“In witnes, &c. Witnes the King at Westm̃, the “Second day of May.
In 1665 St. Michel was again anxious for a patent. The following is a copy of a petition preserved among the State Papers in the Record Office:--
“The humble petic̃ion of Major Allexandʳ Marchant aꝉs de Sᵗ. Michell upon the River Couanon neare the Towne of Bauge in Anjou in France Esqᵉ. Sheweth--
“That yoʳ petʳ hath invented the two following publick conveniences, first, for a generall forme how to keepe alwayes cleare water in ponds to wash horses, sweete & with as little Mudd in the bottome as the Owner thereof shall wish, if hee follow the direct modell of yoʳ Mᵗᵉ petʳ so being no Mudd Stincks (as now it is) a horse may safely bee washed in it & drinke there. Fire with it may be extinguished if accidents should happen, the stirring then being not noysome wᶜʰ now is so much, that in Somer time may cause an increase of the plague. All which Evills may bee prevented with as little charge to the owner as in the old fashion, so great inconveniences are (by the filthiness of these waters) contracted to horses with losses both to rich & poore especially those of the Army although Farriers for their gains, Ostlers to save themselves a Labour of going to the River doth mainteyne stincking water good to heale horses, but are convinced by the Argumᵗ: That the King having nowhere (as his Mᵗʸ may) the most stinking ponds to wash his Mᵗᵉ horses (if that were good) that through the Three Kingdomes by Rivers side & other sweete water where horses doe goe to Drink, no such corrupt ponds are erected to enter them in it, coming out of the cleare water.
“All these things considered of yʳ Mᵗⁱᵉ yʳ petʳ beseecheth yoʳ Royall pleasure for a patent for this publick goode for 14 years that hee may manifest it. And that yʳ Mᵗⁱᵉ bee pleased to have incerted in the said patent that nobody whatsoever may not for the space of the said 14 yeares use the said invention without your petʳ Lycense under his hand & Seal or the hand & Seale of his Deputyes in any part of yoʳ Mᵗᵉ Dominions, wherein many ponds for cattle being so full of Mudd that there remaineth no room for water, without often great charges or Labour ill spent, Fish ponds also may bee so ordered. And that your petʳ may find no obsticle in receiving what hee shall contract for, with the severall partyes who shall make use of his said Modell.