HENRY BICKERSTAFFE.
JOHN TAYLOR, etc.

Beginning to plant and manure the Waste Land upon Georges Hill, in
the Parish of Walton, in the County of Surrey."

The pamphlet opens with a Preface by a certain John Taylor, whose name
appears last on the list of signatures attached thereto, and who was
probably one of Winstanley's more recent converts. In it he states that
he has had "some conversation with the author of this ensuing
declaration, and the persons subscribing, and by experience find them
sweetly acted and guided by the everlasting Spirit, the Prince of Peace,
to walk in the paths of Righteousness." "Such as these," he declares,
"shall be partakers of the promise--_Blessed are the meek, for they
shall inherit the Earth._"

The body of the pamphlet itself is headed:

"A DECLARATION TO THE POWERS OF ENGLAND, AND TO ALL THE POWERS OF
THE WORLD, shewing the cause why the Common People of England
have begun and give consent to dig up, manure, and sow corn
upon George Hill in Surrey, by those that have subscribed, and
thousands more that give consent."

It commences as follows:

"In the beginning of time the great Creator, Reason, made the Earth
to be a Common Treasury to preserve beasts, birds, fishes and man,
the Lord who was to govern this Creation. For man had dominion
given him over the beasts, birds and fishes; but not one word was