A DECLARATION OF Sundry Grievances concerning tin and Pewter, worthy the serious Consideration of the Honourable Houses of PARLIAMENT, in the behalf of the Pewterers, and People of the three kingdoms.  By I. S. A desirer of his country's freedoms. 
Humbly showeth,  
THAT tin the Native and royal commodity of this Nation, hath formerly set on work many thousand Families of English men in their own Land, who by the manufacture thereof have been enabled to support themselves, to the Honour of the Nation, the comfort of their Families, and useful to the public where they have lived; But of later years by reason of Oppression they are much decayed, and greatly impoverished, by which the whole Nation and kingdom is much dishonoured and abused; the working our Native Commodity almost wholly become the Trade of Strangers, as will clearly appear by the Particulars following. Viz.  
First, by the covetousness of a few particular men, who to make themselves rich though in the kingdom's ruin, have by indirect means procured Patents to themselves to have (like the Soape-men) the sole Trade in their own hands, and have hereby not only advanced the price near one half upon the Nation, but limiting and binding the Free People in the use, buying, working, and selling their Native Commodities; so as by these means they have been forced to leave their Calling o'er; else to follow them in other Countries, sometimes to their utter undoing, and kingdom's dishonour.  
Secondly, whereas former PARLIAMENTS have taken great Care that all liquid Measures should be made of Pewter, according to the ancient Standard of the kingdom, the dearness of the said Commodity enforced the poorer sort of People to buy whited Iron; a deceitful outlandish commodity, French jugs, Flanders Cans, &c. So by the poverty of some, but fraudulency of most, all sort of People are deceived in their Measure, especially the poor and Traveller in things of near concernment, as Ale, beer, Milk, oil, &c. Yea, the Strangers that live amongst us have great cause of complaint to the great dishonour of our Nation.  
Thirdly, although tin is at this great price, it is presumed, not in any City or town in England out of Cornwall is one block of tin to be bought for any Money; When in Amsterdam, Roan, Paris, Constanstinople, Legorn &c. there is very great quantity of English tin in the custody of English Merchants supposed Tinne-Patentees; so as those whose Livelihood hath depended upon the foresaid Commodity, have been forced to buy it in Holland or elsewhere, and it is at present sold in LONDON at 18 pence a pound, having never been sold at the Mines for above 3 l. per a hundred weight, little more than 6 d. a Pound, a sad thing to consider that a free People should be so abused in their own Native Commodities.  
Fourthly, Whereas in most part of the World English wrought pewter hath been in very great esteem, as many Merchants can testify, till now of late years, since they have been supplied and encouraged with tin unwrought in great abundance, and the Patentees having gotten a power did prohibit without their Licence the transportation of wrought Pewter: which Licence could not be attained for any part where their unwrought tin, sold; to the great discouragement of the Merchant, and the undoing the manufacture of this kingdom.  
Fifthly, foreign States having supply of tin, in their wisdom for the good of their own people; As Holland, part of France, and Flanders, &c. prohibited the bringing in of wrought Pewrer as formerly. Excepting for private use do set on work their own Nation, and supply many parts of the World with debased false mettle: bringing without control great quantities into Scotland and Ireland striking the kingdom's Rose and crown upon it. A known mark in foreign parts to testify the just goodness of Pewter, according to the laws of this Land. By means whereof, Our English Nation is greatly abused, and if not timely prevented, the manufacture will come to nothing.  
It is therefore humbly desired and conceived for the prevention of the forementioned evils, or worse for the future; The supporting of many thousand Families whose livelihoods depend upon the manufacture of the aforesaid Commodity, The maintaining the Ancient esteem of English Pewter, which is made to a perfect Standard of goodness, and the Honour of the Nation; These few things amongst many other may prove very worthy the serious Consideration of the Honourable House of PARLIAMENT, Of whose Care for the freedom and good of the commonwealth, The Experience of this Age (to their praise) will tell Posterity.  
1. That Provision may be made that the kingdom of England be furnished with tin as formerly, and that any English man may be free to trade in the said Commodity from the Mines in Cornwall etc: to any part of this kingdom.  
2. That all tin may be wrought into Pewter, or cast into bars before it be transported, which will be a good means to uphold the manufacture, and to keep the Tinner from falsifying it: which otherwise may easily be done, and hath been much used, as may be clearly proved by many returns of false Mettle from beyond the Sea, and Experience at home.  
3. For the benefit of the State at least 20 shillings in every hundred weight may be paid by way of custom; Kings Revenue or otherwise upon tin transported unwrought more than wrought Pewter.  
4. That wrought Pewter may be prohibited from being brought into any part of the three kingdoms from beyond the Sea.  
5. That Excise upon tin may be paid by the first buyer, from the Tinner in Cornwall etc: which may be done with ease by one Office to prevent Many. So the Commodity will come alike to all men.  
Lastly, It is desired after so many years bondage, and for almost five years, this Commodity hath been kept out of the PARLIAMENTS Power by the Enemy, but now at last by the Blessing of God, and vigilancy of our armies, both the tin and the greatest part of the west country is under their Command, and having for a long time waited, do not know but this may be the blessed Opportunity that the Honourable PARLIAMENT in their grand wisdom will think upon some way of redress in this Particular for the Honour and Credit of our Nation, the weal, and Comfort of all Sorts of People, from the greatest to the least, that they being delivered from those taskmasters the Patentees, may be free men to get their bread, by the working of their Native Commodity, and have measure according to laws provided in that behalf. For the effecting whereof, the people's eyes are upon Your Honours, for whom they are in Duty bound to pray, &c.   

LONDON Printed for JOHN SWEETING at the angel in Popes-head Alley. 1646