The Case of the Exported Coals.  
It is said, that the abatement of the Custom on Coals exported (as now intended) from 8 s. to 1 s. in English, and from 16 s. to 8 s. (in Strangers Ships) per Cauldron, will occasion a greater Export of the Commodity (because cheapness supposes Increase of Consumption,) and consequently advantage the Coal-Owner, increase the Navigation, and be a great benefit to the English Nation.  
Against which it is Humbly opposed.  
1 THat this Commodity is not subject to Luxury, which in some other Commodities is a great Consumer, and is often provoked by Cheapness, and this Commodity is not three half pence per bushel cheaper, if the whole Custom were taken off, and ● small a matter in price can make little (if any) difference in the Consumption for common burning, as every observing Man hath found by his own experience: and it cannot make 6 d. difference in 5 l. worth of Manufacture.  
2. That Coal beyond the Seas is used in Manufacture: not for common burning as in England, not only for that Coal (Custom free) cannot be delivered abroad so cheap as the fuel there, but for that Coal is offensive and not burnable in the Stoves used abroad. In Amsterdam, and all the Linnen-bleaching parts (of the United Provinces) the burning thereof is absolutely forbidden: A Tunn or large Herring-Barrell of Turf (a pleasant and sweet substantial Fyring; and they have plenty of it) is bought (in the season) for the value of 8 d. sterling money; and yet of that 8 d. part is for Excise to the State, which they will not suffer our Coal to impede, nor to abate the production and manufacture of their own Country.  
That a Tunn of Turf is a Bushel and half, and will go farther than that quantity of Coal, which cannot be 〈◊〉: (though no Custom paid) for 8 d.  
In the East Country wood is in great plenty, and it's often brought hither and sold us 〈…〉 per 〈◊〉 (being 〈◊〉 Cart Load.) In France the French King hath imposed upon the Commodity by the Tonnage and otherwise, that it's not possible to render them cheaper there then Wood, if the burning of Coale were at all affected and not abhorred; and if we abate, he may raise his duties for increase of his Revenue, and yet his Subjects pay no more for the Commodity then now they do. The Navyes of Portugal and Spain use a little of this Commodity, the rest of the World none. And for Manufacture the said Stranger abroad must have Coal, though it should cost him 4 l. a Chalder, English Coal was sold in Holland at the Close of the late War for 25 Guilders per Hoodt, of which two makes about a Newcastle Chalder, and yet they had Coale brought thither from Luyck and other parts. He that has a Commodity that another wants will make the most of it.  
3. When the Custom was 11 s. 4 d. 22 s. 8 d. the Exportation was not less; as by the books may appear. And if it were raised to that again, a proportionable augmentation of Rent is proffered, and will be given for it, if farmed.  
4. That the English have already beat the Scots out of this Trade (and many of their works are failed) by selling the Commodity so very cheap as it now is; (so that no benefit on that side is to be expected from the intended abatement;) and Coals are now dearer at London then in Holland. The bare duties of a Chalder of Coals brought from Newcastle to London, are now 6 s. 6 d. and according to this intended abatement the same quantity shall be shipped for Holland for 12 d. And every Newcastle Chalder of Coals carried to Ireland, or the Plantations, shall also still pay 20 d. The Parent is not kinder to Strangers then to his own Children.  
5. The dearer we sell a Commodity abroad, which the Stranger cannot be without (and will not increase his Consumption for Cheapness, any more than we would spend more Salt if it were cheaper,) the more we bring back to enrich the Nation.  
If it be asked whence the present great Consumption of the Commodity in England was introduced? It is answered, not from Cheapness (for Coal is gradually grown dearer) but from the decay and destruction of Wood, which by degrees hath brought us to so great use of Coal.  
6. It hath not been the Custom of this Nation to impose upon the Stranger more than double Custom for our Native Commodities, That both they and we might go to market; but as the duty is now intended the Stranger shall pay eight times as much 〈◊〉 as the Native. If they retalliate upon that, as Egland did upon the French Tonnage, That part of the English Navigation will be lost for this Commodity will be wholly carried away by the Stranger (as it was before the year 1642. that the 11 s. 4 d. and 22 s. 8 d, was first laid) to the great damage of our Nation. By which particulars (ready to be proved when required) it appeareth that the public Revenue will be lessened, the Navigation diminished, and a necessary Commodity undervalved, to the benefit of the Stranger, without other recompense to the Nation. Unless the few Coale-Owners hope to raise their price; which, if but 2 s. per Chalde●, would cost the home-Consumers above 60000 l. per annum, as may plainly be demonstrated.