To the Right Honourable and Honourable the Lords Commissioners of His Majesties treasury Sir William Creagh ...
         Creagh, William, Sir.
      
       
         
           1687
        
      
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         A34949
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         ESTC R7705
         12144928
         ocm 12144928
         54922
         
           
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             To the Right Honourable and Honourable the Lords Commissioners of His Majesties treasury Sir William Creagh ...
             Creagh, William, Sir.
          
           22 p.
           
             s.n.,
             [S.l. :
             1684]
          
           
             Caption title.
             Date of publication from Wing.
             Folded leaf inserted between p. 8 and 9 titled: The French certificate.
             Folded leaf inserted between p. 20 and 21 titled: The Scotch certificate.
             Reproduction of original in Columbia University Library.
             Collection of documents sent by Creagh, along with his cover letter dated 1687, to the Lords of the Treasury. They deal with the diversion of the foreign trade in coal from Newcastle to Scotland owing to higher export duty in England.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Coal trade -- Great Britain.
        
      
    
     
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           TO
           THE
           Right
           Honourable
           and
           Honourable
           THE
           Lords
           Commissioners
           OF
           HIS
           
             Majesties
             Treasury
             .
          
        
         
           Sir
           
             WILLIAM
             CREAGH
          
           of
           
             Newcastle
          
           upon
           
             Tine
             ,
          
        
         
           
             Most
             humbly
             sheweth
             ,
          
        
         
           THAT
           taking
           notice
           of
           the
           great
           inequality
           of
           the
           Customs
           in
           
             England
          
           and
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           on
           COALS
           transported
           beyond
           the
           Seas
           ,
           by
           which
           His
           Majesties
           Revenue
           (
           as
           to
           that
           Branch
           )
           is
           much
           impaired
           ,
           the
           English
           Navigation
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           discouraged
           ,
           and
           that
           antient
           Corporation
           of
           
             Newcastle
          
           in
           danger
           of
           being
           ruin'd
           :
           He
           thought
           it
           his
           Duty
           ,
           to
           let
           slip
           no
           opportunity
           whereby
           he
           might
           be
           instrumental
           to
           stop
           the
           current
           of
           so
           great
           Evils
           .
        
         
         
           And
           though
           the
           fatigue
           of
           a
           long
           troublesom
           Journey
           from
           
             Newcastle
          
           hither
           ,
           might
           be
           a
           bar
           to
           his
           said
           undertaking
           ,
           yet
           he
           valu'd
           his
           Duty
           to
           the
           King
           and
           the
           Publick
           ,
           above
           all
           ,
           and
           came
           from
           
             Newcastle
          
           to
           
             London
             ,
          
           now
           the
           third
           time
           upon
           the
           same
           Errand
           .
        
         
           The
           first
           time
           was
           in
           
             October
             ,
          
           1684.
           and
           in
           
             November
          
           following
           ,
           he
           presented
           the
           Commissioners
           of
           His
           Majesties
           Customs
           ,
           with
           a
           State
           of
           the
           Forreign
           Coal-Trade
           ,
           herewith
           following
           the
           Letter
           —
           A
        
         
           Together
           with
           the
           ensuing
           Authentick
           Certificate
           from
           
             France
             ,
          
           following
           the
           Letter
           —
           B
        
         
           Both
           which
           being
           debated
           before
           the
           said
           Commissioners
           ,
           were
           afterwards
           sent
           up
           to
           the
           then
           Lords
           of
           the
           Treasury
           ,
           and
           made
           known
           to
           his
           late
           Majesty
           of
           Blessed
           Memory
           ,
           who
           ,
           together
           with
           the
           said
           Lords
           and
           Commissioners
           ,
           seem'd
           inclinable
           to
           grant
           the
           Abatement
           set
           forth
           in
           the
           said
           State
           ,
           till
           one
           Mr.
           
             George
             Robinson
             ,
          
           one
           of
           the
           Sub-Farmers
           of
           the
           
             4s
             .
             per
          
           Chalder
           ,
           under
           my
           Lord
           
             Townsend
             ,
          
           obstructed
           the
           same
           ,
           by
           disswading
           his
           Partners
           from
           consenting
           thereto
           ,
           and
           for
           his
           so
           doing
           ,
           he
           gave
           the
           Commissioners
           a
           Paper
           of
           groundless
           Reasons
           ,
           herewith
           following
           the
           Letter
           —
           C
        
         
           Which
           are
           fully
           refuted
           by
           the
           said
           
           Creagh's
           Answer
           thereto
           ,
           following
           the
           Letter
           —
           D
        
         
           However
           ,
           since
           the
           said
           Sub-Farmers
           would
           not
           bear
           their
           share
           of
           the
           Abatement
           ,
           the
           said
           Lords
           of
           the
           Treasury
           and
           Commissioners
           thought
           it
           not
           reasonable
           the
           King
           should
           bear
           the
           whole
           ,
           and
           they
           reap
           half
           the
           Benefit
           :
           And
           thus
           the
           Business
           fell
           till
           
             February
             ,
          
           1685
           /
           6.
           
           That
           the
           said
           
             Creagh
          
           seeing
           those
           Evils
           
           like
           to
           encrease
           ,
           and
           having
           an
           opportunity
           by
           Proposals
           made
           to
           him
           from
           
             France
          
           (
           upon
           encouragement
           )
           to
           improve
           that
           Branch
           of
           His
           Majesties
           Revenue
           very
           considerably
           ,
           he
           came
           the
           second
           time
           to
           
             London
             ,
          
           and
           presented
           His
           present
           Majesty
           with
           a
           second
           State
           of
           that
           Affair
           ,
           a
           Copy
           whereof
           is
           here
           annexed
           ,
           and
           follows
           the
           Letter
           —
           E
        
         
           And
           of
           which
           another
           Copy
           was
           likewise
           delivered
           to
           my
           Lord
           
             Rochester
             ,
          
           then
           Lord
           Treasurer
           ,
           and
           the
           said
           
             Creagh
          
           being
           call'd
           out
           of
           Town
           before
           any
           Reference
           could
           be
           had
           upon
           it
           ,
           he
           left
           a
           Friend
           to
           sollicit
           the
           matter
           ;
           and
           though
           it
           was
           sent
           to
           the
           Commissioners
           after
           he
           was
           gone
           ,
           yet
           his
           Friend
           could
           get
           no
           other
           Answer
           to
           it
           ,
           than
           a
           Copy
           of
           the
           said
           
           Robinson's
           groundless
           Reasons
           .
           This
           put
           him
           the
           said
           
             Creagh
          
           upon
           procuring
           stronger
           Proofs
           for
           what
           he
           asserted
           ,
           and
           after
           the
           Expence
           of
           Time
           and
           Money
           ,
           he
           at
           last
           got
           an
           Authentick
           Certificate
           from
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           a
           Copy
           whereof
           follows
           the
           Letter
           —
           F
        
         
           Which
           he
           hopes
           will
           be
           sufficient
           to
           shew
           what
           Prejudice
           the
           said
           
           Robinson's
           and
           Partners
           Obstinacy
           has
           done
           the
           King
           ,
           the
           Navigation
           ,
           and
           the
           Town
           of
           
             Newcastle
             ,
          
           which
           I
           doubt
           so
           small
           an
           Abatement
           will
           not
           now
           prevent
           ,
           after
           the
           Trade
           is
           almost
           setled
           in
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           as
           it
           would
           do
           in
           the
           beginning
           ,
           when
           there
           was
           not
           much
           of
           that
           :
           Insomuch
           that
           raising
           the
           Custom
           in
           
             Scotland
          
           to
           some
           equality
           with
           the
           Custom
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           would
           prove
           more
           effectual
           ;
           and
           this
           is
           conceived
           may
           be
           done
           by
           the
           King
           and
           Lords
           Commissioners
           of
           the
           Exchequer
           in
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           as
           appears
           by
           the
           Preamble
           to
           the
           Scotch
           Book
           of
           Rates
           ,
           whereof
           a
           Copy
           is
           also
           herewith
           following
           the
           Letter
           —
           G
        
         
           Especially
           in
           a
           Matter
           that
           occasions
           so
           National
           a
           Prejudice
           :
           
           But
           till
           that
           be
           done
           ,
           some
           Course
           is
           requisite
           to
           be
           taken
           to
           prevent
           the
           aforesaid
           apparent
           Evils
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           an
           addition
           to
           the
           Ruine
           of
           that
           ancient
           and
           considerable
           Corporation
           of
           
             Newcastle
          
           upon
           
             Tine
             ,
          
           there
           is
           one
           of
           its
           own
           Members
           (
           called
           
             Sunderland
             )
          
           that
           contributes
           thereto
           in
           a
           high
           degree
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           the
           Custom
           saved
           in
           the
           difference
           of
           measure
           ,
           by
           which
           His
           Majesty
           loses
           30
           
             per
             cent
             .
          
           of
           His
           Customs
           ,
           which
           the
           said
           
             Creagh
          
           is
           ready
           to
           make
           out
           ,
           of
           his
           own
           certain
           knowledg
           ,
           having
           loaded
           Ships
           there
           ,
           and
           found
           that
           every
           7
           Chalders
           in
           
             Sunderland
             ,
          
           made
           out
           10
           
             Newcastle
          
           Chalders
           ,
           and
           paid
           the
           Kings
           Custom
           but
           for
           7
           Chalders
           ,
           and
           as
           a
           further
           demonstration
           ,
           they
           sell
           their
           
             Sunderland
          
           Chalder
           of
           Coals
           most
           commonly
           for
           14
           
             s.
          
           and
           14
           
             s.
          
