A list of the names of all the adventurers in the stock of the honourable the East-India-Company, the 12th day of April, 1684 whereof those marked with a * are not capable (by their adventure) to be chosen committees. East India Company. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription B21539 of text R14934 in the English Short Title CatalogTextual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 117 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 16 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 B21539 Wing E100E ESTC R14934 12719829 ocm 12719829 55261 2240962205

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 Early English books online text creation partnership. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. B21539) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 55261) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 361:1b) A list of the names of all the adventurers in the stock of the honourable the East-India-Company, the 12th day of April, 1684 whereof those marked with a * are not capable (by their adventure) to be chosen committees. East India Company. 3 p. s.n., [London : 1691] Caption title. Place and date of publication from Wing. Reproduction of original in Yale University Library. Wing reel guide incorrectly lists this item with reel 352. eng East India Company -- Registers. eebo A list of the names of all the adventurers in the stock of the honourable the East-India-Company, the 12th day of April, 1684 : whereof those marked w n/a 1691 31 17266 13 0 0 0 3 0 24.9 C The rate of 24.9 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 2013-09 Assigned for keying and markup 2013-10 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2013-12 Sampled and proofread 2013-12 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2014-03 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion
A LIST OF THEIR NAMES Who by their Adventures are Capable of being Chosen COMMITTEES for the Year 1675. A Sir Joseph Ash Kt. & Bar. Sir Matthew Andrews Kt. William Allington Esq ; . Joseph Alstone Esq ; . William Atwood Esq ; . Francis Archer Esq ; . George Arnold Esq ; . William Allen Thomas Adrian B The Right Honourable George Lord Berkley Sir Sam. Barnardiston Kt. & Bar. Sir John Brownloe Kt. & Bar. Sir John Banks Kt. & Bar. Sir Francis Burdet Bar. Sir Thomas Blud worth Kt. John Bathurst Esq ; . Robert Burdet Esq ; . Richard Booth Esq ; . Edward Bolle Esq ; . Benjamin Barron Esq ; . Richard Beckford Esq ; . Heary Barnard Esq ; . James Burkin Esq ; . James Burton Esq ; . Matthew Bateman Jacob Bonnell Christopher Boone Captain Robert Browne Captain John Broeckhoven John Bull William Bulkley Edward Bovery Thomas Bretton Moses Bathurst Richard Bagnall Edward Bringhurst C Sir Richard Chiverton Kt. Sir Francis Clark Kt. Sir Thomas Chambers Kt. Sir William Coventry Kt. Sir Thomas Cullum Kt. James Clitherow Esq ; . Thomas Chown Esq ; . Josiah Child Esq ; . John Cooke Charles Chamberlan Robert Childcot Mr. Joseph Collier Benjamin Collier Nathaniel Collier Benjamin Coles Thomas Canham Joseph Chamberlayn Doctor Joseph Colstone John Cholmley William Clarke John Culling D Michael Davison Esq ; . Benjamin Dethick Esq ; . William Daniel Esq ; . John Doget Esq ; . Joseph Dawson Esq ; . Peter Daniel Alvaro Dacosta Abraham Dolins Andrew Duncan Edmond Detnick William Delawood Robert Deluna Thomas Davall Isaac Delillers E Sir James Edwards Kt. Humph. Edwin F Sir Thomas Foote Kt. & Bar. Edward Franklyn Christopher Foster Thomas Frampton Abraham Fothergill Thomas Farrington G John Gould Esq ; . John Godscall John Goodier Thomas Green John Gardner John Gunstone Henry Griffith Philip Graves Edward Grace H Sir Nathaniel Herne Kt. Sir Matthew Holworthy Kt. John Hobby Esq ; . Richard Hutchinson Esq ; . James Houblon junior Esq ; . John Harris Walter Hampton Edward Hopegood Thomas Hawkes John Holworthy Humphrey Holcomb Joseph Herne Richard Hutchinson junior I Sir Arthur Ingram Kt. John Jollife Esq ; . Henry Johnson Esq ; . Edward Jackson s●●●or William Jarret 〈…〉 K Sir Jonathan Keat Kt. & Bar. George Keat Esq ; . Francis Knight Esq ; . Robert Knightly Randal Knipe L Philip Lord Viscount Lisle Sir John Lethieullier Kt. Sir Kingsmill Lucy Bar. Sir John Lawrence Kt. Sir Peter Leare Kt. Peter de Lanoy Esq ; . John Lane Esq ; . Richard Lant Esq ; . Tho. Lenthall Esq ; . James Leaver Godfry Lee junior Nathaniel Letton Simon Lewis Rob. Lightfoot M Sir John Moore Kt. Samuel Moyer Esq ; . William Meggs Esq ; . Nicholas Morrice Esq ; . William Moses Esq ; . Richard Mounteney Esq ; . Jasper Mauditt James Maurois Collonel John Mews John Morden John Mascall Samuel Moyer junior Humphrey Morrice Thomas Murthwaite Captain Lawrence Moyer John Christopher Mayerne Lawrence Martell N William Northey Esq ; . Humphrey Nicholson Jeremy Norrice Hugh Norris O John O●en Esq ; . Justus Otgher Peter Otgher Abraham Otgher junior P Sir William Peake Kt. Charles Pitfield Esq ; . George Perrier Esq ; . Thomas Papillon Esq ; . John Paige Richard Poulter Joseph Prickman Peter Proby Samuel Philpe William Potter Edward Pearce Paul Priaulx William Parker R Sir John Robinson Kt. & Barr. Robert Read Esq ; . Edward Rudge Esq ; . Daniel Rawlinson Edward Rudge John Richards S Henry Spurstow Esq ; . William Sherrington Esq ; . William Salmon Esq ; . John Sweeting senior George Snell William Sedgwick Daniel Sheldon John Stock Thomas Shatterden James Southerby Robert Stiles Benjamin Shute Ephraim Skinner T Sir William Thomson Kt. Sir William Turner Kt. Sir Henry Tulce Kt. Maurice Thomson Esq ; . Robert Thomson Esq ; . Thomas Tomlins Esq ; . Samuel Thomson Esq ; . Charles Thorrold Esq ; . Jeffery Thomas Esq ; . Collonel George Thomson Giles Travers Stephen Thornely John Turner Robert Thirkettle Richard Turner Thomas Tyte Christopher Tomlinson Francis Tyssen Doctor Joseph Taylor John Talbott Benjamin Thorowgood V William Vanham Esq ; . John Upton Esq ; . Gilbert Upton W Sir Stephen White Kt. Sir Edward Winter Kt. Christopher Willoughby Esq ; . Rowland Wynn Esq ; . Francis Warner Esq ; . Thomas Winter Esq ; . Roger Whitley Esq ; . John Wood Thomas Wood Andrew West William Wildigoes Thomas Wilson James Ward Robert Whittingham George Willoughby
The Names of the Governor , Deputy , and 24 Committees elected in April 1674 , together with their respective Appearances , there being 116 Courts to the First of April 1675. Sir Nathaniel Herne Governor , Present 107 Major Robert Thomson Deputy 109 R. Hon. George Ld. Berkeley Present 68 Sir John Banks Baronet 101 Sir Sam. Barnardiston Bar. 73 John Bathurst Esq ; . 81 Mr. Christopher Boone 107 Capt. John Broeckhoven 112 Sir Francis Clarke Kt. 102 Josia Child Esq ; . 102 Michael Davison Esq ; . 110 John Doget Esq ; . 110 John Hobby Esq ; . 97 Richard Hutchinson Esq ; . 113 John Jollife Esq ; . 106 Sir John Moore Kt. 105 Samuel Moyer Esq ; . 116 Mr. John Morden 96 Mr. John Paige 108 Mr. Edward Rudge 114 Mr. Daniel Sheldon 87 Sir William Thomson Kt. 81 Maurice Thomson Esq ; . 77 Charles Thorold Esq ; . 97 Sir Steven White Kt. 77 Rowland Wynn Esq ; . 100
A LIST OF THE NAMES OF ALL THE ADVENTURERS In the STOCK of the Honourable the East-India-Company , the 12th , day of April , 1684. Whereof those Marked with a * are not capable ( by their Adventure ) to be chosen Committees . A. Sir Joseph Ash Knt and Baronet Sir Matthew Andrews Knt Richard Aley Esq ; George Arnold Esq ; William Allen Esq ; William Allington Esq ; Deceased . Thomas Austin Esq ; Mr William Atwood Mr. Edward Adams Mrs. Grace Andrews * Sir Stephen Anderson Baronet * Mr. Francis Ammonet Deceased * Dr. William Aglionby * Mr. Edward Anthony * Mr. Francis Archer * Mrs. Susan Archer * Mrs. Elizabeth Allen B. His Grace the Duke of Beauford The Right Honourable George Earl of Berkley Sir John Banks Baronet Sir Benj. Bathurst Knt & Alderm . Honourable Charles Berty Esq ; Sir Thomas Bludworth Deceased . Sir John Brownlow Knt & Bar. Sir John Buckworth Knt Sir Theophilus Biddulph Deceased Sir Francis Burdet John Bence Esq ; James Burkin Esq ; Deceased . James Butler Esq ; Edward Bovery Esq ; Caleb Banks Esq ; Mr. Christopher Boon Mr. Roger Braddyl Mr. Thomas Browne Mr. Thomas Bostock Mr. Peter Bulkley Mr. Thomas Boon Mr. Robert Boddington Mr. John Barksdale Mrs. Mary Bonfoy * The Honourable the Lady Henrieta Berkley * The Honourable Rob. Boyle Esq ; * Sir William Barkham Barronet * Sir Thomas Bide Knt * Sir Francis Bridgeman Knt * James Barron Esq ; * Tho. Bromefield Esq ; Deceased . * Edward Boscowen Esq ; * Thomas Browne Esq ; * John Bultecle Esq ; * Dr. Gilbert Burnet * Mr. John Bull * Mr. Joas Bateman * Mr. Robert Blackborn * Mr. Leonard Bates * Capt. Arthur Bayly Deceased * Mr. William Browne * Mr. Thomas Boteler * Mr. John Beare * Mr. William Berman * Mr. Thomas Barret * Mr. William Blackmore * Mr. Abraham Babbington * Mr. William Beeke Deceased * Mr. William Beake Deceased * Mr. Robert Brimley * Mr. William Brain * Mr. Edward Bringhurst * Mr. Robert Brittan * Mr. Richard Browne * Mr. Edmond Bury * Mr. John Bocket * Mr. James Burkin Jun. * Mr. John Borret * Mr. John Bradley * Mr. Edward Byrcke * Mr. John Bernard * Mr. Nicholas Builley * Mr. John Baker * Mr. John Bridger * Mr. Henry Boone * Mrs. Mary Boone * Mrs. Ann Borrodale * Mrs. Elizabeth Blackman C. Sir Josia Child Baronet Sir Job Charlton Knt Ditto in trust for Sir Francis Willoughby Ditto in trust for Tho. Willoughby , Esq Sir Thomas Chambers Sir William Coventrie , Knt. Sir Joseph Colstone , Knt. Sir John Chardin , Knt. Thomas Chowne , Esq ; John Creed , Esq ; Thomas Crispe , Esq ; Col. John Clerke Mr. Thomas Canham Mr. Charles Chambrelan Mr. John Cooke