THE PETITION OF THE Lord Major, Aldermen, and Common-Council-men of the City of London, in Common-Council assembled, TO THE PARLIAMENT, For the Reducing of all Foreign Trade under Government; AS ALSO THE PETITION, Together with the PROPOSALS Of several Merchants of London, on the behalf of themselves and the Merchants of ENGLAND. Humbly tendered to the Grand Committee of Parliament for Trade; Containing the desired Manner and Method for such REGULATION.  
London, Printed by T. J. and are to be sold by Ralph Smith at the Sign of the Bible in Cornhill. 1662.   

To the Right Honourable, The Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses of the Commons House of PARLIAMENT: The Humble PETITION of the Lord Major, Aldermen and Commons of the City of London, in Common-Council assembled;  
SHOWETHS,  
THat your Petitioners smart sense of the Decay of Trade, hath driven them to a sad and serious Enquiry into the Cause, And having (as they conceive) made a full Discovery thereof, think it their duty to the public Interest, to represent the same in all humity to this Honourable House: That which they apprehend most destructive, is the Diversion of the most part of the Trade of Exporting the Commodities of our Native Growth and Manufactures, into the hands of Aliens; By which the only means of increasing the Common Stock of our Nation is lost, and if some timely Remedy be not applied by your Wisdom and Authority, our Navigation must decay, our succession of English Merchants be extinct, and our condition become the same it was, when those of Foreign Nations were the only Merchants known in England; and by our being more Buyers than Sellers, our Lands, by reason of the scarcity of Money, not worth above the tenth part of what they now are. And should the Strangers be permitted, by themselves here (who live single in hired Chambers) exempt from family expense or the public charge of all Offices, or by Packers and other mechanic persons, to carry on their Trades as English; not only this City, but all other His Majesty's Cities (Towns Corporate) and others, must necessarily decay, and be disabled to serve the public Government in purse and office. For preservation whereof, your Petitioners humbly pray,  
That it may please this Honourable House (the Sanctuary of the Commons of England) to provide, That the Trade of Exportation (to foreign Parts) of all English Goods and Manufactures, by the English Subjects not yet incorporated, may be reduced under Government and Regulation, by His Majesty's Charter under the Great Seal of England, and confirmed to English only. And that those Trades that aye already under Regulation, may be confirmed in such manner, as may not exclude any English Merchant that submits to the Government in all, or any the respective Ports and places of this His Majesty's Kingdom. And that all Aliens may pay the same Subsidies and Customs on all English Draperies by them exported, as they paid before the reduction of the Rates thereof, by the last Act of Parliament, And the Petitioners shall pray, etc.   

To the Right Honourable, The Grand Committee of Parliament for TRADE.  
The humble Petition of the respective Merchants of London, Trading into Foreign parts, on the behalf of themselves, and the Merchants of the Out-Ports of this Kingdom;  
SHOWETHS,  
THat your Petitioners do humbly conceive, That as Government and Regulation is absolutely necessary for the common good of all Societies of men in general, so it is as expedient for all Subordinate degrees and professions in particular: and because the Foreign Trade is the only means to enlarge the Common Stock, and Capital of the Nation, and the Revenue thereof, they therefore humbly pray,  
That for the more ample Reasons offered in the Preamble of the annexed Proposals, for the desired Regulation, your Honours would be pleased to consider of the form therein humbly tendered, for the erection and execution of the Government of Foreign Trade, and to report the same to the Honourable House, as in your wisdoms you shall find most conducing to the Public good of the kingdom,  
And your Petitioners shall ever pray, etc.   

REASONS For the REGULATION OF Foreign Trade.  
