few days, rather than to send them out with
a Brand to commit fresh Villanies, or transport them, whence they presently
return: And this the rather to be heeded, for that Foreign Plantations have
now so little occasions for them, that Merchants refuse to take them off
the Sheriffes hands, without being paid for their Passage; so that above 80
Convicts in _Newgate_ lately obtained a General Pardon on that very score,
because they knew not what to do with them: Besides, how many overstockt
Trades are there that complain for want of Trade, _&c._ Those may quickly
learn to weave, and never fear an employ.
_Obj 6._ But as to Convicts brought hither, it will be Objected, _That they
must be kept more secure, lest they escape and do Mischief_.
_Answ._ They may be secured well enough, and those that turn the Wheel,
_&c._ may be separated by an Iron Grate from the rest:--And here by the
way, the pious wisdom of the City of _London_ may find out a means, whereby
all those Impudent Night-walkers, and Nurses of Debauchery may be wholly
removed, which at present are a destruction both to the Estates, Bodies and
Souls of many Hundreds, and cannot be reclaimed by ordinary _Bridewels_,
because their Labour there is only a punishment, and turns not to
advantage, to keep them there all their days, or at least until they marry,
and keep within doors.
_Obj. 7._ Some may imagine an inconvenience in sending so many people from
all parts of the County to one place, and say, _Why were it not better to
build many little Work-Houses rather than one great one_?
_Answ._ I Answer, By no means; for then we shall miss one great and chief
Design, _viz._ the maintenance of good Government; by which the whole
Family may be instructed in good Manners both towards God and Man; only as
some Counties are greater, more populous, _&c._ they may have more or less
proportionably.
_Obj. 8._ There still remains one Objection; and that is, _What shall we do
for Hemp and Flax?_
_Answ._ To which I Answer, That Hemp or Flax (one or the other) may
plentifully be had in every County of _England_: Take _Sussex_ as an
example; any indifferent good Land, Chalky, _&c._ from the foot of the
_Downes_ to the Sea-side, with double Folding or Dunging, and twice
Plowing, will produce Hemp in abundance; yet though their Land be rich
enough, dry, _&c._ it will not produce good Flax: But to supply that, many
Thousand Acres of the _Wild_ of _Sussex_, will produce Crops of Flax, worth
some four, some five, some six Pounds an Acre, and that kind for Hemp, as
aforesaid, worth as much. Besides, for encouraging the Planting the same at
home, it may be convenient to lay an Imposition of Four or Five Shillings
in the Pound, or upwards, upon all Hemp, Thread, Cordage, or Linnen
Imported from Foreign parts; by means whereof, we may raise it at home
cheaper than buy them abroad, and then everybody will Plant Hemp and Flax
abundantly, as a thing of course, enriching those that promote it.
But why 4 or 5 Counties should (as some have proposed) enjoy this great
Wealth and Advantage of promoting the Linnen Manufactory and Improvement of
Lands, and not the rest, I cannot understand; nor for what reason so many
people should be drain'd out of all the Nation into four or five Midland
Counties, since those Counties next adjoyning to the Sea, ought to be kept
most populous.
_But to what purpose should so much Hemp be planted?_
I Answer, Hemp is of greater strength than Flax, therefore of more
excellent use for great advantage, as Cables, Ropes, and all kinds of
Cordage, Sails, Sacking, _&c._ As also Thread for all Nets for Fishery; for
which, and other purposes, we now buy yearly several hundred Thousand
Pounds worth from beyond the Seas; so that without controversie, there's as
much Hemp to be used as Flax, and consequently the Hemp-Mill may be as
useful as the Spinning-Instrument.
