A06285	----	To the most honorable assembly of the Commons House of Parliament the humble petition of the artizan cloth- workers of the citie of London. Cloth-workers of London. 1624 Approx. 4 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 1 1-bit group-IV TIFF page image. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2007-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A06285 STC 16768.28 ESTC S3363 33143368 ocm 33143368 28422 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A06285) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 28422) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1885:46) To the most honorable assembly of the Commons House of Parliament the humble petition of the artizan cloth- workers of the citie of London. Cloth-workers of London. 1 sheet ([1] p.). s.n., [London : 1624?] Place and date of publication from STC (2nd ed.). Reproduction of original in: Society of Antiquaries. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO. EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines. Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Cloth-workers of London. Textile industry -- England -- London -- Early works to 1800. Great Britain -- History -- Charles I, 1625-1649. Broadsides -- London (England) -- 17th century. 2006-07 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-08 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2006-09 Jason Colman Sampled and proofread 2006-09 Jason Colman Text and markup reviewed and edited 2007-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion To the most Honorable Assembly of the Commons house of Parliament . The humble Petition of the Artizan Cloth-workers of the Citie of London . Most humbly shewing , THat in the times of his Maiesties most noble Progenitors , Kings and Queenes of England , the State haue from time to time had an especiall care for the imployment and setting on worke of the said Artizans , and thereupon haue made diuers good prouisions for their reliefe . Notwithstanding which , the Petitioners do not at this present enioy or reape any or very small benefit by those former prouisions , but by reason of their multitude and their great charge of children ( being in London and the Liberties thereof 12000 persons & vpwards ) some of them are enforced for want of worke to betake themselues to labour in the Citie as Porters , Waterbearers , and in other such like meane callings ; others to returne home into their Countries , and there to be either chargeable to their friends , or to follow husbandry and dayly labour ; others to depart the Realme to diuers remote parts in the world , where the secrets of their Art are disclosed , to the preiudice of those Artizans that remaine at home ; and others for lacke of imployment are fallen to idlenesse and begging , and betake themselues to other euill courses , to the great scandall of the gouernment of this Commonwealth . And if the Petitioners should not in some measure get worke from the Drapers of London , they might for the most part of them perish for want of food . That diuers complaints haue bin made as well to his Maiestie and to the Lords of his Highnesse most honorable priuie Councell , as to the Lord Maior and Aldermen of London , for some course to be taken for their reliefe and imployment , who haue shewed a great desire and willingnesse to relieue them , and taken much paines to effect the same . That the Lord Maior , Aldermen and Common Councell in London , taking into consideration that one principall cause of the misery of the Petitioners , was their retaining of excessiue number of Apprentises , and the too speedy setting vp of Iourneymen : wherefore at a Common Councell holden 24. Septembris , 16. Iacobi Regis , an Act of Common Councell was made , containing diuers wholesome prouisions for the remedy thereof , which doth not produce that good effect which was expected , by reason that diuers obstinate persons will not conforme themselues thereunto , vnlesse the same be confirmed by authoritie of Parliament . The Petitioners do further shew , that of late time a great number of the petitioners and their families were relieued by the rowing and shearing of Fustians made within his Maiesties Dominions ; but now by reason of the transportation of great quantities of Fustians vnrowed and vnshorne , the misery of the Petitioners is increased , and they are thereby depriued of a great part of their maintenance . That the Petitioners haue exhibited a Bill in this present Parliament , as well for confirmation of the said Act of Common Councell , as also for the redresse of sundry other inconueniences ; The which Bill they do most humbly pray may be enacted and established by this most honorable Assembly , to the reliefe of so many thousands that depend vpon the welfare of the Petitioners . 
A22097	----	By the King, a proclamation conteyning His Maiesties royall pleasure concerning the proiect of dying and dressing of broad cloathes within the kingdome, before they be exported. England and Wales. Sovereign (1603-1625 : James I) 1614 Approx. 5 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 2 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-07 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A22097 STC 8500 ESTC S1558 20213400 ocm 20213400 23824 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A22097) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 23824) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1709:15) By the King, a proclamation conteyning His Maiesties royall pleasure concerning the proiect of dying and dressing of broad cloathes within the kingdome, before they be exported. England and Wales. Sovereign (1603-1625 : James I) James I, King of England, 1566-1625. 1 sheet ([2] p.) By Robert Barker ..., Imprinted at London : 1614. Caption title. "Giuen at our palace of Westminster the fiue and twentieth day of May in the twelth yeere of our reign ..."--P. [2]. Imprint from colophon. Reproduction of original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO. EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines. Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Textile industry -- England. Proclamations -- Great Britain. Great Britain -- History -- James I, 1603-1625. Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 1603-1625. 2003-03 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2003-04 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2003-05 Mona Logarbo Sampled and proofread 2003-05 Mona Logarbo Text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-06 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE royal blazon or coat of arms ❧ By the King. ¶ A Proclamation conteyning his Maiesties Royall pleasure , concerning the proiect of Dying and Dressing of Broad Cloathes within the Kingdome , before they be exported . IT was the worke of one of Our noble Progenitors King Edward the third , to conuert the Woolls of this Kingdome formerly vented raw , into Cloath , thereby to purchase vnto Our louing Subiects the profite , arising aswell vpon the Manufacture , as vpon the Materiall , and to set Our owne people on worke for their better sustentation and comfort ; And it is likewise Our desire , That it should be the worke of Our times , to ordaine and prouide , that all Broad Cloathes may bee Died and Dressed within Our Kingdome before they bee Exported ; whereby aswell the second gaine of Manufacture , as the first , with all the incidents thereof , may come wholly to the benefit of Our louing Subiects , in whose riches and good estate Wee shall alwayes thinke Ourselues rich and happy . Neither is the increase of profite vpon this great Staple commoditie onely in Our Princely eye and cogitation ; But Wee foresee likewise , that when Our Cloathes shal be Transported and dispersed by Our Subiects immediatly into all the Markets of the world , where they are worne and vsed , it must encrease exceedingly Our Nauigation and Nauie , so that not onely wealth , but honour , strength and industrie will euidently follow vpon that which We propound to Our selues ; That as the Kings Our Progenitors , haue had the wisedome and Iudgement to see and discerne the good that might come thereof ; So neuerthelesse , either through difficultie or misinformation , they haue not perfected , nor throughly pursued the worke intended , as may appeare by the good and politique Lawes that haue bene Enacted concerning the same on the one part , and the ancient and Inueterate Toleration and Dispensation with the saide Lawes , which haue bene from time to time put in vre on the other part : Wee therefore being desirous to aduance and perfect so excellent a worke , haue resolued to leaue no meanes vnperformed , either by aduise of Parliament or otherwise of Our selues , which may conduce thereunto , by those safe degrees which in so great a worke are requisite ; Wherein though We finde no small difficulties , as it vseth to come to passe in the best workes , specially in their beginnings , yet We doubt not but to ouercome the same without hazard or inconuenience vnto the present , for hope or desire of the future . And because opinion is sometime more harmefull then trueth , and that it may bee doubted by some , that there may ensue some stand of Cloathes , whereby so many families of Our louing Subiects are maintained , or at least , some fall of Prices , to the preiudice , both of the Cloathier , and owner of Woolles in the meane time , betweene the diuerting of the old course , and setling of the new : Wee doe therefore publish vnto all Our louing Subiects , by these presents , that they shall not need to feare any such consequence , either in such stand of Cloath , or abatement of Prices , as may be to their preiudice . And therefore , they may 〈◊〉 on in the courses of their former Trading , leauing it to Our care and prouidence to int●●●uce this great and happy alteration to the better , without any interruption of Trade , or pulling downe of Price in the meane time . Furthermore although we are setled in Our resolution to effect this worke , yet would Wee not haue it construed that Wee haue any other opinion of the Company of Merchants Aduenturers , which haue long managed the Trade of Cloathes vndressed , then as of those that haue wel deserued of Our state ; neither of any Our neighbours , who haue had correspondencie with them , and bought the Cloath from them to serue the Markets abroad , then as of men , that were affected vnto the good of their owne people , as it is naturall for men to be . Neither are Wee ignorant that the state of Cloathing is at this time as flourishing and valuable as hath beene knowen ; but onely Wee are willing to aduance the Dowrie and Stocke of Our Kingdome : And where Wee see apparent meanes of doing Our people further good , not to tie Our selues to the simple and positiue degree of their welfare , but to proceed from good to better , and to make posteritie beholding to Our times , for going through with that , whereof Our Auncestours haue onely sowen the seedes , and not hitherto reaped the fruits . Giuen at Our Palace of Westminster the fiue and twentieth day of May in the twelfth yeere of Our Reigne of Great Britaine , France , and Ireland . God saue the King. ❧ Imprinted at London by Robert Barker , Printer to the Kings most Excellent Maiestie . Anno Dom. 1614. 