WHereas much of the Honour, Happiness, and Prosperity of this Kingdom doth depend upon the Foreign Trade and Commerce thereof, which therefore ought by all means, and with all care to be encouraged, and such Laws made, as may prevent the decay, and remove the impediments and discouragements which hinders its increase and advancement. And whereas experience doth sufficiently manifest that want of good Order and Regulation, which opens the door to Ignorance on the one hand, and Covetousness on the other, is the foundation, as of all evil in the general, so of those in particular which relate to Trade. For whilst on the one side great numbers of Artificers, and others, inexpert and ignorant men, make upon them to use the Art, Science, and Mystery of Merchandizing into foreign parts, they, by reason of their unskilfulness, not only impoverish themselves, but also enrich the Foreigners who take advantage of their ignorance to advance their Commodities, and to debase those of this Kingdom, and do often thereby also necessitate the more knowing Merchant to comply with their wills, to their great loss, and the impoverishment of the whole kingdom; And also many Gentlemen, who would bring up some of their sons in the Art and Science of Merchandizing, are discouraged, when they find that after they have given good sums of money to bind their sons Apprentices, to learn the said Science; others, that never gave one penny, nor served to learn the same, shall enjoy the like Privilege of Trade, to the ruin, not only of themselves, but also of the Trade, so rendering the Father's cost and sons service insignificant, as to the designed end of future livelihood. And on the other side, whilst subrile and covetous men, who have attained to great estates and credits, having no Rule, but their own covetous desires to walk by, some of them make it their work to oppress, and suppress young men, and fair dealing Merchants in their trades, by overlaying of Markets in Foreign parts, and buying up Commodities there; necessitating thereby, those that have not equal stocks and credits with them, to lose in the sale of their English commodities, and to pay excessive rates for Foreign; And others, being shopkeepers, and Retailers, engross both the Merchant's Trade, and the retailers also; thereby through ignorance spoiling the Trade abroad, and through their knowledge and acquaintance at home, circumventing the Merchant in the dispose, and the meaner shopkeeper in the providing and disposing of the Commodities of Foreign parts, that both being ruined, the whole Trade might come into a few hands, and they impose on the people what rates they please, the Trade must needs decay; many being undone, others discouraged, the native Commodities of this kingdom in Foreign parts debased, and Foreign Commodities Enhanced, the stranger enriched, and this kingdom impoverished. And whereas suitable remedies cannot be applied against all the evils that cause the decay, nor means prescribed for the increase and advance of Trade and Commerce, without the knowledge of the particular T●ades, and their dependencies, which none are so able to represent, as the Merchants themselves, & yet that whilst the Merchants remain unassociated, and not under a general Regulation by joint counsel and consent, it may be supposed that every man will be apt to make his own private interest and profit, his principle and end in all his advices and proposals, so that probably things may be misrepresented, which will be prevented, if the Merchants of every respective Trade were Associated; for though a particular man may intent his private profit in all his actings and advices, yet it is sure that the generality will promote the general concern of the Trade, which as it is their interest, so it is also the kingdoms interest.  
And whereas Trade and Commerce especially, as all other things in this world, is subject to many changes and alterations; and that such Rules for the regulation of Trade cannot be so made, but that it may be needful for the general good, to make often additions of new, and to repeal and lay a side former Rules, according to the times, exigences of affairs, and proceed of their respective Countries, where, and with whom the Trade is driven.  
And whereas of late years, many strangers who come into this kingdom, live obscurely in private Chambers, and contribute nothing to the Public Charge, yet drive very great Trades, and by means of Packers, Porters, and other persons of mean or no fortune, whom they employ, do enter their Merchandise, both Imported, and Exported into, and out of this kingdom, deceive the King's Majesty of his Customs, and several Cities and Corporations of this kingdom, of their Dudes of Scavage, Package, etc. and also hinder and prejudice many English Merchants, His Majesty's faithful and loyal Subjects, who because they will not, contrary to Law, and their Duty, defraud his Majesty of his Customs, by entering stranger's goods as English, which the others do, they lose their Commission and employment; which abuse cannot be prevented, unless all Merchants be brought into Association, and none permitted to pass at the Customhouse, as English men, but Merchants of the said Association.  
And whereas in former Ages, many of the Kings of this Land, out of their great wisdoms for the advancement of trade, have given their Royal Charters to several distinct sorts of Merchants, to Incorporate themselves for the better carrying on, and Regulating their respective Trades, as to the Merchants called, The Merchant Adventurers of England, the Merchants trading to Turkey, the East-land Merchants, the Russia, and Muscovia Merchants, and the Merchants trading to the East-Indies; which Societies have not only found benefit, by the due Regulations of their Trades, but have been very serviceable to His Majesty, and the whole kingdom; have bred up many English Merchants in Trades in Foreign parts, advanced many young men, by lending them moneys without, or for very in considerable Interest, relieved many Merchants that have by the hand of God been impoverished, maintained and upheld the Trade in the hands of the English, and the Honour of the English Nation in Foreign parts, whereas other trades not incorporated, are in a manner totally lost, as to the English, and fallen into the hands of Strangers, as is demonstrable in the French and other Trades: Upon which grounds, as we humbly conceive, His Most Excellent Majesty since His most blessed Restauration, hath been graciously pleased to renew, or confirm all, or most of the aforesaid Charters.  
