Proposals For Building, In Every County, A Working Alms House or Hospital by Richard Haines
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Richard Haines >> Proposals For Building, In Every County, A Working Alms House or Hospital
Money being kept at home within the Body of the Nation, is (as it hath no
less aptly, than frequently been resembled) like the Blood in its
Circulation in the Body of Man, which is not the less for its perpetual
Motion; but the whole Body thereby the better supplyed, strengthened, and
nourished in every Part. So it is with our Money; For, suppose Twelve
hundred Thousand pounds goes out of the Nation in one year (which, some
say, is much more) This never returns again; But if the same sum be paid
for making so much Cloth at home, there's not one Groat the less at the
years end; So that the very Money which pays for one years work, may pay
for two years, and consequently for 20 years, and yet pass through all
necessary Trades, and as well to the land Occupiers, as any.
The _9th_ Obj. _But possibly, your Engins for Expedition may fail, which if
so, then notwithstanding, the Spinners,_ &c. _may earn their own Food, yet
there will be nothing towards the maintainance of good Government, which is
the great thing you aimed at, whereby all persons who are brought into the
Hospital, may be well Educated, and effectually Instructed in a Methodical
way for expedition and advantage; Administering incouraging Rewards to the
Ingenuous and Industrious, and Correction to those that deserve it, without
which 'tis almost impossible to perfect your good design._
_Answ._ 'Tis very true: But first, I am confirm'd in my Judgement, that the
riddance these Engins will make, cannot be less than what I have already
proposed in _pag._ the _5th._
Secondly, Suppose the worst, _viz._ that the Engins fail; What then; If
every 100 l. _per Ann._ in each County contribute 3d. _per_ Week, which
would undoubtedly be sufficient to maintain good Government amongst them?
Nay, what, If for the better Incouragement, and more Comfortable
maintainance of all the whole Family, six pence _per_ Week be paid, it
would amount but to 26 s. _per Ann._, to be allow'd out of the Profits
which each 100 l. _per Ann._ will reap thereby; which according to our
lowest Calculation, is not less than 22 l. 10 s. a year; And I hope the
great wisdom of the Nation will not think it too much to part with 5 l. for
the Building these Hospitals, and after they are built, to allow 26 s. _per
Ann._ for the maintainance of good Government, _&c._ since by so doing, the
whole Nation is enrich'd thereby: The truth is, these Hospitals and
Government is so Essential, that the thing cannot be brought to pass
without them; for whatever we may promise our selves; yet the Work is
otherwise as unlikely to be effected, as a great Multitude of unhappy
Scholars to learn their Books, where there is neither Master nor Tutor, to
Rule, Teach, or Govern.
And who knows, but in very few Ages, each Hospital may have a plentiful
Revenue bestow'd thereon: For what can be a fitter object for the Charity
of such well disposed People, who out of their Abundance, may please to
leave a Legacy behind them for Pious and Charitable uses, seeing here it
will ever be imploy'd to the comfort of distressed Widows; the Maintainance
and good Education of Fatherless Children; The Feeding the Hungry,
Cloathing the Naked, _&c._ yea, the Posterity of the Donor, (according to
the Revolutions of humane things) and the Posterity of his Relations, may
reap such benefit by these deeds of Charity, as that they may be ever
preserved from Extremity.
Or, why should we think it too much out of 100 l. _per Ann._ to cast 5 l. a
year into the Treasury of this House, to be scatter'd amongst the Poor;
since it is but a fourth part of what we gain by them: By this means, I am
confident the Poor of each Parish would be so few, that there would be
scarce enow to eat the spare Meat that comes from other mens Tables:
Howbeit, it were good, that a Law were made, that every person that gives
any Almes to any idle Beggars, or wandring People, (the Poor of their own
Parish only excepted) should forfeit 5 l. to the Treasurer of the Hospital
of that County in which they dwell, which would be no violation of the
Precepts of Charity, but an effectual expedient to restrain all Beggars and
idle people for the future.
