"_Fourthly_, We shall prove it by the Righteous Law of our
Creation, that mankind in all its branches is the Lord of the
Earth, and ought not to be in subjection to any of his own kind
without him, but to live in the light of the Law of Righteousness
and Peace established in his heart."
The pamphlet concludes as follows:
"Thus in love we have declared the purpose of our hearts plainly,
without flattery, expecting love and the same sincerity from you,
without grumbling or quarrelling, being Creatures of your own image
and mould, intending no other matter herein, but to observe the Law
of Righteous Action, endeavouring to shut out of the Creation the
accursed thing called Particular Propriety, which is the cause of
all wars, bloodshed, theft, and enslaving Laws, that hold the
people under misery.
"Signed for and in the behalf of all the poor oppressed people of
England and the whole world--
"GERARD WINSTANLEY, }
JOHN COULTON, }
JOHN PALMER, }
THOMAS STAR, }
SAMUEL WEBB, } and others, forty-six in all.
JOHN HAYMAN, }
THOMAS EDCER, }
WILLIAM HOGRILL," }
A few days after the publication of this declaration, viz., on Sunday,
April 1st, 1649, the Diggers commenced their labours on the Commons
around George's Hill, in Surrey, the first results of which we have
already recorded.
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