SEVERAL CONSIDERATIONS, Offered to the Parliament concerning the improvement of Trade, Navigation, and Commerce, more especially, the old draperies and other woollen manufactures of England: by G. C. a Lover, of his country.  
WHereas in former ages, the subjects of England, lived chiefly by pasturage and tillage, they were necessitated, to transport their wooles, to bring in bullion, and other comodities, for their support, and pleasures. But after the invention of guns and gunpowder. Shipping, & mariners, inereasing so much in foreign parts (from the product of English wool) both in number and strength; England could not be defended any longer, with bows and arrows, wherefore they slighted many old castles, and trusted to new Ships, and even at last to think upon trade and commerce, which proved the chiefest fortress, and support of the King and Kingdom.  
After the dissolution of Monasteries and Abbeys, the people multiplying so fast, they settled several Colonies, and plantations in Asia and America, finding no room at home, for all younger brothers to live, and get estates. Divers of them, that were naturally addicted to the wars, left the service of other Princes, and States (where English men sell their skins, and spinn out their lives, for brass stivers, and sols marquess) to seek their fortunes in those Dominions, that were added to the Crown, through the great charges and industry of several well affected persons (to their King and Country) who since have not only lost their real possessions, but their original costs, by bad government, and worse conducts.  
When the staple of wool was kept at Midleburgh, in Richard the seconds time, and at Callais, in Edward the thirds time, it was ordained, that for every sack of wool, which should be transported out of England, there should be a competent quantity of silver bullion returned, besides 50 s. a sack for custom outwards to the King. And to prevent all manner of frauds in those days, there were several offices of the staple errected at West-minster, Newcastle, York, Lincoln, Canterbury, Excester, Bristol, and other places, so that, a fleece of wool, could not be exported, without account to the King, and a return to the Kingdom. The tenth part of all wooles being to come to the church, their officers served the Crown gratis, for the benefits they received of maintenance, and protection, which may be done, now by Parochial, and Secular persons, as was then by Regulars, without any charge to the crown.  
It is the Custom in England for the chiefest lords in Parliament, to sit upon wool packs, to put them in mind of the natural groweth of their estates, and the best dependence of the Crown, and the common wealth.  
A pack of English wool containing 100 weight, Exceeds in value a pack of the finest flax, Goat's hair, or the finest filke, of the same weight, as far as 100 weight of English Tin, or lead, Exceeds 100 weight of Holland's turf, digged out of their silver Mines. In regard English wool, is of that absolute necessity to most nations of the world, for warmth, and clothing, when the other is for pleasure and delight. 100 weight of fine flax, mohaire, or silk, may set as many people at work, as a pack of wool, but it is not universally of the tenth part, for use of apparel, or consumption. And the one being of English groweth, and the other fforraigne, the wool adds to the Kingdom, and the other deminisheth.  
100 Poor men, women, and children, are usually employed, and set at work by every 100 weight of English wool (viz) Combers, Spinners, Reelers, Weavors, Kintters, Dyers, Cloathworkers, Rowers, Fuller's, Labourers, etc. That consumes the grain and victuals of England, and so many people must stand still, begs, or starve, for want of work at home, for every pack of wool that is transported f●om thence, into France, Flanders or Holland. Where there are great quantities of English, Irish, and Scotch wool, (Notwithstanding all the strict laws to the contrary) Frequently carrie● over towards the manufacture of cloth, stuffs, stockings, monmouth caps, Tapestry, Dornick hangings, Ratines', Bays, Drugetts, etc. Which cannot be wrought alone with their short staple wooles.  
The Kings of France, originally granted liberty, and privileges, to all nations that would come, and inhabit Flanders, Brabant, etc. Whereupon, those great, & populous Cities and towns, were suddanly built by strangers, of all arts and sciences. And many of their best Churches, Monasteries, and Abbeys, were founded, and erected, by Several Kings of England, and noble men in the Saxons time; As the records of Flanders, makes appear, Amongst which, there is a very remarkable History. The Queen of France in her progress, coming to visit Brugis and Gant, she found, the people so richly clothed, that she said she thought, there had been but one Queen in France, but there she found all the women Queens, and wished she had been a Cloathiers' wife also, most of the inhabitants, being Cloathiers, Weavors, and others, that lived upon the manufacture of English wool, which so increased their wealth, and beauty, to wonder, and admiration.  