           6
           
             d.
             per
          
           Chalder
           ,
           when
           
             Newcastle
          
           cannot
           sell
           for
           above
           8
           or
           9
           
             s.
             per
          
           Chalder
           ,
           though
           as
           good
           or
           better
           Coals
           ;
           so
           that
           the
           Measure
           is
           apparent
           to
           be
           the
           cause
           ,
           by
           which
           a
           great
           share
           of
           that
           little
           foreign
           Coal
           Trade
           in
           
             England
          
           (
           which
           otherwise
           would
           come
           to
           
             Newcastle
             )
          
           comes
           to
           that
           Port
           ,
           which
           is
           like
           wise
           a
           great
           Prejudice
           to
           the
           Navigation
           ,
           by
           reason
           none
           but
           small
           Vessels
           come
           there
           ,
           whereas
           in
           
             Newcastle
             ,
          
           Ships
           of
           any
           Burthen
           may
           fitted
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           one
           thing
           more
           burthensom
           to
           
             Newcastle
          
           in
           reference
           to
           its
           Members
           ,
           whereof
           no
           mention
           would
           be
           made
           ,
           if
           the
           said
           Members
           were
           not
           like
           to
           destroy
           the
           Head
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           the
           12
           
             d.
             per
          
           Chalder
           ,
           which
           comes
           to
           a
           considerable
           yearly
           Sum
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           in
           the
           least
           grudged
           ,
           provided
           the
           said
           Members
           paid
           the
           like
           ,
           and
           not
           have
           30
           
             per
             cent
             .
          
           abated
           in
           the
           Custom
           more
           than
           the
           head
           .
        
         
         
           May
           it
           please
           your
           Lordships
           ,
           Mr.
           
             Anthony
             Isaacson
             ,
          
           Collector
           of
           the
           Customs
           in
           
             Newcastle
             ,
          
           and
           one
           who
           hath
           had
           above
           Twenty
           Years
           experience
           in
           that
           Port
           ,
           is
           now
           in
           
             London
          
           (
           who
           may
           if
           your
           Lordships
           please
           )
           be
           interrogated
           as
           to
           the
           Premises
           ;
           to
           whose
           testimony
           ,
           and
           your
           Lordships
           consideration
           ,
           is
           referred
           what
           is
           here
           set
           forth
           by
        
         
           May
           it
           please
           your
           Lordships
           ,
           
             Your
             Lordships
             most
             Humble
             ,
             most
             Obedient
             ,
             and
             most
             Faithful
             Servant
             ,
             W.
             CREAGH
             .
          
           
             LONDON
             ,
             
               
                 April
              
               the
               1687.
               
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           A
        
         
           THE
           PRESENT
           STATE
           OF
           THE
           
             Forreign
             Coal-Trade
             ,
          
           Humbly
           offerred
           to
           the
           consideration
           of
           His
           Majesties
           Commissioners
           of
           the
           Customs
           ,
           BY
           
             WILLIAM
             CREAGH
             ,
          
           Of
           
             Newcastle
          
           upon
           
             Tine
             ,
          
           Merchant
           .
        
         
           THE
           said
           
             William
             Creagh
          
           saith
           ,
           That
           a
           Company
           of
           
             French
          
           Merchants
           of
           the
           City
           of
           
             Rouen
          
           in
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           
             France
             ,
          
           about
           Three
           Months
           ago
           ,
           writ
           him
           ,
           that
           they
           made
           a
           Contract
           with
           the
           
             French
          
           Farmers
           ,
           to
           import
           great
           Quantities
           of
           Coals
           into
           the
           River
           of
           
             Rouen
          
           by
           
             English
          
           Shipping
           ,
           and
           thereupon
           gave
           the
           said
           
             Creagh
          
           orders
           to
           Freight
           (
           with
           all
           possible
           speed
           )
           as
           many
           
             English
          
           Ships
           as
           could
           take
           in
           800
           Chalders
           of
           Coals
           ,
           declaring
           ,
           that
           the
           next
           Spring
           and
           Summer
           they
           would
           import
           as
           many
           Coals
           to
           
           the
           said
           River
           of
           
             Rouen
             ,
          
           and
           continue
           yearly
           so
           to
           do
           ,
           as
           would
           supply
           the
           whole
           Kingdom
           of
           
             France
             ;
          
           whereupon
           ,
           and
           in
           pursuance
           of
           the
           said
           Order
           ,
           the
           said
           
             Creagh
          
           freighted
           Nine
           Ships
           of
           considerable
           Burthen
           ,
           and
           loaded
           them
           off
           ;
           but
           before
           he
           could
           compleat
           Shipping
           the
           said
           Number
           of
           800
           Chalders
           of
           Coals
           ,
           he
           receives
           a
           Letter
           from
           the
           said
           Company
           ,
           acquainting
           him
           ,
           that
           the
           Truce
           being
           then
           as
           good
           as
           ratified
           betwixt
           
             France
          
           and
           
             Spain
             ,
          
           their
           
             French
          
           Ships
           which
           formerly
           used
           to
           come
           for
           Coals
           to
           
             Newcastle
             ,
          
           were
           then
           all
           going
           for
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           great
           Discouragement
           they
           met
           with
           at
           
             Newcastle
          
           by
           the
           high
           Duties
           and
           Tonage
           there
           ,
           which
           on
           
             French
          
           Ships
           is
           30
           
             s.
          
           sterling
           
             per
          
           Chalder
           ,
           on
           
             Dutch
          
           Ships
           
             20s
             .
             per
          
           Chalder
           ,
           and
           on
           
             English
          
           Ships
           
             8s
             .
             per
          
           Chalder
           ,
           that
           they
           could
           do
           no
           good
           thereby
           ;
           whereas
           in
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           no
           foreign
           Ship
           pays
           more
           than
           10
           
             s.
             Scotch
          
           Money
           (
           which
           is
           but
           
             10d
             .
          
           sterling
           )
           for
           their
           great
           
             Scotch
          
           Chalders
           that
           makes
           about
           Five
           
             Newcastle
          
           Chalders
           ;
           so
           that
           by
           that
           computation
           ,
           they
           pay
           but
           at
           the
           rate
           of
           
             2d
             .
          
           sterling
           
             per
          
           Chalder
           
             Newcastle
          
           Measure
           :
           And
           besides
           a
           Ship
           of
           200
           Tons
           may
           clear
           there
           for
           40
           or
           50
           Tons
           ;
           so
           that
           the
           
             Scotch
          
           Duty
           upon
           Coals
           duly
           considered
           as
           it
           is
           now
           collected
           ,
           is
           next
           to
           nothing
           .
        
         
           This
           encouragement
           in
           
             Scotland
          
           being
           so
           great
           ,
           most
           of
           the
           
             French
          
           Ships
           went
           thither
           ,
           and
           some
           of
           them
           being
           lately
           returned
           to
           the
           said
           River
           of
           
             Rouen
             ,
          
           they
           brought
           with
           them
           a
           new
           sort
           of
           
             Scotch
          
           Coal
           ,
           which
           gave
           as
           good
           a
           Price
           in
           
             Rouen
          
           Market
           as
           
             Newcastle
          
           Coals
           ,
           though
           heretofore
           ,
           
             Newcastle
          
           Coals
           used
           to
           give
           10
           
             French
          
           Crowns
           in
           every
           100
           Barrels
           of
           Coals
           
             Rouen
          
           Measure
           (
           which
           is
           computed
           to
           be
           about
           6
           
             Newcastle
          
           Chalders
           )
           more
           than
           the
           
             Scotch
          
           Coals
           :
           But
           now
           the
           one
           giving
           as
           good
           a
           Price
           as
           the
           other
           ,
           if
           some
           speedy
           
           care
           be
           not
           taken
           ,
           His
           Majesties
           Revenue
           in
           the
           said
           Port
           of
           
             Newcastle
          
           will
           be
           mightily
           impaired
           ,
           and
           the
           
             English
          
           Navigation
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           discourag'd
           :
           All
           which
           is
           most
           humbly
           referred
           to
           the
           consideration
           of
           the
           said
           Commissioners
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           find
           out
           some
           speedy
           Remedy
           to
           prevent
           all
           the
           foregoing
           Evils
           .
           And
           that
           the
           said
           
             Creagh
          
           may
           not
           be
           wanting
           with
           his
           weak
           endeavours
           ,
           he
           humbly
           conceives
           ,
           that
           ballancing
           the
           
             Scotch
          
           Coal-Trade
           with
           the
           
             English
             ,
          
           would
           do
           the
           work
           ;
           that
           is
           to
           say
           ,
           to
           raise
           the
           Duty
           of
           the
           
             Scotch
          
           Coals
           in
           some
           measure
           equal
           to
           the
           
             English
             .
          
           But
           since
           that
           must
           be
           (
           if
           at
           all
           )
           a
           work
           of
           much
           time
           ,
           and
           likely
           to
           meet
           with
           great
           opposition
           ,
           he
           the
           said
           
             Creagh
          
           thinks
           that
           an
           Abatement
           of
           5
           Chalders
           in
           every
           Score
           ,
           or
           an
           allowance
           of
           25
           
             per
             cent
             .
          
           (
           joynt
           with
           the
           difficulty
           of
           the
           
             Scotch
          
           Navigation
           )
           may
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           keep
           the
           said
           
             French
          
           Project
           (
           which
           otherwise
           will
           fall
           off
           )
           on
           foot
           ,
           to
           the
           encrease
           of
           His
           Majesties
           Revenue
           by
           the
           said
           Over-Sea
           Coal-Trade
           ,
           in
           the
           said
           Port
           of
           
             Newcastle
             ,
          
           and
           Members
           thereof
           ,
           and
           great
           encouragement
           of
           the
           
             English
          
           Navigation
           .
           All
           which
           is
           most
           humbly
           submitted
           to
           the
           determination
           of
           the
           said
           Commissioners
           ,
           by
           their
           most
           Faithful
           and
           most
           humble
           Servant
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ,
             
               
                 Novemb.
              
