IT has been the Prudence of the Princes of this Nation , always to take care to make a Distinction between Natural born Subjects , and Aliens of other Kingdoms , and have never incouraged , nor indeed tolerated them in any thing further than that which might directly or collaterally be judged and esteemed for the Interest of their Natives . Neither were Aliens , in any Age , for any proposed Advantages , favoured and eased in any thing , but Experience immediately discovered many great Mischiefs to attend . Some of which are ennumerated in an Act made for redressing these Grievances , Anno Henrici Septimi , Cap. 2. and are hereafter mentioned .

●… st and Principally , The advancing Aliens in Riches and Honour , and impoverishing the Native Subjects .

●… ondly , The exhausting the Treasure of the Nation , and remitting the same into foreign Nations .

●… irdly , The great hurt in impairing and lessening the King's Customs , the Publick Revenue of the Nation .

●… rthly , That Merchants Aliens colour the Goods and Mirchandizes of other Strangers ( not Naturalized , or made Denizons ) ●… Export great and considerable Substance in their Names .

●… rewith agree the Statutes of 11 Hen . 7. cap . 14. and 22 H. 8. cap . 8. pursuant to the design of which Laws , few or no Aliens were ●… alized during the Reigns of King Edward the Sixth , Queen Mary , Queen Elizabeth , and King James . And how greatly the Trade ●… Wealth of the Nation were thereby increased , during the prosperous Reigns of the two latter of the said Princes , none that are conver●… History can be ignorant of .

●… ides when Mischiefs , Experience hath discovered further Inconveniencies in Admitting Aliens and Strangers to have and enjoy a free 〈…〉 upon equal Terms with His Majesties Native Subjects . As ,

●… at the Trade , by Commission would be by Aliens taken out of the Hands of His Majesties Subjects , both at home and abroad , ●… he English Merchants would be undersold in the Prices of their Commodities by Aliens , who can live more hardly and at less Char●… Lodgings , &c , than the King's Subjects , to the Discouragement of the Gentry , in training up their younger Sons ●… ade , which was formerly esteemed and proved a good Provision for them , and many arrived thereby to great Estates and Prefer●… which few now do .

〈…〉 the second Rule in the Book of Rates , annexed to the Act of Tonnage and Poundage , Goods Imported , and again Exported by 〈…〉 in Twelve Months , and Aliens in Nine Months , draw back from Their Majesties half the Customs paid by them on the Importati●… d in some Cases more than half .

〈…〉 the Act of Tonnage and Poundage , Merchants English sustaining loss in their Goods Exported , by Enemies , Pirates , or perishing in 〈…〉 , draw back the whole Custom from His Majesty , which Prejudice His Majesty will sustain from Aliens Naturalized .

〈…〉 the Act of Navigation for the increase of Mariners and Shipping , it s provided , That sundry Commodities , such as Masts , ●… e● boards , Foreign Salt , Pitch Tar , &c. imported in any other Ship or Vessel than what is English Built , or truly , and ●… ut fraud , belonging to the People of England , and which is otherwise Navigated and Manned than the said Act directs , viz. ●… astex and three Fourths of the Mariners ( not being English ) shall be deemed Aliens Goods , and pay Customs , and City , 〈…〉 , and Port Duties , as the Goods of Aliens .

〈…〉 if Aliens be Naturalized , the true Intent of this Act is frustrated , the Mariners discouraged , and driven into Foreign Parts for a ●… hood , and the Building of Shipping ( the Strength of the Nation ) made of little or no advantage .

Increasing the Importation of Commodities , and thereby His Majesties Customs , the only Advantage proposed by the Naturali●… liens , will in half a Years time , at furthest , be frustrated ; Insomuch as this Nation cannot consume all the Commodities Imported , 〈…〉 will occasion the Price to fall , and so the Importation by consequence to cease . For it is evident , that no Commodity bears a Price ●… rns to Accompt , but the supplies are so considerable in three Months , that the same becomes a Drug .

〈…〉 moreover , it s not to be forgotten , That even in Holland , where for Reasons inconsistent with the Nature and Constitution of this ●… m , they have admitted Foreigners to a free Trade with them , yet even there a very 〈…〉 difference is made between Aliens ●… tives : For Aliens pay there , upon Importation and Exportation of their Commodities , considerable Duties and Tolls to the City , and Port , where they unlade their Goods , which are not paid by Natives .

In fine , It is conceived to be great Prudence for all English Subjects , for the Benefit of themselves and their Posterity , to use all discreet and lawful means to prevent the general Naturalization of Aliens , as well for keeping up and increase of their Majesties Revenue , for preserving and maintaining the Honour and Interest of the English and Native Merchants , and preferring the younger Sons of the English Gentry , as generally for advancing the good of all His Majesties Subjects , and keeping up the Magistracy in all Corporations in its due Honour and Reputation by preserving their Tolls , City , Town , and Port Duties .

●… f it shall be thought fit still to continue this Great Favour to Strangers , it is Humbly desired , that it may be with a Provisoe ●… they may not be in better Circumstances than our Natives Freemen , viz. )

●… ded always , That nothing therein contained , shall or may Exempt , or be construed to Exem●t any Foreigner from the payment 〈…〉 or Duties , heretofore Lawfully enjoyed or received by any Body Corporate or Pol 〈…〉 the same shall still be paid as ●… paid to such Body Corpo●●te , &c.