William Petty

“ And I believe that I might have set a longer time for the learning of this Art, but should I have done it, men may take just distaste at me, for undervaluing their abilities so far, as not to thinke them able to attain in an houres serious endeavour, what I my selfe did at the first assay. But suppose, that some men could not doe according to these propositions, certainly those are most likely to fail, who are least used and able to write, and consequently such as have least need of the invention. ”

“ So that according to the nature of the thing, I have more reason to expect profit then praise for my reward, and perhaps some men have been too apt to believe me herein, thinking that my procuring a Patent, and deferring the discovery doe argue an ambition in me, not only of vast but unreasonable desires. ”

“ But if any man shall considerately better the businesse, I shall be willing to gratifie him proportionably, to what I my selfe shall gain by it, and that by such a reasonable way as I shall hereafter more particularly propound.
We come to explain our selves in some other Circumstances, first, concerning the manner of discovering the Art, when the time shall come ”

“ Besides many impediments may be lestned by the alteration of many indifferent circumstances, about writing-books and paper now usuall, as to write in books that open well and easily, rather in those whose backs are stubborn and stiff bound, to write in folio rather then in smaller folds, in single paper rather then in much doubled and boysterous, with all which particulars this Art will sufficiently consist to practisers nor monstrously unhandy. ”

“ As for the price of the Instruments (which men that desire to have them, are to deposite above the five shillings) it is two shillings six pence, namely, for those which I conceive to be of most generall and common use, which if I can between this and the time of discovery, better and improve, it shall be done at mine own charges, although they should grow dearer thereby, so as (if they become cheaper by my improvement) to man will think himselfe wronged if I make no retribution out of the said price. ”

“ Shal not enlarge upon the praises of double writing, for every man best knoweth him∣selfe what use he can make of it, least I thereby seem to praise my selfe, arrogating indeed what I doe not deserve. ”

“ Or if any very scrupulous person shall happen to dream of any ground of suspition, why I should of purpose not discover it, or can imagine, where and how I can protect my selfe from the discredit, the losse of all future fruits of my Priviledge, and the suits of every contributer against me (which must attend so unworthy a piece of folly) he shall have security for his five shillings in that behalfe. ”

“ Should I have addressed my selfe to any one Company in the City, it is to be feared that after much solicitation, I should have been at last answered, That since it concerned all Companies as much as any one, unless all would joyn, one would do nothing, and to make all of them so to joyn, was a work beyond my power and patience. ”

“ Onely we presume that those who shall be most froward and exceptious against the invention, and shall have least need of it, cannot thinke five shillings ill bestowed on so rare an attempt. For if a man can in a small time learn for to write as fast and as fair by this double, as by the usuall way, all men allow that it may in the 14 years (which is the tearm of my priviledge) save some hundreds of pounds to some men, and excee∣dingly more then five shillings to any man. ”

“ On the contrary, I confesse, that I rather deserve to be blamed of dulnesse, that it hath cost me any pains at all, to contrive so simple and plain things as my Instruments are, and I hope when it shall be discovered to better heads to be soon made ashamed by their improvements, that I have done no more unto them. ”

“ Lastly, Because I would take away all occasions which men might have to incur the danger of the penalty allowed by the Parliament by hindring them so to doe, at least untill I could so provide for my selfe, as that I need not to be extreamly rigorous against any, but such as shall contumeliously affront the Authority of my grant. ”

“ Lastly, other ingenious men may, and certainly will soon mend any thing that shall be found amisse, as to any mans particular use, for mine own part I shall never be wanting thereunto, and could at present alter the instrument in severall particulars, did I not fear that in making them more fit for one mans use, they would be lesse fit for anothers ”

“ An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, to enable the Commissioners of the Great Seal, to grant his Majesties Letters Patents to William Petty or to his Assignes, for his having and quiet enjoying the sole benefit of his late Invention of Double and Multiple Writing for the term of 14 yeares, according to the Proviso of the Statute of the 21 yeare of King JAMES in that behalf made. ”