It is said, that the abatement of the Custome on Coales exported (as now inten­ded) from 8 s. to 1 s. in English, and from 16 s. to 8 s. (in Strangers Ships) per Chaldron, will occasion a greater Export of the Commodity (because cheapness supposes Encrease of Consumption,) and consequently advantage the Coal-Owner, encrease the Navigation, and be a great benefit to the English Na­tion.

Against which it is Humbly opposed.

1 THat this Commodity is not subject to Luxury, which in some other Commodities is a great Consumer, and is often provoked by Cheapness, and this Commodity is not three half pence per Bushell cheaper, if the whole Custome were taken off, and [...] small a matter in price can make little (if any) dif­ference in the Consumption for common burning, as every observing Man hath found by his own ex­perience: and it cannot make 6 d. difference in 5 l. worth of Manufacture.

2. That Coale beyond the Seas is used in Manufacture: not for common burning as in England, not onely for that Coale (Custome free) cannot be delivered abroad so cheap as the fuell there, but for that Coale is offensive and not burnable in the Stoves used abroad. In Amsterdam, and all the Linnen-bleaching parts (of the United Pro­vinces) the burning thereof is absolutely forbidden: A Tunn or large Herring-Barrell of Turffe (a pleasant and sweet substantiall Fyring; and they have plenty of it) is bought (in the season) for the value of 8 d. sterling money; and yet of that 8 d. part is for Excise to the State, which they will not suffer our Coale to impede, nor to abate the production and ma­nufacture of their own Countrey.

That a Tunn of Turffe is a Bushell and half, and will goe farther then that quantity of Coale, which cannot be [...]: (though no Custome paid) for 8 d.

In the East Countrey wood is in great plenty, and its often brought hither and sold us [...] per [...] (being [...] Cart Load.) In France the French King hath imposed upon the Commodity by the Tunnage and otherwise, that its not pos­sible to render them cheaper there then Wood, if the burning of Coale were at all affected and not abhorred; and if we abate, he may raise his duties for encrease of his Revenue, and yet his Subjects pay no more for the Commodity then now they do. The Navyes of Portugal and Spain use a little of this Commodity, the rest of the World none. And for Ma­nufacture the said Stranger abroad must have Coale, though it should cost him 4 l. a Chalder, English Coale was sold in Holland at the Close of the late Warr for 25 Guilders per Hoodt, of which two makes about a Newcastle Chalder, and yet they had Coale brought thither from Luyck and other parts. He that has a Commodity that another wants will make the most of it.

3. When the Custome was 11 s. 4 d. 22 s. 8 d. the Exportation was not less; as by the books may appear. And if it were raised to that again, a proportionable augmentation of Rent is proffered, and will be given for it, if farmed.

4. That the English have already beat the Scots out of this Trade (and many of their works are failed) by selling the Commodity so very cheap as it now is; (so that no benefit on that side is to be expected from the intended abatement;) and Coales are now dearer at London then in Holland. The bare duties of a Chalder of Coales brought from Newcastle to London, are now 6 s. 6 d. and according to this intended abatement the same quantity shall be shipt for Holland for 12 d. And every Newcastle Chalder of Coales carryed to Ireland, or the Plantations, shall also still pay 20 d. The Parent is not kinder to Stran­gers then to his own Children.

5. The dearer we sell a Commodity abroad, which the Stranger cannot be without(and will not encrease his Consumption for Cheapness, any more then we would spend more Salt if it were cheaper,) the more we bring back to enrich the Nation.

If it be asked whence the present great Consumption of the Commodity in England was introduced? It is an­swered, not from Cheapness (for Coale is gradually grown dearer) but from the decay and destruction of Wood, which by degrees hath brought us to so great use of Coale.

6. It hath not been the Custome of this Nation to impose upon the Stranger more then double Custome for our Native Com­modities, That both they and we might go to market; but as the duty is now intended the Stranger shall pay eight times as much [...] as the Native. If they retalliate upon that, as Egland did upon the French Tonnage, That part of the English Navigation will be lost for this Commodity will be wholly carryed away by the Stranger (as it was before the year 1642. that the 11 s. 4 d. and 22 s. 8 d, was first laid) to the great damage of our Nation. By which particulars (ready to be proved when required) it appeareth that the publick Revenue will be lessened, the Navigation diminisht, and a necessary Commodity under-valued, to the benefit of the Stranger, without other recompence to the Nation. Unless the few Coale-Owners hope to raise their price; which, if but 2 s. per Chalde [...], would cost the home-Consumers above 60000 l. per annum, as may plainly be demonstrated.