               3.
               1684.
               
            
          
           
             W.
             CREAGH
             .
          
        
         
      
       
         
         
         
           B
        
         
           THE
           French
           CERTIFICATE
           .
        
         
           
             PARDEVANT
             les
             Notaires
             Gardenotes
             Royeaux
             à
          
           Rouen
           
             soubsignéz
             ,
             se
             sont
             comparus
             &
             presentez
             les
             Sieurs
             Pierre
             Locquet
             Prieur
             &
             Juge
             Consul
             ,
             anné
             presente
             ,
          
           Jean
           le
           Boucher
           
             second
             Juge
             Consul
             ,
             &
          
           Robert
           Nouflard
           
             Syndic
             des
             Sieurs
             Juges
             Consuls
             des
             Merchands
             à
          
           Rouen
           ;
           
             les
             Sieurs
          
           Eustache
           le
           Canu
           
             &
          
           Compagnie
           ,
           Jacques
           Delamare
           ,
           Thomas
           Fulgent
           ,
           Loüis
           Bouffier
           ,
           Jean
           le
           Testu
           ,
           
             &
          
           Anthoine
           Mallet
           ,
           
             Tous
             anciens
             Juges
             ,
             Consuls
             &
             Marchands
             ,
             en
             cette
             Ville
             y
             demeurans
             lesquels
             apres
             qui
             leur
             a
             esté
             representé
             un
             Estat
             des
             Charbons
             de
             Terre
             venus
             ,
             d'Escosse
             entrez
             par
             le
             Burreau
             de
          
           Rouen
           ,
           
             depuis
             le
             premier
             d'
          
           Octobre
           1683.
           
           
             Jusques
             &
             Compris
             le
             dixhuictiéme
          
           Decembre
           1684.
           
           
             Certifie
             veritable
             par
             Monsieur
          
           Nozereau
           
             Directeur
             General
             des
             cinq
             Grosses
             Fermes
             de
          
           France
           
             le
             .
          
           2.
           
           Janvier
           
             an
             present
          
           1685.
           
           
             Duquel
             Estat
             la
             Teneur
             s'ensuit
             .
          
        
         
           
             
               
                 Estat
              
               des
               Charbons
               de
               Terre
               venus
               d'Escosse
               entrez
               par
               le
               Burreau
               de
               
                 Rouen
              
               depuis
               le
               premier
               
                 d'Octobre
              
               1683.
               
               Jusques
               &
               Compris
               le
               18.
               
               
                 Decembre
              
               1684.
               
            
             
               
                  
              
               
                  
              
               
                  
              
               
                 
                   Barils
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Du
                
                 8.
                 
                 
                   Octobre
                
                 1683.
                 
                 
                   Au
                   Vaisseau
                   de
                   Jean
                   Gardinier
                   .
                
              
               
                 Francois
                 Venue
                 de
                 Celse
                 .
              
               
                 
                   A
                   Alexandre
                   Hamilton
                
                 un
                 Grenier
                 contenant
                 —
              
               
                 647.
                 
                 Charbon
                 de
                 Terre
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Ditto
                   an
                   Vaisseau
                   de
                   Guilleaume
                   Barjolle
                   .
                
              
               
                 Francois
                 venant
                 d'Escosse
                 .
              
               
                 
                   A
                   Estienne
                   Ernault
                
                 un
                 Grenier
                 contenant
                 —
              
               
                 580.
                 
                 Charbon
                 de
                 Terre
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Du
                
                 22.
                 
                   ditto
                   an
                   Vaisseau
                   de
                   Guilleaume
                   Falloüart
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Venant
                   de
                   Honfleur
                   ayant
                   allegé
                   le
                   Navire
                   de
                   Pierre
                   Huet
                   Francois
                   .
                
                 
                   Venant
                   d'Escosse
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   A
                   Louis
                   Hays
                
                 un
                 Grenier
                 contenant
                 —
              
               
                 441½
                 .
                 Charbon
                 de
                 Terre
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Du
                
                 26.
                 
                   ditto
                   ,
                   an
                   Vaisseau
                   de
                   Pierre
                   Huet
                
              
               
                 Francois
                 venant
                 de
                 Limequel
                 en
                 Escosse
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Audit
                   Sieur
                   Hays
                
                 un
                 Grenier
                 contenant
                 —
              
               
                 547.
                 
                 Charbon
                 de
                 Terre
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Ditto
                   an
                   Vaisseau
                   de
                   Gills
                   le
                   Hot.
                   
                
              
               
                 Francois
                 venant
                 de
                 Limequel
                 en
                 Escosse
                 .
              
               
                 
                   A
                   Alexandre
                   Hamilton
                
                 un
                 Grenier
                 contenant
                 —
              
               
                 950.
                 
                 Charbon
                 de
                 Terre
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Du
                
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Juin
                
                 1684.
                 
                   au
                   Navire
                   de
                   Robert
                   Scales
                   .
                
              
               
                 Escossois
                 venant
                 de
                 Litz
                 en
                 Escosse
                 .
              
               
                 
                   A
                   Thomas
                   Cholwich
                
                 un
                 petit
                 Grenier
                 contenant
                 —
              
               
                 42.
                 
                 Charbon
                 de
                 Terre
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Du
                
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Aoust
                
                 1684.
                 
                   au
                   Vaisseau
                   de
                   Pierre
                   Martin
                   .
                
              
               
                 Francois
                 ,
                 venant
                 d'Escosse
                 .
              
               
                 
                   A
                   Jacques
                   Mel
                
                 un
                 Grenier
                 contenant
                 —
              
               
                 536.
                 
                 Charbon
                 de
                 Terre
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Du
                
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Novembre
                
                 1684.
                 
                   au
                   Vaisseau
                   de
                   Jacques
                   du
                   Pas.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   Venant
                   du
                   havre
                   ayant
                   allegé
                   les
                   Navires
                   d'André
                   Bisset
                   Escossois
                   .
                
                 
                   Venant
                   d'Escosse
                   &
                   du
                   Capitaine
                   Dixon
                   Escossois
                   venant
                   de
                   Neufchastel
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   A
                   Eustache
                   Canu
                
                 un
                 Grenier
                 contenant
                 —
              
               
                 326.
                 
                 Charbon
                 de
                 Terre
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Du
                
                 13.
                 
                   ditto
                   ,
                   an
                   Vaisseau
                   d'Abraham
                   Leeman
                   .
                
              
               
                 Hollandois
                 venant
                 d'Escosse
                 .
              
               
                 
                   A
                   Jacques
                   Mel
                
                 un
                 Grenier
                 contenant
                 —
              
               
                 502½
                 .
                 Charbon
                 de
                 Terre
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Du
                
                 5.
                 
                 
                   Decembre
                   ,
                
                 1684.
                 
                   au
                   Navire
                   du
                   Sieur
                   Jacob
                   Smith
                
              
               
                 Hollandois
                 venant
                 de
                 Limequel
                 en
                 Escosse
                 .
              
               
                 
                   A
                   Jacques
                   Mel
                
                 un
                 Grenier
                 contenant
                 —
              
               
                 893½
                 .
                 Charbon
                 de
                 Terre
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Du
                
                 9.
                 
                 
                   Ditto
                   ,
                   an
                   Vaisseau
                   de
                   Charles
                   Goüin
                
              
               
                 Francois
                 venant
                 d'Escosse
                 .
              
               
                 
                   A
                   Louis
                   Hays
                
                 un
                 Grenier
                 contenant
                 —
              
               
                 450.
                 
                 Charbon
                 de
                 Terre
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Du
                
                 11.
                 
                 
                   Decembre
                
                 1684.
                 
                   au
                   Vaisseau
                   de
                   Jean
                   Maillard
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   Venant
                   de
                   Honfleur
                   ayant
                   allegé
                   le
                   Vaisseau
                   de
                   pierre
                   Potteuin
                   Francois
                
                 
                   Venant
                   d'Escosse
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   A
                   Estienne
                   Ernault
                
                 un
                 Grenier
                 contenant
                 —
              
               
                 302½
                 .
                 Charbon
                 de
                 Terre
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Du
                
                 19.
                 
                 
                   Ditto
                   ,
                   an
                   Navire
                   de
                   Pierre
                   Poitteuin
                   ,
                
              
               
                 Francois
                 venant
                 d'Escosse
                 .
              
               
                 
                   A
                   Estienne
                   Ernault
                
                 un
                 Grenier
                 contenant
                 —
              
               
                 1150.
                 
                 Charbon
                 de
                 Terre
                 .
              
            
             
               
                  
              
               
                  
              
               
                  
              
               
                 7368.
                 
                 Barils
                 en
                 Tout
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           
             Total
             des
             Charbons
             contenües
             an
             present
             Estat
             Sept
             Mil
             Trois
             Cents
             Soixante
             Huict
             Barils
             &
             plus
             bas
             est
             Escrit
             le
             present
             Extrait
             tiré
             des
             Registres
             de
             la
             Romaine
             ,
             &
             certifié
             veritable
             par
             moy
             Directeur
             General
             des
             Cinq
             grosses
             Fermes
             soubsignez
             ce
          
           2.
           
           Janvier
           1685.
           
