Trade revived, or, A way proposed to restore, increase, inrich, strengthen and preserve the decayed and even dying trade of this our English nation, in its manufactories, coin, shiping and revenue whereby taxes may be lessened if not totally taken away, to the great content of the people : as also a way shewed how the duty of excise may be regulated for the ease and incouragement of this nations commerce, both for the outward exportation and inward consumption of all sorts of commodities : and likewise, certain ways propounded for the raising of considerable sums of money to maintain the charges of the government,without prejudice of the people, as also for the payment of all the souldiers just arrears, and the peoples just publique faith debts / set forth by a wel-wisher to the nation and its prosperity ...

Trade revived, or, A way proposed to restore, increase, inrich, strengthen and preserve the decayed and even dying trade of this our English nation, in its manufactories, coin, shiping and revenue whereby taxes may be lessened if not totally taken away, to the great content of the people : as also a way shewed how the duty of excise may be regulated for the ease and incouragement of this nations commerce, both for the outward exportation and inward consumption of all sorts of commodities : and likewise, certain ways propounded for the raising of considerable sums of money to maintain the charges of the government,without prejudice of the people, as also for the payment of all the souldiers just arrears, and the peoples just publique faith debts / set forth by a wel-wisher to the nation and its prosperity ...

Trade revived, or, A way proposed to restore, increase, inrich, strengthen and preserve the decayed and even dying trade of this our English nation, in its manufactories, coin, shiping and revenue whereby taxes may be lessened if not totally taken away, to the great content of the people : as also a way shewed how the duty of excise may be regulated for the ease and incouragement of this nations commerce, both for the outward exportation and inward consumption of all sorts of commodities : and likewise, certain ways propounded for the raising of considerable sums of money to maintain the charges of the government,without prejudice of the people, as also for the payment of all the souldiers just arrears, and the peoples just publique faith debts / set forth by a wel-wisher to the nation and its prosperity ...

Table of contents

Title page

Epistle Dedicatory To all such and only to such as do really desire the prosperity of this Nation and its Commerce

To the judicious Reader.

A Proposal to Restore Trade, OR A way Proposed for the Restoring, Increasing, and Preserving, the decayed Trade of this Nation of England and its Dominions, Stated under several heads, and Presented to the consideration of all Persons in Authority and Power, who are, or may be capable to Re-establish the same, by one who desireth the Advancement and Prosperity of this Nation, in its Shipping, Manufactorie, Comerce, and Revenew.

Postscript.

[Page]

A Proposal to Restore Trade, OR A way Proposed for the Restoring, Increasing, and Preserving, the decayed Trade of this Nation of England and its Dominions, Stated under several heads, and Presented to the consideration of all Persons in Authority and Power, who are, or may be capable to Re-establish the same, by one who desireth the Advancement and Prosperity of this Nation, in its Shipping, Manufactorie, Comerce, and Revenew.

THis Discourse is not intended to be enlarged, to shew The causes of its decay, as to the Persons Trading, and as to the Commodities in which they traded. or set forth the decay of Trade which the Nation at this present lyes under, both in respect of the Persons Trading, as also in the Manufactory of the Nation in which they traded, because it is obvious to every Eye, and may be pointed at by every person that hath but a very ordinary infight into the negotiations of the Nation at this time, especially taking into consideration these few following particulars.

1. The lowness of the Customs. First, the lowness of the Customs which in the years past 1641. and 42. mounted to and at this present yeeld not throughout the Nation above

2 The loss of so many ships with their ladings.Secondly, the multitude of ships that have been taken from us lately, both full and empty, not lesse by computation than 1200 sayl, some say 1500. valued, when least, in a million of mony.

3. The weakness of mens Estates trading beyond Seas.Thirdly, the weaknesse of mens Estates that are forein traders, occasioned by their late vast losses at Sea and seisures abroad, as also through the continued war and piracies whereby they are hindered in the management of their trades.

[Page] Fourthly, the false making of our English Commodities, contrary to 4. The falsisying of our native Commodities. the old Rule & Standard, which hath brought them into such dis-repute abroad, that they be even out of use, and utterly rejected.

Fifthly, the abolishing of Corporations and companies, whereby the 5. The abollishing of Corporations and Companies.Comerce is left without support, and open to all people, whose ignorance and want of experience hath not only suffered our native Commodities to lose their valew abroad, but at home, pulling up thereby the foundation of all Comerce, which the most forwardest in this work heretofore do now see their error, and by their own losses find how destructive it is to destroy Government in the least of things, and what advantage arises by Vnion in Society, and Rule to walk by: for this very thing hath so ruinated the Comerce of this Nation that it's even past cure, unlesse some very speedy remedy be applyed thereunto.

Sixthly, the admission of Jews among us, a race of people that are The admitting Jews into England. the very bane of all trade wheresoever they come, and the Horseleeches of every Commonwealth, State, and Kingdome, as it is very evident to all, if observation be but taken of those lately crept into this Nation and its Dominions, having ingrossed into their hands the quintessence of our trade with all other people and Nations, and not only so, but in our own American plantations of Barbados, Seranam, and other parts, to the great detriment of both trader and planter, filling all parts wheresoever they arive, or be admitted, with false Mony and Commodities, Vsury and such like, which practice is so inherent to that people, as they count all Christians strangers, although by them they be su [...]ered to live as Jews never so quietly among them.

Thus having briefly set down some of the most important Causes of our The smaller causes of decay of trade omitted. Nations decay of trade, although there be many of smaller account destructive enough that might have been added; I shall pa [...]e them by in this place, and proceed (with submission to the more experienced Judgements) to shew the way and means, which undoubtedly if put in practice, in a very short time will not only restore the trade of this Nation Means to increase and restore the trade of this Nation proposed. to its former splendor and magnitude, but increase the same, as likewise its shipping, to the great incouragement of the traders, and advancement of the publique Revenew, whereby the honor and glory of this Nation may be the better maintained, which is the end and scope for which this Remonstrance is set forth,

In order to which, for the Restoring, Increasing the present decayed trade of this Nation, its Shipping and Revenew, It is meet that a To have peace established at home and abroad. general peace be sought and established with our Neighbours and forein Princes, and likewise at home amongst our selves, without which, trade and ingenious Arts seldome or never flourish, Wars and Insurrections being inconsistent to Comerce: for where fears and jealousies are raised by Armed Troops amidst a people, all men of such professions are dis-heartned. Peace is the Mother of all Arts and Comerce.

Seeing then that it is Peace which produceth, and is the Mother of all Comerce, Trade and ingenious Arts, and being produced, nourisheth and sustaineth them,

Let us see what Issue is to be desired from this noble Stock, which may The Issue desired of this Mother. successively maintain the honour of the Progenitor, and raise themselves [Page] by Industry unto a glorious height of Renown.

The Productions that are to be here desired are only two. Only two. Advantages.

The first how qualified.The first-born to have a perfectnesse in its Members and Body with Vnity of Spirit, not an Hermophrodite, a Monster in nature, and the defect of Generation.As Companies and Corporations the Foundation and Pillar of trades.

Which by way of Comparison, I mean that all Trades should center in Companies and Corporations, the only Foundation and Pillar upon which a lasting Monument of Trade and Manufactories is to be built and preserved: for although Corporations and Companies consist of many Members, they are but one Body united, and so consequently Perfect in parts united in Spirit. being thus compact of one Intire Spirit,

The Advantage arising upon the Settlement of the Comerce of this Nation, by Companies and Corporations, will be these following.

1. For Council and Safety. First, Where many are joyned in a Company to consult and carry on a Trade, it's ever more judicially mannaged, both for Profit and Safety, than its possible for a particular man to do.

Secondly, By a Company, Trade both abroad and at home, may be 2. For Regulation at home and abroad. better Regulated as to the season, for exporting goods vendible in Forein parts, and keeping up their valew, and then in making Provisions for Returns.

Thirdly, By Corporations our native Commodities may be kept true 3. For keeping our Manufactories to a Rule. according to their Standard and Rule, for Waight, Measure, and Breadth, and all falsifyings of them prevented.

4. For raising mony for the Publick.Fourthly, Where Companies and Corporations are established, Brethren of such Societies are known to each other, and as Pillars of the Comerce upon any suddain or immergent necessity of the Nation, they will be able among themselves for supply of the Publick to raise considerable sums of mony very easily without trouble or perplexity, untill the Incomes of the Nation repay the same. 5. For setling & discovering of new Trades.

Fifthly, By Companies many excellent discoveries and Trades have been found out and setled, and more likely to be if incouraged, to the great increase of our Navigation, Shipping, and Sea-men, as also of Comerce by finding vent for our Manufactories, and introducing others among us unknown, which particular men as unable, either for parts or 6. For the advancement of ingenious men, and fitting them for Publick imployment. estates, or both, can never bring to passe.

Sixtly, Having Companies and Corporations there will be a means, and that of great use, for the incouragement of many gallant ingenious men, by placing them for Heads & Governours of the said Companies and Corporations, as meriting the same for their industry and knowledge, and so more inabled for the management of forein affairs, whereby the Publick may be by them the better served, and they rewarded and supported in honour, when ever they shall be called to these trusts.

Having thus brought the first born to its full growth, and setled him The first born setled. in his proper sphere, with such qualifications as are meet for the support of his Dignity.

I come in the next place to shew you what the second born should be, VVhat the second born should be. not twins who are seldome long liv'd, but of a single body, that having the more nourishment it may obtain thereby the greater strength and courage to support and maintain the glory of its birth and succession.

By which birth I understand, I would not that any person in this [Page] Nation should be permitted to use two Trades, but to apply himself to No Person to use two trades. one only.

No Shop-keeper to trade beyond Seas.That is, no forein Trader as a Merchant to be a retailing Shop-keeper at home, nor no Ingrosser or retayling Shop-keeper at home admitted to be a Trader, as a Merchant beyond the Seas, but each to keep to No Merchant trading beyond Seas to keep a shop.their Trade and Calling, and if they will not, whoever will from a Shop-keeper turn Merchant, let him but then to be prohibited from keeping a retailing Trade in a Shop, the like, if a Merchant trading beyond Seas will set up a shop, let him then be prohibited The Damages arising thereby, To particular men.from trading as a Merchant beyond Seas.

There is nothing so mischievous or pernicious to the Comerce of a setled Nation and its Revenue than this is.

1. To particular men of all Professions who are undone.

To the general Comerce.

2. To the general Comercer hereby suffering.

3. To the Publick Revenew which is extreamly impoverished.

To the Publick Revenew.

The Reasons. The Reasons why it is so Dammageable follow.

The Ingrossing Shop-keeper buying commodities abroad and at home with same advantage as the Merchant, Ruinates him.I an ingrossing Shop-keeper or Retaylor bred, being permitted to trade as a Merchant into Forein parts, keeping still his shop, hath the same advantage in buying his goods at home and abroad, as the Trading Merchants, if not more, for oftentimes it happens that what he sells to Merchants of his own fabrick, he exports the like, buying oft of a Merchant, what he vends in his own shop and imports; and by his thus knowing the Cost of what is imported or exported, beats down The Merchant doth not know how to disperse his goods to Chapmen.both abroad and at home the price of goods; that he may have the greater vent by himself, which Ruinates the Forein trading Merchant.

1. Because the Merchant knows not how to disperse his Commodities to Chapmen as the Shop-keeper doth, being it is his course of Trade to retail.The Merchant can sell his goods only to such as have not stock.

2. Because the Merchant hath no body to sell his Goods and Merchandise unto, but to the Shop-keepers at home, that hath not stock as others to trade with.

3. Because a Merchant cannot sell his goods so cheap as the Shop-keeper The Merchant is under sold.trading can, who if he gets only what he used to do by retailing is to him sufficient, who selling to Chapmen goods, at the same Rate The trading Shop-keeper Ruinates them of his own Profession.he should have given the Merchant himself, did he not trade beyond Seas doth extreamly prejudice the Comerce.

4ly. The Forein Trading Shop-keepers Ruinates those of his own Profession, that have not stock to trade with Beyond Sea, nor no other subsistence but his Credit to be trusted by the Merchant.

By under selling him.1. Because he can afford his goods cheaper than any of his own Profession, that trade not, to all sorts of Chapmen buying them at first hand abroad.By disabling him to deal with the Merchant.

2. Because he that hath not stock to trade, he must repair to the Merchant to supply himself upon his Credit, and so consequently must allow [Page] the Merchant such a price as that the Merchant may live thereby, who cannot sell his goods to loss unlesse to his Ruine.

3. By Reason that the retailing Shop-keepers trade beyond Sea, he By inforcing him to leave off his Trade. of his own Profession that cannot, must sit still and buy no goods of the Merchant, because he cannot afford them so cheap to Customers as he that trades, and then the Merchant must keep his goods unsold, wanting persons to take them off, by reason the trading Retaylor doth The 2d. Reason the Comerce is Ruinated. supply every person, it being the general course of all people to go where what they want may be had cheapest, and who can afford them cheaper than the Retaylor that brings them from beyond Seas?By underselling goods abroad. which really considered, it will most evidently appear this is extream destructive to all Traders in this Nation.By exporting golds unseasonably.

II. The second Reason being in reference to the sufferance of the Comerce, which is Ruinated by the trading Shop-keepers.

1. Because they to supply their Retaylings and shop Customers,Which raises goods at home. hasten their returns by ordering the selling their goods which they export at under rates abroad.Lessons their value abroad.

2. Because that they may have a constant supply of goods, for their shops, export our native Commodities preposterously and unseasonably,Raises Forein goods abroad, and lessons the value at home. which hath those inconveniencies.

1. It heightens the prices of goods at home more than is meet.

2. It lessens the valew abroad, more being introduced by them into Forein Markets, than the place will Vend.

By the want of experience Forein Nations make avantage.

And in contra it makes Forein Commodities dear abroad and cheap at home, which most certainly must needs take Merchants from their Callings to their Ruine, and those of their own Callings also that have not ability to trade abroad, and by these persons want of experience, Forein Nations make their advantage of us, to the overthrow of the whole Comerce of this Nation.

3. Reason the Publick Revenew is lessened in its Customs and Excise.III. The third Reason sheweth what disadvantage the trading Shop-keepers bringeth to the Publick Revenew of the Nation both in its Custome and Excise, to the Customs which thereby are lessened.

1. In its Custom, By closing Forein parts.First, By the Cloying Forein parts at undue seasons with our goods, and so hindering Merchants, whose experience guides them to observe time to withold their Trade, or carry it on as is meet.

Second, By beating down the prices of all Forein Commodities here at home, which doth discourage the Merchant from trading, whichBy lessening the value of Forein goods at home. is in the third Article foregoing in particular expressed.

Thirdly, By their disturbing Merchants in their tradings, by their unexperienced intrusions ingaging them to leave off their Trade,By disturbing Merchants bred up in Forein Trade. whereby the exportation and importation of this Nation is lessened, which consequently must needs lessen the Income of the Custome.

To the Duety of Excise, which thereby is not only lessened but defrauded. The Duety of Excise is defrauded.

1. Because the trading Shop-keeper keeps all Commodities low by underselling the Merchant, and those of his own Profession that Trade not, or hindering them from selling at all, whereby the Excise is not gathered By his under selling them of his own calling.in or paid as otherwise it would be, both in reference to the prices of goods sold, as also the great vent there would be by the Merchant.

[Page] 2. Because the trading Shop-keeper having entred a parcell of By, his bringing in of goods Custome and Excise free. goods in the Custome House, for which he pays Custom and Excise, brings in ten parcels of the same and pays neither the one Daety nor the other; And who can call him to account for the same, being Retayled in his Shop under colour of those first brought in by him? which if he traded not beyond Seas, what were and would be bought of the Merchant, the Excise could not be defrauded but constantly have its due.

Thus having by the foregoing particulars, made it apparent what dammages this Nation suffers by the trading Shopkeepers as to particular persons the general Comerce and Publick Revenew of the Nation.

It is desired and hoped by all such as wait and long to see The remedy desired. our dying Trade restored, that an Act, Ordinance, or Order might That a prohibition he that none use two Trades.speedily be made for the reviving the Antient Statute made by our Judicious fore Fathers, who foreseeing how naturally men are addicted for to intrench upon one anothers Callings and Estates, that no person should use two Trades, as being destructive to the very essence of Trade That no Merchant keep a shop.and Comerce with man-kind. And that where the said Statute is found any way short, to have it inlarged with strict Prohibitions, that no Merchant trading beyond Seas should sell by Retayl, or keep a shop to That no Shop keeper trade beyond Sea as a Merchant.Retayl in, nor any Shop-keeper that keeps a Shop or Warehouse to trade beyond Seas, but every one to keep to one way and Trade; if he will trade beyond Seas, then to leave off his shop, if the Merchant will keep a shop, to leave off his trading, beyond Sea.

The two Pillars of the Comerce setled.These two worthies being so setled as the main Pillars to support this Nations Comerce, and Trade, and advance its prosperity.

In the next place I shall proceed for to describe the means and ways meet,

1. First, to Nourish, Improve, and Strengthen them.

1. They must be nourished, Improved.

2. Second, To Incourage, Ease, and Inrich them.

The ways and means to Nourish, Improve, and strengthen them are 2. Incouraged and Eased.as followeth.

1. The first way and means is, that all Bonds and Bills be made salable,The wayes to Improve and Nourish. and being assigned or transferred from one to another, the Assigne to be capable in his own name to prosecute the Debtor, whose Bond or Bill it is, without using the name of the Assignor, or any Letter of Attorney 1. Means to Nourish and Increase Trade.from him to recover or to require the same.

The advantages that will hereby arise to all men in particular, and the Comerce in general are these.

By admtting Bills & Bonds to be salable.First to young beginners that have not stock to trade with, or friends to ingage for them when occasion may ofter to them to want mony, for hereby they may on sale of their goods, taking Bills for payment, with theThe advantages, said Bills return to the Market, and purchase such goods they need to supply their Trade, and not be inforced to sell their goods at under rates to carry1. To young beginners wanting stock. on their Trade for want of mony: withall their Friends that may be unwilling to enter into Bonds, yet other way willing enough to help them by giving Bills for such Sums as they would supply their friend with at set times, with these Bills being good the Trader may alwayes supply himself with monies as his business and affairs may require, without trouble or vexation, but in contra with ease and content.

