A BRIEF ADVERTISEMENT TO THE MERCHANT AND CLOTHIER About the present state of the Woollen Manufactures of this NATION: By William Garter.  
To which is added an Abstract of a late Impression of England's Interest by Trade.  
LONDON. Printed, for the author. 1672.   

A Brief Advertisement to the Merchant and Clothiers, &c.  
GENTLEMEN,  
I Had an intention, the beginning of the last Summer,( before a long and chargeable fit of sickness befell me, for near three Moneths,) to inform you in what state that affair about exportation of Wool, then stood; in which the Life and Death of your Trade, and the subsistence of many Thousand Families that depend on that Manufacture, consists.  
Give me leave,( by some of the many instances I could give,) to demonstrate, that, my Labour, in this affair, hath not been fruitless altogether.  
I have now been four years engaged in this Service, and how I have been forced, as well upon travels, as Watchings both at Sea and on shore, I presume is well known to many of you.  
And what expense I have been at, in that time, both for servants and horses, and in my attendance at Court, and on the Parliament, gratuities to Sea-men, and parties of horse, and for the holding, and man●●●ng correspondencies in Ireland, Flanders, &c. you cannot but in some measure be able to apprehended.  
And that it must be the greater, in that I have not spent six daies, in twelve Moneths, at my own habitation, with my Friends: either to abate expenses, or to look after any private business of my own.  
What damage I have sustained, by losing my Trade in pursuance of this affair, is well know( at least) to some: for,  
When first I undertook this Affair, I intended to spend only one month, or thereabout, in attendance on the Parliament for a new Act, which held me near six Moneths; and at the Adjournment of the Parliament, I returned to my calling it being kept on foot for me, during the time of my attendance on the Parliament.  
But those that knew my Trade at that time, know right well what opportunities of advantage I let slip.  
Therefore it must be a great mistake in some, that think I took up this affair, as though I had nothing else to do.  
For I was importuned by several Merchants and Others, soon after the Adjournment of the Parliament, to address myself unto his majesty in Council, for a Party of Horse, to be in Rumny Marsh in Kent, where the greatest part of the Wool is shipped from England; and some Friggats for preventing the said mischief; which through his Majesties favour and encouragement, I did obtain.  
Upon the promise of those Merchants, to re-imburse my charge, I proceeded; and the rather, seeing it was judged by most, that there was as much, if not more, need of the due exceution of those Laws that are in force, than there was for making any new Act, as was inserted in a Report from the council for Trade, the second of April 1669, to his Majesty, in pursuance of several Proposals, that his Majesty had referred to them, upon my Petition to Him, and the Council.  
The Sum whereof followeth.  
Whereas in pursuance of an Order of this Board, of the twentieth of November last, referring to the Council for Trade, the proposals of William Carter, for preventing the exportation of Wool, and conveying thereof beyond the Seas; the said Council have returned their report to the Board, that, having discoursed with the said William Carter, and such other Persons, as they thought capable of giving them any good information, touching this matter, they find the exportation of Wool, is of destructive consequence to the Trade of this Kingdom, and that the same hath grown into practise, as well by reason of the doubtfulness, of some expressions, and provisions in the Statute made in the twelfth Year of his Majesties Reign, prohibiting the exportation of Wool; as by the neglect and remissness of Officers, in not putting the Laws in due execution.  
And had those Merchants and Others, performed their promise, as some few did, I had done much more than I have,( though I have left nothing undone, that I was capable to perform, or do, considering how little assistance I had from others) and indeed, my endeavours in this business, hath had so good success, as to the prevnting many Thousand packs of Wool from exportation, that the effect evidenced itself( at that time obvious to many Merchants, from their correspondents beyond Sea,) in the price of Wool suddenly, both in the fall here, and rise beyond Sea.  
But should it now hereafter, for want of encouragement and attendance miscarry,( as you will see in an instant) how much it will wound Englands trade to the heart, I need not tell you. For, such is the gain and encouragement, for the transporting of this commodity, that if any employed, or entrusted in this affair, will be bribed, they need not make complaint for want of Money, I do assure you: and if I for my integrity must fall,( and be forced to quit this service,) after all this four years labour and travail, It will be no encouragement to any other Person, to engage a-fresh therein.  
