byDanielDefoe1704
GivingAlmsnoCharityandEmployingthePoorAGrievancetotheNation，BeinganEssayUponthisGreatQuestion，WhetherWork—houses，Corporations，andHousesofCorrectionforEmployingthePoor，asnowpractis’dinEngland；orParish—Stocks，aspropos’dinalatePamphlet，Entituled，ABillforthebetterRelief，ImploymentandSettlementofthePoor，etc。ArenotmischievoustotheNation，tendingtotheDestructionofourTrade，andtoEncreasetheNumberandMiseryofthePoor。
AddressedtotheParliamentofEngland。
London:PrintedandSoldbytheBooksellersofLondonandWestminster。MDCCIV
GivingAlmsNoCharityTotheKnights，Citizens，andBurgessesinParliamentAssembled。
Gentlemen，Hethathastruthandjustice，andtheinterestofEnglandinhisdesign，canhavenothingtofearfromanEnglishParliament。
Thismakestheauthorofthesesheets，howeverdespicableinhimself，applytothisHonourableHouse，withoutanyapologyforthepresumption。
Truth，Gentlemen，howevermeanlydress’d，andinwhatsoeverbadcompanyshehappenstocome，wasalwaysentertain’datyourbar；andtheCommonsofEnglandmustceasetoactlikethemselves，orwhichisworse，liketheirancestors，whentheyceasetoentertainanyproposal，thatoffersitselfattheirdoor，forthegeneralgoodandadvantageofthepeopletheyrepresent。
Iwillinglygrant，that’tisacrimeingoodmannerstointerruptyourmoreweightycouncils，anddisturbyourdebates；
withemptynauseoustriflesinvalue，ormistakenschemes，andwhoeverventurestoaddressyou，oughttobewellassur’dheisintheright，andthatthemattersuitstheintentofyourmeeting，viz。Todispatchtheweightyaffairsofthekingdom。
AndasIhavepremis’dthis，soIfreelysubmittoanycensurethisHonourableAssemblyshallthinkIdeserve，ifIhavebrokeinupontitheroftheseparticulars。
Ihavebutonepetitiontomakewithrespecttotheauthor，andthatis，thatnofreedomofexpression，whichtheargumentsmayobligehimto，maybeconstru’dasawantofrespect，andabreachoftheduedeferenceeveryEnglishmanowestotherepresentingpowerofthenation。
Itwouldbehard，thatwhileIamhonestlyofferingtoyourconsiderationsomethingofmomentforthegeneralgood，prejudiceshouldlaysnaresfortheauthor，andprivatepiquemakehimanoffenderforaword。
Withoutenteringuponotherpartsofmycharacter，’tisenoughtoacquaintthisAssembly，thatIamanEnglishfreeholder，andhavebythatatitletobeconcern’dinthegoodofthatcommunityofwhichIamanunworthymember。
ThisHonourableHouseistherepresentativeofallthefreeholdersofEngland；youareassembl’dfortheirgood，youstudytheirinterest，youpossesstheirhearts，andyouholdthestringsofthegeneralpurse。
Toyoutheyhaverecoursefortheredressofalltheirwrongs，andifatanytimeoneoftheirbodycanoffertoyourassistance，anyfair，legal，honestandrationalproposalforthepublickbenefit，itwasneverknownthatsuchamanwaseitherrejectedordiscourag’d。
AndonthisaccountIcravethelibertytoassureyou，thattheauthorofthisseeksnoreward；tohimitshallalwaysberewardenoughtohavebeencapableofservinghisnativecountry，andhonourenoughtohaveoffer’dsomethingforthepublickgoodworthyofconsiderationinyourHonourableAssembly。
Pauperubiquejacet，saidourfamousQueenElizabeth，wheninherprogressthro’thekingdomshesawthevastthrongsofthepoor，flockingtoseeandblessher；andthethoughtputherMajestyuponacontinu’dstudyhowtorecoverherpeoplefromthatpoverty，andmaketheirlabourmoreprofitabletothemselvesinparticular，andthenationingeneral。
Thiswaseasiethentopropose，forthatmanyusefulmanufacturesweremadeinforeignparts，whichourpeopleboughtwithEnglishmoney，andimportedfortheiruse。
