14
dominions ;* being by experience convinced and
thoroughly satisfied, that it is the best and, in
my opinion, the only means to restore comfort
and contentment to the labouring agriculturist,
and to counteract the malicious arts and bad in-
tentions of those who endeavour to seduce them
from their duty and allegiance. I hope and trust
that this system will speedily be adopted and
encouraged by His Majesty's Ministers, as a sure
remedy to prevent nightly incendiarism, and
other mischievous proceedings.†
Your lordships will, I hope, pardon the bold and
free manner in which I address you ; but I firmly
believe that the salvation of the country mainly
depends on the adoption of this measure.
At the time when I engaged to show that all
parties who have any interest in the Forest of
* See Appendix, No. 2.—In which particular mention is made
of Kent and Sussex,
† In consequence of the two Acts brought into the House of
Lords, and passed before the last Prorogation, many parish
officers in Essex, have complied with the conditions of these Acts,
and are preparing to enclose land for the benefit of the labouring
poor; but to make the system general, it must be the act of
Government, this mode of relief of the poor rendered imperative.
In the vicinity of London there are several parishes in the midst
of extensive commons, where numbers are distressed for want of
work ; but parish officers find it less trouble to relieve with money
than to make arrangements for enabling the poor man to support
himself by the fruits of his own industry.