THE MERCHANTS REMONSTRANCE: PUBLISHED In the time of the late war, Revived and enlarged.  
Wherein is set forth the inevitable miseries which may suddenly befall this kingdom by want of Trade and decay of Manufactures.  
With Copy of A Letter to the King's majesty presented unto Him at Hampton Court, October 30. 1647.  
Showing  

1. The want of such a due regard as was fit for the preservation of Trade in the time of the late war.  
2. Some of the bad effects it hath since produced.  
3. The offer of the author's opinion what may best be done for Remedy.   
ALSO A Letter to the Right honourable the two Houses of Parliament: To the Army under the command of His Excellency Sir Tho. Fairfax: And to the rest of His majesty's Subjects in general.  
Whereunto is annexed, A Discourse of the excellency of wool, manifested by the Improvement in its Manufactures, and the great good thence arising before the late war.  
By JOHN BATTIE of London Merchant.  
Published by Authority.  
London Printed by Ric. Cotes, for William Hope, at the unicorn in Conrnehill, near the royal Exchange, 1648.   

To the Reader.  
READER,  
MY Profession being that of a Merchant, thou must expect the Language and stile in this REMONSTRANCE, answerable thereunto: Let thy thoughts be upon the matter itself, weigh it well, for it is of such concernment to the welfare of the whole kingdom, that it must stand and fall with it.  
Farewell. John Battie.   


To my much esteemed Friend Mr. Battie.  
SIR,  
I Perused with no less profit than pleasure your manuscript, wherein you discourse with so much judgement of Trade; discovering the causes of the present impairment thereof, and how it may be improved hereafter: Whereby I find that a public soul, and the affections of a good Patriot dwell in you; things, God-wot, which are rarely found now in England, such is the hard fate of the times, wherein men screw up their brains, and stretch all their sinews to draw water to their own Mills only, though to the prejudice of the Common-good: But they are much out of their account, who think, that private fortunes can long subsist, if the public begin to languish; unless a care be had of Ware River, Middleton's pipes will run but poorly, and every one will find it in his private Cisterns.  
This Tract of yours may serve for a true prospective to the English Merchant to see the visible calamities that are already upon him; as also for a 'larum bell to awake his slumbering spirits to a timely prevention of far greater; And well fare your heart for it: So I rest▪  
Your faithful friend to dispose of James Howell.   

To the Reader.  

OUr worthy Merchant showed hath the pare  
Of a good Subject, and his country's friend:  
And as a knowing man, a man of Art,  
He hath prescribed a way Trade to amend:  
Let us the counsel then of Battie take,  
It may revive us All, and happy make.   

A dangerous wound admits not long delay,  
Lest it prove mortal, so may't be with Trade,  
Whilst time is offered, and when we may,  
Let us apply the 
* Known Laws.  Mea'cine he hath made,  
Or rather us advised, Trades wounds to cure,  
Nothing in reason so certain, so sure.   

However let's unto our Merchant give  
Due thanks and praise for this his good respect  
Unto our Trade, he shows how it may live,  
Whilst many careless are, and it neglect,  
Of such wish we had less, of Batties store;  
And so farewell, good friend, I'll say no more.   
T. D.   

To the Reader.  

physician-like, Battie shows the cause  
Of a disease that's great, 'tis trade's defect,  

☞  Then he prescribes a medicine, the known laws,  
Which might it help, then let's not it neglect,  
The like unto't is not under Heaven,  
Let's pray and pray, that it may be given.   

And having thus prescribed a medicine right  
On his discourse on England's gem doth fall,  
Whose splendour is so fulgent and so bright,  
That dazzle well it may the eyes of All,  
Excelling all gems else without dispute,  
Let's do our best to keep it in repute▪   

And to good Battie we are All much bound  
For the discovery he hath for us made,  
Till than it seemed hidden in the ground,  
Now let's look to't, the way he having laid  
In his small book, which great in worth doth show,  
All which distressed England ought to know.   
F. N.   

To Mr. Battie the Author.  

Judicious Friend, thy book I viewed have,  
The lines are few, the matter much I find,  
And of such consequence, that it doth crave  
The ears of All, and All oblige and bind  
Their best assistance to afford and give  
It to observe, All may the better live.   

And live in peace, abhorring thoughts of wars,  
The spoil of 
* Trade.  That, thou seekest to maintain,  
And free the kingdom from unhappy jars,  
Producing pounds of loss, no penny gain;  
Profit and loss account doth tell us so,  
But thou advisest a gaining way to go.   

Thanks we thee give, thou showest still thy care  
Of this poor kingdom's welfare and it's good,  
And as before, so now thou dost declare  
Thyself for peace, an enemy to blood.  
At first thou saidst it would be Traffickes' bane,  
Together with this kingdoms long won gain.   

And now, good friend, take this for a farewell,  
That when pale death thy life hath ta'en away,  
This thy small book shall after Ages tell  
Thou did'it thy part to help our Trades decay:  
Good men will join with thee, they'll not sit still,  
But ready be to stop so great an ill.   
R. P.   

To all the Merchants of England.  

IN this small book our friend doth open lay  
The cause, the bad effects, and only cure  
Of a Disease that's bad, it's trade's decay,  
Me thinks you should it feel, and not endure  
So great an ill, but presently extend  
Your utmost help and force, it to amend.   

For, you (my noble friends) may well discern,  
Nothing is better for this kingdom's good,  
But you in special it doth concern,  
'Tis your chiefest welfare, your livelihood▪  
If you be forced from traffic to desist,  
How then will you be able to subsist?   

And of our Merchant have a good esteem,  
He it deserves, for he his part hath done,  
This kingdom's Trade and Commerce to redeem  
From loss, and keep the gain it hath long won:  
And so (my Merchants) I bid you all Adieu,  
Wishing good may of this Advice ensue.   
G. T.   

To the Reader.  

THis I'll post over, and you shall surely see  
That which our Nation wants, its excellency  
Commerce, its welfare is the kingdom's gain.  
See Battie cares for All from King to swain,  
He shall admired be in after times,  
He proves our Fleece above great Philip's Mines.  
And when our Nation shall with Peace be blessed,  
The King and People live with joy and rest,  
A due remembrance let of him be made,  
He did his utmost to preserve our Trade.  
He loves His King, the laws, Concord▪ and Peace,  
Knowing they are the means of Trades Increase.  
When from these principles you start aside;  
Let Plunder, Famine and sickness you beside.  
Let Battie sleep secure, and take his rest,  
This his Ships Fraight will make our Nation blessed▪  
If we accept thereof, and his advice  
Then Batty's Golden Fleece shall be our rise.   
A: K   

To Mr. BATTIE the Author.  

MY Worthy Friend, if that our eyes had been  
As thine so clear, ours had as thine foreseen  
The bad and sad products of civil wars,  
On all sides ruin, and ungodly jars;  
Which moved thee much to dislike the same,  
When others, not foreseeing, did thee blame.  
And if for thy dislike, they'll blame thee still,  
Amongst the worst of men I them hold will.  
And for thy care of Trade, we thee thanks give,  
Thou hast by this small book showed how't may live:  
If of thy counsel now no use we make,  
It may hereafter fruitless prove to take.  
A medicine timely used may take effect,  
But perish may the body through neglect.  
Good friend, however, thou hast done thy part,  
And therein showed a true English heart.   
W. G.   

To the READER.  

ALl over ask, and you may quickly hear  
Of sad complaints, and men possessed with fear,  
If these distempers hold, that Trade must cease  
Which more and more they find much to decrease:  
And know if Trade from them be ta'en away,  
Goods of Fortune must perish and decay,  
As Honour, Wealth and Strength by Sea and Land,  
By Trade they are kept up, by Trade they stand:  
Battie a way hath laid All to maintain,  
Knowing by loss they'll die, and live by gain.  
O look upon his medicine, the known laws,  
Th'effect it cure will, and remove the cause  
Of England's discords, and it's trade's defect,  
And what not else? then let's not it neglect,  
And to our worthy Friend give thanks and praise,  
He doth his best our dying Trade to raise.   
M. F.    

