AN English Winding-sheet FOR THE East-India MANUFACTORS.  
In a Letter to a Person of QUALITY.  
SIR  
YOUR Acknowledgement of the satisfaction You have received by the perusal of the several Late Printed Tracts, That the free Admission of the Home-Consumption of East-India. Wrought Silks, almost hath, and will certainly become the utter Subversion of the English Silk-Manufacturers, both (Weavers and Throwsters) at London and Canterbury, and wherever it is settled. But your doubt, Whether the Exportation of those East-India Wrought Silks that now are, and may be still Exported, have not, and may not be of greater Advantage to England, than the Silk Manufacture ●●ere is, or can be; and that the Prohibition of the Wearing them here will not destroy this Advantage that hath, and may be made by their Exportation, and so Obstruct and Hinder a more Public Benefit to the Kingdom, than the Preservation of all the Silk-Manufacturers are to England. And this, you say, is the great Pretence and Plea of the East-India Traders, and that then we must buy Wrought Silks at much dearer Rates, if their Trade herein be Obstructed, and likewise whether if we should procure all other Necessary Manufactures in like manner (both for Home-Consumption and Exportation) Plentiful and Cheap from India, it might not be greatly to our Advantage, all which, if ourselves do not, the Dutch will impose upon us, under pretence of their own Works, and likewise by Exporting them to all other parts, Gain the profit thereof from us, which is the matter wherein you desire farther Satisfaction and Information.  
SIR, In Answer to which pray consider, for I am sure these Objections are as False as Impolytick (we have already, and are now inciting the Indians, and Chinees that are a numerous and Laborious People, and can and do live, without Fire or Clothing and with a Trivial Expense for Food) to load us with their Manufactures, that are utterly destructive of our own, and our very being a People of any Number or Value, by our not only consuming their handiwork ourselves in the Room of our own Silk and Wooll-Manufactures, or such as are the Return thereof; but likewise by the hindering or spoiling all our Foreign Exportations we used to have for those our own Fine Goods, and then plead it as a Meritorious, and Advantageous Act, thus to help forward our own destruction with both hands; for had we not pushed forward the Indian Trade, our own English Wrought Goods had (as formerly served the World and gained that profit) in the Room of those we falsely pretend this Advantageous Exportation of East-India Manufactures do produce; so that all those Indian Exportations are double loss, rather than any profit to England, which hath for several Years passed come to that Perfection in all Wrought, Figured and Flowered Silks, and Stuffs, as far to outdo Holland, and Vie with France, or any part of the Universe, and with those, had not we ourselves occasioned the contrary (as before specified) have served many Countries, with which it is worth our while to Trade; which are chief our own Western Plantations, Ireland, Scotland, and Spain, except which, our Exports herein have been to little advantage; for what is of East-India Wrought-Silks Exported for Holland, is said (by those that understand their dealing) chief with design to save the draw-back Duty, by stealing them in again Custom free, which if they cannot, they frequently re-enter, and turn them again upon us.  
In the serving our own Plantations with Silks and Stuffs, 'tis greatly impolytick, that any particular Person's Advantage, and the Benefit of the Indian should be preferred before the Kingdoms, else they might be obliged to nothing of Silks, and Stuffs, but of English make; but in the stead thereof we allow them the draw-back in East-India Silks, greatly to our own prejunice, and so are no advantage to the Government neither, and the prejudice England doth sustain in this Single Article, I believe to be greater than the profit of the Exports all the Indian Wrought-Silks amount to.  
And as we have encouraged the Indians to the increasing and making multitudes of Wrought-Silks, as I shall presently instance; so we have not only Consumed them ourselves, and served our own Plantations; but courted and obliged all those parts we deal to, to the Use and Consumption thereof. But the Prejudice England hath, and doth receive thereby, being added to the former Article, when we consider that all our English Wrought Silks is the rerurn of our Woollen Manufacture, and Multitudes of People likewise employed, it must far out-ballance all pretended profit of India Wrought Silks, which are the Exportations purchased with our good hard Silver, when as we had otherwise served those parts with Silks of our own Manufacturing, which had kept, and increased our Numbers ten times more than now they are.  