Mr. Thomas Cooke Merchant Mr. Thomas Cooke Goldsmith Mr. John Cudworth Mr. John Carter Mr. William Cranmer Mr. Joseph Chamberlaine Mr. John Culling Mr. Benjamin Collier Mr. Nathaniel Collier Mr. Joseph Collier Mrs. Elizabeth Coles Mr. Thomas Cole * Sir Nicholas Carew ▪ Knt * Mrs. Esther Chambrelan * Mrs. Susanna Critchlow * Mrs. Margaret Child * Mrs. Ann Clarke * Mr. David Clarke * Mrs. Mary Clarke * Mr. John Clarke * Mr. John Carter , Grocer . * Mr. Richard Creede * Mr. John Clissald , Deceased . * Mr. John Child * Mr. Robert Coke * Mr. Norton Curtis * Mr. Samuel Crispe * Mr. Edward Cox * John Cudworth Esq ; Deceased * Dr. Ralph Cudworth * Mr. Thomas Cudworth * Mr. Samuel Cudworth * Mr. Charles Coney * Mr. Thomas Crawley * Mr. John Chambers * Mr. Jacob Cox * Mr. James Cumber D. Sir Thomas Daval Knt. Sir Robert Duckenfield Knt. Peter Daniel Esq ; Alderman Samuel Dashwood Esq ; Alderman Francis Dashwood Esq ; John Duboice Esq ; Charles Duncomb Esq ; Mr. Robert Deluna Mr. William Delawood Mr. Edmond Dethick Mr. Benjamin Dethick Mr. Andrew Duncan Mr. Abraham Dolins Mr. Alvaro Dacosta Mr. Francis D'Liz Mrs. Alice Doggett Mrs. Ann Delanoy Mrs. Judith Davison * Right Hon. Charles L. Dursley * Dame Ann Dethick * Sir Anthony Deane Knt. * Sir Theodore De Vaux * William Daniel Esq ; * Joseph Dawson Esq ; * John Dowel Esq ; * John Danvers Esq ; * Mr. Josia Dewey * Mr. Edmond Doughty * Mr. Daniel Dover * Mr. James Dover * Mr. John Drigue * * Mrs. Ann Daval * Mrs. Mary Da●iel * Mrs. Hannah Davy E. Sir James Edwards Mr Humphrey Edwin * Giles Evre Esq ; * Mr. William Edwards * Mr. John Elwick F. Sir John Frederick Knt Sir Thomas Foot Knt Thomas Frederick Esq ; Mr. William Finch Deceased Mr. Christopher Foster Mr. Abraham Fothergil Mr. William Fashion * John Foster Esq ; * Richard Freeman Esq ; * Smith Fleetwood Esq ; * Mr. Tho. Frampton Deceased * Mr. Andrew Franklyn * Mr. Edward Fenwick * Mr. John Fisher * Mr. Robert Fellows * Mr. William Frier * Mrs. Sarah Flexney * Mr. Joseph Finch G. Sir Gilbert Gerrard Knt. Sir William Goulston Knt. Sir William Godolphin Knt. John Goodier Esq ; Mr. Francis Gosfright Mr. Thomas Gray Mr. Philip Grave Deceased Mr. Richard Goodal Mr. John Gunston Mr. Edward Grace . Mrs. Susan Greene Mrs. Judith Gould * William George Gent. * Richard Graham Esq ; * Henry Gray Esq ; Deceased * Dr. Charles Goodall * Mr. Henry Godolphin * Mr. George Gossright * Mr. Jacob Garrard * Mr. John Gardner * Mr. John Godscal * Mr. Michael Godfrey * Mr. Henry Griffith * Mr. Thomas Glover * Mr. Theophilus Gale * Mr. George Gifford * Mr. Henry Gregory * Mr. Edward Gould * Mr. George Grove * Mr. John Greene. * Mr. Robert Greene * Mr. Anthony Gomesserra * Mr. Jaques Gonsales * Mrs. Ann Grave * Mrs. Mary Good H. Sir Matthew Holworthy Knt. Dec. Sir Nathaniel Herne Knt. Dec. Sir Roger Hill Knt. Richard Hutchinson Esq ; John Herbert Esq ; John Howland Esq ; Edward Hopegood Esq ; Deceased . Mr. Joseph Herne Mr. John Holworthy Mr. John Hall Mr. Robert Huckle John Huniades Gent. Mr. Peter Henriques * Peter Hasbert Esq ; * Henry Hall Esq ; * William Hooker Esq ; * Thomas Henshaw Esq ; * Dr. Baldwin Hamey * Mr. Isaac Houblon * Mr. Nathaniel Hunter * Mr. Thomas Hobson * Dr. Francis Hungerford * Mr. Claude Haies * Mr. John Hall Deceased * Mr. Thomas Hancox * Mr. Nathaniel Hawes * Mr. Peter Hasbert * Mr. Thomas Hatton * Mr. Henry Hampson * Mr. Richard Humphries * Mr. Nicholas Hayward * Mr. Francis Hacker * Mr. Thomas Hall * Mr. John Hill * Mr. Henry Hickford Deceased . * Mr. Nathan Heckford * Mr. Samuel Harris * Dame Elizabeth Hooke * Mrs. Marry Hobby * Mrs. Angel Hampton * Mrs. Alice Hawks * Mrs. Margaret Harris * Mrs. Elizabeth Hitchcott * Mrs. Helena Heycock * Mrs. Sarah Hickford * Mr. James Hudson I. Sir Henry Johnson Deceased Henry Johnson Esq ; John Jolliffe Esq ; Deceased . Mr. William Jarret Mr. Abraham Jacob Mr. Jeffery Jefferies Dame Ann Ingram * Mr. Roger Jackson * Mr. Peter Jackson * Mr. Richard Jackson * Mr. Edward Ingram K. Sir Robert Knightly George Keate Esq ; Deceased Mr. Randal Knipe * Samuel Kerridge Esq ; * Mrs. Mary King * Mr. Edward Keling L. The Right Honourable Philip Earl of Leicester Sir John Lethieulier Sir John & Sam. Lethieulier Sir Peter Leare Mr. Sam. Lethieulier Mr. Nathaniel Letton Dec. Mr. John Letton Mr. James Leaver Mr. Thomas Langham Mrs. Ann Lant * Sir John Lawrence * Sir Richard Loyd * Dame Susanna Leare * Sir Thomas Littleton * Mr. Adam Lyle * Mr. Joseph Lindsey * Mr. Garrard Loyd Deceased * Mr. Francis Lidstone * Mrs. Sarah Letton * Mr. Josiah Lawton * Mr. Thomas Lane * Mrs. Mary Lewis * Mrs. Elizabeth Lane M. Sir John Moore Knt. & Alderman Sir Richard Mason Samuel Moyer Esq ; Deceased . Nicholas Morrice Esq ; Ralph Marshal Esq ; Mr. Robert Marshal Capt. Lawrence Moyer Mr. John Morden Mr. Rich. Mountney Jun. Mrs. Mary Murthwaite Mr. Nathan . Mountney Mrs. Ann Martell Mr. Samuel Moyer Jun. * The Hon. Charlotte Mordaunt * The Hon. Baptist May * Sir Thomas Middleton * Dr. John Moore * William Moses Esq ; * Thomas Martin Esq ; * Thomas Methwold Esq ; * George Moyce Esq ; * Mrs. Mary Mead * Mr. John Miller * Mr. John Morley Jun. * Mr. William Moyer * Mr. Charles Mounteney * Mr. Rob. Masters * Mr. John Marshal * Mr. Sam. Marshall * Mrs. Margaret Massingbird * Mr. John Vander Marsh Dec. * Mrs. Rebecca Marsh N. Sir Humph. Nicholson Knt Dec. Robert Nelson Esq ; Mr. Richard Norton , Jun. Mr. Hugh Norris Mr. Jeremy Norris * William Northey Esq ; Dec. * Mr. Thomas Nicholson * Mr. Michael Newnam * Mr. Richard Nelthrope * Mr. Anthony Nourse * Mr. Richard Normansel * Mrs. Rachel Newman * Mr. Erasmus Norwich & Sarah his Wife O. Right Hon. John Lord Osulstone Mr. Justus Otgher Mr. Peter Otgher Mr. Abraham Otgher * Sir James Oxinden * Lieutenant Colonel Oglethorpe * Mr. Philip Opde Beake * Mr. Robert Oldsworth Dec. * Mr. Thankful Owen Dec. P. Peter Paravicine Esq ; & Ald. Thomas Papillon Esq ; . Mr. John Paige Dr. John Panton Mr. Anthony Philp Deceased . Mr. James Pickering Mr. Henry Powel Deceased Mr. Samuel Powel Mr. Peter Proby Mr. Will . Potter deceased Mr. George Pappillon Mr. James Paul * Sir Charles Pitfield deceased * Edward Progers Esq ; * Jervis Price Esq ; * Mr. Francis Pargitter * Mr. John Pack * Mr. Edward Palmer * Mr. Sam. Phelp deceased . * Mr. Paul Priaulx * Mr. Tho. Pinfold deceased . * Mr. Adrian Vander Post dec . * Mr. John Patrick * Mr. Thomas Paine * Doctor Thomas Paget * Mr. Thomas Perkins * Mr. Will . Pearce * Mrs. Record Peacock * Mr. Char. Penrodock deceased . * Mr. Edward Pearce * Mr. John Pargitter R. Sir James Rushout Knt. Edward Rudge Esq ; Edward Rudge of Essex Esq ; Robert Read Esq ; Thomas Rider Esq ; Mr. Thomas Rawlinson Mr. Nicholas Reynardson Dame Susanna Riccard Mr. James Rudge Mr. Alphonso Rodrigues * Mr. Anthony Rawlins * Mr. Arthur Riccard * Mr. John Roy * Mr. Edward Richardson * Mr. John Reyner deceased . * Mr. Gerrard Russel * Mr. John Riches * Mrs. Margaret Robinson * Mr. Francis Rainsford * Mr. Leonard Robinson S. Sir Jeremy Sambrook Knt. Sir Joseph Sheldon , &c. in trust for the Children of Sir John Robinson Sir James Smith Knt & Ald. Henry Stafford Esq ; Henry Serle Esq ; John Serle Esq ; Richard Sterne Esq ; Henry Spurstow Mr. Will . Sedgwick Mr. George Snell Mr. John Stock Mr. Nath. Scottow Mr. James Smith Deceased . Mr. John Smith Mincing lanc Mr. John Sewel * Sir Jeremy Snow * Dr. Edward Stillingfleet * John Stafford Esq ; * James Smith Esq ; * Mr. James Smith Farrier * Mr. George Smith * Mr. John Smith Scrivener * Mr. John Smith Leather seller * Mr. Nath. Smith * Mr. Edw. Smith * Dame Jane Smith * Mr. Samuel Swinnock * Mr. Samuel Smalley * Mr. Ralph Standish * Mr. Isaac Sawbridge * Mr. Will . Samborne * Mr. Thomas Shellbury * Mr. John Sweeting * Mr. John Sheffeild * Mr. Frederick Steward * Mr. Matthew Sheppard * Mr. Joseph Sheafe * Mr. Richard Spire * Mr. William Spire * Mr. James Southbey * Mr. John Stripe * Mr. John Short Sen. * Mr. Robert Snow * Mr. Henry Southcot * Mrs. Alice Stamford * Mrs. Elizabeth Serle T. The Right Honourable Sir Henry Tulse Knt & Lord Mayor Sir Will . Turner Knt & Ald. Robert Thompson Esq ; Ditto as Exec. of Sir Tho. Hooke Charles Thorold Esq ; Nathaniel Tench Esq ; Thomas Townsend Esq ; Mr. John Turner Jun. Mr. Francis Tyssen Mr. Giles Travers Mr Joseph Thompson Mr. John Taulbot Mr. Christopher Thomlinson Mrs. Martha Tomlinson * Benj. Thorowgood Esq ; & Ald. * Sigismund Trafford Esq ; * John Taylor Esq ; * Mr. John Taylor * Mr. Richard Taylor * Mrs. Ann Taylor * Mr. William Trinder * Mr. Anthony Twine * Mr. Isaac Tillard * Mr. Will . Thompson Deceased . * Mr. Anthony Tourney * Mr. Daniel Thomas * Mr , Francis Thompson * Mr. Francis Towle Deceased . * Mr. Thomas Turner * Mr. Matthew Turner Deceased . V. William Vanham Esq ; John Upton Esq ; Constantine Vernattie Esq ; * Mr. Peter Vinck . * Mr. Thomas Vernon . * Mr George Underwood . W. The Right Honourable Charles Earl of Worcester Sir Joseph Williamson Sir James Ward Sir Edward Waldoe Sir Edmond Wiseman Roger Whitley Esq ; Thomas Winter Esq ; Deceased . George Willoughby Esq ; Mr. Thomas Wood Mr. Robert Woolley Mr. James Wallis Mr. John Willaw Mr. James Wancourt Mr. Stephen White Deceased . Mrs. Ann Wheat * Francis Warner Esq ; * Henry Whistler Esq ; * Thomas Wardel Esq ; * Dr. John Wallis * Mr. Samuel Waldoe * Mr. George Wade * Mr. Hammond Ward * Mr. Edward West * Mr. Robert Whittingham * Mr. Richard White * Mr. William Wildey * Mr. Roger Whitley * Mr. James Whitchurch * Mr. Robert Winnington * Mr. James Windus * Mr. Thomas Woodcock * Mrs. Ann Walter * Mrs. Mary West * Mrs. Izabella Wheate * Mrs Frances Wheate * Mrs. Ann Whittingham Y. * Mr. Christopher Yates