[Page] Secondly, To antient Traders and rich men upon any important occasion 2. To antient Traders and rich men. of purchasing or other ways without imgaging any person, by their own Bills at set times of payment they may be supplied with what mony soever their necessities may require, without the least trouble or discontent.

Thirdly, To the Publick, who upon any suddain or urgent occasion 3. To the Publick on suddain occasion of mony. (when other their receipts cannot so quickly supply them) may hereby be furnished at all times for the use of the Nation very easily, untill their dayly Incomes by degrees discharge the same again, as the Bills used for the same shall from time to time grow due.

Fourthly, It will quicken trade, because all men generally to keep up 4. To the Come ce which will be quickned thereby. the Reputation of their Bills, will be extream punctual in their payments, that their Bills may be current and freely accepted of by the Comerce, when ever profered to sale either for mony or goods, for every mans Bills will retayn their value more or lesse, as he is punctual in his payments, or hath credit with the Comerce, and therefore whoever hath in his power good Bills, will never want monies to carry on any design he may undertake.

Fifthly, Hereby Interests and Vsury will be utterly taken out of the 5. To the abolishing Interest out of the Nation. Nation, which is the Canker and Moth of Trade and Comerce; And the covetous Vsurer will have a more nobler way to imploy his mony by buying in of Bills, which he may at all times purchase to his advantage, and what mony lies by some generally hoarded up in Chests and not used, will go abroad currently to all hands for their greater advantage, to the use of the Comerce that now is starved for want thereof, besides A Cautionary question demanded on admission of Bonds and Bills to be sold. Vsury being abolished, it may be a great means to redeem many a poor soul from future misery that even doteth on that Idol of griping Vsury to their damnation.

From the permitting of Bonds and Bills to be sold according to what is before mentioned may arise this cautionary question.

How to remedy the counterfitting mens hands.If Bonds and Bills are made salable from one to another, and once accepted by the Assignee as his proper debt from the Assignor, among a people so apt and ready to deceive, as we of this Nation be, and to counterfeit mens hands, what course is to be taken to prevent such a mischief?

To which I Answer as followeth. Answered.

1. That throughout the Nation there be a certain form of Bill and By having a set Form of Bills and Bonds. Bond used for all sums of mony lent or due for goods sold.

2. That the original Debtor of such Bill or Bond, before a Notary Publick acknowledge his Debt and Subscription to the said Bond or Bill,By having them acknowledged before a Notary Publick. which being by the said Notary under his hand testified upon the said Bill or Bond that the said Debtor confessed to have signed the same for the Sum conteined therein, it will be a very difficult thing for any person to produce false Bills or Bonds and to passe them for current.

[Page] 3. That it be made Felony in the highest degree to Counterfeit an By making it Felony in the highest degree. mans hand to any Bill, or Bond, or other writing whatever, and to profer the same as a true Deed, Bill, or Bond, and when not punished with death, at least to lose his hand for the fact, which strict punishment will undoubtedly deterr all from presuming to advantage themselves by such fraud.

The second way and means to Nourish and increase the Trade of this The second means to encrease Trade. Nation is, that all sorts of Commodities fabricated in England and its Dominions, be made by an exact Rule and Standard, be it Cloth, Stuff, All Commodities to be truly made.Silks, or any other things whatever, both for length, bredth, waight, and measure.

Who falsifies them, And whoever fails herein,

1. To have the goods burned.1. To have his goods confiscate and burned before his face, that no person may make use thereof, no not so much as given to the Poor.

2. To pay double the value, besides the goods to be burnt.2. Vpon the next offence not only to have the Commodities confiscate, and burned, but be fined double the value, which fine to go the 3. part to the discoverer, the 3d. part to the Publick Revenue, and the 3d. part to the Poor of that place where such goods are made or sold.

3. To tose his estate as a felon, the goods burned, and imprisoned, and Corporally punnished.3. If taken the third time, the goods burned, the parties whole Estate confiscate, the 4th. part thereof to the Discoverer and Seisor thereof, the 4th. part to the Publick use, and the rest to the poor of that place where the goods were so discovered and confiscated, and the party himself as a Felon whiped from his aboad thorow the next Market Town on a Market day, and thence to the house of Correction, there to remain at work for so many years as shall be thought meet by the Corporation, but when least two years.

4. The Buyer of sale-made goods fined.4. What ever person he be that shall buy any such unlawful goods [...]alsly made, knowing thereof, and shall not discover it, shall not only lose the goods, which are immediately to be burned, but sorfeit double their value, one 3d. to the Seisor, one 3d. to the Publick, and one 3d. to the Poor of the place were such goods were bought.

The Advantages arising hereby both in respect of the true making our The advantages ar sing thereby. Native Commodities, and strict care in not admitting them to be falsified or connived at by the buyer of them are as followeth.

1. It will bring again into use sundry sorts of excellent stuffs heretofore made in this Nation, which by reason of their false making are The recovering our lost Manufactory. not worn, but the very Fabrick of them almost lost and forgotten.

Bringing them in request in sorein Countries.2. It will advance their repute in Forein Countries beyond what shall come from other people besides ours, in regard of the satisfaction they will have of the true and exact makings of our native Commodities.

The incouraging our own People to spend them.3. All persons among our selves will be incouraged to wear our own Manufactories, and such as trade with us, being hereby ascertained that what they do buy is good and substantial, and that they are sure not to be deceived in the Commodity.

4. All people that be the fabricatorof our Manufactories, will be inforced The hindering all deceitsused by false goods. to righteous dealing with one another, and kept from using their [Page] wonted deceits which at this present is too frequent amongst us. The 3d. means to increase trade. And if not out of Conscience, yet through fear of the punishment,

The third means to Increase and Nourish this Nations Trade, is thatThat our manufactories may pay no custome. whatever is fabricated in this Nation, and exported for any forein parts, may pay no custom, or if any, a very little, only by way of acknowledgement.That all goods imported meet to benefit our manufactories be admitted free of custome and excise.

2. That what dying stuffs, or other commodities, as raw silks, hair, wool, hemp, flax, or such like, that are any wayes beneficial towards the finishing of our manufactories, or advantageous for the fabricating of new ones, that may be imitated of other Countries, and are here imported, to pay a very small custom at their importing, and no excise at their sale.The advantage will be, The vent of them greater abroad.

The advantages which will arise hereby to the commerce of this Nation are these.

1. The vent of our native manufactories, will be in forain parts the greater, by reason no people will be able to furnish them so cheap as we shall, especially being so much cheaper than heretofore.

2. Other Nations will be dis-heartned from counterfeiting our commodities, and from forestalling our Markets in forein parts, as not able to afford such sorts of commodities so cheap as weOther people will be discouraged from counterfeiting them. shall.

3ly, How much the cheaper goods be from us exported, the Merchants adventuresThe Merchants adventure will be the easier. will be the less, their gains abroad the greater, their returns home the more profitable, and his stock thereby more securely managed, for his future incouragement, and he inabled to continue the His gain the more.longer in trade upon accidents of loss which ever doe follow those thatHis stock secure. trade, more or less.The handicraftsmen more set a work.

4. Those people which live upon the fabricating of our manufactories will be the better set a work, and kept from removing in to forein Countries Kept from removing into forein parts.for want of work, and carrying the fabrick of our commodities into forein Princes Dominions, to the general damage of the whole commerceWith their persons and arts. of the Nation, which of late years experience hath made it too apparent the inconvenience that hath arisen thereby.By the cheapness of materials imported.

5. By having the materials imported meet for our manufactories cheap, the Wool-master will find the better price for his wool; the Carder,Wool will yield higher rates. Spinster and Weaver the better wages, to incourage them to goe on in their calling, and not stray abroad; And then the Merchant exportingThe workman greater wages. our manufactories, inabled to give the Clothier the better prices, by reason that the goods being cheap made will be cheap bought in, and whenThe Merchant inabled to give higher prices to the Clothier. bought in exported upon small duty, to the great incouragement and advantage of the comerse.

From the foregoing proposal will arise this Quaere, which divers unexperiencedA Quaere raised from unexperienced men. in trade (being stumbled at) doe make, whereby many notable advantages to the commerce of this Nation is hindred.Hindring good designs.

If the custom upon the exportation of our manufactory, and of all imported commodities beneficial towards the fabricating of them be By pretending the custom will be lessened.lessned, how shall the expences incident to the publick affairs be defrayed, and the charge of the same maintained?The publike charge not defrayed.

[Page] Answer.To which it is answered,

The Custome will rather increase.The duty of tunnage and poundage will not hereby be any way diminished or lessened, but rather increased, if so be that the following particularsRules to be observed therein. be put in practice, and if the custom should not answer expectation, it will be made up by the increase of the duty of excise, which willThe Excise will increase Means to raise money without inconveniency promised. be the greater, and in case both those duties answer not to the charge of the publike maintenance; I shall, before I end this discourse, set forth some way for the raising of considerable sums to inlarge the revenue of the Nation, without any prejudice or inconveniency to the people.

1. The first means for the keeping up of the duty of the Custome instead The first means to increase custome.of what may be taken there from by the exports of our own commodities, and imports of what is for the benefiting of them in their fabrick, is,The custome of forain manufactories to be raised.

That all forein manufactories imported, especially grosse goods that cannot be got in under hand, have a round Custome laid on them likewise on edible and potable commodities, as fruit, wine, and sugar; and for spice and other fine goods that are used for vanity and wantonness, to please the fancy and appetite; if rich goods so rated as may encourage all to pay the Custome, and yet no way encourage the superfluous importation of them by strangers, for if too high a rate be put upon rich commodities that take up little bulk, it will engage Traders to bring them in under hand, and so both Custome and Excise will be all lost.

2. Secondly, That what commodities be imported any way beneficial The second means to increase custome. towards the fabricating of our Nations manufactory, or inventing That certain goods imported, at their exportation to pay custome.of new ones (when exported, after brought in) to have no allowance of half Custom back, but rather a custom outwards imposed, equivalent to what they now pay inwards.

The fourth means to nourish and increase Trade and Commerce in this The fourth means to increase tread.Nation, is, The carrying on, and settling by a publike hand all Forain plantations, which is of eminent regard, if maturely taken into To settle Plantations abroad by a publike hand, especially the Collony of Virginia governning thereof by knowing publike spirited men.consideration; and more especially that large fertil and glorious Colony of Virginia, which being governed, supplied, and managed by discreet, knowing, publike-spirited men, would soon be brought to excellent perfection, experience shewing us of what value those American plantations and countrys be of; when as taking into consideration that small dry and Rocky Island of Barbadoes without natives, and yet to what a hight it is grown in a very few years? having given to many men of low degree, exceeding vaste fortunes, even equal to noble men, as LikewiseSee Barbadoes what it hath produced. upwards of an hundred sail of ships doth there yearly find imployment, by conveying of goods and passengers thither and bringing thence other Many rich men.commodities, whereby Seamen are bred, and Custome increased, our native Imployment to 100. ships anually.commodities vended, and many thousands set a work abroad, at home, and so maintained by refining sugars in our own Dominions, whichSeamen increased. heretofore we had from other Countries, and now we can and do furnish Customs raised.those same people with our sugars, and all this out of that rocky small Poor set awork, our own Country supplied.Island.

How much greater advantages should we make if that vast Country of Virginia were manured, having therein so many millions of people and [Page] natives inhabiting the same, who would be civilized, and become consumers Much greater advantage will be had from Virginia. of our manufactories, and brought very easily and suddenly to assist and help us in the manuring of the Country, and production ofConsidering its extent, Its innumerable inhabitants. many notable and excellent commodities, for the imployment of our people here at home, furnishing them with livelihoods abroad, supporting of Seamen, and giving large fraights to shiping, that would be much encouraged and increased by that Navigation, it being a Country stretching it self so far Southerly, as capable of producing all Southerly commodities that may be planted therein, and then in contra running so far Northerly, as all Northern commodities would be had there in abundance, ordinary care and industry lending but a weak arm to manage the same. Advantages arising by Virginias settlement.

The advantages that would arise hereby to this Nation and its commerce, are as followeth.

1. The Natives being civilized, and the climat cold as well as hot,A vast expence of our manufactory, and A production of excellent rich commodities. would cause a vaste expence of our Native commodities, to the very great increase of the commerce.

2. Upon the civilising this people, they would fall into the advantages of planting and manuring the land, now useless, and thereby introduce an increase of many rich commodities which we are forced to fetch from other Princes territories at their own rates which they think meet to put upon us, and that because we are beholding to them for what we want, which in this place would be supplied by our own hands and from our Both of Southerly and Northerly growth. own Dominions, as Silk, Cotton, Curants, Wine, Oyl, Sugar, Rice, Spices, Hemp, Flax, Wool, and Corn, Masts, Pitch and Tar, all which are of use to us, and we cannot well be without the same.

3. The Mines of the Country would not onely be discovered, but Its plentyfulnesse of mines. opened, which are in that continent very plentiful and good, as Copper, Iron, Lead, and of Silver also, which some have not onely seen, but Copper, Silver, Lead, Iron.have tried the experiment thereof; and being a plentiful Country of Wood, how easily are these things brought to be wrought, and great advantages obtained thereby; and I can of my own knowledge aver to An essay made, 100. grains produced 45 clean metal. have had Iron thence that proves as good as any Iron in the world; likewise another Mineral, the worth of which I have had tryed in the Tower of London, so considerable as that of a hundred grains, it produced The Mines to be wrought on a publike account.clear metal forty five, and by the Say-masters observation thereof, believed would in working be found much richer, so that if a publike stock were laid out for to improve these Mines, and they wrought upon a publike account, what need we to be beholding to other Countries for that which we can attain unto from our own territories?

4. This Nation will finde an admirable remedy for the disburdening it It would disburden our land of supernumerary people without wars. self of our supernumerary people which increase among us, without fomenting of wars to be rid of them, where in Virginia they would find a present being for habitation, and plenty for their subsistence, which through the fertility of the soil, an easie labour would bring to perfection,Give them a plentiful subsistence. Inrich them. and vaste multitudes of people transported thither, would not fill the least part of that place, and yet give them by their industry very great riches.

[Page] The poor throughout England that are so burdensome to every parish, D'sburden the Parishes of poor children. being sent thither, would have a happy being, and the very money gathered in every parish to maintain them at home, would suffice to transport them thither; And in case that were not sufficient for to forward so good a work, it annually a sum were The money gathered for that use would transport them.gathered throughout the An annual gathering to help, would willingly be paid.Nation to add thereunto for the perfecting thereof, it would be freely paid by all men with much alacrity, and in very few years the poor sent over would bless God for their prosperity and happiness; and the commerceCommerce advantage Gallant men would be reared up, Hinder them from begging, And the Gallows. of the Nation would be advantaged in supplying them and the Natives with necessaries; besides, thereby many gallant men would be reared up to wealth and honor, which now come to nothing but grow to be geggers from Town to Town, wanting bread, and afterwards turn thieves, robbing on the High-way, whose end is the Gallows.

5. Our shipping would finde great imployment in conveying over passengers, and in bringing thence the fruits of the Country, which will daily Shipping would be imployed.increase more and more as the place is seaced and the ground manared, and other Nations would seek out for commerce and traffick there, which will very much advance both the revenue there, inrich the place, and we here at home reap the benefit.

6. In the well seating the Country of Virginia, and searching out the Other Nations would seek Trade there, A new way to South Sea found out. Commodities thereof, there is an unquestionable opinion that a nearer way will be found out for the carrying on the Trade, in the East Indies, China, and those parts; for most men, Artists in Geography and Navigation, Most probable by all knowing men, Besides the Natives testimony.conclude, that the South Sea undoubtedly doth fall upon the back side of Virginia, as it doth of Terra firma & Nova Hispania possessed by the Spainards, which is all one continent with Virginia, the Natives of Virginia, having given such satisfactory demonstrations, that there is a Sea on the back of that part of that continent setled by our people, as its not to be gainsaid, which discovery would put into our possession divers brave and rich Countries, at present unknown, and supposed to exceed in Longitude and Latitude, wealth and riches, what yet in those parts hath been discovered by any Nation.

7. The promoting of this Colony by a publike hand, would furnish a means to reward and imploy ingenious spirited-men to perfect & settle Great teritories and riches acquire to us. these discoveries, whereby they might obtain noble livelihoods, as a reward It would imploy men of desert and rear them, Incourage others.for their indefatigable pains, without putting the Nation to a penny cost for their maintenance, which by reason of the straightness of our Island they cannot expect, and so are disheartned from imploying themselves to ingenious undertakings.

It would furnish materials for buildinge, and setting out ships, for War or Peace.8. All materials may be had from Virginia for the building and setting forth of shipping for war or peace, the Country being full of good Oaks for Planks, Pines, and Fir for Masts, Pitch, Tar and Rosin; the land full of Cat [...]el, Corn for Victualling, Hemp and Flax for Gordage & Sails, Iron for Guns and other utensils; the Rivers abounding with Fish for loading ships as well as provisions, and if from our neighbours these materials for shipping be difficult to be obtained, we may here in England have supplies from our own dominions, and in a very few years men civilized fit for our shipping in times of war, as times of peace.

[Page] 9. The honor that will accrew to our Nation by setling Virginia, will Hereby our Nation will reap honor. be very great, and the more, as being the Instruments of civilising so By civilizing so numerous a people.numerous a people inhabitants of that vast tract of land, who would all be subject unto us, and by us brought to know God their Creator,By subjecting so vast a continent. and Jesus Christ the Redeemer and Saviour of them and us, and be the means of saving their souls, whereby God may be glorified, and we By bringing them to know God.repaying to them that good, by shewing our thankfulness to God for what others in former dayes did for our forefathers, without which mercy of God to us, we must have continued in darkness, and heathens as they be to this day.

The fifth means to increase and nourish Trade in this Nation, Is,

That out of the publike revenew of the Nation, a ship or two should annually be set sorth by the authority of the Nation, under the command The fifth means to increase Trade. of some ingenious knowing publike-spirited person, to discover those parts of the wo [...]ld that lye yet unknown, and to bring home exact To send a ship or two annually on discovery on the publike purse.Maps of what they do discover, what people inhabit those parts, what Commerce may be had with them, and what Commodities are to be had among those Regions useful to us, as likewise to discover the Coasts and Ports of those parts of America that are in part already inhabited by us, and bring descriptions of all things, and where one leaves off the next to begin and proceed on.