Give me leave to add, that it was no small grief to me, during my sickness, to hear of the many hundred packs of Wool that were exported,( both from England and Ireland,) more then had been at other times, which you will easily see in the ensuing Petition& Letter; and my trouble was so much the more for as much as the King had given Order, a little before, that a Vessel purposely hired, because of Her swiftness, should attend that affair, and though I had made provision( by correspondents) for intelligence to prevent that mischief, yet I had not Money to pay Servants, nor to encourage my correspondents, nor that I could find any willing or able to pursue the said business, either because of the hazard or pains, or expensiveness thereof. The effect of which about Michaelmas last, occasioned this following Petition.  

To the Kings most excellent Majesty.  
The Humble Petition of several Merchants.  
Sheweth,  
THat although many severe Laws, have been made against the Transportation of Wool; yet nevertheless, many evil-disposed Persons, do frequently Ship-off great quantities thereof, to the great decay of the Cloathing-Trade of this kingdom, and to the undoing of many thousand Families, who lived comfortably thereupon: and being through an ill custom, sold in foreign parts, as cheap as in many places of this Kingdom; by means whereof, the Woollen Manufacture of this Nation, finds but small vend abroad, and daily decreaseth in price; so that neither the Clothier, nor Merchant, have any encouragement, in making, or transporting the same; together with such great duties imposed by the French King, and Others; as in effect amounts to an absolute prohibition,( and that on purpose to encourage the Manufacture of their own Country.) Which if by some effectual means, be not speedily prevented, must in a short time, wholly destroy the great Manufacture, and Staple trade of this your Majesties Kingdom, and consequently to the decreasing of your Majesties Revenues, of the Custom above Sixty Thousand pounds yearly; and that more particularly of late dayes, greater quantity of Wool, hath been transported then formerly, by reason, as is doubted, of the connivance of some Officers, and easily compounding with the transporters when discovered, which gives great encouragement to those Persons, to continue in this most destructive course.  
Your Petitioners most humbly pray, that your majesty, would be pleased to issue out your Royal Proclamation, commanding all Officers and Others, to put the Laws in execution, that so all may take notice thereof: there being many poor people employed in shipping off the Wool, who pretend ignorance, and know not the Penalty of the Law: and that no compounding be made with any, but the Laws may be severely put in execution, against all Persons that be found guilty.   
Suddenly after, this following Letter came to me from Flanders, March 5th. 1671.  

SIR,  
I Received yours of the 17/ 27 February, under Covert from, &c. about the Wool affair. I have much reason to believe, unless some are made examples, there will be continual abuse; the Commodity, both English and Irish, Raw and combed, abound so much in these Countries, as at present it's worth nothing; that is to say, there is apparent loss by it. I myself have at this time, several gabs of Irish Wool: which I amproffered but six Stivers the pound, by which you may judge of the quantity in the Country: I took this Wool in Truck, from an Irish Merchant, and gave him eight and half stiver, per pound for it; thinking to have made a good bargain, and it was worth little less when I first had, and by the abundance since here, and in other parts arrived, it's fallen as you see, two Stivers per pound; at which price I will not sell it. Yet the necessity both for Raw, and combed Wool, is so great; and without which, these People cannot make abundance of fabrics: as for that which is worth now but 6 or 7, they would be content to give 15, rather than want; and for the combed Wool, most of which comes from Dover, and Canterbury Transporters; Callis, Deep, St. Vallerys, Abbieville, Amiens, Dunkirk, Ostend, Bridges, Zealand, Rotterdam, and Ghent: All over these Provinces, every place is choked with it.  
There is a city not 5 Leagues from this, called Tourney, a place renowned, for the making all sorts of stockings of Wool; it's not above twenty years ago, that they betook themselves, to make the Worsted hose; a trade which in my Minority, was considerable from London, into these Countries, and now you may have a parcel of English Worsted hose twenty years by you, and it's a question, if ever you sell them for the price they cost; and probably you may lose 20 per Cent. by them.  