TheQueen，whoknewthewealthandvastnumbersofpeoplewhichthesaidmanufactureshadbroughttotheneighbouringcountriesthenundertheKingofSpain，theDutchbeingnotyetrevolted，neverleftoffendeavouringwhatshehappilybroughttopass，viz。thetransplantingintoEnglandthosespringsofrichesandpeople。
ShesawtheFlemingsprodigiouslynumerous，theircitiesstoodthickerthanherpeoplesvillagesinsomeparts；allsortsofusefulmanufactureswerefoundintheirtowns，andalltheirpeoplewererichandbusie，nobeggars，noidleness，andconsequently，nowantwastobeseenamongthem。
Shesawthefountainofallthiswealthandworkmanship，I
meanthewool，wasinherownhands，andFlandersbecametheseatofallthesemanufactures，notbecauseitwasnaturallyricherandmorepopulousthanothercountries，butbecauseitlaynearEngland，andthestapleoftheEnglishwoolwhichwasthefoundationofalltheirwealth，wasatAntwerpintheheartofthatcountry。
Fromhence，itmaybesaidofFlanders，itwasnottherichesandthenumberofpeoplebroughtthemanufacturesintotheLowCountries，butitwasthemanufacturesbroughtthepeoplethither，andmultitudesofpeoplemaketrade，trademakeswealth，wealthbuildscities，citiesenrichthelandroundthem，landenrich’drisesinva1ue，andthevalueoflandsenrichestheGovernment。
ManyprojectsweresetonfootinEnglandtoerectthewoollenmanufacturehere，andinsomeplacesithadfoundencouragement，beforethedaysofthisQueen，especiallyastomakingofcloath，butstuffs，bays，says，serges，andsuchlikewareswereyetwhollytheworkoftheFlemings。
Atlastanopportunityoffer’dperfectlyunlook’dfor，viz。
thepersecutionoftheProtestants，andintroducingtheSpanishinquisitionintoFlanders，withthetyrannyoftheDukeD’Alva。
Itcannotbeanungratefulobservation，heretotakenoticehowtyrannyandpersecution，theoneanoppressionofproperty，theotherofconscience，alwaysruinetrade，impoverishnations，depopulatecountries，dethroneprinces，anddestroypeace。
WhenanEnglishmanreflectsonit，hecannotwithoutinfinitesatisfactionlookuptoHeaven，andtothisHonourableHouse，thatasthespring，thisasthestreamfromandbywhichthefelicityofthisnationhasobtain’dapitchofglory，superiortoallthepeopleintheworld。
YourCouncilsespecially，whenblestfromHeaven，asnowwetrusttheyare，withprinciplesofunanimityandconcord，canneverfailtomaketradeSourish，warsuccessful，peacecertain，wealthSowing，blessingsprobable，theQueenglorious，andthepeoplehappy。
OurunhappyneighboursoftheLowCountriesweretheveryreverseofwhatweblessourselvesforinyou。
Theirkingsweretyrants，theirgovernourspersecutors，theirarmiesthievesandblood—hounds。
Theirpeopledivided，theircouncilsconfus’d，andtheirmiseriesinnumerable。
D’AlvatheSpanishGovernor，besieg’dtheircities，decimatedtheinhabitants，murther’dtheirnobility，proscrib’dtheirprinces，andexecuted18，000menbythehandofthehang—man。
Consciencewastrampl’dunderfoot，religionandreformationhuntedlikeahareuponthemountains，theinquisitionthreaten’d，andforeignarmiesintroduc’d。
Propertyfellasacrificetoabsolutepower，thecountreywasravag’d，thetownsplunder’d，therichconfiscated，thepoorstarv’d，tradeinterrupted，andthe10thpennydemanded。
Theconsequenceofthiswas，asinalltyranniesandpersecutionsitis，thepeoplefledandscatter’dthemselvesintheirneighbourscountries，tradelanguish’d，manufactureswentabroad，andneverreturn’d，confusionreign’dandpovertysucceeded。
Themultitudethatremain’dpush’dtoallextremities，wereforc’dtoobeythevoiceofnature，andintheirownjustdefencetotakearmsagainsttheirgovernours。