The merchant's Remonstrance.  
TRade is the life of a State, Manufactures are the sinews of Trade, and Money is the soul of both. There is such a necessary connexion and dependency betweens them, that the one cannot subsist without the other; The last doth animate the second, and the second supports the first, and the first gives motion and quickening to the other two. Now of all sorts of Trade, traffic hath been always esteemed the most noble, because the most hazardous; And traffic is most proper and useful to Islands, whose security and power depends principally upon shipping, and naval strength. Amongst Islands, this of great Britain hath been from all times held the most rich, and renowned, as well for the fertility of the soil, and temperature of the air; as for the substantial and necessary native commodities it affords in such plenty to advance Trade, and oblige all other Nations. Now there is no greater enemy to Trade than War, be it in what country it will; our Neighbours the Hollanders excepted, who by so long a habit of War seems to make a Trade of it; They are the only men who by the advantage of their situation can fish best in troubled waters; witness the tumults of Germany, and these of England and Ireland. Yet foreign war is not so great a disturber of Trade, nor half so destructive, as intestine; For as the fire that's kindled within doors, and in the bedstraw, as it were, rageth more violently: so civil War ruins Trade faster than any other, and makes poverty and desolation post in one after the other, wheresoever it is kindled. Now the drift of this small Remonstrance is, to show the great misery that may suddenly befall this kingdom through want of Trade, and the evil effects it may produce.  
First, for that the chiefest way of enriching a kingdom, is the expense of its native or home commodities (that can well be spared) in foreign parts; if it fail, the Manufacture must cease, by which means many thousands of poor Families, which have no other maintenance but by their daily labour, or by what each day's work will afford them, will be suddenly exposed to beggary.  
Secondly, divers Workmen or Artificers, through want of employment here, will doubtless go into other Countries, and exercise their Trade, whereby it may come to the knowledge and practice of strangers, as I fear is already: being at the penning hereof informed, that in Zealand there are looms set up for Perpetuano's, and other stuffs: And that in other places they are not idle setting up daily looms for Cloth, &c.  
It will perhaps be objected, that if our wool (which is the chief material) be wanting, they will fail of the exercise of their Trade in foreign parts: I answer, that such Wools may be had elsewhere, as will serve their turn, by the due mixture of such sorts as will fit and agree best together.  
Witness, The store of course Cloth made in High Germany, where about 20000 English Clothes, narrow Lists (commonly called by the Merchant Adventurers, Franckfort sorts) each Cloth containing 28. yards in length, were yearly spent, and since not above 2000 vented of the said sorts; the cause whereof, was that unhappy Project of dying and dressing of Cloth by Sir William Cockaine and others: which so much incensed the Germans (for if it had taken effect, many Families of Clothworkers and Dyers would have been destroyed) that they used their utmost endeavours to practise the making of the said sorts of Clothes; which had such success, that in a very short time the expense of those sorts of English Clothes, was brought down from so great, to so small a number. That Project found the like or worse entertainment in Holland, and other parts of the Low Countries, where, before that time, many thousands of finer sorts of English Clothes were more vented then now are; so that it was observed, that whereas before the said Project was put in practice, there were about eighty thousand English Clothes of all sorts per annum, exported by the old Company of Merchant adventurers, that in the new Companies time and since, not much above thirty thousand: whence this Inference may be easily drawn, That Innovations in a State or commonwealth are always dangerous, and sometimes destructive.  
Before the late war between us and Spain, there were sent hence thither great store of knit Stockings; but the Importation of all English commodities into that King's dominions being prohibited, his Subjects put in practise the making of Stockings, and in those quantities, and at such easy rates, that since we have had peace with that King, it hath been free for English Merchants to import those of the Manufacture of our country; yet very few are sent, for that they cannot be afforded at such low rates as those made there. That people did then also practise the making of bays, which 'tis probable, had taken such effect, that if the war had continued between the two Kings somewhat longer, the vent of English had been there quite lost. As it was with the vent of our broad Cloth in the time of Queen Elizabeth of famous memory, with the which Manufacture, our Merchants drove a great Trade in the Dominions of Spain, not any in those times, nor before, being there made. And among the Merchants in Her majesty's time, were Sir Thomas Gresham, Her majesty's Cape or chief Merchant, and Sir John Spencer an Alderman of London, both of no little note: the former, famous for the building of the royal Exchange (so named by Her majesty) at his own charge, which cost with the purchase of the ground, as I have heard, 36000. l. or thereabout, a great deal of money, specially in those times. The latter much taken notice of in regard of his great estate, which was thought to be 300000 l. or rather more, both which got a great part of their respective Estates, especially the former, by their Trade in English Cloth in the parts of Spain before said: But upon the breaking out into a war with that King (some great reason of State doubtless urging) he not only prohibits all Commerce or Trade with England, but likewise the importing of all English Commodities by all others in amity with Him, by which means His Subjects coming to want their usual supplies of our Cloth fell into making of Cloth themselves procuring some Workefolke from abroad, and is since so much increased, that store hath been and is still sent into the parts of Italy and elsewhere, so that we came wholly to lose the vent of that Manufacture not only in those parts, but also in others, which make use of the Cloth of Spain, otherwise ours, 'tis like, might have found vent in the said parts. Hence it followeth, that war with foreign States is destructive to our Manufactures. The total loss then of our broad Cloth in Spain's Dominions, and the great decay of the said Manufacture caused by the aforesaid project of Sir William Cockaine, gave it such an incurable wound, asit could never since be healed, nor like, having contracted such a Malignant humour in the body of the Manufacture of our old Drapery, that it corrodeth daily more and more like unto an exulcerated Cancer, or Canker, never ceasing until it hath pierced the vital parts. And so is it like to be with the Manufacture of our new Drapery, viz. Bayes, kerseys▪ Perpetuano's, says, Stockings, &c. which came to a great height in the time of King James and of our Gracious King Charles till of late, giving such a life to trade, that it seemed not to be very sensible of the decayed condition of our old Drapery, but likewise it, viz. our said new Drapery is already fallen into a very consumptive disease, causing it to languish and waste much, and unless some good means be forthwith used to restore both old and new to some measure of strength again, they will daily grow more and more infirm, till at last for recovery leave or forsake this our English air and go into foreign, specially where they first received breath, which was chiefly Flanders; for till King Edward the thirds time we had little or no broad Cloth made here in England, but shipped out our wool for the parts of Flanders before said, which in those times was to be had very cheap. And the King foreseeing the great good the making of Cloth would be unto this kingdom, attempted to put it in practice, and to that end he procured sundry workmen from abroad, endowed them with sundry privileges and immunities, and put them upon making of Cloth, which in process of time took such effect, that partly by reason of the want of our wool, and partly in regard of the goodness and cheapness of the said Cloth, Flanders came almost to lose that Manufacture, but upon this Innovation or change, Flanders prohibited the Importation of all English Cloth, so that our Clothiers (who had store on their hands) could not vent them: The King buys the Cloth and burns it, lest the Clothiers should have been enforced for want of employment to give over the making, supposing it seems that the people of Flanders would be enforced at last in some measure to make use of those made here. The premises considered the preservation of our manufacture, methinks should be as thorns or Goads unto out sides, to put us in mind that in all respects we ought to have such an especial care thereof as not to attempt any thing which may in the least expose our Manufactures to the hazard of loss, no loss almost that can befall this kingdom being comparable unto it.  
But admit that foreign Nations, notwithstanding what hath been said, will in some measure have need of some of our Woollen Manufactures▪ we shall not be able to furnish them therewith, the chief material wool being wanting; which want must follow when our Sheep are destroyed; and with them, all other kind of cattle, if this most unnatural war continue but a short time.  
The Hollanders are an industrious and diligent people, and watch all opportunities to engross all the Trade they can into their own hands, they have certainly a vigilant eye over our Actions, that lethargy which hath seized on us, will make them the more watchful; they will make no little use of our distractions; they will be ready to take hold of what we let loose, and with great eagerness pursue what we let go; we shall not so soon be out, as they will be in.  
Lastly, if the traffic of this kingdom be once lost, what will then become of it? what will then be preserved?  
Our Ships, the walls of this Land will rot, and moulder away.  
Our wealth and Estates will be consumed, and no means left for recovery.  
Tenants will be disabled from paying their Landlords, and they, viz. the Landlords, for want of supplies of moneys by their usual Rents, will not be able to furnish themselves, & Families with commodities needful, vented by men of sundry Trades, viz.  

