e West Indies, had a tendency to inflame these
complaints. The growing demand in the more commercial countries had
heightened every where the price of commodities, which could easily be
transported thither; but in England, the labor of men, who could not
so easily change their habitation, still remained nearly at the
ancient rates, and the poor complained that they could no longer gain a
subsistence by their industry. It was by an addition alone of toil and
application they were enabled to procure a maintenance; and though this
increase of industry was at last the effect of the present situation,
and an effect beneficial to society, yet was it difficult for the people
to shake off their former habits of indolence; and nothing but necessity
could compel them to such an exertion of their faculties.

It must also be remarked, that the profusion of Henry VIII. had reduced
him, notwithstanding his rapacity, to such difficulties, that he had
been obliged to remedy a present necessity by the pernicious expedient
of debasing the coin; and the wars in which the protector had been
involved, had induced him to carry still further the same abuse. The
usual consequences ensued: the good specie was hoarded or exported; base
metal was coined at home, or imported from abroad in great abundance;
the common people, who received their wages in it, could not purchase
commodities at the usual rates: a universal diffidence and stagnation
of commerce took place; and loud complaints were heard in every part of
England.

The protector, who loved popularity, and pitied the condition of the
people, encouraged these complaints by his endeavors to redress them.
He appointed a commission for making inquiry concerning enclosures; and
issued a proclamation, ordering all late enclosures to be laid open by
a day appointed. The populace, meeting with such countenance from
government, began to rise in several places, and to commit disorders;
but were quieted by remonstrances and persuasion. In order to give them
greater satisfaction, Somerset appointed new commissioners, whom he sent
every where, with an unlimited power to hear and determine all causes
about enclosures, highways, and cottages.[*] As this commission
was disagreeable to the gentry and nobility, they stigmatized it as
arbitrary and illegal; and the common people, fearing it would be
eluded, and being impatient for immediate redress, could no longer
contain their fury, but sought for a remed