Having, we hope, satisfactorily Answered all Material Objections
against the main Body of this Design, it remains to consider of the
Order and Method of Governing these great Families or Corporations; but
the Particulars thereof we leave to the deeper Wisdom and judicious
Care of Authority; only in general propose,
1. That for the better encouragement and support of so many poor people
labouring in so profitable a Manufactory, each Alms-house be provided with
and allowed a publick Granary, for stocking themselves with Corn when it is
cheapest, against the time of Dearth; a priviledge we conceive not to be so
properly advisable for other Companies or Handicrafts (as some propose and
desire) because that would always keep Corn too cheap, and consequently
undo the Tenant, or Landlord, or both: For what makes Wheat as often at 4s.
a Bushel (under which it is known the Farmer cannot live) as at 2 s. 6 d.
but because all people in the Nation that have occasion, must buy of the
Land-Occupiers at the same time when it is scarce? But by such general
Granaries the hopes of 4 s. _per_ Bushel will be banisht the Markets; but
in our case painful Husbandry, that ancient Employment may well allow
Granaries, both because this Manufactory and Design eases their Charge to
the poor, and is of more advantage to the Publick, than some 20 Trades
besides; and particularly, because it helps to improve their Lands by Flax
and Hemp, that now they need not so much relie upon Corn for raising their
Rent: Besides, if other other overstockt Trades want Bread, let them quit
their Station, and come to Weaving, and then they may enjoy the benefit of
these Granaries, also.
2. That the Maiden-Children brought up in this Corporation, may after they
attain to the Age of 15 Years, or other fit time, be permitted to go forth
to Service to learn good Huswifry, and the Lads to Husbandry or Trades, if
they think fit; nor will there be need of so great caution to prevent the
Marriages of the meaner sort, since now the Parishes need not so much fear
a Charge, knowing a means how to employ all their Children as fast as they
come to be five or six Years old; nor can a young man have better choice
for a Wife than here, amongst so many, all bred up industriously under
strict Discipline, and in a way to live; And therefore this Method will be
so far from causing any depopulation, that it may encrease our Inhabitants;