           
             Signé
             Nozereau
             un
             paraphe
             .
             Tous
             lequels
             Charbons
             de
             Terre
             venus
             d'Escosse
             &
             mentionné
             audit
             Estat
             arrivez
             en
             cette
             ville
             faisant
             ensemble
          
           7368
           
             Barils
             ,
             les
             dits
             Sieurs
             dessus
             Nommez
             out
             declaré
             ,
             juré
             ,
             affirmé
             ,
             &
             attesté
             que
             les
             dits
             Charbons
             de
             Terre
             out
             esté
             vendus
             an
             prix
             Courrant
             depuis
             le
             dit
             mois
             d'
          
           Octobre
           1683.
           
             jusques
             an
             mois
             de
          
           Decembre
           1684.
           
             à
             pareil
             prix
             que
             celuy
             venant
             de
          
           Neufchastel
           
             qui
             est
             de
          
           275l
           .
           
             jusques
             à
          
           277l
           .
           
             dix
             Sols
             le
             cent
             Barils
             mesure
             de
          
           Rouen
           ,
           
             dont
             de
             tout
             ce
             que
             dessus
             les
             dits
             Sieurs
             devant
             Nommez
             out
             requis
             la
             presence
             Acte
             pour
             valoir
             &
             servir
             qu'il
             appartiendra
             ,
             fait
             &
             passé
             à
          
           Rouen
           
             le
          
           5.
           
           Janvier
           ,
           1685.
           
        
         
           
             
               Pierre
               Locquet
               ,
            
             
               Jean
               Boucher
               ,
            
             
               Rob.
               Nouflard
               ,
            
             
               Eustache
               le
               Canu
               ,
            
             
               Jacques
               De
               Lamare
               ,
            
             
               Thomas
               Fulgent
               ,
            
             
               Loüis
               Bouffier
               ,
            
             
               Jean
               le
               Testu
               ,
            
             
               Anthoine
               Mallet
               ,
            
             
               
                 Notaires
                 Royea●●●
              
               
                 
                   Gruchett
                   ,
                
                 
                   le
                   Peletier
                   ,
                
              
            
          
        
      
       
         
         
         
           C
        
         
           Mr.
           
             GEORGE
          
           ROBINSON's
           Answer
           To
           the
           foregoing
           
             Present
             State.
             
          
        
         
           The
           Commissioners
           of
           His
           Majesties
           Customs
           may
           please
           to
           take
           notice
           ,
        
         
           THAT
           Whereas
           it
           hath
           been
           suggested
           a
           sort
           of
           Coal
           was
           lately
           found
           in
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           (
           not
           much
           inferiour
           to
           the
           Coal
           of
           
             England
             )
          
           and
           from
           thence
           Exported
           to
           
             France
          
           in
           
             French
          
           Vessels
           ,
           paying
           little
           or
           no
           Custom
           for
           the
           same
           ,
           and
           whereas
           it
           was
           also
           alledged
           by
           Letters
           from
           
             France
          
           and
           
             Holland
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           That
           the
           Forein
           Markets
           were
           of
           late
           years
           extraordinarily
           supplyed
           with
           Coals
           from
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           in
           Strangers
           Ships
           ,
           to
           the
           great
           prejudiee
           of
           the
           
             English
          
           Navigation
           and
           damage
           to
           His
           Majesties
           Customs
           here
           ,
           upon
           which
           allegations
           some
           of
           the
           Traders
           (
           His
           Majesties
           Subjects
           )
           of
           
             England
             ,
          
           in
           that
           Commodity
           ,
           humbly
           desired
           (
           by
           proper
           application
           )
           a
           seasonable
           remedy
           for
           such
           an
           Evil
           ,
           either
           by
           an
           equality
           of
           Duty
           to
           be
           paid
           by
           Strangers
           in
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           or
           by
           some
           encouragement
           or
           favour
           to
           rhe
           
             English
          
           in
           the
           Duty
           here
           :
           which
           suggestions
           and
           seeming
           good
           reasons
           ,
           made
           not
           only
           deep
           impressions
           ,
           but
           great
           inclinations
           to
           endeavour
           a
           present
           Abatement
           of
           the
           Custom
           on
           Coals
           Exported
           from
           
             England
          
           in
           
             English
          
           Shipping
           ,
           for
           a
           short
           temporary
           experiment
           ,
           till
           the
           Duty
           in
           
             Scotland
          
           could
           be
           raised
           higher
           ,
           if
           the
           King
           should
           so
           please
           .
        
         
         
           Now
           having
           since
           farther
           well
           examined
           the
           Premises
           ,
           there
           seemeth
           nothing
           more
           certain
           therein
           than
           ,
        
         
           
             I.
             
          
           
             That
             the
             Custom
             in
             
               Scotland
            
             is
             indeed
             next
             to
             nothing
             ,
             and
             the
             defect
             (
             such
             as
             it
             is
             )
             there
             .
          
        
         
           
             II.
             
          
           
             That
             there
             are
             no
             better
             Coals
             in
             
               Scotland
            
             now
             ,
             than
             in
             former
             and
             later
             years
             ,
             in
             which
             the
             Duties
             in
             both
             Kingdoms
             have
             been
             as
             now
             they
             are
             ;
             and
             yet
             the
             Exportation
             from
             
               England
            
             far
             greater
             than
             that
             of
             the
             last
             year
             ,
             from
             whence
             it
             seemeth
             evident
             that
             the
             greater
             or
             lesser
             Annual
             Exportation
             of
             this
             Commodity
             ,
             hath
             not
             been
             occasioned
             by
             any
             extraordinary
             Coal
             found
             in
             
               Scotland
               ,
            
             or
             the
             difference
             of
             the
             Custom
             ,
             but
             Peace
             ,
             War
             ,
             Plague
             ,
             
               &c
               ,
            
             doth
             influence
             the
             same
             .
             And
             some
             years
             the
             Forein
             Markets
             (
             as
             well
             as
             
               London
            
             Markets
             )
             are
             over
             stocked
             with
             this
             Commodity
             ,
             the
             Custom
             of
             
               Anno
            
             1679.
             was
             better
             than
             1678.
             about
             5000
             
               l.
            
             the
             year
             following
             was
             worse
             than
             that
             by
             about
             2000
             
               l.
            
             1681.
             was
             near
             as
             good
             as
             1679.
             1682.
             was
             somewhat
             better
             than
             1680.
             1683.
             was
             about
             1500
             
               l.
            
             better
             than
             1682.
             and
             
               Anno
            
             1684.
             is
             not
             so
             bad
             as
             1678.
             by
             near
             2000
             
               l.
            
             neither
             were
             the
             years
             before
             1678.
             (
             though
             not
             altogether
             so
             good
             as
             since
             )
             less
             subject
             to
             variation
             ,
             and
             yet
             the
             Coals
             of
             
               Scotland
               ,
            
             and
             the
             Duties
             of
             both
             Kingdoms
             ,
             the
             same
             as
             now
             ,
             for
             any
             thing
             yet
             proved
             to
             the
             contrary
             .
          
        
         
           
             III.
             
          
           
             That
             the
             advices
             from
             
               Holland
            
             of
             the
             encrease
             of
             this
             
               Scotch
            
             Trade
             now
             want
             Confirmation
             ,
             and
             the
             abatement
             from
             8
             to
             6
             
               s.
               per
            
             Chalder
             ,
             is
             chiefly
             projected
             by
             the
             Factors
             ,
             or
             Traders
             of
             
               France
               ,
            
             and
             that
             for
             accompt
             of
             the
             gross
             Farmers
             of
             the
             Customs
             of
             that
             Kingdom
             ,
             who
             (
             as
             Strangers
             )
             ought
             by
             the
             Book
             of
             Rates
             here
             to
             pay
             14
             
               s.
               per
            
             Chalder
             for
             Coals
             Exported
             in
             
               English
            
             Shipping
             ;
             so
             that
             instead
             of
             2
             
               s.
            
             this
             project
             will
             abate
             them
             8
             
               s.
               per
            
             Chalder
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             IV.
             
          
           
             That
             by
             that
             sensible
             Letter
             to
             Sir
             
               John
               Buckworth
            
             of
             the
             ½
             2
             /
             2
             Instant
             from
             
               Rouen
               ,
            
             touching
             this
             matter
             ,
             it
             seemeth
             apparent
             ,
             That
             if
             the
             
               French
            
             could
             be
             without
             our
             
               English
            
             Coal
             ,
             or
             the
             
               Scotch
            
             Coal
             were
             so
             good
             as
             is
             alledged
             ,
             and
             could
             be
             brought
             from
             
               Scotland
            
             in
             
               French
            
             Ships
             within
             2
             
               s.
               per
            
             Chalder
             as
             cheap
             as
             
               English
            
             Coal
             ,
             the
             
               French
            
             would
             not
             be
             so
             kind
             to
             our
             Navigation
             as
             to
             employ
             them
             in
             this
             Trade
             to
             the
             neglect
             of
             their
             own
             Shipping
             :
             or
             on
             the
             other
             hand
             in
             the
             same
             Letter
             ,
             it
             would
             rationally
             be
             proposed
             ,
             that
             if
             
               French
            
             Ships
             may
             be
             permitted
             to
             fetch
             out
             Coal
             at
             
               English
            
             Custom
             ,
             they
             will
             be
             willing
             to
             pay
             the
             
               French
            
             Tonnage
             of
             5
             
               s.
            
             which
             will
             amount
             to
             18
             
               s.
               per
            
             Chalder
             ;
             a
             
               Newcastle
            
             Chalder
             being
             more
             than
             two
             Ton
             :
             Now
             if
             the
             Market
             at
             
               Rouen
            
             will
             afford
             to
             pay
             that
             18
             
               s.
               per
            
             Chalder
             ,
             and
             produce
             good
             profit
             to
             the
             Merchant
             ,
             as
             the
             said
             Letter
             sets
             forth
             ,
             it
             seemeth
             not
             necessary
             to
             abate
             the
             Custom
             ,
             and
             to
             let
             them
             have
             a
             Commodity
             from
             us
             ,
             which
             they
             cannot
             be
             without
             (
             for
             the
             reasons
             aforesaid
             )
             at
             6
             
               s.
               per
            
             Chalder
             .
          