If we believe (as I hope we all do) that the happiness of a Nation hath its
dependance on the good Will and Pleasure of God Almighty, and that the more
we please him, the greater Blessings we may receive from him. Let it be
considered, How acceptable an Offering it would be to the most High, when
by so pious an Act of Our Gracious King and Parliament, together with the
free Will Offrings of all able godly disposed people, so many Thousands,
yea Thousands of Thousands, in process of time, may be restrained, and
prevented from living in that broad way of Idleness and Lewdness, in which
is all manner of Debauchery. And now by this Reformation, from Generation
to Generation, may become attentive hearers of his Holy Word, which is the
most Infallible Directory to bring them to Heaven.
Obj: _You talk of great Profits made of Flax in other Countries: But some
are of the Opinion, That to raise the Linnen Manufactory here to that
degree, is utterly Impracticable; as well, because our Domestick Flax is
not so good as that which comes from beyond the Seas; as also, because our
people cannot work it so well._
_Answ._ This Objection, (which some are pleas'd to think very considerable)
consists of two Branches: The first is an Exception to the goodness of our
Flax; The second, to the Skill and Dexterity of our People.
As for the first; _Whether ours be as good as Outlandish Flax?_ It must be
considered, and cannot be denied, but, that the far greatest part of the
Flax which we Import from beyond the Seas, is _East-Country Flax_, I say,
the far _greatest_ part, ten to one in proportion; Now I am credibly
informed by several well experienced Flax-Men (who have dealt in both
Sorts) That _English_ Flax is _full as good_, to all intents, as this
_East-Country_ Flax, and do not doubt, but it will appear so upon
Examination; So that the Objection, as in Comparison with such
_East-Country_ Flax, vanishes; of which yet, (although we have but little
Cloth made in _England_) there is, (as I am inform'd) several Hundred
Thousand Pounds worth yearly Imported.
But then, as to _Dutch_ Flax, indeed the Case is somewhat more difficult:
It being a common opinion, that their Flax, in its nature, is better for
making of Fine Cloth, than ours generally is: But even this is denied by
persons of great Judgement and Experience, who affirm, that much Land in
_England_ may produce as kind Flax, to the full: Besides, the _Dutch_ Flax
Imported, is but little, and comparatively Inconsiderable; as is indeed the
Use and Consumtion of very Fine Cloth, in respect of the vast quantities of
Course and Ordinary Cloth; so that, if the Trade be Encouraged, we need not
fear, but we may find ground enough in _England_, fit to produce as
excellent Flax as any now brought from _Holland_, I mean, _so much_ as we
have occasion for; And consequently, may make as good Linnen; _If we do not
spoil it in working_: Which is the second Charge of the Objection.
To which I Answer, That I have credibly been inform'd by some persons, that
they have, and can now already make as good Cloth here, as that which we
commonly Buy for 5, 6, 7, or 8 s. _per_ Ell: And why should not our people,
when they find the Manufactory Incouraged, and especially by the Emulation
and desires to out-vie each other in good Work-manship in these publick
Working Alms-Houses; Why, I say, May we not arrive at as great Perfection
in the Mystery as any people in the World? The _English_ once had the
Reputation of the only excellent Artificers for Wollen Cloth; other Nations
knew nothing, or very little of it; yet now we find, by unhappy experience,
they equal, if not exceed us therein: Why may we not retaliate, and
out-strip them in another Mystery? Or, Why should we more scandal our
selves with suggestions of Dullness and Indocility, than our Neighbours.
But to give more full satisfaction, That this Manufactory, especially that
part which is most advantagious to the Nation, as being most Consumptive of
our Hemp and Flax, and most promoting Trade and Imployment for the Poor;
which indeed is common and ordinary Cloth, of which there is a Thousand
Ells to one Transported into all His Majesties Plantations.
That this I say is suddainly to be perfected, I cannot but give a signal
Instance, from the laudable practice and experience of that worthy
Gentleman, Mr. _Tho. Firmin_, Citizen of _London_, who at this time Imploys
in his House (built for that purpose) several Flax-men, _Weavers_, _&c._
And also above 600 Spinners abroad. This Judicious person shew'd me more
than 500 l. worth of very good substantial Cloth, of his own working. And
in truth, I have convers'd with many; but never found any man so able and
free to resolve all doubts in this case; who told me for a Truth, that a
Child of 5 or 6 years old, that had its Health, and a moderate
Apprehension, might be taught in 6 Weeks to earn its living in Spinning;
Which, if so, as from the Veracity and Experience of the Relator, I have no
reason to doubt. It is most plain, that the most profitable part of this
Manufactory may be both easily and speedily accomplish'd, and perfected, to
the happy Reformation of many Thousands, who now live by Begging, _&c._
giving scarce any thing for whatever they Eat, Drink, or Wear.
