I Had an intention, the beginning of the last Sum­mer, (before a long and chargeable fit of sick­ness befel me, for near three Moneths,) to in­form you in what state that affair about expor­tation of Wool, then stood; in which the Life and Death of your Trade, and the subsistence of many Thousand Families that depend on that Manufacture, consists.

Give me leave, (by some of the many instances I could give,) to demonstrate, that, my Labour, in this affair, hath not been fruitless altogether.

I have now been four years engaged in this Service, and how I have been forced, as well upon Travails, as Watchings both at Sea and on shore, I presume is well known to many of you.

And what expence I have been at, in that time, both for ser­vants and horses, and in my attendance at Court, and on the Parliament, gratuities to Sea-men, and parties of horse, and for the holding, and man [...]ng correspondencies in Ireland, Flanders, &c. you cannot but in some measure be able to ap­prehend.

And that it must be the greater, in that I have not spent six daies, in twelve Moneths, at my own habitation, with my Friends: either to abate expences, or to look after any private business of my own.

What damage I have sustained, by losing my Trade in pur­suance of this affair, is well know (at least) to some: for,

When first I undertook this Affair, I intended to spend only one Moneth, or thereabout, in attendance on the Parliament for a new Act, which held me near six Moneths; and at the Ad­journment of the Parliament, I returned to my calling it being kept on foot for me, during the time of my attendance on the Parliament.

But those that knew my Trade at that time, know right well what opportunities of advantage I lett slip.

Therefore it must be a great mistake in some, that think I took up this Affaire, as though I had nothing else to doe.

For I was importuned by several Merchants and Others, soon after the Adjournment of the Parliament, to address my self un­to his Majestie in Council, for a Party of Horse, to be in Rum­ny Marsh in Kent, where the greatest part of the Wool is shipped from England; and some Friggats for preventing the said mischief; which through his Majesties favour and in­couragement, I did obtain.

Upon the promise of those Merchants, to re-imburse my charge, I proceeded; and the rather, seeing it was judged by most, that there was as much, if not more, need of the due ex­ceution of those Laws that are in force, than there was for making any new Act, as was inserted in a Report from the Councel for Trade, the second of April 1669, to his Majesty, in pursuance of several Proposals, that his Majesty had refer­ed to them, upon my Petition to Him, and the Council.

The Sum whereof followeth.

Whereas in pursuance of an Order of this Board, of the twentieth of November last, referring to the Council for Trade, the Proposalls of William Carter, for preventing the exportation of Wool, and conveying thereof beyond the Seas; the said Council have returned their report to the Board, that, having discoursed with the said William Carter, and such o­ther Persons, as they thought capable of giving them any good information, touching this matter, they find the exportation of Wool, is of destructive consequence to the Trade of this Kingdom, and that the same hath grown into practice, as well [Page 3]by reason of the doubtfulness, of some expressions, and provi­sions in the Statute made in the twelfth Year of his Majesties Reign, prohibiting the exportation of Wool; as by the neglect and remisness of Officers, in not putting the Laws in due execution.

And had those Merchants and Others, perform'd their pro­mise, as some few did, I had done much more than I have, (though I have left nothing undone, that I was capable to per­form, or doe, considering how little assistance I had from o­thers) and indeed, my endeavours in this business, hath had so good success, as to the prevnting many Thousand packs of Wool from exportation, that the effect evidenced it self (at that time obvious to many Merchants, from their correspon­dents beyond Sea,) in the price of Wool suddenly, both in the fall here, and rise beyond Sea.

But should it now hereafter, for want of incouragement and attendance miscarry, (as you will see in an instant) how much it will wound Englands trade to the heart, I need not tell you. For, such is the gain and incouragement, for the transporting of this commodity, that if any imployed, or entrusted in this affair, will be bribed, they need not make complaint for want of Mo­ney, I do assure you: and if I for my integrity must fall, (and be forced to quit this service,) after all this four years labour and travail, It will be no encouragement to any other Person, to engage a-fresh therein.