        
         
           
             V.
             
          
           
             If
             it
             be
             said
             in
             favour
             of
             all
             Forein
             Markets
             as
             well
             as
             
               France
               ,
            
             that
             the
             cheapness
             of
             a
             Commodity
             supposeth
             an
             encrease
             of
             Consumption
             :
             it
             will
             also
             be
             remembred
             that
             the
             supposition
             will
             utterly
             fail
             in
             Commodities
             not
             subject
             to
             Luxury
             .
             If
             Salt
             were
             at
             a
             penny
             a
             Bushel
             ,
             it
             would
             not
             (
             for
             its
             cheapness
             )
             augment
             the
             Consumption
             .
             And
             if
             all
             the
             
               English
            
             Custom
             on
             Coals
             were
             taken
             off
             ,
             it
             would
             not
             amount
             to
             above
             1
             
               d.
            
             ½
             a
             Bushel
             ,
             in
             the
             price
             of
             Coals
             cannot
             make
             6
             
               d.
            
             difference
             in
             5
             
               l.
            
             worth
             of
             Manufacture
             ,
             and
             the
             dearer
             we
             sell
             a
             Commodity
             abroad
             which
             the
             Stranger
             cannot
             be
             without
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             the
             more
             we
             bring
             back
             to
             inrich
             our
             own
             Nation
             .
          
        
         
           
             VI.
             
          
           
             And
             as
             to
             the
             
               English
            
             Navigation
             ,
             the
             same
             will
             appear
             to
             be
             very
             little
             advantaged
             by
             the
             desired
             abatement
             to
             6
             
               s.
               per
            
             Chalder
             ,
             when
             it
             shall
             be
             computed
             that
             the
             whole
             Forein
             Coal-Trade
             is
             not
             ⅕
             part
             of
             the
             Annual
             quantity
             brought
             only
             into
             
               London
               ,
            
             of
             which
             the
             bare
             Duties
             ,
             first
             and
             last
             ,
             amount
             to
             6
             
               s.
            
             6
             
               d.
               per
            
             Chalder
             ,
             and
             if
             the
             said
             abatement
             
             should
             take
             effect
             ,
             the
             
               French
            
             should
             not
             pay
             so
             much
             Duty
             as
             we
             .
             The
             Parent
             is
             not
             kinder
             to
             Strangers
             than
             to
             his
             own
             Children
             .
          
        
         
           
             VII
             .
          
           
             Therefore
             it
             is
             conceived
             ,
             that
             if
             any
             advantage
             can
             accrue
             by
             the
             desired
             abatement
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             to
             the
             Coal
             Owner
             ,
             who
             knowing
             the
             necessity
             the
             
               French
            
             have
             of
             the
             Commodity
             ,
             will
             at
             least
             share
             (
             by
             the
             raising
             the
             Price
             of
             the
             Coal
             )
             in
             the
             profit
             of
             what
             the
             King
             shall
             please
             to
             abate
             of
             the
             Customs
             so
             prudently
             Established
             by
             his
             Laws
             .
          
        
         
           
             VIII
             .
          
           
             And
             for
             these
             Reasons
             ,
             and
             much
             more
             which
             might
             be
             said
             on
             this
             subject
             ,
             as
             I
             humbly
             conceive
             ,
             the
             said
             abatement
             not
             to
             be
             for
             His
             Majesties
             service
             ,
             or
             the
             benefit
             of
             the
             
               English
            
             Navigation
             ;
             so
             I
             find
             all
             my
             Partners
             (
             with
             whom
             I
             am
             in
             Covenant
             )
             now
             unwilling
             to
             joyn
             with
             me
             in
             any
             consent
             thereunto
             ,
             for
             what
             relates
             to
             the
             Lord
             
               Townsends
            
             Interest
             in
             the
             premises
             .
             All
             which
             is
             humbly
             submitted
             .
          
        
         
           
             Dated
             
               the
               20th
               .
               of
               
                 Decemb.
              
               1684.
               
            
          
           
             George
             Robinson
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           D
        
         
           
             A
             Reply
             to
             Mr.
          
           George
           Robinsons
           
             groundless
             Answer
             to
             the
             Present
             State
             of
             the
             Forein
             Coal-Trade
             .
          
        
         
           
             I.
             
          
           
             THat
             the
             Custom
             in
             
               Scotland
            
             is
             next
             to
             nothing
             ,
             (
             as
             by
             the
             said
             Present
             State
             is
             set
             forth
             )
             is
             owned
             by
             the
             Answerer
             ;
             so
             needs
             no
             further
             proof
             nor
             enlargement
             .
          
        
         
           
             II.
             
          
           
             To
             say
             there
             are
             no
             better
             Coals
             now
             in
             
               Scotland
            
             than
             in
             former
             years
             is
             not
             denyed
             (
             though
             a
             cunning
             insinuation
             .
             )
             But
             the
             best
             and
             richest
             Coal
             both
             in
             
               Englond
            
             and
             
               Scotland
               ,
            
             being
             the
             most
             fit
             for
             Domestick
             use
             ,
             are
             the
             worse
             for
             Forein
             Consumption
             ,
             where
             no
             other
             use
             is
             made
             of
             that
             Commodity
             but
             for
             the
             Forge
             and
             Furnace
             ;
             therefore
             the
             question
             is
             not
             whether
             they
             be
             better
             or
             worse
             in
             the
             general
             ,
             but
             that
             a
             better
             sort
             of
             Coals
             for
             Forein
             use
             ,
             
               viz.
            
             a
             small
             Cakeing
             Coal
             ,
             and
             of
             less
             value
             than
             that
             called
             the
             best
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             large
             open
             burning
             Coal
             ,
             that
             will
             not
             Cake
             ,
             has
             been
             of
             late
             years
             found
             in
             
               Scotland
               ,
            
             purchased
             there
             on
             easie
             terms
             ,
             plentifully
             Transported
             from
             thence
             to
             Forein
             parts
             ,
             and
             there
             sold
             at
             as
             high
             a
             Rate
             as
             
               Newcastle
            
             Coals
             ,
             to
             the
             lessening
             His
             Majesties
             Customs
             ,
             and
             the
             
               English
            
             Navigation
             ,
             is
             what
             has
             been
             offered
             and
             proved
             by
             as
             Authentick
             a
             Certificate
             as
             could
             be
             devised
             ,
             whereof
             the
             Copy
             follows
             the
             Letter
             —
             B.
             And
             as
             to
             the
             Answerers
             promiscuous
             way
             of
             jumbling
             the
             Encrease
             ,
             
             and
             Decrease
             of
             several
             years
             Product
             ,
             after
             the
             Rule
             of
             false
             Position
             :
             it
             is
             no
             way
             pertinent
             ,
             but
             rather
             a
             blind
             to
             hinder
             Men
             from
             discerning
             the
             true
             State
             of
             the
             Case
             ,
             which
             is
             this
             ,
          
           
             
               I.
               
            
             
               His
               Majesties
               Revenue
               is
               diminished
               notwithstanding
               that
               later
               years
               have
               produced
               more
               than
               formers
               ;
               this
               may
               seem
               paradoxical
               ,
               but
               it
               shall
               be
               made
               out
               :
               for
               what
               His
               Majesty
               might
               have
               by
               good
               management
               ,
               and
               lost
               by
               bad
               ,
               is
               a
               lessening
               of
               His
               Revenue
               ,
               good
               management
               might
               hinder
               so
               many
               Fleets
               to
               pass
               by
               for
               
                 Scotland
              
               to
               fetch
               a
               Commodity
               which
               they
               might
               take
               up
               half
               way
               ,
               and
               thereby
               considerably
               encrease
               His
               Majesties
               Revenue
               :
               therefore
               the
               want
               of
               that
               good
               management
               has
               diminished
               it
               .
            
          
           
             
               II.
               
            
             
               As
               to
               the
               
                 English
              
               Navigation
               ,
               the
               prejudice
               is
               apparent
               ,
               for
               instead
               of
               30
               
                 s.
              
               that
               used
               formerly
               to
               be
               paid
               for
               the
               Freight
               of
               a
               Chalder
               of
               Coals
               from
               
                 Newcastle
                 ,
              
               to
               
                 Havre
                 de
                 grace
              
               in
               
                 France
                 ,
              
               Ships
               may
               now
               be
               plentifully
               had
               for
               16
               
                 s.
                 per
              
               Chalder
               for
               the
               said
               Voyage
               ,
               occasioned
               purely
               for
               want
               of
               Employment
               ,
               since
               
                 Scotland
              
               is
               able
               to
               furnish
               Forein
               Ships
               with
               Coals
               fit
               for
               their
               purpose
               ,
               and
               in
               a
               manner
               Custom
               free
               .
            
          
           
             
               III.
               
            
             
               That
               the
               Advices
               from
               
                 Holland
              
               want
               no
               confirmation
               ,
               if
               Letters
               may
               be
               Credited
               ,
               whence
               likewise
               Authentick
               Certificates
               may
               be
               had
               ,
               were
               it
               worth
               the
               Charge
               ,
               or
               that
               the
               Matter
               in
               question
               were
               put
               upon
               that
               Issue
               ;
               and
               as
               to
               the
               abatement
               ,
               it
               is
               all
               one
               by
               whom
               it
               is
               projected
               ,
               if
               it
               be
               proved
               to
               be
               for
               the
               good
               of
               the
               King
               and
               Kingdom
               .
            