Destructionitselfhasitsusesintheworld，theashesofonecityrebuildsanother，andGodAlmighty，whoneveractsinvain，broughtthewealthofEngland，andthepowerofHollandintotheworldfromtheruineoftheFlemishliberty。
TheDutchindefenceoftheirlibertyrevolted，renounc’dtheirtyrantprince，andprosper’dbyHeavenandtheassistanceofEngland，erectedthegreatestcommonwealthintheworld。
Innumerableobservationswouldflowfromthispartofthepresentsubject，butbrevityismystudy，Iamnotteaching；forIknowwhoIspeakto，butrelatingandobservingtheconnexionofCauses，andthewonderousbirthswhichlaytheninthewombofProvidence，andaresincecometolife。
ParticularlyhowHeavendirectedtheoppressionandtyrannyofthepoorshouldbethewheeltoturnoverthegreatmachineoftradefromFlandersintoEngland。
AndhowthepersecutionandcrueltyoftheSpaniards，againstreligionshouldbedirectedbythesecretoverrulingHand，tobethefoundationofapeople，andabodythatshouldinagesthentocome，beoneofthechiefbulwarksofthatverylibertyandreligiontheysoughttodestroy。
Inthisgeneralruineoftradeandliberty，Englandmadeagainofwhatsheneveryetlost，andofwhatshehassinceencreas’dtoaninconceivablemagnitude。
AsD’AlvaworriedthepoorFlemings，theQueenofEnglandentertain’dthem，cherish’dthem，invitedthem，encourag’dthem。
Thousandsofinnocentpeoplefledfromallpartsfromthefuryofthismercilessman，andasEngland，toherhonourhasalwaysbeenthesanctuaryofherdistress’dneighbours，sonowshewassotoherspecialandparticularprofit。
TheQueenwhosawtheopportunityputintoherhandswhichshehadsolongwish’dfor，notonlyreceivedkindlytheexil’dFlemings，butinvitedoverallthatwouldcome，promisingthemallpossibleencouragement，privilegesandfreedomofherportsandthelike。
ThisbroughtoveravastmultitudeofFlemings，Walloons，andDutch，whowiththeirwholefamiliessettledatNorwich，atIpswich，Colchester，Canterbury，Exeter，andthelike。FromthesecametheWalloonChurchatCanterbury，andtheDutchChurchesatNorwich，Colchester，andYarmouth；fromhencecamethetruebornEnglishfamiliesatthoseplaceswithforeignnames；astheDeVinksatNorwich，theRebowsatColchester，thePapilons，&c。atCanterbury，familiestowhomthisnationaremuchindebtforthefirstplantingthosemanufactures，fromwhichwehavesincerais’dthegreatesttradesintheworld。
ThiswiseQueenknewthatnumberofinhabitantsarethewealthandstrengthofanation，shewasfarfromthatopinion，wehaveoflateshowntoomuchofincomplainingthatforeignerscametotakethebreadoutofourmouths，andilltreatingonthataccounttheFrenchProtestantswhofledhitherforrefugeinthelatepersecution。
Somehavesaidthatabove50，000ofthemsettledhere，andwouldhavemadeitagrievance，tho’withoutdoubt’tiseasietomakeitappearthat500，000morewouldbebothusefulandprofitabletothisnation。
Uponthesetlingoftheseforreigners，thescaleoftradevisiblyturn’dbothhereandinFlanders。
TheFlemingstaughtourwomenandchildrentospin，theyouthtoweave，themenentredtheloomtolabourinsteadofgoingabroadtoseektheirfortunesbythewar，theseveraltradesofbayesatColchester，sayesandperpets，atSudbury，Ipswich，&c。
stuffsatNorwich，sergesatExeter，silksatCanterbury，andthelike，begantoflourish。
Allthecountiesroundfelttheprofit，thepoorweresettowork，thetradersgain’dwealth，andmultitudesofpeopleflock’dtotheseveralpartswherethesemanufactureswereerectedforemployment，andthegrowthofEngland，bothintrade，wealthandpeoplesincethattime，asitiswellknowntothisHonourableHouse；sothecausesofitappeartobeplainlytheintroducingofthesemanufactures，andnothingelse。