It's not above three years ago, that there was a scarcity of Combed Wool here in this quarter of the Country, and several of those stocking-Merchants, came running hither to me, to buy some; I  told them, that such severity was then used in England, as people were mad to adventure. This want lasted not above three weeks, but it put the People of Tourney, on a resolution to draw up a request to Monsieur Colbert, that he would make a defence of all English Manufacture; since they in England, had put a stop to the exportation of their Wool, to the great prejudice of the Manufacture of their city: after which, these of this Town, joined with them, and so came a stop to the trade, which we enjoyed for some time. So that you can easily see how insensibly those Dover and Canterbury transporters, draw the Kingdoms hearts-blood from them: I could add much more of the great benefit our Neighbours receive by it, which proves to an absolute ruin. But I guess you can as easily comprehend my meaning as if I had further enlarged.  
In a word, France rejects our fabrics at this day, presuming that they shall never want our Wool, to make their own fantastic fabrics, which are so variable, as puts a great stop to the Currant Demand, that used to be of our more solid fabrics. For they will pretend, to give the Mode to all the World; and so by this means, in time, all the World, will be disgusted with our fabrics, when by consequence, they shall receive the Mode from the French. Consider of this I pray, that so there may be some speedy remedy.   
Now, sirs, how both these do answer, to what was said before, that unless this business be continually attended, by some Person, that will be faithful; there will be an inevitable ruin of the clothing Trade, you will easily see.  
Give me leave further to inform you, what great sense his majesty himself hath also of this Affair; who hath been pleased to evidence it, both by his Care and Charge, in not only commanding his Troops, but several Frigates to attend upon every occasion, beside his hireing a Vessel: but hath spent many dayes in Council about it; and in declaring his resolution, strictly to execute all the Laws against Transporters of Wool, and to further all Rational proposals, that can be further made; and did order( upon reading the fore-mentioned Petition of the Merchants,) for his Royal Proclamation, to be issued out about this matter.  
Now for a conclusion, Gentlemen: If this service be acceptable, and that it be carried on, you cannot imagine, it can be done without supplies. For, you cannot expect the King should take the charge of it wholly upon himself; of which, the profit will mostly return to his Subjects. Nor that I should, if I were able, bear it myself, though indeed I have beyond what my condition could well permit me to do; and it's very plain, what hath been the consequence of my being discouraged, and taken( off wholly) but three Moneths from this Affair.  
Sirs, I hope you will believe, and its but Rational, so to do; if I have spent so much of my time, and strength, mostly upon my own charge, with those hazards I have been exposed to, these four years, in this affair, with that little encouragement I have received: that if encouraged but with necessary supplies, so that I might not be taken off my pursuit, that I might do much more than I have, and the rather, because every thing is more easier than it was at first, having discovered so many Persons, and their ways, and several in custody, in order to their trial, some Convict: its Rational, at least to suppose the way fair, to put a stop, to this most destructive course.  
Since the penning these fore-going lines, I have some reason to fear, that I shall not be able to deliver myself from the slanders of some, who will be apt to fasten upon me, That I abuse you with pretences, and words only; unless I give some Instances in point of fact, in which I shall give you, a brief account only of three or four late things, forbearing any repetition of what I have formerly done.  
About the beginning of August last, a Vessel was taken near Gravesend, with 22 gabs of Wool, and the Master and his Man was committed to Newgate, by order of his Majesty in Council; and at the following Session at the Old bailie, no Person being bound to prosecute, they were to be discharged: upon which,( though I was not recovered,) I did immediately make application to the King in Council, whence they was committed; and an Order was forthwith conceived,& directed to the Recorder of London, for their re-commitment until further Order, it being not then known, where they should be tried, being taken in the River.  
But the thirteenth of December, after a long debate before the King and Council, several Judges being present, The Order was as followeth, ( viz.) Whitehall the 13th of December.  
