| Title | The Generall Case of the Great Levell of the FENNS called Bedford Level Stated so far as it concerns Sir William Platers Knight and Baronet, Sir John Hewett Baronet, Col Samuel Sandys, Col William Terringham, Col Robert Philips, Col William Dodson and all others claiming under the original Adventurers, now Petitioners to the Honorable House of COMMONS (printed) |
| Description | Presents the case of the 'Old Adventurers' who had been seised of 32,000 acres when Bedford Level adjudged drained and who had been dispossessed as a result of the invitation by Parliament that the Level would be laid common to those who took up arms against most of the petitioners, being then in arms of employment for the king, who after the execution of Charles I then sold not only the king's lands but the adventurers' and procured an Act from the Rump Parliament, whereby the drainage is now 'publickly termed the great cheat of the Kingdom'. This Act by the Rump the intruders now seek to continue by a new act allowing the king his proportion but do nothing to redress the disinheritance of the petitioners, amongst whom Sire Miles Sandys, the Deputy Governor to the Corporation, is singled out as predecessor of Samuel Sandys and expended at least £100,000 'and for many years gave hospitality to all or most of the adventurers'. Concludes with praying restoration of the petitioners' lands according to the laws constituted before 1642 |