Give me leave to adde, that it was no small grief to me, dureing my sickness, to hear of the many hundred packs of Wool that were exported, (both from England and Ireland,) more then had been at other times, which you will easily see in the ensuing Petition & Letter; and my trouble was so much the more for as much as the King had given Order, a little before, that a Vessel purposely hired, because of Her swiftness, should attend that affair, and though I had made provision (by correspondents) for intelligence to prevent that mischief, yet I had not Money to pay Servants, nor to encourage my correspondents, nor that I could find any willing or able to pursue the said business, either because of the hazard or pains, or expensiveness thereof. The effect of which about Michaelmas last, occasioned this follow­ing Petition.

Suddenly after, this following Letter came to me from Flanders, March 5th. 1671.

Now, sirs, how both these do answer, to what was said before, that unless this business be continually atten­ded, by some Person, that will be faithful; there will be an inevitable ruine of the Cloathing Trade, you will easily see.

Give me leave further to inform you, what great sense his Majestie himself hath also of this Affair; who hath been pleased to evidence it, both by his Care and Charge, in not only com­manding his Troops, but several Frigates to attend upon eve­ry occasion, beside his hireing a Vessel: but hath spent many dayes in Council about it; and in declaring his resolution, strictly to execute all the Laws against Transporters of Wool, and to further all Rational proposals, that can be further made; and did order (upon reading the fore-mentioned Petition of the Merchants,) for his Royal Proclamation, to be issued out about this matter.

Now for a conclusion, Gentlemen: If this service be accepta­ble, and that it be carryed on, you cannot imagine, it can be done without supplies. For, you cannot expect the King should take the charge of it wholly upon himself; of which, the pro­fit will mostly return to his Subjects. Nor that I should, if I were able, bear it my self, though indeed I have beyond what my condition could well permit me to do; and it's very plain, what hath been the consequence of my being discouraged, and taken (off wholly) but three Moneths from this Affair.

Sirs, I hope you will believe, and its but Rational, so to do; if I have spent so much of my time, and strength, mostly upon my own charge, with those hazards I have been exposed to, these four years, in this affair, with that little incouragement I have received: that if incouraged but with necessary supplies, so that I might not be taken off my pursuit, that I might do much more than I have, and the rather, because every thing is more easier than it was at first, having discovered so many Persons, and their wayes, and several in custody, in order to their Tryal, some Convict: its Rational, at least to suppose the way fair, to put a stop, to this most destructive course.

Since the penning these fore-going lines, I have some rea­son to fear, that I shall not be able to deliver my self from the slanders of some, who will be apt to fasten upon me, That I abuse you with pretences, and words only; unless I give some Instances in point of fact, in which I shall give you, a brief ac­count only of three or four late things, forbearing any repe­tition of what I have formerly done.

About the beginning of August last, a Vessel was taken near Gravesend, with 22 baggs of Wool, and the Master and his Man was committed to Newgate, by order of his Majesty in Council; and at the following Session at the Old Baily, no Per­son being bound to prosecute, they were to be discharged: upon which, (though I was not recovered,) I did immediately make application to the King in Council, whence they was committed; and an Order was forthwith conceaved, & directed to the Recor­der of London, for their re-commitment until further Order, it being not then known, where they should be tryed, being taken in the River.

But the thirteenth of December, after a long debate before the King and Council, several Judges being present, The Order was as followeth, (viz.) Whitehall the 13th of December.