NorwasthegainmadeherebyitmorevisiblethanthelosstotheFlemings，fromhence，andnotasisvainlysuggestedfromthebuildingtheDutchfortofLilloontheScheld，camethedecayofthatflourishingcityofAntwerp。FromhenceitisplaintheFlemings，anindustriousnation，findingtheirtraderuin’datonce，turn’dtheirhandstootherthings，asmakingoflace，linnen，andthelike，andtheDutchtotheseaaffairsandfishing。
Fromhencetheybecamepoor，thinofpeople，andweakintrade，thefluxbothoftheirwealthandtrade，runningwhollyintoEngland。
Ihumblycraveleavetosay，thislongintroductionshallnotbethoughtuseless，whenIshallbringithomebytheprocessofthesepaperstothesubjectnowinhand，viz。Theprovidingforandemployingthepoor。
SincethetimesofQueenElizabeththisnationhasgoneontoaprodigyoftrade，ofwhichtheencreaseofourcustomsfrom400，000crownstotwomillionsofpoundssterlingperann。isademonstrationbeyondthepowerofargument；andthatthiswholeencreasedependsupon，andisprincipallyoccasion’dbytheencreaseofourmanufacturersissoplain，Ishallnottakeupanyroomheretomakeitout。
Havingthusgivenanaccounthowwecametobearich，flourishingandpopulousnation，IcraveleaveasconciselyasI
cantoexaminehowwecametobepooragain，ifitmustbegrantedthatweareso。
BypoorhereIhumblydesiretobeunderstood，notthatweareapoornationingeneral；IshouldundervaluethebountyofHeaventoEngland，andactwithlessunderstandingthanmostmenaremastersof，ifIshouldnotown，thatingeneralweareasrichanationasanyintheworld；butbypoorImeanburthen’dwithacrowdofclamouring，unimploy’d，unprovidedforpoorpeople，whomakethenationuneasie，burthentherich，clogourparishes，andmakethemselvesworthyoflaws，andpeculiarmanagementtodisposeofanddirectthem:Howthesecametobethusisthequestion。
AndfirstIhumblycraveleavetolaytheseheadsdownasfundamentalmaxims，whichIamreadyatanytimetodefendandmakeout。
1。ThereisinEnglandmorelabourthanhandstoperformit，andconsequentlyawantofpeople，notofemployment。
2。NomaninEngland，ofsoundlimbsandsenses，canbepoormeerlyforwantofwork。
3。Allourwork—houses，corporationsandcharitiesforemployingthepoor，andsettingthemtowork，asnowtheyareemploy’d，oranyActsofParliamenttoempoweroverseersofparishes，orparishesthemselves，toemploythepoor，exceptasshallbehereafterexcepted，are，andwillbepublicknusances，mischiefstothenationwhichservetotheruinoffamilies，andtheencreaseofthepoor。
4。That’tisaregulationofthepoorthatiswantedinEngland，notasettingthemtowork。
Ifafterthesethingsaremadeout，Iamenquir’dofwhatthisregulationshouldbe，IamnomoreatalosstolayitdownthanIamtoaffirmwhatisabove；andshallalwaysbeready，whencall’dtoit，tomakesuchaproposaltothisHonourableHouse，aswiththeirconcurrenceshallforeverputastoptopovertyandbeggery，parishcharges，assessmentsandthelike，inthisnation。
Ifsuchoffersastheseshallbesightedandrejected，Ihavethesatisfactionofhavingdischarg’dmyduty，andtheconsequencemustbe，thatcomplainingwillbecontinuedinourstreets。
’Tismymisfortune，thatwhileIstudytomakeeveryheadsoconcise，asbecomesmeinthingstobebroughtbeforesohonourableandaugustanassembly，Iamobig’dtobeshortuponheadsthatintheirownnaturewouldverywelladmitofparticularvolumestoexplainthem。
1。Iaffirm，thatinEnglandthereismorelabourthanhandstoperformit。ThisIprove，1st。Fromthedearnessofwages，whichinEnglandoutgoesallnationsintheworld；andIknownogreaterdemonstrationintrade。Wages，likeexchanges，riseandfallastheremittersanddrawers，theemployersandtheworkmen，ballanceoneanother。