A94463	----	To the honourable knights, citizens, and burgesses, of the Commons-House of Parliament assembled. The humble petition of the master, warden and assistants of the Company of Clothworkers of the City of London, in the behalfe of themselves, and of the artizan clothworkers of the same company. Clothworkers' Company (London, England) This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A94463 of text R226602 in the English Short Title Catalog (Wing T1422A). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 4 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 1 1-bit group-IV TIFF page image. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2017 A94463 Wing T1422A ESTC R226602 47683493 ocm 47683493 172952 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A94463) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 172952) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 2659:6) To the honourable knights, citizens, and burgesses, of the Commons-House of Parliament assembled. The humble petition of the master, warden and assistants of the Company of Clothworkers of the City of London, in the behalfe of themselves, and of the artizan clothworkers of the same company. Clothworkers' Company (London, England) 1 sheet ([1] p.). s.n., [London? : 1642] Date and place of publication from Wing (2nd ed.). Initial. Reproduction of original in: Eton College. Library. eng Clothworkers' Company (London, England) -- Early works to 1800. Textile industry -- England -- London -- Early works to 1800. Broadsides -- England -- London -- 17th century. A94463 R226602 (Wing T1422A). civilwar no To the Honourable knights, citizens, and burgesses, of the Commons-house of Parliament assembled. The humble petition of the master, wardens Clothworkers' Company 1642 678 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 A This text has no known defects that were recorded as gap elements at the time of transcription. 2007-06 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2007-06 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2007-08 Robyn Anspach Sampled and proofread 2007-08 Robyn Anspach Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion TO THE HONOVRABLE KNIGHTS , CITIZENS , And BVRGESSES , OF THE COMMONS-HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT Assembled . The humble Petition of the Master , Wardens , and Assistants of the Company of Clothworkers of the City of London , in the behalfe of themselves , and of the Artizan Clothworkers of the same Company . SHEVVETH , THat whereas many thousand Families of Clothworkers in the City of London and elsewhere , have for hundred of yeares heretofore maintained themselves , and lived comfortably , by the rowing and shearing of broad and narrow Cloathes . Whiles they enjoyed the benefit of severall Statutes provided for their better employment , and reliefe ; as namely , the Statute 33. Hen. 8. Chap. 19. which prohibits any person or persons to transport any white woollen Cloath , above the value of 4. l. or any coloured Cloath , above the value of 3. l. undressed under paine of forfeiting the same ; and of 8. Eliz. Chap. 6. which enacts , that for every nine Cloathes unwrought to bee shipped beyond the Seas , contrary to any Statute in force , by vertue of any licence to bee granted , the party who should carry over the same , shall transport one woollen Cloath of like sort , length , breath , and goodnesse , ready wrought and dressed , under paine of forfeiting for every such nine Cloathes , transported contrary to this Statute the summe of tenne pounds , the moyety of all which forfeitures , were to accrew to the Company of Cloath workers for the reliefe of their Poore ; yet of late yeares , divers licenses and dispensations to transport Cloaths unwrought have beene granted to sundry persons for their private lucre , contrary to these Acts , whereby your Petitioners have beene deprived of their naturall birth right , the dressing of English Cloath , and Aliens in forraigne parts employed , in , and enriched by their trade ; to the great prejudice of your Petitioners , and the Common-wealth ; And whereas your Petitioners for their reliefe herein , have formerly commenced suites against sundry Merchants for the forfeitures , due unto them by the said Acts , their suites have beene stopped by speciall Orders from the Councel-Table : And one lately commenced against one Master Thomas Smith , was by the entreaty of a Committee of this Honourable Assembly surceased , upon promise , they should bee relieved upon their Petition . And to adde to their affliction , many Gig-Mills for rowing of Cloath , have beene erected and used of late yeares about Stroudwater , by Thomas Webbe and divers others , contrary to the Statute of 5. Edw. 6. Chap. 22. Their Wardens in their searches withstood by Cloathworkers , who are free of other Companies , as Master Henry Leaves and others , against the expresse provision of 39. Eliz. Chap. 13. Their wages for their worke paid weekely heretofore , commonly deferred for sundry Moneths by Merchants and Drapers , who employ them to their utter undoing . In tender consideration , whereof your Petitioners humbly pray , that those foresaid Statutes may bee put in due execution , and all dispensations against them declared void in Law ; all Gig-mils suppressed , all Cloathworkers within five miles every way distant from the City of London , incorporated into the Company of Cloathworkers of the City of London , for the better regulating of their Trade , and that all your Petitioners may recieve ready money for their worke , in such manner , and under the same penalties or greater , as the Cloathworkers of Shrewsbury receive for their worke by the Statute of 8. Eliz. Chap. 7. and that all His Majesties leige people may freely trade in Cloath , according to the Statute of 12. Hen. 7. Chap. 6. and all Pattents to the contrary bee suppressed . And your Petitioners shall ever pray , &c. 
B05583	----	A proclamation, discharging the importing of forraign linen, or woolen cloth, gold and silver threed, &c. Scotland. Privy Council. 1681 Approx. 4 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 1 1-bit group-IV TIFF page image. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2009-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). B05583 Wing S1767 ESTC R225731 52528955 ocm 52528955 179030 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. B05583) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 179030) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English Books, 1641-1700 ; 2776:19) A proclamation, discharging the importing of forraign linen, or woolen cloth, gold and silver threed, &c. Scotland. Privy Council. Scotland. Sovereign (1649-1685 : Charles II) 1 sheet ([1] p.) Printed by the heir of Andrew Anderson, Printer to his most sacred Majesty, Edinburgh : Anno Dom. 1681. Caption title. Royal arms at head of text; initial letter. Intentional blank spaces in text. Dated: Given under Our Signet at Edinburgh, the first day of March, one thousand six hundred eighty and one, and of Our Raign, the thretty three year. Signed: Pat. Menzies. Cl. Sti. Concilij. Reproduction of the original in the National Library of Scotland. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO. EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines. Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Textile industry -- Law and legislation -- Scotland -- Early works to 1800. Non-tariff trade barriers -- Law and legislation -- Scotland -- Early works to 1800. Broadsides -- Scotland -- 17th century. 2008-05 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2008-06 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2008-07 Mona Logarbo Sampled and proofread 2008-07 Mona Logarbo Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-09 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion C R HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE royal blazon or coat of arms A PROCLAMATION , Discharging the Importing of Forraign Linen , or Woolen Cloth , Gold and Silver Threed , &c. CHARLES by the grace of GOD , King of Great-Britain , France and Ireland , Defender of the Faith , To Macers of Our Privy Council , Messengers at Arms , Our Sheriffs in that part , conjunctly and severally , specially constitute Greeting : Forasmuch as the Lords of Our Privy Council , having for encrease of Money , and improvement of the Manufactures of this Kingdom , appointed a Committee , who with advice of the Merchants , and other Persons experienced in these Affairs , have agreed upon several Conclusions , which are with all possible convenience and expedition , to be Formed into a Mature and Digested Proclamation , for Regulation of the Manufacture and Trade of this Kingdom : But because several Merchants may either by mistake , or upon a sinister design , give order for Importing of these Goods which are Prohibited , Therefore to prevent all inconveniencies which may arise to this Our Ancient Kingdom , by the Import of those Commodities , which are either to be debarred , as superfluous in themselves , or supplied by Domestick Manufactures , or private Industry of Our own Subjects , and to make the Importers thereof inexcusable ; We with Advice of Our Privy Council , Do hereby discharge the Importation of all Silver and Gold Threed , Silver and Gold Lace , Fringes , or Tracing , all Buttons of Gold and Silver Threed , all manner of Stuffs , or Ribbons in which there is any Gold or Silver Threed , all Philagram Work : as also , all Forraign Holland-Linen , Cambrick , Lawn , Dornick , Damesk , Tyking , Bousten , or Damety , Tutted or Stripped Holland , Calligo , Musline , Selesia and East-India Linen , and all other Cloathes , made of Linen or Cotton : As also , all Forraign Cloaths and Stuffs whatsomever , made of Wool-Yarn , o● Wool and Lint : all Forraign Silk , and Woolen Stockings : all Forraign Laces made of Silk , Gimp , or Threed , and all manner of Laces and Point of any sort or Collours : all Forraign made Gloves , Shoes , Boots and Slippers ; And do hereby discharge all Merchants and others whatsomever , to import into this Kingdom any of the foresaid Commodities , after the date hereof ; excepting only such as can be made appear upon Oath , to have been ordered by preceding Commissions , and Shipped before the tenth of March Instant ; which time they have to recal their Commissions , if any such have been given : With certification , that all such Goods which shall be Imported , shall be burnt and destroyed , and the Importers and Ressetters shall be fined in the value of the Goods so Imported : and that if any Tacksmen of the Customs , Collectors or Waiters , shall connive at the inbringing thereof , they shall be likewise punished by payment of the value of the Goods Imported , and by being removed from all Charge relating to Our Customs , or any Employments depending thereupon . And We ordain these Presents to be Printed , and Published at the Mercat Cross of Edinburgh , that none pretend ignorance . Given under Our Signet at Edinburgh , the first day of March , One thousand six hundred eighty and one , And of Our Raign , the thretty three Year . Per actum Deminorum Secreti Concilij . PAT . MENZIES . Cl. Sti. Concilij . GOD save the KING . Edinburgh , Printed by the Heir of Andrew Anderson , Printer to His most Sacred Majesty , Anno DOM. 1681. 