Besides, let it be considered, How greatly this Manufactory will quicken
and revive our decayed Markets and dying Trade, especially, that of
Husbandry; which may easily be domonstrated, thus;
As the Case now stands, every Family in the Nation either directly or
indirectly, send their Money every year to the _Drapers_ for Linnen, the
_Drapers_ they pay it to the Merchants, and away it goes every year beyond
Sea, and never returns; whereby our Wealth is made a Prey to other Nations,
whose Poor are imploy'd and maintain'd thereby, whilst in the mean time our
Nation is in a Consumption, our Poor live by Begging, Poverty increases,
and our Lands lye unimproved, for want of this Manufactory.
But now under this Reformation, every Family that sends their Money to the
_Drapers_, the _Draper_ sends it to the Masters of these _Hospitals_, and
they scatter it amongst all the Trades in the Nation; especially to the
Farmers, and Tillers of Land, ready Money for Hemp and Flax; ready Money
for Corn and Fat Cattle of all sorts; and the like for Butter and Cheese,
or any thing they have to spare: And all this, or the greatest part, from
those who before lay a Begging at their Doors, or were maintained by
Contribution; and now, the more people Increase, the better it will be for
the whole Nation: And doubtless, if an Imposition sufficient were laid on
Foreign Linnen, Hemp and Flax, and Incouragement due to ingenious and
industrious people given, (as in this Case, the Nation might well afford)
then to be sure, our Hospitals would be suddenly stock'd with curious
Artists, by which our new Manufactory would speedily be brought to
perfection.
'Tis worth consideration also, how great an Ornament, besides the great
Wealth these Hospitals would be to His Majesties Kingdom, and how much they
would add to the Trade, Wealth, and greatness of those Towns near which
they are erected.
13. Obj. _You talk much of Charity, Let Charity begin at home with good
Husbandry; If this course be taken, we shall pay dearer for Linnen, than
now we do, and it must needs be best Husbandry to Buy where we may have it
Cheapest._
_Answ._ If we send our Money beyond-Sea for what we want, then the more we
Buy, the less Money we have to pay, which causes Scarcity of Money, and
also, want of Trade, whereby to get more; but if we bestow our Money for
Commodities made at home, our Money and Trade will continually Increase;
and though for a little while we pay somewhat more, yet it is easier to
part with 9 d. when Money and Trade are plenty and increasing, than to part
with 6 d. when Money and Trade is both wanting; especially, seeing the 9 d.
remains at home, and returns again, but the 6 d. is carried into another
Nation, and lost irrecoverably.
14. Obj. In _pag. 5._ you suggest, _That by your Engin, one Spinner may
earn 9_ d. _as easily as 6_ d. _without it; But how can that be? since
every Spinner now, may have a wheel to turn with her foot, and so have both
hands at liberty, as well as with your Engins: And again, its a more usual
fault to over-twist the thred, than to do it too slack; therefore no need
of help to turn the wheel._
_Answ._ To this I Answer, First, That the thing we chiefly design, is to
imploy and maintain such as cannot any other way earn half their living by
any other Imploy, so that more than half the Spinners would be very young,
and of little strength, and consequently to imploy one foot all the time
they Spin, will be very tiresome; nay, the strongest body cannot do it,
without easing the same, neither can they imply both hands so freely, as
when they are discharged of that burthen, or incumbrance.
As for Example: Two men of equal strength, skill, and nimbleness in all
points, were to run a long Race, and one of them must carry such a weight
in his hand, as is more tiresome to him than the motion of his Legs, and
oft-times, must ease the Burthen with his foot: May not the other, who hath
all his Limbs free, be at the end of the Race and half-way back again as
soon, and more easily than this can get to the end of the Race. Possibly
some may say, _This Simile is not parallel, and that I make it better on my
side than it is_. To which I say, for the Resolution of this Question, Do
but inquire of those that Spin, which of the Two is most tiresome, The
turning of the Wheel, (either by the Foot or Hand, no matter which) or the
other part of the Work. I have almost as often ask'd the Question, as I see
any a Spinning (since I invented this Engin) and the Answer has always
been, The turning of the Wheel; although they imploy both hand and foot by
turnes to do it: Besides, it is burthensome, and also injurious to the
body; especially for youth, which are growing, to be from Morning till
Evening, always sitting.
