1636 DEPOPULATION "WE MUST SO USE OUR OWNS THAT WE MAY NOT OFFEND OUR NEIGHBOUR" 003. POWELL, Robert. Depopulation arraigned, convicted and condemned, by the laws of God and Man: a treatise necessary in these times. By R. P. of Wells, one of the Societie of New Inne. London. Printed by R. B. and are to bee sold in S. Dunstans Church-yard neere the Church doore, 1636. [8],118,[24]p. Early nineteenth century calf, neatly rebacked. Chandos Leigh's copy with his bookplate. S. T. C 20160. GOLDSMITHS 672. KRESS 520. The final section of 24 unnumbered pages contains cases of forestalling and regrating i.e. the hoarding of corn and grain in times of scarcity to increase its price. Depopulation and the general decay of industry and society in the country side results from the process of demolishing habitations or allowing them to become uninhabitable and of enclosing land by avaricious landlords. The consequences of these and such like actions against the ancients right of property and tillage are described as serious for the economy and the community. "... multitudes of people not able to provide necessary victuals and cloathing, for themselves, their wives and children, were so discouraged with misery and poverty, that they fell daily to theft, robbery, and other inconveniences, or pitifully dyed for hunger and cold. " The crux of the argument here, as in Powell's arguments on forestalling and regrating, is whether the private individual is entitled to maximise his profit in his property ( either in land or grain) to his own benefit and at the apparent expence of the well-being of the community. Powell's conclusion is emphatic that "the interest of the Common weale hath such power over the actions and estates of men, that no man must abuse or mis-employ the talent of his means...No man must do that in his own property or possession, as may hurt another man; And we must so use our owne, that we may not offend our neighbour. " It is a classic example of the issue of private profit versus public good and an early expression of the view that poverty may result not from the culpability or indolence of the poor brat from some defect in the economic system.