A37163	----	An essay on the East-India-trade by the author of The essay upon wayes and means. Davenant, Charles, 1656-1714. 1696 Approx. 72 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 31 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A37163 Wing D307 ESTC R7736 13240237 ocm 13240237 98621 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A37163) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 98621) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 451:21) An essay on the East-India-trade by the author of The essay upon wayes and means. Davenant, Charles, 1656-1714. 5-62 p. [i.e. 60] [s.n.], London : 1696. Attributed to Charles Davenant. Cf. BLC. Reproduction of original in Huntington Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng East India Company. Textile industry -- England -- Early works to 1800. Trading companies -- England -- Early works to 1800. Great Britain -- Commercial policy -- Early works to 1800. 2006-09 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-09 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2007-07 Robyn Anspach Sampled and proofread 2007-07 Robyn Anspach Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion AN ESSAY ON THE East-India-Trade . BY THE AUTHOR OF The Essay upon Wayes and Means . LONDON , Printed Anno , M DC XC VI. To the Most Honourable , JOHN , Lord Marquis of Normanby , &c. AN ESSAY ON THE East-India TRADE . My LORD , YOUR Lordship was pleased , the other Day , to intimate , That You would willingly know my Opinion in General of the East-India Trade ; Whether it is Hurtful , or Beneficial to this Nation ? And my Thoughts , concerning the Bill , for Prohibiting the Wearing all East-India and Persia Wrought Silks , Bengalls , and Dy'd , Printed , or Stain'd Callicoes . What has occurr'd to my Observation in these Two Points , I shall Offer with great Sincerity , having no Interest , or Engagement , to sway me , in the Questions , one way , or other . But , before I begin , I must beg leave to say , I am very glad to see Your Lordship bend Your Excellent Wit , and Right Understanding , to Inquiries of this Nature . For nothing can be more Important to a Noble Man , than A True Knowledge of the Manufactures , Trade , Wealth , and Strength of his Country : Nor , can Your Eloquence be any way more Usefully employ'd , than in Discoursing Skilfully upon this Subject , in that Great Assembly of which You are so much an Ornament . Richlieu has left behind Him an Evidence how much He made these Matters His Care and Study : Which , however Neglected by the Ministers of the Present Age , are notwithstanding the only Foundation of a Solid and Lasting Greatness . For who can give a Prince sound Advice , and under Him steer the People Rightly and Well , either in Peace , or in War , that is Ignorant of the Posture , Condition , and Interest of the Country where he lives ? Is there any thing in the World , that should be more thought a Matter of State than Trade , especially in an Island , and should not that which is the Common Concern of All , be the Principal Care of such as Govern ? Can a Nation be Safe without Strength ? And is Power to be Compass'd and Secur'd but by Riches ? And can a Country become Rich any way , but by the Help of a well Managed and Extended Traffick ? What has enabled England to Support this Expensive War so long , but the great Wealth which for Thirty Years , has been flowing into us from Our Commerce Abroad ? The Soil of no Country is Rich enough to attain a great Mass of Wealth , meerly by the Exchange and Exportation of its Own Natural Product . The Staple Commodities that England Exports , are the Woollen Manufactures , Tin , Lead , Hides , and sometimes Corn. But , considering Our Luxury , and our great Expence of Foreign Wares here at Home , we could not have grown Rich , without Other Dealings in the World. For set our Own Exported Product in the Ballance with the Imported Product from France , Spain , Portugal , Italy , Germany , and the two Northern Kingdoms ; At the Foot of the Accompt it will be found , that , but a fourth part of Our Riches , arises from the vent of Our own Commodities . Whoever looks Strictly and Nicely into Our Affairs , will find , that the Wealth England had once , did arise chiefly from Two Articles : First , Our Plantation Trade . Secondly , Our East-India Traffick . The Plantation Trade gives Employment to many Thousand Artificers here at home , and takes off a great quantity of our Inferiour Manufactures , The Returns of all which are made in Tobacco , Cotton , Ginger , Sugars , Indico , &c. by which we were not onely supply'd for Our Own Consumption , but we had formerly wherewithal to send to France , Flanders , Hamborough , the East-Countrey and Holland for 500,000 l. per Annum , besides what we Ship'd for Spain and the Streights , &c. Since we were Supplanted in the Spice Trade by the Dutch , and since great part of the Pepper Trade is gone by the Loss of Bantam , Our Chief Investments , or Importations from the East-Indies , have been in Callicoes , Wrought Silks , Drugs , Salt-Petre , Raw Silk , Cottons , and Cotton Yarn , Goats Wooll , or Carmania Wooll , and other Products of those Countries . Part of which Commodities are for our own Use , but a much greater part in times of Peace were bought up here for the Consumption of France , Germany , Holland , Spain , Italy and Our Plantations . So that by the Means of our East and West-India Trade , though we might lose by our dealings to some Parts , yet We were Gainers by the whole , and in the General Ballance . The Woollen Manufacture , Tin , Lead , &c. are indeed the Basis of all Our Traffick , and the first Spring of our dealings Abroad , But if by Carelesness or False Measures , we should come to be confin'd onely to deal in Our own Product , we must think no longer to preserve the Dominion of the Sea. As Bread is call'd the Staff of Life , so the Woollen Manufacture is truly the Principal Nourishment of Our Body Politick ▪ And as a Man might possibly live onely upon Bread , yet his Life would be ill Sustain'd , Feeble , and Unpleasant ; So though England could probably subsist barely upon the Exportation of its own Product , yet to enjoy a more florid Health , to be Rich , Powerful , and Strong , we must have a more extended Traffick than Our Native Commodities can afford us . The Woollen Manufacture is undoubtedly by Laws , and all possible Care , to be Encouraged ; but 't is its Exportation Abroad , and not the Consumption of it at Home , that must bring Profit to the Kingdom . Some of Our Gentry have been for many Years of Opinion , That the Intire Welfare of England depends upon the High Price of Wooll , as thinking thereby to Advance their Rents , but this proceeds from the Narrow Mind , and Short View of such , who have all along more regarded the Private Interest of Land , than the Concerns of Trade , which are full as Important , and without which , Land will soon be of little Value . Men in their Private Capacities may be allowed to prefer their Single Profit , but should Consult only the General Good in Public Councils . In a Trading Nation , the Bent of all the Laws should tend to the Encouragement of Commerce , and all Measures should be there taken , with a due regard to its Interest and Advancement . Instead of this , in many Particulars , our former Laws bring Incumbrance and Difficulties to it , and some seem Calculated for its utter Ruine ; so little has it been of late Years the Common Care. And yet 't will be found at last , when all Things come to be Rightly Consider'd , that no Plenty at Home , Victory Abroad ▪ Affection of the People , nor no Conduct , or Wisdom , in other things , can give the Public effectual help , till we can mend the Condition and Posture of Trade . In Our Great Assemblies , it has never been sufficiently thought a Matter of State , but Managed , rather as a Conveniency , or an Accidental Ornament , than the chief Strength and Support of the Kingdom . And as it has never been greatly the Care of Our Ministers of State , so it has not been enough the Study of Our Nobility and Gentry , Who , ( give me leave to say ) for want of a Right Knowledge in the General Notions of it , have been frequently Imposed upon , by Particular Merchants , and other Interested Persons , to Enact Laws so much to the Prejudice of Trade in General . My Lord , I shall be very free to Communicate the few Lights I have gather'd from Observation , and Inquiry into these Matters , and shall be very glad if my Endeavours can give Your Lordship any hints , which I am certain will be improv'd , by Your deep Judgment , and Understanding . First , I am clearly convinc'd in General , that the East-India Trade is greatly Beneficial to England . Secondly , I am of Opinion ( with Submission to better Judgments ) that the Bill now propos'd to Prohibit the wearing East-India and Persia Wrought Silks , Bengals , &c. will be absolutely distructive to the Trade , and very prejudicial to the Kingdom . Which two Points shall be impartially handled in the Sequel of this Discourse . As to the East-India Trade in General ; If all Europe by common Consent would agree to have no further dealings to those Parts , This side of the World , by such a Resolution , would certainly save a great and Continual Expence of Treasure . For Europe draws from thence nothing of Solid Use ; Materials to supply Luxury , and onely , perishable Commodities , and sends thither , Gold , and Silver , which is there bury'd and never returns . I have good Grounds to think That the Silver and Gold brought from America , the Gold Dust brought from Africk , and the Silver produc'd from the European Mines , in the Two Hundred Years last past , has not amounted to less , in the whole , than Eight Hundred Millions . There is no appearance of this immense Sum in any Country of Europe . 