It is this day ordered by his Majesty in Council, that the Recorder of the city of London do, and is hereby required by the best ways he can; speedily to discover and find out in what County, that part of the River of Thames lieth, wherein Edward Nichols, and Thomas hus, now Prisoners in New-gate, were apprehended for transporting of Wool, contrary to Law: and that he report the same, to the Lord Chief Justice of his Majesties Court of Kings Bench; to the end, his Lordship, may give Order for removal of the said Prisoners, to the Goal of the said County, where it shall appear they were taken, in order to the trial of them, for their Lives, at the next Assizes, to be holden for that County: which, to prevent the fear of a discharge, I took it upon me for the Recorder, though not without much trouble; and it was found, They were taken in Essex side, where I had no less trouble, to get the Witnesses to the Assizes at Chelmsford; sending my Servant several times on purpose to Gravesend; but at the Assizes, they were indicted, and the Bill found by the grand Inquest; and the petty Jury, and Witnesses sworn; and upon their trial it did appear, that they, when the Wool was seized in the River, the Persons were not apprehended until two dayes after, which occasioned a stop in Court, and the Statutes examined, and the trial adjourned until the next day, that the judge might be well satisfied, before the trial came on. In the Evening, I thought it my duty to attend at the Judges Chamber: so both the Judges came together, with the clerk of the Assizes, and the Winesses brought also; and after some time, it was jointly agreed on by both Judges, to have them tried at the Assizes in Kent, the next week, so the Witnesses was bound over to appear at Maidstone, where also I went, and on Wednesday the 13 of March, they received their trial, the Master, ( viz) Edward Nichols was cast, and found guilty of Felony: but his man Thomas hus was quit, upon the Allegations of the Master, that his man was not aboard when the Wool was taken aboard, and did not know of it.  
There was at the Session held near the same time at the Old bailie, another Person convict of Felony for the like offence, being also taken in the fact, shipping of combed Wool, in Hogges-heads, and both these Persons are to be disposed,( being coninued in Prison,) according to his Majesties pleasure; who hath declared his Resolution, to make some severe examples: there being since more discovered, as you will now see.  
About October last, I was in Kent, on the Sea-Coast, and by search, found two Vessels in Hyth Haven, appointed to carry away Wool; one of which, had done little else a long time; and the other was newly built, by a Person that had carried over much Wool before: being well satisfied of these things, being also informed of the intention: for shipping the Wool, at a certain place and time; which did occasion me to get some men, to attend at the time and places; but the Persons concerned, having also their Spies, did not attempt the shipping, whilst I was in the Country; but when I was forced upon occasion to London, I did acquaint the two principal Officers in the County, of the design; one of them which did personally attend that, I had long experience of his honesty: and on the fourteenth of November, the said Officer did find and seize twelve packs of the Wool, intended to be transported that very night; and found one of the men, that was to go with the Wool, a bed in the house, half a mile from the Sea, and as he was carrying the twelve packs to Hyth, being eight miles from the house, where the Wool was ledged, and being late, not being able to go through with it, as you will see by and by, eight packs of the twelve, were violently taken away, and afterwards transported, and the Transporters agreeing together, did afterward sue the said Officer, in several Courts, for that Wool, on purpose to undo him: Upon which I assisted him in the following Petition.  

To the Kings most excellent Majesty.  
The Humble Petition of John Johnson, Collector of his Majesties Custom-house in Hyth.  
Sheweth,  
THat your Petitioner on the fourteenth of November last, seized twelve packs of Wool, lodged at the house of one Nicholas Davis, near new-Rumney in Kent, half a mile from the Sea, with an intent to be transported; a Boat and Men being hired for that purpose, as appears by Affidavit; That your Petitioner being possessed of the said Wool, left an Officer with it, whilst he could get carriage, and applied himself to the Mayor of Rumney for assistance: who being a Favourite to the Transporters, utterly refused it; and at the return of your Petitioner to Davis his house, he found the said Officer, shut out by the said Davis: your Petitioner demanding entrance with a Civil Officer, was opposed by the said Davis, who presented a Gun out of the window at your Petitioner, and the rest with him; often threatening to fire at them. But notwithstanding, at length your Petitioner did carry away the Wool, but not having Assistance, was forced to lodge the Wool at the Civil Officers house, some miles short of your Majesties storehouse, where in the dark of the Night, or Morning, came twenty Persons or more, Armed, and Disguised; and broken down the Windows, and part of the Wall of the said Officers House, Fired often into the House, wounded one of us, being but four, in securing the door, by their constant thrusting in their long pike staves, and shooting; whilst, by force, they carried away eight packs of the said Wool; all which more largely appeareth by several Affidavit's.   
Upon reading which Petition, the aforesaid Davis, with several others, to the number of fourteen, that were discovered, were sent for; and the said Davis is in the Gate-house, and most of the rest bound over to the next Assizes in Kent.  
But note, by the way; that this Officer, by the means of his Travels, and the several Actions laid on him, cannot but be out of Purse near Twenty Pound, besides his Moiety of the four packs of Wool, he did retain.  
Gentlemen, These instances are not of small import. The whole Affairs, and that the agitations about them: call for no small attendance and travail; nor is it without its own charges, accompanying for dispatches.  