Afterwards by several acts of Providence, many thousand Weavors, Felt makers, Knitters, and Spinners, transported themselves for England, when the great Council of the land, had prohibited the transportation of wool, and encouraged the woollen manufactures at home. Then a Charter was granted to the Merchant adventurers, who maintained several persons, in all the sea Port towns of England, France and Flanders, to make seizures, and discoveries, of all wooles, and fullers Earth, that should be conveyed out of his Majesty's Dominions, to fforraigne parts; But since the Charter of the Company, was broken, that trade is decayed, and the old drapery o● England slighted, in the Seaventeen Provinces, through the great burdens, new impositions, and exations, lately laid upon English manufactures, whereby that Commerce is neglected, and interlopers exposing Cloth, Kerseys, and Searges, to contempt by thei● peddling, & offering them, to sale in comonn taverns, and tippling houses. So that th● staple comodities of England, will at length be unregarded. Whereof I have spoken mor● at large, in my remarkable passages, concerning the Hollanders, since the death of Quee● Elizebeth. And had prepared these following considerations (during the lat● treaty with the State's General) for opening the Scheld, which I leav● to yover grave wisdoms, and apprehensions, upon all future events.   

CONSIDERATIONS Of the Advantages, which the King of great Brittaigne, and his subjects, may draw by the opening of the navigation, in the River of the Scheld, to the city of Antwerp.  
THere is nothing of more importance to the united Provinces, than navigation, by which they do not only subsist, but are enriched, and render themselves formidable to all the Princes, and Potentates of Europe.  
And to the prejudice of all their neighbours, and their own great profit, they draw to themselves, the Commerce of the whole world, as well in respect of the sale of goods, in their own Country, as of what they distribue unto others.  
And although their Commerce seem to be interrupted, and diminished by this war, yet that is only for a time, since that as soon as they shall have peace, they will imeadiatly settle themselves again, in the trade, to the Exclusion of all other nations.  
Wherefore the only means to weaken the states, and to divert this inundation of trade (that swells amongst them) without any effusion of blood, or expense of his Majesty's subjects. It being a Sure and easy conquest, which is got by peace. A ffree Passage ought to be procured, for his Majesty's subjects and their Ships in the River of Scheld up to the city of Antwerp.  
FIrst the same, being a city very comodious for its situation, environed with Machelen, brussels and many other great cities and towns. The entry to the sea Port, very good ●nd sure in time of winter, the River capable to carry Ships of 400. Tunn, The inhabitants ●aturaly inclined to trade. The Exchanges to all other Countries there, the conducts and land ●arriages settled unto Germany Itally, etc. The many little Channels and Rivers for transporting their marchandiz, and all other qualities requisite to a town of Commerce.  
Thither his Majesty's subjects, might not only carry all sort of wares, and merchandises of ●heir own, and other countries, for the use of the Provinces of Brabant, Flanders, Hennow, ●nd others under the obedience of his most Catholic Majesty, but likewise be distributed, further 〈◊〉 into the Country, to the ffrench conquests; Liege, Germany, Itally, etc.  
And goods exported in one Bottom, directly from England, Scotland and Ireland, and ●●her places in the Ships of his Majesty's subjects, might be sold in Antwerp, and be transported from thence more easily, and much cheaper than any other way what soever Also the manufactures of the low countries, the new conquests of ffrance, as Likewise of Liege, Ger●any, Itally, etc. Might be carried from Antwerp into England Scotland and Ire●●nd at ffar less rates.  
By the Established laws of England, no fforraigne Shipp, can bring in any Merchandise ●ere, but what is the product of that Country from whence they came. And no treaty can abrogate an act of Parliament, or known law of the land. What comes from Leigh, Germany, Itally, etc. (Now loaded in Holland Ships) being brought by the Conducts and land Carriages to be loaded at Antwerp, Should be transported into England, Scotland, and Ireland, and other Countries in English Ships, excluding all others.  
This alone would so increase navigation, and cause so considerable a trade to the subjects of England, that the obtaining thereof, aught to be endeavoured without any other consideration.  
SEcondly the subjects of England, might establish the staple of English Cloth, in the Town of Antwerp, which would be of much more advantage, and profit to those concerned, then at Dort, in respect it is a manufacture, which is not made in Antwerp, nor in other towns thereabouts.  
But on the contrary, the Hollanders sergeant the Manufacture of English Cloth, a● Leyden, and other towns ne'er to Dort, so craftily, and subtly, making their cloth o● the same Colours, yet slighter and of less value, whereby they undersell the English, in a●● fine clothes, to the great detriment of his Majesty, and his subjects, in the sale, and distribution of the English drapery, in foreign parts.  
