Speech Concerning a West Indy Association
The source for this document is https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A57831.0001.001
Project Note
This is licensed under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND. This license allows reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
The source of this document is the Early English Books Online (EEBO-TCP) website. Those books were transcribed in a character for character manner and can be very cumbersome to read since there was no standard spelling during that time. Many spelling variations such as "unlesse", "vnlesse", and "vnles" regularly appear.
This project was conceived to clean up those books as much as possible and make them more accessible to the interested reader, leading to the creation of a massive list of variant spellings and their corrections. This was used to clean up the text, but is of course only as complete as the list itself. Because of the nature of the original transcription, some words have missing characters or places where the original language (e.g., Greek) was not transcribed. This effort does not change that. Be aware that the original transcription can also be faulty and in some cases entire sentences may be missing.
Although this is no substitute for a properly compared, proofed, and scholarly edition, I believe that the result is a document which is far more accessible, particularly for searching for terms using standard spelling. The document has been cleaned and presented in what I hope is a pleasing and useful format for the vast majority of Christian brothers and sisters who just want access to read these spiritually nourishing works.
However, a word of warning: The Puritans were a very diverse group of people and their age was characterized with godliness, but also much upheaval, disputation and strife. They disagreed on many doctrines and some of these works contain less orthodox or Scriptural views than others. The reader is strongly advised to read with discernment, particularly if it is unknown whether author is trustworthy.
This project took a huge amount of time and skill to bring to fruition. I would particularly like to thank David Jonescue for the initial list of Puritans he found on EEBO and the concept behind this project as well as the continuous, unceasing efforts toward seeing this complete. Without his labor, this would not be available. Alex Sarrouf was invaluable in providing the initial list of over 7,000 spelling variations he had identified and corrected, as well as continuing to review more than 16,000 additions to that list for any typos.
Logan West
(with David Jonescue and Alex Sarrouf)
www.puritansearch.org
A SPEECH CONCERNING A WEST INDIE Association, at a Committee of the whole house in the Parliament, 21. IACOBI. By Sir Benjamin Rudyerd.
Printed in the year 1641.
A SPEECH CONCERNING a WEST INDIE Association, at a Committee of the whole House of Parliament.
Sir Dudley Digs,
I Do profess, that as my Affection, my Reason, and my Judgment, go strongly with the scope and drift of this Proposition; so shall a good part of my poor fortune, when it comes to execution.
For to my understanding, there was never propounded in Parliament, a design more proper for this kingdom, nor of more pregnant advantage to it, whether we consider the nature of our situation, or the quality of our Enemies Forces.
As we are an Island, it concerns our very being to have store of ships to defend us, and also our well-being by their Trade to enrich us.
This association for the West Indies, when it shall be regulated and established by act of Parliament, and thereby secured from the violence and injury of any intruding hand, it will certainly give many men encouragement & confidence, voluntarily to bring in large and liberal contributions, towards so noble, so profitable an Enterprise. So that in short time, we shall see many new ships built, many brave men employed, and enabled for the service of their country, none of this money shall be carried out of the kingdom, but laid out for shipping, which is the defense of it, and bestowed upon our own men, who must be fed and maintained, though they stay at home. For this, we shall reap the fruit of whatsoever benefit Plantation, Trafficke, or Purchase can procure us, besides honor and security.
Now, let us a little consider the Enemy we are to encounter, the King of Spain. They are not his great territories which make him so powerful, and so troublesome to all Christendom. For it is very well known, that Spain it self is but weak in men, and barren of natural Commodities. As for his other Territories, they lie divided and asunder, which is a weakness in its self; besides, they are held by force, and maintained at an extraordinary charge. Insomuch, as although he be a great King, yet is he like that great Giant, who was said to have 100 hands, but he had 50 bellies to feed, so that • atably, he had no more hands then another man.
No Sir, they are his Mines in the West Indies, which minister fuel to feed his vast ambitious desire of universal Monarchy: It is the money he hath from thence, which makes him able to levy, and pay soldiers in all places; and to keep an army continually on foot, ready to invade and endanger his Neighbors.
So that we have no other way, but to endeavor to cut him up at root, and seek to impeach, or to supplant him in the West Indies. By part of which course, that famous Queen of most glorious memory, had heretofore almost brought him on his knees. And this our undertaking (if it please God to bless it) must needs effect it sooner and quicker: the whole body of the Kingdom being united and concur • ing in a perpetual supply to this action, so that he will have no free time given him to rest.
Moreover, this will be a means not only to save, but to fill His Majesty's Coffers, enabling the people to give him liberally, and often; the Kings ships will have little to do, but to guard the coasts, for the Sea-war will chiefly be made at the charge of the subject. Thus, (Sir Dudley Digs ) I doubt not but that in short time, both King and people shall be safe at home, and feared abroad.
To conclude, I shall be very glad to hear any man make objections against this Design, so that he do it with an intention to refine and perfect the work; but if any shall speak against it with a mind to hinder and destroy it, I must entreat him to pardon me, if I do scarce think him to be a good Englishman.