The advantages of discoveries to our Nation will be considerable Advantages arising hereby.

1 Our Trade will be advanced to an unlimited height, to the exceeding inriching of the Nation.Our trade advanced and inriched.

2 It will very much increase the publike revenew, by introducing new wealthThe publike revenew increased.

3. It will be a means to vent great quantities of our manufactories, and cause new fabricks.Our manufactories vented.

4. It will give occasion here at home to set our people more at work.

5. It will be a great strengthening and glory to our Nation, byOur people imployed Nation inlarged. adding new and large Countries to our present Dominions.

6. It will secure our Navigation in those American parts of the world,Our Navigation will be secure in America in regard of the knowledge we shall attain to of the Coasts, Harbors, Rocks, Sands, whereby the ships trading that way will be inabled to The art of Navigation on improved.manage their voyages more safely, and avoid those storms and tempests which now they are liable unto for want of this knowledge.

7. It will infinitely improve the Art of Navigation and knowledge of Sea men and Sailors, to the great benefit of all that delight there in and study the same.

8. It will breed most able knowing Mariners in this Nation, and ingage them to prepare and fit themselves for such noble imployments and It will breed able Marriners. undertakings.

9. It will be a means by the inlargement of our territories, to produceIt will advance and raise men of desert to honor & profit. not onely places of great trust, but of honor and profit for to reward deserving men, to whom these places may be given in recompence of their services, which will extreamly incourage all generous spirits to Incourage active menhigh atchivemements, in hope of such promotion.

[Page] 10. Hereby the Gospel will be planted and preached among those people The Gospel will be preached where yet it never was. and Nations where yet it never was, whereby God may be both honoredGod honored. and served by them and us; and undoubtedly if what we shall act Our Nation blessed.herein be sincerely to glorifie him, the Lord will bless us and make our The sixth means to increase trade.undertakings for to prosper.

The sixth means to increase and nourish the Trade of this Nation, is To promote the fishing on our coasts.for to promote the Fishing thereof for Herring, Cod, and all other Fishing at home and abroad throughout our Dominions; the advantages It will multiply Sea-men.thereof both for the increasing the Seamen, Shipping, and wealth of the Nation hath by so many pens already been lately set forth, Give good imployment for shipping.that I will not inlarge this discourse therewith, but refer such as desire to be informed and satisfied therein to what is printed by many on Inrich the Nation.that subject, which perchance will be more exactly declared, than I should have represented the same.

The seventh means to increase trade.The seventh means to nourish and increase the Trade of this Nation, is,To bring in store of Silver and Gold.

1. To inrich it by the bringing in among us store of Bullion, that the To keep it among us To admit the exportation of all Forain cornes, after brought in for the use of the Commerce.Mint may be continually imployed.

2. To find out the way when brought into the land, to keep it there for the use of the Commerce.

3. To admit the exportation of all Forain coyn useful to manage the negotiations of the Commerce in those Countries where nothing else can produce convenient returns, unless supplyed therewith, as occasion may The ways to bring in store of Silver and Gold.require, and that without prejudice to the Publike.

The ways to inrich this land with store of Coyn and Bullion, is,

1. To introduce among ourselves the fabricks of all Forain manufactoriesTo introduce the making of all Forain manufactory. that we may not be inforced to seek and fetch them else where, or incourage others to bring them to us.

2. That whatever is frabricated in this Nation and its Dominions, be To make our manufactories cheaper.made cheap, that our own people may be animated to consume the same, and strangers inticed to fetch our manufactories from us, for its the onely To expend them our selves that other people may desire them of us.ingagement that moves Trade, to seek out such places, where the Commodities used among a people, can be obtained cheapest, and wherever such Commodities used are to be had, and cannot be obtained by barter or exchange of other goods, or that in that place they do stand in need Cheap commodities is the mover of Trade.of no sort of other Nations Commodities, Coyn and Bullion, is that which doth compass all things, and is the wealth desired by all people Gold and Silver the [...]niversal riches estemed.throughout the universe, that manage Trade with Forain nations; It being an infallible rule, that all people ever strive to supply themselves with what they want-where it is to be had best, and best cheap, and toThat which compas [...]es all things. compass their desires, what ever is most esteemed, shall be delivered up in exchange thereof, the esteem of Silver and Gold being the wheel The wheel that turns [...]ound all commerce.that carrys all Commerce about.

3. That there may be such a duty laid upon all Forain manufactories, To impose such duties [...] Forain fabricks [...]ought in, that it may [...]nder their importa [...]on.especially upon such as are fabricated among our selves, which may totally dishearten all people from bringing them to us in hopes of gain, and also disrelish our selves from desiring them from abroad, being to be had in our land at far cheaper rates and truer made.

[Page] The means to keep our Coyn and Bullion among us for the use of the The means to kee [...] coyn and bullion so the commerces use [...] Commerce, being once imported. The way is,

1. That our Coyn both of Silver and Gold be reduced to as pure a finenesse as any Coyn whatever current throughout the universe.To reduce it to [...] purity of any coyn c [...]rrent.

2. That in coyning thereof, it be made neat and thin, as to its proportion of value, it being to all judicious persons versed in the coynage of money, that the thicker the coyn is the easier to be counterfeited, as experience sufficiently shews by the false pieces of Eight, Hollands Dollars, and our own half Crowns.

3. That our Coyn to be made may be of a less weight, whereas now To make it thin to a void falsifying. our standard is after the rate of five shillings to the ounce, to be made toTo make it of les weight than now it is be of six shillings and six pence, or seven shillings to go to the ounce, which will utterly take off all people from carrying of it from us, by reason of the loss they will sustain by the weight, being less than heretofore.

4 That our own Coyn may be reputed as bank money from other Forain To esteem over own coyn as banke money coyns, and vallewed one or two per cent. more than they in payments, having by reason of its purenesse better estimation put thereon than other money, as the Florence mony and other parts of Italy, have the reputation before all other Coyns current among them.

5. That for the ordinary use of the Markets and poor people, a certain To have a token for the poor. publike token be made (that coynageexcepted) may be as valued as if sold in Metal, which will be a means none will falsifie the same, orTo be worth as much in the metal, coynage excepted. bring it from other parts to fill us therewith, especially it being prohibited to pass in payments between man and man, and no person to be ingaged in any payment whatever to receive thereof above a penny worthTo admit no man to force it in payment. or two, meerly for change and no otherways, except the party shall desire the same for his private use of him that is to pay him any sum or sums of money; for should Copper, Brass, or mixed metal mony be The inconveniency is admit it in payment. See Spains loss thereby. coyned and made current, it would utterly destroy the wealth of the Nation, as experience sheweth us by the black money introduced and made current in Spain, where by the reason of the admission of that mony to go current in buying and selling commodities, their very Silver money is become a Merchandize, and almost hath lost the name of a coyn; how prejudicial it is, and hath been to that Nation, all persons who have the knowledge of S [...]ain can testifie, and the like will happen to us if we should admit it.

6. That Gold be considered of under the same observance, as is expressed To have Gold pass under the same consideration as Silver. concerning our Silver, which if lessened in weight and kept to the present value, will remain with us, and not be carried out as it is every day.To admit the exporting of Forain coyn,

For the admitting of all sorts of Forain coyn to be exported after brought in for the use and benefit of such Trades as cannot well be managed without it, and that without prejudice to the Nation. The way is, To have Forain coyn passe in payment.

That all Forain coyn that is true Gold and Silver, may pass in payments currently among us according to their value, as they do in [Page] Holland, France, Italy and other Princes Countries and Territories.

The advantages will be.The advantage thereof.

1. Our own coyn will ever remain with us unexported.Our own coin will ever abide with us.

2. All persons needing Bullion and coyn to manage their trade, will alwayes export such Species as are known in those parts, where they go Such only will be exported as be known where required to trade.to negotiate, & where only coyn is required to obtain their commodities.

3. Hereby all sorts of Forain coyn will be continually brought in by every body when its known to passe curently for the buying up of our own native commodities, as being readier to purchase any thing for dispatch.

All sorts of forain coin will be imported for dispatch.4. By this means these Forain coyns will be as Merchandize rising and falling as its plentifully imported to buy up commodities among us, or as occasion, may offer to the negotiator to export the same for his forain imployments.It will be as merchandise, rising & falling.

5. There will never want forain coin of all sorts to supply all personsThere will be no want thereof. that shall need the same to export for their quotidian occasions.

6. Experience shews us, that in Italy, Holland, and other parts In divers parts forain coin permitted to be exported.where the exportation of forain coin is permitted, there never is a want thereof for any that desire or need the same.

7. The Publike Revenue may hereby be advanced, and that upon a The Publike Revenue will be advanced.very good foundation, ingaging every one that exports forain coin or bullion to enter it in the Custom house, and to pay for the admitting By licencing its exportation.its exportation one or two per cent. for licence, but more not, by reason that if too high a rate be set thereon, people will carry it out under hand, and pay nothing, so the Nation will be berest of its wealth, and the publike never a whit the better.

8. That in order to the foregoing proposals, and benefit of the Nation, To have it selony to be exported without licence. it be felony to export any forain coin out of the land without paying the forementioned duty for licence, besides the loss of the money so discovered to be conveyed out, and the strict course for prohibition of conveying our own coin out of the land to continue in force.

The eighth means to increase and nourish trade in this nation, Is No admitting our own coin to be exported.

The 8 means to increase trade To guard and strengthen it with warlike ships To supply it with ships.1. To guard and strengthen it with stout and warlike ships whereby we may be defended from Enemies and Pirates.

2. To supply the commerce with convenient ships of burthen as well as of force for all sorts of trades, and that at easie rates, especially for the lading and fetching of gross goods, as Timber, Masts, Pitch, Tarr, Corn, Salt, and that we may no longer be inforced to make use of the Hollander, our Neighbours ships and themselves, to fetch and bring all those Northern commodities, which we cannot be without, from Norway Fit for all trades. and the East Country, whereby we inrich them, To take us off from employing Hollanders.and increase their shiping, to our own prejudice and infinite disadvantage, and this meerly by our sloath and negligence.

For the Norway and East-land trade.To remedy the same, and to disable the Hollanders, our only competitors in trade and shiping, and that to our own advantage in a short To remedy it.time, the following particulars are recommended to be considered of,To the Hollanders loss. To our advantage, To re [...]eal the last Act for shiping which hath been very destructive to us. and if found convenient desired to be put in practice, the sooner the better.

That the late Act for increase of shiping be repealed, and void to all [Page] tents and purposes; Experience having taught us since it was made, how pernitious and destructive it hath proved to our trade and shipping, especially for the northern parts of this Nation, we having suffered far greater inconveniences and loss thereby, than ever it could have any wayes advantaged us.

1. Because put in execution too suddenly, before we could supply As put in execution too suddenly. our selves with meet shipping for the introducieg among us grosse goods from Norway, and the East-land Countries.

2. Because it was left with so many loop-holes and sally-ports, that Left with too many sally-ports. every one got out of it when and how he pleased, being not to be hindered.

3. Because so defective in its self, admitting as many interpretations, Made defective giving too much liberty of imploying Hollanders. as men had occasion to make use of, whereby the Hollanders got more advantages of us, both as to our trade and imployment of his shipping, especially since the warr began, and hath continued with Spain, that never could a happened the like mischief to a people, covetingOur losses and experience, since the Spanish warr makes us see our error. trade as we do, and jealous of every thing that hath but a colour of intercepting us therein, having been hereby laid open and destroyed by these crafty and subtle Hollanders by our own permission.

1. In setting our own shipping remain by the walls, and imploying By letting our own ships lye still, and imploying Hollanders.theirs, notwithstanding the Act, which in a manner gave us occasion more freely to imploy them.

2. By our imploying of their ships and people we have given themBy giving the Hollander the knowledge of our trade. the insight and knowledge of our whole trade and negotiations, which thereby hath been discovered unto them, inabling them the better to circumvent us.

3. In giving them hereby the power to betray us, which they have By letting the Hollander have power to betray us. done by wofull experience, and upon obtaining their ships and fraight, have delivered up our goods to our enemies, whereby many have been ruinated and undone, the Nations stock lost, the revenue indamaged, our shipping and Seamen perishing.

For prevention thereof in the future, and that the Hollanders trade To prevent it for the future. 1. To prohibit all English from fraighting forein ships. and shipping may be decreased, and our own shipping increased;

1. That forthwith a Prohibition be made, that all the Subjects of this Nation of England, and its dominions, shall not take to fraight any Foreiners ships directly nor indirectly in any of the Ports belonging to England, and its dominions, or in any other Princes dominions and Ports, if any English ship be there to be fraighted.

2. That all persons of our own Nation, and its dominions, as well 2. That English as well strangers making use of forein ships, to pay double Custom. as any other Princes or States Subjects whatsoever, importing among us, or exporting from us, any sort of merchandise in any vessel, not properly belonging to this Nation of England, and its dominions, and sailed by an English Commander, and the major part English men, to pay double Custome for all his Goods and Merchandise, so brought in by forein ships, or shipped out in them; and if that double Custom may not be 3. That all strangers imploying English ships pay no more Custom than an English man. thought enough upon some sort of Goods, to impose treble Custom on such as may require that charge.

3. That in Contra to the foregoing Article, all strangers, of what Nation soever, that shall bring into this Nation, or export any Commodities [Page] hence in the ships bona fide, and properly belonging to this Nation; and its dominions; to pay no more Custom upon the Goods so imported, or exported, in our ships than an English-man.

The advantages arising hereby to the Commerce of this Nation, are The advantages will be. All Nations will imploy English ships, especially trading with us. as followeth.

1. All forein Nations will make use of our ships, by reason of their strength and force, able to secure their Goods from Enemies and Pirates, as likewise for the advantage they will have in bringing their Merchandise to us, and obtaining thereby the benefit of paying no more Customs than our selves, which will be very easie to them.

2. Forein shipping, although they bring their Goods, in reference No forein ships can bring their Goods to market cheaper than we. to fraight, cheaper than our ships do, yet they will not forestall our fraight, in regard what is saved in the fraight by such as fraight them, will be inhansed upon them again, by their paying double Customes.

3. We our selves in our own ships shall hereby be inabled to bring English ships will bring Goods to markets as cheap as strangers. Foreiners cannot under-sell us. our Goods to market as cheap as any forein ships can do, by reason of the easiness of our Customes.

4. No strangers by this course will be able for to under-sell us, because their Goods will stand them in as dear as ours, and so we shall trade with them upon equal terms, for undoubtedly, when all the difference that will be betwixt the stranger and us, who it is that shall purchase his Goods at the best hand, we shall be both as able, diligent, and We shall obtain Goods as cheap as they. The pretence of the Hollanders sailing cheaper than we taken away. quick as they.

5. That great obstacle, or Remora, which our Navigation is stopt with, of the Hollanders sayling cheaper in their ships than we do in ours, and so by their easie fraight are capable to under-sell us in all places, will be quite taken away and laid aside, for by this way and course we shall be equal with them.

6. That great trade which the Hollanders do carry on with us now, The Hollanders trade to the East-land, and Norway, will vanish. from Norway and East-land, in Timber, Deals, Masts, Hemp, Pitch, and Tarr, will be ours: And whereas now we do want ships for the management of that trade, our own shipping being generally unfit, in a short time, we walking in this prescribed path, all their Prames and Fluts Their ships will be sold to us. Their Seamen will be ours. will become ours; and their very Seamen, for want of imployment, will remove to us, naturalizing themselves meerly to get imployment from us, that they may have bread to eat and feed their otherwise starved bodies, who must perish as well as their ships, the one unless they do come over to us for imployment, and the other, unless they be sold to us; then by their Seamens coming over to us we shall be fitted with people By them we shall be fitted for the fishing trade. The sole maintenance of the Hollanders. In the Levant and Mediterranean Seas only English ships will be imployed. understanding in the management of the fishing trade; a thing so considerable for the inriching this Nation, and that is in a manner the sole maintenance of the Hollanders trade, Seamen and shipping.

7. Hereby in the Levant and Mediterranean Seas the Hollanders ships will be slighted and rejected, and want their imployment from all Nations in those parts, who will strive to have their Merchandise conveighed only in our English vessels,

[Page] 8. By this Act our English shipping will gain such repute in all It will increase them in burden, strength, and number. parts, that it will infinitely increase them, both in number, as well as strength and burden.

9. Hereby our shipping will never want imployment and goodThey will never want imployment by our selves and strangers. fraights, for what we our selves cannot lade, strangers will supply, by reason of their security and advantage which thereby they will receive: And whereas our great ships have even lost their wonted esteem, and so we have been forced to send them out upon long and desperate voyages,Our great ships will regain their repute, and be ready for Publick Service when there is occasion. they will regain it again; and being imployed neuer hand, be ready at all summons to supply the Publick when ever any occasion may offer to make use of them.

The ninth meanes to increase and nourish the trade of this Nation is, that some way may be found out, to agree with the Spaniard,The ninth meanes to increase trade, to buy up all the Spanish Wool. for the baying up the Wool of his Country, prohibiting all other Nations besides the English, to transport from Spain to any other people, or place, any of the said Wool but for England.

The Advantages that would arise hereby unto our Nation, and its The Advantages arising thereby.Commerce are these:

1. It would very much improve our Manufactories, and make our It would improve our Manufactory.Nation the Staple for all sorts of woollen Commodities throughout the World.

2. The Hollander would be utterly disabled from counterfeiting Deprive the Hollanders from counterfeiting of them. our Woollen-Draperies, and all his subtleties would come to nothing, which through our neglect of compassing this work, and suffering him to get into his power the Spanish Wool, he hath even eaten us out of our fine Cloth trade.

3. It would be a meanes infinitely to imploy our own people, and to It would imploy our People. set them at work, and thereby keep the fabrick of these sorts of Goods in our own Dominions.

4. It would occasion the imployment of much shipping, to setch Increase imployment for ships. these Wools from place to place, and afford owners of ships good fraights to the great incouragement of building ships.

