Page:Petty 1851 The Down Survey.djvu/134

 Therefore, all wee could doe was only to present the true state of the case before your lordshipps. And allthough wee are soe much blamed for valueing of lands, and the returne of the civil survey is commended, because they sett downe pasture, how much really profitable, and how much unprofitable, and have sett downe the quality of the profitable, vizt, arable and pasture, &c. But if the very persons that made the said returnes should bee desired to shew their 10, 20, 30, or 400 acres, &c., of good pasture land, which they sett downe in most of the townelands that are course, they cannot shew it, nor in any way demonstrate, but must bee forced to say wee could ten or twenty acres to be worth one; or else as if a man would cut a piece of cloath in two, and call one good and the other bad, though both be one, which would be ridiculouse, as aforesaid. Soe they call such a corner that is neer their dwelling profitable, and that which is a little further of unprofitable, though the same in quality; soe that the civill survey doeth as wee have done, though not declared the same. But if wee had done as they, and that soe generally, it would have been required that wee should scituate the severall quantities, which they in the civill survey cannot doo; neither could wee, if wee had done as they did.

Now wheras many things hath been alledged against us, itt may bee that these my proposalls may be supposed that I was incited or moved by the souldiers to doe it; but doe here declare ingeniousely that, directly nor indirectly, either souldier or any instrument for them did ever move me to this or any thing else that I have done concerning the premisses, in my returne or otherwise; but what I have done was, to the best of my understanding, to discharge a good conscience in it, as I have grounds to believe Mr Humphreys did; soe that I thinke wee are not blameworthy, but ought rather to be considered, having the most intricate piece of worke, and spent more time then any, and worked as hard as any, and was at more charges then any admeasurers in Ireland. Indeed, wee were noe otherwise then slaves, our wages not bearing our charges by many pounds, and for all our care and diligence cannot please our masters. If a torment had been invented, never could have been greater, short of death, for wee have lost our time, and men doe their endeavoures to take away our good name, and all this while wee are cleare, as wee hope your Lordshipps will now be satisfyed; and will see an absolute necessity in finding out a meanes betwixt the two extreames in setting out lands in Kerrey. Hoping your Lordships will take the premisses into seriouse consideration, as much hath been said