I have also given Declarations to two Persons, for transporting above three Hundred packs of Wool, and had prepared trials with them; but was forced to forbear two or three Terms, for want of Assistance to prosecute them; for such Potent Persons, are not easily run down: if they, and their Confederates know once with whom they have to do,( if they will not be bribed), and that Money is wanting to prosecute, they can find ways by Friends, and Money, to make Suits delatory and chargeable; besides an other mischief, of taking off Witnesses: Of which, you will see a Demonstration afterwards.  
At Easter or Trinity Term 1669, one Mr. John Morten prosecutes Mark Gabree in the Exchequer, for transporting of Wool. The said Gabree removes it into Surry, where Mr. Morten brings it to trial, midsummer Assizes following, and subpena'es one Thomas Petley, who had been Gabrees wool-coomber: Moretn obtains a Verdict against the said Gabree; but so it was ordered, that whereas the forfeiture was three Shillings per pound, he had but twelve pence: and being but a small parcel, he lost by it.  
At Michaelmas, following the trial aforesaid, Gabree arrests Petley, by a Writ of the Crown Office for Perjury, out of revenge; and to endo him, being but a poor man, and make him uncapable of being Witness any more; and to deter others.  
At Midsummer Assizes 1670, Gabree pretends to come to trial: but when he saw Petley appear, and had his Witnesses for his defence, he let it fall that Assize.  
Since Michaelmas, Seventy one, Petley is again arrested as aforesaid.  
But I have now presented his Case to his Majesty, else he would have been utterly ruined; and now the said Gabree is in Custody, being owner of the Wool, taken at Gravesend, as aforesaid.  
To what I have now said, I shall add only an Abstract, and that also, chiefly of matters of fact formerly Printed, and of some of those things of Moment,( to this affair) that these two or three last Years have occasioned.  

An Abstract of Letters from Flanders; the first, dated the sixteenth of March, 1669.  
WE have here a miserable tax lately come forth, that taxeth Serges at 24 Florence per cent. The misery is the great quantities, of Wool, that is imported in these Countries, which makes them audacious, and at the Customhouse they will tell you down right, that the Woollen Manufactures of England are altogether unnecessary in the French Kings Dominions, because they say they can make it as good or better themselves: but if they had not our Wool, they would not say so: Thus, we English have our throats cut, with our own weapons; So, in time, Strangers will not care two pence for our English Manufactures.   

Another Letter, dated, the Twenty sixth of April 1670.  
THe French are now got into a way of making a low-price sort of Cloath, called Serge de Berry, which comes as cheap as Northern cloath: it is about five quarters broad, they have so much, in which they have clothed a great number of their Soldiers; and now the King hath lately made an Order, to enjoin the Fabrickers, to make it of the same breadth, as our Enlish Broad-cloath: so our low-price cloath, is like to come to nothing; and all, made of English wool.   
And if it be duly considered:  
FEw Princes have such means to support their Splendour and Greatness, as his Majesty of Great britain, nor have many Countries such a variety of Staple Commodities within themselves, and in such abundance, as these kingdoms.  
So that if these Advantages were duly improved, this Kingdom might be a general Mart, for these parts of the World: But,  
That those Advantages are not improved, is obvious to all that look into it, by the sore complaints that are frequently made of the great Poverty and decay thereof; and indeed,( which is worst of all) by that general desperation of Spirit, which will not put forth a hand to help, support or prevent the total desolation of our Country, upon a prepossessed opinion, that all endeavours will be rendered fruitless and abortive.  
The consideration whereof hath greatly prompted me, who must confess myself the meanest of Thousands, to use the utmost of my little skill, to try what might be done, towards the management of some Methods, that may prevent the threatened ruin; and( if possible) that some good part of what is lost, may be recovered.  
I shall confine myself to those things only, whereof I have had not only credible information, but a considerable( though a sad) experimental knowledge; and in a more particular and especial manner, that of the Manufacture of Wool in England, which, amongst many, is the richest Treasure in his Majesties Dominions; the Flower, Strength and Sinew of this Nation, and therefore of full Merit, to be had in perpetual remembrance, defence and encouragement, for the most advantageous improvement thereof.  
