The Hartlib Papers

       The Humble Petition of Peter Pruvost a Frenchman

       To[altered from to] the Right Honourable House

                  of Lords assembled in Parliament the

                     humble Petition of Peter Pruvost

Humbly Sheweth[altered from sheweth]

that it is possible God willing, to cause the Husbandrie of this Kingdome <to> bee improoued greatly, by extraordinarie [letter deleted] meanes to make the grounds better, to labour &sowe better then ordinarie; to [gette?] <whence> a larger croppe of graines &better conditioned <will bee gathered>, &cause the woolles[altered] to <will> bee finer &firmer, &so better for make <making of> Cloth, &the flesh of the Sheep will bee also better tasted &more healthfull. -

In consequence wherof, as it were by an <the> extraction of a kind of Quintessence without Charges, [we?] may the State[H? capitalises] may bee able to settle <&maintain> a Plantation well armed &Policied[H deletes] <H: governed> in the Indies, wherupon will follow a Powerfull Nauie well at sea armed, in tyme of Peace &warre for iuste defence; as is more at large set forth in the Memorialls herewith adioyned, -------- ------------

       in Consideration wher of:

          May it <H: therfore> please the <H: Right> Honourable House[altered from Houses] to take into consideration the said Propositions[H capitalises], &to make some Order[H capitalises] concerning the same, as they shall think it <H: most> expedient &Iust.

                          &yowr petitioner shall praye

                               [H: and hee shall pray.]