Let all the Parishioners unite, take Archdeacon Paley in the one hand and the Bible in the other, assemble in an adjoining field, and after having debated the subject to their own satisfaction, enter into a Convention and unanimously agree to a Declaration of Rights, in which it is declared that all the land, including coal-pits, mines, rivers, etc., belonging to the Parish of Bees, now in the possession of Lord Drone, shall on Lady Day, 25th March, 18—, become public property, the joint stock and common farm, in which every Parishioner shall enjoy an equal participation.
— THOMAS SPENCE (1750-1814), in Land for the Landless, p. 14.
Here's something else attributed to Spence:
From The Single Tax Review, Winter 1906
A SINGLE TAX POET OF 1783.
THE RIGHTS OF MAN.
O! there is a land, as I hear say
Where landlords none there be!
O! Heaven! might I that happy land
Before I die but see.
The rents throughout that happy state,
Each parish deals so fair,
That every householder therein
Does get an equal share.
Of equal shares of land or goods,
They never once do dream;
But in each parish, part the rents
Which better far they deem.
As all the world belongs to all
So does a land to those
That dwell therein, the likeness then,
Down to a parish goes.
So by this simple rule of right.
All things in order move,
In church and state, 'mongst rich and poor
All's harmony and love.
For as the poor their natural rights,
And lordships thus enjoy,
The rich unenvy'd live in peace,
None wish them to annoy.
Then Lord have mercy on all lands,
This happy change soon bring,
That brethern-like, men may divide
Their rents and gladly sing.
So if by sickness or mischance
To poverty some wane
Their dividend of rents will come
To set them up again.
Ye priests and lawyers, who men's rights
Gloss o'er deceitfully,
Our common claim to rents will stand,
'Gainst all your sophistry.
T. SPENCE, 1783.
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