It is this day ordered by his Majesty in Council, that the Re­corder of the Citty of London do, and is hereby required by the best wayes he can; speedily to discover and find out in what County, that part of the River of Thames lyeth, wherein Ed­ward Nichols, and Thomas Husse, now Prisoners in New-gate, were apprehended for transporting of Wool, contrary to Law: and that he report the same, to the Lord Chief Justice of his Majesties Court of Kings Bench; to the end, his Lordship, may give Order for removal of the said Prisoners, to the Goal of the said County, where it shall appear they were taken, in order to the Tryal of them, for their Lives, at the next Assizes, to be holden for that County: which, to prevent the fear of a discharge, I took it upon me for the Recorder, though not without much trouble; and it was found, They were taken in Essex side, where I had no less trouble, to get the Witnesses to the Assizes at Chelmsford; sending my Servant several times on purpose to Gravesend; but at the Assizes, they were indicted, and the Bill found by the grand Inquest; and the petty Jury, and Witnesses sworn; and upon their Tryal it did appear, that they, when the Wool was seized in the River, the Persons were not apprehended until two dayes after, which occasioned a stop in Court, and the Statutes examined, and the Tryal adjourned until the next day, that the Judg might be well satisfyed, before the Tryal came on. In the Evening, I thought it my duty to at­tend [Page 9]at the Judges Chamber: so both the Judges came together, with the Clark of the Assizes, and the Winesses brought also; and after some time, it was jointly agreed on by both Judges, to have them tryed at the Assizes in Kent, the next week, so the Witnesses was bound over to appear at Maidstone, where also I went, and on Wednesday the 13 of March, they receaved their Tryal, the Master, (viz) Edward Nichols was cast, and found guilty of Felony: but his man Thomas Husse was quit, upon the Allegations of the Master, that his man was not aboard when the Wool was taken aboard, and did not know of it.

There was at the Session held near the same time at the Old Baily, another Person convict of Felony for the like offence, being also taken in the fact, shipping of comb'd Wool, in Hogges-heads, and both these Persons are to be disposed, (being coninued in Prison,) according to his Majesties pleasure; who hath declared his Resolution, to make some severe examples: there being since more discovered, as you will now see.

About October last, I was in Kent, on the Sea-Coast, and by search, found two Vessels in Hyth Haven, appointed to carry away Wool; one of which, had done little else a long time; and the other was newly built, by a Person that had carried over much Wool before: being well satisfyed of these things, being also informed of the intention: for shipping the Wool, at a certain place and time; which did occasion me to get some men, to at­tend at the time and places; but the Persons concerned, having also their Spies, did not attempt the shipping, whilest I was in the Country; but when I was forced upon occasion to London, I did acquaint the two principal Officers in the County, of the design; one of them which did personally attend that, I had long experience of his honesty: and on the fourteenth of No­vember, the said Officer did find and seize twelve packs of the Wool, intended to be transported that very night; and found one of the men, that was to go with the Wool, a bed in the house, half a mile from the Sea, and as he was carrying the twelve packs to Hyth, being eight miles from the house, where the Wool was ledged, and being late, not being able to go through with it, as you will see by and by, eight packs of the twelve, were violently taken away, and afterwards transported, [Page 10]and the Transporters agreeing together, did afterward sue the said Officer, in several Courts, for that Wool, on purpose to undoe him: Upon which I assisted him in the following Peti­tion.

Upon reading which Petition, the aforesaid Davis, with se­veral others, to the number of fourteen, that were discovered, were sent for; and the said Davis is in the Gate-house, and most of the rest bound over to the next Assizes in Kent.

But note, by the way; that this Officer, by the means of his Travels, and the several Actions laid on him, cannot but be out of Purse near Twenty Pound, besides his Moiety of the four packs of Wool, he did retain.

Gentlemen, These instances are not of small import. The whole Affairs, and that the agitations about them: call for no small attendance and travel; nor is it without its own charges, accompanying for dispatches.

I have also given Declarations to two Persons, for transport­ing above three Hundred packs of Wool, and had prepared Tryals with them; but was forced to forbear two or three Terms, for want of Assistance to prosecute them; for such Po­tent Persons, are not easily run down: if they, and their Con­federates know once with whom they have to doe, (if they will not be bribed), and that Money is wanting to prosecute, they can find wayes by Friends, and Money, to make Suits delatory and chargable; besides an other mischief, of taking off Witnesses: Of which, you will see a Demonstration afterwards.

At Easter or Trinity Term 1669, one Mr. John Morten pro­secutes Mark Gabree in the Exchequer, for transporting of Wool. The said Gabree removes it into Surry, where Mr. Mor­ten brings it to Tryal, Midsomer Assizes following, and sub­pena'es one Thomas Petley, who had been Gabrees wool-coom­ber: Moretn obtains a Verdict against the said Gabree; but so [Page 12]it was ordered, that whereas the forfeiture was three Shillings per pound, he had but twelve pence: and being but a small parcel, he lost by it.

