REASONS for encouraging the Throwing of Silk in this Kingdom, and Discouraging the Importation of Foreign Thrown Silk hither, especially Over-Land.  
First, FOrasmuch as the Throwing of Silk employs many Thousands of Poor, the greatest numbers of which are, The Wives, Widows, and Children of Seamen.  
Secondly, For that it occasions the Consumption of the greatest quantities of our Woollen Manufacture, in which many Thousand of Poor are employed, That Silk being always brought Raw that comes from turkey,( whither our Cloth is sent) and is of no use unthrown.  
Thirdly, if Foreign Thrown Silk be encouraged to be Imported( especially over Land) in all probability it will be the ruin of the Throwing Trade,( as has been experienced:) And also of all those that depend thereon, as was evident by the Out-Cries of Multitudes all over the City, when it was suffered, even to the Doors of the Honourable House of Commons before the late Act past for discouraging of it.  
Fourthly, For that it will of necessity greatly hinder the Exportation of Cloth, or bring it to a very Low Price, as it did before the late Act past, to the damage of the Nation in general, as well as the Impoverishment of those employed in the Manufacturing thereof.  
Fifthly, If it be objected that nothing is desired but what we do not Throw, and that if the Weavers have it not as cheap here, as it is had in Holland and France, they shall suffer greatly; and the Lustring and Alamode Manufacture be in danger of being lost, Foreign Wove Silk being Imported hither cheaper than they can bring it to Market.  
To which is Answered,  
† That there is considerable Quantities on the way by Sea coming hither.  
* And that there is no Silk, but in a little time, there is reason to believe may be Thrown here.  
† If any be suffered to be brought Over-Land, so much may be brought under the Umbrage and Denomination thereof, and so Cheap, that the Weavers may have little, or no occasion for turkey Silk Thrown, Counterfeit Italian Silk( which will serve for almost all purposes) being so like what they desire, that it is rather bought upon Reputation, than judgement, and consequently will come in, if the other does.  
* All which considered as it was by King, Lords, and Commons before the Late Act past for Disincouraging the Importation of Foreign Thrown Silk into this Kingdom Over-Land; It is again humbly left to their Wisdom, Whether it be more reasonable that the Late Act should remain in Force, and that a Branch of the Weaving-Trade should suffer, and the Alamode and Lustring Manufacture, which is but of Yesterday, should be discouraged, or the Throwing-Trade be ruined, and all that depend thereon beggared, The Consumption of our Woollen Manufacture Impeded, and all that depend thereon Impoverished.   

The Weavers Reply.  
First, THese Persons are employed in Throwing of turkey and China Silks, such as were( before the late Act) Throwed in Holland and imported hither, to the damage of the English Throwers, But the present Bill in Parliament provides against the Importation of such Silks.  
The Numbers of Persons employed by the Throwers, are very inconsiderable, if compared with those employed by the Weavers, in Manufacturing of fine Italian Thrown Silk, who also have Wives and Children to be maintained by them.  
Secondly, Much greater quantities of turkey Silk would be consumed, or used in Woven Silks, had we fine Italian Thrown Silk, in like manner as our Neighbours beyond the Seas: For that turkey Silk is of little Use without fine Italian Silk to mix with it, The Trade to Italy may be truly said to take off as much Manufactur'd Wool, as the turkey Trade, besides many other Commodities of the growth of this Nation.  
Thirdly, Fine Italian and Sicilian Silks are desired to be Imported over Land, which the English Throwers cannot Throw, and all the Noise and Interest that is made against the Importation thereof, is because it will abate the extravagant Price of turkey Silk, which is advanced from 17 s. to 21 s. per l. and unless the Weavers are relieved, it is said the same will be at 25 s. per l.  
These Outcries( however immodestly owned) were on account of a Bill to enjoin the wear of Woollen several Months in the Year.  
Fourthly, The Consumption or Use of turkey Silk is an encouragement to the Exportation of Cloth; and when turkey Silk was at a Reasonable Price, the same was Customarily Exported to Holland, Flanders, Hamburgh and France; and greater Quantities were then also worked up by the English Weavers, to the great encouragement of the Exportation of Cloth; but now( by Reason of the great Price of turkey Silk) there is none Exported: Which is a great detriment to the Woollen Manufacture.  
† Merchants of known Integrity do say that but one English Ship( called the Princess) is expected with Messina Silk until about September, 1693. or the return of the Convoy now going to turkey, which Ship is in great danger, and occasions the extraordinary Insurance of 40 Guineas per Cent. And but one English Ship of Ten( that came from the several Ports of Italy, Sicily and Naples) hath escaped the French.  
* The Throwers cannot Throw such Fine Italian Thrown Silks as are desired to be Imported over Land, For that such Silks must necessary be Wound by a Water-Engine; the setting up whereof they have Industriously opposed, and their Journeymen( however encouraged) have threatened to pull down the Houses of such who were willing to Erect such Engines.  
† That fine Italian and Dutch Thrown Silks are as easily distinguished as Flax and Hemp, and the Officers at the Custom-House of London( where Thrown Silks are only brought) do daily distinguish Goods, less distinguishable than such Thrown Silks.  
* That there will be as much Money paid to the Poor for Manufacturing of Alamodes and Lustrings( if duly encouraged, and though but of Yesterday) as the whole Trade of Throwers do pay for Winding and Throwing of Silk, but no Comparison can be made with the several other Branches of the Weaving Trade.  
All which Considered, and that the Extravagant Price( not the Consumption of turkey Silk) is Projected, It's prayed that all Private Interest, as engrossing of Silk, or advancing the Price thereof may be discouraged, by permitting Fine Italian and Sicilian Thrown Silks to be imported over Land by Holland, Hamburgh, &c. only during the present War with France, or until such time as the Throwers can provide and Throw the same Silks. Which will procure a greater Consumption of the Woollen Manufacture, and prevent the Ruin of the Silk Weaving Trade.