Page:Life of Sir William Petty 1623 – 1687.djvu/73

 ; another to make up the books of reference; and another to draw and paint the maps; and a few of the 'most nasute and sagacious persons were employed to supervise, and prevent scamping and frauds.' Finally, and in order, as he says, 'to take away all byass from the under measurers to returne unprofitable for profitable, or vice versâ, he himself having engaged in an ensnaring contract begettinge suspicioun of those evils against him, in as much he was paid more for profitable than unprofitable,' the supervisors were directed 'to cast up all and every measurer's work into linary contents, according to which they were paid.... The quantity of line which was measured by the chain and needle being reduced into English miles, was enough to have encompassed the worlde ne'ere five times about.' He also drew up a set of instructions for the office work, to prevent fraud and dishonesty. These the highest authorities have pronounced clever and judicious, and have themselves incorporated into modern practice.

The amount of lands forfeited in each province was in Leinster about one-half; in Ulster about one-fifth; in Munster about two-thirds; in Connaught about three-quarters; in the whole kingdom about eleven-twentieths of the total amount forfeited. The head rental of the lands of Ireland was reserved as a source of revenue by the new Government as the legitimate successor of the Crown, but it was remitted for five years. Subject to the head rental it was now determined to proceed to redistribute the whole of the confiscated estates among the adventurers, the army, and the creditors of the Commonwealth.

The Civil Survey of most of the baronies had been completed before the end of March 1655. On February 1 of that year the measurement and mapping of the army lands by Dr. Petty actually commenced, and proceeded as the lists and information came in from the Civil Survey Commissioners.

Dr. Petty's staff had to contend not only with the natural