At Michaelmas, following the Tryal aforesaid, Gabree arrests Petley, by a Writ of the Crown Office for Perjury, out of re­venge; and to endo him, being but a poor man, and make him uncapable of being Witness any more; and to deterr others.

At Midsummer Assizes 1670, Gabree pretends to come to Tryal: but when he saw Petley appear, and had his Witnesses for his defence, he let it fall that Assize.

Since Michaelmas, Seventy one, Petley is again arrested as aforesaid.

But I have now presented his Case to his Majesty, else he would have been utterly ruin'd; and now the said Gabree is in Custody, being owner of the Wool, taken at Gravesend, as aforesaid.

To what I have now said, I shall add only an Abstract, and that also, chiefly of matters of fact formerly Printed, and of some of those things of Moment, (to this affair) that these two or three last Years have occasioned.

And if it be duly considered:

FEw Princes have such means to support their Splendour and Greatness, as his Majesty of Great Brittain, nor have ma­ny Countries such a variety of Staple Commodities within themselves, and in such abundance, as these Kingdomes.

So that if these Advantages were duly improved, this King­dom might be a general Mart, for these parts of the World: But,

That those Advantages are not improved, is obvious to all that look into it, by the sore complaints that are frequently made of the great Poverty and decay thereof; and indeed, (which is worst of all) by that general desperation of Spirit, which will not put forth a hand to help, support or prevent the total desolation of our Country, upon a prepossest opinion, that all endeavours will be rendred fruitless and abortive.

The consideration whereof hath greatly prompted me, who [Page 14]must confess my self the meanest of Thousands, to use the ut­most of my little skill, to try what might be done, towards the management of some Methods, that may prevent the threatned ruin; and (if possible) that some good part of what is lost, may be recovered.

I shall confine my self to those things only, whereof I have had not only credible information, but a considerable (though a sad) experimental knowledg; and in a more particular and especial manner, that of the Manufacture of Wool in England, which, amongst many, is the richest Treasure in his Majesties Dominions; the Flower, Strength and Sinew of this Nation, and therefore of full Merit, to be had in perpetual remembrance, defence and encouragement, for the most advantagious im­provement thereof.

The Dukes of Burgundy, (who had, as I am informed, the greatest, if not the whole Manufacturing of our Wool,) well understood, and long enjoyed; before King Edward the Third, the benefits accruing to that People by English Wool, which they receiving at six per pound, by their industrous Ma­nufacturing thereof; returned again to us in Cloath, at ten shillings per yard, to the inriching of that People, and advan­cing the Revenue of their Soveraign; which being perceived, by the vigilant and industrous Prince, King Edward the Third, upon a visitation made by himself, to the Duke of Burgundy, during his residence there, he imployed such able Agents, a­mongst the Flemish Clothiers, as (barely upon his own promises) he prevailed with a great numbers of them to come into England soon after him, where He most Royally performed those pro­mises; and also replanted many of his own Subjects, who had been long setled in Flanders.

And as a suitable improvement of so great a mercy, did wisely project, and also accomplish the Manufacture of Wool, within the bowels of this Kingdom, to the great inriching of his own People, and also to the peopleing of his new-Conquered Dominions: the Memory of whose Wisdome and Care for his People, is worthy to be had in remembrance, by English men, unto the Worlds end.

The said King having thus setled the Manufacture of Wools, [Page 15]within the Kingdom of England, confined it by a penal Sta­tute, which (at first) reached not only to Goods and Chattels, and Lands, but also to Members, and Life it self; but, in a short time repealed; the two latter thereof continuing, the other in its full force, to remain to future Generations, which ex­ceeding great advantage, to the propriety of the English Trade, hath now continued three Hundred Years, by the vigilancy of the government, and the Protection of its Laws in the careful ex­ecution thereof upon offenders, with more then a little diligence, to provide against the thirsting desires of Forreigners, to wrest this Nations priviledg out of English hands; which by the Pro­vidence of God, through the care of our Ancestors, has been (for many ages) enjoyed by the Nation, as it is indeed its proper right.