'T is true indeed , there is Yearly a great Consumption of these Metals , By the wear of Gold and Silver Coin , waste in Coinage , waste in working Plate , The wear of wrought Plate , The wear of things made of Gold and Silver Thread , and Wire ( a high Article ) , Leaf and Shell Gold and Silver , Liquid Gold and Silver . There is also much lost in Casualties by Sea , Fires , and Inundations , and by being privately bury'd and never found . But , having computed what may be allow'd for the Yearly Consumption of Gold and Silver , on all the foregoing Heads , and what quantity of those Metals may be now remaining in Europe , I cannot find what is become of the Eight Hundred Millions dug out of the Earth , unless a Hundred and Fifty Millions of it , be carry'd away and Sunk in the East-Indies . From whence I have reason to conclude , That the European Nations in General , had been Richer by a full Third , than they now are , if that Trade had never been discover'd and undertaken . But since Europe has tasted of this Luxury , Since the Custom of a Hundred Years , has made their Spices necessary to the Constitutions of all Degrees of People , Since their Silks are pleasing every where to the better Sort , And since their Callicoes are a useful wear at Home , and in our own Plantations , and for the Spaniards in America , It can never be adviseable for England to quit this Trade , and leave it to any other Nation . The Burthen which this Commerce lays upon the Collective Body of Europe , does bear hard only upon those Countries which Consume the Indian Commodities , without having any Share of the Traffick , and therefore France did about Twelve Years ago very wisely prohibit the wearing Callicoes , that were not of their own Importation . The English and Dutch , which together are not a Tenth part of Europe , enjoy this Traffick almost without any Rivalship ; and if it be a Burthen , it lyes not upon the one , but on the other Nine parts , So that if the East-India Trade carry out the Gold and Silver from this side of the World , 't is truly , and properly , at the Cost , and Expence , of France , Germany , Spain , and the Northern Kingdoms , who have little , or no Opportunities of Trading thither . To imagine all Europe will come to an Agreement of Dealing no more to those Parts , is an absurd and wild Notion ; Since therefore the Western Nations are contented to be deceiv'd , and for a Hundred Years have been accustom'd to bear this deceit , 't would be Egregious Folly in us , to quit this Advantage , and leave it intirely to the Hollanders . By the best account I can have , and from Impartial Hands , England before the War for some time , one Year with another has Exported for this Traffick , either in Bullion , or our Manufactures ( of which the Manufactures might be near an Eighth part ) about per Annum — 400,000 l. Suppose we Consume at home the Returns of — 200,000 But , by the way , I must take Notice here , that the Company , of late Years , have carry'd out the value of 100,000 l. per Annum in our home Manufactures . If the Company Export to other Nations the Returns of the other Two Hundred Thousand Pounds ( which I may safely affirm they did , and will do in time of Peace ) England must certainly be a great Gainer by this Traffick . For no one vers'd in Merchandize will deny , but that the Returns from India of 200,000 l. when Exported to other Countries must Increase the first Sum at least Four-fold , and produce 800,000 . So that the Accompt of England with the Indies , and the European Nations , may be thus Ballanc'd . The Returns Exported yeild per Annum — 800,000 l. The Returns Consum'd at home are to the Nation — 200,000 Total — 1,000,000 Deduct for the prime Cost of Bullion or Manufactures Exported — 400,000 England Net Gainer by this Traffick — 600,000 Nothing can be a Clearer Gain to the Kingdom than the Returns of the 200,000 l. consum'd at home ; because treble that Sum , would otherwise be carry'd out for Foreign Silks and Linnen , which is hindred by the Importation of East-India Commodities . The Inspection I have made upon other Occasions , into the general State and Condition of this Kingdom , has led me upon very good Grounds to think , that the East-India Trade did annually add to the gross Stock of England at least 600,000 l. per Annum in times of Peace . For I have many Cogent ▪ Reasons inducing Me to believe , That from about Anno 1656. to Anno 1688. this Nation has every Year gradually increas'd in Riches ; By what degrees , is needless here to incert , but upon mature Consideration , I may safely state , that about Anno 1688. the Increase or Addition to the Wealth and General Stock of England , arising from Foreign Trade , and home Manufactures , was at least Two Millions yearly . And after much Thought , and Study on this Subject , and by consulting Others vers'd in Speculations of the like Nature , I find that this Increase to the Nations General Stock , did probably arise from the Three following Articles , Viz.   l. From Our Manufactures and Home Product , sent to the Plantations , and from the Returnes thereof , Exported to Foreign Parts 900,000 From our Woollen Manufacture , Lead , Tin , Leather , and Our other Native Product , sent to France , Spain , Italy , Germany , &c. — 500,000 From the Net Profit accruing by the East-India Trade — 600,000 Total — 2,000,000 If the East-India Trade did in Peaceful Times , bring so great an Increase to the Annual Income of the Kingdom ( and I think the contrary is capable of no clear Demonstration ) the Legislative Power ought to proceed with much Caution , in any matter relating to it . Whatever Country can be in the full and undisputed Possession of it , will give Law to all the Commercial World. Should we quit the Hold we have in India , and abandon the Traffick , Our Neighbours the Dutch will undoubtedly engross the whole : And if to their Naval Strength in Europe , such a Foreign Strength and Wealth be added , England must hereafter be contented to Trade by their Protection , and under their Banners . As War does vary all the Circumstances of Trade , alter its Channel , give it to one People , and take it from another , So in seasons of War , 't is by no means proper , nor adviseable , to embrace New Councils in relation to it : Nor can we then take any True Measures , or make any Right , and Sound Judgment about it . The Scarcity of Money in a long War , makes any Exportation of Bullion thought a great Gr●evance ; of which , in Quiet Times , we should not be sensible . In the same manner , the Interruption of any Manufacture , though never so Prejudicial to the Kingdom , is grievous in a Time of War , when Business is scarce , and Trading dull , But in a Time of Peace , and full Employment , these Hands can shift from one Work , to another , without any great Prejudice to themselves , or the Public . There having been for Three Years last past , a great want of East-India Goods , and there happening of late a great Call for the Woollen Manufactures , and indeed for all the Product of England , some unthinking Persons , grew presently to imagine that the want of East-India Goods ( and no other Reason ) had brought the Woollen Manufacture into Request , and increased its Consumption , from whence very many have began to argue , and infer , That the East-India Trade is , and alwayes was , prejudicial to the Kingdom . But the sudden Call which was then for all kind of English Commodities , as well as the Woollen Manufacture , viz. Lead , Tin , Leather , Butter , Cheese , Tallow , &c. did not proceed from the want of East-India Goods , but indeed from the Posture of the Exchange Abroad , the Ill Condition of our Silver Coyn , and the High Price Guineas were brought to : For we plainly see this great Demand , both Abroad , and at Home , for our Goods does cease , now Guineas are lower'd , and the Coyn is alter'd . My Lord , It has been too often the Fault of English Councils , to determine Rashly of the most Important Matters ▪ And ( with Submission to better Judgments ) I doubt it may be of very dangerous Consequence at this Time , to meddle with , or give any Disturbance to a Settled Traffick . The Concern of Wooll is , without doubt , to be taken care of , but not so as upon that account to slight all our Foreign Interest . The East-India Company has been for a long time look'd upon with an Evil Eye , by some People , because there has formerly been Ill Management in their Affairs ; and for that some of their Goods were thought to hinder the Consumption of our own Manufactures ; and because it was seen what Silver they really carried out , and not enough Consider'd what Bullion their Effects brought hither in Return . Some Persons ( without Doors ) either Bribed by the Dutch , or to flatter that Interest , profess themselves Open Enemies to the Traffick in General ; Others through Inadvertency , and for want of Examining the bottom of Things , give into their Notions ; and others joyn with them out of Immoderate Zeal to promote the Woollen Manufacture : So that any discerning Man may see , that the utter Ruin of this Trade , and its intire Loss to England will be compassed , unless the King , assisted by the Legislative Power , out of His Fatherly Love to His People , interpose , with His Wisdom , in the matter . One of the principal Dangers now , of taking New Councils about it , is , That in a time of War , if by any false Steps and Measures , we should lose Ground in India , neither our Condition , nor the Nature of our Present Alliance with the Dutch , will permit us to assert our Right in those Parts by Force of Arms. And if we should come so to lose our Hold in India , as not to Trade thither at all , or but weakly and precariously , I will venture to affirm ( and I hope Your Lordship will remember hereafter this Prediction of mine ) that England will thereby lose half its Foreign Business . For all Trades have a Mutual Dependance one upon the other , and one begets another , and the loss of one , frequently loses half the rest . By carrying to other Places the Commodities brought from India , We every where inlarg'd our Commerce , and brought Home a great over-ballance , either in Foreign Goods , or in Bullion . In Holland we Exchanged our Wrought Silks , Callicoes , &c. for their Spices : By Indian Goods , we could Purchase at a better Rate , in Germany , the Linnens of Silesia , Saxony , and Bohemia . In times of Peace we did , and may again Traffick with France , for our India Goods against the things of Luxury , which will alwayes be brought from thence ; and thereby we may bring the Ballance more of our side , between us and that Kingdom . And , My Lord , there being a Peace now in agitation between Us and France , the Wisdom of the State perhaps may think fit to insist , as an Article , that the Prohibition of our East-India Goods may be taken off in France , and if that can be obtain'd , it will put the Trade of England with that Kingdom , upon much a more equal Foot. As to Spain , and the Streights , and Parts within the Streights , &c. 