Yet do we not contend to prevent our Merchant's Exportation, if the European World will not be content without them, but if by our use of English Wrought Silks, other Kingdoms will follow our Example, as I think it is one of the greatest Blessings we can hope for our good, I only pray God they may not be mistaken that fear it; for the advantage England will reap by gaining a preferrence to our own Manufactured Silks, etc. will be far greater benefit to the Kingdom, than the Exportation of those Indian Silks, etc. that will go in their stead. And I am sorry any Englishman should grudge it; but whatever their pretences be, of vast Exportations when it serves their purpose, we have their own Confession in print that Two thirds of all Wrought Silks Imported, were consumed in England; but they freely and most truly since that acknowledged before the Honourable House of Lords, that Nine Tenths thereof were in England expended, which is sufficient proof what small advantage England can reap by their Exportations of Wrought Silks, not to be near answerable to the Damage they do the Kingdom by the prejudice to the Turkey and Italian Merchants, besides the forementioned innumerable Manufacturers.  
As to your Query, Whether the like advantage may not accrue to England by the Importation, Consumption, and Exporting of all other India Manufactures. I dare be positive, That as in the Case of India Wrought Silks, all their Manufactures hereafter mentioned, or any other which we are possessed of, or that we can have from other parts in return for our English Productions and Manufactures, is prejudicial to the Welfare of England. As for what is again Exported, it cannot hurt us, but as it hinders the Sale of our own Productions and Manufactures (and therein it doth) which would certainly otherwise Vend in those parts, to which those Indian Goods are so Exported; but this we contest not in the Matter of Silks for our selves. But let what Goods will be made in India, and come, let us not consume them here to our own prejudice, or in giving the Example, nor send them to such places as we may oblige to take our own Manufactures, I mean our own Western Plantations, let other parts of the European World look to themselves, and share them amongst 'em; the damage will light on some, and by this doing, we shall wisely Support our Wealth, Employ and Increase our Numbers of People which will keep up the Value of Lands. As to the Kingdoms paying dearer for English Wrought Silks, 'tis a needless fear; for if men of Substance hath but reasonable encouragement to venture their Stocks in the Silk Manufactory, we shall soon make such Multititudes of Workmen, as shall enable us to sell better Pennyworths than the East-India Merchants do, and this will be far better for the good of the Kingdom, than to let them be as at present about London, reduced to a Tenth of what they were, and at Canterbury to an Eighth of our former Numbers.  
As for the Dutch, or other, serving us with India Goods, under pretence of their own Manufacture, 'tis an Objection that hath been sufficiently Answered, and hath little of weight in it, unless we give up ourselves to despair, rather than contend with any Difficulty, that may as easily be prevented, as French Alamodes and lustring's, if Englishmen can have but the same favour as the French of that Alamode and Lustring Company have had.  
And as to the Exportations of such East-India Silks, etc. if they be made and must come, better we serve the European parts than any other; but 'tis plain, That all Manufacturing parts of the World are taking the Alarm, and standing on their Guard; and this makes the East-India Merchants so zealous for a home Consumption; and 'tis We, of all Kingdoms in Europe that deserve the greatest blame, for the sake of a little private profit, to bring this part of the World into this Straight; for it was not the Dutch, but the English, that first put the Indians on that vast increase of Silk- worms (as much to the Detriment of the Turkey and Clothing Trade, as is the farther Manufacturing thereof a great loss to England, tho' never so cheap sold to the India Merchants if purchased with our money, to the prejudice of the forementioned parties) it was the English that put them on the farther Improvement, to that great Excess they are now at of Throwing Dying, and Weaving, when both they and the Indians could not do less than laugh in their Sleeves at the Act that prevents Throwing and Dying, (the profit thereof being wholly Loss to us, and Gain to India, in being after Wrought into Silks) it was only the English that sent over Artists of all these Trades, and Pattern-drawers, and Patterns that might suit the European Humours; and in plain English, it was the English, it is the English, and it will be the English, that will be the only mad part of the World, in this respect, if not by Law prevented, Strict Edicts in France prevent their Home-Consumption; Flanders and Venice, and all other parts do the like; and we above all others have great reason to do so too; and 'tis high time, and how the Case now is, and hereafter will be, with us, is what I shall briefly demonstrate to you and the consequence hereof (having with all brevity satisfied each part of your Objection) by which it will appear, That we had better prohibit all Trade with India, than go forward as now doing and projecting.  