Memorandum , 500 l. Adventure hath but one Vote , and no less then 1000 l. renders any person capable of being chosen of the Committees .

The Adventurers are personally to bring in their Votes and not to send them by any other hand , and are desired

The Names of the Governour , Deputy-Governour , and Twenty-four Committees . Elected in 1683. Together with their respective Appearances , there being 125 Courts to the 11th . of April , 1684. Inclusive . Sir John Banks Govenour Present . 113 Sir Jeremy Sambrooke Deputy 125 R. Hon. Charles E. of Worcester Present . 5 R. Hon. George E. of Berkely 85 Sir Joseph Ash 59 Caleb Banks Esq ; 93 Mr. Christophher Boone 110 Sir . Josia Child 82 John Creed Esq ; 96 Mr. Thomas Canham 119 Mr. Thomas Cook 111 Sir Thomas Daval 120 Mr. Sheriff Daniel 65 John du Bois Esq ; 124 Sir James Edwards 106 Richard Hutchinson Esq ; 116 Mr. Joseph Herne 121 Sir Henry Johnson 18 Mr. William Jarret 124 Sir John Moore 115 Mr. John Paige 110 Edward Rudge Esq ; 121 Henry Serle Esq ; 82 Mr. William Sedgwick 119 Mr. Francis Tyssen 119 Sir James Ward 122
Some Considerations concerning the Prejudice which the Scotch Act Establishing a COMPANY to Trade to the East and West-Indies , ( with large Priviledges , and on easie Terms ) may bring to the English Sugar Plantations , and the Manufactury of Refining Sugar in England , and some means to prevent the same from Scotland and other Nations .

THE present Parliament , both Lords and Commons , having been pleased to take into their Consideration , as matter of great moment , the Business of Trade in general , and particularly what Inconveniencies and Mischiefs the late Scotch Act may bring to the English East and West East-India Trade ; no doubt , the Persons concerned in the several parts of those Trades , will severally lay open the Damage which England will suffer , by the Scotch and any other Nations Trading to those Parts , ( or in the Commodities produced there ) on easier and more advantagious Terms than this Kingdom doth ; and amongst the rest the Trade of Sugar , which is become so large and beneficial to England , deserves not the least Regard : For , whereas we were formerly supplyed with that Commodity from Portugal , which drew an Over-ballance of Money from hence ; now , and of late we produce enough , not only to serve our own Consumption , but to export a great over-plus of raw or unpurged Sugar to Holland , Hambro , and before the War to France ; and had gained a great Trade in Exporting our White 〈…〉 the inequality of the Duty , and the advantages given to the Dutch and other Nations , to Refine our own raw Sugars , and to Export the Sugars which come White from the Plantations rendred it unprofitable , whereby the Manufacture here has been discouraged ; and will be more so by the Scotch Act and Agents , if not prevented ; for already the Scotch are seeking to bribe and intice away our Master-Workmen , and had actually hired one , to whom the Master was forced to advance his Wages 10 l. per Annum to keep him .

There needs no Argument to evince the great benefit which the Trade of Sugar has been to this Kingdom ; not only by the Riches it has brought in , and the Employment of many Ships and Seamen , but by a Manufacture it has Establish't here at Home , which employs Thousands of People , who are Fed and Cloathed by our own Product , and before used to come from abroad : and which , if due Encouragement were given , would be Exported in great Quantities , to the further Enriching this Nation , and producing many other Advantages .

It is agreed on all hands , That it is an advantage to any Nation to abound with People , especially such as are Laborious and Industrious , they help to consume our own Product , their Labour produces what turns into Money at home or abroad ; and the more populous any Nation is , the stronger and better able it is to defend it self against any Foreign Power .

It is also agreed , that the means to promote and encrease any Manufacture in England , is to render those employed therein as easy as may be ; and especially to take care , if possible , that other Nations have not any Advantage of us ; and this has continually been the care of the Crown and the Parliament , as any new Manufacture has been set up here . We have gained upon other Nations in the Manufacture of Silk , &c. which are the Product of other Countries ; What then should hinder us from out-doing all others in the Manufacture of our Sugar which is our own Product , and wherein we have in our Power the advantage of all other People ? the only reason I think , which can be assigned is , that as yet this matter has not met with the favourable occasion to be duely Considered in Parliament ; for want whereof , other Nations have beaten us out of the Trade of Exporting our Refin'd Sugar ; and if the Scotch settle in any Plantation , and produce Sugar , it may become past Remedy , or by a quicker Method by enticing away our Workmen , they will at once Disable us from carrying it on . It is therefore to be seen how the Case stands .

s. d. Raw or Unpurged Sugar from the Plantations pays Custom for a Hundred Weight , 1 6 Purged or Clay'd Sugar from the Plantations under the degree of White , the same Custom , for a Hundred Weight 1 6 White Sugar from the Plantations ; for a Hundred Weight 5 0

Three Hundred Weight of Raw or Muscovado Sugar , is computed to make One hundred Weight of White Sugar .

On Exportation of these Sugars half the Duty is paid back .

On Exportation of White Sugar made in England , a Duty is paid for 100 Weight 6 d.

Whereby it appears , that other Nations have our raw or unpurged Sugar 9 d. per 100 weight cheaper than the English Refiners , which in 100 weight of White Sugar makes 2 s. 3 d. per 100 weight difference ; and the White Sugar from the Plantations , paying Inwards 5 s. per 100 weight , and drawing back half on Exportation , pays but 2s. 6d per 100 weight ; whereas , if our Refiners Export White Sugar , it stands them in 5 s. per 100 weight Duty ; viz. 1 s. 6d . per 100 weight on the raw Sugar Imported , whereof 300 going to make 100 weight of White makes 4s. 6d . and 6d . per 100 weight paid on Exportation , makes 5 s. per 100 weight : So that on all hands , the English Refiner is under great disadvantage and discouragement , which is further considerably increased by the high Duty of about 18 l. per Ton on Spirits drawn from English made Melasses . And hence it comes to pass , that Foreigners work up our raw Sugars , and furnish with White Loaf Sugar , those Markets which England might , and would highly be our advantage to supply . And it is in some degree as if we should send our Wool abroad to be Manufactured , and thence to be dispersed to Foreign Markets : For it is plain in fact , that now none of our White Load Sugar 〈…〉 difficulties which the Refining Trade in England labours under , for the removing which in some measure it is humbly proposed .

That ( in Case the high Duty on Spirits drawn from English Melasses be continued ) a Duty of 4 or 5 s. per 100 weight may be laid upon all Melasses Imported from the Plantations , to be Repaid on Exportation ; which will not hurt the Plantations , it being better for the Planters that no Melasses were Exported from thence .

That 2s. 6d . per 100 weight may be drawn back upon White Sugar made in England , as is upon White Sugar Imported from the Plantations , whereby the Crown will receive no prejudice ; for that the more English Refined Sugar is Exported , the greater quantity of White Sugar from the Plantations will be Expended in England , on which the King has the Duty of 5 s. per 100 weight .