't is apparent that a large Share of the Bullion return'd hither , from thence , did proceed from the Sale there , of Callicoes , Pepper , and other East-India Goods consum'd in those Parts , and also bought up by the Spaniards for their own , and the Consumption of their Plantations in America . 'T is hop'd , My Lord , the foregoing Arguments have sufficiently prov'd , That this Traffick in General is beneficial to the Nation . I shall now proceed to deliver my Opinion concerning the Bill for Prohibiting the Wearing all East-India and Persia Wrought Silks , Bengals , and Dyed , Printed , or Stained Callicoes , which was the Second Point I propos'd to handle . They who promote this Bill do it , as is presum'd , upon the following Grounds , and Reasons . First , They believe such a Prohibition will advance the Consumption of Wooll , and the Woollen Manufactures . Secondly , They think it will advance the Silk and Linnen Manufactures of England . Thirdly , They Imagin such a Prohibition may be made by Act of Parliament , without Ruin to the Traffick in General . These Three Points , My Lord , I shall Endeavour to Examine and State fairly before Your Lordship : And I shall discourse of the East-India Trade First , as it has Relation to the Woollen Manufacture . Secondly as it has Relation to the Silk and Linnen Manufactures . And Thirdly , I shall show how this Prohibition will affect the East-India Trade in General . And First as to the Woollen Manufacture . TRade is the General Concern of this Nation , but every distinct Trade has a distinct Interest . The Wisdom of the Legislative Power consists , in keeping an even hand , to promote all , and chiefly to Encourage such Trades , as increase the Publick Stock , and add to the Kingdoms Wealth , consider d as a Collective Body . Trade is in its Nature Free , finds its own Channel , and best directeth its own Course : and all Laws to give it Rules , and Directions , and to Limit , and Circumscribe it , may serve the Particular Ends of Private Men , but are seldom Advantagious to the Publick . Governments , in Relation to it , are to take a Providential Care of the Whole , but generally to let Second Causes work their own way ; And considering all the Links , and Chains , by which they hang together , peradventure it may be affirm'd , That , in the Main , all Trafficks whatsoever are beneficial to a Country . They say few Laws in a State are an Indication of Wisdom in a People , but it may be more truly said , that few Laws relating to Trade , are the Mark of a Nation that thrives by Traffick . Laws to Compel the Consumption of some Commodities , and prohibit the use of others , may do well enough , where Trade is forc'd , and onely Artificial , as in France ; But in Countries inclin'd by Genius , and adapted to it by Situation , such Laws are needless , unnatural , and can have no Effect conducive to the Publick Good. I have often wonder'd upon what Grounds the Parliament proceeded in the Act for Burying in Woollen : It Occasions indeed a Consumption of Wooll , but such a Consumption , as produces no advantage to the Kingdom . For were it not plainly better , that this Wooll made into Cloth , were Exported , paid for , and worn by the Living abroad , than laid in the Earth here at home . And were it not better , That the Common People ( who make up the Bulk and are the great Consumers ) should be bury'd in an Old Sheet , fit for nothing else , as formerly , than in so much New Wooll , which is thereby utterly lost . The Natural Way of promoting the Woollen Manufacture , is not to force its Consumption at home , but by wholsome Laws to contrive , That it may be wrought cheaply in England , which consequently will enable us to command the Markets abroad . The onely Beneficial way to England , of making Wooll yield a good Price , is to have it Manufactur'd cheaply . No Country in Europe , Manufactures all kind of Goods so dearly as this Kingdom ; And the Dutch at this very day buy up Our Cloaths here , which they carry home , and Nap and Dye so Cheaply , that by this means they are able to under-sell us , in our own Native Commodity . The Act for maintenance of the Poor , is the true Bane , and Destruction to all the English Manufactures in General . For it apparently Encourages Sloth , and Beggery ; Whereas if the Legislative Power would make some good Provision , that Work-Houses might in every Parish be Erected , and the Poor , such as are Able , compell'd to Work , So many new Hands might thereby be brought in , as would indeed make the English Manufactures Flourish . I have reason to think , that the People receiving Alms in this Kingdom , are Twelve Hundred Thousand ; if but half could be brought to Work , besides their own Nourishment , their Labour one with another might produce to the Publick at 20 s. per Head , at least per Annum 600,000 l. If this could be compass'd , the Woollen Manufacture would advance without any Unnatural Driving or Compulsion . For we want Hands , not Manufactures in England , and Laws to Compel the Poor to Work , not Work wherewithal to give them Employment . To make England a true Gainer by the Woollen Manufacture , we should be able to work the Commodity so Cheap , as to under-sell all Comers to the Markets abroad . I shall , My Lord , advance Two Propositions which may sound very strangely , and yet perhaps will be thought very right , and true , upon a Mature Examination . First , That 't is not the Benefit , nor Interest of England in General , that Wooll should bear a high Price in Our Markets at home . Secondly , That by a great Consumption of the VVoollen Manufactures within this Kingdom , the Publick will not reap such an advantage as some imagine . Fine broad Cloth , was the Antient Drapery of England , and which first recommended this Manufacture to the Use of Foreign Countries , This is the Natural Issue and Product of the Kingdom , inimitable abroad , and it must be very great Carelessness , and want of Conduct , that can make us lose this Trade so Beneficial to the Nation . But tho' the VVooll of Other Places is not so fit for workmanship as Ours , yet the Commodity is abounding almost in all Countries of Europe ; and if the Cloth of England be brought any way to bear too high a Price , it may put some of Our Neighbours either upon the Industry of Manufacturing their own better : Or upon the Frugality to content themselves with what they can make at home ; And it may reduce other Parts , to set up new Manufactures in their own Countries , which will be very detrimental to the Vent , especially , of Our Narrow and Courser Cloaths . Nothing can make this Commodity Beneficial , so as to Enrich England , but to have the VVoollen Manufacture so Cheap , as that great quantities of our Cloath may be Exported , and at such a Rate , as that we may be able to under-sell all Nations , and discourage all People from setting it up . But this can never be , if by Arts , and Inventions , we endeavour to give VVooll an Unnatural Price here at Home , Upon which Score , I have advanc'd the Second Proposition , That England reaps no such Advantage by a large Consumption of the Woollen Manufacture within this Kingdom . For it is the Interest of all Trading Nations , whatsoever , that their Home Consumption should be little , of a Cheap and Foreign Growth , and that their own Manufactures , should be Sold , at the highest Markets , and spent Abroad ; Since by what is Consum'd at Home , one loseth only what another gets , and the Nation in General is not at all the Richer ; But all Foreign Consumption is a Clear , and Certain Profit . So that in the Woollen Manufacture , England does not get by what is Spent here by the People , but by what is Sold Abroad in other Countries . If the People of England are willing , and pleased to Wear Indian Silks , and Stuffs , of which the Prime Cost in India , is not above a Fourth part of what their own Commodities would stand them in here ; and if they are thereby thus enabled to Export so much of their own Product , whatever is so sav'd , is clear Gain to the Kingdom in general . But to set this Matter in a clearer Light. Suppose 200,000 l. per Annum of the Prime Sum sent to India , is return'd in Commodities for our own Consumption : And , Suppose half this Sum , viz. 100,000 l. to be Return'd in such Goods as are Worn here in the stead and room of the Woollen Manufactures .   l. From 100,000 l. Prime Cost to India , there may Reasonably be expected Goods that sell here for — 400,000 So that by sending to India — 100,000 We Gain for our own Consumption clear — 300,000 Now this must be Clear Profit to the Kingdom , Because this Sum would be otherwayes laid out and Consum'd in our own Product ; which Product we are by this Means enabled to Export . For when we come to Examine into the True Reason of the Great Wealth of Holland , we shall find it chiefly to arise from this Frugality of Consuming at Home what is Cheap , or comes Cheaply , and carrying Abroad what is Rich , and will yield most Money . 'T is granted That Bengals and Stain'd Callicoes , and other East-India Goods , do hinder the Consumption of Norwich Stuffs , Crapes , English Ratines , Shaloons , Sayes , Perpetuanas , and Antherines : But the same Objection will lye against the Use of any thing that is of Foreign Growth ; For the Importation of Wine , undoubtedly hinders the Consumption of Barly ; and England could subsist , and the Poor perhaps would have fuller Employment , if Foreign Trade were quite laid aside ; But this would ill Consist with our being Great at Sea , upon which ( under the Present Posture of Affairs in Europe ) all our Safety does certainly depend . That the East-India Goods do something interfere with the Woollen Manufacture , must undoubtedly be granted , but the Principal Matter to be Consider'd , is , Which way the Nation in General is more Cheaply supply'd . If 100,000 l. Prime Cost to India , brings Home so many Goods as stand in the stead , and supply the room of 400,000 l. of our own Manufactures , It must certainly be Adviseable not to Prohibit such a Trade , but rather to divert the Wooll used in these our Home Manufactures , and the Craft , Labour and Industry employ'd about 'em , to the Making Fine Broad Cloth , Course and Narrow Cloths , Stuffs and other Commodities , fit for Sale in Foreign Markets ; Since 't is an undoubted Truth , that 400,000 l. worth of our Native Goods Sold Abroad , does add more to the Nations General Stock , and Wealth , than Four Millions worth of our Home Product Consum'd within the Kingdom . But , besides , suppose the Wearing East-India Wrought Silks , &c. in England were Prohibited , and that their whole Importation were Interdicted , I do not see how such Prohibitions would at all Advance the Vent of our Home Product . For in one Case , If they hinder the Consumption of the Woollen Manufacture at Home , will they not when Exported , hinder its Consumption , and the Sale of Cloaths in Foreign