the Land, little Money or Trade in the Nation, no sure Titles; Soldier's Debenturs were taken for a Jest: And the whole Government and Army in the Hands of Anabaptists.
A. Well, I am satisfy'd that all the said Lands might fairly and squarely have been bought for 300 Thousand Pounds in ready Money. But pray, Who did Claim them before the Acts of Satisfaction 1653.
B. You will wonder and Laugh to hear my Answer.
1. For the Adventurer said, that his equitable Debt was in Principle Interest and Insurance 1200000l., and Quadruple to the Value of the Lands, But that his Legal Debt or Original Money was equal unto it.
2. The British Protestants, who were plundered Aº 1642 by the Rebels, said that the Goods, Money, and Cattle, which they lost, were worth 600000l., as appeared by Examination upon Oath, besides the Interest thereof for 10 Years. And therefore that all the said 300000l., worth of Forfeited Lands belonged unto them and not to Strangers.
3. The owners of Ruined Housing said, That their Damage, in the 12 Years of the Warrs, amounted to Six Times the then Value of the said forfeited Lands.
4. The Owners of the Cattle, which had been destroyed in the said 12 Years (for very few were left) said that their Value amounted to at least 3 Millions, or ten Times the Value of the said Lands.
5. The Army, who serv'd from the Year 1641 to the Year 1648, and the People that fed them, pretended to a Debt of 3600000l.
6. The State and People of England said they had actually sent over 1200000l., or 4 Times the Value of the said Lands.
7. The Protestant Land Lords of Ireland said, that their Lands Aº 1641, were worth above 4000000l., and Aº 1653 but 400000l.: So as they were damnify'd 12 Times the Value of the forfeited Lands.
8. The Protestant Churchmen said, That their Lands and Tyths, which the Catholick's State had Usurp'd during the 8 Years of their Reign, amounted at least to 900000l., or 3 Times the Value of the forfeited Lands.
9. The King (or those who Usurped his Right) said that