As to what we are now doing, 'tis visible to all that observe how the Fancy and Humour of the Female Sex, with the advantage the Late Law hath given, inclines several men of great Stocks, and many of them out of Necessity, and against their Judgements and Inclination, merely for the employment of their Estates to advantage, to strike into this pernicious India Trade; so that the Vogue and Cry, (under the Notion, of public good. Working backward) is like our Watermen with a hie India, hie India, hie, to almost a total Neglect and Disrespect of the Good and Welfare of the Turkey, and other more advantageous Trades of England, with a Subversion of our most profitable Manufactures; for as they have left the Imbroiders little more than a Name, and both Cabinet and Fan-makers are forced to be contented to become their Jobbers and Brokers, by Applauding and Advancing the price of those Commodities, that are the ruin of numbers of their Trade. So they seem to aim at the destruction of all they can. The poor Button-makers indeed are secured by Law (if that will do) else we might have expected whole Cargoes of that Commodity. As for the Ribbond-makers (in which many of the Undone Broad Silk Weavers hoped to take Sanctuary.) Their Cake is Doughty; for the Indian Merchant have set the Indians thereon, and now bring them (though prohibited by Law) from India, and are entered at the Custom-house, under the denomination of Parcels of Wrought Silks, and that lately one parcel was seized, and is in the Custom-house Warehouse; and I hope will not escape due Prosecution, but that the Custom-house Commissioners will take care to regulate such dark Entries.  
They are now upon a Trial of Skill with the Shoemakers, their being two parcels lately come for a Sample; and doubtless, considering what empty Hold their Ships carry to India, it will be worth their while to carry our Leather, if they have it not there: For Elevenpences in the Shilling saved in the Workmanship may make it so, though they have not the advantage of Ninepences more in the Shilling, as they have in the Weaving Materials.  
Now by what hath been done, and is now doing, we may certainly conclude what these India Traders will hereafter do if not restrained; and as they have already almost swallowed and engrossed the Silk- Weaving, Throwing, and Fan-making of England, brought all our Cabinet-making into contempt; they will by the same ways and means ruin all Trades and Manufacturies, which their interest may tempt them to do.  
The very Mercers, they strive to spoil, by their setting up Retail Warehouses, and if not prevented, they will, if possible, effect it.  
Now when they break in already upon those that have Laws for their Security, as in the Case of Thrown and Died Silk, imbroidry, Ribbons, etc. no Trades that they can profit by are like to escape them. Their plenty of Copper and Tynn will give them opportunity to ruin both our Braziers and Pewterers, and Tynn-men and Mines. The Joiner's and Carvers, they have pretty well encroached upon; and though Modish Garments from France was always accounted grievous to us; yet from East-India, Multitudes of them are brought to the great prejudice of the Tailors.  
And 'tis impossible, but that from the Cheapness both of Silk and Cotton, and other Materials sit for Stockings, they must in course ruin our most ingenious Art of Frame-Working, and Needle-knitting, unless they become very selfdenying.  
That whole Cargoes of all manner of Vpholstrys is preparing, and that our upholsterers shall have the benefit of setting them up, will be a mercy to them, more than the Weavers have.  
That their Shoes will be as highly esteemed as their Silks, their is no Question, and that Multitudes of them will shortly arrive, is out of doubt.  
How much of our Sempstresses' work is already swallowed up every East-India Sale demonstrates; and that there will be a further Encroachment thereon, is most certain; and whether all the money that purchaseth China Ware, be not lost to the Kingdom, unless Exported (for the farther profit of Europe) besides the prejudice it will do the ingenious Potter and Glass-makers of England, may be well worth our Consideration.  
Our Limners are like to be outdone by Ugly faces, and all their pieces shall be more admired for their deformity; and 'tis no doubt but in a short time you shall have whole Auctions of them.  