And whereas the reason that moved the Parliament, in the third Year of King James, Chap. 6. to call in a Charter granted to a few Merchants trading to Spain, Portugal, and France, is now totally removed: And that there are very many Merchants in this Kingdom bred up, and educated in the Mystery of Merchandizing, and every way sufficient to carry on the whole Trade of this Kingdom into Foreign parts, which want nothing more than good Encouragement by the due Regulation of their Trades; Without which, it is humbly conceived, the Evils , cannot be prevented, nor the Trade upheld in the hands of the English, which cannot but be a great Impoverishment to the Kingdom, (it being a certain Maxim, That what ever the English carries out, he doth at last bring all, with its increase, home to his Native Country: Whereas on the contrary, the Stranger's Design is not to enrich, but to carry away the Riches of the Nation.) But by the ensuing, or some such like Association of, and for Regulation, as by your Honours shall be provided, It is hoped that Trade may be enlivened, the English Merchants encouraged, the Strangers Encroachments prevented, His Majesty's Customs augmented, and the Capital of the Nation in few years much increased, and by such Establishment, His Majesty and Your Honours, may at any time have before your view at once, how every respective Trade answers in its Exports, to its Imports, and so may see where chief the Interest of Trade is by which the Nation is enriched, and by which not; and of what use that may be in relation to the Public, Your Honours best know: Wherefore   

It is humbly Proposed, That it may be Enacted,  
THat by Authority of His Majesty's Royal Charters under the Great Seal of England, the several and respective English Merchants, trading into the Dominions of the French King, the English Merchants trading into the Dominions of the King of Spain, the Merchants trading into the Dominions of the King of Portugal, the Merchants trading into Italy, and such other Merchants, as hereafter His Majesty shall find convenient, may be Associated and Incorporated, for the better Regulating and Ordering of the said respective Trades, to the profit of this Kingdom, in such manner as is hereafter expressed, (that is to say;) That all the English Merchants trading into the Dominions of the French King, and so of the other respective Merchants, mutatis mutandis, being such as have been bred up in the Science and Art of Merchandizing into Foreign parts, or such as have for three years' last passed exercised the said Science, and are not Shopkeepers or Retailers, and that shall take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and such an Oath for Submission to the Regulations to be made, conformable to the Powers herein desired; and not to colour any Foreign Goods, as by Your Honours shall be thought reasonable, may as aforesaid, be Incorporated, and made a Body Corporate in the Law, to all intents and purposes, under the Name and Style of the Governor, Deputy, and Assistants of the Merchants of England, trading into the Dominions of the French King, etc.  
That His Majesty in such Charter, may please to nominate and appoint the first Governor, Deputy, Treasurer, and such number of Assistants, nor exceeding four and twenty, nor less than twelve, as He shall judge fit; the said Governor and Deputy to take the Oaths aforesaid, before such person or persons as His Majesty shall for that purpose Authorise: And that the said Governor or Deputy being so sworn, may be authorized to Administer (or for the ease of the Merchants in the country, under their hands and seals, to depute any Mayor of any Town Corporate in this Kingdom to Administer) the said Oaths to all other persons qualified as aforesaid, that shall be admitted into any of the said respective Associations.  
That Annually on the _____ day of _____ or within _____ days after the said respective Merchants so associated, shall meet at some convenient place within the City of London, where the Governor or Deputy for the time being, shall by some public Writing for that purpose fixed on the Royal Exchange, appoint to choose out from amongst themselves a Governor, Deputy, Treasurer, and such number of Assistants, not exceeding four and twenty, nor less than twelve; And that all and every the Members of the said respective Associations, residing out of the City of London, may send up the Names of such persons residing in London, which he desires should be chosen, sealed up and directed to the Governor or Deputy of the said Association whereof he is a Member; which shall be opened at the said Meeting, and his Vote reckoned in the said Choice, as if he were present.  