That nothing be drawn back on Exportation of raw or unpurged Sugar , which will give some small encouragement of working it up here .

That whereas Sugars wrought and clayed in the Plantations , ( called Purged Sugars ) which are under the degree of Whites , pay only 1s. 6d . per 100 weight as raw unpurged Sugars ; the said Sugars may pay 1 s. 6 d. per 100 only more , which will then make an indifferent equality ; and then the Duties will be thus , viz.

On White Sugars 5 s. per C. weight . On Clay'd Sugars under the degree of White 3 s. per C. weight . On Raw or Muscovado Sugars 1 s. 6 d. per C. weight .

This will encourage the Refining in England , and encrease the King's Revenue in all probability near 10000 l. per Annum , and without prejudice to any but the Scotch and Foreigners .

FINIS .
Eleven Queries Humbly tender'd , Relating to the Bill for Prohibiting the Wearing of East-India Silks , and Printed and Dyed Calicoes .

I. WHY Should East-India Silks and Bengals be prohibited , which to the Nation are three times as cheap as Dutch , French and Italian Silks ?

II. Why East-India Silks , Bengals and Printed Calicoes , that pay Five times the Freight , and Twenty per Cent. more Custom , than Dutch and Italian Silks ?

III. Why Persia Silks purchased with English Cloth and Stuffs , more than Dutch , French and Italian Silks bought with our Money ?

IV. Why should Painted Calicoes , from India be prohibited , when we must in their Room Print Dutch , French , Scotch or German Linnens , which will cost the Nation three times the price ?

V. Why should we enrich our Neighbours by Prohibiting East-India Silks , and wearing of theirs , when at one time or other , they may employ the costs of those Silks against us ?

VI. Why should we interrupt that Trade , which not only affords us the cheapest Commodities in the World , but likewise encourages the Buidling large Ships , which in cases of necessity may be useful for the defence of this Kingdom ?

VII . What advantage will it be to England , that her Manufactures ( whether at low or high price ) are consumed within it self , the Nation being thereby never the Richer ?

VIII . Why should we Raise up some Artists to oppress others ? For if Spinning and Weaving be English Manufactures , so is Dyeing , Calendring , Stiffning , Glazeing and Printing ?

IX . Why should we prohibit the wearing East-India Manufactures , which are so cheap , to encourage the wearing our own which are much dearer , and yet give liberty to Export them into other Countreys , where they will have the same effect upon ours there ?

X. What encouragement will it be to bring hither those far setch'd Commodities , when we have no vent for them at Home , but must send them to be blown upon in a Forreign Market ?

XI . Why should we Cut off this profitable Trade from the English , and let the Dutch , French , Sweeds and Scotch run away with it ? For Trade like the Sea , never loseth Ground in any one place , but she gains it in another , and if checked or restrained takes it flight and carries its Blessiings to more Hospitable Countreys .

Eleven Queries Relating to the Bill , for Prohibiting East-India Silks , and Printed Callicoes .

AN ANSWER TO THE Eleven QUERIES Humbly tender'd , Relating to the BILL for prohibiting the Wearing of East-India Silks , and Printed and Dyed Callicoes .

QUERIES . ANSWERS . I. WHY should East-India Silks and Bengalls be prohibited , which to the Nation are three times as cheap as Dutch , French , and Italian Silks ? I. THE Cheaper they are , the more damage they do to our own Growth and Manufactures , and therefore the more necessary and reasonable to be prohibited . II. Why East-India Silks , Bengalls and Printed Callicoes , that pay five times the Freight , and Twenty per Cent. more Custom , than Dutch and Italian Silks ? II. The difference in Custom is not true in Fact ; and their great Freight will not recompence the Damage the Nation receives by wearing them instead of its own Manufactures . III. Why Persia Silks purchased with English Cloth and Stuffs , more then Dutch , French , and Italian Silks bought with our Money ? III. Persia Silks ( so called ) are made in the Bay of Bengall , and bought with Money : Dutch , French and Italians are almost all beat out by our own Silks . IV. Why should painted Callicoes from India be prohibited , when we must in their Room print Dutch , French , Scotch , or German Linnens , which will cost the Nation three times the price ? IV. Because Floured , Strip't and Printed Worstead and half-Silk Stuffs are now worn , ( and with English or Irish Linnen may be worn ) and supply all the uses of Callicoes , and not Dutch Linnens , &c. V. Why should we enrich our Neighbours by Prohibiting East-India Silks , and wearing of theirs , when at one time or other , they may imploy the Costs of those Silks against us ? V. This Kingdom ( and not our Neighbours ) will receive great Advantage , and be inricht thereby , and by that means the better able to support and defend our selves , both at home and abroad . VI. Why should we interrupt that Trade , which not only affords us the cheapest Commodities in the World , but likewise encourages the building large Ships , which in Cases of Necessity may be useful for the defence of this Kingdom ? VI. The first part is answered already in the Answer to the first Query ; and as to the Shipping , it may in a great measure be imployed in bringing over Raw Silk and other Commodities which may be Manufactured here , and turn to good account to the Nation . VII . What advantage will it be to England , that her Manufactures ( whether at low or high price ) are consumed within it self , the Nation being thereby never the Richer ? VII . This Nation will be the richer by consuming its own Manufactures , then it will be by consuming Forreign , purchased with our Money , though at very cheap rates . VIII . Why should we Raise up some Artists to oppress others ? For if Spinning and Weaving be English Manufactures , so is Dying , Calendring , Stiffning , Glazing and Printing ? VIII . That the Printers , &c. are very inconsiderable in number to the Spinsters and Weavers , and some of them now are , and the rest may as well be imployed in printing our own , as India Manufactures . IX . Why should we prohibit the wearing East-India Manufactures , which are so cheap , to encourage the wearing our own which are much dearer , and yet give liberty to Export them into other Countreys , where they will have the same effect upon ours there ? IX . Our own Manufactures are cheaper to the Nation than East-India Manufactures are or can be ; and as to the damage they will do us in other Countreys , we are sensible of it , but cannot prevent it ; ( for if we will not carry them thither , other Nations will ) ; and therefore the more need to hinder it at home . X. What encouragement will it be to bring hither those far fetch'd Commodities , when we have no vent for them at Home , but must send them to be blown upon in a Forreign Market ? X. As much as formerly ; when that Trade was in a flourishing Condition , Then three parts in four was Exported , as appears by their printed Books ; the Bill takes away but part of the home Consumption , which may be supplied by Raw Silks , &c. XI . Why should we Cut off this profitable Trade from the English , and let the Dutch , French , Sweeds and Scotch run away with it ? For Trade like the Sea , never loseth ground in any one place , but she gains it in another , and if checked or restrained , take its flight , and carries its Blessings to more Hospitable Countries . XI . If this Trade be profitable , it is only so to some private Persons , and not to the Nation ; so better lost than kept . But by this , neither Dutch , French , Swedes or Scotch can be benefitted ; so that the Trade loosing Ground , it will be no more than thus , the East-India Company will lose some part of their Trade in Manufactured Goods , and the Nation be great Gainers thereby .

An ANSWER TO THE QUERIES Relating to the BILL for Restraining East-India wrougt Silks , &c. in England .

REASONS Humbly Offered For Restraining the Wearing of Wrought Silks , Bengals , and Dyed , Printed , and Stained Callicoes , of the Product and Manufacture of Persia and the East-Indies , , in England and our Plantations .

THE Goods Imported from the East-Indies , for several Years after the East-India Company were first Established , were Drugs , Spices , Salt-petre , &c. and some Course Callico's , which were most Exported again : The Members of that Company being then afraid to adventure on other Manufactured Goods , because they well knew it would prejudice our own , and raise a Storm against the Company , as they often-times declared .

That the Charter of the East-India Company was Confirmed by King Charles II. in the Thirteenth Year of his Reign : and the Law for permitting Bullion to be Exported , was made soon after , at the Solicitation of that Company ; and till then , little Silver or Gold was Exported . After that Law was made , begun the great Exportation of Bullion to India .

That , in Anno 72 , or 73 several Artificers , were sent over by the Company , with great quantity of English Patterns , to teach the Indians how to Manufacture Goods to make them Vendible in England , and the rest of the European Markets . After which began the great Trade in Manufactured Goods from the Indies .

That this was complained of , and proved before several Lords appointed by King Charles II. in Anno 1680 , or 81. Whereupon the Company received some Discouragement ; but finding great Gain by Wrought Silks , Bengals and Callico's , would not desist Trading in them : upon which great Complaints were made in Parliament , against the growth of the East-India Trade .

That about 500000 l. in Bullion , and but small quantities of our Manufactures have been Yearly Exported ; and vast quantities of Manufactured Goods Imported , for several Years before the War .

That a great part of the India Manufactured Goods were spent in England , and our Plantations , in the room of our own Manufactures , viz. their Wrought Silks , Bengall's , Painted and Dyed Callico's , in the room of our Silks , Half Silks , Worsted Stuffs , Say's , Perpetuano's , and divers other Commodities , not only for Vestments for both Sexes , but for Hanging of Rooms , Beds , &c.

That the India Trade was encreased , before the War , to a very great height , and their Manufactures in so great request , that they ( from being a Scandal to be worn a few years before ) soon after became the general Wear of almost all sorts and degrees of Persons ; by which means our own Manufactures were neglected , and our Manufacturers thereby under great discouragement , being not able to carry on their Trades , many were forced to give over , whereby the Poor wanted Employment , the Price of Wool reduced very low , and great quantities of Wool could not be Manufactured : Whereupon the Parliament thought it necessary to make a Law for Burying in Woollen , thereby to consume some of the Wool that lay heavy upon the Growers Hand .

That the Indians have Provisions and Materials very cheap , and Wages at three Half-pence or two pence a Day ; which disables us , and the rest of the European Traders , to contend with them ; and for this reason , their Trade did encrease apace , until this War ; and unless restrained , will most certainly encrease , to the ruining of our best Fabricks , and the vast number of People that have their Livelihood and Dependance thereupon .

That since this War , the India Company have laboured under some Discouragements , and but small quantities of their Manufactured Goods , in proportion to what they formerly brought in , have been Imported ; by reason thereof , great Encouragement hath been given to the Manufactures of Silk , Half Silk , and Worsted , which have been very much improved in a great variety of Figured , Strip'd , and other sort of Stuffs , which have been made not only in London , Norwich and Canterbury , in much greater quantities than ever ; but this Manufacture has now spread it self to Bristol , Newbury , and divers other Parts of the Kingdom ; and will yet encrease , if due Encouragement be given thereto .