Woollen and linen Drapers.  
Mercers.  
Grocers.  
Silkmen.  
Haberdasher's.  
Vintners, &c.   
Together with most sorts of handicrafts-men, or Artificers.  
Part of the commodities wherein they deal, being native, or of our own country, both for the materials and Manufacture, and part brought into this kingdom from foreign Countries. Now those sorts of tradesmen failing of the vent of their commodities, the Trade of Merchants into other kingdoms must cease, there will be no need of them, thence will follow the decay of Ships, Mariners, and sundry sorts of Artificers, Labourers, and many others that have their dependency upon them. This mischief will not be altogether confined and bounded within our own Land, it will extend itself (like an epidemical disease) into all or most other kingdoms where we have Trade: For, if we take not off the commodities of those Countries in exchange of ours▪ they must suffer, and that not a little by it, and for remedy partly, for want of their accustomed employment, and vent of their said commodities; and partly, by reason of the want of ours, be enforced to seek out, and learn others Trades, and very likely pitch or fall upon the making of such as are here made: For, as in the Body natural, there is such a sympathy and connection of the parts, that if any of them be distempered, the rest both a sense thereof: so it may be said of the Body of Trade, one Part bathe such a dependency upon another, that if any one fail in any remarkable manner, the rest will in time suffer thereby.  
The merchant's Strangers, both here and abroad, in regard of these troubles, have withdrawn most part of their Estates hence, and will have shortly little in this kingdom: We shall have no little want and miss of their moneys, which we receive of them here, partly by Exchange from foreign parts, made over, or remitted by our Factors, in return of such commodities as we usually send hence to our said Factors; and partly, by the taking up of their moneys here by Exchange, to be repaid by our Factors abroad; which moneys are commonly employed in the commodities of this kingdom, which hath been no little furtherance to the more abundant vent of our Manufactures, and hath been otherwise a great help to our Merchants, specially to some of the younger sort, who had small stocks wherewith to begin their Trade; the want whereof, I mean of the stranger's Money, must cause a great decay of Trade; and if once gone, as is almost, though a present Peace should follow, it will not be so easily brought back; They will in the Interim find or use other ways and mean for employment of the same.  
By loss of Trade all sorts of people will fail of employment in all parts, and so wanting means to maintain themselves and Families, be driven into such straits (for Necessitas turpia coget) that they will lay hold on of what is next for their support; neither laws Divine, norhumane, will be able to restrain them, a general confusion of, and in all things will follow. This Nation will become contemptible, and a scorn to all others, and be subject to be invaded and made a prey of by foreign people.  
Having thus briefly given a touch of the miserable effects the want of Trade may produce, which want (as beforesaid) must follow, if these sad distempers continue: I humbly leave the prevention to the trusties of the kingdom, whose hearts I beseech God may be forthwith moved to take a matter of so great concernment into their serious consideration, not forgetting how easy a thing it is, Principiis obstare. And that as War in general, so intestine War is one of the greatest scourges of God Almighty, and a visible Argument of his displeasure, and vengeance upon a People.   

