OUR Woollen Manufacture brought to its perfection ( in former days ) was the commanding Commodity in Trade at all Foreign Markets , which true merit rendered it the Darling of this Honourable House ; as appears by the Statutes from Edward the Sixth , to the 21st of King James ; during which time , the Country flourished , Wool sold at double the Price it hath done since .

The neglect of which , ( these latter times ) hath occasioned as great a Sickness in Trade , as will appear by a due Examination of all Parts of the Manufacture in our Nation , where the Charge for Relief of the Poor , exceeds all Taxes to the King ; and indeed are become an Emblem of Poverty , which will appear in more visible demonstrations , if some speedy Care be not taken .

But being now ( by good providence ) come upon the same Foot again , as appears by his Majesty's recommending the ballancing of Trade to this great Council . An Abstract of the Grievances about our Woollen Manufacture , are here humbly represented .

1. The Exportation of our Wooll into France and other Parts , which by their cheap Workmanship hath lessened our Trade Abroad , whilst the making it Fellony , hath only been a shelter to the Practice , and no way answer'd the End.

2. The debasing and falsifying our Manufactures hath been a great hindrance to their consumption ; hereby we have given away that excellent Advantage ( that Providence hath afforded us , ) whereby we are capable of exceeding the whole World , and suffer'd the Dutch and other Nations to out-do us in Trade . And I can see little hopes of good Success in Trade , whilst there is Error in fundamento ; and the sinister practises of straining and falsifying our Goods , are the chief wheels that brings our Gain , which for some time may answer private Ends , but will soon be prejudicial to the Publick ; which is no way to be prevented , but by fixing our Manufactures to a certain length , breadth and weight , and preventing the great abuse of straining .

3. The neglect of preserving the Merchandise of our Woollen Manufactures in English Hands , to be Exported to Flanders , Germany , Holland and Spain , who are the only true Patriots to preserve the Reputation of our English Commodities . So soon as the Foreigner became Principal in our Markets in Buying , he soon beat down the Price , and let loose the Reins as to the intrinsick value of the Commodity , which always kept a check upon the Dutch , who are our chiefest Competitors in Trade ; by which means our Cloth was soon debas'd , whilst there was never more care taken in Holland to preserve the Goodness and Reputation of their own . Hereby we have lost the Advantage of our Merchandize , have given an Advantage to Foreigners to sell the Native Commodities of their own Countries at the top of our Markets , and lessened the number of English Merchants so far , that Three Hundred Pounds with an Apprentice now , is not reckon'd so much as One Hundred Pounds Forty Years past ; which is not to be remedied but by an Establishment of the Company of Merchant Adventurers of England , by Act of Parliament , in the most Comprehensive manner that can be contrived .

4. The neglect of preserving the publick Market of Blackwel-hall , in London , for the Sale of Cloth , according to ancient custom , which hath been like the opening of Pandoras's Box to the Manufacturers , or leading of them into Egypt : Hereby the Maker hath been dispossest of the Sale of his own Goods , and train'd up a Servant to become his Master ; who to procure a farther Profit to himself out of Wool , hath brought on a long Credit with Cloth , which hath put the Clothiers Stock out of his own command , and oblig'd him to take his Wool of the Factor at extraordinary Prices . Which long Credit hath been of very oppressing consequence to the poor Labourers , and forc'd them into the hands of Ingrossers and Badgers for an immediate Subsistance ; hath occasion'd many bad Debts to the Makers , from Foreign Merchants , from Packers and Factors , to the very great lessening of the Stock of the Country , and hereby ( the command of the Sale of Cloth being wholly in their own Hands , ) our Substantial Merchants that paid ready Money , hath been discouraged , and the commanding Commodity of our Nation , put into weak Hands , that support themselves by Credit , whilst nothing can relieve the Country but a nimbler circulation of the Clothiers Stock , which by no means can be effected , but by preserving the publick Market , which is humbly offer'd in a Bill .

5. The unnecessary Charge that hath hereby been brought upon the commanding Commodity of our Nation , at least Eight per Gent , which was wholly prevented whilst the Clothier sold his Cloth to the English Merchant ; which dead weight doth not a little hinder the master Wheel of our Trade .

6. The neglect of incouraging the consumption of the proper Effects of our Woollen Manufacture from Flanders and Germany , which instead thereof , hath been doubly charged in our Customs , ever since the 12th of Garol . II . whilst like Children we have been kept quiet with Rattles , Painted Callico's , Soft Muslings , and the curious Landskips of an Indian Fan , brought home with our Bullion .

7. The ingrossing of Commodities in Trade , Cutchaneal , Indico , &c. which by the Laws of the Romans in some cases was no less than Death .

The Proper Remedies for these Grievances we humbly submit to this Honourable House .