“Thus you Powers of England, and of the whole World, we have declared our Reasons why we have begun to dig upon George Hill in Surrey.  One thing I must tell you more, which I received in voice likewise at another time; and when I received it my eye was set towards you.  The words were these—­Let Israel go free.

“Surely as Israel lay four hundred and thirty years under Pharaoh’s bondage, before Moses was sent to fetch them out, even so Israel (the Elect Spirit spread in Sons and Daughters) hath lain three times so long already....  But now the time of Deliverance hath come....  For now the King of Righteousness is arising to rule in and over the Earth....  Therefore once more, Let Israel go free, that the Poor may labour the waste land, and suck the Breasts of their Mother Earth, that they starve not.  In so doing thou wilt keep the Sabbath Day, which is a Day of Rest, sweetly enjoying the Peace of the Spirit of Righteousness, and find Peace by living among a people that live in Peace:  This will be a Day of Rest which thou never knew yet.

“But I do not entreat thee, for thou art not to be entreated.  But in the Name of the Lord, that hath drawn me forth to speak to thee, I, yea I say, I command thee, To let Israel go free, and quietly to gather together into the place where I shall appoint; and hold them, no longer in bondage....  But if you will not, but Pharaoh-like cry, Who is the Lord that we should obey him? and endeavour to oppose, then know, that He that delivered Israel from Pharaoh of old is the same Power still, in whom we trust, and whom we serve.  For this, Conquest over thee shall be got, not by Sword or Weapon, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts.”

Such, then, were the first “official pronouncements” of the body of men known in the History of England as the Diggers, whose proud privilege it was to be the first in our native land, as against the rights of property, boldly to proclaim the rights of man.  Poor in worldly goods they may have been, but they were rich in hope and in love, in broad thoughts and elevating ideals, in a firm belief in the power and ultimate triumph of the Inward Light of Equity and Reason, and in unflinching resolution, not only to proclaim the steps necessary to social salvation, but to adventure their lives and persons to lay the foundations of a better, of a more equitable and beneficial, social state than ever they knew.  Certain it is that they were inspired by the highest motives that impel men to action; hence even those who may deem their views erroneous should not withhold from the men themselves their meed of respect, admiration, and sympathy.  To those who deem their views true, we need make no appeal.  Monuments are erected in stone, in marble, or in gold, to those whose actions in peace or in war commend themselves to their own generation; the monuments to those in advance of their