5. It would notably advance the Spanish Trade, giving the Traders Give good opportunities for returns to Merchants. Heretofore it was to have been obtained. that way a most large meanes, for to make returns from thence when other wayes may fail, and that not only to the Trader for the North parts of Spain, but to the Trader for the South likewise; It having been in agitation heretofore between the two Nations, even within a very little of being settled, had not the unhappy warr in the bowels of this Nation fallen out, which frustrated the compleating this so noble a design, which was not misliked by the Councils of both Nations, who were very well satisfied therein, and of the great benefit that would have arrived thereby to each other. It being my judgement, if we were By discreet management likely enough still to be effected. The Spaniard would reap the benefit as well as we, therefore to be desired. settled in peace within our selves, and this negotiation of the Wools set afoot again by some judicious person, with the Publick approbation and support, there might be meanes used to compass the same, and such terms proposed between us and the Spaniard, that might be approved of to the liking of them and us; and therefore to be wished, that a work so advantagious to this Commerce were estected.

[Page] The tenth meanes to nourish, increase, and revive the dying Trade The tenth means to increase trade, to have the Statutes against Jews put in execution. of this Nation is, that all Jews lately crept into this Nation, and its Donminions, be extirpated and banished, according to the ancient Laws and Statutes made from time to time to that purpose; it being the Jews whole design, where ever they are admitted, by degrees for to The ingrossers of all trade wherever they come.disperse themselves into all parts of the Nation, where trade is, that they may thereby the better ingross the same into their own hands.

Their next course being the farming of the Customs and Publick Duties The Farmers of all Taxes and Du [...]ies.gathered in those places where they be admitted, whereby becoming both masters of the money and the trade, they may the better oppress Th [...] blood-suckers of all Nations.all bo [...]h rich and poor, sucking the very blood of the people, like Horseleaches, out of their veins, and lacking their estates with griping usury; The only Extortioners and Usurers.it being observable, whereever they have had any time to settle themselves among a people, they have been the destruction of that Nation The destroyers of all People whereever they settle.and People, both in their Trade and Estates, which this Nation of ours, in former dayes hath sufficiently experienced: As whoever please but to peruse that worthy Piece of Mr. Prynne against the admission of JewsSee Mr. Prynne against the Jews admission into England. in England, may easily be satisfied, what a generation of People they be: And if by our own lamentable experience we cannot be sufficiently warned of them, let Spain, Portugal, Italy, the East and West Indies, Our own experience can tell us what they be, Spain, Portugal, Italy, East and West Indies may be examples.where they are so numerous at this present, be examples unto us; there having never any Tax been laid in those parts, but Jews are still the Farmers thereof: There hath never been any false money coyned or introduced, but Jews are the fomenters and contrivers thereof; No false barrs of silver made in the Indies, but the Jews have been the Actors therein: And notwithstanding those exemplary punishments, which The promoters of all deceits inCoyn orCommodities.from time to time hath been inflicted on them (sometimes) to the cutting off their whole Posterities, that others might thereby be terrified; yet for all those heavy punishments they will not leave their villany,No punishment can make them beware. being a stift-necked People, and so continue to this day, without remorse or any amendment. And if you will look a little nigher intoSee what they have done in England since permitted by the late Protector O. C. the present time with us, observe but since O. C. the late Protector, seemingly gave them a hope to have admission in this Nation (and that upon the suggestion of some, that by their tradings among us they would advance the Revenue one hundred thousand pounds per annum) They have got into all our American Plantations.how have they increased, coming from all parts to us? and not only here in England, but into all our American Plantations, as Barbadoes, St. Cists, Mevis & seranam, where by their slaves, whom they use like Ingrossed the Trade, and filled them with false money and goodsHorses, carry on their backs up and down into every corner of those Plantations all sorts of Commodities, ingrossing thereby the whole Trade, filling them with false monies and merchandise; and if report be Fired Barbadoes to the ruine of many.true, were the Authors of that first great fire in Barbadoes, wherein so many suffered the losse of their Estates to their ruine, and really conceived was done by the Jews malitiously; but those that give the best construction thereof say, it happened by their coyning of false pieces of eight to deceive the Inhabitants, the fire beginning at a Jews house, it being a Maxim held by that People, not to value their own losse, so They value not their own loss so they ruine Christians. thereby they can destroy Christians, being such haters of Christianity, that seldom or never do you see any of them to become Christians; and [Page] when any occasionally do pretend to be Christians, its either for fear They never appear Christians but for fear of punishment or losse of Estate. of some extraordinary punishment likely to fall upon them, which they may have deserved, or else to secure and save their Estates from confiscations, which Mr. Prynne very fully by many examples in his book before recited hath made appear. And in regard its somewhat pertinent to the present purposes, I shall by one example in these our dayes, apparent in the eyes of the whole Commerce, and worth observation, An Observation thereof now among us to undeceive such as think them to be as harmlesse people. whereby those who think these people a harmlesse generation of men, and to be admitted among us in hopes of their conversions, may be undeceived and satisfied; it hath not been without cause, that former ages have made such strict Laws against them, it being to be feared, considering the fantastical opinions and heresies now reigning in this Nation, instead of our converting them to Christianity, they rather They rather likely to pervert us then we convert them. may pervert and turn us to Iudaism; for who have you seen of these Jews lately admitted into England, that hath publikely been baptized, acknowledging the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus-Christ. In contra, I pray see Antonio Fernandes Caravahal what he hath done after Let Antonio Fernandes witnesse, who hath been twenty years among us, sixteen thereof professing himself a Christian. Baptised his own and other Children. twenty years living in England, enjoying all privileges and quietnesse among us, received as a Citizen in this City of London, trad [...]ng freely without the least molestation, having for about sixteen years of that time, professed himself a Roman Catholick; Answered at the Font for many Christian Children baptised at the Spanish Embassadors house, nay hath there also baptised divers of his own publikely, though it seems neverthelesse he circumcised them the eighth day privately: proclaiming himself a Christian (and yet a Jew in heart) waiting only a fit time to discover it, which he did as soon as there was a seeming consent of their admission, as is before declared by the late O. P. Abused thé Nation in the businesse of our Silver Ships.And this Fernandes Caravahal hath notably abused this Nation, for when the Hambrough Silver ships were taken, many Jews subject to the Hollander had their Estates owned by him as Portugal Spaniards, but when we fell out with Portugal, then he was a Spaniard, when At last was neither French nor Dutch, Portugal nor Spaniard, Italian nor Turk, but an Hebrew Jew. What greater evidence to discover the temper of these Jews. the War began with Spain, then he was neither Spaniard, Portugal, French nor Dutch, Italian nor Turk, but an Hebrew, a plain downright Jew, acknowledging he never was or would be a Christian, taking upon him the outward profession of Christianity only for safety, which now he needed no longer to make use of, being he could live in England a professed Jew, and receive more respect with O. P. or hisProfessing Christianity only as a Cloak for his Knavery. Council in all businesses, either for himself or his Tribe, than any Christian could have whatsoever. Is not this then evidence enough to shew what these Jews be, and would it not be an extream peece of Iustice in this Nation, and a great service to God, for to punish this Fernandes for his Hypocrisie, and to banish both him and all his Tribe out of the Nation, whereby to prevent farther mischief, that othersAntonio Fernandes a fi [...] person to be made an example. might through the terror thereof be warned from doing the like for the future, confiscation of his Estate being too small a punishment for his offence.

And for a further experience of these Jews ingrossing the trade of The Canary trade ruinated by the Jews. this Nation to its ruine, let the Canary Merchants be called to testifie who it is, but the Jews that have spoiled that trade, and brought us [Page] to pay twenty pounds a pipe for Canary wines in ready mony (silver By them wines are brought from 10 l. in Commodities now to 20 l. ready mony to the impoverishment of our Nation. scarce being liked or able to purchase them at that rate, but it must be Spanish pistols) when as heretofore they were bought by our Nation trading thither, part for Commodities carried hence, part for time, and part mony, at ten pound per Pipe, to the great accommodation of all that traded into those Islands, and the expence of our manufactories, which advantage is now quite taken away, and instead of having the proceeds of our Commodities returned in wines, we are fain to carry mony Self and private interest the cause of the Jews admission. to purchase them, which impoverisheth the Nation, and what can be more destructive than this is unto us? And although private interest (and Self the great Sin of this Age) assisted the admission of Jews, under that grand pretence of their increasing the publick revenew by God in mercy to the Nation stop their admission. their trade, the design was stopped at that time by Gods providence, through the prous opposit on of some who are to be reverenced, and neverWithout the Jews help the Publike may be furnished with mony. to be forgotten for their faithfulnesse to the Nation, and the Gospel setled therein, it being not only desired, but hoped that they may never be admitted by Law among us under what pretence soever, for should the Nation be in want of mony never so much, without having The Jews instead of increasing do decrease the Revenew and trade.it from Jews, undoubtedly the publick may be furnished, for be sure they will not doe it but on such terms as unhappy should we be to have it from them; it would not be to the increasing the revenew, but decreasing it and the Nations trade likewise; for it is evident to all knowing Merchants of this Nation, that the Stock of England is too great The Nations Stock is great enough, and needs not the jews to help. for its own trade, our Country affording such plenty of Commodities, and our Merchants so numerous and wealthy, that where ever the Nation settles any factory, its easie to see how they overcloy all parts with All parts to which we trade can witnesse.our goods more than they can vent; and again for returns more is imported by us of forein Commodities, than the Nation can spend; being then so, as that it is so is most apparent, if consideration be had in See if in this Nation there he any want of Forein Commodities.observing how low all sorts of Commodities are in England, and at what easie rates they are to be had. Its true the present trouble, makes them the cheaper, yet when a Nations stock is greater than its trade What ever they trade for, we must not trade in.will bear, Commodities will alwayes in that place be cheap; and therefore what need we the Jews Stock to increase our trade, which must of necessity decrease and spoil it? for did we want Stock in thé Nation, If permitted still they will ingrosse the trade, the land and we must be their Slaves.then somewhat might be said; but seeing our own is too great already, it must follow, they trading, we must desist, and if we do desist from trading, and let them alone, we must suffer them to become Masters of the whole trade of our Nation, the Ingrossers of all the Land, and at last we must become their Vassals and Slaves, and if Since their admission the Customs advanced nothing.the question would satisfie, pray let it be required, that the Officers of the Custom House declare how much the Customs have been increased since they have been permitted to live and trade among us; its well if As Christians for Gods glory, as Englishmen for our one preservation we ought to get them banished.they have not decreased rather, I am sure the trade of the Nation hath, and that not a little.

Considering all which, and much more that might be inlarged in reference thereunto: It will behove us all of this Nation, as we are Christians, for the glory of God and honour of our Saviour Jesus Christ and his Gospel, to endeavour the extirpation and banishment of all Jews [Page] from among us; and then as Englishmen if we desire the trade of this Lest instead of advantage, it brings ruine, instead of being blessed, we be cursed. Nation to increase, let us unanimously be instrumental to discover these people, and divest them of their hold which they have gotten in England, that they may never settle in this Nation, for fear lest by willingly permitting them to remain among us, instead of a blessing, we bring a curse upon our posterity, to the Nations utter ruine and destruction,God will do his own work in his own time for their Conversion. not doubting but God in his due time will do his own work in their conversion, and being their own Country Iudea wants inhabitants, its better they return thither and wait Gods pleasure, where in theIn their own Country there is room to set up their trade, and also for such among us as think of building Ierusalem. mean time they may have room enough to inlarge any trade they can manage, and we may accompany them with our prayers and desires, and permit all those among us that think of the rebuilding Jerusolem again, to go along with them, and blesse God we are so well rid of such a Generation.

Thus having by the foregoing proposals shewd some means for the Thus far of the means to increase our trade.increasing the trade of the Nation which is commended to your consideration.

In the next place I shall set down some wayes and means, for the Wayes proposed to incourage and case trade.case and incouragement of the trade and commerce of this Nation, whereby in these sad and dangerous times wherein we are, the traders into forein parts may not be disheartened, but inlivened with hopes,That Merchants may not be disheartned in these sad times. that by theirperseverance in trade, they may in time reap the benefit of their patience and extream hazards, which since this Nation was a trading people, never were greater. And it is not to be doubted, but that those that are in power, considering how necessary a thingThose in Power ought to ease and incourage Merchants for their own advantage as well as the peoples good. it is for their own advantage to preserve and incourage trade, without which as the people of this Nation cannot subsist nor supply their wants, or vent their commodities, so likewise the Publick without trade cannot have any way or means for to furnish or maintain the charges of the Government; Therefore it doth concern them that are in power to ease and incourage trade all they can, as well as the people The Nation requires it, and that speedily before it be too late.to desire it, it being prayed by all such as wish this Nations prosperity, that a speedy course may be taken to remedy what is amisse in the Commerce, whereby to ease and incourage all Merchants tradings, lest by delaying the cure, other people and Nations get our trade from us, and when the Merchants trading are ruinated, having nothing left to trade with, it will be too late (according to the Proverb) when the Steed is stole, to shut the Stable dore. Consider the wayes to Incourage and case trade.

The wayes therefore which are to be taken into consideration for the ease and incouragement of the trade of this Nation, are as followeth.The fifth means to incourage trade, is to remove the burdens of the Custom House.

The first means to incourage and ease the trade of this Nation, is, that the burdens and disturbances of the Custom House and its Officers, be removed, taken away, or regulated.

1: That the Customs may not be farmed by any under what1. Not to permit the Customs to be farmed, but executed by Commissioners able and knowing men. pretence soever, but executed by Commissioners for the Publike, they to be able knowing men of publike spirits, curteous in their carriage, not covetous, but honest and free hearred, meet to incourage men that do trade, and ready to ease them when any occasion shall present or offer before them.

[Page] 2. That those Commissioners so established, may have such authority 2. The Commissioners to have Power of determining differences of scisures between the Officers and Merchants, and they freed from attending on Courts and Committies. and power given them, that they may end and determine all differences arising between the Merchants and Officers in reference to scisures, or otherwayes that the Merchant trading, may thereby be freed from waiting upon Committees or Courts of Justice, spending their mony in Law, and their time in attendances upon every petty and frivolous businesse, which trouble and solicitude, with their expence and losse of time, produceth more dammage to the Merchant, them the losse of his goods, it happening often times in the transactions of Merchants affairs, divers accidents arive, having relation to the Customs, of small importance, and yet vexatious enough to the trader, which cannot be foreseen till they come to passe, and fit for the Commissioners to determine, without ingaging the traders to run up and down from Westminster Courts, to White-Hall Committees, losing that time which they might better spend at the Exchange, a place fitrer for Merchants than Courts of Iudicature, which is not only burthensome, but a grrat discouragement to Merchants, these latter years having sufficiently tired the Commerce in those attendances; a greater Hell to Me chants upon Earth cannot be undergone.

3. That the Custom-House open for the entering of goods inwards or 3. The Custom-House to open twice a day from 8. to a 11. and from 2. till 5. outwards twice a day, from eight in the morning till eleven, and in the afternoon from two till five, whereby all sodain accidents ariving may be supplied, and the old wonted hours for Exchange meetings no way hindered, which ought to be from eleven to twelve, and from five till six and no longer, according to the institution of the founder of that Royal fabrick, so convenient for the negotiations of the Commerce, and so judicially observed by our Ancestors.

4 That for taking up of goods brought in, and for shipping of goods 4. The taking up and shipping goods to be from Sun to Sun Winter and Summer. sent out, the hours to be from Sun rising to Sun setting Winter and Summer, whereby Merchants may the better manage their businesse, having time enough to compasse the same, for seeing the Merchant payes the Duty by his industrious trade, out of which the Officer hath his salary and livelyhood; If by accident the Merchant is forced through The Officer ought to attend for Publike good, and why. businesse, and so besated in taking up or shipping of his goods, the Officer should not think much of his pains, seeing what he doth is still but his Duty, and for the advantage of the Publike.

5. No Officer to stop any Merchants goods, but upon very good grounds.5. That no Officer whatsoever be permitted to stop any Merchants goods that are taking up or shipping out, and are entred in the Custom House, upon every flight suspition or humor of the Officer, but The Merchant not being deficient in his entry, the Officer to make him good all dammag.with much caution, yet in case there may be a just suspition of the Officers which may prompt him to stop and open any Merchants goods imported or exported to be done, but if no fault shall appear, then the Officer to be liable to pay for the new making up the said goods so opened, and all charges and damages arising thereupon unto the MerchantWhere the Merchant hath committed a wilful error, his goods to be consiscate and totally lost. to be made him good to the uttermost farthing by the said Officer.

In Contra, If there be any wilful fault or error committed by the Merchant, and found out, the goods to be seised and confiscate without mercy, and no other favour shewed therein, but that the owner of [Page] the goods may be permitted to redeem them as they shall be appraised by the Officers of the Publike appointed for that purpose, laying down his ready mony for them, the said proceeds of the goods so Where an error is wilfully done the Merchant to bear his own damage. confiscate the one half to be for the Officer that seised them, the other half for to be applied to the Publike treasury.

But if by mistake or ignorance there do happen a scisure to be made, and that it appear not wilfully, but accidentally done, the party soThe Commissioners to be Judges herein. erring, to bear all the charges of making up his goods himself, and the damages that may happen thereupon the Officer to be exemptedThe second means to ease and incourage trade, is to have the Duty of excise regulated. therefrom; the Commissioners to be judges in these cases, and to finish it immediarely, not admitting the person to be turmoyl'd by Law.

The second means to ease and incourage the Commerce of this Nation, is, that the duty of excise may be regulated, and put into some better way for the ease of the Commerce, and people of this Nation;The equallest way to raise a Revenew in a Nation. For as Custom and Excise is the most harmlest and rationablest way, to bring in a revenew for the maintenance of the Publike affairs of a Nation and its Government, so the irregular way of levying theseThe duty not so burthensome as the irregular collection thereof. Publike dutyes makes them abominated and hated, which otherwaies would be of great satisfaction, it not being a trouble to pay the duty, but to be turmoyled and vexed by the under Officers, and the arbitrary ways in the collection thereof, which makes it burthensome, there beingThe Excise the most easiest way to raise mony for the Publike use. not any way or duty easier born by all people, than an excise upon the consumption of goods within the Land, be they Forein or Native Commodities, it is the most equitablest imposition to a people that can be, for hereby every one poor and rich bears his part and proportionIts born by all in proportion rich and poor. according to his expences, for he that spends little payes little, and he that spends much, payes a great deal of Excise, whereby envyIt's the most equitablest way, and beyond any other tax, and freest from envy and malice. is taken away, which is heightned in personal taxes, for many that are the assessors to spare themselves, lay the hurthen on their neighbours, and that often times in malice, as indeed who can know a mans personal estate, and how then can there be an equal way to tax them, some seeming rich, and yet are poor, others seem poor, and yet are rich,All contribute in Excise according to their expence but the usuver. so that it is impossible to lay a tax right? but where a duty is levyed on the consumption of goods in a land, ther's no man but contributes according to his quality, unlesse it be the miserable Usurer, whose very covetousnesse is tax enough to him, the neverthelesse oft leaving hisThe Misers posterity makes good what he saved. estate to such, as after his death payes treble the duty, by their consuming what he left, than he ever saved in hording up, so he did but borrow it a while to have it repaid with advantage: And as it is the impartiallest It is the most constantest Income of any to a Nation.way in the World to raise a Revenew, so it is the most constantest income of any to a Nation, and that without prejudice, especially being regularly gathered in.The way proposed to collect the Excise with ease and advantage.