The Dukes of Burgundy,( who had, as I am informed, the greatest, if not the whole Manufacturing of our Wool,) well understood, and long enjoyed; before King Edward the Third, the benefits accrueing to that People by English Wool, which they receiving at six per pound, by their industrious Manufacturing thereof; returned again to us in Cloath, at ten shillings per yard, to the enriching of that People, and advancing the Revenue of their sovereign; which being perceived, by the vigilant and industrious Prince, King Edward the Third, upon a visitation made by himself, to the Duke of Burgundy, during his residence there, he employed such able Agents, amongst the Flemish Clothiers, as( barely upon his own promises) he prevailed with a great numbers of them to come into England soon after him, where He most Royally performed those promises; and also replanted many of his own Subjects, who had been long settled in Flanders.  
And as a suitable improvement of so great a mercy, did wisely project, and also accomplish the Manufacture of Wool, within the bowels of this Kingdom, to the great enriching of his own People, and also to the peopleing of his new-Conquered Dominions: the Memory of whose wisdom and Care for his People, is worthy to be had in remembrance, by English men, unto the Worlds end.  
The said King having thus settled the Manufacture of Wools, within the Kingdom of England, confined it by a penal Statute, which( at first) reached not only to Goods and Chattels, and Lands, but also to Members, and Life itself; but, in a short time repealed; the two latter thereof continuing, the other in its full force, to remain to future Generations, which exceeding great advantage, to the propriety of the English Trade, hath now continued three Hundred Years, by the vigilancy of the government, and the Protection of its Laws in the careful execution thereof upon offenders, with more then a little diligence, to provide against the thirsting desires of foreigners, to wrest this Nations privilege out of English hands; which by the Providence of God, through the care of our Ancestors, has been( for many ages) enjoyed by the Nation, as it is indeed its proper right.  
But so it is,( for some years past) the diligence of foreigners, to enrich themselves upon us, hath so far exceeded our care to preserve ourselves, that it s come to, if not beyond a question, who have the greatest benefit of the Manufacture of English Wool? they who have no right unto it? or, they to whom of right it doth belong?  
That this is so, will appear by considering, that not only Holland and Flanders, have long sucked the sweetness of our Trade, but France is likewise learning to be too hard for us, as is manifest by the great quantity of Wool, that( of late years) have been imported there; how injurious it must be to us, is also unquestionable, if we consider the necessary consequences thereof.  
For every pack of Wool sent to France, doth prevent us( not only) of the benefit, of the Manufacture thereof; But, of much more, by reason of the advantage that they make of their own course Wool, and fine-spun linen in their Drugets and Stuffs.  
Now if we consider, what damage we sustain, by exporting one pack of Wool unmanufactured,( by which we judge of the rest,) that a pack of Wool worth ten pound, if it be Manufactured here, and so exported, would be improved to be worth one Hundred Pounds.  
That it is so, doth most evidently appear by Worsted-hose, that one pound of combed Wool, worth twenty pence, will make two pair of Hose worth five shillings the pair; or three pair, worth three shillings four pence; which reckoned either way, is ten shillings for one pound of Wool,( though some is less, some is more,) there being twelvescore pound of Wool in a pack, is so many ten shillings, makes a Hundred and Twenty Pound.  
Let it be remembered, that when those goods are disposed of beyond Sea, and Commodities imported hear in lieu thereof ●; 'tis ten to one, if the first Hundred Pound be not doubled; for considering the Custom of it, when exported, and the product imported with the freight, the Merchant would be but a small gainer otherwise.  
If it be so, that the exportation of one Pack of English Wool be 200 l. damage to the King and Kingdom; what will be the loss of exporting 10000, or rather 20000 packs yearly? Persons concerned in these affairs, can soon make a judgement; and although this evil may seem strange to some, yet be assured its manifest to many: especially to such as have given themselves the trouble to inquire thereinto.  
That not only this, but further inconveniences must by this means grow upon us.  
First, expose our Woollen Manufactures to a great hazard in France.  
2ly. In time it may capacitate the French to undersel our Merchants in foreign Parts.  
3ly. Not only the Merchants, but the Clothiers are also concerned, as depending on the Merchant.  
4ly. That if the Merchant and Clothier be disabled; then many thousand Families that depend on them, are like to be exposed to desperate straights for a subsistence. If so,  
5ly. Then the Farmer and Grazier, as depending on the rest, will not be excluded.  