And that our workers in iron and steel; which Commodity will lie more close than that of Wood, shall in little time escape better than the Silk Manufactures. is very improbable, which will render that ingenious discovery of the Slitting-mill (for the which this Kingdom must ever be obliged to the Memory of the Folio's) of little advantage; for though the Indians have not yet attained unto it; yet doubtless our public spirited Traders will not fail to carry it thither, and bars of Iron from hence will make Excellent ballast for their Ships, if they have it not there, which matters not much, the principal cost being Workmanship, in which 11 d in the Shilling being saved, will in like manner be of vast advantage to England, and spare all our Burningham and Sheffield Workmen, and other Vulkins from their unnecessary Employments to be busied in Ploughing or Fishing, or else begging, stealing or starving; for I know no reason, why they should have fairer Quarter, if it be thought unreasonable to preserve the Silk Manufactory, which is of far greater advantage to the Nation.  
I am credibly informed of one instance more which may seem amazing, but a sufficient Testimony that they will not fail of doing what I have mentioned; which is, That there is great quantities of Gold and Silver Orris, and other Trim for Ladies and Gentlewoman's Garments prepared and coming, which considering that they have both their Gold and Silver-Wyar Plate, and Thread from us; or if they have likewise carried the Art of Wire-drawing our Crown-pieces thither, 'tis strange to imagine (That unless they do first adulterate it) They can make it worth their while by the differing price of Silk and Workmanship to send it hither; but that they presume the English will over-value Gold and Silver by Weight, Wrought in India, as they do Silks and Stuffed by Measure; but by these means, and the former of Ribbons, the poor Narrow Weavers must be in as bad condition as the Broad; but that they may carry Spanish Wool, Iron, Leather, and other our grosser Materials, to Manufacture and Return to their greater advantage, is certain, and these proceeding are not less dangerous to the body of this Kingdom than is unrectified, Mercury to the Natural Body of Men, for it will in the end Carode and consume us.  
And here I cannot do less than take notice of a passage in a late Tract, few Months since writ on this occasion, just before the Conclusion of the last Sessions of Parliament, Entitled, England's Advocate; which without pretence to a Prophetic Spirit, tells us page the 46th, That if the India Merchants did not Transport Wool, they would doubtless Project such  or Stuffs of Silk, Cotton, as should be though sit for the Use of men, to outvie  and Worsted Stuffs; and though the Author protests he knew not that any such were made or coming, they are come, and will doubtless farther prove for the enriching of England, as their Silks, Stuffs, and Painted Calicoes have already done; and by this and like means, do Thousands of Broad Looms, and hundreds of Throwsters and Twisters Mills, stand to spoil and burn, and many Thousands of People forced to Transport themselves, or beg, or steal, or starve: Whilst the great Moguls Subjects are encouraged, and employed, and multitudes both of Looms and Mills made and making to imitate the manner and forms of those Silks and Stuffs (which like Anglers Ground-bate) was lately Exposed at Skinners-Hall; and if those pieces will not afsord variety enough, the 50 l. worth of Patterns lately purchased (not any exceeding half a Yard) will doubtless so direct and inform to make such returns of Cargoes, as shall make our Scotch Brethren decline their attempt for Gold at Darien, to recover their loss, and to strive to grow rich by contradictions as we do, at least thus to furnish their Kingdom with Silks for their own use, if not to spoil their Scotchcloth Trade; and we have reason to believe that other parts will avoid our imposing on them, and that the Government will take care that our Plantations shall advance our Welfare; and that no small body of men shall be a Monopoly by Law, to the undoing the rest of the Kingdom; and that the making all necessary Commodities may not be chief transferred to India, which as things now are, 'tis impossible to prevent, unless our People may buy Corn as cheap as Indians do Rice, and learn to go Naked, without catching cold, for People's labour and our Productions was the original of our Wealth and Trade, and 'tis they chief that must support it.  
