Object. THAT Clowdesly, Sherrad, and du Cloux, as first Makers of Alamodes and Lustrings in England, had the sole making and vending thereof as a new, Invention by Letters Pattents.

Answer. Silks were made in England, Time out of mind, fit for Hoods and Scarves, tho not then known by the Name of Alamodes and Lustrings: And in the Year 1663 several Pieces of Alamodes and Lustrings were made by some Weavers; and others made the same about 1670, and in 1684. All before any Patent obtained for the same as a new Invention: And they had their Silks well dressed, as they can give undeniable Evidence of; so that by the Satute of Monopoly 21st. Jac. 1. Cap. 23. they ought not to be debarred of their Right.

Object. Before the Pattent, Alamodes and Lustrings were made in small Quantities, and not in Perfection, so that they were forced to leave off the Making.

Answer. He that can make Two Pieces, can make more; and the Weavers can prove that the same was made and dressed as well, as the Lustrings Company made any.

The Cause why the Weavers left off making them was, the great Importation of French Goods, and for the same Reason the Patentees did forbear to make Alamodes and Lustrings also. After the Prohibition of French Goods, Weavers, as well as the Lustrings Company fell to work, and the Lustrings Company did not molest any Weaver until under the Umbrage of the Act of Tunnage and Poundage, the Lustrings Company in 1694 caused many Pieces to be seized, as being French Goods; but upon Affidavit, that they were made in England, they were restored to the Owners, who sold the same without any Interruption. And after that the Weavers were not molested, until a Clause was Inserted in the Coal Act for the Prohibition of French Goods to be Imported; whereby the Lustrings Company have the Sealing and Marking Alamodes and Lustrings, made by them in Eng­land, and gives not the Lustrings Company any Power to Mark or Seal the Weaver's Goods; where­fore refusing to Mark and Seal the Weaver's Alamodes and Lustrings made in England, they are deprived of their Rights and Liberties.

Object. The Lustring Company hath 600 Looms at work, and imploys several Weavers.

Answer. There was, Nine or Ten Years ago, Twenty Thousand Pieces of Alamodes and Lustrings import­ed yearly from France into England; and the Lustrings Company hath made but Nine Thousand in Four years space, which makes not 3000 Pieces a year: Now, in case the Weavers were encou­raged, they being above 10000, can set, many of them, 20. 30. or 50. Looms at Work, and so supply England.

Object. The Governors of the Weavers Company have given away their Rights.

Answer. The Court of Assistants of the Weavers Company, may give away their own Rights to the making of Alamodes and Lustrings; but being Governors only, pro hac vice, and Trustees for their Members, they cannot give away their Members Rights: And at a Common-Hall held the 28 th. of Januray last past, it was asserted to be the Right of the Weavers to make Lustrings and Alamodes. by Majority of about 150. to only Five for the Lustrings Company.

Object. The Lustrings Company offers to take all Weavers into their Company that will contribute to their joint Stock.

Answer. In that Case the Rich Weavers would Monopolize the whole Trade to themselves, in excluding the poorer sort of Weavers. And a poor Weaver with Twenty Pounds may set a Loom at Work, which will employ his Family; and the Piece being made, will be ready Money, with which, and the Increase of the prime Stock, he may imploy more Looms.

Object. The Lustrings Company exchanges great Quantities of Cloath, monufactured in England, for raw Silk; and the same cannot be carried on without a joint Stock to destroy the Trade of Lion.

Answer In Lion they have no joint Stock, but every Weaver is at liberty to buy and sell at pleasure. The more Weavers sell Alamodes and Lustrings, the greater Consumption of Silks, and consequent­ly the Manufactury of Cloath will increase as the Manufactory of Alamodes and Lustrings increases. So that prohibiting the Weavers to work for themselves, is to discourage English Weavers, and encourage the Weavers of Lion.

Now, for as much as the Intent of the Clause is to Prohibit only French Goods, The Weavers propose to have all their Lustrings and Alamodes Marked and Sealed by the Lustrings Company, at the Weavers own Cost and Charge, in the Warp before cut off the Loom, and the Mark to be cut off, indented in nature of a Tally, whereof one Part to be kept by such as shall be appointed to Mark and Seal their Goods, to direct to the Piece and the Man who made it, and the other to go along with the Piece of Silk, to prevent and detect Smugling.

All which is humbly Submited.