6ly. To ascend to the Gentry, their dependents being likewise upon their tenants Rents, the consequences are manifest, how much this one mischief will tend to the public detriment of all sorts of Persons.  
For if it be so, that there are such complaints, by part of our Trade being lost: what will it be when this mischief comes more to increase as it will, if private Persons, out of a hope of a present profit, shall be suffered thus to go on?  
For if there were at first a great wisdom by King Edward, to bring home the art of Manufacturing the Wool, and settling of it here, there must be then much Treachery and Injury in exporting the Wool now unmanufactured; especially when by this means so many thousand poor people shall want employment.  
To instance one Town of my Acquaintance, that in the late Sickness and Dutch War, when Trade was but for some time obstructed, I was credibly informed by one of the chiefest thereof, that the rate for the Poor, came to 800 l. a year, and the Land itself belonging to the said Town, not judged worth above 1000 l. per annum.  
Give me leave to insert further, the Observations, and Collections of Sr. Walter Rawly, to King James, who tells that in his time; That there was above fourscore thousand undres'd, and undyed clothes Yearly transported, whereby it was evident, that the Kingdom has been yearly deprived of about 400000 l. which in 55 years is twenty two Millions; that would have been gained by the labour of poor workmen in the time, with the Merchants gain for bringing in dying Stuffs, and returns of clothes, dressed and dyed, with other benefits to the Realm, besides exceeding enlarging of traffic, and increase of Ships and Mariners.  
That the customs would have been increased, near three Millions for returns of clothes dressed and dyed, with the dying stufs used for the same. And further saith, that there had also been transported in that time yearly by bays, Northern and Devonshire Kerseys white, above 50000 clothes, counting three Kerseys to a Cleath, whereby there was lost above five Millions, by those sorts of clothes; in that time which would have come to poor Workmen, for their Labour, with customs, for dying stuffs, and the Peoples profit, for bringing them in with their returns, of other Commodities. He also tells us, that bays being transported white into Amsterdam, and being there dyed and dressed, where shipped into Spain, Portugal, and other kingdoms, where they were sold in the Name of Flemish bays, setting their own Town Seals upon them; so that we did lose the very name of our home-bred Commodities, and other Countries got the reputation and credit thereof; concluding how lamentable it was, that this Land should be deprived of so many abovementioned. Millions, as that our Native Commodities of Cloath, ordained of God, for the natural Subjects; being so Royal and Rich in itself, should be driven to so small advantage of reputation, and profit to his Majesty and People: and so much improved and intercepted by Strangers; considering that God hath enabled and given his Majesty power to redress it, if it were minded. He adds,  
That if the account were truly known, it would be found, that the English Merchants, make not clear profit by Cloath rough, undressed and undyed, sixty thousand pounds a year, and that it is most apparent, for lack of dressing and dying, and not bringing in of dying stuffs, spending of alum, the Nation is hindered yearly, near a Million of pounds: so that the Trade was driven to the great hindrance of his Majesty and People, by permitting the Native Commodities to pass rough, undressed, and undyed.  
Now if it was thus with England so long ago,( a true account being taken,) when the Wool was so much improved, as to be made into Cloath, that only for want of dressing and dying, so much damage was to this Kingdom: its but rational to conclude, it must be far greater loss to have the Wool as before-mentioned, transported without any improvement.  
And as I have been credibly informed, whither upon Sr. Walter Rawleighs observation, or otherwise: there was a stop put upon the exportation of Cloath undressed, and undyed; but the Dutch having found so much advantage by it, having so long enjoyed it; upon our stop of that, the Hollanders put the like upon all other our Manufactures fully wrought; so that there came a stop to all Commerce: by which means we were forced to suffer the Cloath to go as before, and so it hath continued ever since: and why was it so? but because it was suffered so long; and have we not cause to fear the like then in our Wool, of which you saw something before?  
These things considered, I am the more earnest, not only because this hath cost me some years Labour and toil: But, because its hard, not only to common People of the meanest capacity, but some of the wiser sort, how to cure this dismal Malady; which some despairing of, have rather thought of some other things in Lieu of this, as a better improvement of the product of our Plantations. But it will be, that all Trades in England independent from this of clothing, bring nothing competently of the advantage that it doth; since its not rational to believe the effect, to be greater then the cause: for the most of other Manufactures in being, are by the means, or is the product of our Woollen Manufacture.  