That since our Trade hath encreased , greater numbers of Poor have been employed , and greater quantities of English Wool consumed ; so that the Price of the Wool is advanced , and the Labour and Wages of the Poor encreased ; which enables them to live comfortably , and consume the Product of the Land , to support themselves and Families ; which is of great Advantage to the Landlords and Tenants , and the Benefit of the whole Nation .

That in case the East-India Stock should be enlarged , and that Trade settled by Act of Parliament , it will be in the power of that Company to ruine our Woollen and Silk Manufactures , and bring down the Price of Wool , and Work-mens Labour and Wages , as low , if not lower , than ever , unless the Wearing of the said Manufactured Goods be prohibited in England , and the Plantations .

That such Prohibition would not only encourage our own Manufactures , upon which the Value of Lands , and the Employment of our Poor depends , but prevents the Exportation of much of our Coin , which at this time can be very ill spared ; and also prevent many of the Inconveniences feared from the Scotch East-India Company .

That since there is a Trade found out to the Indies , no Objection can well be made against their Trade in Spices , Drugs , Salt-petre , &c. nor against the Manufactured Goods that are brought in , and again exported to Foreign Markets ; because it will be carry'd on by others , if we should neglect it : But certainly it must be accounted very ill Husbandry , and will be of fatal and ruinous consequence , to despise our own Manufactures , and send our Gold and Silver to the Indies , from whence it will never return , to purchase Manufactur'd Goods to be consumed at Home , when our Money may be kept here to circulate among our selves ; and is so necessary to our Commerce , and payments of our Fleets and Armies , without which , we can neither be rich or safe .

That the great Argument that is used in favour of the East-India Company , is , That although they Export great Quantities of Bullion , yet they bring in much more for the Goods they sell in Foreign Markets . Supposing their Assertion to be true , this can be no Argument against the prohibiting their Manufactures to be worn in England , and our Plantations , but rather an Argument for it ; for what is consumed at Home , brings in no Bullion ; and if none be consumed at Home , more may be sent Abroad : for it will make the Company more industrious to find out either New Commodities to deal in , or Markets for the vending thereof , whereby they may make their Trade more Profitable to the Nation .

It is also alledged , in favour of the East-India Trade , That there have of late years been great Quantities of English Cloth Exported by the Company . To which this Answer is to be given , That the Cloth by them Exported more than formerly , is not consumed in India , but sent thence to Persia ; which hinders the Turkey Merchants , who formerly used to supply those Markets . So that the East-India Company sending away our Cloth , proves no Advantage to us , and is only done to gain a good Opinion , and make the Nation believe that their Trade is not so prejudicial to us as has been represented , or as in reality it is .

That the sending our Money to the East-Indies , to purchase Goods perfectly Manufactured there , may Advance Lands , Enrich the People , Employ the Poor in India : But such as are spent here , in the room of our own Manufactures , must have the quite contrary effect with us .

Whether it be for the Interest of England , to Settle the East-India Trade , without Restrictions , is humbly submitted to the Consideration of the Parliament .

REASONS Against Wearing of India Wrought Sikls , Bengals , and Callicoes , In England , and the Plantations .

The WEAVERS of London do humbly offer to the serious Consideration of both Houses of Parliament ;

That this Kingdom of England will sustain great Evils and Damage by enjoyning the Wear of Woollen Manufactures and Leather , both by Men , Women , and Children , by a Law ; and so consequently restraining the Wear of Silks and Hair Stuffs manufactured in England ; And that great benefit may ensue to the English Nation , by prohibiting the Use and Wear of Silks and Stuffs Foreign manufactur'd , appears by these following Particulars , viz.

THE Restraint of wearing Silks , and Stuffs made of Mohair Yarn manufactured in England , will necessarily impoverish and depopulate the Nation , there being no Trades in England that imploy so many People as those relating to the Manufacturing of Silk and Hair ; for upon the most modest computation they are judged to be above Three hundred thousand Souls Weavers , Throwsters , Windsters ; Dyers , and other Dependents thereupon , that do subsist thereby , and that have no other way of Livelyhood ; and a great part of these have served seven years Apprentiship to their several Trades , according to the Laws of this Nation , ( which makes their Trades a Freehold and Inheritance ) and have Families depend upon them . Now if by Law there should be any Restraint of wearing English made Silks and Hair Stuffs for any part of the Year , they would be deprived of their said Freehold and Inheritance , and must of necessity not only be impoverished , but want bread in one year , nay the greatest part of them in one Months time , they having nothing but from hand to mouth , and what they get by their daily Labour to supply their daily Wants ; and consequently the greatest part of them must be necessitated in a short time either to take rude and desperate courses , or transport themselves into Foreign Parts to get their Bread ; there being no other Imployment ( either Handicraft or others ) that can receive one fourth part of so great a Number , considering that the Old and Young are hereby imployed , and cannot otherwise , but be chargable to the places of their Abode .

If it be objected , that this Restraint is intended but for five Months in the Year , and therefore cannot have such dismal Effects as are before mentioned : For Answer it is said , That these five Months Restraint of wearing them will take off the Imployment of the Manufacturers thereof eight Months in the Year , and in little time amount to little less than a total Prohibition of them ; for that the persons that wear English made Silks and Hair Stuffs are generally of the best Quality , and all of them either Leaders or Followers of the newest Modes and Fashions , and therefore it cannot be supposed that they will buy Silk Garments to lay by them all the Winter to wear in Spring , for that then newer Modes and Fashions will come in , and there cannot be allowed less ( one with another ) than three or four Months for them to wear out a Silk Garment : So that take the five Months in the Year wherein they are not to be worn at all , and the three or four Months before , which must be allowed for the wearing of those they have already bought , there will not remain above three or four Months at most for the Manufacturers to sell their Silks and Stuffs ; which amounts to little less than a total Prohibition , for this reason , for that the Merchants either cannot , or at least will not , give credit to the Weaver or Throwster the Year round ; and if they should , yet is there not one Weaver or Throwster in a thousand , that is able to supply their Workmen and Windsters with Money so long time , without Returns of Money for their Commodities , So that it is manifest notwithstanding this Objection , the forementioned mischiefs of Poverty and Depopulation must ensue upon it .

And if it be objected , That it is not intended to restrain the wear of Stuffs made of Mohair Yarn , commonly called Chamlets , or other Stuffs , whereof the Woof or Warp shall be of Mohair Yarn ; This must be acknowledged to be so , but withall , these Chamlets and Stuffs are limitted to be used for Cloaks and Coats for Men only , which do not work up the fourth Part of the Mohair Yarns imported , nor do they imploy one sixth Part of the Hands that Mohair Yarns would imploy ; for it is to be noted , that the several Commodities hereafter named , viz.

Barratines Prunella's Crispiana's Tamaleta's Calamantoes Mohairs Farrendines Morella's and divers other Stuffs are made up of three Parts of Mohair Yarn , and but one Part of Silk ; and these are chiefly for the use of Women and Children in the Winter season who are not allowed to wear the same .

That as this will impoverish the Manufacturers of Silk and Hair Stuffs , so it will also diminish the consumption of Wooll , and impoverish the Manufacturers thereof , and consequently cause yet a greater Depopulation of the Nation .

Because the greatest part of our Cloths and Stuffs made here of English Wooll are transported beyond the Seas , and chiefly to Turky ; in exchange whereof the Merchants bring raw Silks and Mohair Yarn , which sets so many thousand people to work again ; and if the Consumption of Silk and Hair be abated in England , as it must needs be by the Restraint of the Wear thereof , the Exportation of Cloth must needs abate proportionably thereunto , for that there is little other Commodities proper for England to be had there in exchange for our Cloths ; so that whereas the Turky Company in particular have of late exported twenty five or thirty thousand Cloths in a Year , they may be reduced to ten or twelve thousand , and by degrees to little or nothing ; and consequently there will be eighteen or twenty thousand Cloths lie on the Clothiers hands in one Year more than they can vend ; and that there will be such an Abatement in the Exportation of English Cloths , if English made Silks and Hair Stuffs be not allowed to be worn five Moneths in the Year , will appear not onely from the former Argument , that there are little other Commodities to exchange in Turky for them but Silk and Hair ; but also because the Winter Season , wherein these Silks and Stuffs are prohibited to be worn , is the chief time for the Consumption of Silk and Hair Stuffs , for that the richest Silks and Stuffs are worn in that season , and is the principal time for the Consumption of them . And if this be true , ( as most certain it is ) that this will cause so great an Abatement in the Exportation of our Cloths made of English Wooll , what miserable Poverty and Desolation will it bring upon the Manufacturers of the Staple Commodity of this Nation , and in little time force them also to transport themselves to Forein Parts , to the great Depopulation , Dishonour , and Danger of the Nation ; for hereby there will not be People sufficient to eat up the Corn , nor strength to defend the Nation .

If it be objected , That the enjoyning the wearing of Woollen Manufacture five Months in the Year , will answer the Consumption of Wooll that is abated in the Exportations : It is answered , That it had need exceed it three times over ; for that the making 60000 Cloths in a Year more than now is , will not set so many people at work , as the other will throw out of work ; and if it could be supposed that there would be vent for so many more , it is presumed there would not be found Wooll enough to make them , it being now somewhat a scarce Commodity , and raised in price a third part to what it was some years past . So that indeed at this time there is no just cause to complain of the want of Consumption of Wooll , it being a good scarce and ready money Commodity ; but that the Restraint of Silk and Hair Stuffs , and the enjoyning the Wear of Woollen , will neither increase the Consumption of it to such a degree , nor yet answerable to the Abatement of the Exportation of it by 15 or 20000 Clothes per annum , is proved thus ; because the Nobility , Gentry , and better sort of Tradesmen , will not wear our course Cloths made of English Wooll onely , but fine Dutch Cloth , and Cloth made of Spanish Wooll , which in some of the finest Cloths have not above five or six pounds of English Wooll in a whole Cloth , as the Makers of fine Cloths will acknowledge ; so that little English Wooll will be consumed by them that use to wear Silks and Stuffs , and on the other hand the poor Manufacturers both of Woollen , Silk , and Hair , they generally wear our course Cloths and Stuffs made all of English Wooll , and these being either impoverished hereby that they cannot cloath themselves but with Rags , or be forc'd beyond the Seas , must necessarily cause a far less Consumption of our English Wooll . For it cannot be supposed that the expence of English Wooll in fine Cloths , can answer to the loss of that expence which is now worn by these poor Creatures . So that indeed the expence of English Wooll will by this means be abated in England not onely so much , but much more than what the Abatements of the Exportations of our Woollen Manufactures amount unto , by means of such a Restraint of the one , and enjoyning the other .

That by Restraint of the Wear of any part of Silk , the Consumption of Wooll must needs be lessen'd , for that the several Stuffs hereafter mentioned , viz.