and the more, the better, since we know how to dispose of them in such
laudable Employments: Moreover, hereby the distracting cares of poor honest
Parents, oft occasioned by a foresight of their incapacity to provide for
their Children, will be removed; so that they may pass their time in peace,
knowing that a good honest comfortable Employment and Education is provided
for their Children, and their Childrens Children; nor may this less remove
the Temptations both in Parents and Children, which cause them to be guilty
of such Misdemeanors as sometimes bring them to the Gallows; so that the
Expedients offered for the accomplishing this Manufactory, will produce a
happy change in the whole Nation, _viz._ no more want of Work or Bread for
the poor, no more Parishes oppressed, no more Beggars, a great abatement of
Felons, Thieves, Cheats, Nurses of Debauchery, _&c._ many Lives preserved,
and (which is an hundred thousand times more than all the rest) many Souls
saved: Much more might be said in this case, to set forth the excellence of
this Design, but I leave it as a work more deserving the skill of the most
Learned and Godly Divine, and shall only add,
In order to that last mentioned incomparable end, and for the better
Education and Instruction of this great Family, That there may be placed in
each House an Able, Honest, Godly Minister, of a good, peaceable, kind
disposition and exemplary Conversation; that so no means may be wanting for
promoting Gods Glory and their Edification: To which purpose, on Holidays
and other spare times, all or the most docible part of the People train'd
up here, may likewise be taught to read, _&c._
So may our most Great Prince, and Worthy Senators become further
Instruments for the Nations Prosperity, and the Salvation of many
Souls: Thus may the Blessing of Heaven crown all their Honourable
Enterprizes and Prudent Counsels with most prosperous Success, which
that it may be so, is the hearty Desire of
_Your most Humble, Obedient and Faithful_
_Subject and Servant_,
R. H.
_FINIS._
* * * * *
POSTSCRIPT
Having received the princely Approbation of that most Judicious and publick
spirited Promoter of _Englands_ Weal and Prosperity, and all such
Ingenuites as tend to general Good, and whole Noble Actions have given
matchless proofs of his great zeal thereunto, _viz._ His Illustrious
Highness Prince _Rupert_ who having condiscended to peruse the preceeding
Proposals, was pleas'd to Honour me with his Approvement, Advice, and
Encouragement therein; Judging it necessary, that I should first offer the
same to His Majesties Consideration; and in order thereunto, did Introduce
me to His Royal Presence, who was Graciously pleas'd to order me to deliver
it to one of His Secretaries of State, to the intent he might peruse it,
and bring in his Report thereof; whereupon I carried it to Mr. Secretary
_Coventry_, who gave his Approbation thereof to His Majesty at the Council
Table, where it pass'd without any obstruction:
Which gave me the greater Encouragement to put the said Proposals in Print,
for the deliberate Perusal, and grave Consideration of both Houses of
Parliament; who, I humbly conceive, are as greatly concern'd to encourage
all such humble Endeavours, tending to such General Wealth and Honour of
the whole Nation.
And for as much as I have the opportunity, by reason of the Adjournments of
Parliament since _Whitsuntide_ last, immediately after which, my Proposals
came out of the Press, I thought it might not be superfluous to add a few
Lines for the Answering some further Objections, but first shall add a few
Words to the Answer already given to the second.
_Obj. pag. 5._ where I say, _That the laying out of_ 5 l. _for the Building
of Working Alms-Houses, will purchase_ 50 s. per Annum _for ever_; Whereas
I now find,
That it will purchase 20 l. _per Annum_ in most Parishes; as may thus
appear.
Suppose every Farm worth 100 l. _per Ann._ Plant but Eight
Acres of Flax or Hemp, and that worth 7, 6, or 5 l. _per
Acre_, which last sum is the least that may be expected from
good Land to be worth, as it stands on the Ground; wherefore
to avoid mistakes, we will take our measures from 5 l. _per_
Acre. 05-00-00
For Rent we will Deduct 20 s. for Seed. 20 s. and for
Plowing, Sowing, and Harrowing 10 s. In all-- 02.10.00
Which Deducted out of 5 l. there remains clear Profit for
one Acre of Land-- 02.10.00
So that eight Acres, at the least value must yield clear
Profit, all Charges Deducted-- 20.00.00
To which add 2 l. 10 s. which will be saved out of the Poors
Book, and it makes-- 22.10.00
So that a farm which was worth 100 l. _per Ann._ will by this Expedient, be
worth Six score and Two pounds and Ten Shillings _per Ann._; and to be
Sold, will yield 450 l. more than before.
Which is a plain Demonstration, that the laying out of 5 l. towards the
building and furnishing these Hospitals, will purchase above 20l. _per
Ann._ or bring in 450 l. And this is the lowest Calculation that may be
made of the Profits and Advantages that may arise by Planting of Hemp, and
Flax, if well Husbanded.
And most true it is, there's no one Manufactory in _England_ so generally
profitable as this may be made, especially to be raised from Land, with so
little hurt done to the same, as may be Demonstrated thus;
Suppose the Crop of one Acre, as it stands on the Ground to be worth 7 l.
(which is a very moderate supposition.) This Seven Pounds worth being well
Drest fit for Spinners, may be worth 14 l. This Fourteen Pounds worth being
well Spun and made into good Cloth, may be worth from 40 l. to 60 l. Yea I
have been inform'd beyond the Seas, that the Cloth which might be made of
one Acre of Flax well Drest and well Spun, might be worth more than a 100
l.
Let us not forget, that we have idle hands enough in our Nation to perfect
this most profitable Improvement; and also, that little more than half the
Money which in one year goes out of the Nation for Linnen, will pay for
accomplishing the same: Nay, if the thing were rightly considered, it might
be easily Demonstrated, That the Money which goes out of the Nation for
Linnen in one year, will pay for making of all the Cloth that may be made
in 20 years; although in every year of that twenty, there be as much made,
as now we buy a Year of other Nations: As thus;