To the Kings most Excellent majesty.  
Most Gracious sovereign,  
AS men's minds for the most part are chiefly busied or fixed on those things which concern their vocations, so mine. And as mine is that of a Merchant, so had many thoughts of the great decay of Trade, (which a civil War would undoubtedly produce) and the irrecoverable loss would thereupon ensue, which moved me near upon three years past to commit to writing what was offered unto me touching the same, wherewith acquainting some friends, they importuned me not a little to publish it in print, which was accordingly done, intituling it, The merchant's Remonstrance; one of the Copies whereof I make bold with this to present unto your majesty, with my humble desires you would be pleased, when you shall think fit (your other great affairs permitting) to afford it the perusal, or there of to cause a view to be taken, hoping it may prove of good use unto your majesty, and what I more say touching that subject, viz. matter of Commerce or Trade, which is of no little concernment unto your majesty, and the whole kingdom; yea, it is such, that no earthly good almost is or can be for or in a kingdom greater than a flourishing Trade; All sorts of people from the greatest to the meanest are bettered by it, where it is wanting or in a sparing manner, the people become beggarly and contemptible both at home and abroad, it ought therefore to be all men's endeavours to advance, cherish and preserve it. But not long to detain your majesty, it will not be amiss to acquiant you with the motives inducing me to take the boldness to trouble you with these lines. And that is,  
First, to show there was not that due regard had as was fit to the preservation of Trade in the time of this late War, other great affairs of the kingdom (it seems) not permitting.  
Secondly, to give a touch of some of the bad effects it hath since produced.  
Thirdly, to offer my opinion, what may best be done for remedy.  
That a due regard was wanting, the destruction of sheep, and the exportation of wool (the chief material of this kingdom's Manufacture) make it plainly appear.  
The bad effects. Divers Artificers or Workmen for want of employment in this kingdom embarked themselves for Holland, where setting up looms for Broad clothes, Perpetuano's and other stuffs, wanted not Masters to set them on work, and are made in such quantities, specially Perpetuano's, that store is sent thence into sundry parts; besides store made, it seems, elsewhere: here being letters lately from Legorne, which tell us, that our Perpetuano's in respect of their dearness and badness of making find bad vent, the Italian Merchants preferring those before them that are made in Narbon in France, and Allicant and Majork in the King of Spain's Dominions. And for our Broad Cloth, our Merchants, Traders to Hamburg and Rotterdam have not found such bad vent as of late; and to make it the worse, the dearness here of wool may be a cause, for that they cannot be afforded at such low rates as usually have been, that sort of wool, which before the War might have been bought at or after the rate of 9 d. and 10 d. is now worth 16 and 17 d. per pound.  
That Commodities may have the better vent or expense, two things are chiefly necessary: First, the goodness, secondly, the cheapness: both which properties having been heretofore found in English Cloth caused it to be so much desired in foreign parts, that the people of those parts minded little the making of any other in any considerable quantity, until that unhappy Project of Sir William Cockain and others, (as is in the Remonstrance set forth fol. 3.) and in the time of this late War (for the reason before said) much increased, and that not a little, by what I hear, viz. that some Broad Clothes made in Holland have been imported, and passed as returned clothes for faults, as oftentimes it happeneth clothes are for defects not discovered before the sale there, which found, the buyer returns them back to the Seller, and the Seller or Factor sends them over again, to the end that satisfaction may be had from the Clothier, of whom they were here bought. I cannot blame the Officer (whose charge it was or is to take notice of such return) in not making a better search, for how could it enter into his breast that Clothes made in a foreign part should be brought over as merchandise into this kingdom? he might think it according to our English proverb, like the sending of coals to Newcastle: I give the more credit unto it, being informed that the dearness of wool here, and consequently of Cloth, gave encouragement to some Merchant or Merchants to buy in Holland some English wool formerly shipped thither, and reshippe it for these parts, making entry or passing it in the Customebouse, before the landing, for Spanish or some other sort of wool.  
Another of the bad effects, and that no small one, is the great decay or consumption of the coin of the kingdom, and that may be made appear sundry ways, I'll only mention two, viz. the exportation or carrying of it out, and want of Importation for supply.  
And first for exportation. The Scots have not drawn a little from us by several ways, and some hath been sent into Ireland: And then some Merchants, chiefly in respect of the falling or lowness of the Exchange caused by the decay of Trade (the like not known in many years) have exported, it seems, great store of Gold, much having been exchanged for Silver from 2 d. to 8 d. per pound, and more (as have been told) by the which they have raised good profit, which I could make to appear, if it were not to give encouragement to some men (that are too greedy after their own private gain, not caring in the least how much the kingdom in general may suffer by it) to practise the like. And as our Gold coin, so our Silver it seems, hath by such like men been in no little measure transported into the parts beyond Sea, being informed there have been several sums from 100 l. and under to 500 l. sterling of late known paid in Holland at a payment. And so much briefly for exportation.  
Secondly, the defect or want of supply by Importation, and they are chiefly likewise two. The first is want of the frequent return in foreign coin, and sometime in Bullion by divers Merchants; for part proceed of our Manufactures exported in regard of the than highness of the Exchange, which highness was principally caused by the ampleness or largeness of Trade. Secondly, the want of the King of Spain or his Contractors, coin and Bullion, which was sent from Spain by our Ships into the downs, and after, a good part was brought up hither to London, and coined, and the product partly remitted hence by bills of Exchange for Antwerp, and partly charged thence upon their Factors here, so that the said coin and Bullion becoming English, remained among us: Whence, first did arise an Improvement of our King's revenue by the Minting or coinage: Secondly, a great addition to the coin of the kingdom; Thirdly, a benefit to Merchants in matter of Exchange; Fourthly, a profit to Owners of Ships; and fiftly and lastly, a great help or furtherance to the general Trade of the kingdom: But the case being now altered, the Mint, as at present, so is like for the future to have little to do; our household plate is melted, coined, and the money wasted: the Merchants bring in none, for the reason before mentioned; Spain's Contractors dare not send any, for fear of a bad issue of these divisions, and the Armies soldiers guarding of the Tower, add unto theirs and other men's fears. And to manifest the fear of the said Contractors sending any hither, I am certainly informed that the value of sixty thousand pounds was lately sent by an English Ship, named the angel, from Spain for Amsterdam, whence it may be easily conveyed in specie, or kind, or made over by Exchange for Flanders. Spain we hear, and the Estates of the united Provinces are agreed, 'tis confidently believed they are, not any hostile Act having of late been offered between them shows it to be so: the agreement for some reason of Estate not yet published: the Hollanders, &c. forbear therefore yet openly to trade into the Dominions of that King, but so soon as they safely may, 'tis very probable their Ships will be the Conveyers of Spain's coin for the parts of Flanders; and if once a conveyance be practised that way, though these unhappy differences be amongst us reconciled, not any use to that purpose will be made of our Ships, and that is likely so to be, for I hear from a friend at the penning of this (who came lately out of Zealand) that some of Spain's money was landed at Middleburg brought from Spain by a ship as he supposed, of that place. And now again as this was ready for the press, we have certain notice of great store of Bullion and coin come from Spain to Amsterdam sent thither by a Ship or Ships of Hamburg, whence it may easily be, as before said, sent to Flanders, &c.  
And now having done with another of the bad effects, partly caused by the decay of Trade, not holding it fit to trouble your Majesty with more, I come to the Remedy or Medicine, wherein I'll be very brief, consisting of no more then only one Ingredient, but is so sovereign and of such efficacy and virtue, that it will give some present ease to the Malady, which done, some other good helps may be afterward made use of to give it more, to the restoring it to some measure of strength, but not the least expectation of bringing it to its former vigour, in regard the evil hath not only taken deep root, but is already grown to a great height. And in this the physician may be a good pattern for us, who meeting with an incurable disease (as some diseases are in their own nature) is able by art to make it the more easy to be borne, or when he finds his Patient by reason of much pain to take no rest, and that much danger threatens, seemeth to neglect the cause of the disease, and insists on that which more urgeth (which is the giving of him ease) lest the disease grow on stronger, or other symptoms forthwith follow more grievous than the disease: Even so it might be best for us to do that which most urgeth, that is the speedy endeavouring to save the remnant of our Trade, lest worse symptoms by our remissness and delays, then have yet, befall. We have letters lately from foreign parts, that say, there is a peace concluded or great hopes thereof in Germany, it must, however, at last so be, it behooves us therefore in the interim to be the more careful of preserving our Manufactures, for the people in divers places in the Empire having made a notable progress in making the like, it may be much teared, they may so proceed after a peace is settled, that we may come totally to lose the vent of all the Species or kinds of our said Manufactures, as we did the vent of our Broad Cloth in Spain in the time of Queen Elizabeth of famous memory, never to be recovered.  
But to the sovereign remedy or medicine before mentioned; It is the speedy settlement (as I humbly conceive) of the so much 
☞  unsettled Estate of this kingdom according to the known laws: It is not the abatement of Tunnage and Poundage, as the case now stands with us, will much conduce to the saving or enlarging of Trade, or to the better vent of our Manufactures, it may rather prove of bad consequence, for if we make an abatement, foreign Princes and States, which now make little account or esteem of us: witness the Emperor of Muscovia, who hath taken all our merchant's privileges from them, which may prove the undoing of all our Trade in his Territories. As also the Gran Signior by his so much adhering to the strange suggestions of Sir Sackvile Crow against our Levant Merchants, which had like to have been the loss of all the Estates they had in his Dominions, which to save, cost no small sum of money, and yet not known what the issue may be, notwithstanding what your majesty hath since done in their behalf, viz. by sending or dispatching hence of another ambassador, and your effectual writing unto the Gran Signior touching that business, it shows however, how sensible your majesty is and was of their great and unjust sufferings: but as have said, if we make an abatement of duties upon goods, they in foreign States may make an Inhaunsment, now that they are fallen into the making of such Manufactures as are here made, the better to advance and put forward the making of their own, and for other advantages they may make unto themselves thereby. This Remedy o●Medicine may make the disease worse, but timely application of the other will doubt esse make it better and more easy, (as have said) to be borne, for then will your majesty's Subjects of all degrees, and in all parts be encouraged to go on with confidence in the usual ways of their several professions and callings, improving that little which they have yet left, which otherwise will inevitably at last be consumed, and the Trade of the kingdom almost lost, specially in foreign parts, which being chiefly in Woollen Manufactures, must cease, if the material be wanting, which want must follow, if that small remainder of Sheep be consumed, and such a consumption will ensue, together with the Workmasters of the said Manufactures, some of them through want of means to subsist with by their usual labour, here in their native country, will doubtless as divers already, as before said, go and seeks it in foreign parts, and others staying at home take other bad courses for their support, as is in the Remonstrance set forth, if these distractions still continue. Thus have I as briefly as I could made bold to make known unto your Majesty (according to my weak ability) the most material of what hath been offered unto me touching this subject, humbly desiring your Majesty would be pleased to make such a favourable const thereof, as he undoubtedly doth of your earnest and longing desire of a speedy composure of these unhappy differences and the welfare of your majesty's subjects. That is  
Your majesty's most humble and loyal Subject John Battie.   