And for these bad purposes are many great Wits and Purses at Work, to make their Sons great, and their Daughter's Ladies and Duchess', by impoverishing and dispeopling the Kingdom; for as these things are accomplishing, so must both our Wealth and Numbers decrease; and if it be certain, that nothing but multitudes of people will maintain the value of Lands; and it is as certain, That as People fails, Rent will do so also. But I believe the damage of the Silk and Stuff Manufacture (for which I chief contend) is of as great prejudice to the Kingdom, as all the rest of the evils we may expect, in respect of the dependence the Woollen and Worsted Manufacture hath upon it; and it hath been proved, That as that of Silk decreaseth, so will the Exportation of them decrease in proportion, and poverty abound. Accordingly amongst all the aforementioned people.  
One instance of which, I had accidental opportunity to be informed in, that the Parish of S. But. Bishopsg. whose many By-lanes and Allies being chief inhabited by Workers of Silk and their dependants, doth so abound with Poverty, that for Maintenance and prevention thereof, though their Assessment is doubled upon most of their Inhabitants of what they lately used to pay to the Poors Rate, they were nevertheless, for the last Year obliged to pay 34 months' Assessment thereto, to pay former Debts, in the which time, the then Churchwarden (though a prudent and honest man) at giving up his Accounts, brought the Parish indebted for that Year upward of Three hundred pounds more; and I doubt not (though I have not opportunity of Inquiry) but all parts where they inhabit according to their number, suffer alike; all which is the Effects of this India Trade.  
And I am confident in the end (except to the Pattentees) it must produce empty Purses, empty Houses, empty Towns, a small poor, weak and slender people; and what can we imagine will be the value of Lands, as things thus are nothing can prevent ruin, unless we have such interest in our European Confederacy, that they will agree and be contented that England shall have the sole Monopoly of this India Trade; and that they will be our Customers, the quite contrary of which every Kingdom and Country, whose Manufactures they prejudice, are projecting and practising.  
The Folly and Error of England in this case far surpasseth that of Esau in the selling his Birthright for a Mess of Pottage; for we give the Indians and Pattentees both Flesh and Pottage, when we send our Silver away to purchase a Curse to ourselves, which their Manufactures are, and after this year of 1700 let us never more Laugh at, and Ridicule the poor Negro Indians, that give us their Gold dust, which themselves are not capable better to improve; for Beads, Shells, Knives and Sizars, and such like, which are to them for Use and Ornament, when we part with our Bullion to invest our Kingdom with China Toys, or obscene Statues and Images, and other Trifles; but the height of our folly is chief expressed in their Manufactors that are opposite to, and destructive of our one; nor do I believe that Solomon sent his Ships purposely for; though they brought Peacocks Feathers with their Gold for which they went; but we send our Coin to fetch us as mere Toys as Feathers and to worse purpose as before expressed.  
SIR, 'Tis worthy consideration that abundance of particular Weavers Trades that are destroyed both in London and Canterbury, Norwich did employ more numbers of people than any Country or Corporation Workhouse, though great charge to the public can possibly do; and I will undertake to demonstrate, if required, that each of them brought annually greater advantage to England, (all things considered) than any East-India Ship. But for the Silk Throwsters, though not so many in Number, there are several of them that employ such multitudes as are scarce to be thought, or credited; and if you will please to view any of their Workhouses, as formerly employed, some of which still remain, and with me cast your thoughts retrogade, through the Turkey Merchants Warehouse, from whence the Throwster receives his Silk, and by the way it came thither Blow the Ocean to Smyrna in Turkey, and observe his Factor employed in producing this in return of our English Cloth, and then return your thoughts back again (with your consideration, that this Navigation is of greater advantage than that of India.) And suppose you see in St. Hellena's or Cornhill, or Bishopsgatestreet, the Turkey, Merchants Warehouses crowded with those  prepared for this purpose, and the great advantage his Dependants, Drawers, Dyers, Clotheworkers make thereon, with whom cast your Eye through Blackwel-hall, and with the Wagon that brought these  to Town, let your mind travel to any considerable Clothiers Workhouses, in Worcester, or Glostershire, and observe the numerous and profitable employment, before you come to the Loomb side to see the Shuttle, and you will not grudge the poor Weavers that Shutes it 5 s. per week for his labour Then look on to the less profitable employment of Shifting, Carding, and Spinning, till we come to the Shearing House of this Golden Fleece, and then return your Consideration back to one of the beforementioned Throwsters Shops, and I will be obliged plainly to demonstrate, that so much of these Operations, when Wrought in Cloth, as make return in Turkey Silk for the employment of this one Silk Throwster; which being farther improved in Weaving, Stockin-Making, etc. will gain annually greater profit to England, than ever any whole Fleet from East India did or can (if you consider the damage they likewise do) and I believe that on these, or the like Considerations, did the Wisdom of this Nation think fit by Law, to prohibit the bringing over of Silk ready Thrown or Died; which Laws are rendered utterly ineffectual, and these Trades with the Weavers destroyed, unless prevention of the home Consumption of East-India Figured, flowered, and Stripped Silks be granted, which is all the Silk-Weavers and Silk-Throwsters desire.  