That the duty of Excise may be gathered in, both for the ease of the Commerce and advantage to the Revenew. The following proposal in reference thereunto is commended to consideration.

The duty of Excise is raised by two wayes or means out of which itTwo ways by which Excise is raised. issues and 1. On imported Commodities.is gathered, and that is either,

1. Vpon Commodities brought into a Nation from Forein parts, and so consumed there, or else,

[Page] 2. Vpon Commodities made in the Nation or its Dominions, and

2. On our Native Commodities. The first proposition stated under two qualifications. Of persons to be trusted with the Excise. Of persons not to be trusted. Its easy to secure the Excise in the hands of persons to be trustrd. The accompts to be kept with them Exemplisied by the importing a parcel of wines.

consumed upon the place where made.

For the first proposition of Commodities imported from forein parts I state thus, the importers may be ranked under these two qualifications following.

1. Of persons known in their abilities and aboad, and so consequently to be trusted.

2. Of persons unknown as to their aboad or abilities, and so not to be trusted.

For the first qualification of persons known in the abilities and aboad, Importers of Forein Commodities and to be trusted undoubtedly, it is most easie to secure the Excise in their hands without any scruple.

As for instance the Accompts with them to be kept to be thus staited.

The Importer makes his entry at the Custom House for 100. Buts of Wine, payes his Custome and becomes liable (an Act being made to that purpose) to be charged with the Excise, being so charged and having his Wine in Custody, he sels 50. Butts, gives the buyer a ticket directed to the Excise Office of their sale, the buyer on that note pays the Excise, and brings from the Office an order directed to the Seller of the said Wines for the delivery of the 50. Butts by him sold to the buyer, for that the Duty of them is satisfied or paid, which order of delivery, the Importer or Seller of the said wines keeps for his discharge against the time of his accompting, which may be every six Months, or every twelve Months, as it shall be thought fit and ordained for the most ease of the Commerce. At the time of Accompting, the Importer having his leakage taken off, which is by order allowed 22 Butts, and then produceth his Warrant of delivery for 50 Butts more, remains in his Seller to sell only 8 Butts, and there appears to have been disposed of by himself 20 Butts, for which he is to pay and clear the Excise, which so soon as the Account is made up, within a few dayes limited to that purpose, he payes the same in, so that it appears the 100 Butts entred in Custom House are cleared, and 8 only remains to sell, to begin a new accompt withall for the following The accompt of all other Commodities stated. The way to secure the Excise from persons unknown. To pay Custom and Excise together. Ten per cent. to be allowed for advance of their Excise. Known persons will gladly imbrace that allowance. The advantages lately arising. year.

The like is to be observed for what ever Commodities be imported by such persons as are known and to be trusted.

For the second qualification of persons unknown in their aboad and abilities, and not to be trusted.

When they make their entries in the Custom-House, and pay their Customs, let them pay their Excise also, and for their paying their Excise in ready mony immediately down, to be allowed ten per cent. which allowance will countervail the advance of so much ready mony, and they cannot, neither will they complain for not being trusted; it being certain, that upon such an allowance of ten per cent. many that might be trusted will not, because of reaping the benefit granted to unknown persons.

The advantages by setling the Excise in this way, will be thus,

[Page] 1. The receiving of present many will be of greater consequence to 1. Receipt of present mony. the Publike, than the allowance of ten per cent. can any way be disadvantageous.

2. The Duty it self by the receiving of ready mony, will be better 2. The securing the Duty. 3. The ease of Commerce. secured.

3. The whole Commerce will be freed from and eased of those tedious accompts and perverse officers, who only seek themselves and not the Publike good.

4. The multitude of Officers every where may be lessened, who live 4. The salary of so many uselesse Officers will be saved. upon the Publike purse, an idle life, vexatious to the people through their prolling informations, when they might imploy themselves in other callings to the benefit of the Nation, and save the Publike a considerable Sum of money yearly, which issues out for their wages, and that only to maintain them to do mischief.

5. And lastly those numerous and vaste accompts kept between buyer 5. Tedious accompts will all men excuse, except such as are trusted who will be but few. and Seller, importer and exporter, as also with such as pay their Excise in ready mony at the Custom House when they enter their goods, will be uselesse and needlesse, there needing not any accompt to be kept, but meerly with such as are trusted with Excise, of which number there will be but few, having an allowance made them for the advance thereof, as is before declared.

There may be here an Objection made. An Objection.

If the Excise be thus setled, the Importer by the connivance of the The Publike may hereby be defrauded. waiter or searcher at the Custom House, may very much defraud the Publick Revenew, for as much as the Importer having once passed his goods at the Custom House, there is no farther accompt taken of the goods, being freely at the Importers Liberty to dispose of them as he pleaseth.

To which it is Answered, Answer. To have but one Officer for Excise and Custom, and he well paid. The Officer abusing his trust to lose his place without readmssiion.

1. As there will need but one Officer both for the Excise and Custom, let his salary be the greater, and so considerable, that thereby he may have a good livelyhood for his Family, and not be necessitated to take rewards to be unfaithful.

2. That whatever Officer shall be found or convinced to have defrauded the Publike by the abuse of his trusts, immediately to lose his imployment without any readmission thereunto, which undoubtedly will so ingage him, that he will not be tempted with a small reward to lose his whole subsistence.

3. The Importers goods seised and totally lost and consiscated without The Merchant to lose his goods and totally consiscated. If the Merchant do save part of his Duty yet no losse to the Revenew. The Reason why. any composure, more than to pay the value down in ready mony as shall be appraised, or another give for them.

If for all this strictnesse and hazard, the Merchant shall find out a way to save some part of his Customs (it being the thoughts of many, that stolen waters are sweetest) and supposing that the excise will also thereby be saved to him.

The observables followings being duly considered (in this very case) it will evidently appear that the Publike Revenew will not be any ways lessened or diminished thereby.

[Page] 1. Because not one in a hundred by reason of the inconsideratenesse Not one in a hundred will adventure it. of the profit and great hazard therein, will not attempt it.

What is saved by a Merchant is but to inlarge his trade. 2. Because whatever the Merchant saves this way, or indeed any way, it is but to inlarge his trade, which is increased as his stock increases, and so thereby the Revenew of the Customs and Excise, have The advantage of the Customs with the seisures and confiscations will be more than the losse. the benefit and the only advantage.

3. What the Publike may gain by confiscations and seisures with the Income of Excise and Custom through the Merchants inlargement of his trade, will be of farr greater advantage, than whatever is by them saved with such shifts and hazards can be disadvantageous.

The Merchant that saves Custom to be connived at before any, and why. 4. If the Marchant by adventuring the losse of his goods by such shifts and hazards, doth save any part of the Duty, who ought to be connived at rather than he, being all his industry and labour with his great hazards, amounts but to this; The advancing the Publike He Inriches the Nation, advances the Revenew, maintains Commerce. Revenew, and inriching the Nation often times to his own ruine (Pelican like) although its true the hopes of profit leads him to adventure, yet it is the Merchants trading that upholds the Nation in Glory, increases her wealth to the good and prosperity of all in general, and Therefore the ease of the Commerce is to be preferred above all. therefore whatever can be alleeged to the contrary, the ease of the Commerce is to be preferred before any thing else, seeing by Commerce the income of the Nation is raised, increased, and preserved.

The only gainers by Excise are the Ingrossers and Shop-keepers, as its now established. Whereas,

As the Excise at this present is managed, the only gainers thereby are the Ingrossers of Commodities, and retaylers in shops (that buy of Merchants that are the importers and nourishers of forein trade, and the only sufferers by this Duty) and what ever the Shopkeepers and The Shopkeepers increase of their Stock by Excise, destructive to the Nation. Ingrossers gain, is most destructive to the Nation and its Commerce, because as they increase their stocks, it is only for mischief, beating down thereby the Merchants markets, and when they have ingrosled into their own hands what the Merchant hath imported, in the retailing The second proposition for the raising Excise by goods wrought in the Nation. them to the people, inhance their prices to the prejudice of the whole Nation.

The second way or means in reference to the raising of the Duty of Excise is, concerning Commodities wrought or made in this Nation.

To take rise from the maker of them. Which comparatively falls under the same order in the gathering thereof into the Publike, as doth the goods imported by Merchants To have set places for the sayl of all goods, and there to be entred. from forein parts, for taking Rise from the first maker of them, it is most easie to be gathered in, especially having set places and Markets for the sale of all in-land Commodities, where in the Town-house or Hall appointed for that purpose, every man should make entry of all What is bought to be consumed in the Land to pay Excise, and what for exportation to pay none. such goods as he brings to market to sell, and what is sold to forein traders, or for the consumption of the Land, hereby will be easily known, so that he which buyes for the inland consumption to pay Excise upon the place, and he which buys any goods to export to any forein part to pay none; But in case this way of the Exporters buying of Or else the goods bought to export, to pay Excise, and reallowed when shipped out, goods, and not paying his Excise, may occasion a difficulty and losse, its easily remedyed. Let the Seller of the goods pay it himself, or else the Exporter, and at shipping of the said goods, let him have the Excise which he paid reallowed him back at Custom House, which if considered, [Page] the advance of so much ready mony will be of great use and accommodation Herely the Publike will be advanced, and the Merchant not damnified. For ease [...]f the Commerce to have Custom and Excise in one place, and managed by one [...] f [...]r imports and exports. to the Publike, and the Merchant [...]ill not be much hindered thereby, in regard it will be returned him at the shiping of his goods, part in his Customes outwards, and the rest in ready mony.

And for the ease of the Commerce and accommodation of traders, it were good that the Excise for exports and imports, should be kept where the Customs are, and the same method used for the Excise, as is for the Custom, and so what is entered in, shipped out by certificate, which rule would be of great ease to the Commerce, and peace to the people, who have been and are yet turmoyled with troublesome and endlesse accompts, which will never be set to rights; wherefore it were to be desired that an Act of Oblivion might passe to the Commerce for what is past, and for the future to be more exact, whereby to avoid what ha h been amisse.

And for the trausactions of inland negotiations by carriage or other For inland trausactions, some particular Ossice for the Excise to easethe people. wayes, because it would be a great trouble for all people to go down to the Custom House to enter their goods, and pay the Duty of Excise, there may be some convenient place appointed for that purpose, where at set times, one of the Commissioners of the Custom House may attend the same, to dispatch businesse for the inland affairs, and for that it One of the Custom House Commissioners to attend by turns for dispatch. would be too great a burthen for one, each in their turns by months, whereby they will be conversant in what passes there, as well as at Custom House, and so be the better informed to give dispatch in what may ofter in any of the said places, concerning those Duties of Excise and Custom, and this will be of great ease and satisfaction to the people and Commerce of this Nation.

The third means to ease and incourage the trade of this Nation is, The third means to incourage trade. N [...] Seaman to be prest out of Merchants ships till they have sinished their voyages. Many ships hereby have been lost, and Merchants undone. Prevention of this mischief, the Captains of such men of War to make good all damages what they can not the Publike to answer it for them. The 4th. means to incourage trade. That Convoys be constantly sitted out for the preservation of Merchants ships. that it may not be permitted out of any Merchants ships bound out, or comming home upon Merchants imployments, having once set sayl out of their first po [...]t, and begun their voyage, and not arrived at their last port for discharge in their return home upon any pretence whatever that any Captain or Commander of any Ship or Vessel in the Publike for vice shall presse any of the Seamen, Mariners, or Officers out of the said Merchants ship, or take them away from them being ashore; for by these actions many ships going out have lost their voyages, and others comming home lost both ship and goods, to the ruine and undoing of many honest able Merchants.

And for prevention hereof in the future, That what Captain or Commander in the publike service shall doe any such things, he to be liable to make satisfaction for all damages that may or shall happen or come to such ships and goods, or voyage, by reason of his taking away or pressing their men from them; and in case the ostate of the said Captain or Commander is not sufficient to make good the loss or damage, the Treasury of the Custom and Excise to doe it immediately as soon as the said damage so sustained shall be liquidated: This will be a great preservation to Merchants, and keeping of the Commerce from destruction.

The fourth means to ease and increase the trade of this Nation is,

That a constant Convoy might be alloted for all Merchants ships which should every month goe out, wind and weather permitting, from [Page] the Downs and so along to the farthermost place in the Mediterranean To secure them from Enemies and Pirats. or Levant Seas where we have any trade, taking all such ships that be ready with them, conducting them as nigh their Port as they can, and as one Convoy arives, that which was there before immediately to return, No Convoy [...] lade out of home any Merchandise. gathering up all the ships that be ready, as he doth sail along homewards; And by this monthly Convoy, oftentimes there may be more A prohibition, penalty, and punishment, for any that shall.men of War than one in company, and so thereby be inabled the better to see most ships that sail with them even into their very harbours, Else the disadvantage will be greater than the advantage.however, when least, secure them from the hands of Pirates, that wait up and down lurking for whom they may catch into their clutches.

Now as convoyes may on the one hand be an advantage for the security of our Navigation and Commerce, so on the other side there must All men would lade their fine goods in men of warr.be a care had, that there be a very strict prohibition (with penalties and punishments, in case of derogating there from) that no Convoy or man of Warr, shall carry to any Ports or places whatever uponThe Seamen would never fight, but suffer the Merchants ships to perish. fraight to sell, or otherwise, any Merchandise, Silver, Bullion, or Coyn, either outwards or homewards, for should any such things be permitted, it would instead of an advantage to the Commerce, turn to a disadvantage and their utter ruine, for the Commanders of such The fifth means to incourage trade.Convoyes, and the Seamen would be so swayed by the profit that would arise therby (for who is it that would not ship all his rich goodsThat no bills of entry be delivered out of Custom House. in a man of Warr) that when any occasion should offer for them to fight with Pirates or otherwise, they would not hazard themselvs to defend the ships they Convoy, but even sufter them to perish.

A prohibition for the future made therein.The fifth means to incourage the trade of this Nation is, that no bils of entry either of exports or imports, be suftered to be delivered to The Projectors Patent taken from him, and he punished.any man directly or indirectly out of the Custom House, or any other place by any Officer whatever, but that there be a strict prohibition thereof; and that that Projector that could in the late Protectors day [...] O [...] What he hath got to be imployed thereby to Publike use.contrive a way to get a Patent for the same, should be called to account what he hath gained thereby, the which to be taken from him, and applyed to better uses, and with his Pattent about h [...]s neck, whipped Entrees delivered out of the Custom House a very great discouragement to trade.throughout every Port of England, for an example to others, that none may for the future dare to undertake the like,

It being one of the greatest discouragements to trade in this Nation, and of notable consequence if duely considered, the advantages not any,Advantageous only to Lugrossers and monied men. but to some particular Ingressers of Commodities, and private monyed men, the disadvantages many, and that to all persons generally trading throughout the Nation, especially to merchants, who Disadvantageous to all in general.ought in their own right and assistance to support trade, petition against this Projector to get him well punished, that this delivering out of mens Entries may be never more practiced.The disadvantages herein follow.

And that the disadvantages may be taken into consideration, pray observe the sollowing particulars, how trade thereby is discouraged.

1. All mens negotiations discovered to ignorant m [...]n, The ingenious mans trade thereby ruinated.1. Trade is hereby discouraged, in regard that by these bills of Entry, every mans negotiations are discovered, and it gives too much liberty to busie headed men to pry into the affairs of each other, intermedling therein to their great prejudice, which ought to be kept secret; many hereby supplying their own ignorance by other mens ingenuity, [Page] and then wanting experience trade only, because such men, whom they conceive are knowing, trade to such or such a place, whereby they spoyl each others Markets.

2. Trade hereby is greatly discouraged; because all your Ingrossers 2. The Ingrosser and Retayling Shopkeepers make what Markets they please on the Seller, as well as on the Buyer, to the prejudice of the Nation. If Entries were not seen by any, necessitated men would advance their goods as well as others. of Commodities, & retailing Shop-keepers having these bills of Entries, are made acquainted into who [...]e hands what Commodities that be imported come, and then joyning in company to beat down the Markets, taking the advantage of such men whom they observe over trade themselves, and thereby become necessitated for monies, who for to supply themselvs in their wants, must sell at any rate, whereby its not they alone that are prejudiced, but all other men that trade: now if so be these bills of Entry were not permitted to be given to any person whatever, the buyer would not be acquainted with what is imported or exported, and thereby be incouraged to give the better rate to the Merchant for his goods, to the great incouragement of traders, for necessitated men then would obtain as good Markets for their Commodities as others, and no man would be prejudiced by another mans sale.

3. Hereby arises a general inconveniency to the whole Commerce, 3. The general Commerce at home suffers extreamly. for that the Ingrosser and Retayler having these Bills of Entry, come to know the quantities of such goods as formerly were brought in, and again exported, and thereby observing what may be left not sufficient to supply the Markets, immediately inhance the price upon the people that need the Commodity, beyond reason, and so become the only gainers in this Nation to the destruction and ruine of all forein traders, by having his trade not only here at home, but abroad discovered.