That the Governor, or Deputy, or any seven of the Assistants, may have power as often as occasion shall require, to summon the generality together, to some convenient place within the City of London: And that they, or the major part, shall have power to make such By-laws and Regulations for the well-ordering the said respective Trades, and to repeal, and make void such former Rules by them made, as they, or the major part, shall find to conduce to the general Good, and to impose such Impositions on Goods imported and exported, for the Maintenance of the Government, not exceeding one twentieth part of the Customs as they now are, on all goods, except Wines; and on Wines, not exceeding one fortieth part of the Customs as they now are; As also to choose and appoint such Officer and Officers for the better execution of their Orders, as they shall find convenient.  
Provided, That no Rule of general Concernment shall pass for valid, till it hath been sent to such parts or places where there are six or more Members of that Society, to have their Votes of assent or descent; upon the return of which Votes, at the next Meeting the said Votes from the country being reckoned with their Voting in person, it shall be established by the major Vote, or laid aside. Provided also, that no Rule or By-law to be made as aforesaid, shall extend to the reducing any foreign trade (other then that to the East-Indies) into a Joint-stock, nor to limit any, for how much or how little they shall trade, nor at what price they shall buy or sell; but that every one may trade for as much or as little, and buy and sell his goods at such prices as he pleaseth.  
And that to all Rules so made, all the Members of the respective Associations in all Ports and places, shall be obliged to submit, and to such Payments and Penalties thereby appointed.  
That in any Port or Town Corporate, where there shall be a sufficient number of persons, Members of any of the said Associations, to constitute a Court according to the proportion appointed for the City of London, there they may choose Officers, and hold Courts, and for the well ordering the trade of that Port or place, according to the common Rules agreed on by the generality.  
That every Merchant qualified as aforesaid, shall be Admitted, and at his first Admission into any of the said Associations, shall pay Five pounds towards the raising of a Stock for carrying on the Government, and in default, shall be esteemed no Member thereof.  
That any other person, though not a Merchant bred, not being an Artificer or Retailer, or having left off his Handicraft and retailing Trade, shall be admitted for a Fine of Forty pounds, to any of the said Associations.  
That any person being a Member of any one of the said Associations, may at any time be admitted into any other, taking the usual Oath, and paying only Forty shillings for his Fine of Admittance.  
That all Apprentices whose Indentures be duly registered, and all Sons born to the Members of any the said Associations, after his Father was a Member, may be made Free without any Fine.  
That the Charters granted to the Merchant's Adventurers of England, to the Merchants trading to the Levant, to the East-land Merchants, to the Muscovia and Russia Merchants, and to the Merchants trading to the East-Indies, may be confirmed, with the Enjoyment of any further Privileges herein granted to the French, Spanish, Portugal, and Italian Merchants, they conforming to the Rules herein appointed for the Admission of Members, etc.  
That all persons, English and Strangers, passing Goods inwards or outwards, may give a Bill to the Officer of that Society, under whose cognizance the place is, and pay to him the Impositions set by that Society, and that the Officer certify under one Bill to the Collector, Customer, or other Officer for the Customs, whether he be a Member of of that Society, or not; and if he be not a Member of the said Society, he shall pay the Custom to His Majesty, that Aliens are appointed to pay.  
That no Officer pass any Entry without such Certificate, on the penalty of losing his or their places.  
That all, and any goods that shall be shipped to be transported, or any goods landed from Foreign parts, that have not first paid the Impositions set by that Society of Merchants, under whose cognizance the place is, to or from which the said goods are exported or imported, shall be forfeited ⅓ to the King's Majesty, ⅓ to the Officer, and the other third to the Society of Merchants.  
And that when any Seizure is made, or Information brought for the cause aforesaid, no Licence to compound may be granted to the Seizor or Informer, but only by and with the consent of the Governor, Deputy, and Assistants of that Society concerned, or the major part of them, whereof the Governor or his Deputy to be one.  
Provided, That this Association here desired, shall not prejudice a Charter granted to the Merchants of Exeter, trading to France, confirmed by Parliament in the fourth of King James; but that they may be at liberty to continue the same, or join in the Association, as they see cause.  
That the Statute made in the third Year of King James, Chap. 6. giving leave to all persons to trade into Spain, Portugal and France, may be Repealed.  
FINIS.