Parts ? And in the other Case , If the English were forbid to bring Indian Goods into Europe , will not the Dutch Import them , and thereby in the same manner , hurt Abroad , the Vent and Consumption of our English Cloths ? Upon the whole Matter , My Lord , it is my Opinion , ( which I submit to better Judgments ) That the Importation of East-India and Persia Wrought Silks , Stain'd Callicoes , &c. though it may somewhat interfere with the Manufactures of Norwich , Bristol , and other particular Places ; yet , that such Importation adds to the Kingdoms main Stock , and Wealth , and is not prejudicial to the General Woollen Manufacture of England . And Secondly as to the Silk and Linnen Manufactures . WIsdom is most commonly in the Wrong , when it pretends to direct Nature . The various Products of different Soiles , and Countries , is an Indication , that Providence intended they should be helpful to each other , and mutually supply the Necessities of one another . And as it is great Folly to Compel a Youth to that sort of Study , to which he is not adapted by Genius , and Inclination : So it can never be Wise , to endeavour the introducing into a Country , either the Growth of any Commodity , or any Manufacture , for which , nor the Soil , nor the General Bent of the People is proper : And as forc'd Fruits ( though they may look fair to the Eye ) are notwithstanding Tastless , and Unwholsome ; So a Trade forc'd in this manner , brings no National Profit , but is Prejudicial to the Publick . We have such Advantages by Situation , and in several Commodities , and Materials , Natural , and almost peculiar to us , that if the Improvement of them were sufficiently look'd after , and encourag'd by the State , we might increase in Wealth , Greatness , and Power , peradventure beyond all Nations in Europe . It is our Fault , if we do not enjoy the Woollen Manufacture without any Rivalship ; but undoubtedly it might be very much advanced ▪ If Work-Houses were set up , If the Laws did Provide , and the Magistracy in the Execution did take Care , to set the Poor to work . Such an Increase of Hands would likewise produce more Tin , and Lead , and enable us to afford Leather Cheaper : And it is a large Exportation , and being able to undersell all others , in Foreign Markets , that brings National Profit . More Hands would quicken Industry , and improve waste Ground , which would enable us to carry out Corn , at a Cheap Rate . And generally speaking all Laws restraining Idleness , and that will invite People hither , must better the Manufactures , and make 'em more gainful to the Nation . There is no Trade so Advantageous , especially to an Island , as that of Buying Goods in one Country , to sell them in another ; and it is the Original and chief Article of the Great Wealth in Holland . There is Gain by the Freight : It occasions Consumption of our Home Product : It breeds Seamen , Increases Shipping , and improves Navigation : And any Home Manufacture that hinders this kind of Traffick , or that indeed interferes with it , is pernicious , and ought in Wisdom , and by all Rules of Policy , to be discouraged by the Publick . This kind of Commerce England was formerly in a large possession of , and it may be retriev'd , and in the best of Times was capable of great Improvement . Our Plantations ( if we take Care to preserve them from Foreign Insults and Invasions ) as they Increase in People , will Consume more of our Home Manufactures than we have Hands to make : They produce Commodities indispensably necessary to this part of the World , and not to be produced elsewhere , and with Industry and Conduct , may be made an inexhaustible Mine of Treasure to their Mother Kingdom . If there be such a Multitude of Hands that want VVork in England , the Herring Fishery would employ many Thousands of Men , and one Million of Money ; and , the Advantages our Situation gives us for it consider'd , we might at least come in for a Share , with the Dutch , in that Trade , which brings them so immense a Profit . Some of the foregoing Materials are Peculiar Gifts and Blessings to this Soil ; Our Inclinations to the Sea , fit us as well as the Dutch , for the Traffick of carrying Goods from one Countrey to another ( the most certain Gain a Nation can make ) Our Ports are safer and fitter than theirs for this Purpose . Our Plantation Trade , to carry it on to its Height , would require a greater Stock than we are Masters of at present , and would Consume more of Our Manufactures , and home Product , than we can make and furnish at Reasonable Rates . As to the Fishery , if we are not intirely in Possession of it , and if other Nations have been suffer'd to make such a Profit upon Our Coast , it has proceeded from want of Industry in the English People , and through the Negligence of former Governments . In the foremention'd Particulars , an unforc'd and a Natural Improvement may be made in our VVealth and Substance , and 't is here the Legislative Power may , to good effect , interpose with its Care and VVisdom . Most Countries have a certain Number of their People , who addict themselves to Trade and Manufactures , and most Nations have limited Stock to be employ'd in those Uses , which they cannot well exceed ; And 't is the Prudence of a State , to see , that this Industry , and Stock , be not diverted from things profitable to the whole , and turn'd upon Objects unprofitable , and perhaps dangerous to the Publick . The Stock England formerly had running in Trade and Manufactures , was very considerable , and I am sorry , upon a carefull Inquiry , to find it so much decreas'd : What remains , and more than can be gather'd in many Years of Peace , will be sufficiently employ'd in that Business , where the Nation is a certain and known Gainer ; and therefore should not be diverted upon uncertain Objects , and turn'd upon new Inventions , in which it cannot be determin'd , in many Years , whither we get or loose , and how the Ballance stands : And of this nature , and kind , are the Silk , and Linnen Manufactures in England . Silk is a Manufacture of a Foreign Extract , and not the Genuine Product of this Country ; It Employs indeed the Poor , but is not compos'd from a Material of our own Growth . Whatever Encouragement it meets with , it cannot thrive with us , being not Calculated for our Meridian : 'T is fit onely for frugal Nations , where Parsimony renders Craft and Workmanship not dear , upon which score the French , Italians , and Dutch , will always be able to under-sell us in that Commodity , and hinder any Success we can propose . And as an Example of this , Did not the Hollanders , lately , bring hither French Lustring , under their Seal , which they could afford so Cheap , as to under-sell the Projectors of it here , tho' they were at the Charge of Freight and Custom . The Stock and Industry laid out on the Silk Manufacture , would be more usefully employ'd , in such as are made from Materials of Our own Growth . If the Luxury of wearing Silk could be quite Abolish'd , such a Reformation would undoubtedly be beneficial to the Kingdom ; but since this is not easily to be Compass'd , a wise State must consider which Way the Folly of their People can be supply'd at the cheapest rate , For , Frugality of this Nature , as certainly enriches the whole , as it does any private Person . There are brought from India Two sorts of Silks . The one is of such a sort as is not made in England , and consequently onely hinders the Importation of the like kind , at a dearer Rate , from Holland , Italy , France , Turkey and other Places . The other is of the like sort with those made here , notwithstanding which , it must certainly be prejudicial to the Interest of England , to forbid their Importation from India , unless those , and all other kinds of Silk applicable to the same Uses , could be Prohibited to be brought from Foreign Countries : since by such Prohibition ( unless the vanity it self can be cured ) we onely enrich the Neighbouring Nations at Our Expence . The East-India Goods since they were in use , have apparently lower'd the Price of Silks from France , Spain , and Italy , at least 25 per Cent : and if their Importation should be prohibited , will it not follow Naturally that the European Countries will again advance upon us ? And the French , Italians , and Dutch , who upon several Accounts are able to underwork us , will undoubtedly fall to making and sending hither such Commodities , as may stand in the Room here of Indian Goods , and at the low Rates they can afford 'em , they will quickly ruin Our Silk Manufactures : And when the Fabrick is distroy'd , and the Stock and Hands employ'd in it , are diverted to other Uses , they may put what Fine they please upon our Vanity . The Dutch have such a Silk Manufacture in their Country , that by Computation , there is Imported hither , from thence , more of that Commodity , one Year with another than we bring from India . Most of the Velvets us'd here , come from thence , and are purchas'd by us at a dearer rate , than could be afford'd from India , or made here at home , if we were skill'd in the Workmanship . And notwithstanding the Dutch have so considerable a Silk Manufacture of their own , instead of Prohibiting , they encourage the Importation of all East-India Silks : well knowing , That 't is the Interest of every Nation , to go to their own , or Foreign Markets , with Goods as cheap as they can , thereby to beat out all others . And that the Cheapness of any Commodity , will force a way into those Countries where it is prohibited , if any of the like sort and kind is indulg'd and permitted to be worn there ; Nothing being able to render the Prohibition of Goods intirely Effectual in any Nation , but a Capacity in the Inhabitants of such Country , to afford them at Cheaper Rates , which can hardly be the Case of England . As to the Linnen Manufacture , it is no more the Genuine Offspring of this Kingdom , than that of Silk . 