And the Hollanders being naturally inclined to thrift, and to favour their own manufactures, they Cloth themselves, in their own Country Cloth, and endeavour to introduce the same, into other Countries both far and ne'er, to the Exclusion of English Cloth.  
For which cause the sale of English Cloth in Holland, is very small. But if the staple wer● established at Antwerp it would be far otherwise, as well in respect of what would be pu● off in the Provinces belonging to the King of Spain, as of what would be sold in the Cities and towns of the ffrench conquests, and further unto Liege, Germany, Itally, etc.  
The transportation from Antwerp is at present more comodious and sure to the other Countries before mentioned, because the same may be without paying any imposts, to any oth●● Prince than the Catholic King, not going through any other territory but his.  
Wereas' on the contrary going from Dort to the aforesaid Countries, they must pass through several jurisdictions, and consequently pay the transits, which how small-soever it be, is burden to the Merchandises. As the thirty several tolls unto divers Princes, Landgrav●● and others upon Rheinish wines, before they come to Antwerp by Dort.  
THirdly the silks which comes from the hither parts of Itally, by the conducts to Antwer●● to be transported from thence into England, Scotland and Ireland, the same being do●● by English Ships directly, would be of less charge than otherways; Likewise the Dangers Sea is less in winter, by the comodiousnes, of the Port and entry of this River.  
The Ships of his Majesty's subjects, would also have the benefit of transporting the sa●● with other merchandises, and might have the advantage of many voyages, and loading which at present others have to their loss.  
I pass over in silence and leave to the consideration of those that trade, the infinal other profitts, Judging it sufficient to point only in this little discourse at 〈◊〉 great advantages, his Majesty's subjects of great Brittaigne will draw from 〈◊〉 navigation.  
But it must be granted, that both in times of peace and war, that English Ships be not searched, nor vissited, or obliged to declare unto whom the Loading, or merchandise belongs. And that a ffree Shipp, shall make ffree goods, as is condescended on betwixt the Catholiqkue King, and the states of the united Provinces.  
By this means, if the King of Spain, come to a rupture with the said states, or any other Prince, or common wealth, English Ships not being to be troubled, either going, or coming, will be always preferred, and so shall draw the navigation to themselves.  
If there fall out any misunderstanding, betwixt any other Potentates. And that the Merchant's Ships, need any convoy, there will be employment for the men of war, who may conduct them by flushing or further up the River. And in that case the King of great Brittaigne after the Example of his most Christian Majesty, to bring about and Establish this navigation, in favour of his subjects, might give Convoys gratis, to attend the Merchant's Ships, for at first they must be encouraged, by good offices.  

ALl the difficulty, and opposition, in this affair, will arise from the Zelanders, because at present they possess the Entry to this River. The states having gotten. Breskens in Flanders (over against fflushing) acquitted by Spain in the treaty at Munster Anno 1648.  
BUt seeing, that by other ways and means their Commerce is taken away at Haure de Grace, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Ostend, Hambourgh, etc. Without being able to help it, nor draw any profit from thence, which may make them jealous and resolve not to quit the profit, they draw by this navigation. In Answer to that difficulty.  
All the great Ships, which are not always able to come up the River for want of water, or hindered by eontrary winds, being to unloade will do the same in the vessels of Zealand, whereby the town and inhabitants of Flushing, and others will reap the profit, of the selling, and buying, and other expenses of seamen, and passengers, who shall lodge there, both at there loading, and unloading. The Pylotts will be paid for guiding the Ships, up the River, and many other profitts.  
And if those of that Province, should not permit this passage, without receiving some small customs, the same may be agreed on, by the tunn, or Shipp, without being obliged, to pay particularly for Each merchandise, or to make declaration of the same.  
If they should not consent, his Majesty hath the same power in his hands, to exclude and forbid the Ships of Zealand, and others of the states, from going up the River of Thames, but to unlade in English vessels at Graves End, obliging them to pay the same imposts, and tolls, which they Exact from his Majesty's subjects.  
It is not just, that for any agreement, the states made with Spain, they should pretend to Exclude all other nations, from sailing on a River which God and nature hath made ffree. More Especially great Brittaigne. The King being not concerned in the treaty at Munster, who ought to enjoy the same previledges, and liberties granted by all the former treaties between the Dukes of Burgundy and Austria and the Kings of England whereby the 17. Provinces, hold and enjoy those liberties, benefits and advantages, of the King's Harbours, Havens, Ports, Rivers, and streams at all times and seasons in England, without which the 7. united Provinces (that were branches of Austria and Burgundy) could not subsist.  
