The Digger Movement in the Days of the Commonwealth eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 345 pages of information about The Digger Movement in the Days of the Commonwealth.

The Digger Movement in the Days of the Commonwealth eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 345 pages of information about The Digger Movement in the Days of the Commonwealth.

Fourthly, It has hitherto been the custom that no poor man should have any right to the game, the birds, or to the fish in the running waters.  This seems to us unseemly and unbrotherly, and not to be in accordance with the Word of God.  Moreover, in some places the authorities let the game increase to our injury and mighty undoing, since we have to permit that which God has caused to grow for the use of man to be unavailingly devoured by the beasts; and we have to hold our peace concerning this, which is against God and our neighbours.  When our Lord God created mankind, He gave him power over all creatures, over the birds in the air and the fish in the waters.  Therefore as regards those who control the running waters, and who can show us documents to prove that they purchased it with money, we do not desire to take it away from such men by force, but to come to some Christian agreement with them in brotherly love.  Those who have no such documents shall share with the community in a seemly manner.

FIFTH ARTICLE.

Fifthly, We find ourselves oppressed as regards the woods.  For our Lords have taken to themselves all the woods; and when poor men require any wood, they have to buy it with money.  Our view is that such woods, whether claimed by spiritual or by temporal Lords, as have not been purchased, should return to the community, and be free to all in a seemly manner.  So that those who require wood for firing shall be free to take same without payment, as also if they require any for carpentering:  but, of course, always with the knowledge of the chosen Authorities of the community.  But where there are no woods save those as have been honestly purchased, with such we will arrange the matter in a brotherly and Christian spirit.  And in cases where the land was first appropriated and afterwards sold, we will also come to an agreement with the buyers according to the circumstances of the case, and with regard to brotherly love and the Holy Writings.

SIXTH ARTICLE.

Sixthly, The burden of service presses heavily upon us, and is daily increased.  We desire that this matter shall be looked into, and that we be not so heavily burdened, but shall be mercifully dealt with herein; that we should serve but as our fathers have served, but only according to the Word of God.

SEVENTH ARTICLE.

Seventhly, Henceforth we will no longer allow ourselves to be oppressed by the Lords, but according as a Lord hath granted the land, so shall it be held, according to the agreement between the Lord and the peasant.  The Lord shall not force him to render more service for naught; so that the peasant shall enjoy his holding in peace and unoppressed.  But if the Lord hath need of service, the peasant shall be willing and obedient to him before others; but it shall be at the hour and the time when it shall not injure the peasant, and at a proper remuneration.

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The Digger Movement in the Days of the Commonwealth from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.