Page:Life of Sir William Petty 1623 – 1687.djvu/174

 'May not the three kingdoms,' he asks, 'be united into one, and equally represented in Parliament? Might not the several species of the King's subjects be equally mixt in their habitations? Might not the parishes and other precincts be better equalized? Might not jurisdictions and pretences of powers be determined and ascertained? Might not the taxes be equally applotted and directly applied to their ultimate use? Might not dissenters in religion be indulged, they paying for a competent force to keep the public peace? I humbly venture to say, all these things may be done if it be so thought fit by the Sovereign power, because the like hath often been done already, at several places and times.'

In order to set the example of promoting the development of the country, he established an industrial colony of English Protestants at Kenmare, in Kerry, with iron and copper works; and attempted to develop the sea fisheries. For the former undertaking ore was shipped from Wales and Bristol, where Sir Robert Southwell, who lived near the city, at King's Weston, probably assisted in the undertaking. The ore was sent to Kenmare, where the woods which clothed the mountains afforded a large supply of the best fuel.

But there were great local difficulties to contend with. 'The Ministers of Justice,' he writes, 'have been often abused in their persons and goods; they have been either terrified from proceeding in their duty, or else wearied into a compliance with or connivance at those whom they before sought to punish.... In all the Baronies—being about 100 miles in compass—there is resident but one Minister, and he without Churchwardens or Service Books; officiating only now and then in one place, and who, although he have 300l. due to him, is now ready to perish for want of maintenance.'

Some instructions given to his agent illustrate the difficulties of the situation, and show the minute care with which he superintended every detail.