By the treaty, which the usurper Cromwell, made with the states of the united Provinces, it was indefinitely agreed, that English men, and their Ships, might freely and without trouble, trade and sail with their merchandise in and through all parts, and places, of the united Provinces to the tewnes situated within their jurisdictions, or without, the same. And consequently it was believed and averred, that that Article did contain the grant of a ffree passage, for his Majesty's subjects up the River, to Antwerp, being drawn out of the treaty concluded in the year 1495. between King Henery the 7. and Philip Duke of Burgoundy and Austria. And it ought Ano: 1654. to have been put in Execution, but was suspended for some reasons Notwithstanding the Hollanders upon all ocations fly to the treaty Ano: 1495. for their liberty and ffreedome of ffishing upon the Coast of England.  
In this present conjuncture, when the united Provinces are surrounded, and attacked, by such Royal powers, the said Provinces must be reducd, to the extremity that they will be obliged to make what agreement they can have. However if the Scheld were open to the English, they will still serve the spanish netherlands with butter Cheese ffresh ffish, salt fish wet, and dry. And all the 6. states of Zealand, viz Flussing, Midleburgh, Ter-veere, Zirrick-zee, Tergoes and Tertolen will not be obstructed in any thing of their other employment (they anciently had) by opening the River of Scheld to great Brittaigne, that sets open all their Rivers, Havens, and Harbours, to them in times of storms, and distress, that must otherwise often times perish.  
IT is most certain that it is the interest of the King of great Brittaigne, for the prosperity, and commerce of his subjects, to weaken the force of his natural Enemies, by a more strict Amity and good correspondence with the King of Spain, and for that purpose, this ffree passage, for the Ships of his Majesty's subjects, aught to be procured and agreed upon in the ensuing treaty of Peace, and that all English manufactures should have no greater burden, or exactions what soever laid upon them, either in the Spanish Netherlands, united Provinces, or in the ffrench Conquests, than they paid in the times of the Dukes of Burgoundy, for which the crown of England, granted all the liberties, and privileges, to those Belgic Provinces in the English Seas, etc.  
This generous enterprise, without all peradventure, will find good success, if the King, and his Parliament, do rightly understand each other, whose Memory will be Eternal, amongst all nations, for the happy Conclusion of so noble an undertaking.  
SEVERAL WRITERS Upon the Holland Policies, do much commend the states in stopping up the River Scheld, but they do no less wonder at the council of England, that permitted it, seeing it breeds such a vast number of seamen to the prejudice of great Brittaigne, that aught by all means, to prevent it, by sending their Ships directly to Antwerp, that are forced to unlade their goods in Zealand ●nd Rotterdam, in small vessels of theirs, which is one of the great Nursereyes of the dutch navigation, and that English men chiefly maintains by those ffraights, besides the great advantages, the states make by their tolls, upon English goods in that River, which helps to support their usurped government, since they fell from the Crown of Spain.  
Although there was some reason of state, for England to hinder the growth of Spaine ●y assisting the united Provinces. yet they wanted good consideration, and foresight, that lessened themselves with their Neighbours, by helping others.  
Spain never valued trade, England always valued their pleasures, and Holland ever valued their profit. Whereby they make it their business, to baffle all nations, and Kingddomes in Public treaties, for their own interest, to the prejudice of other men.  
The Zelanders are a people, that upon all occations, serves for private men of war against England, and are so apt for such mischief, by their natural inclinations, and situation of their country, that they ought to be bridled, when there is any opportunity to put curbs into their mouths.  
The Hollanders are not contented with ploughing up the English Seas, and Harrowing the waves, but make merchandises of God's word, in printing yearly, many thousand English, bibles, and practices of piety at Amsterdam and Leyden, counterfeiting the King's Arms, and Epistles to the Readers. A forgery not be suffered.  
