still of Lords of Manors tyranny. Therefore unless we that are poor
commoners have some part of the land to live upon freely, as well
as the Gentry, it cannot be a Common-wealth, neither can the kingly
power be removed so long as this kingly power in the hands of Lords
of Manors rules over us.

"Now, Sir, if you and the Council will quietly grant us this
freedom, which is our own right, and set us free from the kingly
power of Lords of Manors, that violently now as in the king's days
hold the commons from us (as if we had obtained no conquest at all
over the kingly power), then the poor that lie under the great
burden of poverty, and are always complaining for want, and their
miseries increase because they see no means of relief found out,
and therefore cry out continually to you and the Parliament for
relief, and to make good your promises, will be quieted.

"We desire no more of you than freedom to work, and to enjoy the
benefit of our labors--for here is waste land enough and to spare
to supply all our wants. But if you deny this freedom, then in
righteousness we must raise collections for the poor out of the
estates, and a mass of money will not supply their wants. Many are
in want that are ashamed to take collection money, and therefore
they are desperate, and would rather rob and steal and disturb the
land, and others that are ashamed to beg would do any work for to
live, as it is the case of many of our Diggers, who have been good
housekeepers. But if this freedom were granted to improve the
common lands, then there would be a supply to answer everyone's
inquire, and the murmurings of the people against you and the
Parliament would cease, and within a few years we should have no
beggars nor idle persons in the land.