BY the Statute of 3 Edw. 4 Cap. 4. Amongst divers other things, the Importation and Vending of foreign White Iron Thread, com­monly called White-Wire, is prohibited under the Forfeiture thereof. And by the Statute 1 Rich. 3. Cap. 12. the Importation of all Iron-Wire by Aliens, is prohibited under the like Penalty.

There are, and always have been several sorts of foreign Iron-Wire, known by several distinct Names, which are not Card-Wire, nor called White-Wire; which in all times ever since the Statute of 3 Edw. 4. have been imported by Denizens, and paid the Duties required by Law, and was never looked upon to be prohibited by the said Statute, as Card-Wire and sorts finer were.

The several sorts of Iron-Wire, which were larger than Card-Wire, being always imported without Restraint, a further Duty therefore was laid upon the same, as appears by the Book of Rates, 12 Car. 2. and the old Duty of 5 s. per c. weight, was advanced to 7 s. 6 d.

The Parliament taking notice, that notwithstanding the said Statute, 3 Edw. 4. great Quantities of Card-Wire was imported to the prejudice of the Woolen Manufacture, did by an Act, made the 14th Car. 2. Cap. 19. restrain the importation of any foreign Wool, Cards, or foreign Card-Wire, or Wire for making Cards.

Nevertheless, the Importation of all other foreign Wire by Denizens, was allowed and practised, as appears by the Custom-House-Books, till about Twelve years since, one Conen a Dutch-man (but naturalized) importing some sort of Iron-Wire larger than Card-Wire, under the supposition that it was imported by an Alien, it was seized after the Duty paid; and under Colour of a Verdict: upon the said Seizure, no foreign Wire hath been suffered to be imported, to the great impoverishment and almost ruine, of many Families; the then Prosecutor pretending to furnish the Traders concerned therein with sufficient Iron-Wire of his own Manufacture, which he has in no sort performed: Therefore the Traders and Dealers in Iron-Wire, do humbly offer the Reasons following, for the Importation of all Wire, except Card-Wire, or Wire of a lesser size.

• 1. Because many necessary Trades and Manufactures cannot be carried on, or supported without the Foreign Wire; the English Wire being of a soft, hollow nature, and apt to cleave, is not so serviceable as the Foreign Wire; the Traders who are chiefly concerned herein, being Tin-Plate-workers, Wire-drawers, Hetchel-makers, for dressing Hemp and Flax, Skreen makers for Corn, Braziers, Wire-workers, Hook and Eye-makers, Ship-Lanthorn-makers, Box-makers, Tobacco-Pipe-makers, and ma­ny others.
• 2. Because they have not, nor indeed cannot be in any measure supplied with English Wire sufficient for the several Artificers concerned therein.
• 3. Because, as the English Wire is not so good, nor fit for many Uses, so it is far dearer; the Foreign Wire called Fine, be­ing to be afforded at 4 s. notwithstanding it pays a fourth peny Custom; when for the English is exacted 6 s. 8 d. for the like Size and Quantity. Besides, those Persons in whose hands the sole making of all English Wire remains, taking the advantage of the great necessities the poor Handicrafts are in at this time, for want of Wire, have within these few days advanced their English, Wire 5 l. per Cent.
• 4. Because if this Prohibition be continued, their Majesties will greatly lose in their Customs; the Duty upon Foreign Wire, ha­ving formerly yielded about 5000 l.per annum Custom, when the Duty was but at 7 s. 6 d. per Cent. weight.

• I. But it may be Objected, How has this Nation been supplied since the late Verdict?
  • Resp. 1. Very great quantities were clandestinely imported; much of which was seized and condemned in the Exchequer, and sold pub­lickly, as may appear by the Custom-House-Officers.
  • 2. Great quantities were imported under the Denomination of Steel-Wire, and paid the Duty as such; but these private Practices being supprest, it is now fully evident that the Iron-Wire made in England, is not sufficient to supply the Markets.
• II. It may be Objected, That a large Imposition will encourage clandestine Importations.
  • Resp. The height of the Price of the English Iron Wire, above the Foreign Wire, and that being under a Prohibition, and not a suffi­cient Quantity of the English Wire being made, will doubtless more encourage, and almost necessitate Clandestine Importa­tions.
• III. It may be Objected, That if this sort of Wire be permitted to be imported, it will ruine very many Families, who are solely em­ploy'd in the making of Wire here in England.
  • Resp. 1. There are but about an hundred Persons in England that are employ'd therein, who nevertheless cannot want Work, though this Permission be granted.
  • 2. Whereas there are now employ'd not above 100 Men in manufacturing the rough English Wire (it being made by Water Engines) there are at least an hundred times the Number employed in drawing Card-Wire by hand, and other necessary Uses of Iron-Wire, who will equally be employ'd by the foreign rough Iron-Wire, as by the English.
• IV. It may be Objected, That it will extremely lower the Price of our English Wire, to the great disencouragement of the Dealers therein.
  • Resp. If a Duty of 15 s. per cent. or more be imposed upon it(as generally all dealers in Wire would be very well contented with, rather than be without it) it will keep up the Price of English Wire, and thereby gratifie the Dealers therein: As also be a great Accom­modation to all the Manufactors and Traders in that Comodity. Besides that it will advance their Majesties Customs at least 10 or 12000 l. per Annum.

Wherefore 'tis most humbly hoped, that this Honourable House will be pleased to explain the said Statute of the 3 d of Edw. 4. according to the constant Ʋsage, whereby the Workers in Iron-Wire may be capable to follow their several Callings.