THE Securing and Promoting of the Trade of Exporting the Woollen Manufactures to Germany , so as may be most Beneficial for the Nation , is a Matter of such Importance , that it is hoped it may not be unworthy the Consideration of the Honourable House of Commons , to whom it is Humbly Represented .

THAT the Supporting the Ancient Company of Merchants Adventurers of England in the said Trade , will be the most Effectual Means to conduce thereunto . For this Company having First Introduced the Woollen Manufactures into this Kingdom , and been the sole Exporters thereof , the same did Flourish , under their Government and Conduct , in a Regulated Way of Trade , for above Two Hundred and Fifty Years , until Foreigners , in the Reign of King CHARLES the II . were indulged , and admitted to become Principals in Exporting thereof ; since which , few or no English are concerned as Principals in the Trade for Holland , but only employed as Factors for the Dutch . Whereby the Woollen Manufactures have been Falsified and Debased .

That Foreigners , as soon as they can be Accomodated , Prefer their own Natives to be their Factors , who , most of them , live obsurely , and bare no Charge to the Government .

That the Clothiers have had Great Losses by the Foreigners intermeddling in the said Trade .

That the laying open the said Trade about the beginning of the Reign of His present MAJESTY , and the late Queen , hath not had its designed Effect , as is evident by the Complaints of the Clothiers .

That by the Preserving and Supporting of this Company in their Trade to Germany , the following Benefits will accrue , viz.

The Merchants Profit will be Secured to the Nation , which will otherwise go to Foreigners .

The Younger Sons of the Gentry may be Employed in this Trade .

The Reputation of the Woollen Manufacture will be kept up , and the Goods not suffered to be Debased , or go out altogether Unmanufactured , whereby a very great Number of Handicrafts Men have of late been Impoverished .

The Market abroad will be plentifully furnished with great Quantities and choice of Goods , as was formerly done . Whereas by the laying open that Trade , English Men have been discouraged from keeping their Magazines abroad so fully stored , whereby the Market hath not been sufficiently supplied .

The Companys Priviledges at Hamburgh , which are very Advantageous to the Nation , will be thereby preserved , which if once lost will be irrecoverable .

The Company , by virtue of their Grants from the City of Hamburgh , will be able to prevent the Importation there of Woollen Manufactures from Ireland .

The Customs at Hamburgh , Inwards and Outwards , will , by the Stipulations made with that City , be prevented from being Raised , wherein the Members of this Company have greater Priviledge , and pay much Less than their own Burgers ; but if the Company is not Supported , there is no doubt but , in a little time , the Customs there on English Commodities will be advanced .

The English Navigation to those parts will be Restored . Whereas there hath not of late been One English Ship in Fifty Employed .

Foreigners will be Prevented from becoming the sole Masters of this Trade , which can never be for the Interest of England .

And many other Advantages will Accrue to the Nation thereby .

It is not Proposed but that the Trade from Exeter , and all other parts of England , to Holland and Flanders , may be left Open and Free , as it hath been for several Years past .

There can be no Restraint of Trade , or Want of Buyers , by keeping up this Company , since they are willing to Admit all English Men into their Society , for as Small a Fine as the Honourable House of Commons shall think fit ; and every . Member , so coming in , may Buy and Sell as much as he pleases , every one Trading for his own Account .

Wherefore , It is Humbly Hoped , that the said Company may be Supported in their Trade to Germany . And that a Foreign Interest may not be preferr'd in Opposition to the True Interest of England .