4. Our trade beyond the Seas is greatly discouraged and hindered, many 4. The Trade beyond Seas is destroyed and ingenious men ruinated in their designs, and Forein Nations advantaged. men herby having sustained considerable losse, it often happening by an ingenious foregsiht, some have got the start of others in conveying their goods to a Market, in hopes of reaping the fruit of their industry, when by these bills of Entry being sent over giving notice what hath been laden in some other ship for the same place, which happily might not arrive at their port in many months after, yet being divulged that store of good were laden for the same Market, they have forborn, buying what was in the place, and needed, in expectation of more to come, whereby not only what was upon the place remains unbought, but at the arrival of fresh goods, the Markets are cloyd and beat down to so low a rate, that the trade is destroyed thereby, and men ruinated in their designs for want of vent of their Commodities, which otherwise did none of these Entries appear, Markets would be kept up continually at a constant rate within a little more or lesse, and goods would find quicker vent, to the great satisfaction and incouragement of the whole Commerce.

5. Hereby the makers of our Native Commodities are extreamly indamaged 5. The makers of our Native Commodities are ruinated and discouraged. and discouraged, for by these bills of Entry, all persons understand what goods be shipped off, and for what places, by which discovery, although many ingenious men to keep their negotiations private, do as the water men, look one way and row another, entring goods to one part, when designed to another, yet hereby when men that are setled traders to any one place, and knowing what those places where [Page] they trade usually unto can vent, finding such large Entries for the same Marker, although perchance alligned for other parts as I said before, yet they know it not, and so are discouraged from buying what otherwise they would, keeping their mony by them; Whereby the poor maker of our Commodities loses the sale of his goods, and wanting mony to carry on his calling, is not only discouraged, but many times ruinated, which is not to be slighted, but of consideration, the whole Nations trade suffering violence thereby.

6. By making these Entries publike, it is not only a general inconveniency 6. The secret of all trade is laid open, and so becomes its one Executioner, trade ever thriving when most privately managed. to the Commerce in reference to Ingrossers and Shopkeepers as in the third clause of this article it is expressed, but the total destruction of trade every where; it being observed by understanding and experienced men, that what ever trade is driven most secretly and out of view, doth generally thrive best, and those men that have kept their trade privatest, have ever best prospered; And what can be more prejudicial to trade, than that every man be master of anothers design, for when an ingenuous man discovers a course to obtain a livelyhood, whilst its nor discovered, he may obtain from small beginning a comfortable subsistence, but if discovered, some ignorant coveto is monyed man, strikes into what the others ingenuity found out, and at one blow turns the other, not only out of his livelyhood, but overthrows the same by [...] cloying the place, many times ruinating the one, and yet getting nothing himself; so that whoever would have trade consounded, and in a Nation brought to nothing, let him suffer by these Bills of entries, every one to be master of anothers design, for nothing publisheth it more to the World, than these bills of Entries do. Let but these bills of Entry be once prohibited, you shall see and find trade will presently alter and mend, besides every individual person Let bills of Entry be once [...]rohibited from being made Publike, trade will soon revive. E [...]ecially when men by their own hands or by a Brokers may without discovering their wants dispose of their goods. trading, when none but himself can discover his negotiations, either in buying, selling, importing, or exporting, plen [...]y or want of mony, which now in their tradings by these b [...]ll, of Entry may shrew [...]ly be gessed at, how couragiously will he pro [...]ecute his businesse, and tak, delight in that which now proves a burden? and then Brokers will be fie agents to mediate betwixt man and men, by whose hand the Comtmerce will find great advantages, so by their hands with more judiciousnesse every man may manage his businesse as occasion shall require, and all Commodities in the hands of the Forein traders, obtain better markets than now they d [...]e, and he that is necessitated for mony, find as good a price for his Merchandise as he that is not, and never spoyl one the others markets; Therefore it is heartily desired and wished for the good of all, that this grand discoverer of all trade in this Nation, may be taken away being it is so apparently prejudicial.

7. The prohibiting these bills of Entry to be published, will infinitely 7. By not publishing the Entries at Custom House the Publike Revenew will be increased. The sixth means to ease and incourage trade. advance the Revenew of the Custom, for when trade shall be with mo [...]e freedome managed and not discovered, the increase thereof will increase the Customs both in and out, and so there will be the larger income for the support of the Nations charge.

The sixth meanes to ease and incourage trade and traders is, that the great trouble and vexations which they lye under, by reason of Car [Page] Porters, and wharfingers may be removed, and the Commerce eased Is to remove the Exorbitance of wharfingers, Porters, and Carmen. of the burthen, which three sorts of people makes Laws for themselvs, and are the Executors of them upon the poor trader, who is not ransacked or oppressed by Pirates, nor with the greatest dangers abroad, as here by these people who do what they list, and will have what they list, taking all advantages to abuse the Merchants, although by their industry they have their subsistance and livelyhoods, and there be too too many in Authority, for their private interest, that admit and give For the ease and Incouragement of Merchants. The Publick authority to establish a rule for them. them a privilege to affront and abuse the Merchant, who above all men ought to be upheld and cherished, to prevent which abuses, its fit the power of the Nation should put a stop to their incroaching exhorbitances, and by fit wayes for all parties, to regulate these things, putting them to walk by a rule, that every one knowing their due to receive and to pay, all quar [...]els and disputes for the [...]uture may take end, to the incouragement of traders, and peace of the people, which oft times to blood-shed, and great expence in Law arises, for want of such settlement.

The ways to put an end to the foresaid exorbitances of Carmen, Porters, The ways to regulate them are. To mannage it by a Publick hand. and Wharsingers, are,

Either to manage it by a Publick hand, or else to set rates, and confine them under strict penalties in the performance and observance of them by fines and immediate imprisonment, for trade admits not of delay, depending upon winds, weather, and other inconveniencies which are to be considered of. If managed by a publike hand, then the Government The Government of the City to be the Proprietors to all the wharfs. of the City is the most meetest for the same, who should be the Proprietors and owners of all the Warffs and Keys, used for the landing and shipping of goods that are imported and exported, and setting a convenient rate on tunnage goods, cask, &c. and to have the Income thereof towards their charge for Cranes, Liters, to mend the Wharffes, &c.

And for the Institution of Porters belonging to the Companies, that The institution of Companies Porters of excellent use. The ticket Porters only disturbers of the Commerce. The Government of the City to be Proprietors of the Cars. No goods can be landed on any Key, but must pay what the wharfingers please. Advantage is taken, by reason men are inforced to land their goods near the Custom House. order cannot be better'd, it being those that they call Ticket Porters which makes all the disturbances, who for the ease and quiet of the commerce, to walk under the same rules as the Companies Porters do, or else to be totally cashiered.

The Cars to belong to the City, and for each quarter and place a certain number to be alotted, attended so with men responsable to make good any dammage, which by their neglect shall happen to the Merchants, or others using of them; and beeing that particular men have got into their power by incroachments, and other ways the whole bank of the River claming it as their proper right (by times permission) and not to be purchased from them; and so take a privilege to count him a trespasser that shall land upon the said Wharffs and Keys any thing, without paying them what duty they please to require, though never so unreasonable, which seeing our Ancestors by their inconsideratenesse have suffer'd, and that we their posterity are debarted from the freenesse of the River, the present generation of men not regarding how extortive they be on that forced necessity, that the people must land their goods near the Custom House for the preservation [Page] of the Publike revenew that it be not defrauded, its both just and equitable The Government ought to regulate and set rates on such thingt to incourage Merchants. that the power restrain their unconscionable extortions, and limit them to certain rates and rules, for their Cranidg, Lighteridge, and Wharfidge equal between both, not permitting them to force what they please from men, for within lesse than four years they have raised their Wharfidge, &c. no lesse than the third penny upon all goods landed upon their Wharffs and Keys, in a time when trade was never at so low an ebbe and more hazardous, which should rather expect abatements in such things than rises.

The Ticket Porters likewise claim to themselves an unequal privilege, The abuses of the ticket Porters to be rectified. pretending no other Porters must land or ship off any goods going or comming from the parts of America, but they, shutting out all men from their freedome of imploying their own companies Porters, who are responsable and known men, and the ticket Porters are so impudent, that they will have their own rates for what they do, which is double what the Companies Porters have, or ever used to have, carrying on this their pretence contrary to the will of the whole Commerce, by reason some in authority have an advantage to themselvs out of these ticket Porters labours, who are a rude uncivil people, and not to be indured nor suffered, if those that are in authority desire to ease and incourage the Commerce.

The Carmen want not their extortions as well as the Wharfingers and The abuses of the Carmen to be redressed. Porters, to abuse the Merchants and traders beyond seas, joyning in Companies under the notion of taking their turns, or as they see necessity requires, will have what price they please, else they will not load, nor suffer others to load, forcing the Merchant to pay double and treble what hath alwayes heretofore been paid, and no order taken therein to the great discouragement of the Commerce, which the power in whom it lies; ought to redresse, by setting meet rates according to the proportion of the way and weight they carry.

And when Wharfingers, nor Porters, nor Carmen, will not submit to That Merchants may be free to imploy whom they please, and to land and ship their goods where they please. In Leghorn an excellent way for landing and shiping goods. an equal rule and rate setled for the peace of all, to suffer the Merchant to imploy what Porters he thinks fit about his goods, to land or ship them at what places he pleases, and to take what Carmen he shall like, and pay them according to the rule, for should these things be any longer permitted, they would grow to such excesse, that our goods should not be our own, but whose that would have them, many forein places having excellent rules and wayes in the easement of the commerce concerning this very particular of landing, shipping, and housing their goods, as Leghorn under the Duke of Tuscany, is a Pattern fit to be considered of.

The seventh means to incourage and to ease the Commerce of this The seventh means to incourage and ease trade. That there be but one sort of weight & measure throughout England and its Dominions. Nation is, that through England and its Dominions there be but one weight & one measure permitted or used, for by the diversity of weights and measures, men are abused and cousened, it occasioning strife and debate every where; which were they alike, it would be instead thereof a very great ease and advantage to the people, for by having diverse bushels, as in one place 8. gallons makes a bushel, in other parts 9. 10, 16, 18, and 23. Also wine measure, Ale measure, the like in weights, [Page] as Troy weights, Haverdep [...]ys, Venice weights, then the stone in some places 8 l. some 14 l. and some more, to the confusion and trouble of the whole land and its commerce, which duly considered of, and rectified, would be of singular ease and advantage to the Nation. The eighth means to incourage trade. That all Merchants paying 300 l. per annum custome outwards upon our own manufactories, to be exempted from all other personal taxes. And upon forein goods imported 1000 l. per annum.

The eighth meanes to ease and incourage trade is, That all Merchants rrading beyond seas, not keeping shops for retailing, be exempted from all taxes that at any time shall be levied upon the Personal estates of men, provided that they by their forein trade shall export of the manufactories of the nation, the value of what may arise and shall appear to pay in the Custom house 3 hundred pounds per an. or otherwise, for forein goods imported, what may arise, to pay annually in Custome to the Nation, one thousand pounds per annum: hereby trade will be encouraged, the publick revenue increased, beyond what can any way be expected from the Merchants by taxes, and that inequality of rating men by tax for their personal estates, when they have none, and only live upon forein employments and their credits, who, should they be taxed according to their forein trade, would not only be discouraged, but ruinated.

The ninth means to ease and encourage the trade of this nation, is, That in all forein parts, as well in our own plantations of America, as in other Princes Dominions, where any factory is setled, that certain publike The ninth means to incourage and ease trade. That in every factory of trade setled Consuls be established. To protect from injury. ministers, under the title of Consulls be established, with some, who by the consent of the factory residing upon the place, may be appointed, and nominating two or more from among the rest as assistants to the Consul, which said assistants with the Consull to be a Court for the following purposes.

1. To protect the Nation there residing from the injuries of the Natives, and to obtain redress for them when need requireth, and if not to be obtained, to give accompt thereof to the supream power in England of such abuses as shall be offered either to their persons or estates, that by their means restitution may be made for what injury our Nation in particular or in general shall have suffered.

2. For the deciding of all controversies that may or shall arise between For deciding of differences arising among themselves. any of the Nation there resident one with the other concerning any matter whatsoever with which judgement, if any shall think himself injured or agrieved, first complying with the sentence, and laying down one fifth part more for charges, the party that thinks himself agriev'd may appeal to the next factory in that Dominion, who confirming, the sentence to have no further appeal; but if the first sentence shall be repealed, then both to submit the business to the Court Merchant in England, who vpon view of all the transactions on both sides to give their definitive sentence, without further appeal, but therein to acquiesce.

3. For the regulating the commerce there among themselves, and For the regulating of the trade. In reference to sales of our own commodities. 2. For buying up of the commodities of the Country. that,

1. In reference to the sale of any of our own manufactories, to keep up the prices as occasions may offer, that men may not by underhand dealing deceive one another, to the general disadvantage of their principals at home, and undervalewing of our manufactories.

2. In reference to the buying up of any particular commodity to be [Page] sent to the principal, that consenting to joyn together, each person may without fraud have his proportion.

3. In reference to the fraightment or dispatch of any ship or ships that 3. For dispatch and fraightment of ships may be taken, to supply the general occasions of the factory there resident.

4ly. For safety of the Factors there, and their principals and friends at 4. For safety in case of mortality, as followeth. 1. Insecuring mens estates on any sudden death. home, in case of mortality, and that by these wayes.

1. If any die suddenly, and appoint no body to take care of his estate and his principals that may be in his hands, the Consull and assistance to appoint one immediately to take an exact Inventory of the goods and debts left by the deceased, the original to remain in the Court, and a Copy thereof sent to the deceased's friends and principals, if he have any.

2. To appoint one or two able honest men of the said factory to receive 2. appointing able men to manage the estates of those that die with wills, or without wills. into his or their custody what the deceased so left in goods and debts, that thereby the debts may be got in, and the goods sold and disposed of at the best rates can be made of them, both for the advantage of the deceased's friends, to whom they may appertain, or to his principals that corresponded with him; and so soon as the estate shall be got in, and all charges deducted, the neet proceed to be deposited in the Court for the use of those to whom it shall or may belong; And further, in case the party deceased shall by Will or other ways nominate any person to be his Executor, nevertheless for the benefit of those to whom the estate may any ways appertain, to have an exact Inventory taken as if there were no such appointment, and if the party so appointed shal not by the factory there residing be thought a responsable person, then they to nominate another to receive such effects as shall belong to the principals of the party deceased, who shall give accompt of all things as is before recited, when any shall die without will, or nominating any to succeed him in his business. The want of care and The want of care in this is the loss of many mens estates when factors die abroad, especially in the American plantations. order in this thing, is in forein parts, but more especially in our American plantations, the greatest ruine that befalls those that trade thither, whose estate, upon the death of their correspondence, are the preys of Rogues and Knaves, which doth extremely discourage men to trade thither, and those places doe not prosper as other ways they would do if their losses hapning to the commerce by such as die were remedied, which is easily effected, if the government in those places will order the same.

5. It will occasion much unity and peace in all factories when 5. For the maintaining of unity and peace in factories, and civility to each other. 6. For the honour of the Nation, preserving them from the afronts of the Natives where they reside, and obtaining satisfaction in case of damage. so setled, as likewise order and civility, taking away that looseness which is crept into all factories for want of Government, or some to reprove them for their unwarrantable proceedings, or of whom they should stand in some awe, and undoubtedly when young men abroad shall have such as may reprehend them present, they will live with more circumspection, and so gain from such, in whose Dominions they live, respect and credit.

6. It will be an honour to our Nation and its Commerce, to have in all parts where they do reside such a settlement, and the Nations [Page] among whom we live, will not be so ready to affront us or abuse us, when there is one in place that hath authority to make them give satisfaction, and to take cognisance of what they make us to suffer.

As touching the maintainance of the Consul and his charges, to The maintainance of the Consull to be by a duty imposed on the goods imported in that place. The Consul to be for life, the assistants every three years. If any factor dye without heirs, or bequeathing his Estate how to be bestowed. To redeem Captives, and transport poor to the American plantations. The tenth means to incourage trade, Is to settle it well abroad. By procuring good privileges. By having our own Consulls. have a Duty laid of half or of one per cent. upon the Merchandise introduced by the Nation in that place of his Residence, and when setled, not to be turned out, unlesse to some better imployment, or that he himself shall desire to be discharged, or else on very just grounds of misdemeanors: As for the assistants, they to be every two or three years chosen, or as need require, who are to serve Gratis.

If any in any factory shall dye and leave no Will, or appointment to any to have his Estate, and hath neither disposed thereof in his lifetime, nor any friends to give it unto, then in such case after all care is taken, to make the best thereof, and charges deducted, the one half thereof to be imployed for the redemption of Captives, and conveying Orphans and poor people to our American plantations, the other half to the Publike treasury of the Nation.

The tenth means for incouragement and ease of the trade of this Nation is, That in making peace, and setling our trade and Commerce with any forein Prince or S [...]ate, the following particulars to be observed,

1. That all privileges that our Nation ever had any ways advantageous to our being among them, and our trade with them, may be confirmed, and what more may or can be got for our more free living whilst our trade is there.

2. That such Consuls as we shall think meet to settle in any of our factories, may be of our own Nation and choice, and so confirmed by the Government of the Country where setled, which in Spain, to the dishonour of our Nation hath been denyed us, and such put upon us, neither fit nor meet, and yet their consulidge hath been extorted from us very unjustly to our great prejudice, which is not fit to be permitted again upon any settlement of peace with that Nation.

3. That our Nation may have freedome to excercise their own Religion To have freedome to exercise our own Religion not giving scandal. To have burying places for the dead. In Spain he English [...] burial have had their bodies taken up and ill created, Iohn Ma [...]on a Merchant was so used in Civilla. To have all damages upon arrests and stopping our ships made good. in any factory where ever they reside in their own houses or families, not giving any publike scandal to those of a contrary judgement in whose Country we shall reside.

4. That in all factories which we shall settle in other Princes or states territories, we may have assigned to us places of burial, where we may bury our dead, without giving offence to the people, in whose Dominions we live, and may not be of our Religion, it having been done in Spain, that after some of the English have been buried, their bodies have been taken up by boys and lewd people, and dragged up and down the City in scorn, and for a reproach, to the great scandal of our Nation, and discouragement of those that are ingaged to live in places where such barbarism is used.

5. That in what Princes Dominions soever our factories be setled, all arrests that shall be put upon our Merchants ships, either in hindering them when loading or unloading, or from sailing away when ready, what ever damages shall thereby accrew to the owners of such ships, [Page] or Merchants loading or imploying them, to be made them good by the said Prince or State where it happens; many Merchants of this Nation knowing it to their cost, that by such abuses, voyages have been overthrown, and many men and their ships ruinated and lost, which discouragement is so great, that if not remedyed, will undoubtedly grow worse and worse.

