Creator to be a Common Treasury of Livelihood to one equal with another, without respect of persons....  What need have we of any outward, selfish, confused laws, made to uphold the Power of Covetousness, when we have the Righteous Law written in our hearts, teaching us to walk purely in the Creation.”

Winstanley then complains of the action of some of the soldiers, but expresses the desire that they should not be punished, only cautioned not to offend again; and states the readiness of himself and companions to come to headquarters “upon a bare letter.”  He reiterates his contention that their demand is only to enjoy freedom “according to the law of contract between you and us”; freedom to till the common land, not to trespass upon any enclosures.  He continues: 

“We desire that your Lawyers may consider these questions, which we affirm to be truths, and which give good assurance, by the law of the land, that we that are the younger brothers, or common people, have a true right to dig, plow up and dwell upon the Commons, as we have declared.”

     QUESTIONS TO THE LAWYERS.

     “1.  Did not William the Conqueror dispossess the English, and thus
     cause them to be servants to him?

     “2.  Was not King Charles the direct successor of William the First?

     “3.  Whether Lords of the Manor were not the successors of the chief
     officers of William the First, holding their rights to the Commons
     by the power of the sword?

     “4.  Whether Lords of the Manor have not lost their royalty to the
     common land by the recent victories?

“5.  Whether any laws since the coming in of kings have been made in the light of the righteous law of our Creation, respecting all alike, or have not been grounded upon selfish principles in fear or flattery of their king, to uphold freedom in the gentry and clergy, and to hold the common people under bondage still, and so respecting persons?

“6.  Whether all laws that are not grounded upon equity and reason, not giving an universal freedom to all, but respecting persons, ought not to be cut off with the king’s head?  We affirm they ought.  If all laws be grounded upon equity and reason, then the whole land of England is to be a Common Treasury to everyone born in the Land.

“7.  Whether everyone without exception, by the Law of Contract, ought not to have liberty to enjoy the earth for his livelihood, and to settle his dwelling in any part of the Commons of England, without buying or renting land of any, seeing that everyone by agreement and covenant among themselves have paid taxes, given free-quarter, and adventured their lives to recover England out of bondage?  We affirm they ought.[103:1]

     “8.  Whether the laws that were made in the days of the king do give
     freedom to any but the gentry and clergy?”