The Hartlib Papers

Worthy Sir

The Consideracion of the ensuing promises (being my selfe vncapable of a Remedie) hath beene a burden to my Spiritt therefore my Experience of your charity and the hopes that I haue of your endevour towards the perfitting such a publique good Induceth me to present yow with these Lines, Itt hauing pleased providence (by a Continuall Charge & vnconstant Imployment) to Cast me into the Number of Indigents, being a partner in their misery I haue discovered a businesse of such Concernment, that as I humblie Conceiue would not only take off a present burden of Exaction from the backes of necessitated people but bee much more advantagious for the future. Sir necessity constraining me to put to pawne to Certaine Brokers, such goods as I could best spare I not only beheld the greatnesse of their Exaction but allso Conceiued what abundance of goods were put into such hands in and about this Citty, I beleeue to the value of att least 100000 lb., many Couetous men as would soone apeare trading to this purpose priuatly, yett hauing noe Relacion to such a Calling, the vsuall rate that the Brokers haue for the vse of their money is 7s. of the pownd per Annum, Neuerthelesse they keepe a Double security in their hands, now the interest being so great many of the necessitated are never able to redeeme their goods, and so become more miserable but here may bee a question, why then will people put their goods to pawne and not sell them? I answere whosoeuer pawne their goods, haue some hopes of Redeeming them, & because they cannot buy such to serue their seuerall occasions, vnder the Double value of what their goods will att present yeeld, or because they are the gifts of some freinds which they are vnwilling to part with totally therefore they had rather pawne then sell, there are other reasons for brevities sake I omitt, seeing therefore itt is conuenient that people should haue to serue their necessityes, vpon such good security, were there an order to take off the priuate & Exacting Interests as aforesaid, I beleeue there are many honest men that vpon good security would gladly lend money att the ordinary Rate of 8^£. per Centum Especially to aduance such an apparant publique good, which money being put into a Treasury or Treasuries, such people as were necessitated Carrying in their goods might haue vpon them as much money as the Brokers would lend for halfe their vse; or profitt, & this would render them farre more Capable of Redeeming their goods and as the Brokers Exaction tends to Ruine, so would this to helpe, And yett att that Rate it would not only pay the Interest of 8^£. per cent per Annum to the Creditors, but would in few yeares Repay the principall, and remaine a sufficient Treasury of it selfe to supply such occasions, if yow shall thinke fitt, I shall, att any time of your leasure Enlarge my selfe vppon the promises by word of mouth, I subscribe

                    Yours in my best seruice

                                        [I?] Perkins