TO THE Right honourable the two Houses of Parliament. To the Army under the Command of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax: AND To the rest of his majesty's Subjects in general.  
IT is the part of every true lover of his country, specially in a time of public sufferings, to employ his utmost endeavour for the general good, and not to have the least thought on particular or private ends; then will he have his thoughts much busied about the state and condition of it, which, if finds good, will be ready, in as much as in him lieth, so to keep it; if bad, seek an amendment, and if danger threaten, endeavour the prevention. Now we being still in a way of losing our Golden Fleece, the only life, as it were, of our Manufactures, and consequently of all the considerable part of the Trade of the kingdom: it behooves us all to recollect and call up all the wisdom and knowledge we have, and employ the same to the prevention of so great, so irreparable a loss. To which end or purpose I have taken the boldness to address myself unto His majesty the head of our Body politic, as in the first place I was and am in duty bound; showing the cause, some of the bad effects, and remedy of the melady, of the which find His majesty very sensible (O that we his Subjects were the like) as also very ready to do whatsoever in reason may be expected from a Gracious King.  
And now I address myself unto you all, being members of the same Body politic, and the matter of equal concernment to both King and People, humbly desiring, that as His Majesty on His part, so you would on yours be sensible of the sufferings of Trade, and as He, so you would also be ready to join together in a way of timely prevention of such further mischiefs, as by decay of our Manufactures, may befall it, that your Children and all future Ages which shall succeed, may not have the least cause of complaint against you for any remissness or neglect of or in a work of such high concernment to the Commonwealth. Which if, they will be ready to say, what a kind of men were our Forefathers? The King was willing and ready, but they not, and so blame them for the non-discharging of their duty to their country, condemn them for their great ingratitude both to King and kingdom, and lastly cry out, O that we never had had our being from such Ancestors!  
I need not in this place trouble you with repetition of any particulars mentioned in the Letter to His majesty, but refer you to the same, of the which it is my earnest desire you will 〈◊〉 take a view, as likewise of the ensuing discourse of the excellency of our wool in the improvement by or in our Manufactures. Of all which, and of what is here said, that a benign construction may be made, it is the humble desire of Him that is a true lover of all good men, and a hearty wellwisher of the welfare of this poor distressed kingdom; and to that end he heartily prayeth for the removal of all fears and jealousies, a total forgetfulness of all errors and misunderstandings on all sides, an unfeigned reconciliation of all differences between King and People, as also between Subject and Subject, and a speedy settling of a firm and lasting peace; which aught, or rather is and still will be the prayer of all good men, as it is again and again of Him, that is His majesty's humble and loyal Subject, and the kingdoms cordial Servant,  
JOHN BATTIE.   

I crave leave to make this Addition occasioned by the King's late Message to the two honourable Houses of Parliament.  
HAving this lying by me ready for the press came His majesty's Gracious Message from the Isle of Wight, dated Novembr. 16. of the which all impartial and unbiased men take special notice, still declaring His earnest and longing desire of a speedy settlement of these unhappy differences, well knowing that the continuance will on all sides be destructive to the well being of this kingdom, especially unto Trade. 'Tis not very improbable, notwithstanding His deep insight in matters of Estate, which are so obscure and intricate, that 'tis impossible for the wisest statesman on earth of himself, yea I may say hundreds of statesmen joined together, to foresee and know all the mischiefs which occur and happen in an Estate or may befall it, without the help and information of others, but more especially of or from such men, that have either a present sense thereof in their own particular, or in regard of their Negotiations at home or abroad in foreign parts: besides His majesty neither hath been, nor is in such a capacity or condition as formerly, to receive such intelligence as was or is fit for the prevention of such evils as may befall an Estate. 'Tis not (I say) improbable but that small information, which His majesty had from me by my weak● pen (without vainglory be it said) showing not only the great sufferings of this kingdom's Trade by the present decay of our Woollen Manufactures, but also the danger of losing hereafter the total vent of all or most of them in foreign parts, might be some motive unto Him so speedily to send unto the two Houses of Parliament so gracious a Message, though His majesty, indeed needs not the least quickening to the effecting of any thing which He conceives may conduce to the welfare of His subjects; but whether or no that which was made known unto Him by me was any motive unto Him; His majesty being, as have said, very ready to afford His assistance to the good of Trade, and to the rectifying of what else is amiss, methinks you should (the sad condition not only of Trade, but all things else considered) forthwith join with Him. And I believe that you of the two honourable Houses of Parliament, as also divers of you of the Army, with many more of His majesty's Subjects, are very inclinable so to do, but that some fear of future safety (as I conceive) of the which is near and dear unto you, possesseth you in regard of the bad effects, far beyond your expectation or the least of your thoughts, which the ways you have taken to rectify, what before this Parliament was amiss, have produced. But admit you should run some hazard of loss, the ancient-Romans may be a good precedent for you to follow, Their Histories tell us, they wa●●ed all private interest for the public good, not any thing was so near and dear unto them, so great was their respect and love unto their country, having stillin their thoughts, non nobis na●i sumus. But be assured you have no just cause of any such fear, as you may fancy unto yourselves, 'tis true indeed the disaffections of many men one unto another are very great, in regard of their manifold sufferings by adhering to this or that side, but not the least doubt, but that His majesty would first on His part be unfaignedly reconciled with you, He hath often declared it, and then would be so forward and careful as could be desired to reunite the so much disunited affections of His subjects, and no doubt but would take effect: All men (except such as have their subsistence by divisions) greedily thirsting after a quiet settlement of these unhappy differences, and that an inviolable peace may follow, so hateful now unto them are differences and dissensions, whence their sufferings have been so great; and right well know, that the continuance would make them at last so insufferable, that they should be enforced into a desperate condition, and not care in the end how or in what manner they might free themselves.  
But I have done, only desire I may first have leave to add that which follows, though perhaps it may at first sight be thought by some impertinent to Trade, yet if well weighed, it may be judged otherwise, hope however it will not give offence. And that is in point of this kingdom's Honour in the person of the King, which by the laws of God and man we are all bound to maintain. If the King (the life as it were or fountain of Honour) lose His due respect, disrespect on all sides will follow, viz. to the nobility, Gentry, Magistrates, and to all men in authority, and command, even to masters of private families, and Commanders or masters of Ships, it is already too too apparent, we have the sad experience of it not only at home but also abroad in foreign parts. Secondly, if Honour be taken from the King, it's taken from His hopeful Progeny, the like Kingly Issue not known at this day on earth, so that the Blood royal of England in times past so famous and so highly esteemed both at home and abroad, will come to lose its respect, and at last become so contemptible, that not any Prince of worth will match with us, but if by us kept up and maintained in its ancient repute and esteem, the greatest Prince or Princes in Christendom will be ready to match with us, which may prove many ways very advantageous to the crown of England.  
Hereunto is annexed a Discourse of the improvement of wool in our Manufactures, which may well deserve the notice of all His majesty's Subjects in general.   

A brief Discourse of the Excellency of wool manifested by the Improvement in its Manufactures, and the great good unto the kingdom thence arising before the late War.  
THat if I should say our wool was so rich a jewel before the late War, being as it were the Basis or foundation upon which the Frame of England's Trade did stand: and that it exceeds in worth the Spanish Silver Mines in West India, and that Spain might far better want those Mines, than England could wool, I should not say amiss; for that Spain without the Silver issuing from the said Mines would be able to draw Trade unto it from foreign Parts, in respect of the native fruits or commodities it affords, which England, if Wool be wanting, could not in any considerable measure do. It is not its Lead, Tin, and coals would do it: these three would beget very little Trade, and consequently little employment. And that it is such a jewel, as I say, or of so much worth unto this kingdom, may be demonstrated, partly by the employment of people in and about the Manufactures: And partly by the Improvement by or in its Manufactures.  
And first for Employment. The Spanish West India Mines were not in a manner comparable unto i● by many degrees, it may be rather said, there could be no reasonable comparison between them, for admit that in the Mines are or were fifty thousand men employed: they are of the meanest sort of mankind, most of them negroes brought as merchandise out of the parts of Africa into India, Heathens, unless since their coming thither converted to Christianity: poor contemptible Slaves, subject to the Arbitrary power and will of a harsh master, enforced and kept out of their native country, and no hope of return, bereaved of all the comforts of life, unless such as are in a manner common with brute beasts. Thus much for the number and condition of most of the people in that employment.  
And now for the Employment in or about our Manufactures; And first to make an estimate of the number of our people that were employed about our said Manufactures, as some in preparing or fitting the wool for the Kembers or carding of it, others in Kembing, others in spinning, and some in Knitting, Weaving, Tucking, Carrying, &c. me thinks the number could not be so few or so little as a Million throughout the whole kingdom and Dominion of Wales: the which to make more probable, there were many Clothiers, each one giving employment to 500 persons, and others gave more: As for or to the condition of the people I need not say much, it is sufficiently known unto us, they live amongst us: they were of both Sexes, men and women, and of all ages, from Childhood to decrepit Old age capable of work, the greatest part of the poorer sort, yet lived comfortably by their labour.  
I might add unto this Employment of the poorer sort, another arising or proceeding from our Manufactures, & that was by sundry materials imported in return of the proceed of the said Manufactures exported, by means whereof many thousands of other sorts of poor people in this kingdom were daily likewise set on work, and got thereby their livelihood, but what hath been already said may sufficice to show the Excellency of our Golden Fleece touching matter of employment and that about our Manufactures, as more properly and more directly arising from wool itself in its own nature.  
Secondly, for the improvement of wool, it may briefly be made to appear by four of our Manufactures; for what may be said of them, may of the rest; and these transported white, as they are bought of the Clothier, not meddling with Dying and Dressing, though both these add unto the Improvement, viz.  

