The Humble PETITION and CASE Of the Tobacco-Pipe-Makers Of the Cities of London and Westminster, In behalf of themselves, and the rest of their Brethren, through the Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales; As also the distressed Condition they must inevitably lie under, if the intended Imposition on Tobacco-Pipes be laid.  
First, THAT it evidently appears to the Eye of all Mankind, What a poor Manufacture it is, of which, many worthy Members of this Honourable House( if not all) cannot but be sensible.  
Secondly, That very few( or none) have Stock to carry on their Trade, without great Trust from their Clay-Merchants; And are obliged to pay for one Quantity of day, when they fetch another;( which when done, scarce leaves them Money enough to support their Families,) which renders them very uncapable of paying any Duty, but must have their Goods( if any) for the same.  
Thirdly, If the Imposition passes, That with the already Rise of Tobacco, will make the meaner sort of People forbear smoking Tobacco; By which, His Majesty will lose much more of his Revenue, than this Imposition will bring in.  
Fourthly, That all the poorer sort of the Trade, must be compelled to lay it down, for want of Stock or Credit to carry it on; and so their Wives and Children, who help to get their Bread, must of necessity perish, or become a Charge to their respective Parishes.  
Fifthly, That when a Gross of Pipes are made, they sell them for 1 s. 6 d. and 1 s. 10 d. out of which 2 d. or 3 d. is their greatest Profit: And they not already having Stock, or can make Pipes fast enough to maintain their Families, how much less can they be capable, when half the Stock they have, must be paid down to pay the King his Duty?  
Sixthly, It often happens, that for want of Money to buy Bread for their Families, a great many are forced to Sell their Goods at 3 d. or 4 d. per Gross less than the Prime Cost, to supply their immediate Necessities: Which if it be so with those of the Trade, in and about these Cities, how much harder must it be with those in the Country, who make not half so many Pipes.  
Seventhly, If this Imposition should pass, when the Kings Officers are paid, and expenses deducted, the Overplus will be so small a Revenue to the King, that it will be of no great Service; although the ruin of many Families, who now make a hard shift to live by their Trade.  
Gentlemen, These, with many other Reasons which might be offered, only that we will not trouble you too much, but humbly submit; and hope that we may be heard by our Counsel; and that you will take our most deplorable Condition into your serious Consideration: and let Ours, with our Wives and Childrens future Destruction, implore your tender Compassion; That this Imposition, nor any upon our Poor Manufacture, may be imposed:  
And your Petitioners( as in Duty bound) shall ever Pray, &c.