For by what hath been (now and formerly) said, 'tis certain that the Living Bodies of people are the best Riches and Strength any Country can be possessed of; and that all Manufacturing parts of Europe (especially England) destroy both their People and Land by admission of Trading in India Manufacturers.  
TWO, 'Tis impossible any Kingdom can enjoy this blessing of people without procuring or allowing them Employment and Wages for their Subsistence, answerable to the price of Provisions and all other Necessaries of Life.  
III. That no Manufacture, (excepting that of Wool) maintains or employs so many people as the Silk Weavers, and the Silk Throwsters, with their dependants, who are not to be numbered; and that as the Silk and Grogram-Yarn Manufactures in England decreaseth, the Woollen will likewise in proportion.  
iv That all English Silk Manufactures work for as small Wages as will support Life.  
V That whatever pretences are made of purchasing East-India Wrought Silks with any thing, but our money is either false or frivolous.  
VI That the Silk Manufacturers ask not near so much as 'tis greatly reasonable should be granted, both for the Kingdom and their own good; which is a total prohibition of the Use and Consumption of all India Wrought Silks and Stuffs whatsoever, both Figured and Plain, or Painted in all our English Dominions and Plantations, and then we should not want Workhouses for the Employment of our poor in Country or City, nor the Turkey or Italian Merchants want Vend for their  and Stuffs Abroad, or Silk at Home.  
To Conclude; English Tradesmen may bless God that our Laws are alterable, not like those of the Medes and Persians, else they would be in little better condition than were the poor Jews under the contrivance and patent of the wicked Hammond; for doubtless those Jews might within the limited time fly for their Lives, and so must these Manufactures, or do worse, or starve, as Multitudes have already done, if not by Law relieved. From all which Evils, I pray God to incline the hearts of those that Govern, to deliver us, and for God's sake, Sir, I beg that your assistance may not be wanting.  
Jan. the First, 1699. SIR, I am Yours   

POSTSCRIPT.  
THERE are now no less than 50 Ships coming from, at, and on their way to India; which, considering the Silver they have carried out, and the Manufactures they will return upon us, is an Amazing Consideration to all that value the Preservation of OLD ENGLAND. For 'tis plain, That since we are become such Excellent Customers for their China and Bengal Wrought Silks and Stuffs, they have the Wisdom to serve us with little but the very trash of Raw-Silk, or superfine Cotton, or Yarn, to employ our poor, whose working and preservation (whatever some judge) is a greater and surer Testimony of the good Trade of the Kingdom, than our own enriching the Custom-house Coffers by payment of great Duties for the Importation of such Manufactures as the 50 or any of the like sort shall hereafter Import.  
Since this was composed, there is one of the 50  arrived,, ('tis named the Rising Eagle;) and though Four days since, no Cargo yet public: But common Roport says, she brought 97 Chests of Wrought Silks, and not one pound of Raw.  
That the undone Broad Figured Silk Weavers both of London and Canterbury that have already laid down their Trade, and their Mountures spoiled, and their Harnesses Rotten, can never venture to remount their Looms on any other security than a future Prohibition as required (which may be made as secure as the Payment of any great Duty) and which, if not granted, will occasion the sinking of those that remain to the utter loss of that Manufactor in England.  
FINIS.