First , THAT it evidently appears to the Eye of all Mankind , What a poor Manufacture it is , of which , many worthy Members of this Honourable House ( if not all ) cannot but be sensible .

Secondly , That very few ( or none ) have Stock to carry on their Trade , without great Trust from their Clay-Merchants ; And are obliged to pay for one Quantity of Clay , when they fetch another ; ( which when done , scarce leaves them Money enough to support their Families , ) which renders them very uncapable of paying any Duty , but must have their Goods ( if any ) for the same .

Thirdly , If the Imposition passes , That with the already Rise of Tobacco , will make the meaner sort of People forbear smoaking Tobacco ; By which , His Majesty will lose much more of his Revenue , than this Imposition will bring in .

Fourthly , That all the poorer sort of the Trade , must be compelled to lay it down , for want of Stock or Credit to carry it on ; and so their Wives and Children , who help to get their Bread , must of necessity perish , or become a Charge to their respective Parishes .

Fifthly , That when a Gross of Pipes are made , they sell them for 1 s . 6 d . and 1 s . 10 d . out of which 2 d . or 3 d . is their greatest Profit : And they not already having Stock , or can make Pipes fast enough to maintain their Families , how much less can they be capable , when half the Stock they have , must be paid down to pay the King his Duty ?

Sixthly , It often happens , that for want of Money to buy Bread for their Families , a great many are forced to Sell their Goods at 3 d . or 4 d . per Gross less than the Prime Cost , to supply their immediate Necessities : Which if it be so with those of the Trade , in and about these Cities , how much harder must it be with those in the Country , who make not half so many Pipes .

Seventhly , If this Imposition should pass , when the Kings Officers are paid , and Expences deducted , the Overplus will be so small a Revenue to the King , that it will be of no great Service ; although the Ruine of many Families , who now make a hard shift to live by their Trade .

Gentlemen , These , with many other Reasons which might be offered , only that we will not trouble you too much , but humbly submit ; and hope that we may be heard by our Counsel ; and that you will take our most deplorable Condition into your serious Consideration : and let Ours , with our Wives and Childrens future Destruction , implore your tender Compassion ; That this Imposition , nor any upon our Poor Manufacture , may be imposed :