Theemployersaretheremitters，thework—menarethedrawers，iftherearemoreemployersthanwork—men，thepriceofwagesmustrise，becausetheemployerwantsthatworktobedonemorethanthepoormanwantstodoit，iftherearemorework—menthanemployersthepriceoflabourfalls，becausethepoormanwantshiswagesmorethantheemployerwantstohavehisbusinessdone。
Trade，likeallnature，mostobsequiouslyobeysthegreatlawofcauseandconsequence；andthisistheoccasionwhyevenallthegreatestarticlesoftradefollow，andasitwerepayhomagetothisseeminglyminuteandinconsiderablething，thepoorman’slabour。
Iomit，withsomepain，themanyveryusefulthoughtsthatoccuronthishead，topreservethebrevityIowetothedignityofthatassemblyIamwritingto。ButIcannotbutnotehowfromhenceitappears，thattheglory，thestrength，theriches，thetrade，andallthat’svaluableinanation，astoitsfigureintheworld，dependsuponthenumberofitspeople，betheyneversomeanorpoor；theconsumptionofmanufacturesencreasesthemanufacturers；thenumberofmanufacturersencreasestheconsumption；provisionsareconsum’dtofeedthem，landimprov’d，andmorehandsemploy’dtofurnishprovisions:Allthewealthofthenation，andallthetrade。isproduc’dbynumbersofpeople；
butofthisbytheway。
Thepriceofwagesnotonlydeterminesthedifferencebetweentheemployerandthework—man，butitrulestheprovisionsratesofeverymarket。Ifwagesgrowhigh，riseinproportion，andI
humblyconceiveittobeamistakeinthosepeople，whosaylabourinsuchpartsofEnglandischeapbecauseprovisionsarecheap，but’tisplain，provisionsarecheaptherebecauselabourischeap，andlabourischeaperinthosepartsthaninothers；
becausebeingremoterfromLondonthereisnotthatextraordinarydisproportionbetweentheworkandthenumberofhands；therearemorehands，andconsequentlylabourcheaper。
’Tisplaintoanyobservingeye，thatthereisanequalplentyofprovisionsinseveralofoursouthandwesterncounties，asinYorkshire，andratheragreater，andIbelieveI
couldmakeitout，thatapoorlabouringmanmayliveascheapinKentorSussexasinthebishoprickofDurham；andyetinKentapoormanshallearn7s。10s。9s。aweek，andinthenorth4s。orperhapsless；thedifferenceisplaininthis，thatinKentthereisagreaterwantofpeople，inproportiontotheworkthere，thaninthenorth。
Andthisontheotherhandmakesthepeopleofournortherncountriesspreadthemselvessomuchtothesouth，wheretrade，warandtheseacarryingoffsomany，thereisagreaterwantofhands。
Andyet’tisplainthereislabourforthehandswhichremaininthenorth，orelsethecountrywouldbedepopulated，andthepeoplecomeallawaytothesouthtoseekwork；andeveninYorkshire，wherelabourischeapest，thepeoplecangainmorebytheirlabourthaninanyofthemanufacturingcountriesofGermany，ItalyorFrance，andlivemuchbetter。
IftherewasonepoormaninEnglandmorethantherewasworktoemploy，eithersomebodyelsemuststandstillforhim，orhemustbestarv’d；ifanothermanstandsstillforhimhewantsadayswork，andgoestoseekit，andbyconsequencesupplantsanother，andthisathird，andthiscontentionbrigsittothis；
no，saysthepoorman，thatisliketobeputoutofhiswork，ratherthanthatmanshallcomeinI’lldoitcheaper；nay，saystheother，butI’lldoitcheaperthanyou；andthusonepoormanwantingbutadaysworkwouldbringdownthepriceoflabourinawholenation，forthemancannotstarve，andwillworkforanythingratherthanwantit。
Itmaybeobjectedhere，thisiscontradictedbyournumberofbeggars。
