1. First, That in the time of Hostility with Spaine and France, which was in Anno 1627, 28, 29, 30, there was such a scarcity of Salt in this Nation, that it was sold at extream rates, (viz.) 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 s. per Bushell, and upwards, and in many places in England not to be had for any mony.

2. When Peace was concluded beween England and France, the King of France made an Edict, that no Salt should be exported out of his Kingdom, upon confisca­tion of Ship, Goods, and Life.

3. The Peace being concluded between England and Spaine, divers Merchants of England sent between 2 and 300 sail of Ships to Spaine, to fetch Salt for the supply of this Nation, And the King of Spaine taking notice of Englands ne­cessity thereof, did not only a long time imbarge the said Ships; but did im­mediately impose upon his Salt such a great Imposition, that it came to the double value of the Salt there usually sold: whereby the Merchants lost many 1000 l.

4. By making Salt of Sea-water there's great quantities of course Coles spent there, which are the refuse of their best Coal-mines, and fit for no other u [...]e, and so the Owners of them selling them for that use, are the better enabled to go through with their Cole-mines, in preventing mixture of those bad with good, which otherwise would be to the great annoyance of the whole Commonwealth.

5. Considering the great charge, cost and pains bestowed and disbursed before that Manufacture could be brought to perfection; as first, out of a waste and roc­kie piece of ground adjoyning upon the River of Tyne, in taking up the said rocks and stones, and in building Wharfs and Staiths along the said River, and after in placing Salt-pans thereupon; the removing of which rocks hath made the River there abouts far better navigable than before, though with great charge to them.

2. After the Salt-pans were erected, the late Deane and Chapter compelled your Petitioners the Salt-makers, to take Leases of them for the said Wharfs and Salt­pans and forced them to pay an annuall rent for the same, and every seven years to renew their Lease, or otherwise to pay a great summe if they continued them lon­ger; which brought a great charge upon them.

3. In the time of these late distractions and wars their Salt-works were destroyed and ruinated by the Kings Forces and the Scots, the re-building whereof hath cost them many 1000 l.

4. Since the repairing and re-building thereof, they have been lately compelled to purchase them of the Commonwealth, whereby most of their Estates are engaged, and likely to be the overthrow of them and their Families, who hath spent their E­states in bringing such a Native and good Manufacture to perfection, which is able (if encouraged) to supply the whole Nation of England with Salt sufficient for pre­serving both Fish, Flesh, and other Victuals, without dependance upon any forreign State whatsoever, and then he it war or peace, scarcity or plenty, this Commonwealth may be supplyed with a sufficiency of good Salt, and at moderate prices.

5. If this Manufacture be not encouraged, it will tend to the destruction of many Thousands of poor People in those places whose dependancy is wholly upon the said Salt-works, who eat their daily Bread by their dayly Labour in that Manufacture.

It is humbly prayed, That for these Reasons the Petition of the Salt-markers of North and Southshields, Sunderland and Blyth, depending in the hands of a Member of Parliament, may be taken into speedy consideration.