          
           
             
               IV.
               
            
             
               That
               the
               sensible
               Letter
               to
               Sir
               
                 John
                 Buckworth
              
               of
               the
               ½
               2
               /
               2
               
                 December
                 ,
              
               1684.
               from
               
                 Rouen
                 ,
              
               confirms
               the
               Certificate
               aforementioned
               ,
               as
               to
               the
               quantity
               of
               
                 Scotch
              
               Coals
               Imported
               to
               the
               River
               of
               
                 Rouen
                 ,
              
               and
               nothing
               is
               more
               clear
               than
               that
               the
               
                 French
              
               could
               be
               without
               
                 English
              
               Coals
               ,
               since
               they
               may
               be
               furnished
               from
               
                 Scotland
              
               upon
               such
               easie
               terms
               ,
               as
               is
               alledged
               .
               And
               if
               so
               great
               a
               Work
               as
               the
               cutting
               of
               the
               River
               
                 Eure
                 ,
              
               
               were
               not
               set
               on
               foot
               ,
               which
               required
               a
               speedy
               supply
               ,
               and
               which
               of
               necessity
               (
               in
               the
               beginning
               )
               must
               Employ
               some
               
                 English
              
               Ships
               to
               fetch
               
                 English
              
               Coals
               ,
               the
               said
               Ships
               being
               of
               greater
               Burthen
               ,
               and
               the
               said
               Coals
               nearer
               hand
               :
               but
               it
               is
               to
               be
               noted
               that
               at
               the
               same
               time
               their
               own
               Ships
               go
               for
               
                 Scotland
                 ,
              
               and
               that
               when
               they
               have
               once
               a
               Stock
               by
               them
               to
               keep
               the
               Men
               at
               Work
               ,
               then
               will
               they
               supply
               themselves
               from
               
                 Scotland
                 ,
              
               so
               as
               
                 Newcastle
              
               shall
               hardly
               see
               any
               more
               of
               them
               ,
               or
               receive
               any
               further
               Orders
               to
               send
               them
               any
               more
               Coals
               in
               
                 English
              
               Ships
               :
               as
               to
               the
               
                 French
              
               Ships
               ,
               being
               willing
               to
               pay
               10
               
                 s.
                 per
              
               Chalder
               Tonage
               ,
               provided
               they
               may
               pay
               no
               more
               than
               8
               
                 s.
                 per
              
               Chalder
               
                 English
              
               Custom
               ,
               which
               would
               make
               in
               all
               18
               
                 s.
                 per
              
               Chalder
               .
               It
               is
               confessed
               they
               would
               gain
               very
               well
               by
               it
               ,
               and
               four
               times
               more
               than
               by
               paying
               only
               6
               
                 s.
              
               of
               the
               
                 English
              
               Custom
               ,
               for
               it
               is
               to
               be
               noted
               that
               a
               
                 French
              
               Ship
               pays
               in
               all
               30
               
                 s.
                 per
              
               Chalder
               ,
               whereof
               10
               
                 s.
              
               being
               for
               Tonage
               ,
               they
               pay
               no
               fifty
               
                 Solx
                 per
              
               Ton
               at
               home
               ,
               which
               
                 English
              
               Ships
               must
               do
               in
               
                 France
                 ;
              
               so
               the
               Tonage
               must
               be
               paid
               either
               in
               
                 French
              
               Ships
               in
               
                 England
                 ,
              
               or
               
                 English
              
               Ships
               in
               
                 France
                 ,
              
               therefore
               no
               benefit
               to
               the
               Merchant
               by
               that
               Article
               .
               Now
               I
               leave
               any
               body
               to
               judg
               whether
               it
               were
               not
               better
               for
               the
               
                 French
              
               to
               pay
               the
               full
               
                 English
              
               Custom
               ,
               being
               8
               
                 s.
              
               and
               the
               said
               Tonage
               ,
               than
               to
               pay
               the
               20
               
                 s.
              
               remaining
               of
               the
               30
               
                 s.
              
               though
               the
               desired
               2
               
                 s.
              
               were
               abated
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               how
               Mr.
               
                 Robinson
              
               can
               make
               it
               out
               otherwise
               is
               not
               understood
               .
            
          
           
             
               V.
               
            
             
               How
               absurd
               it
               is
               to
               say
               that
               the
               Stranger
               cannot
               be
               without
               our
               Commodity
               ,
               when
               at
               the
               same
               time
               he
               may
               have
               it
               as
               good
               ,
               and
               a
               great
               deal
               cheaper
               from
               another
               place
               ,
               is
               obvious
               to
               the
               meanest
               capacity
               .
            
          
           
             
               VI.
               
            
             
               As
               to
               the
               
                 English
              
               Navigation
               his
               Argument
               bears
               as
               little
               weight
               as
               the
               former
               ;
               for
               if
               there
               be
               no
               encouragement
               to
               Trade
               ,
               there
               will
               be
               as
               little
               to
               Build
               Ships
               ,
               and
               if
               that
               encouragement
               fails
               ,
               Navigation
               in
               a
               small
               process
               of
               time
               must
               fall
               in
               Course
               ,
               which
               already
               appears
               in
               that
               antient
               Nursery
               of
               Navigation
               
                 (
                 Newcastle
                 )
              
               where
               of
               ten
               Ships
               that
               used
               to
               be
               Built
               ,
               there
               is
               hardly
               one
               now
               ,
               there
               appeared
               no
               less
               decrease
               in
               the
               buying
               of
               Forein
               Bottoms
               ,
               even
               before
               the
               Act
               of
               Parliament
               :
               so
               that
               this
               and
               the
               fall
               of
               Freights
               ,
               is
               a
               plain
               demonstration
               ;
               
               and
               though
               it
               is
               very
               true
               that
               it
               is
               the
               
                 London
              
               Market
               that
               mostly
               governs
               our
               
                 English
              
               Coal-Trade
               ,
               yet
               when
               that
               is
               at
               an
               ebb
               ,
               it
               is
               no
               policy
               to
               knock
               down
               all
               other
               helps
               for
               Company
               :
               and
               therefore
               Mr.
               
               Robinson's
               witty
               home
               Charity
               is
               not
               so
               meritorious
               ,
               when
               the
               Parent
               starves
               himself
               and
               his
               Children
               ,
               by
               shutting
               out
               the
               Stranger
               that
               brings
               them
               Bread.
               
            
          
           
             
               VII
               .
            
             
               As
               to
               Mr.
               
               Robinson's
               Conception
               of
               the
               abatement
               desired
               ,
               to
               be
               for
               the
               benefit
               of
               the
               Coal-Owner
               :
               it
               will
               be
               made
               appear
               to
               be
               a
               very
               false
               Conception
               ,
               and
               so
               incapable
               of
               bringing
               forth
               any
               thing
               that
               is
               good
               ,
               that
               it
               will
               prove
               Abortive
               ;
               for
               in
               the
               first
               place
               he
               himself
               owns
               that
               the
               Coal-Trade
               is
               governed
               by
               
                 London
                 ,
              
               if
               so
               ,
               it
               must
               be
               the
               
                 London
              
               Market
               that
               causes
               a
               Rise
               or
               Fall
               in
               the
               Price
               of
               Coals
               :
               therefore
               the
               Forein
               Trade
               being
               so
               inconsiderable
               as
               he
               makes
               it
               ,
               cannot
               be
               the
               cause
               .
               It
               may
               be
               considered
               likewise
               ,
               that
               none
               that
               comes
               to
               Buy
               will
               give
               more
               than
               the
               Current
               Price
               ,
               which
               is
               publickly
               known
               ,
               but
               very
               often
               may
               Buy
               under
               the
               Current
               Price
               from
               necessitous
               Men
               ,
               who
               will
               undersel
               rather
               than
               want
               mony
               ,
               though
               contrary
               to
               the
               Orders
               of
               the
               Hostmen
               Company
               ,
               whereof
               they
               are
               Members
               ,
               and
               which
               by
               their
               Freedom
               Oath
               they
               are
               bound
               to
               observe
               ,
               that
               the
               Company
               may
               enjoy
               an
               equal
               benefit
               of
               the
               Trade
               .
               And
               further
               that
               the
               said
               Sir
               
                 William
                 Creagh
                 ,
              
               who
               deals
               most
               in
               the
               said
               Forein
               Coal-Trade
               may
               clear
               himself
               of
               this
               false
               suggestion
               ;
               he
               declares
               that
               he
               is
               not
               ,
               nor
               ever
               was
               Owner
               of
               any
               Coals
               that
               went
               over
               Sea
               ,
               otherwise
               than
               by
               paying
               others
               his
               ready
               mony
               for
               them
               after
               they
               were
               Shipped
               off
               and
               sent
               away
               ;
               so
               there
               is
               no
               room
               left
               to
               think
               him
               guilty
               of
               so
               foul
               a
               practice
               :
               if
               any
               of
               Mr.
               
               Robinson's
               Acquaintance
               be
               ,
               it
               were
               fit
               he
               were
               made
               to
               discover
               them
               .
               And
               if
               it
               should
               be
               thought
               strange
               why
               the
               said
               
                 Robinson
              
               should
               thus
               oppose
               a
               business
               wherein
               he
               and
               his
               Partners
               would
               gain
               as
               much
               as
               the
               King
               ,
               it
               were
               not
               amiss
               to
               know
               his
               reason
               for
               giving
               the
               late
               Sir
               
                 William
                 Blackett
              
               (
               one
               of
               his
               Partners
               who
               dealt
               much
               in
               the
               over
               Sea
               Coal-Trade
               )
               some
               years
               ago
               ,
               order
               to
               clear
               his
               over
               Sea
               Ships
               for
               the
               Cost
               ,
               which
               I
               am
               sure
               did
               not
               look
               like
               a
               benefit
               to
               the
               King
               nor
               his
               Partners
               ,
               but
               he
               is
               best
               able
               to
               answer
               the
               meaning
               of
               that
               Practice
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               VIII
               .
            