IamsorrytosayIamobligedheretocallbegginganemployment，since’tisplain，ifthereismoreworkthanhandstoperformit，nomanthathashislimbsandhissensesneedtobeg，andthosethathavenotoughttobeputintoaconditionnottowantit。
Sothatbeggingisameerscandalinthegeneral，intheable’tisascandalupontheirindustry，andintheimpotent’tisascandaluponthecountry。
Nay，thebegging，asnowpractic’d，isascandaluponourcharity，andperhapsthefoundationofallourpresentgrievance。
——Howcanitbepossiblethatanymanorwoman，whobeingsoundinbodyandmind，mayas’tisapparenttheymay，havewagesfortheirwork，shouldbesobase，someanlyspirited，astobeganalmsforGodsake。——Trulythescandalliesonourcharity；andpeoplehavesuchanotioninEnglandofbeingpittifulandcharitable，thattheyencouragevagrants，andbyamistakenzealdomoreharmthangood。
Thisisalargescene，andmuchmightbesaiduponit；I
shallabridgeitasmuchaspossible。——ThepovertyofEnglanddoesnotlyeamongthecravingbeggarsbutamongpoorfamilies，wherethechildrenarenumerous，andwheredeathorsicknesshasdepriv’dthemofthelabourofthefather。thesearethehousesthatthesonsanddaughtersofcharity，iftheywouldorderitwell，shouldseekoutandrelieve；analmsilldirectedmaybecharitytotheparticularperson，butbecomesaninjurytothepublick，andnocharitytothenation。Asforthecravingpoor，I
amperswadedIdothemnowrongwhenIsay，thatiftheywereincorporatedtheywouldbetherichestsocietyinthenation；andthereasonwhysomanypretendtowantworkis，thattheycanlivesowellwiththepretenceofwantingwork，theywouldbemadtoleaveitandworkinearnest；andIaffirmofmyownknowledge，whenIhavewantedamanforlabouringwork，andoffer’d9sperweektostroulingfellowsatmydoor，theyhavefrequentlytoldmetomyface，theycouldgetmoreabegging，andIoncesetalustyfellowinthestocksformakingtheexperiment。
Ishall，initsproperplace，bringthistoamethodoftryal，sincenothingbutdemonstrationwillaffectus，’tisaneasiemattertopreventbegginginEngland，andyettomaintainallourimpotentpooratfarlesschargetotheparishesthantheynowareoblig’dtobeat。
WhenQueenElizabethhadgain’dherpointastomanufactoriesinEngland，shehadfairlylaidthefoundation，shetherebyfoundoutthewayhoweveryfamilymightliveupontheirownlabour，likeawiseprincesssheknew’twouldbehardtoforcepeopletoworkwhentherewasnothingforthemtoturntheirhandsto；butassoonasshehadbroughtthemattertobear，andtherewasworkforeverybodythathadnomindtostarve，thensheapply’dherselftomakelawstoobligethepeopletodothiswork，andtopunishvagrants，andmakeeveryonelivebytheirownlabour；allhersuccessorsfollowedthislaudableexample，andfromhencecameallthoselawsagainststurdybeggars，vagabonds，stroulers，&c。，whichhadtheybeenseverelyputinexecutionbyourmagistrates，’tispresum’dthesevagrantpoorhadnotsoencreas’duponusastheyhave。
Anditseemsstrangetome，fromwhatjustgroundweproceednowuponothermethods，andfancythat’tisnowourbusinesstofindthemwork，andtoemploythemratherthantoobligethemtofindthemselvesworkandgoaboutit。
Fromthismistakennotioncomeallourwork—housesandcorporations，andthesameerror，withsubmission，IpresumeWasthebirthofthisbillnowdepending，whichenableseveryparishtoerectthewoollenmanufacturewithinitself，fortheemployingtheirownpoor。
’TisthemistakeofthispartofthebillonlywhichIamenquiringinto，andwhichIendeavourtosetinatruelight。
InalltheparliamentssincetheRevolution，thismatterhasbeenbeforethem，andIamjustifiedinthisattemptbytheHouseofCommonshavingfrequentlyappointedcommitteestoreceiveproposalsuponthishead。