'T is true that some of the Materials for it , may be had from our own Soil , but not enough to supply our whole Consumption , and we can never pretend to make the finer sort . And if the now intended Prohibition should so Operate , as utterly to lose us the East-India Trade ( which peradventure may be the Case ) the Dutch may put what rate they please upon their Callicoes ; And the Dutch and French , and other Nations , will Impose any Price upon their Fine Linnens ( which Our Callicoes for some Years have kept down ) So that , Our necessary Consumption in this Commodity , will stand us in above 40 per Cent. more than it does at present . This Manufacture is proper onely for Countries where they can have Flax and Hemp Cheap , and where the Common People work at very easie Rates . But tho' with forcing Nature , and by Art , and Industry , we could bring it to greater Perfection , yet upon other Accounts 't is perhaps not adviseable , nor for the Nations Interest , to promote it . First , Our Soil and the Labour of the People may be employ'd about Materials more Advantageous , and wherein we cannot be undersold by other Countries . Secondly , The growth of this Manufacture would obstruct Trade , and other Business more Important to the Nation : For ▪ 1. Our Noble Staple of Wooll is undoubtedly capable of a great Improvement , to which the Increase of Wages ( that must happen upon an Increase in the Linnen Manufacture ) will be a considerable hindrance . And one cannot rise , but to the prejudice of the other , Because we really want People and Hands to carry on both to their full perfection . And , 2. It is more the General Interest of England to Export Woollen Manufacture in Exchange Abroad for Linnen , than to make it here at Home ; which Trade has been set afoot , and prosper'd very much , to the great Benefit of this Kingdom , since the Prohibition of French Goods during this War. But if we provide our selves at Home with Linnen sufficient for our Consumption , and do not want that which is brought from Silesia , Saxony , Bohemia , and Poland , this Trade must cease ; For these Northern Countries have neither Money , nor other Commodities ; and if we deal with them , we must be contented , in a manner , to barter our Cloaths , for their Linnen ; And 't is obvious enough , to any Considering Man , that by such a Traffick , We are not Losers in the Ballance . In Process of Time , when England shall come to be more Peopled ; And when a long Peace shall have increased our Wealth and Stock , perhaps we may be able not only to carry on our old Manufactures to their full height , but to embrace new Ones , Such as are that of Silk and Linnen ; but as our Case stands , it seems sufficient to let them take their own Natural Course , and not to drive them on ; For too many sorts of Businesses may be as well hurtful in the Publick , as they are often to Private Persons . If the Nation finds a General Profit from them , their own Weight will bear them on ; but in the mean while , it cannot be Adviseable , in their Favour , to exercise any extraordinary Act of Power ; and for their sake , by Prohibitions , to distress , embroil , and disturb any settled Trade , by which , beyond all Contradiction , the Nation , before the War , was so great a Gainer . My Lord , After much Thought upon this Subject , I am come to these Conclusions , within my self , which I submit to Your better Judgment . First , That our Silk and Linnen Manufactures obstruct Trades more Important , and more profitable . Secondly , That , tho' a Prohibition of East-India Goods , may advance their present Interest , who are engag'd in the Silk and Linnen Manufactures here , yet That it will bring no future advantage to the Kingdom . Thirdly , That Luxury is so deeply rooted in this Nation , that should this Prohibition pass , it will onely carry us to European Markets , where , we shall pay perhaps 50 per Cent. dearer , may be , for the same , or for Vanities of the like Nature . So that UPON the whole Matter , My Lord , I am humbly of Opinion , that the Importation of wrought Silks , Bengals , Stain'd Callicoes , &c. does not so interfere with Our Silk and Linnen Manufactures , as to hurt the Publick , and bring dammage to the Collective Body of England . And Thirdly , As to the Effect such a Prohibition will have upon the East-India Trade in General . IN all Argumentations , 't is requisite to settle , and agree upon Principles ; for which Reason , in the beginning of this Discourse , I did endeavour to prove , That in general the East-India Trade was Profitable to this Kingdom . And I dwelt the longer upon that Head , because some People are quite of a Contrary Opinion , and believe it hurtful to England . And I am satisfied that many ( without Doors ) promote the Bill in Question , in hopes thereby utterly to destroy the Traffick . And , truly My Lord , it seems plain to me , that the intended Prohibitions must prove , though not a sudden , yet a certain destruction to it . And that 't is a lopping from this Trade , the Branches , and taking away some of the Bark , and part of the Root : The Trunk indeed is left , but so maim'd , and injur'd , that it can never spread and flourish . If it can be made appear this Prohibition is no ways to be render'd effectual : And if it can be shown , that the said Prohibitions will utterly disable the Present East-India Company , or any other , to be hereafter Erected , from Supporting , and Carrying on the Trade , to the Advantage of England , Your Lordship will certainly think the Bill , now a foot , of dangerous Consequence , and not fit to receive a Sanction in the House of Peers . No Prohibitions of a Foreign or Domestick Commodity , can have any Effect , without Sumptuary Laws strictly penn'd , and rigorously put in Execution . For , the Importation of French Wines , and Linnen , has been forbidden under high Penalties during this War , yet the Consumption of those sort of Commodities , is not much lessen'd , and they are brought in upon us , from other Countries , at much a dearer Rate . For these Three Years last past , French Wines have been convey'd hither by the way of Spain and Portugal , and the French Silks , and Linnens , have been all along secretly brought , and smuggled upon our own Coast . Perhaps if severe Sumptuary Laws had Impos'd a High Duty , or Penalty , upon the Consumers of French Wine , Silks , and Linnen , the Prohibition might have had its designed Effect : But how such Laws could have been made Practicable , I shall not pretend to determine . In the same manner , if a severe Mulct , or a High Duty , can be laid on such as shall Wear or Use any India , or Persia Wrought Silks , Bengals , &c. and if this were superadded to the Prohibition , peradventure it might be render'd Effectual . But , otherwise , notwithstanding the Prohibition , of Wearing such Goods , and the Penalties upon the Retailers that shall vend them , their Consumption will be little lessened in this Kingdom , for they will be brought in upon us from other Countries , Scotland and Holland more especially . However , though such a Method is peradventure the only way of keeping down this Luxury , I am very far , My Lord , from thinking it Adviseable . For the Laws of all Countries must be suited to the Bent and Inclinations of the People : And ( which I am loath to say ) there is sometimes a Necessity , they should be a little accommodated to their deprav'd Manners , and Corruptions . The People of England , who have been long accustom'd to Mild Laws , and a loose Administration , can never indure that Severity , which is needful to make such a Prohibition have Effect : Nor can they suffer High Duties , or Penalties to be imposed upon their Pleasures , or bear a strict Inquisition into their Furniture and Apparel . There is no Country without a multitude of Sumptuary Laws , but hardly a Place can be instanc'd , where they are Observ'd , or produce any Publick Good. They were somewhat regarded in the Infancy of the Roman Common-wealth , before Riches and Pomp , had banish'd Vertue , and Obedience : But their chiefest Strength was alwayes deriv'd from the Sanctity , and Veneration , in which was held the Office of Censor . And in England , they would be immediately contemn'd , and derided ; and any Magistrate must become the Publick Scorn , that should think to put them in Execution . And yet without Strict Sumptuary Laws , well Observ'd , the Wisdom of the Parliament will find it self eluded , when it endeavours to banish Foreign Vanities and Luxury , in favour of our own Product and Manufactures . For in all probability , the Consequence of such a Prohibition will be , That Goods of the same kind , or Goods applicable to the like use , instead of those Imported from India , will be brought hither from Abroad ; and the Consumption will not be less , but at a much dearer Rate . It may indeed somewhat better our Manufactures , but will more Advance those of France , Italy and Holland , who can afford to work Cheaper : And , in all appearance , will thereby prove such a drein of this Kingdoms Treasure , as may bring utter destruction upon us . But the principal Question is , Whether , under such Prohibitions , any Body of Men can find their Accompt in carrying on this Trade ? To make this Traffick an Addition of Strength , as well as Riches to the Kingdom , Encouragement should be given to send thither Large , and Strong Ships , which will be Expensive to the Undertakers . Their Business in India cannot be Manag'd without frequent Gifts and Presents , to the Rajahs and Governours , according to the Practice in all the Eastern Countries . Forts , and Castles , with good Garrisons , are there indispensably necessary , for the preservation of the Pepper Trade , and indeed , needful upon many other Accompts , As Magazines for Naval Provision , and as Store Houses , in which to lay Goods , bought in the Country , at proper Seasons : Besides they are a Safety to Our People , from any Insults of the Natives , And a Refuge , upon any Disorder , Revolution , or other Emergency in the Mogul's State and Empire ▪ A Trade Limited and Circumscrib'd in the Manner propos'd , cannot well undergo these Expences , which notwithstanding are necessary for its Preservation . I have before divided the 400,000 l. prime Cost sent to India , into two parts , viz. Half for Foreign Exportation , and , the Other half , for home Consumption .   l. The Returns of 200,000 l. in Time of Peace might probably yeild abroad — 800,000 The Returns of 200,000 l. in Time of Peace , might probably yield at home — 800,000 Total — 1,600,000 But we must take Notice , that the 1,200,000 l. Profit , suppos'd in time of Peace to arise from this Trade , did not , all of it , accrue to the Adventurers in the Company , but was National , and divided among many Thousands of the People . The Merchants , who at the Companies Sales bought Goods for Exportation , had their Share , and the Retailers here had their Proportion , in the Gain , which this Traffick , in the whole , might be Computed to produce . And particularly for their Share in the 600,000 l. supposed to be gained by our own Consumption , in time of Peace , by this Traffick : There came in , The King for His Customs ; Owners of Ships ; Such as got by Victualling them ; Seamen for Wages : And , lastly , Factors and Servants , both Abroad , and at Home . The Gain made Abstractedly by the Company , has never been Invidious : For if their whole Stock be Computed from their Beginning , to this Day , it will be found , by their Dividends , That they have not one Year , with another , divided 20 per Cent. which , considering the Length and Hazard of their Voyages , is not a Profit to be envied . But since this War , the Company have without doubt been great Losers , and nothing but the Invincible Courage , which has been alwayes observ'd in English Merchants , could have hindered the Trade from being intirely Lost . Notwithstanding all the Companies late Losses at Sea , and their former Ill Conduct in India , they have not lost footing there , but have , hitherto , preserv'd the Trade , indeed at their own Expence . However , if any thing should be done that will Interrupt any great part of their Commerce , they must apparently give it over , or sink under the Burthen ; For the Charge and Expence Abroad must be full as much to support a Little , as a more Extended Traffick .   