Bombazines Anthorines Silk Sayes Crape Silk Masquerades Stript Cheneys Virgins Beauty Drafts of all sorts Druggets of all sorts Silk Calamantoes Silk Gloriosa's of all sorts Silk Shades Worsted Barratines Glassamines Katherina's Tameenes Estameenes Effegenes and all or most of Norwich Stuffs , with great numbers of other Stuffs , too many to be here inserted , having but one part of Silk in them , and nine parts of Worsted , which is our English Sheeps Wooll , which through the Ingenuity of the Weavers and others concern'd therein , are made very acceptable for the use and wearing of divers persons in the Winter Season ; yet because of that little part of Silk in them , cannot then be worn in Apparel , to the lessening the Consumption of Wooll , and to the taking away the chief part of the Trade and Imployment of many thousand persons .

This Injunction of the one , and Restraint of the other , will much depress the Protestant , and advance the Papal Interest , not only in England , but throughout Europe ; and were it not but that by the unanimous Votes of this present Protestant Parliament , wherein ( to the chearing of English Hearts ) they have manifested so much zeal for the Protestant Interest and the Rights and Privileges of Englishmen , it would cause great suspicion of ill designs ; for there is nothing more conducing to the destruction of the Protestant Religion , and the advancement of Popery , than the disuniting of the Hearts and Affections of the English people , who are generally Protestants , and the best sort of Protestants . And this the Jesuits have not been wanting by all means to effect , and there is nothing more proper thereunto , than to bring off the Affections of the People from the Love of Parliaments by any means whatsoever , which they know are the greatest Anticipation and Obstruction of their damnable designs ; but through the mercy of God they have in a great measure been hitherto prevented , and it 's hoped yet will , by a timely prospect of those things that may cause it . And though it cannot be thought , that any true Englishman would knowingly countenance , but detest such designs ; yet it is feared if such an Act should pass , it would not only alienate the Affections of many thousand Protestants , by exposing them to Want and Penury , and to beg their Bread , and seek it in other Countries ; but also would make this great and populous Nation , ( which at present under God is the Fortress of the Protestant Religion ) indefensible against the Papal designs , by scattering up and down in other parts of the World , those that are ready at all times , and best adapted to defend it , and put them upon a temptation by their necessities and dwelling amongst them to turn Papists . And this also in a short time will carry away the Trade of the Nation ( which is now increasing and flourishing ) to other parts of the World that are generally our Enemies ; to the utter ruine of the whole Nation , both in Trade and Navigation , and the sacred Religion thereof . And of what evil consequence this will be to the Nobility and Gentry , by bringing down the price of their Lands , may easily be conceived by an ordinary Capacity .

Again , If this Injunction of the one , and Restraint of the other , do pass into a Law , it will not only destroy the most chief and principal Manufacture of the Nation , whereby so many Thousand Native Protestants get their livelihood and subsistance , but ( which is considerable ) it may truly be called the Protestant Trade , for it sets to work and employs most of the Strangers and Foreign Protestants that fly from the tyrannical Persecutions of the Papist 〈◊〉 other Countries , and They must be forced also to return again ; for it is judged th 〈…〉 Parts of ten of the Protestant Strangers that comes over into England , are employ 〈…〉 Trade of Silk and Hair , to their great comfort both of Soul and Body : And the 〈…〉 London do freely receive them , and that in so great numbers , that a very great 〈…〉 Silk and Hair-weaving Trade is managed by them and their Dependants . And 〈…〉 Silk and Hair Trade encouraged , as it 's hoped it will by this Parliament , there might y 〈…〉 received 100000 more into the Trade , so beneficial is it to England , and so considerable to the strength of the Protestant Interest .

But now if it shall please the Parliament instead of restraining the wear of our own Manufactures , to prohibit the wearing of Silks and Stuffs Manufactured in Foreign Parts , this would certainly inrich and people the Nation , and cause a greater Consumption of Wool , as also advance and strengthen the Interest of the Protestant Religion .

It will inrich and people the Nation , for that a great deal of the Money that is sent out of the Nation to purchase the Silks and Stuffs Foreign Manufactured , will be kept among us ; as also all that Money that is paid to Workmen abroad for the Manufucturing of these Silks and Stuffs , will be earned by the Natives and Strangers in England , and so make way for the Employment of many Thousands more than is in the Nation .

It will also increase the Consumption of English Wool abundantly , for that there being more expence of Silk , because of the Manufacturing of those Silks here that use to come from other Parts , there will be also far greater quantities of Cloths made of English Wool exported in exchange for Silk ; and besides the expence of English Wool will not only be increased by the exportation of more Cloths , but a great deal more than is will be worn in England , and the Plantations belonging thereunto , by this means ; for that Foreign Silks that come ready wrought from other Parts , especially from Holland , France , and East-India , with their painted Calicoes , are generally slight and very cheap , and set up the meaner sort of People ( as Maid-Servants , and others ) in the garbs of Gentry , which otherwise would wear the decent , useful , and profitable wear of Cloth , Kersies , and other Stuffs made of Wool , as they would also do in the Plantations , for that our English Silks being generally rich and well made Silks , they cannot so well go to the price of them , and that this prohibition of Foreign-wrought Silks will certainly promote the Consumption of Wool , is manifest by Experience ; for since the late good Act was made for the prohibiting of French Silks , ( which it 's hoped this Parliament will renew ) there has been greater quantities of raw Silk imported , as also greater quantities of Woollen Cloths exported , than was in former years ; besides , greater numbers of People employed , both Native and Foreign Protestants , to the great benefit of the Nation ; which expence of English Wool has been chiefly occasioned from this cause , that more Silks has been made here in that time than before ; which is an undeniable Argument to prove , that the more Silks are worn in England if Manufactured here , the greater is the Consumption of English Wool , for such person as wears a Silk Garment , doth certainly expend more English Wool ( that being the return of Woollen Cloth ) than twenty Gentlemen that wears Cloth made of Spanish Wool , and fine Dutch Cloths : And in all probability , if Silks Manufactured here were encouraged , and Silks Foreign made prohibited to be worn , it would reduce and bring back the whole Trade of the Woollen Manufacture into England in a little time , by preventing the exportation of Wool , for if Wool yeild as good or better price here than it doth in other Parts , as it will do if there be more occasion for it , it will not be transported as now it is to France and Holland , by which means they gain a considerable share of our Woollen Trade , to their great benefit both at home and abroad and to our great loss and detriment .

This must needs corroborate and strengthen the Interest of the Protestant Religion , for that this Nation being the chief of all the Protestant Countries , the Riches and Populousness of it must needs strengthen it , as well as the Unity of them one unto the other , and this will certainly cause the Nation to flourish both in Riches and People , and through the Mercy and Blessing of God , make us yet more formidable and strong against our implacable Enemies , by enabling of us not only to defend our selves against them , but to root Popery out of this Nation , and the rest of His Majesties Dominions .

For these Reasons , and many others that may be given , it is humbly prayed , That the Parliament would be pleased to lay aside that Bill which would restrain the wearing of Silks , and Stuffs Manufactured in England , which are so beneficial , and instead thereof , order a Bill to be brought in for the prohibiting the importation and wearing of Silks and Stuffs Manufactured in Foreign Parts , which are so plainly detrimental to the Interest of England : And the English Artists shall continue to pray , That as this Parliament have begun , so God would honour them so far , as to finish the deliverance of this Nation from Popery , and Slavery the effect of it .

FINIS .

Weavers of LONDON .

An ANSWER to the most Material Objections against the Bill for Restraining the East-India Wrought Silks , &c. Humbly offered to the Consideration of the Lords .

Obj. THAT Trade is in its Nature free , finds its own Channel , and best directs its own Course .

Ans. All trading Nations have , and do at this Day put a restraint upon Trade according as their Circumstances require : The French have many Years since , by extraordinary Impositions , prohibited all our Woollen Manufactures , and by that means have set them up in their own Country , to their great Advantage . The Dutch , who are little more than Carriers of Goods from one Country to another , yet do often prohibit , and for Instance , have by great Impositions prohibited our Dyed Woollen Manufactures , by which means they have gained that profitable Imployment . The Venetians have prohibited our Cloth : The Sweeds and Danes the like . The French have by severe Edicts prohibited all Indian Silks , Bengalls , and Painted Calicoes ; and a Multitude of Instances might be given of this Nature . Our own Statute-Books are full of them ; the Act of Navigation , and the Act for Preventing the Exportation of Wooll have been , and are of infinite Benefit to this Kingdom .

Obj. That the East-India Trade is greatly beneficial to England .

Ans. If what the Writers for the East-India Company have asserted be true , That Three Parts of Four of the whole imported have been again exported to Foreign Parts , or if what the late Author of the Essay on the East-India Trade asserts be true , That one half has been exported and has brought in 600000 l. more than the prime Cost in India , then this Trade , in that Respect , may well be accounted a profitable Trade to this Nation : But this , though often asserted , has not been made appear in such manner as a Business of so great a concern to the East-India Company ought , or might have been ; and we have great Reason to believe that no such Quantities are , or ever were exported ; But supposing that great Quantities were exported , this Bill does not extend to hinder that Trade .

Obj. That it must be granted that the East-India-Trade in General is prejudicial to Europe , and if all by common Consent would agree to deal no more with them , it would save the Expence of a great Treasure ; but since that cannot be done , it would be Egregious Folly in us to quit it .

Ans. The Reason why the East-India Trade is prejudicial , is , because we draw from thence nothing of solid use , Materials to support Luxury , Perishable Commodities , and send thither Gold and Silver , which is there buried and never returns , and the Burden of this bears hard only on the Countries which consume them , as the Author of the Essay has very well observed , and from thence inferr'd , That the French did wisely to prohibit . Now if this be true , as undoubtedly it is , there cannot be greater or more cogent Arguments for the passing this Bill , which is not to destroy the whole Trade , but only part of that which their own Advocate acknowledge is very hard upon us , who are the Consumers .

Obj. The Bill now proposed will be absolutely destructive to the East-India Trade , and should we quit the Hold we have in India , the Dutch will undoubtedly ingrose the whole , which will be of dangerous Consequence .

