“A DECLARATION FROM THE POOR OPPRESSED PEOPLE OF ENGLAND:[90:1]

Directed to all that call themselves or are called Lords of Manors
through this Nation, that have begun to cut, or that through
fear of Covetousness do intend to cut down the woods and trees
that grow upon the Commons and Waste Land.”

The pamphlet opens with the following vigorous and pertinent words: 

“We whose names are subscribed, do in the name of all the poor oppressed people of England, declare unto you that call yourselves Lords of Manors and Lords of the Land, that, in regard the King of Righteousness, our Maker, hath enlightened our hearts so far as to see that the Earth was not made purposely for you to be Lords of it, and we to be your Slaves, Servants and Beggars, but it was made to be a common livelihood to all....  And further, in regard the King of Righteousness hath made us sensible of our burthens, and the cries and groanings of our hearts are come before Him, we take it as a testimony of love from Him, that our hearts begin to be freed from slavish fear of men such as you are, and that we find Resolutions in us, grounded upon the Inward Law of Love one towards another, to dig and plough up the Commons and Waste Land through England; and that our conversations shall be so unblamable that your Laws shall not reach to oppress us any longer, unless you by your Laws will shed the innocent blood that runs in our veins.”

Subsequently they protest against the Lords of Manors controlling the use and taking the profit of the Commons, hindering the people from supplying their wants as regards “Woods, Heath, Turf or Turfeys in places about the Commons,” and continue defiantly: 

“Therefore we are resolved to be cheated no longer, nor to be held under the slavish fear of you no longer, seeing the Earth was made for us as well as for you.  And if the Common Land belong to us who are the poor oppressed, surely the woods that grow upon the Commons belong to us likewise.  Therefore we are resolved to try the uttermost in the light of Reason to know whether we shall be Free-men or Slaves.  If we lie still and let you steal away our birthrights, we perish; and if we petition, we perish also, though we have paid taxes, given free-quarter, and have ventured our lives to preserve the Nation’s freedom as much as you, and therefore, by the Law of Contract with you, freedom in the land is our portion as well as yours, equal with you.  And if we strive for Freedom, and your murdering, governing Laws destroy us, we can but perish.”

“Therefore we require and we resolve to take both Common Land and Common Woods to be a livelihood for us, and look upon you as equal with us, not above us, knowing very well that England, the Land of our Nativity, is to be a Common Treasury of Livelihood to all, without respect of persons.

“So then, we declare unto you