Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/326

 In pursuance of this Law, a great part of the 95,000 acres was divided from the country: and some of the said Adventurers had possession of some parts of their several proportions; but had no conveyances of the same and received but little rent.

For that by a Law of Sewers made at Huntingdon in [1638] the 14th year of the said King CHARLES; upon complaint that the said Level was not perfectly drained—The said King CHARLES (of happy memory) was declared Undertaker to drain the same, inter alia, and to have for his recompense, not only the 95,000 acres set out unto the said Earl, but also 57,000 acres more out of the same lands and parishes within the said Level: and the said Earl and his Participants were to have had 40,000 acres of the said 95,000 acres freed from taxes for their charges expended; which would have been of more advantage to them than the whole 95,000 acres on the terms they have it.

After which Law, the inhabitants of the country did re-enter upon the said 80,000 acres and 3,000 acres; part of the said 95,000 acres: and the said King continued in the possession of the said 12,000 acres.

But about the year 1641, his Majesty gave over his Undertaking: and soon after the whole Level became drowned: and then the country entered upon the said 12,000 acres also, and kept the whole in their own possession.

In this condition, the said Level returned to be as badly drowned as ever before: with the loss of £100,000 to the said Earl and his Participants.

Afterwards a Parliament having been called in the year 1640—the said Earl and his Participants or their Assigns did petition the said Parliament: that they would empower the said Earl to go on and perfect the aforesaid work; and in 1641, their case was committed [referred to a Committee]. But the said Earl dying about the said year, and the late unhappy wars being then begun; there was for some time a stop to the prosecution of the said Act, till about 1646. When WILLIAM, now Earl of BEDFORD, son and heir of the said FRANCIS; the Honourables JOHN and EDWARD RUSSELL, brothers to the said WILLIAM, Earl of BEDFORD; Sir MILES SANDYS, Sir JOHN MARSHAM; ANTHONY HAMOND; and