Secondly, Although it be true, _That over-twisting the Thred is commonly a
fault, rather than slack twisting the same_; yet the Cause of this fault
is, that they do not draw the Thred fast enough: But to the better
advantage, this will be easily cured, for now all the aforesaid
inconveniencies being removed, which render the Work most burthensome; they
may for their ease stand or sit, when, and as often as they please, and
freely imploy both hands from morning to evening, much more easily than
they could one hand before; and the faster they draw the Thred from the
Distaff, the more they Spin, with less danger of over-twisting the same; so
that I do not know, but those that are some-time used to this easie way,
may Spin as much in one day, as now in two.
Furthermore, these Spinning Instruments may in like manner be for
Expedition very serviceable for Spinning of Wollen, I mean Serges, Worsted,
Camlets, and Stockings, which being well made, are much more to be
incouraged than Hair and Silk, these being Foreign Commodities, the other
of our own Growth, especially, since it is so, that our home Markets for
Wool, and Foreign Markets for our Cloth grow worse and worse, and in the
opinion of most, scarce ever to be recovered; which, if so, it must needs
be the best Husbandry to promote such Manufactories, as may be for the
Consumption of our own Materials.
Obj. _If you intend these Hospitals for the Imployment of such as have
Families of their own to maintain, the business will be confused and
Impracticable._
_Answ._ Possibly so, at least, in some respects and circumstances; but that
was never intended, the main design of these Hospitals being only for the
relief of all oppressed Parents, families, and Parishes, by taking off
their young Children, and single people, who have neither Habitation, nor
Parish willing to receive them, there to be comfortably maintain'd, well
educated and instructed in all good manners towards God and Man; Nor are
any of them to be confin'd to this House longer than untill they can well
earn their Livings by other means; unless it be such as are committed as
persons deserving perpetual or temporary Confinement, which is far better
than to Hang or Transport, except it be for Capital Crimes.
The second Benefit aimed at, is the procuring the most Fine and curious
Cloth, as well as quantities sufficient of Courser, for Domestick and
Foreign Trade, to be obtained with great expedition: For so it is, That
when so many are imploy'd in sight of each other (especially, where
incouragement is given, and good Discipline maintain'd) the strife of all,
both small and great, will be to excell each other, both in quantity and
curiosity of Work.
Obj. _This Manufactory being thus incouraged, a considerable part of His
Majesties Revenue now arising by Custom for Linnen Cloth will be
diminished._
_Answ._ I humbly Answer, That the same may be easily compensated another
way, it being (with all submission) conceived, That it would be happy for
this Kingdom, if an Imposition of 12 d. _per_ quart more than now is, were
to be paid for all _French_-Wine and Brandy; As also 5 s. in the Pound for
all Hemp, Flax, and Linnen, that is Imported.
'Tis possible some may suppose, that my being thus intent and tedious, is
only an itch of Fame; but I can justly assure the World, I am so far from
any such contemptible Vanity, That I am rather a beggar for the Poor and
Distressed, and for their sakes, would imitate the importunate Widow, in
the 18th of St. _Luke_'s Gospel, who obtain'd her request meerly for the
sake of her Importunity; only this difference there is, Her suit was for
Revenge, Mine for an Act of Charity; she made her suit to such a Judge as
neither feared God, nor regarded man; but my humble, though earnest suit
is, To the Most _Christian King_, a _Defender of the Faith_; as also to the
Great Wisdom of a _Christian Nation_, all which strengthens my hopes, that
I shall not be more unfortunate than was that importunate Widow.
