THE AULNAGE CASE, OR REASONS Offered for taking away the Office of Aulnage, and changing the Subsidy of Aulnage into a Custom.  
THERE is a Duty payable to the Crown for almost all the Woollen Manufacture now made in England, which is called the Subsidy of Aulnage, which is to be paid by the Cloathiers, etc.  
There is a Duty also payable to the Crown for the same Manufacture when it is Exported, which is called the Subsidy of Tonnage and Poundage, and is to be paid by the Merchants at the Custom-house; both these are charged upon the Manufacture.  
The former of these is granted by Patent to the Duchess of Richmond, and by her let to Farm to Sir John Eyles, and others.  
The manner of Collecting which is extremely chargeable to the Crown, and very grievous to the Subject, and hath along time been complained of; for every Shilling the Farmer's pay to the Crown or Duchess of Richmond, they collect above two of the Cloathiers, etc. besides the charge and trouble they are put to in attending several Offices to get their Goods Sealed, which in many places is greater than the payment of the Duty.  
The Design therefore is, that this Subsidy of Aulnage might be taken away, and in lieu thereof, an Equivolent Duty might be added to the Subsidy of Tonnage and Poundage, to be received at the same time, and in the same manner, and by the same Officer, which now receives the present Customs.  
And if a Duty not exceeding what was paid to the Aulnagers, upon a Cloth, etc. before the late exactions be made payable at the Custom-houses, it will bring in more Money to the Crown, then is now, or can be paid if the Aulnage Office should be continued, as is ready to be made appear, by Accounts taken out of the Custom-house Books.  
The Advantages by this change will be many: For,  
I. It will wholly take away the Grievance of Collecting, freeing the Cloathiers from the trouble of attending to get their Goods sealed (which Seals are of no other use then to Signify that the Duty if paid.)  
II. It will raise a sufficient Sum of Money to pay the Duchess as much or more than she now receives yearly, or can if the Aulnage Office should be continued.  
III. It will save the People of England three or four thousand Pound per annum, which they now pay to maintain an Office and Officers, which are a great burden to them.  
iv It will exempt part of the  Manufacture (all that is used in England) from the payment of any Duty, and yet a greater will not be laid upon tha which will still be liable to pay;  
V It will free all the Merchants, Retailers, and others from the damage and trouble of having their Shops and Warehouses searched, their Goods riffeled, their Pieces and Remnants carried away for want of Seals, which oft times drop off, and cannot be prevented, and from the payment of unreasonable Sums to have them again.  
VI It will discharge all those that are under yearly Contribution (to be free from search) from the payment of any more Rent, (of which there is no near two hundred in one County.)  
VII. It will put an end to a great many vexatious and chargeable Lawsuits, which are now depending about the right of the said Duty, and prevent a great many that are like to arise: (In short) it will be no ways prejudicial to the Revenue of the Crown, nor to the Interest of the Duchess, nor create any new or greater trouble upon the Merchant, or charge upon the Merchandise, but will be of great advantage to all the Cloathiers, and all other Woollen Manufacturers in England. All which is ready more fully to be demonstrated.