The Sabines of old, from whom sprunge the Athenians and the Lacedæmonians, gave this Motto in all their Ensigns, and Banners S. P. Q. R. signifying, Sabino Populo quis resistet. Whereupon the Romans caused the same letters, to be engraven upon all iheir gates and Posturnes signifying thereby Senatus Populusque Romanus, which Contracted a tedious and destructive war. The Hollanders and Zelanders, since the last war with England, have engraven, and painted the Arms of the King of great Brittaigne upon several of their Fly Boats, and other Ships amongst the number (that I know) upon one they named the ffrendshipp of London richly laden in Zealand, bound for Cales, and the straits, with dutch, and Spanish goods, under the notion of English, having procured a master, and other English seamen, to Colour their false practices, which can only be questioned, by S. P. Q. R. (viz) Rex Senatusque Parlamenti otherwise the united Provinces will keep, the trade, and navigation, unto themselves as well in times of war, as peace.  
As there is nothing more shameful, than a peace, which giveth way to the Enemies to fortify themselves. So there is nothing more infamous, then to ley still, when the public interest, obligeth to take arms; But since victories depend rather upon fortune, than valour. It's necessary to take all advantages, to give the Hollanders a rising blow, by some acts of Parliament, that may dissable them, from fight with England a fourth time.  
Great Brittaigne hath the Sovereignty of the Sea; being situated between Spain and Holland, opposite to France▪ North westerly to the low Countries, and More Easterly to norway Danemerke Sweedland, etc. So that all quarters of the Earth must salute the floating towers of great Brittaigne, that infinitely, expends vast sums yearly for maintaining so many harbours, and havens, from the raging Seas, to preserve the subjects and others. Yet many hundreds of the native Mariners, were so degenerate, as to serve the state's General in the late wars against their own Prince, and Country, and then by treaties of state got themselves indemnified against those base actions, which ought by the act of Parliament, not only to be attainted in blood, but they and their ffamilies, for ever made slaves, at Tangier, and jamiaca.  
In the same treaties, provisions are made, for all those that find themselves grieved and oppressed in conscience, to transport themselves and their Estates, which is absolutely repugnant to the common law of England, and destructive to the very being there●●.  
If Barbados, Surrinam, and new England, had been annexed to the Crown by act of Parliament. Sr. William Courten and his Heirs, had kept their propriety in the first. The Lord willoughby and his heirs, had not lost the sovereignty of the second. And the King of great Brittaigne had not lost so many subjects in the third, by a Charter framed at Leyden by those Professors, when the first grieved and oppressed ffamilies, in their tender consciences, went from England, to Leyden, and from thence, to new England, with their Estates, as a people, absolved from their King, to seek an other land. Which will spoil the trade, and navigation of old England, in many parts of the world, if not timely prevented.  
Some of all nations, left their native Countries, to become Herring-fishers 〈◊〉 Carpenters, Roapemakers and S●yle Cloath-weavors, etc. In the united Provinces, where they are made slaves. And would gladly come now for England, upon reasonable terms, and better Privileges, to plant themselves, and their ffamilies in some convenient places of England, or wales, where they may be settled by act of Parliament, and become subjects to the Crown of England, and would be contented with small Islelands, or old decayed towns, in suffolk, or norfolk, etc. Near the Sea Coast, where they may improve themselves, for the benefit of the King and the Country.  
It is the saying of an Ancient Father in Flanders, that there cannot be any good confidence between England and Spain, in regard of the great blows, the Spanish Monarchy hath received from England. And that there cannot be any true ffreindship, between France and England, in regard of the great pretence, that the King hath to the Crown, who quarter's the Arms of France in his Scutcheon, but the constitution of times altering, there may be exeptions taken to those general Rules. However if England can trust themselves, they may contemn all the world, wherein the insolent and ungrateful Hollanders and Zelanders, (that gives little reverence to treaties, or respect to laws) wants neither, malice, nor will, to do all possible Mischief, to England, when opetunity serves, as may be well apprehended, by the late Patent granted by the states, to the West-India Company, (hereunto annexed) whereby they intent, to make as great progress, and encroachments upon the English, in the West-Indies, as they have done in the East.  
To conclude all in a word, with the staple of England, nothing can add more to the flourishing Estate of the Land, then to preserve the credit, and reputation of English Manufactures, and nothing can so much advance them, to their former Esteem, as good government, both in the making and dispossinge thereof. And for the better regulation of that trade, and commerce, there is no way so proper, as to re-establish the Company of Merchant adventures, by act of Parliament, with a new Charter of Privileges, admitting all persons, to be ffree thereof, that shall be qualified thereunto accordingly, who shall have no greater, burdens, or impositions laid upon English Manufactures, than were in the Dukes of Burgoundyes times, conformable to the late treaty. Concluded by the Earl of Sandwich at Madrid Anno M.DC.LXVII.  
Brussels April 13. 1675.