And why should I doubt it, since it is so, that even an unjust and ungodly
Judge will redress the Grievances of the Oppressed, shall not the Best and
Most Christian Government exercise its power, for suppressing and reforming
intollerable Evils, Oppressions, and Disorders, seeing the Wellfare and
Prosperity of the whole Nation is as it were Intail'd to such an Act of
Justice and Mercy. It is said of Faith, Hope, and Charity, That the
greatest of these is Charity; yes, if a Man had all Faith, and all Hope,
(both which are most excellent and necessary) yet it availeth nothing, if
Charity be wanting. And since 'tis a Maxim, _That the best of Men cannot be
Uncharitable_: I chearfully hope, that my humble Proposals for an Act of
Charity, will not be contemn'd by our Greatest Worthies, since now in our
view, the Wealth and Prosperity of the Nation, is in pursuit of the same.
I would not flatter my self or others, but do confidently believe, That
what with the Decrease of Poor People, The happy Reformation, and total
Restriction of Beggers, Vagrants, Nurses of Debauchery, _&c._ The yearly
increase of Ten or Twelve Hundred Thousand Pounds, which now will be kept
at home, that before went beyond the Seas for Linnen; The great Improvement
of Lands; The Exportation of Linnen of our own growth, _&c._ The worth and
advantage of the whole cannot amount to less than Two or three Millions
Sterling, _per Annum_, to the Nation: and over and above many lives
preserved, and (with Gods blessing on the means) many souls saved; which,
if so, certainly it will be the best Bargain and happiest that ever the
Nation made, all circumstances considered; Because where so much Money is
disburs'd as will compass this great Wealth (without which it is almost
impossible to be attain'd,) our Posterity will have it for nothing; yea,
the present Inhabitants have their Purchase Money still amongst themselves,
as it were, _in their own Sacks with their Corn_, seeing we Buy not this
profitable Expedient of other Nations; which, if we were obliged to do, to
be sure they would make us pay _dearly_ for it.
But suppose neither of these Advantages were to be reap'd for our Money,
only the Poor provided for, and Reformation of Vagrants accomplish'd, Must
we do nothing for Charity? Suppose any Opposers of this Design, were worth
5000 l. or 10000 l. _per Ann._ a piece, Can they be certain, that none of
their Posterity may within 200 years come to Poverty? Why then should they
be unwilling now to contribute freely, seeing the Method proposed, may
secure both Rich and Poor from Extremity? And how dishonourable is it to
this Kingdom, that so fruitful a Soil as _England_, which by the Industry
of its most unuseful Inhabitants, might so easily become the Garden of
Europe, should, by their sloth and obstinacy, lie unimproved? How many
Hundred Thousand Beggers, Vagrants, Drones, Nurses of Debauchery, _&c._ who
are not only a Dishonour, but a great Disadvantage to the Nation, living in
continual sinful Practices against the Laws of God and good Government,
depriving themselves of all means of Religious and Civil Education, to the
great danger of their own Souls; Ill Example of others; and destruction of
their Posterity, being neither serviceable to the Publick, nor capable of
raising themselves to any better condition, might by this Method, be wholly
reform'd, or prevented?
Wherefore upon these several _weighty_ considerations, and for that,
besides the _Princely_ Encouragement before-mentioned, I have had the
Approbation of that great lover of Ingenuity, The Right Honourable, the
Lord Viscount _Brouncker_, President of the _Royal Society_, who was
pleas'd to peruse my Proposals, and express his Sentiments very favourably
thereupon; As also having received by letter some considerable and pressing
Incitements, to proceed from an Eminent publick spirited Divine, the
Reverend, Dr. _John Beale_, one of His Majesties Chaplains, and a Member of
the said _Royal Society_. I am therefore embolden'd, particularly to
entreat the _Christian_ consideration of the most _grave and pious
Divines_, and all the Honourable and Ingenious Associates of that _August
Society_ in this matter, and accordingly, to give their Encouragement,
Approbation, and Assistance; or otherwise to discover my mistakes, and
rectifie any false Measures, which through Inadvertency, or over-zeal, to
the design I may have committed, by publishing some more _Feazible Methods_
from their better improved Reason, whereby I shall at once be confuted and
instructed; and though failing in the means, shall not miss of my desired
End, viz. _The Glory of God, the Prosperity of the Nation, and the Happy
Reformation of many thousands, who are a dishonour to Both._
FINIS.