But so it is, (for some years past) the diligence of Forreigners, to enrich themselves upon us, hath so far exceeded our care to preserve our selves, that its come to, if not beyond a question, who have the greatest benefit of the Manufacture of English Wool? they who have no right unto it? or, they to whom of right it doth belong?

That this is so, will appear by considering, that not only Hol­land and Flanders, have long suckt the sweetness of our Trade, but France is likewise learning to be too hard for us, as is mani­fest by the great quantity of Wool, that (of late years) have been imported there; how injurious it must be to us, is also un­questionable, if we consider the necessary consequences thereof.

For every pack of Wool sent to France, doth prevent us (not only) of the benefit, of the Manufacture thereof; But, of much more, by reason of the advantage that they make of their own course Wool, and fine-spun Linnen in their Drugets and Stuffs.

Now if we consider, what damage we sustain, by exporting one pack of Wool unmanufactured, (by which we judge of the rest,) that a pack of Wool worth ten pound, if it be Manu­factured here, and so exported, would be improved to be worth one Hundred Pounds.

That it is so, doth most evidently appear by Worsted-hose, that one pound of combed Wool, worth twenty pence, will make two pair of Hose worth five shillings the pair; or three pair, worth three shillings four pence; which reckoned either [Page 16]way, is ten shillings for one pound of Wool, (though some is less, some is more,) there being twelvescore pound of Wool in a pack, is so many ten shillings, makes a Hundred and Twenty Pound.

Let it be remembred, that when those goods are disposed of beyond Sea, and Commodities imported hear in Liew thereof [...]; 'tis ten to one, if the first Hundred Pound be not doubled; for considering the Custom of it, when exported, and the product imported with the fraight, the Merchant would be but a small gainer otherwise.

If it be so, that the exportation of one Pack of English Wool be 200 l. damage to the King and Kingdom; what will be the loss of exporting 10000, or rather 20000 packs yearly? Persons concern'd in these affairs, can soon make a judgment; and although this evil may seem strange to some, yet be assured its manifest to many: especially to such as have given themselves the trouble to inquire thereinto.

That not only this, but further inconveniences must by this means grow upon us.

First, expose our Woollen Manufactures to a great hazard in France.

2ly. In time it may capacitate the French to undersel our Merchants in Forrain Parts.

3ly. Not only the Merchants, but the Clothiers are also con­cern'd, as depending on the Merchant.

4ly. That if the Merchant and Clothier be disabled; then many thousand Families that depend on them, are like to be ex­posed to desperate straights for a subsistence. If so,

5ly. Then the Farmer and Grazier, as depending on the rest, will not be excluded.

6ly. To ascend to the Gentry, their dependants being like­wise upon their Tennants Rents, the consequences are manifest, how much this one mischief will tend to the publick detriment of all sorts of Persons.

For if it be so, that there are such complaints, by part of our Trade being lost: what will it be when this mischief comes more to encrease as it will, if private Persons, out of a hope of a pre­sent profit, shall be suffered thus to go on?

For if there were at first a great wisdom by King Edward, to bring home the art of Manufacturing the Wool, and settling of it here, there must be then much Treachery and Injury in ex­porting the Wool now unmanufactured; especially when by this means so many thousand poor people shall want imployment.

To instance one Town of my Acquaintance, that in the late Sickness and Dutch War, when Trade was but for some time ob­structed, I was credibly informed by one of the chiefest there­of, that the rate for the Poor, came to 800 l. a year, and the Land it self belonging to the said Town, not judged worth a­bove 1000 l. per annum.