6. That no Prince or State with whom our Nation trades, shall have liberty to take into their service upon any pretence whatever, any To have none of our Seamen or ships taken into service without the leave of Commander and Merchants. That no Princes officers shall without consent take any Merchandise from any residing in his Dominions. That in making peace with any Prince or State such be consulted with that know the Customs of their Countries and trade. of our ships or Seamen, without the absolute consent of the Commander of such ships and Seamen, and Merchants by whom she is imployed.

7. That in all places and Princes Dominions where the factories of our Nation shall reside, it be not permitted for the Officers of that Kingdome or State, to take any of our Merchandise or goods without the consent of the owner of them, and what they shall by consent have, to give immediate satisfaction for the same, as the price current of such goods, at the time of their receiving shall upon the place rule and be sold for.

8. That care be had in every Country, that as the customs and ways of negotiation be different one from the other, so accordingly provision may be made with them in the setling our trade in those parts, that all inconveniencies incident to men residing among them, may be avoyded, and all conveniencies needful obtained, whereby every one may be incouraged for to carry on the trade of this Nation of England and its Dominions with spirit and vigour, to the advantage of the General, and to that purpose in making Peace and setling Commerce any where that those be consulted with that have lived, traded, and travailed, into such places, that can inform what may be needful in order thereunto.

The eleventh means to ease and incourage the trade and Commerce The eleventh means to incourage and ease trade is, to have a Court Merchant to decide all Merchants Causes. of England is, That there might be a Court Merchant established in this Nation, wherein all forein transactions between Merchants and their Factors, may be tried and determined among themselves, for that the Commerce is founded and setled upon sundry Laws and Customs, which have been observed and practiced among Forein Nations, from whence trade originally hath been derived to us, which Customs and Rules in many things are repugnant to the Common Law of this Nation, and cannot be decided thereby; And there is no Court capable to determine Merchants differences in this Nation, but the Chancery, and in that very Court when accompts are therein brought of Forein negotiations, the Coyns, measures, weights, Customs, bargans, and sales of those Countries are so different from ours; that none of the Lawyers which are to plead the Merchants Causes, or the Judges that are to hear and Judge of what is pleaded, do understand any thing thereof, and so are uncapable to determine them, and through the intricacy of Merchants accompts, there is in that Court of Chancery such delatory proceedings, and so many strange and corrupted ways to stave off all sutes of that nature, especially where dishonesty is one of the parties, that before any determination can be made therein, [Page] most men by their vast expenses are undone, and yet can have no end of their sutes, but at last must come to be ended by Merchants, or else the Merchants must make report therein, and state how they find the difference, for the Court to determine, which duly considered, is a sore aggrievance to this Nations trade and its traders, who groan under the burden thereof, desiring and praying to be relieved therein.

The twelfth means to ease and incourage the trade and Commerce of The twelfth means to encourage trade. That the three following grievances may be regulated. The first grievance to be regulated is, that no Action be laid on any person for more than justly he owes. England is, That order may be taken for the regulating of these three following agrievancies and inconveniencies that lie upon all men in generally, but more especially on forein traders, who are great sufferers thereby.

1. That it be not permitted for any man upon any debt due to him from another, to enter any Action against (or to arrest) the said party indebted, for a greater Sum than is justly due unto him, for hereby many out of malice meerly to destroy one another, will lay on them such large Actions, only that they may not get bail, but lye in prison, and through the noise thereof be the means of their ruine, as it hath been of many an honest man, who having lost his reputation by lying in prison, hath utterly been undone.

2. That the intollerable and inhumane proceedings of Bayliffs and The second grievance to be regulated is, to take off the inhumanity of Bayliffs and Sergeants. Searjeants may be taken off from the Nation, they being a Generation of men made purposely to torment both the bodies and purses of poor men, their bodies by abusing, astronting, halling, and dragging them, though of never so much respect, if they get men into their power, and will not conform to their exorbitant expences and humors; and then their purses when they meet with any honest man, that not knowing their power, for quietnesse sake is willing to submit to their villany to be cheated and cousened by them, by false pretences of keeping them out of prison in their own houses, and using so many tricks to catch them by the mony, as it would spend too much time to discover them, especially being by all persons for the most part so well known, they never arresting any man but will be paid twice for doing it, of him that set them a work, and of the poor man whom they catch, to the great agrievance of the whole Nation, but especially of the Commerce.

For remedy whereof, because many will say, how shall people get For Remedy that the [...] Rule for summoning men may he revived in this Nation. in their debts of divers, that without such courses, will not pay any thing they owe to one another.

Let the antient way used in this Nation of Summons issue out against the party indebted, to appear at the Court appointed for such causes, and in case at the third Summons (being left duely at his place of habitation with his servant, or with the party where he may lodge or dwell) he shall not appear at the Court to answer what is demanded of him, that judgement immediately to passe against him and his Estate, and execution to follow the same within certain days after, whereby the party to whom the Defendant is indebted, may have satisfaction, but in case it shall appear that this person so condemned, have not directly nor indirectly wherewith to satisfie what he ows, his body not to remain in prison, yet if it shall appear that by loose livings, or riotous [Page] expenses he have wasted the Estate he bad, and of other men, then to be condemned to a house of Correction, there for to work, till he hath paid the uttermost farthing to his Creditors, or till they shall approve and give consent for his releasement; but if it may appear that his Estate hath been lost by other mens failing with him, or by accident of Fire losses at Sea, no such mans body to be kept in prison, but to be set at liberty immediately, it being an inhumane and unchristian-like thing, and against nature, to debarre any of their liberty, when afflictions have fallen upon them by the hand of God, and this is a very sote aggrievance in this Nation.

3. That when it shall happen for any man to fail in his credit, and The third agrievance to be regulated is, when any person faileth, that if the major part of his Creditors compound the rest to be tyed thereunto. so break (as the phrase is) and shall call his Creditors together, acquainting them with his condition, the major part of whom being contented to compound their debts with the party failed, and to free him out of prison, that he may regain his lost condition, and live in the world, the rest, to be ingaged to under Write, as the major part have done, that every one may have their proportion, as the agreement shall be made, and not for the wilfulnesse of one or two, whose perverse, harsh, and malicious spirits often times interposing the finishing such aggreement doe, not only ruinate the Estate that would fully satisfie every one his just debt, but likewise hindering the party failed from having liberty to use his indeavours to get in the Estate by casting him in prison, whereby all become sufferers, experience dayly shewing that by these perverse wayes, good Estates have been brought to nothing, and when the Creditors mought a had 10 s. and 15 s. in the pound, they have not had one farthing; for when a Statute of Bankrupt is taken out, it likely eats up the whole Estate, and the parties failing not only perishing in prison, but thereby others are drawn into the same misery, which aggrievance is considerable, and merits redresse in a trading Nation, other Countries as Spain and Italy, having wisely for the upholding of Commerce made provision herein, that by the wilfulnesse of a few perverse men, the rest shall not be sufferers, but are to joyn with the major part, and in case any break out of knavery, and that within three months after, hath bought any goods, he is to be proceeded against criminally as a Felon, and to suffer death, being counted worse to break premeditaly, than the robbing on the high ways

The thirteenth means for the incouragement and ease of trade in thir Nation is, That the two abuses following may be remedyed for the The thirteenth means to incourage trade is, that the two abuses following be remedyed. 1. Statutes of Bankrupt. future, and no more practiced in this Nation of England and its Dominions, being of great consequence in trade.

1. That these Statutes of Bankrupt, which are now so intreaged with corruption, and deviated from the original cause of them, may be brought to a rule of justnesse and righteousnesse, and that when a man is broken, it be not permitted that any person having dealt with him before, and paid him mony, or evened accompts with him, should be called upon to repay again, what they had justly paid, or accompted for, it being brought to this Custom, that if a man brake, and his accompts not finished, what shall be owing to the party broke, must [Page] go to the general payments of his debts; and what he owes in contra to the other is to be included with the rest of the other Creditors, and so he to have but his proportion as the rest have; which things and Course is so unjust, that among Christians it ought not to be suffered. But for the future remedied, & accounts being made up between the party broke, and his Debtor, only the liquidated sum due upon ballance of such Accounts to be the Debt, for which satisfaction is to be given or received; for hereby great abuses are dayly in these causes put upon men of the commerce in this Nation, divers have been made Banqueropts many years after dead, and others that have evened Accounts mouths and years before men do break questioned, to the disturbance and vexation of honest men, which ought not to be suftered longer to indure in a Nation professing Christianity, and so much Saint-ship as we do in England. But if any man break, nothing to be called to account, but from the time of his failing and no farther back, which would be of great ease and encouragement to this Nations trade and the commerce thereof.

2. That whereas by the Laws of this Land it is permitted, That if 2. The not admitting of men to discount their debts one with the other. one man shall owe another five hundred pounds upon account ajusted, and he to whom this five hundred pounds is owing, shall owe the other one hundred by bond, he that hath the bond shall (by Law) recover his hundred pound, and not discount it, out of what on account is owing to him, but must pay the said bond, and sue the other afterward upon account; and if not able to prosecute, must be undone and never get a penny. The like is between Merchants trading, and having accounts one with the other, he that oweth the most, often times holding out a suit against the other with the interest of his own money; which abuse is so extreme and intollerable in this our Nation, as that divers persons have been and are hereby undone dayly, which ought to be remedied in a special manner.

And for remedy thereof may be observed, That each party suing one The ways to remedy the said inconveniency the other, to give in his demands upon account made upon oath, and upon perusing of each parties accounts, which being referred to Auditors and Accountants for that purpose, being by them stated upon a just ballance so made up, the money due to any person on such Account, to be immediately paid into Court, that no man be engaged to sue for the mony really due to him, or forced by Law to be kept out of his own with his own money. It would be of infinite ease and encouragement to the commerce, for then the debate would only arise upon questionable things, that would be by the Court appointed for that purpose, decided and determined as they should see cause, whereby dishonest and litidious men would not be so troublesom in keeping others from their rights as now they do, were they to go to Law upon their own purse, and not out of anothers; men dayly being undone by such as are too powerful, either in purse or friends upon this very foundation, by keeping their rights from them, and making use of their own weapons to destroy them. And this is a very considerable abuse, and lies as a very heavy burden on the people of this Nation, who may earnestly pray and desire a remedy thereof.

[Page] The fourteenth means to encourage the trade of this Nation, and to ease the same, is, that the carriages from place to place by Boat, Cart, The fourteenth means to encourdge trade is, that the carriages of goods to and again may be cheap. or Horse, of all our Manufactures, or forein Nations brought in to us, may be cheap and easie; for the cheapness and conveniency of Portage of goods, especially gross goods, is of great concernment to ease trade and the commerce of a Nation, which that it may be of advantage to our Land, It would be of notable importance and benefit, not only to the commerce, but the whole people of England.

If by the Power order were taken for the mending of all High-ways in The way how this may be brought to pass is, to mend all our High-wayes and Rivers, &c. England, where narrow, to make them broader; where bad, to make them good. And where Bridges and Causies be wanting, to build them; mending all such as are dacayed, and then cutting of Rivers from one into another; where to be done, as that of Severn into Thames, and so of others where it can be done, making new where none is, for the conveying of our goods, and Merchandise, Corn, Cattel, and Provisions, from one Shire to another, Boats going with a hundred times less charge than Carts or Horses. The means to have it done both with ease and speed may be as followeth.

That seeing we are now in peace among our selves, an Army kept still up only for fear of what may happen to us by new discontents, or forein The Souldiers to do it, and it will be no disparagement to them but honour and advantage. Princes invasion: and the Souldiery duly paid by a continued Tax upon the Nation, it would be a noble and generous act of the Power so far to please the people, as in satisfaction of what is levied upon them, to imploy the Souldiers in mending the High ways, Bridges and cutting Rivers for them; it will be no disparagement for the Souldiers to do this, if you will but look back to former times, and view the Histories of those ages, you shall see Greece, Italy, and other of those Countries flourish in such heroick works, even this Island can shew us patterns very remarkable, made by the Romars, as Camden tells us; It was the custome in those ages for all gallant men, who kept up great Armies, ever to imploy their Souldiers in such actions, when they were not immediatly fighting.

1. To eternize their memories for time to come.

2. For conveniency of their own countries, and such as were conquered 1. To eternize their memory. 2. To secure Trade and Travellers. 3. To enrich barren grounds. by them, to ease and secure Travellers and Commerce between place and place.

3, For the inriching of barren grounds, that for want of water yielded nothing, which afterwards by cutting Rivers to water them, have been made strangely fruitful.

4. And chiefly to keep their Souldiers to a coastant labour, that when in time of war necessity required them to build Forts, make Trenches 4. To keep the souldiers out of idleness. and such like, it should not seem irksome or tedious, but through custom a delight to work.

5. For prevention of disorder, which idleness ever produceth; it's most certainly experienced, that idleness draws effeminateness in men, and 5. To prevent disorders, and to keep them in action. makes them prone to all wickedness; as it is noted of Hannibal's Army, that they lost more lying idlely in Italy in one year, than they had gained by their valour in many years wars. And it was the sole means of [Page] giving the Romans the oportunity to overthrow the whole Carthaginian State.

6. That by having so great a multitude together, and under command 6. Its most easie to be accomplished by them. what ever can be thought on or attempted for a generall good is easilier compassed and brought to perfection, than it can be done by levying of men for a perticular work, who will faintly begin, and never finish; and yet for the most part bring with it an excessive charge on the people: which being executed this way, would be done.

And for the encouragement of the Souldiers to this work, there may be added to their constant pay as Souldiers, what is levied by the Inland Rates for mending High-ways and Bridges, &c. and given to them; which will be an advantage to such as are good husbands, who may save mony in their purses by this allowance, bringing to themselves for time to come both honour and renown, and to their posterity the benefit and use of their labours. And in such Counties where any thing is most of present use, there to begin first, and so by degrees one after another.

For the preservation of these works, when done, especially the High-wayes The means to preserve the ways when mended. and Bridges, that they may not be torn up as now they be by our two wheeled Carts, which make such furrows, as in some places are extreme dangerous for all Travellers, causing quarrels upon the High-ways, by reason of mens unwillingness to go out of one path into another, in respect of the Cart-ruts.

That no Cart or Wain should travel but upon four wheels, and All Carts to have 4 wheels, and double horses. with double horses, as Coaches do; then our High-ways will never be spoiled let them carry what weight they will, and go with never so many horses; for as the feet of the horses goes in the same tract the wheels turn, both will so beat the way, as we shall have no more ruts to hinder men from going where they please, the High-ways will be plain, all occasion of quarrels from travellers taken away, and the ease of the Nation by travelling in Coaches, or on horse-back, much bettered, no Country using the way of drawing in Carts, or setting one Horse before another but England, I having observed in other Countries, that in their drawing with double horses, they carry as great loads, if not greater than we do in this Nation, with putting one before another single; and did they there find any inconveniency, they would not use it.

The fifteenth means to encourage the trade of this Nation of England, The fifteenth mea [...] to encourage Trade i [...] that what Pirates [...] publick ships ta [...] to distribute the sa [...] to such Merchants [...] have had loss by E [...] mies and Pirates. and its Dominions, is, That whereas the customs of this Nation were originally setled, and are still gathered and received, for the maintenance of the Navy, and setting it out to guard our Coasts from enemies, and to protect our Merchants ships from Pirates, that thereby the commerce of this Nation might be secured and encouraged; It would be an honourable act of the Power of the Nation, and but just, to ordain it, there being presidents thereof in the dayes of Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory, That whatever her ships and men of war in her service took from Pirates or Enemies, the most was made thereof, and divided to such Merchants, whose goods had been lost by Pirates, or Men of War, or seized in our Enemies Territories, to each person as his loss in course had happened, being Registered accordingly, and allowed as their goods appeared to be valued in the Custom-House, and their ships [Page] as really worth; to which end Commissioners were appointed to receive the proceeds of what was made of the Prizes taken, and to pay the same [...] [...]ach person as his course came; which did infinitly encourage trade, and preserve many gallant Merchants from ruine, and would do so still if continued in practice; for as the forein Trader by his industry benefiteth the whole Nation, and the people obtain the advantage; It is not just, that when times of War happen, all the loss shall fall upon a few Merchants, as generally it doth, but that they should be preserved, by having the satisfaction proposed, the Publick being more able to bear a Tax or duty to be divided for its own weal, than any particular person the loss of his whole estate, and the ruine of his family.

The sixteenth means to encourage the trade of this Nation is, That The sixteenth means to encourage trade is, To raise a stock of money to supply Merchants at easie rates. there might be some way thought of to raise a Publick stock of money, that therewith such persons that have goods arrived from forein parts, and want friends or means to supply themselves with present monies, to discharge their Fraights, Sea-mens Wages, Customs, and such like necessities, might be supplyed at easie rates, by the depositing of their goods in custody for security thereof. And that upon sale of their first goods, to repay what they borrowed, and the remainder of their goods to be returned: the which stock would in few years encrease to a vast value: publick Ware-houses to be built for that purpose. And this very thing would be of infinite use to encourage trade.

The seventeenth means to encourage trade and trades-men in this Nation, and its Dominions, is, That all persons Inventers of any new [...]he seventeenth means [...] encourage trade is, to reward all inven [...]s of new Arts and [...]rades. Art, Trade, or Manufacture useful for the advancement of commerce, or the general good of the people, may be considerably rewarded, and signal preferment given themwith esteem. And in case he or they cannot by their own purse carry through the work, to be assisted by the publicktreasury, and that antient Order and Rule observed in such Cases put in execution, prohibiting all others for certain years from interrupting the Inventers thereof, by making the like when seen, or notice taken of what is made, or done, except it shall be tollerated to any by the inventer thereof in this Nation; which said admition, or tolleration to be obtained from the party under his or their hand and seal. And were this carefully observed, how would it raise the spirits of ingenuous men, to expose themselves to excellent undertakings, and be a great encouragement to trade.