A Saye sent to Naples.  
A Perpetuano Ell broad to Dantzigk.  
A Colchester double Bay, commonly called a hundred Bay, sent to Spain.  
A Broad long Cloth sent to Hamburg.   
But before I come to show the Improvement of it in or by the said particulars, I think not amiss first to go on with what I have more to say touching our Manufactures thence arising, and concerning the aforesaid mines, as in relation th'one to the other in regard of their Excellency in matter of Trade and otherwise, and hope to show so much worth in our Woollen Manufactures, that with the employment it affordeth as aforesaid, may be very fitly compared not only to the Silver proceeding from the said Mines, but also unto Spain's whole West India Trade, or rather to exceed it: And the better to make good what I say, it will not be much impertinent to this discourse, to show what Silver is, though known to most men. It is no other thing than a mineral digged out of the bowels of the earth, as Lead and Tin, exceeding all other metals (except Gold) in pureness and fineness; and thus much briefly of the nature of it. Now in regard of its pureness or fineness (as before said) it gained such credit at first in most parts of the world, where Trade was, that the people were then willing to receive it, as since, and still men are, in exchange of any or all other Commodities: so that it cannot be accounted any thing else then a Species or kind of merchandise, but the chiefest indeed and most general of all, Gold excepted, drawing all things necessary for man's use unto it, where it was known, and was and is fit it should so be, partly in respect of its portableness or carriage when divided by the coinage into small parts or parcels, that men might have it ready, as well for small as great disbursements or payments for such things as they should have need of to exchange it for, and partly when in a time of scarcity or want of a commodity in one country, and that that country had not any other to exchange for what was wanting but Silver or money made thereof. As for other uses of Silver, as Plate for the Table, &c. needless to say any thing: And thus much for the use of Silver or money made of it.  
And now I come to th'other most general Species of merchandise, viz. our late Woollen Manufactures, and that in this place as b●iefly as may be, for that I shall enlarge myself when I come to the Improvement. It might well indeed have been accounted and termed the second general and chief Species of merchandise in the whole universe in the time of King James and of this our most Gracious sovereign King Charles till of late years. Our Woollen Manufactures, having those times gained such credit, and so desired in all foreign parts, where we traded, that we could not want any thing in exchange of them, returning home all other sorts of merchandise of the growth and Manufactures of foreign parts here in use, and was the cause of the employment of more Ships here in one year, than Spain's whole Trade to and in India in ten. A considerable quantity of our said Manufactures were yearly sent from Spain by the Spaniards to India, which being there sold or exchanged for Silver and other India commodities, the said Silver & commodities were sent in return of or for them: The truth is that our Manufactures gave such a quickening and life to that Trade, that without them it was very dull and languished not a little And notwithstanding the great quantities of our said Manufactures, which were exported into foreign parts, yet we were always well furnished with the like at home for our own use, so that those exported were superfluous and could well be spared: Spain could not say, it was so with the Silver it hath or had yearly home out of India, for before the year came about, little was left even in their best and richest Cities. As for the country, a man might travel to many Villages and meet not with a piece of 8 rials, which is the value of 4 s. 4 d. Sterling, or our money, but of Copper coin, indeed, there's good store, and that must serve in stead of Silver and Gold. Now to make any reasonable estimate of the value or what sum of money the Manufactures of this kingdom might or did yearly amount unto, not only of those sent abroad, but also of those spent at home, is not possible, but that it was to a very great value not the least doubt, the great Trade driven therewith within this kingdom and Dominion of Wales for their own use, and the great quantities exported into foreign parts, giving hundreds of Ships employment to and again, bore sufficient testimony: so that it may be thought, they equalled the value, if not exceeded all the Silver, Gold, and all other Commodities imported out of India into Spain in one year, which might be estimated to import the value of 4 or 5 Millions of pounds of our English money, by the which may be gathered in how great measure His majesty's Subjects in general in one kind or other were benefitted by the Trade arising from the said Manufactures. To the which may be added the great benefit other kingdoms and States had thereby▪ partly in matter of duties paid unto them upon or by the same, as also upon such commodities as we had from them in return of the Proceed, amongst which, chiefly Spain, for the great duties paid there, a very great increase of that King's Revenue. And partly in matter of Trade not only at home among themselves, and their neighbouring countries, but also into others far more remote: as for example: The Gran Signior or Great Turk's Subjects in Constantinople & Aleppo send a good part of the Clothes they buy there of our Levant or Turkey Merchants into divers parts of this Dominions many hundreds of miles distant thence. The Spaniards carry great store, (as have said) into West India. The Portuguezes or Portugal Merchants into East India, some, but more to Brazil, and other parts belonging to the crown of Portugal. The Hollanders and Hamburgers into Russia, as also into parts within the Baltic Sea and sundry other Countries, notwithstanding the Trade we have ourselves in most of those parts with the like Manufactures. I could enlarge myself much in showing the great benefit they further have by our said Manufactures, but this may suffice. And now I come to the Improvement of wool in our Manufactures by the four particulars before mentioned.  
And first for the Say (a sort commonly called a Hundscot Say) containing in length 24. yards or thereabout, and might weigh 13. pound, to the making whereof might so much wool be spent as stood in or cost the Clothier 17 s. and was sold to the Merchant in those times, I mean, before the war, for 52 s. which shipped for Naples and the proceed returned in Naples thrown Silk, (a good return for the setting of the poor on work,) came to be sold here by the Merchant for a matter of 4 l. 7 s. 6 d.  
Secondly, the Perpetuano Cont. in length 23. yards and might weigh 16. pound, the wool for its making might stand the Clothier in 21 s. and was sold by the Merchant for 62 s. which sent to Dantzigk, and the proceed returned in the best Flax (a good return likewise to set the poor on work) came to be sold by the Merchant for a matter of 5 l.  
Thirdly, the bay cont. Flemish Elis 52. each Ell being ● of a yard English measure (for by the Flemish Ell bays are sold by the Clothier) and might weigh 38. pound; the wool for its making might cost the Clothier 35 s. and was sold to the Merchant at 2 s. per Ell, is 5 l. 4 s. which sent for the parts of Spain, and the proceed returned in oil, Leakage deducted, came to be sold by the Merchant for 9 l. 6 s. 8 d.  
Fourthly, the Cloth cont. in length 32. yards, and might weigh 76. pound, so much wool for its making might be spent as cost the Clothier 4 l. and was sold to the Merchant for 12 l. which sent to Hamburg, and the proceed returned in steel came to be so●●● for 15 l.  
A further proof of the Improvement might be made in another of our Manufactures, viz. a pair of white worsted knit Stockings for a man, to the making whereof might be spent so much wool as cost 6 d. and sold by the maker or knitter for 4 s. But what have said of th'other 4 particulars may suffice to show the Excellency of it, viz. wool by the improvement in our Manufactures.  
Now here being a great Advance or Improvement raised from wool the material of our said Manufactures, beside what was gained by the first owner of the wool, or wool Grower, viz.  

