Proposals For Building, In Every County, A Working-Alms-House or Hospital | Page 3

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