Give me leave to insert further, the Observations, and Col­lections of Sr. Walter Rawly, to King James, who tells that in his time; That there was above fourscore thousand undres'd, and undyed Cloathes Yearly transported, whereby it was evident, that the Kingdom has been yearly deprived of about 400000 l. which in 55 years is twenty two Millions; that would have been gained by the labour of poor workmen in the time, with the Merchants gain for bringing in dying Stuffs, and returns of Cloathes, dressed and dyed, with other benefits to the Realm, besides exceeding enlarging of Traffick, and encrease of Ships and Mariners.

That the Customes would have been encreased, near three Mil­lions for returns of Cloaths dressed and dyed, with the dying stufs used for the same. And further saith, that there had also been tran­sported in that time yearly by Bayes, Northern and Devonshire Kerseys white, above 50000 Cloathes, counting three Kerseys to a Cleath, whereby there was lost above five Millions, by those sorts of Cloathes; in that time which would have come to poor Work­men, for their Labour, with Customes, for dying stuffs, and the Peoples profit, for bringing them in with their returns, of other Commodities. He also tells us, that Bayes being transported white into Amsterdam, and being there dyed and dressed, where shipped into Spain, Portugal, and other Kingdomes, where they were sold in the Name of Flemish Bayes, setting their own Town Seals upon them; so that we did lose the very name of our home-bred Commodities, and other Countries got the reputation and credit thereof; concluding how lamentable it was, that this Land should be deprived of so many abovementioned. Millions, as that our Native [Page 18]Commodities of Cloath, ordained of God, for the natural Subjects; being so Royal and Rich in it self, should be driven to so small ad­vantage of reputation, and profit to his Majesty and People: and so much improved and intercepted by Strangers; considering that God hath enabled and given his Majesty power to redress it, if it were minded. He adds,

That if the account were truly known, it would be found, that the English Merchants, make not clear profit by Cloath rough, un­dressed and undyed, sixty thousand pounds a year, and that it is most apparent, for lack of dressing and dying, and not bringing in of dy­ing stuffs, spending of Allum, the Nation is hindred yearly, near a Million of pounds: so that the Trade was driven to the great hin­drance of his Majesty and People, by permitting the Native Commodities to pass rough, undressed, and undyed.

Now if it was thus with England so long ago, (a true ac­count being taken,) when the Wool was so much improved, as to be made into Cloath, that only for want of dressing and dying, so much damage was to this Kingdom: its but rational to conclude, it must be far greater loss to have the Wool as be­fore-mentioned, transported without any improvement.

And as I have been credibly informed, whither upon Sr. Wal­ter Rawleighs observation, or otherwise: there was a stop put upon the exportation of Cloath undressed, and undyed; but the Dutch having found so much advantage by it, having so long enjoyed it; upon our stop of that, the Hollanders put the like upon all other our Manufactures fully wrought; so that there came a stop to all Commerce: by which means we were forced to suffer the Cloath to go as before, and so it hath continued e­ver since: and why was it so? but because it was suffered so long; and have we not cause to fear the like then in our Wool, of which you saw something before?

These things considered, I am the more earnest, not only be­cause this hath cost me some years Labour and Toyl: But, be­cause its hard, not only to common People of the meanest ca­pacity, but some of the wiser sort, how to cure this dismal Ma­lady; which some despairing of, have rather thought of some other things in Lieu of this, as a better improvement of the product of our Plantations. But it will be, that all Trades in [Page 19] England independent from this of Cloathing, bring nothing competently of the advantage that it doth; since its not rational to beleive the effect, to be greater then the cause: for the most of other Manufactures in being, are by the means, or is the product of our Woollen Manufacture.

Now having given some brief account, of the exporting of Wool, and of its consequences; give me leave to insert the Me­thods of this mischeif, and the cause of its continuance.

The Method how: First, In Kent, both rough and comb'd Wool is carried by force of Arms at night, and shipped off at any place, according as the Wind serves, with 10.15. somtimes 20 Men well armed and disguised.

2ly. For comb'd Wool from London, its most shipped off as Bales of Cloath.

3ly. Some is shipped under pretence to the Isles of Jersey, and Garnsey.

4ly. From Ireland, is most pretended for England, (viz.) for London, or some other outward Southern Port, and not taking solvent Security.