The Hartlib Papers

                         A

          Proposition for Raising a Manufacture

           in this Kingdome which will imploy many

                thousands of the Inhabitants.

That a Registry may bee erected in every Parish, or if the Parish bee greate in every Division therof, to take the Names of all the Females of Every Family from 10. to 60. yeares of Age.

That Euery one so taken may giue accounte to the Registry once every yeare vpon a time fixed of so much flax or hempe spunne and wouen as may arise in valew to ten shillings Sterling according to the Standard of Valuation appointed by the State as followeth

            5/4   } ------ 1. ell }

Superfine   4/4   } bredth 1 ¨ ell } valued 10. sh.

            3/4   } ------ 1 ´ ell }

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            5/4        --- 2 ells. }

  Refine    4/4 bredth --- 2 ´ ells } -- valued 10.sh.

            3/4         --- 3 ells. }

            5/4       ---- 4 ells   }

Fine        4/4   -bredth - 5. ells } valued 10. shil.

            3/4    -----    6. ells }

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            5/4 ------     8 ells     }

Ordinary    4/4    bredth - 10. ells   } valued 10.shil.

            3/4   -----     20<12.>ells}

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            5/4   ------   12 ells     }

Course      4/4    bredth.-15. ells.   } valued 10. shil.

            3/4    -----   20. ells    }

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That the Master of Euery Family bee accountable for all vnder his roofe according to the Proportions aboue expressed and to pay in money for all defects respectively wherof ¨ to bee paid the Officers and 3/4 for the Poore of the Parish.

Since Euery Family shall haue the benefit of their owne labour none may claime exemption but such as are Spinsters of Woollen and are judged poore and shall enter themselues in Forma Pauperis.

               Arguments to further the Designe

1. Hereby the Warre of England will bee better supported against the knowne Enemy.

2. Forraine States will diminish lesse of the stocke of this Kingdome. For it is supposed for want of improouement of our owne People herein, they advantage themselves yearly a Million.

3. Great Support will arise to the Poore especially the Maimed.

4. It will much support the Valew of Land.

5. Wee may in time bee able to supply our owne Plantations for the Increase of Trade and Navigation.

6. Hereby a Ground-Worke will bee laid to prevent the great shame of our Nation the Common Beggars will bee forced to labor./