             
               And
               for
               these
               Reasons
               ,
               and
               much
               more
               which
               may
               be
               said
               upon
               occasion
               ,
               I
               humbly
               conceive
               than
               His
               Majesties
               Revenue
               ,
               the
               
                 English
              
               Navigation
               ,
               and
               the
               Town
               of
               
                 Newcastle
              
               has
               suffered
               more
               by
               the
               said
               Mr.
               
               Robinson's
               refractoriness
               ,
               than
               he
               will
               be
               ever
               able
               to
               make
               amends
               for
               ,
               all
               which
               is
               most
               humbly
               submitted
               to
               your
               Lordships
               ,
               by
            
          
        
         
           May
           it
           please
           your
           Lordships
           ,
           
             Your
             Lordships
             Most
             humble
             Servant
             WILLIAM
             CREAGH
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           E
        
         
           THE
           PRESENT
           STATE
           OF
           THE
           FOREIN
           COAL-TRADE
           ,
           Most
           humbly
           offered
           to
           His
           MAJESTIES
           Consideration
           BY
           Sir
           
             WILLIAM
             CREAGH
             ,
          
           Of
           
             Newcastle
          
           upon
           
             Tyne
             ,
          
           Kt.
           
        
         
           THE
           said
           Forein
           Coal-Trade
           from
           
             Newcastle
          
           and
           its
           Members
           (
           whence
           ariseth
           most
           of
           His
           Majesties
           Revenue
           by
           that
           Trade
           )
           and
           known
           to
           be
           the
           greatest
           Nursery
           of
           His
           Majesties
           Seamen
           ,
           has
           been
           much
           discouraged
           by
           the
           inequality
           of
           the
           Customs
           laid
           upon
           Coals
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           and
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           as
           followeth
           ,
           
             viz.
             
          
        
         
         
           In
           
             England
          
           one
           Chalder
           of
           Coals
           
             Newcastle
          
           Measure
           ,
           pays
           for
           Custom
           ,
           Tonage
           ,
           and
           petty
           Duties
           ,
           
             viz.
             
          
        
         
           
             
               
                  
              
               
                 
                   Sterling
                
              
            
             
               
                 In
                 a
                 
                   French
                
                 Ship
                 —
              
               
                 30
                 shill
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 In
                 a
                 
                   Dutch
                
                 or
                 any
                 other
                 Forein
                 Ship
                 —
              
               
                 20
                 shill
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 In
                 an
                 
                   English
                
                 Ship
                 —
              
               
                 8
                 shill
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           Whereas
           in
           
             Scotland
          
           they
           pay
           no
           more
           than
           8
           
             d.
          
           or
           10
           
             d.
             per
          
           Chalder
           in
           any
           sort
           of
           Ships
           ,
           and
           the
           Ships
           clear
           generally
           for
           a
           third
           ,
           or
           a
           quarter
           of
           their
           Burthen
           ,
           so
           the
           Custom
           is
           reckoned
           in
           a
           manner
           nothing
           ,
           and
           the
           Coal
           Owners
           there
           do
           generally
           Sell
           their
           Coals
           clear
           a
           Board
           ,
           to
           make
           things
           more
           easie
           to
           the
           Buyer
           ,
           and
           to
           smother
           the
           inconsiderableness
           of
           the
           Duty
           and
           Clearing
           ,
           and
           by
           this
           means
           begins
           to
           draw
           the
           Trade
           from
           
             Newcastle
             ,
          
           especially
           since
           the
           finding
           out
           of
           a
           new
           sort
           of
           small
           Coals
           within
           these
           late
           years
           ,
           which
           has
           been
           plentifully
           Transported
           to
           Forein
           Markets
           within
           these
           two
           or
           three
           years
           ,
           as
           by
           a
           Certificate
           appears
           ,
           and
           sold
           there
           at
           as
           high
           a
           Rate
           as
           
             Newcastle
          
           Coals
           ;
           whereas
           formerly
           
             Newcastle
          
           Coals
           sold
           for
           8
           
             s.
             per
          
           Chalder
           more
           than
           
             Scotch
             ,
          
           and
           that
           ,
           and
           the
           length
           of
           the
           Voyages
           ,
           did
           in
           a
           manner
           ballance
           the
           inequality
           of
           the
           Customs
           :
           but
           now
           that
           the
           
             Scotch
          
           Coals
           gives
           as
           great
           a
           price
           abroad
           as
           those
           of
           
             Newcastle
             ,
          
           the
           said
           Forein
           Coal-Trade
           from
           
             Newcastle
          
           will
           be
           wholly
           destroyed
           and
           laid
           aside
           ,
           to
           the
           great
           discouragement
           of
           the
           
             English
          
           Navigation
           ,
           and
           diminishing
           His
           Majesties
           Customs
           in
           a
           very
           high
           degree
           ,
           especially
           at
           a
           juncture
           of
           time
           when
           there
           never
           was
           such
           an
           opportunity
           of
           encouraging
           the
           one
           ,
           and
           augmenting
           the
           other
           :
           for
           since
           the
           Project
           of
           cutting
           the
           River
           
             Eure
             ,
          
           and
           carrying
           on
           the
           Works
           at
           
             Versailles
          
           were
           resolved
           on
           ,
           the
           said
           Sir
           
             William
             Creagh
          
           had
           Commissions
           proposed
           to
           him
           by
           the
           Undertakers
           in
           
             France
             ,
          
           for
           no
           less
           than
           a
           hundred
           thousand
           Chalders
           of
           
             Newcastle
          
           Coals
           ,
           which
           were
           to
           be
           Shipped
           for
           the
           River
           of
           
             Rouen
             ,
          
           besides
           what
           might
           be
           Transported
           to
           other
           Forein
           Parts
           ;
           but
           before
           a
           thousand
           Chalders
           of
           the
           said
           number
           could
           be
           Shipped
           off
           ,
           there
           went
           so
           many
           
             Scotch
          
           Coals
           to
           the
           River
           of
           
             Rouen
             ,
          
           and
           other
           parts
           ,
           that
           the
           said
           great
           Commission
           lyes
           now
           Dormant
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           be
           awaked
           if
           some
           means
           be
           not
           found
           to
           ballance
           the
           Customs
           in
           both
           Kingdoms
           ,
           by
           raising
           the
           Duty
           in
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           or
           making
           some
           abatement
           here
           .
           The
           first
           is
           conceived
           may
           be
           done
           by
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           the
           Lords
           Commissioners
           of
           His
           Treasury
           in
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           as
           
           by
           the
           preamble
           to
           the
           
             Scotch
          
           Book
           of
           Rates
           ,
           whereof
           a
           Copy
           is
           herewith
           ,
           appears
           :
           and
           as
           for
           the
           latter
           ,
           it
           is
           left
           to
           His
           Majesty
           in
           His
           Royal
           Wisdom
           ,
           to
           consider
           whether
           it
           be
           not
           better
           to
           make
           some
           reasonable
           Abatement
           ,
           than
           to
           let
           slip
           by
           the
           said
           Commissions
           alone
           ,
           
             
               
                  
              
               
                 
                   Sterling
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
                  
              
               
                 
                   l.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   s.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   d.
                   
                
              
            
             
               
                 If
                 Loaden
                 in
                 
                   English
                
                 Ships
                 —
              
               
                 40000
              
               
                 00
              
               
                 00
              
            
             
               
                 If
                 in
                 
                   Dutch
                   ,
                
                 or
                 other
                 Forein
                 Ships
                 —
              
               
                 100000
              
               
                 00
              
               
                 00
              
            
             
               
                 If
                 in
                 
                   French
                
                 Ships
                 —
              
               
                 150000
              
               
                 00
              
               
                 00
              
            
          
        
         
           All
           which
           is
           most
           humbly
           left
           to
           His
           Majesties
           Determination
           ,
           
             by
             His
             Majesties
             most
             Faithful
             ,
             and
             most
             Dutiful
             Subject
             and
             Servant
             ,
             WILLIAM
             CREAGH
             .
          
        
         
      
       
         
         
         
           F
        
         
           The
           Scotch
           CERTIFICATE
           .
        
         
           An
           Accompt
           of
           what
           Coals
           have
           been
           Shipped
           off
           ,
           and
           Transported
           beyond
           the
           Seas
           to
           
             France
             ,
             Holland
             ,
          
           and
           other
           Forein
           Parts
           ,
           from
           the
           under-written
           Ports
           in
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           for
           the
           space
           of
           one
           whole
           year
           ,
           commencing
           the
           first
           of
           
             December
             ,
          
           1685.
           and
           ending
           the
           first
           of
           
             December
             ,
          
           1686.
           as
           by
           the
           Accompt
           given
           by
           the
           several
           Stewards
           ,
           and
           Factors
           of
           the
           said
           Ports
           appears
           ,
           
             viz.
             
          
        
         
           
             
               
                  
              
               
                 Ships
                 .
              
               
                  
              
               
                 Tons
                 .
              