l. If this Trade be so Restrain'd , by Prohibitions , as that there can be sent to India , not above per Annum — 200,000 The National Profit from thence arising cannot Reasonably exceed — 600,000 The Companies Charge , and Expence , to Support and Carry on their Affairs Abroad , may be Modestly Computed , at per Annum — 100,000 Which Summe will be a great weight upon per Annum — 600,000 But will fall lightly upon per An. 1,200,000 According to the best and most Impartial Accounts I can receive , the Bill in Agitation , must lose England half the Trade to India in General , all the Traffick to the Coast and Bay of Bengal , and half the Business to Surrat . And , particularly , as to the Coast and Bay , The Company did usually send thither Yearly Five or Six Ships , of between Six and Seven Hundred Tons each : The Fifth part of which , returns Freighted with Salt-Petre ; One other Fifth part with Fine Muslins , Floretta Yarn , and Raw Silks ; The other Three parts , with Goods by the Bill Prohibited : The Consequence of which must be , That the Trade to the Coast and Bay , will prove so inconsiderable , that it must be abandon'd , and England reduc'd to buy all its Salt-Petre from the Scots , Danes or Hollanders . I take Our home Consumption , which is half of the returns of the Prime Cost sent to India , to be the main Foundation upon which the Trade stands , especially , in a Time of War. 'T is that alone can bear the Incident Charges at home , and Expences abroad , necessary for the Support of so large a Traffick ; And 't is that onely , can enable any Company to indure Losses at Sea , by Storm , or a Foreign Enemy . What Encouragement can there be to go on with so vast a Business , if our Merchants must singly depend upon the Markets abroad ? One Country , to advance their Own Manufactures , may prohibit Our Goods , The Hollanders will buy 'em up at their own Rates , when their Use is forbidden here , And they will be a Drug , and blown upon , all Over Europe . There is great difference between a Merchants having a Choice , or a Necessity to sell his Ware. In one Case he may in some Measure make his own Price , In the Other he must take what is offer'd . To speak generally , the East-India Trade is profitable to the Adventurers in time of Peace ; but rarely so in seasons of War and Trouble . In time of Peace They enrich their Country by a Foreign Vent and Exportation of their Goods , and in time of War , the home Consumption chiefly enables 'em to support and carry on their Traffick . Your Lordships may see all along in this Discourse , that 't is my Opinion , They do not interfere with such Manufactures as 't is the Interest of England to promote and encourage : But though the prohibited East-India Goods did greatly prejudice our own Product and Manufacture ; yet I do not think a Prohibition of 'em at all adviseable , during the War , for these Reasons : First , Our Condition is so weak , that we cannot struggle with any the bad Events , with which a new Council may be attended . Secondly , If to their Losses at Sea , their Misfortunes in India on the Score of Every's Pyracy , and their want of Money , arising from the general Want of Species in the Nation , A Prohibition of the Consumption of so many of their Goods be likewise added ; 'T is to be apprehended , That upon such a discouragement , the Traders to those Parts , will by degrees withdraw from thence , their Effects , and Stock , and quite abandon the whole Traffick . Thirdly , If this should happen , and , that either through Sullenness , Or because the Prohibition does really bring insuperable difficulties , Our Merchants should actually quit the Trade ; The Dutch , Our Rivals in all other Traffick , will certainly seize the Derelict . And such an Addition to their Riches and Power at Sea , can by no means be consistent with the Welfare , and Safety of this Nation . My Lord , In this Discourse ( which proves much longer than I intended ) I have endeavour'd to show your Lordship , First , That this Trade is Beneficial to the Kingdom . Secondly , That 't is not prejudicial to the General Woollen Manufacture of England . Thirdly , That it does not so interfere with Our Silk and Linnen Manufactures , as to hurt the Publick . Fourthly , That the intended Prohibitions may probably occasion an utter Loss of the whole Traffick . No Alteration in so considerable a Branch of our Foreign Commerce should be attempted , unless the whole matter had been for many Months consider'd maturely , by a Council of Trade , composed of the ablest Men in the Kingdom . And I will venture to affirm , That no sound Judgment can be made in things of this Nature , without contemplating the universal Posture and Business of the Nation : And when so important Deliberations are a-foot , the Number of the People should be examin'd , Their annual Consumption both of Home and Foreign Materials should be well stated , The ready Money and other Stock of the Kingdom should be inquired into , The Sum of Money and Hands employ'd in every distinct Trade , should be duly contemplated ; And upon such a general Inspection and View of the whole , we might be Ripe to deliberate on any single Point . Any false Measures and rash Councils in Affairs so important , are hardly capable of a future Remedy . The Hollanders have in their Possession all the Spice Islands , which they have strongly fortified , and by this means they lay a kind of Excise upon those necessary Commodities , which all Europe is forced to pay . By the seizing of Bantam they have got almost Three Parts in Four of the Pepper-Trade .   Tuns Brought into Europe since the Loss of Bantam , and before the present War ( Communibus Annis ) of Pepper about — 5000 Of which Imported by the French and Danes about — 500 By the English about — 900 By the Dutch about — 3600 Total — 5000 The Hollanders , at this time are very Powerful in India : They have many Good Forts and Castles well provided , and large Colonies of Men ; And They can , upon any Occasion , call together there 40 strong Frigates : So that if it agreed with the present Circumstances of their Affairs in Europe , or with the Nature of the Alliance they are engag'd in , 'T is undoubtedly in their Power , to Engross this rich Traffick wholly to themselves , and to expel us for ever from those Countreys . Perhaps they may not think it a safe advice , to attempt doing this by Force , but we shall have no reason to complain , If they take in hand , what we give over and abandon . But suppose they should drive us from thence by force of Arms , Or that we should quit the Trade to them through Negligence and Folly , It will be worth while to consider , what addition of Wealth and Strength , an intire Monopoly of East-India Goods may prove to that Common-wealth . And , My Lord , if I am not much deceiv'd in Political Arithmetick , It would bring Yearly a much greater Mass of Treasure to the United Provinces than is brought into Europe from the Mines of Peru and Mexico . This side of the World is so fond of those Vanities , that if they could be had but at One Market , such a Market might , by their Means , draw from the rest of Europe , continually per Annum , at least Six Millions . To prove this Assertion , will take up more time than consists with the Brevity intended in this Discourse , I shall therefore onely give one Instance , and that is of Pepper , by which some Judgment may be made of all the other Commodities .   l. s. d. Pepper 5000 Tuns at 2 d. per l. as it may Cost the Dutch in India amounts to — 74,666 13 4 Add to this 3 d. per l. for Freight into Holland , then it costs 5 d. per l. which amounts to — 186,666 13 4 Ditto 5000 Tons sold in Holland at 12 d. per l. the profit being 7 d. per l. will amount to — 261,333 6 8 But this Commodity is grown so necessary , and has so obtain'd , and is of such general Use , that it may be sold in Holland at Six Shillings per l. which is less than any of the other Spices , as Cheap in India as Pepper .   l. s. d. Then 5000 Tons sold in Holland at 6 s. per l. the profit being 5 s. 7 d. per l. will amount to — 2,498,836 13 4 If from the Single Article of Pepper , such a Sum as 2,498,836 l. may be rais'd , It will not be difficult to conceive , That by raising the Price of other Spices , Wrought Silks , Callicoes , Raw Silks , Salt Petre , and other Indian Goods , the Hollanders by an entire Monopoly of this Trade , may drein the rest of Europe , every Year , of , at least , Six Millions . Considering their Naval Force , and their Competition with us in Trade , Such an addition of Wealth must make them a very Formidable People . And though they may not peradventure turn their Strength to hurt the Traffick or Peace of England , yet , 't is no very remote fear , to apprehend That notwithstanding all their Riches , they may at last become a Prey to France . And if the French , with the Dutch Shipping in their right , and as their Lords , should once become Masters of this Rich Trade , such an Accession to that Wise , Well Peopled , and Large Empire , must prove our Ruin. And I must here take Notice , That ( as I am inform'd ) all the Salt-Petre , produc'd in this side of the World , is not sufficient to take such a Place of Strength as Dunkirk . If the Fact be so , as War is made now , must not whatever Country can obtain the sole Trade to India , and the Monopoly of that Commodity , give Laws to the rest of Europe ? The principal Care , My Lord , incumbent upon Persons in Your Station , is very Cautiously to weigh New Councils , to which You are adapted by Nature and Practice . Wise Men will never engage in Rash Advices ; from whence , if they succeed not , there is no good Retreat : And , Empericks of State only , will be tampering at every turn , with the Body Politick , and venturing upon bold and unsafe Remedies . That the Common People want Work , That there is a general deadness of Trade , And that our Home Manufactures are in an ill Condition , must certainly be granted ; But these Mischiefs proceed not from the Importation of East-India Goods , and may be plainly assign'd to other Causes . UPON the Whole Matter , My Lord , I am of Opinion ( with Submission to better Judgments ) that the intended Prohibitions of East-India and Persia Wrought Silks , &c. will be destructive to the Trade in General , and hazard its being utterly lost to the Kingdom . FINIS .