Part 9 (1/2)
These three being all done by us, as well as by themselves, we claim this our bargain by the Law of Contract from them, to be a free people with them, they being chosen by us, but for a peculiar work, and for an appointed time, from among us, not to be our oppressing Lords, but servants to succour us. But these two are our weakest proofs. And yet by them, in the light of Reason and Equity that dwells in men's hearts, we shall with ease cast down all those former enslaving, Norman, reiterated Laws, in every King's reign since the Conquest, which are as thorns in our eyes and p.r.i.c.ks in our sides, and which are called the Ancient Government of England.
”_Thirdly_, We shall prove we have a free right to the land of England, being born therein, as well as elder brothers, and that it is our right equal with them and they with us, to have a comfortable livelihood in the Earth, without owning any of our own kind to be either Lords or Land-Lords over us. And this we shall prove by plain text of Scripture, without exposition upon them, which the Scholars and Great Ones generally say is their rule to walk by.
”_Fourthly_, We shall prove it by the Righteous Law of our Creation, that mankind in all its branches is the Lord of the Earth, and ought not to be in subjection to any of his own kind without him, but to live in the light of the Law of Righteousness and Peace established in his heart.”
The pamphlet concludes as follows:
”Thus in love we have declared the purpose of our hearts plainly, without flattery, expecting love and the same sincerity from you, without grumbling or quarrelling, being Creatures of your own image and mould, intending no other matter herein, but to observe the Law of Righteous Action, endeavouring to shut out of the Creation the accursed thing called Particular Propriety, which is the cause of all wars, bloodshed, theft, and enslaving Laws, that hold the people under misery.
”Signed for and in the behalf of all the poor oppressed people of England and the whole world--
”GERARD WINSTANLEY, } JOHN COULTON, } JOHN PALMER, } THOMAS STAR, } SAMUEL WEBB, } and others, forty-six in all.
JOHN HAYMAN, } THOMAS EDCER, } WILLIAM HOGRILL,” }
A few days after the publication of this declaration, viz., on Sunday, April 1st, 1649, the Diggers commenced their labours on the Commons around George's Hill, in Surrey, the first results of which we have already recorded. Within a few days of Winstanley and Everard's visit to Lord Fairfax and his Council of War, they and their followers drafted yet another pamphlet, which bears date April 26th, 1649, the very day Lockyer, ”The Army's Martyr,” was condemned to death, and the t.i.tle-page of which reads as follows:
”THE TRUE LEVELLERS STANDARD ADVANCED:[95:1]
OR
THE STATE OF COMMUNITY OPENED AND PRESENTED TO THE SONS OF MEN.
BY
WILLIAM EVERARD.
JOHN PALMER.
JOHN SOUTH.
JOHN COURTON.
WILLIAM TAYLOR.
CHRISTOPHER CLIFFORD.
JOHN BARKER.
GERRARD WINSTANLEY.
RICHARD GOODGROOME.
THOMAS STARRE.
WILLIAM HOGGRILL.
ROBERT SAWYER.
THOMAS EDER.
HENRY BICKERSTAFFE.
JOHN TAYLOR, etc.
Beginning to plant and manure the Waste Land upon Georges Hill, in the Parish of Walton, in the County of Surrey.”