Asmyproposalisgeneral，IpresumetoofferittothegeneralbodyoftheHouse；ifIamcommandedtoexplainanypartofit，Iamreadytodoanythingthatmaybeserviceabletothisgreatandnobledesign。
AstheformerHousesofCommonsgaveallpossibleencouragementtosuchascouldoffer，orbutpretendtoofferatthisneedfulthing，sotheimperfectessaysofseveral，whetherforprivateorpublickbenefit。Idonotattempttodeterminewhichhavesincebeenmade，andwhichhaveobtain’dthepowersandconditionstheyhavedesir’d，havebyalltheireffectsdemonstratedtheweaknessoftheirdesign；andthattheyeitherunderstoodnotthedisease，orknownotthepropercureforit。
Theimperfectionofalltheseattemptsisacknowledg’d，notonlyinthepreambleofthisnewActofParliament，buteveninthething，inthatthereisyetoccasionforanynewlaw。
Andhavingsurvey’d，notthenecessityofanewact，butthecontentsoftheactwhichhasbeenproposedasaremedyinthiscase；Icannotbutoffermyobjectionsagainstthesufficiencyoftheproposal，andleaveittotheconsiderationofthiswiseassembly，andofthewholenation。
Ihumblyhopethelearnedgentleman，underwhosedirectionthislawisnowtoproceed，andbywhoseorderithasbeenprinted，willnotthinkhimselfpersonallyconcernedinthiscase，hisendeavourstopromotesogoodawork，astherelief，employment，andsettlementofthepoor，meritthethanksandacknowledgmentofthewholenation，andnomanshallbemorereadytopayhisshareofthatdebttohimthanmyself。Butifhisschemehappentobesomethingsuperficial，ifhecomesinamongthenumberofthosewhohavenotsearch’dthiswoundtothebottom，ifthemethodspropos’darenotsuchaswilleitheranswerhisowndesignsorthenations，Icannotthinkmyselfoblig’dtodispense，withmydutytothepublickgood，topreserveapersonalvalueforhisjudgment，tho’thegentleman’smeritbeextraordinary。
Wherefore，asinalltheschemes，Ihaveseenlaidforthepoor，andinthisactnowbeforeyourHonourableHouse；thegeneralthoughtoftheproposersrunsupontheemployingthepoorbywork—houses，corporations，housesofcorrection，andthelike，andthatIthinkitplaintobeseen，thatthoseproposalscomevastlyshortofthemaindesign。Thesesheetsarehumblylaidbeforeyou，aswelltomakegoodwhatisalledg’d，viz。Thatallthesework—houses，&c。，tendtotheencrease，andnotthereliefofthepoor，astomakeanhumbletenderofplain，butIhope，rationalproposalsforthemoreeffectualcureofthisgranddisease。
Inordertoproceedtothisgreatchallenge，Ihumblydesirethebillsalreadypass’dmaybereview’d，thepracticeofourcorporationwork—houses，andthecontentsofthisproposedactexamin’d。
Inalltheseitwillappearthatthemethodchieflyproposedfortheemploymentofourpoor，isbysettingthemtoworkontheseveralmanufacturesbefore—mention’d；asspinning，weaving，andmanufacturingourEnglishwool。
Allourwork—houseslatelyerectedinEngland，areingeneralthusemploy’d，forwhichwithoutenumeratingparticulars，I
humblyappealtotheknowledgeoftheseveralmembersofthisHonourableHouseintheirrespectivetownswheresuchcorporationshavebeenerected。
InthepresentActnowpreparing，asprintedbydirectionofamemberofthisHonourableHouse，itappears，thatinordertosetthepoortowork，itshallbelawfulfortheoverseersofeverytown，orofoneormoretownsjoyn’dtogethertooccupyanytrade，mystery，&c。Andraisestocksforthecarryingthemonforthesettingthepooratwork，andforthepurchasingwool，iron，hemp，flax，thread，orothermaterialsforthatpurpose。VidetheActpublish’dbySirHumphryMackworth。
Andthatcharitiesgivensoandso，andnotexceeding200l。
perannumforthispurpose，shallbeincorporatedofcourse