Now having given some brief account, of the exporting of Wool, and of its consequences; give me leave to insert the Methods of this mischief, and the cause of its continuance.  
The Method how: First, In Kent, both rough and combed Wool is carried by force of Arms at night, and shipped off at any place, according as the Wind serves, with 10.15. sometimes 20 Men well armed and disguised.  
2ly. For combed Wool from London, its most shipped off as Bales of Cloath.  
3ly. Some is shipped under pretence to the Isles of Jersey, and Garnsey.  
4ly. From Ireland, is most pretended for England,( viz.) for London, or some other outward Southern Port, and not taking solvent Security.   

The Causes of its Continuance is.  
FIrst, its the interest of those Persons generally concerned, to look after it, not wholly to destroy it; because then a great profit that now is received, would be lost: and Interest will not lie.  
2ly. That no particular Person is concerned to look after it: and that which is every ones business, is no bodies.  
3ly. The discouragements of those that are willing to use their utmost diligence, to prevent that mischief, as such Persons meet with, viz.  
Mr. Smith, Now to show you more particularly, these abuses how the Laws are crossed, and daily obstructed, to such as endeavour to serve their Country.  
First, in the custom House, where bonds are taken for the security of wool, they are very remiss and careless, in seeing the Seamens discharge of their obligatory conditions; where also it is usual with the Seamen to bring fraudulent Certificates. Or if there be a regular return of Bonds, yet there is commonly a fraudulency in giving them: For the Masters of Ships will so contrive their design, as he that is Master at giving the Bonds, and is legally bound shall immediately pass his interest to another man, who taking charge of the Vessel and Voyage is notwithstanding not engaged in the Port-Bond; and therefore neither is he accountable for breach of their conditions. Again, when the Port-Bonds are justly taken, and as justly returned, get to prevent the true and real detection of the Offender, and to dishearten the Legal prosecutor, some friends of the Offender will clap an information against him, purposely to hinder and divert others;& soon after will let the prosecution fall at his pleasure; nay it hath been said, and peradventure not unjustly, that such preventing informations have been antedatedd to the overthrow of the real information; but when all is granted, and a full and formal hearing, and decree passed to the just condemnation of the Offender, yet when judgments and inquiries are granted, and do without error of the clerks,( which is not always) in power, the sheriffs, and their Baylifs, to see execution thereof made; its familiar with the Officers to return a non est inventus, or a mortus est, even then when the Offender and the Officers have been seen drinking together, at the very time when the Writ should have been executed.  
After all this, one step further, will show how Charity itself abuseth Justice; for let all the former proceedings be granted, and be candid, and clear, and that the law be indeed justly and legally executed, the Offender in Custody, and nothing remaining, but that he satisfy the Law, nevertheless, upon a lamentable Petition, and urging a great charge of children, the Offender is usually admitted to compound for ten in the Hundred, or less; when by his offence he hath gained a hundred for ten, or more, peradventure hath undone a hundred Families, or more in so doing: yet all this while the conscientious prosecutor, who ought to have the full benefit and advantage of the Law, gratis, it being enough that he spends his time for the promoting of the public wealth, after it hath cost him several great sums of Money, and large expense of time, to bring the Offender to trial, and conviction, is dismissed, with little or no satisfaction, unless he be rewarded with the brand of an informing Knave.  
And in general, such affronts, and discouragements, as the dearest lover of his Country, or most interested in Trade, dares not attempt to prevent the mischief, which his eyes behold to fall upon the Nation; or which his own Person feels to pick his pocket: Surely, they who made these Laws for the benefit of themselves, and their Country, did intend a more current and just passage toward them; then thus to be obstructed and baffled. And hence many have bid the World farewell, and moved them to withdraw themselves into Deserts and solitary aboades, as not being able to behold with their eyes that which did breed, and being so much disquiet to their minds, whose intentions were wholly bent to that which was really good and honest.  
Notwithstanding this, I would willingly hope otherwise, and would encourage myself therein.  
And though we are in many places declined in our Trade, y●● it doth not therefore follow, that we are left without all hopes of recovery, as some are apt to conclude, seeing our Trade is yet in being, and not so hard and difficult, as wholly to begin one, as when there was no footsteps for it, as in the said King Edward his time.   
FINIS.