Ans. That what by this Bill is to be restrained cannot be computed to above one half of the home Consumption , and the whole is accounted , by the Author of the Essay , but one half of the Trade ; so that at most it will be lessen'd but one Fourth Part , which by the Addition that may be made by bringing home Raw-Silks , Cotton Yarn , &c. may in a great measure be made good ; And why Three Parts and more should not be carry'd on without the remainder , is very hard for us to imagine . The French have prohibited all Wrought Silks , Bengalls and Printed Callicoes ; and yet they carry on their East-India Trade : and in case the East-India Company , either through Poverty or any other Reasons , should not be able or willing to carry it on , there are Merchants enough in England to take it up : But if we cannot trade there without the Consent of the Dutch , who are now very powerful and can bring together 40 strong Frigats ( as the Author of the Essay tells us ) which is much more than we are able or can pretend to do , they may as easily beat us out of the whole as of what will be still left . Therefore the best way as we humbly conceive to secure us from those Fears , is , to keep our Treasure to imploy our own people , and increase our strength at home .

Obj. The Company send great quantities of our Manufactures , and have in return Wrought Silks .

Ans. The Company are obliged to send 100000 l. worth of our Manufactures , but have not done it ; for by Accounts taken out of the Custom house Books , there cannot be found 100000 l. worth in Two years last past , and not 20000 l. worth last year , and how much of this has been really Exported and sent to India we know not , but have great reason to believe that great Quantities were either not shipt off , or not sent thither , but to Spain or other Parts where they take in Bullion ; for this is most certain that the Indians wear none , or so little of our Manufactures as is not worth mentioning : 'T is true that since the Company have been obliged they have sent some Cloth ; which they have sold in the Gulph of Persia , and brought in returns Raw Silk , which have been wrought up by the Indians in the Bay of Bengall into silks commonly called Persian Taffeties , and the like , and from thence brought to England , whereas formerly the Turkey Merchants used to supply the Persians with cloth , and brought in Return Raw Silk , and might do so again if the Trade were turned into its old Channel .

Obj. That no Country Manufactures are made so dear as the English , and if we would have a Trade we must make our Manufactures cheaper .

Ans. To this we think we cannot give a better Answer than what Sir Jos. Child gave in the like Case , which we find in the Preface of his Book called A Discourse on Trade , his Words are these , I affirm and can prove be 's mistaken in Fact ; for the Dutch , with whom we principally contend in Trade , give generally more Wages for all their Manufactures , by at least Two Pence in the Shilling , than the English . And adds farther , That wheresoever Wages are high universally throughout the whole World , it is an infallible Evidence of the Riches of that Country : and wherever Wages for Labour runs low , it s a Proof of the Poverty of that Place . That it is multitude of People and good Laws , such as cause an increase of People , that principally enrich any Country : And if we retrench ( by Law ) the Labour of our People , we drive them from us to other Countries that give better Rates , and so the Dutch have dreined us of our Seamen and Woollen Manufactures : And we the the French of their Artificers and Silk Manufacturers . And in Pag. 175. discoursing of the ways of enlarging our Trade , among many others , he gives this Advice , That it 's our Interest by Example , and otherwise not distastful , above all kinds of Commodities to prevent as much as may be the Importation of Foreign Manufactures , and to encourage those Trades most that vend most of our Manufactures , and supply us with Materials to be further Manufactured .

Obj. That we want Hands , not Manufactures in England , and Laws to compel the Poor to work and therefore want more an Act to set up publick Work-houses to force them that are not willing .

Answ. as the Case now stands , we have Hands more than sufficient to carry on the Manufactures which the East-India Trade leaves us ; but if this Bill pass we have great Reason to believe that in a very shortime , Imployment will be found for a great number of those now out of work , and for some of the 1200000 which the Author of the Essay says , he thinks there are now receiving Alms in this Kingdom . It were to be wished that there were Publick Workhouses for the Imployment of the unwilling Poor ; but before they can be imploy'd in such Places it will be necessary to know how the Manufactures can be disposed : And with Submission , we humbly conceive there can be no better way found for their vent than by restraining the Expence of these Foreign Commodities , and that this will be greatly for the Interest of this Kingdom . To confirm us in this Opinion , we have the Judgment of Sir Jos. Child , that great Champion for the India Cause , who in the Preface of his Book of Trade says , That the Expence of Foreign Commodities , especially Foreign Manufactures , is the worst Expence a Nation can be inclinable to , and therefore ought to be prevented as much as possible .

Obj. That it 's the Interest of this Nation to have our own Wooll cheap , and cheaply manufactured , whereby we may be enabled to under-sell all Nations , and discourage all People to set it up .

Ans. To do this we must bring down the Price of Wool and Workmanship considerably , and then Provisions must fall in Proportion to answer the Wages , or else the Poor cannot purchase them ; and if so , Rents must abate , when this is done , other Nations who contend with us in our Manufactures must do likewise , and after all this , the Indian that works for a Peny a Day , will be able to undersell us all ; so that after all our reducing , we are not like to undersell all Nations , unless we should send our Wooll to India to be manufactur'd .

Obj. That the home Consumption is no Advantage to the Nation .

Ans. If a Penny saved be the surest Penny got , then the saving our Pence by the Home Consumption of our own , instead of expending them for Foreign Manufactures , must certainly be greatly for the Advantage of this Kingdom .

Obj. It 's the Interest of this Nation to wear East India Goods ' , which are very Cheap , and to Export our own which are much dearer .

Answ. If we could find a Forreign Market for our own Manufactures , this Objection would be of force , but ( with submission we say ) that this is impossible ; for it is very well known , that all Forreign Markets have been plentifully supplyed with as much of our Wollen Manufactures as could be vended , and generally over-stocked ; and yet notwithstanding our Exporters do not carry off above one third part , ( as the Persons concern'd in the Aulnage , who best know how much is made , have oft-times asserted ) and in case a stop be not put to the East India Trade , our Export must be less ; for by reason of the great ware of Muslings and Callicoes , we have already lost the greatest part of our Trade for Wollen Cloaths , &c. to Germany , Silesia , &c. from whence we had formetly great quantities of Linnens , but when we could no longer take their Linnens , they were forced to set up a Manufacture of Wollen , by which we have almost wholly lost that profitable Trade . We have now a Trade with Spain , Italy , and Turky , from whence we Import great quantities of Wool , Raw Silk , and Grogern-yarn , but if we must wear East India Manufactures , we cannot use their Silk ; and if so , it 's reasonable to conclude , that they must shortly follow the example of the Germans . As to our Plantations and Ireland , to which we send great quantities of our Manufactures , if the East India Silks , &c. are the Mode here , they will be so there , the orders that are sent from thence , being to send over such Manufactures , as are most Fashionable in England ; so that instead of a greater Exportation , we shall almost wholly lose what we now have . But in case it were possible to vend more , we could make much greater quantities , as we did last year , when there was a considerable demand for them .

Obj. That if we do not use these India Goods , they will be carried to other places , where we now send our Manufactures , and be there used instead of them .

Answ. If this be true , then the East-India Trade will not receive so great Prejudice as is pretended ; but this is fallacious , for the Exporters always send to furnish all foreign Markets with what they want ; and we are very sensible , that they have and will be sufficiently supplied with these India Manufactures , which will very much obstruct our Trade , and therefore we humbly conceive its highly Reasonable this Bill should pass , that seeing the Mischief they will do us in foreign Markets cannot be prevented , we may in some measure be helpt , by preventing our falling into the same Mischief at home .

Obj. That these India Manufactures do not much hinder the Consumption of our own Manufactures , but chiefly those of Italy , France , and Holland .

Answ. They do directly hinder the Consumption of vast Quantities of our own Manufactures , as the Norwich , London , Canterbury Antherines , and other sorts of Stuffs ; as also the Manufactures made in Bristol , Ketering , Sudbury , Stowmarket , Kendal , and divers other places in this Kingdom ; and they do and will in a great Measure , destroy all our Silk Manufactures , which of late are brought to such perfection , as better Silks are not made in any part of the World , and are cheaper to us than any can come from the fore-mentioned Countries , and have almost wholly beat them out of use . So that of late Years there has been no considerable Quantities Imported , except black Lutestrings , Alamodes , and Velvets , for which Use the India Silks will not serve ; so that the India Manufactures are directly opposite and destructive to our own .

Obj. That Silk is a Manufacture of foreign Extract , and if the Wearing of Silk could be Abolished , it would be Beneficial to the Kingdom .

Answ. That the Abolishing of all foreign wrought Silks , that are the Returns of our Money , would undoubtedly be Beneficial to the Kingdom ; and it is that we now only Contend for . But we do assert , and plainly demonstrate , That the wearing of Silks , which are Manufactured here of such Raw Silk as are the Returns of our Woollen , and other Manufactures Exported ( as the Italian and Turkey Silks are ) is much more Beneficial to this Kingdom , then if we wear them not , for by this means we imploy double the number of People we should do , if we were Clad in our own Manufactures .

Obj. That if we take not these Goods , the Indians will let us have no Salt-petre , Muslins , White Calicoes , Pepper , Drugs , Raw Silks , and other Goods we want .

Answ. This is such an Objection as scarce ever was made before by Mankind ; 't is just as if we should say , we will not let the Venetians and other Nations we Trade with , have our Lead , Tynn , &c. because they will not take our Cloth . The French have Prohibited all their Silks and Painted Calicoes above ten Years past , yet have ever since Traded with the Indians for these Commodities , and we believe never yet wanted Salt-petre , &c. and why they should refuse us these Goods is hard to imagine .

Obj. If this Bill pass , it will be to the Advantage of the Scotch and Dutch , who will bring in these India Goods among us at a much dearer Rate .

Answ. One would think in common Reason , there cannot be a more effectual Course taken to hinder that , than by Prohibiting the wearing of them : For if they may be freely worn , the Scotch and Dutch will have a great Advantage , because they pay little or no Duty to what our East-India Merchants must pay ; and the very hopes , that the Persons who were concerned in promoting the Scotch Company , had of vending the Wrought Manufactures in England , was , as we have good Reasons to believe , one great cause for the setting up that Trade . For this is certain , that some of the most zealous Promoters of that Company , are the greatest Sticklers against this Bill .

Obj. That the Passing this Bill will discourage Navigation .

Answ. This is a very strange Objection , For one Ship of 500 Tons Freighted with these Goods will bring in above 1,000,000 , l. worth , at but 20s . per pound , which is a moderate Value ; many of these Silks being worth 3 and 4 l. per pound , so that if this single Freight were worn here , it will ruine above twenty times as much Shipping , which is employed in the Coasting Trade , to furnish the English Manufacturers , and their dependance with Coles , Corn , Butter , Cheese , and other Necessaries , as is easie to be more fully demonstrated .

Obj. If there be a multitude of Hands want Work , the Herring Fishery would employ them .

Answ. The Men , Women , and Children , that are employed in the Woollen and Silk Manufactures , are very unfit to catch Fish : But since it is objected , That if this Bill pass it will discourage Navigation , here 's a proper Salvo for that Sore , let the Merchants employ their Stock , and the Seamen their time , to catch these Herrings , and then we are very sure they would be much better imployed for the Advantage of the Nation than they now are .

