Sir, your publique Imployment, your generous and Courteous Deportment, give me confidence to Dedicate these Rude and Unpolisht lines to your view, because I know, you have Ability to judge, and Charity to pardon the Errata’s that you may find therein.
When I did first set Pen to Paper about this matter, I found my self in a Labyrinth, and there might have suffered, had not my Education as a Clothier given me a glimmering light to extricate my self. And yet when I had purchased my Enlargement, by my strict enquiery into those Mysteries, I had a great dispute with my self, whether I should put my Abortive thoughts into Print or no, but more respecting the common good, than my private Reputation, I resolved rather to make my wishes publique, than to bury them in Oblivion.
Now Sir, it is not only a pleasant study for Statesmen to promote the Publike good, but the only way to true and lasting Honour, and Happiness; and that these poor Endeavours of mine may attain that good effect to the King and Countrey, as I really design; (aiming at no other,) I earnestly beg of God to direct you for the Improvement of them, in your publique imployments, which may (like the Rain from Heaven) break open the Springs of Trade in our dry and thirsty Land, to revive and refresh the same, and by so doing, Sir, you will not only do eminent service to the King, great kindness to your Countrey, but also oblige all people to pray for your happiness both in this world, and that which is to come, for the which also most earnestly praies,
Your Honours most humble,
and most devoted
Servant,
JOSEPH TREVERS.
To his Honoured Friend, Cap. Joseph Trevers, on his Book Entituled
An Essay to the Restoring of our decayed Trade.
If I a Poet were, I’de undertake,