From 17 s. Which the wool of the Say cost to 52 s. the clothier's price, and after to 4 l. 7 s. 6 d. the merchant's price of the return for proceed.  
From ● 21 Which the wool of the Perpetuane cost to 62 s. the clothier's price, and after to 5 l. the merchant's price of the proceed.  
From 35 s. Which the wool of the bay cost to 5 l. 4 s. the clothier's price, and then to 9 l. 6 s. 8 d. the merchant's price of the return of the Proceed.  
From 4 l. Which the wool of the Broad Cloth cost to 12 l. the clothier's price, and then to 15 l. the merchant's price of the Proceed.   
It will be thought, the Clothiers and Merchants Gaines were not a little, specially the Merchants, to which answer. And first for that of the Clothier, who, if he gained clearly a matter of 2 s. by a Saye of the price of 52 s. thought it well, the rest of the money went among the Workefolk, which were many, some of their payment being no more than from 2 d. to 6 d. for a day's work: A small gain for the Clothier it may be thought indeed to be no more than 2 s. in 50. And so the gain unto other Clothiers may be judged to be thereabout arising unto them from other Manufactures in such a proportion as was answerable to the value or price of their Manufactures: as if a long Cloth of 32. yards might be sold to the Merchant for 10 l. which being 4 times the value of the say this gain might be 4 times so much, as that of the Saye, viz. 8 s. and sometime less according as the market ruled.  
Secondly, the merchant's gain, it was then so little, and is now less than it may be made appear for some years past, most of them have not gained by their Trade one time with another 10 per Centum per Annum: and for the most part raise their gain by their Commodities exported, and lose by what is imported, but this indeed more particularly by that Company or Fellowship, commonly called by the name of Merchant Adventurers. That Trade is certainly best for the kingdom, by which the gain ariseth from what is exported, and loss by what is imported. So that this great advance of or from the material wool cometh to arise; first from the Manufacture or making: & secondly, from sundry sorts of charges or duties, whence that duty of Tunnage & Poundage, commonly called custom, was much improved, Trade increased, Ships employed, and all His majesty's Subjects of all professions in one kind or other were bettered or profited by it.  
And now having done with this discourse, leave it unto rational and knowing men to judge of what excellency our wool was in its Manufactures before the late war, and well weighing what have said thereof, suppose it will be concluded that it far exceeded all Spain's Silver mines in West India, as also all other commodities usually imported into Spain out of that vast part of the world; well may I term it so, being judged to be the fourth part of the whole, though a very great part not inhabited, at least not by Christians. O that we had been so provident before this kingdom was so unhappily engaged in a War, as to have looked back to the times of King James of famous memory, and before the said War to these of our most pious and prudent King Charles, we should have seen what a flourishing Estate the Trade of this kingdom, to the enriching of many thousands was brought unto, to what it was in former times, when hardly a merchant's Ship of the burden of 150. Tuns was to be had, and since are many from the said burden of 150 to 600 Tuns, and some greater: an undoubted sign of the great increase of Trade, and no little addition to the strength of the kingdom, for the which, we have no little cause, not only to remember but also highly to commend the great wisdom and care of these two most worthy Princes: but in stead thereof, there want not some malignant and most unworthy spirits among us, that are ready to cast foul aspersions upon them, traduce their government, blast their best actions, and desire rather a perpetual oblivion, than a thankful remembrance of their majesty. O most transcendent and monstrous ingratitude both to God and man! To God, in not acknowledging his goodness in bestowing on us such great blessings. To man, for remunerating or returning so much evil forto much good. Surely, me thinks, if we as Tradesmen, before we were engaged, as I say, in a War, had had the least thought of decay only of Trade, and had not look further into the many more dismal calamities (of the which we have already more than a bitter taste) that would certainly befall this kingdom by a civil War, it would or might have been motive sufficient unto us to have employed our utmost endeavours for its preservation, but (alas) most of us, like men demented, or bereaved of their wits, run a quite contrary course, weedid what in us lay to further and hasten its destruction, and to that end we could not be at quiet or at rest, till we were quit of our moneys, and redouble our diligence in and about the speedy advancing of that which would undoubtedly be its bane, and expose the kingdom to the hazard of utter ruin.  
The Author having done with this discourse assumes the boldness to adventure on a few lines of Poetry, which though it be out of a merchant's Road, and may perhaps be thought by some not to become this subject, hope, never the less, it will admit a candid construction, the intention being good, though in the manner or way of expression there may be failing.   


To the Clothiers.  

MY worthy Friends, by what is said, you feel  
At present more than many others do,  
Witness your want of work with loom and wheel:  
Join hand in hand, and altogether go,  
Trade to uphold and Commerce to maintain;  
By loss you'll perish All, you'll live by gain.   

Thousands of you from youth to youth's defect  
By daily labour live and well subsist,  
But who will you maintain? who'll you protect,  
When you are forced from labour to desist?  
Then Clothiers poor, what will of you become?  
Some beg, steal others will, and worse will some.   

As some already, out of the land they'll fly,  
And elsewhere seek employment as have said,  
Their Art they'll others teach, which will the eye  
Or eyes put out of England's Clothing Trade:  
Then out will be the wool of England spun,  
And this our kingdom's Trade almost undone.   

But my good Friends, let not your minds be bent,  
Or have a thought to leave your native soil,  
In foreign parts to go with full intent  
Others to teach which hazard may the spoil  
Of our Manufactures, O that's an Act  
Would be 'gainst Nature, it would sure extract  
The vital blood out of your mother's heart,  
Which let be never on their clothier's part.    

To all English Merchants Trading in foreign parts.  

YOu that are Instruments of foreign Trade,  
Worthy English Merchants of much renown,  
Forthwith bestir yourselves, let not be said,  
That you sat still, and suffered to fall down  
Your country's Commerce: 'tis of that esteem  
That nothing almost greater can you deem.   

As partly by this small book is made appear;  
To which refer you, needless to say't again,  
But more I'll add to make it the more clear:  
Trade boldness gave to pass the Ocean main,  
Discoveries new in foreign parts to make,  
An enterprise not small to undertake.   

For men were oft to struggle and to strive  
With th'elements, Fire, Water, Earth and air,  
Which if be conquerors, of life deprive,  
But they did boldly face them, and out dare:  
It shows a noble mind and spirit brave,  
Death to contemn for honour, life to wave.   

But on they went, such dangers were not all,  
From North to South, from East to West they run,  
From rising of the sun unto the fall,  
Passing the Aequator, and when 'twas done,  
By labour much they came unto the shore  
Where yet they met with dangers more and more.   

Danger by hidden Rocks, by Shelves of Sand,  
Danger by want of knowledge of the Tide,  
Danger by an Enemy on the Land,  
So that danger they found on every side,  
Yet they went on, they dangers did disdain  
In hope they should, what they desired, gain.   

Profit and Honour, and our trade's increase  
Were the chief things where at those men did aim,  
Will you by your remissness let them cease?  
And not endeavour up to keep their fame,  
With so much danger won and so much cost?  
No, no, by your neglect let not be lost.   

But as before, so now I say again,  
Bestir yourselves, let nothing be in you  
Deficient our Commerce to maintain,  
Which will your Predecessors fame renew:  
It will this land's reputation keep,  
And carry't still beyond th' Ocean deep.   

So will you Honour get, so will you praise,  
So will you profit get by foreign Trade,  
So you yourselves and families may raise:  
What more to stir and move you can be said  
To you my noble Friends, then only this,  
Youl'l get earth's happiness, and Heavens bless?   

If what you do, be in an honest way,  
For God abhors Actions foul and base,  
And on th' actors doth heavy curses lay,  
A curse of shame at home, abroad disgrace;  
A curse of poverty, and all things scant,  
But more than these, of heaven's joy the want.   

Adieu my friends, I bid you All farewell,  
By what have said, it may be well foretold  
That Traders all must cease to buy and sell,  
If these distempers still among us hold,  
And hold they will, without our royal King▪  
Whom God let's pray in safety home to bring.    

To the Seamen.  

ANd now brave English Seamen one and All,  
I come to you likewise to crave your aid;  
You're the Managers of this kingdom's wall,  
Which cannot stand without our Clothings Trade▪  
If England's Manufactures find no sale  
Its strength by Sea and Land must surely fail.   

The Wall broke down, employment you'll have none,  
The lack of which expose you will to'th want  
Of worldly comforts, none will you bemoan,  
All needful things for you becoming scant  
May put you on such things as are most base:  
Think not on them, let vices have no place   

Within your breast, but think you on the Name  
And deeds of worth, which may beget you praise.  
Acts virtuous revive an honest fame,  
And Credit that's decayed again doth raise;  
All what you do, do in a gentle way,  
You'll then be conquerors, and gain the day.   