Obj. That if the East India Manufactures did greatly prejudice our own , it is not adviseable they should be Prohibited in this time of War , because of the Companies great Losses and Misfortunes , and their want of Money .

Answ. That the Company have met with great Losses must needs be granted , and that so great a Treasure fell into the Enemies hands , has been of very Ill Consequence to the Nation , and none knows but such Misfortunes may again attend them , and therefore the less Trade of this kind in so dangerous a time , the better for the Nation ; If they want Money so do the English Manufacturers , and whether the Money we now have to Trade with shall be sent out to purchase Goods fully Manufactured for our own Consumption , which may fall into the Enemies Hands , or imployed to carry on our own Manufactures , we think , with humble Submission , is no hard question to be resolved ; for nothing is more visible , than that the East India Manufactures that have been lately Imported , takes away great quantities of our Money , which would otherwise be imployed in the purchasing of our own Silks and Stuffs , and thereby give Imployment and Incouragement to many Thousand Families , who are now in a starving condition .

Obj. The Clause in the Bill which lays the Proof on the Retailers is very unreasonable .

Answ. Without this the whole Bill will be rendred ineffectual , and therefore the like Clauses has been incerted in all Acts of this Nature ( as in our Prohibition of French Silks , &c. )

Obj. That if this Bill pass , it will destroy the Credit of the Nation , and greatly Injure those who have lent Money upon the Customs of the East India Goods .

Answ. The Customs that are given for the Security of Moneys lent by the persons complaining ( which for the most part are Linnen Drapers and East India men ) consists not only of East India Goods , but also of Wines , Vinegar , Brandy , Tobacco , all Linnens , Wood , Iron , Oyl , Flax , Hemp , Paper , and abundance of other Commodities , too numerous to be here incerted ; and the whole East India Trade has hitherto raised but a very inconsiderable part of the said Customs , yet the Security has been well answered . Now in case the Customs should be increased by a greater quantity of East India wrought Silks , which must be worn here , they will destroy our own Manufactures , and thereby Impoverish not onely our Manufacturers , and their dependants , but the Nation in general , by which means they will be disabled from consuming the Wines , Brandy , Tobacco , and other Merchandize , which will , ( as we have great reason to believe ) much more weaken the same Security , then this Bill can do ; And not only so , but much lessen the Excise of Beer and Ale , and other the Revenues and Taxes which are given to support a Just and Necessary War , for the preservation of our Lives , Liberties , and Properties .

AN ANSWER to the most Material Objections against the BILL For Restraining East-India Wrought Silk , &c.

New East-India Companies REASONS , Offer'd Anno 1698. Contradictory . To their REASONS Offer'd Anno 1699.

Prince Bulter's Tale : REPRESENTING The State of the Wooll-Case , or the East-India Case truly Stated . The Argument . Part 1. Shews why in Dogrel Verse this Tale Was first begun o'r Pot of Ale ; Shews Rise , and Progress of the Trade To India drove , and Who 't was made The first steps to our Wooll Trades ruin , And how it prov'd to Folks undoing ; What done to stop its further growth , And how those Measures came to nought ; How Golden Fleece lay very dead ; How Act for Burying it was made ; And how , if we were truly Wise , We should their Trangums all despise ; Our Money save , Employ our Poor , From starving keep , and from our Door ; Who then cou'd drink , Some Ale , Some Sherry , And Laugh , and Quaff , and all be merry .
PROLOGUE . IN place , one day , as I was standing , Where folks were printed Papers handing To those that wou'd , or read , or buy 'em , These Remarks made , as I stood nigh 'em : I saw , a mighty , zealous Crew , Some for Old Stock , and some for New , Were Pro and Conning their hard Cases , By the chief Dons of several Classes , 'Mongst which Grandces I sometimes fell in , And heard most dismal Stories telling ; The one , the other , much Arraign'd , And credit of their Causes stain'd . Thus having heard each side complain , Methoughts , 'mongst both , were K—s in grain : And that when such , fall out and scold , An Injur'd Case might then be told : And on the Old Proverb made me think , The more they stir , the more they stink ; And did conclude from all these Hearings , There 's neither Barrel better Herrings . I saw a Case , concerning Wooll , With Reasons stuft , both clear and full ; Which plainly shew'd our certain ruin , These mighty Talkers were pursuing , Yet saw , that many , at first sight on 't , There were , that made but very light on 't , And found there were but few attend it , But very few that wou'd defend it ; Amaz'd I stood , and much dejected , So great a Cause should be neglected . Soon after that , I saw , with vigour , Verses catch'd up , 'bout fight of Tyger , By Old and Young , by Fools and Witty , And by the great Dons of the City . Thought I , this Case , if I should write , In such a manner , Folks would buy 't , And read , for sake of Dogrel Rhime , Which Thought improv'd ; I lost no time , But presently , o'er Pot of Ale , Writ a great part of this sad Tale , Which , if you like , you may have more on 't , For I now have , or shall , have store on 't .
The Tale. WHen first the Indian Trade began , And Ships beyond the Tropicks ran , In quest of various Drugs and Spices , And sundry other strange Devices , Saltpetre , Drugs , Spice , and like Trading , Compos'd the bulk of all their Lading : Bengals , and Silks , of Indians making , Our Merchants then refus'd to take in , Knowing it wou'd their Country ruin , And might prove to their own undoing . Nor did they carry Gold or Bullion . To fetch home what Supplants our Woollen ; Nor were this Nation fond to wear Such Indian Toys , which cost so dear : Then were we clad in Woollen Stuffs , With Cambrick Bands , and Lawn Ruffs , Or else in Silk , which was Imported For Woollen Goods , which we Exported ; Which Silk our English Weavers bought , And into various Figures wrought . Then scarce a Child was to be seen , Without Say Frock , that was of green , Our Hangings , Beds , our Coats , and Gowns , Made of our Wooll in Clothing Towns . This Nation then was Rich and Wealthy , And in a State which we call'd healthy . But since the Men of Gath arose , And for their Chief Goliah chose . And since that mighty Giants Reign , Whose chiefest Aim was private Gain , This Trade was drove on by such measures , As soon Exhausted much our Treasures , For then our chiefest Artists went With Patterns , and with Money sent , To make and purchase Indian Ware , For which this Nation pays full dear . Then by great Gifts of finest touches , To Lords and Ladies , Dukes and Duchess , So far prevail'd , as set the fashion , Which Plague-like soon spread o'r the Nation . Our Ladies all were set a gadding , After these Toys they ran a madding ; And nothing then wou'd please their fancies , Nor Dolls , nor Joans , nor wanton Nancies , Unless it was of Indians making ; And if 't was so , 't was wondrous taking . This Antick humour so prevail'd , Tho' many 'gainst it greatly rail'd , 'Mongst all degrees of Female kind , That nothing else could please their mind . Tell 'em the following of such fashion , Wou'd beggar and undo the Nation , And ruin all our Labouring Poor , That must , or starve , or beg at door , They 'd not at all regard your story , But in their painted Garments glory ; And such as were not Indian proof , They scorn'd , despis'd , as paltry Stuff : And like gay Peacocks , proudly strut it , When in our Streets along they foot it . This humour strangely thus prevailing , Set all the poorer sort a railing , Or else with grief their Case bewailing . The richer seeing what was doing , And how the Nation ran to ruin , To King in Council did complain , In time of Charles the Second's Reign , On which were several Lords appointed , By him who was the Lords Anointed , To hear the Case , and sad Complainings , Of those that Then were for Restrainings ; Who plainly did their Lordships tell , What mischiefs to our Trade befel ; How both our Men and Bullion went To work in India , and be spent In needless Toys , and gawdy Dresses , For Ladies , Madams , Trulls , and Misses . The Case thus heard , they were inclin'd Some proper Remedy to find ; And something was in order doing , To put a stop to further ruin , But by the Craft of great Goliah , Who all the Host stood in defy-a . There is this story passing Current , That say 't was he that stopt this torrent , By pouring Gold in plenteous showers , In Ladies Laps , who bore great Powers , Which strangely alter'd all their Measures , Such charms there are in hidden Treasures . Thus Barrocading all Complaints , Drove Iehu-like , without Restraints Fill'd Town and Country soon so full , As ruin'd much , our Trade in Wooll : And such great Stocks of Wooll and Cloths , Were hoarded up , and eat by Moths , Made Clothiers all , and Growers grumble , When Cloathes and Fleeces o'r they tumbl'd . And further , mischiefs to prevent , Complaint was made in Parliament : And 'cause the Wooll , so near affected , This Salvo for't was then projected , That since the Living would not bear it , They should , when dead , be forc'd to wear it ; This help'd in part , but the Grand Ill Remains upon the Kingdom still . Yet this our Ladies so offended , As all our Female Sex contended , And fain would had this Act rejected , But then their Councels were neglected , And Time has reconcil'd it so , To this Wooll Act they 're now no Foe : So that from Ladies great , to Skullion , All buried lay in our own Woollen . And happy thrice would England be , If , while their Living , we could see , Our noble Ladies but beginning , To wear our Wooll of finest Spinning , Or in such Silks our Workmen make , For which our Merchants Cloth do take , Which soon wou'd bring them in such fashion , As they 'd be worn throughout this Nation , By all Degrees , and Sex , and Ages , From highest Peers to lowest Pages ; Nor would the meanest Trull or Besses , Delight to wear these Indian Dresses , Which certainly wou'd Profit bring , To them , their Tenants , and our King , And Heavn's Blessings in the bargain , Because they 'll keep our Poor from starving , For they wou'd soon be then employ'd , Our Money too at Home wou'd 'bide , And happy then both great and small , With Mirth in Parlour , and in Hall , When thus , with Plenty , Beards wagg all .
EPILOGUE . AND now this Tale , thus far being ended , Methinks I see some Folks offended , And 'gainst this Dogrel Poet rail , Because he've told so plain a Tale , And New and Old Stock , Jobbing Throng , Crying it down , be 't right or wrong ; But if they do , and away fling 'em , 'T is a great Sign , they 're Truths that sting 'em . But let them spend their Lungs , and hollow , Such blustring Sparks he needs not value , Since all his aim , and his designs , Are to beat down their Indian Blinds , That all true English Men may see , What cause , their real Misery , That so they may prevent their ruin , And save this Nation from undoing : But if they still will shut their eyes , And demonstrations plain despise ; And if his Tale shall be rejected , Or if this Cause be still neglected , He only this has more to say , That he can shift as well as they , And that he writ this , not for Pay .

LONDON : Printed , and are to be sold by A Baldwin in Warwick-Lane . 1699