               
                  
              
            
             
               
                 From
                 
                   Carron
                   Water
                
              
               
                 21
              
               
                 Containing
              
               
                 2900
              
               
                  
              
            
             
               
                 From
                 
                   Cockney
                
              
               
                 64
              
               
                 Containing
              
               
                 4300
              
               
                  
              
            
             
               
                 From
                 
                   Grainge-Pans
                
              
               
                 74
              
               
                 Containing
              
               
                 4500
              
               
                  
              
            
             
               
                 From
                 
                   Airth
                
              
               
                 3
              
               
                 Containing
              
               
                 350
              
               
                  
              
            
             
               
                 From
                 
                   Alloway
                
                 and
                 
                   Clackmanan
                
              
               
                 29
              
               
                 Containing
              
               
                 4750
              
               
                  
              
            
             
               
                 From
                 
                   Culross
                
                 and
                 
                   Valey-field
                
              
               
                 3
              
               
                 Containing
              
               
                 475
              
               
                  
              
            
             
               
                 From
                 
                   Lyme-kills
                
              
               
                 40
              
               
                 Containing
              
               
                 2755
              
               
                  
              
            
             
               
                 From
                 
                   Kirkaldy
                
              
               
                 8
              
               
                 Containing
              
               
                 607
              
               
                  
              
            
             
               
                 From
                 
                   Dysert
                
              
               
                 22
              
               
                 Containing
              
               
                 1800
              
               
                  
              
            
             
               
                 From
                 
                   Carrin
                
                 or
                 
                   Tory-burne
                
              
               
                 3
              
               
                 Containing
              
               
                 450
              
               
                  
              
            
             
               
                 From
                 the
                 
                   Weymes
                
                 and
                 
                   Methall
                
              
               
                 44
              
               
                 Containing
              
               
                 3300
              
               
                  
              
            
             
               
                 From
                 
                   Borrowstonness
                
              
               
                 30
              
               
                 Containing
              
               
                 3600
              
               
                  
              
            
             
               
                 In
                 all
              
               
                 341
              
               
                 Containing
              
               
                 29787
                 Tons
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           We
           whose
           names
           are
           under-written
           ,
           Stewards
           and
           Factors
           in
           the
           above
           several
           Ports
           ,
           do
           hereby
           Certifie
           to
           all
           whom
           it
           may
           Concern
           ,
           That
           the
           above
           quantity
           of
           29787
           Tons
           of
           Coals
           (
           every
           Ton
           computed
           to
           be
           two
           thousand
           pounds
           
             Amsterdam
          
           weight
           )
           were
           Shiped
           off
           ,
           and
           Transported
           as
           aforesaid
           ,
           within
           the
           time
           aforesaid
           .
           As
           Witness
           our
           Hands
           and
           Seals
           ,
           in
           
             Edinbrough
             ,
             Cockney
             ,
          
           and
           
             Barrowstoness
          
           respective
           ,
           the
           5.
           14.
           20.
           22.
           and
           31.
           days
           of
           
             January
             ,
          
           in
           the
           year
           1687.
           
        
         
           
             
               
                 For
                 
                   Cockney
                
              
               
                 
                   James
                   Watt.
                   
                
              
               
                 ☉
              
            
             
               
                 For
                 
                   Grainge-Pans
                
              
               
                 
                   Daniel
                   Hamilton
                   .
                
              
               
                 ☉
              
            
             
               
                 For
                 
                   Airth
                
                 and
                 
                   Carron
                   Water
                
              
               
                 
                   John
                   Willson
                   .
                
              
               
                 ☉
              
            
             
               
                 For
                 
                   Borrowstonness
                
              
               
                 
                   John
                   Artbone
                   .
                
              
               
                 ☉
              
            
             
               
                 For
                 
                   Clackmanan
                   ,
                   Alloway
                   ,
                   Valey-field
                
                 and
                 
                   Tory-burne
                
              
               
                 
                   John
                   Neilson
                   .
                
              
               
                 ☉
              
            
             
               
                 For
                 the
                 
                   Weymes
                
                 and
                 
                   Methall
                
              
               
                 
                   Andrew
                   Krhie
                   .
                
              
               
                 ☉
              
            
             
               
                 For
                 
                   Dysert
                
              
               
                 
                   John
                   Hamilton
                   .
                
              
               
                 ☉
              
            
             
               
                 For
                 
                   Kirkaldy
                
              
               
                 
                   William
                   Anderson
                   .
                
              
               
                 ☉
              
            
          
        
         
           Certified
           ,
           Attested
           ,
           Signed
           ,
           and
           Sealed
           ,
           before
           me
           
             George
             May
             ,
          
           Notary
           Publick
           ,
           as
           Witness
           my
           Hand
           and
           Seal
           in
           
             Edinbrough
             ,
          
           and
           the
           other
           Towns
           above
           mentioned
           ,
           upon
           the
           respective
           days
           and
           year
           above
           written
           .
        
         
           Copia
           Vera.
           
             
               George
               May
               ,
            
             Notary
             Publick
             .
          
        
         
         
      
       
         
         
           G
        
         
           Charles
           R.
           
        
         
           
             CHARLES
          
           by
           the
           Grace
           of
           GOD
           ,
           King
           of
           
             Great
             Britain
             ,
             France
             ,
          
           and
           
             Ireland
             ,
          
           Defender
           of
           the
           Faith
           ;
           To
           Our
           Lovits
           ,
           Our
           Heraulds
           ,
           Pursivants
           ,
           Macers
           ,
           and
           Messengers
           :
           Forasmuch
           ,
           as
           by
           the
           
             57th
             .
          
           Act
           of
           the
           first
           Session
           of
           Our
           first
           Parliament
           of
           our
           Kingdom
           of
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           the
           Lords
           Commissioners
           of
           Our
           Exchequer
           are
           thereby
           Warranted
           to
           establish
           a
           New
           Book
           of
           Rates
           for
           Our
           Customs
           ;
           as
           also
           by
           the
           
             27th
             .
          
           Act
           of
           the
           third
           Session
           of
           Our
           said
           Parliament
           ,
           It
           is
           declared
           ,
           That
           the
           ordering
           and
           disposal
           of
           Trade
           with
           foreign
           Nations
           ,
           doth
           belong
           to
           Us
           and
           Our
           Successors
           ,
           as
           an
           undoubted
           Priviledge
           of
           Our
           Crown
           ;
           and
           that
           by
           virtue
           hereof
           ,
           We
           may
           so
           order
           and
           dispose
           of
           foreign
           Trade
           as
           We
           shall
           think
           fit
           ,
           for
           the
           good
           of
           Our
           said
           Kingdom
           :
           And
           being
           desirous
           that
           the
           Trade
           thereof
           be
           so
           ordered
           ,
           as
           may
           be
           most
           for
           Our
           Interest
           ,
           and
           the
           good
           and
           ease
           of
           Our
           Subjects
           :
           And
           considering
           how
           necessary
           it
           is
           for
           that
           end
           ,
           that
           the
           Rates
           or
           Customs
           which
           have
           been
           heretofore
           most
           unequal
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           great
           difference
           of
           the
           true
           value
           of
           Goods
           at
           present
           ,
           and
           of
           late
           ,
           from
           what
           they
           were
           many
           years
           ago
           ,
           should
           be
           now
           regulated
           and
           stated
           ,
           as
           We
           may
           have
           Our
           Custom
           paid
           ,
           and
           Our
           Subjects
           may
           not
           only
           
           be
           ascertain'd
           what
           they
           have
           to
           pay
           ,
           but
           also
           ,
           find
           a
           considerable
           ease
           of
           the
           Proportion
           of
           the
           Customs
           ,
           formerly
           due
           from
           the
           Native
           Commodities
           of
           Our
           said
           Kingdom
           ,
           at
           the
           Exportation
           thereof
           :
           Therefore
           We
           ,
           with
           the
           Advice
           and
           Consent
           of
           the
           Commissioners
           of
           Our
           Treasury
           and
           Exchequer
           ,
           having
           taken
           the
           Rates
           of
           Our
           Customs
           into
           Our
           Consideration
           ,
           and
           having
           also
           had
           therein
           the
           Opinions
           of
           some
           Persons
           of
           good
           Knowledg
           and
           Interest
           in
           the
           Trade
           of
           Merchandize
           have
           thought
           fit
           to
           Settle
           and
           Determin
           the
           Rates
           of
           Our
           Customs
           to
           be
           in
           all
           time
           coming
           ,
           according
           as
           they
           are
           set
           down
           in
           the
           Alphabet
           thereof
           ;
           and
           such
           Goods
           and
           Merchandize
           as
           are
           contain'd
           therein
           ,
           that
           they
           pay
           Twelve
           Pence
           upon
           each
           Pound
           value
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           same
           Rates
           be
           rais'd
           and
           manag'd
           conform
           to
           the
           Acts
           of
           Parliament
           and
           Instructions
           subjoyn'd
           to
           the
           said
           Alphabet
           .
           And
           to
           the
           effect
           all
           Our
           Lieges
           may
           have
           timous
           notice
           thereof
           ,
           It
           is
           Our
           Will
           and
           Pleasure
           ,
           that
           these
           Presents
           ,
           with
           the
           Rates
           of
           Customs
           and
           Instructions
           ,
           be
           Recorded
           in
           the
           Books
           of
           Our
           Exchequer
           ,
           and
           Printed
           and
           Published
           at
           the
           Market-Cross
           of
           Our
           Borough
           of
           
             Edenborough
             ,
          
           and
           other
           Places
           needful
           .
        
         
           
             Given
             at
             Our
             Court
             at
             
               White-Hall
            
             
               the
               4
               
                 th
              
               day
               of
               
                 March
                 ,
              
               1670.
               
            
             and
             in
             the
             22
             
               d
            
             Year
             of
             Our
             Reign
             .
          
           By
           His
           Majesties
           Command
           .
           
             LAUDERDAILL
             .