First humbly pray, and then gently persuade  
Both high and low, and men of all degrees,  
That they would do their best to keep up Trade,  
Nothing with England's Climate more agroes:  
If lost, be then assured one and All,  
Down must the welfare of this kingdom fall.    

To the city of London.  

LOndon the Magazine of England's Trade,  
All men do thee admire for thy neglect  
In suffering Commerce thus away to fade,  
Me thinks, that thou in chief shouldst it protect,  
And do thy best thy dying Trade ro'mend,  
For thy well being doth on it depend.   

Me thinks thou shouldest far more knowing be  
In point of Trade, than many others are,  
And therefore better shouldst, than they, foresee,  
That Trade by discord daily will impair,  
Until that wasted is thy long won gain,  
And nothing will be left thee to maintain.   

Thy Honour Credit Fame, far spread renown,  
With Trade will fall, and none will thee regard.  
All earthly goods will fail thee and fall down;  
Relieved thou shalt not be, Complaints not heard:  
What wilt thou do? what will of thee betide▪  
Neglected shalt thou be on every side.   

These things well weighed, and else what more have said,  
Should thee out of thy lethargy awake,  
And forthwith think how to preserve thy Trade,  
Which first let be by Prayer; it may way make  
For other things, that may the better tend  
To that which is most fit Trade to amend.   

But as I others, so I thee advise,  
That what thou dost be in a quiet way,  
Think not on lawless ways in any wise,  
Lest that they cause of Trade greater decay.  
And so adieu (good city) fare thee well,  
Wishing that Peace may still within thee dwell.    

To the Army.  

Arm look to't, seek now Trade to amend,  
Delayed not longer; let no by-respect  
Away you lead, nor any private end,  
Nor that in you be found the least neglect,  
Lest be in this and future Ages said,  
You were the greatest cause of loss of Trade.   

In this small book I have prescribed a way,  
How that our Trade may sooner helped be;  
As you respect this land, and whilst you may,  
In practise it to put do all agree;  
And 'cause it cannot be without our King,  
Endeavour speedily Him home to bring   

With Honour and with safety: then provide,  
That He with confidence may so remain,  
Nothing in reason then will be denied,  
Which may our loss repair by a new gain:  
It is the safest way arrears to pay,  
Which never can well be by Trades decay.   

On other way I would not have you think  
arrears to g●●, lest more distempers grow,  
But well consider, we are at the brink  
Of utter ruin; your wild 〈◊〉 ●efore show  
It to prevent, or else you' hazard run  
With this poor kingdom quite to be undone.  
So fare you well brave Army, leave I take,  
And pray God bless all those that peace do make.    

To the kingdom.  

A skilful Pilot plying for the shore,  
And finding wind increasing more and more,  
Bids tack about; again ply for the deep,  
That so the Ship we may in safety keep:  
If we so wise and provident had been;  
We should not now such dismal times have seen,  
But now weare in them, let's all endeavour  
Out to get, else we are lost for ever.  
Born for ourselves we are not, but the good  
Of that wherein we breath and have our food,  
Our country dear I mean, and wasted land,  
That grown so feeble is, it cannot stand,  
Unless forthwith supported, which must be  
In such a way that we may all agree:  
Then Trade will bettered be with the whole State,  
Delayed not longer lest it be too late.  
The King His helping hand offers to lay  
To take away the cause of Trades decay,  
And what amiss is else; why sit we still,  
To join with Him? it's His desire and will.  
Deep are the kingdom's wounds and dangerous sure,  
And knowing it, let's hasten to the cure.  
And having much in roughest Seas been tossed,  
Let's harbour take, lest that our Ship be lost,  
And we perish with it, O that's not all,  
Our souls endangered, and our Issues fall.    

Concordia parvae res crescunt Discordia, &c.  
Small things to great by blessed Concord grow,  
By Discord great decay, and kept are low.  

Concord maintaineth love, makes two hearts one:  
Discord doth them divide, and makes them none.   

Concord the hardest knot of strife dissolves,  
Discord in Seas of troubles men involves.   

Concord amongst the humours peace doth make,  
Discord the soundest humours in pieces shake.   

Concord causeth health, health sweet life maintains,  
Discord much sickness, sickness kills with pains.   

Concord makes friendship twixt body and mind,  
Discord their tie of friendship doth unbind.   

Concord makes music sweet, pleasing the ear,  
Discord doth Hearings Organ smite and tear.   

Concord makes hearts merry and full of joy  
Discord makes sadness, and doth mirth destroy.   

Concord preserveth people, King and crown,  
Discord first enervates, and then pulls down.   

Concord God's true worship doth well preserve,  
Discord makes people from true worship swerve.   

Concord keeps men's manners entire and sound,  
Discord with vices foul makes men abound.   

Concord makes learning flourish and Arts all,  
Discord neglect doth cause▪ than Arts down fall.   

Concord upholds Trade, maketh it increase,  
Discord Trade first weakens, and then makes cease.   

Concord of perfect order is the cause,  
Discord, disorder breeds, destroys all laws.   

And what not else? let's concord then embrace,  
And discord from us put, and have no place.    

The author's apology.  

NOw (Reader) I have done, I'll say no more  
Save only this, desiring that before  
Thou passest censure on what I have said,  
Consider whence it came, whereof 'tis made.  
First 'tis of matter, that's within my sphere,  
As by the whole discourse is made appear:  
Then from a man of Trade, a merchant's brain,  
What couldst thou more expect then matter plain,  
Rough hewed, unpolished, harsh and tart,  
Void of all form, all shape and scholar's Art?  
Both stile and language wave, look on the main,  
It is both King and people's loss and gain:  
The Land with Trade must stand, with Trade must fall;  
If lost, adieu the welfare of us all:  
Which loss to shun, I heartily thee pray,  
That thou wouldst take to heart our trade's decay.  
I have prescribed 
* Known Laws▪  a medicine, is't would take,  
It might both King and kingdom happy make.  
And so adieu (good Reader) I have done,  
Give me thy hand, and thou my heart hast won:  
So shall we join in one as faithful friends,  
Seeking the public good, no private ends.     

Postscript.  
HEre are now Letters out of the parts of Italy advising the non-sending of any more of our Woollen Manufactures, for that those of the like kind made in other Countries and sent thither, are not only better but cheaper. But some perhaps will object, that though for present we lose the vent of our Manufactures, we may hereafter regain it, and that when wool comes to be had at such low rates as formerly, which when that will be God knows: Let not such men flatteringly satisfy themselves with so vain a hope, but remember what hath been said of the loss of the total vent of our broad Cloth in Spain in the time of Queen Elizabeth, and what hath been further mentioned of the late great increase of Woollen Manufactures elsewhere, to the great decay of the vent of Ours, and the no little impoverishing of the stock of the kingdom. Some things, indeed, if not totally lost, are recoverable; but would be a peer of the greatest indiseretion to expose a thing of such high concernment (as have said) to the Commonwealth to the hazard of loss, when there may be ways of prevention. And withal consider that when one State hath got a thing from another to itself, which is or may be advantageous unto it, it will use all the means possible to keep and advance it: I need not send you further off then our own home for a precedent, you may please to turn back to Folio 5. in the Remonstrance, and you shall find what this State did in King Edward the thirds time to get the Manufacture of Broad Cloth from Flanders, and what was afterward done to keep it here in this kingdom. Besides People in these times are more knowing in matters concerning Trade, and have better means to improve them to more advantage than in former times: many things which in former ages lay hidden and not thought upon, have been discovered in these latter, and more will be in the future; man's brain is still a working.   

PAge 9 line 20. read may say, p. 11. l. 20. r. entry, p. 19 l. 9 r. that, l. 15. waved, p. 24. l. 3. r. in those, p. 26. l. 32. r. 21 s. p. 27. l. 25. r. lesse, that, p. 30. l. 12. r. the.  
FINIS.