The eighteenth means to encourage the trade of this Nation and its commerce is, that from hence forth to abolish that inhumane and barberous custom used in this Island of England, whereby the Lords of [...]he eighteenth means encourage trade is, abolish the barba [...]s custom used con [...]ning wracks at sea, [...]. such Mannors as lie upon the Sea coasts appropriate to themselves the wracks and goods of such poor miserable men, as the raging Sea in their misfortunes saves them. It hapning dayly for to hinder discovery; many men coming alive ashore, have been murdered; the Sea proving less cruel, and more merciful to poor Merchants and Sea-men, than the Land on which they are cast, which the very Heathens abhor; and yet we Christians, nay among us who deem our selves Saints, the holiest of all other Christians, do still maintain this abominable Custom, which [Page] former ages did absolutely declare against, as in the judgement and Laws of Oleroon Cap. 17. appears at large, and that by an Edict of Henry the third, King of England; which in that place is fully recited to that purpose; wherein it is so severely set down, that upon whose land soever any such accident should happen, if the Lord of the Land did himself take, or suffer any of his people to embesle any goods so cast up on the shore by the Sea, and detained it from the owner thereof, he was to be criminally proceeded against as a Fellon, and his estate seized, and made to give satisfaction to a penny, and in case of any detention or absconding of any such goods, excommunications and curses issued out till restitution was made. And this was in those days when trade was only budding in these parts, and from these Laws of Oleroon do we generally derive all our Sea Customs, and maritine contracts; and being this was so wholsom, and so Christian a Law, why should it not now be put in practice; and the other that is so pernitious, abolished: For what is here done is but reviving a wholsom Law, which time and covetousness hath worn out; and in so doing would extremely encourage all Traders by Sea in this Nation, and consequently the commerce thereof.

The nineteenth means to encourage the trade of this Nation, and of great satisfaction to the commerce and whole people of England is, The ninteenth means to encourage trade is, that all mens lands may be liable to pay their debts. That no persons Lands of inheritance, Houses, Leases, Morgages, or Hereditary Offices shall be exempted from paying their debts, which they may or shall owe to any person by Bond, Bill, or Contract, but be liable to sale, whereby such persons to whom they owe may be satisfied; for under pretence of intailing their Lands, or buying Land in other names in trust, the people of the Nation are extremely prejudiced and cuzened thereby; which, if remedied, and course taken therein, would infinitely encourage the trade and commerce of England.. The twentieth means to encourage trade is, to setle a Committee of Merchants for trade.

The twentieth means to encourage and ease the trade and commerce of this Nation and its Dominions, is, That there might be a Committee of Merchants setled, consisting of a meet number, either fifteen, or seventeen, or more or less, as shall be thought fit, five, or seven of which to be the Corum to settle any business; the which Merchants to be of the ablest, understandingest, and experiencedst men trading into forein parts, who should meet (a place being appropriated to the commerce for that purpose) once in fourteen days or oftener, as affairs required.

1. To consult of such forein trade as may be promoted and carried 1. To consult about the advance of trade. 2. To redress abuses in trade. 3. To present the same to the Power for confirmation. on, for the advantage of this Nations commerce and people.

2. To consider of all such inconveniencies as arise in forein trades and traders, and how to regulate and redress them.

3. To compose what hath been consulted of, and to draw up the same to a head, if found advantageous for the commerce, and so presented to the Power that they may approve thereof, and order its execution and practice, whereby, as occasion shall offer, all Traders may by this Committee find relief at an easie attendance, when any interruption shall be imposed on them, either at home or abroad, to discourage or destry the trade.

[Page] 4. To find out by their experienced knowledge, and examination of 4. To settle trade for the incouragement of all men. all things in reference to our trade at home and abroad, a means to settle the same upon such a continued succession of advantages, that it may be an incouragement to all persons that desire to employ themselves in a forein trade.

And for the better establishing of this Committee for incouragement The Merchants of this Committee how qualified. 1. To be men bred up in forein parts and Travellers. 2. That every Nation where our commerce is, may have one to be of this Committee, and how to choose him. of trade, the rules following to be observed.

1. That those chosen for this Committee to be men bred up in forein parts, and if possible such as have travailed and been experienced in most Countries where trade is setled, that by their general knowledge they may be the abler to manage what is intrusted to them.

2. That every Nation with whom we have trade setled, the Merchants trading into that Country to choose one from among them to be of the Committee, first to nominate two, and one of them two to be approved of by the power of the nation, and after that way, one for every Countries trade, to compleat the number that shal be thought [...]it for this Committee, be it more or less; viz. One Hamborough Merchant, one East-Country Merchant, one Rushia Merchant, one Flemish Merchant, one Holland Merchant, one French Merchant, one Portugal Merchant, one Spanish Merchant, one Italian Merchant, one Turkey Merchant, one Barbary Merchant, one Ginny Merchant, one East-India Merchant, one West-India Merchant for the Cariby Islands, one Virginia Merchant; which number will make up 15, and if it be thought fit to adde two more, then one for New-England, another for New found land▪ which is 17, and so I believe most of our trades will have one that will know what is convenient for the bettering of each trade, and advancing the same.

3. That these so chosen, among themselvs to appoint one to be President, and to keep the Chair for that year, every one afterwards to 3 One of the Committee to be President for the year, and afterwards every one to take his turn, take their turns as they shall be nominated in the Commission, which doth impower them to act by.

4. That they so nominated doe remain for life, unless through weakness of body by sickness, or that they shall be by the publike appointed 4 To remain for life, unless by death or publike imployment discharged, or any other sickness, &c. to forein imployments, or that through age they may not be able to act in that trust imposed on them, or that by death they shall be taken away, in any such cases, in the room of any such person, and for that Country for which he was chosen, the Merchants trading for that place to nominate two others, and one of them appointed in the room of the other, whose place shall be void by any of the ways before expressed; and still at every choice to supply that vacancie, two of the ablest understandingst men reputed of, that have lived in the factorie of that, Country to be nominated by the traders that way, and one chosen, by observation of which rule the Committee will always be supplied 5. To have a Register kept of their transactions, and Officers accordingly to manage the same. 6. They to have salary for their publike service allowed them. with able knowing men.

5. That having setled this Committee, they may have a Clerk and such Officers to assist in the work as may keep Registers of what they shall perfect or act in reference to this their imployment.

6. And Lastly, That as it is not fit for men to bestow their time and pains in promoting the publike, and disadvantage themselves, so it will [Page] be just that they may have somewhat yearly allowed them by way of acknowledgement from the publike, to incourage them to meet and take this task upon them for the advancement of this Nations trade; which Committee thus ordered, undoubtedly there will offer and be brought to pass many excellent ways to increase, incourage, ease and inrich this Nation both in its domestique and forein commerce, and introducing rare advantages for the fabricating of forein manufactories among us, and hereby restore the now decayed and even dying trade of this Nation.

Having by the foregoing discourse as briefly as I could and the parriticulars treated of therein would admit, laid down some directions for the restoring, increasing, inriching, strengthning, easing and incouraging the decayed trade of England and its Dominions, which proposals, though not all, yet if the most considerable of them might be put in practice, undoubtedly it would very much revive our present decay of trade, which lieth even desperate, and at its period, unless a speedy remedy be applyed thereunto; the which is recommended to those that are at helm, and have power to promote the same, who hereby are called upon to doe their duty, and all other persons interessed herein for to put their assisting hands thereunto, that what we are now upon loosing may be kept among us, lest by a too late repentance when the error is committed it be past our skill to recover again.

Many things more might have been set forth, and much said therein, but with what is here inserted I shall rest satisfied of, having done my part, desiring that wherein I have been deficient, or not large enough, those whose longer experience in the trade of the world, by their perfecter knowledge and conceptions would correct what is here amiss, and by adding their thoughts carry on this work begun to such an issue, as to bring it to perfectness, for the good of all the people of this Nation, and the prosperity thereof.

And for as much as I conceive it not altogether impertinent, seeing One proposal more for the general good of the Nation concerning Woodmongers and how thereby the Nation is cheated. that not only the Traders, but all the people of this Nation that now trade are in some part or other, if not altogether concerned; I shall before I end make one proposal more, concerning a grand abuse which all I believe are sufferers in, and shew a means to remedy the same, if so be the Power of the Nation shall think fit to put it in execution, which I am sure doth as much concern themselves in particular, as the people in general; and that is concerning the infinite cheats put upon the whole Nation, by Wood-mongers in their sale of wood and Coals, the Wood told out by notches, and that as they will mark them. Their Char-coal in sacks, and that in such as the Colliers and Sellers thereof will make them; which is generally complained of: all suffer thereby, especially Brewers, Bakers, Dyers, and such that prepare goods for the commerce, and then Housholders that are of the commerce, and all in England that live by commerce, as well as those that do not.

For prevention of this grand deceit in time to come, and to remedy the A prevention of this che [...]t of Wood and Coal, to have both sold by the pound, or C. weight. same is; That it be ordered by a Law, that all sorts of wood for firing whatsoever, except Bavins, or brush Fagots, as likewise Char-coal, or other Coal be bought and sold by weight, either by the hundred [Page] weight, or pound weight; which rule so setled throughout the Nation, it will be of singular content and advantage to the people, and thereby the Wood-mongers cannot possibly deceive any, unless those intrusted to receive the same, by negligence suffer themselves to be abused and deceived. For according to the age and goodness of the Wood or Coal, the price will be; but as to the quantity, being weighed, there cannot well be any fraud.

The like order might be observed in the sale and buying of all sorts The like order might be for sale of fruits. of fruits, Apples, Pears, Plums, &c. it would avoid debates that arise in Markets among the people, and be of great use to keep quietness and peace; this course being in Spain, Italy, and other ingenuous places, used and practised in all the aforesaid particulars, and is commended to the consideration of the Authority of the Nation, to do therein as it shall be thought meer.

I should now rest here and conclude, but that I promised that in lieu of such deminishments of the Customs and Excise, which many may conceive would arise, admitting such free exportation of our Manufactures, and the importation of such Commodities as are imported towards the fabricating of them upon such small customs as is proposed; although I hope judicious men observing what hath been said therein, haply may be convinced of the contrary, however to make good what I promised, in case it should in time appear really to be so, which as to my own judgement, I believe those two Duties will rather increase than decrease, trade being ordered and setled on the foundation prescribed.

The following ways I do propose, as fit means to settle a considerable Revenue to maintain the charges of the government of this Nation, Ways proposed to settle a considerable Revenue in the Nation. which will be a good supply when the other failes; and I hope to be owned no way prejudicial, or vexatious to the people, out of whose purses, estates, or labours it must issue.

It is a maxim approved of by wise and juditious men, and esteemed To raise it on the vices of a people, most approved of by wise men. most properest, that when necessity of State requires a duty to be levied upon a people for publick occasions, to raise it upon the vitiousness of the Nation; for thereby on the one hand it may happily deter them from delighting therein to save their purses; or if not, it will be sooner accepted of, and not opposed; which if otherwise laid upon the ingenuous industry of men, it is for the most part opposed, and when not, ever taken as a burden and a discouraging: and undoubtedly it is most safe for any Government to punish Vice every way, and encourage Virtue; not by burdening the same with Taxes, but if any way, with rewards. There be many examples hereof in forein parts, as in Rome, Naples, and other parts of Italy; where the Princes raise great Revenues out of their Stews, in Spain upon Tobacco in snuff, and other ways taken; then in Russia Italy, Spain, Russia patterns to us herein. and those parts, where the Emperor gathers into his Treasury a very considerable income out of the Ale-Houses, Strong-water Houses, and sellers of Beer, and is one of the greatest among many in his Dominions, the which is done by these Princes and Potentates, chiefly to punish these Vices to which their people are naturally inclined.

Certainly we of this Nation are not far behind hand with them in all [Page] drunkenness and debauchery, it were well if we did not exceed them especially considering our knowledge, and then our profession of sanctity; having more means for to attain to piety than any Nation under Heaven, but none practises it less than we; and where then can Taxes be better laid than upon our Vices?

In the first place then to raise a Revenue in this Nation, let a view The first means to raise the Revenue upon Ale-Houses, Tobacco-Shops, Taverns and Victualling Houses, and Strong-water Shops, computed to yield annually three hundred thousand pounds. be taken of all the thousands of Tap-Houses and Tobacco-shops dispersed in every corner of the Nation, both in the Towns and Cities. And ordering a set number to be admitted in every Town, Village, and City, according as each place shall require; and let such be admitted to sell Tobacco, draw Beer, Wine, Strong-waters, or Ale, or any potable liquor, as can give caution for their performance; and so upon each Seller of Tobacco, Victualer, Wine, Beer, Strong-water, or Ale drawer, to pay a certain sum of money at his admission to keep a Tobacco shop, Victualing House, or to draw Drink, by way of Fine; and ever after an Annual Rent to the State; and none else but such as are admitted to sell any Tobacco, potable lequor, or to keep victualing; which revenew will bring into the Nation at least, three hundred thousand pound per annum. And this hath been computed by very judicious knowing men; so that by this means the Excise on Brewers so burdensom to the people, may be laid aside, to their great ease and content, with all what is by the undue practices of Justices of Peace, and their Clerks got clandestinely from the people, to grant Licenses to idle people to set up Ale-Houses, the dens of Thieves and vile persons, to the scandal of the Nation, will come into the publick purse, and none admitted but those that can give security for their honest behaviour and known persons: and hereby none will be prejudiced but lewd and debauched people.

The second way to raise a considerable Revenue for the affairs of the The second way to raise the Revenue, is by the four following Offices. 1. To settle Registers throughout England for registring of lands &c. Nation is, That the Power of the Nation establish in England these four following Offices, Inland Registers, Registers for Shipping, publick Notaries and Brokers.

1. Publick Registers in all Counties and Cities throughout the Nation, which places to be made Hereditary, because of their constantly keeping the Records of the said City or County in one place; and in case of death, where it may happen to fall to an Infant, or one uncapable, then in the nonage of the said Infant, to be executed by a person fit for the employment; and if it falls so, as no Heirs sit to manage the same, its value to be made good to the kindred, and another responsible person placed therein, approved of for his ability and faithfulness by the Magistrates of that City or County; and he to give good security for his faithful administration thereof, as none otherwise to be admitted into such Offices, but upon good security given for their faithfulnesse, for which this Register Office is established.

The use of this Register for the first only, to take the grosse of every The uses of the said Office of Register. mans estate wherewith they are possessed in Lands, Housing, Leases, Morgages, Reversions, and such like, how many Acres, and of what value esteemed really worth; not looking after the Title, which every person may keep to himself; but after the said Registers be setled, from [Page] thence forward to Register the Sales and Purchases, Leafes or Morgages, Rent Charges, and Reversions sold and purchased by any man, that for the future no man may be cheated or abused, as now they be, which would be prevented, were this put in execution in this our Nation. And that after any man shall take a Lease, Morgage, or lend any money upon his estate, and shall not Register the same within one month, the next man lending the same party mony, and Registering his first, shall be first satisfied in case of a failer, and the estate come to be sold to pay debts, and so the second and the rest in order; And if any shall have lent any money upon a confidence that the estate might produce his supposed thoughts thereof, and it doe not, the last man to lose whatever the estate makes not out to pay him.

Again, after the Registers be setled, that every man shall be limited a time to register his said Lands, Leases, Morgages, Reversions, &c. and all such as can lay claim to any mans estate in part or in whole, to put in their claims with in a certain limited time, as it shall be ordered, or else to be debarted ever after from molesting or troubling the party possessed thereof, or his heirs for ever; and where Infants or Orphans are in the case, their Gardians or friends, and if they have none, they to lay their claim within twelve or eighteen months after they come of age, and if Femals, and maried, within twelve months after such mariage, if maried to persons that are of age, else within the limited time after their husbands doe come to age, and in failing therein, to be debarred from molesting or disturbing any person that is seised of the said estate; and this will very much ease the people of this Nation, and take off thousands of litigious sutes managed by troublesome spirited men, meerly upon pretences to get money from those that are of right owners of what they do possess and are seised with.

And further where any death happens, all such as be heirs to the estate of the deceased person, to register their proportions thereof as left them within three months after the decease of those whose heirs they be, that none may come to be defrauded for the want of registring the same; It would be an unspeakable ease to this Nation, were these Registers setled, and save many thousands in a year which is now spent in litigious sutes, to the ruine of many, and their whole estates, which by the subtlety of some, for want of a word in a Deed are unjustly wrested from them.

The Rules by which these Registers are to be guided, are as followeth. [...]les for the Regi [...]s. To be chosen by [...] County or City in [...]ich they are to [...]cute. To take an oath of [...]lity, & to gyve [...]rity. To keep a dupli [...] of their transac [...]s, and to send that [...] the grand Office.

1. To be chosen in the City or County in which they are to execute their office, and then confirmed by the power of the Nation.

2. Upon their admission and confirmation therein by the Power, and having given security, to take an Oath of fidelity for the performance of that trust which they have undertaken.

3. To keep a duplicate of all that they doe register, and transmit it up every month to the grand Office and Registry of the Nation to be kept in the Metropolis of the Land, where the chief concourse of the people is, that without sending down to any particular place, if they think fit, they may be satisfied by a search what they desire to be informed of, [Page] concerning the ingagement upon any persons estate.

4. That the power of the Nation settle the fees which shall be received 4. That by the publ [...]ke authority their fees may be settled. by the Register of such as doe register their estates, and what they shall receive for searches and certificates, as occasion offers, that all men may know what to pay, as they to receive, that the people be not abused and intrenched upon.

5. That if by negligence of the Register or his Clerk any man shall 5. If by their negligence any suffer, to be made good by the Register. 6. Falsifying his trust to be punished as a felon. be damnified in not having the register entred in due time, his damage to be made him good by the said Register without any demur, so soon as his damage shall be made justly to appear.

6. That if any Register shall by any Act give out any false Certificate, or anticipate any Register, or doe any unjust things, and convicted thereof, he to make good the damage which any person shall suffer thereby, and be proceeded against criminally as a felon, and to forfeit his Office and estate to the publike, and another placed therein, and what his own estate will not make good, his security to doe it for him, by this strict dealings men will be cautious how they falsifie their trust.

The advantages arising hereby to the publike revenue may be these. The advantages to the publike.

1. Every Register at his admission to pay to the publike a fine, as also 1. Every Regicter at his admission to pay a fine. at every alienation of the said Office by sale to another, or upon death by the successor, which fine to be certain; that is one years reincome that will venue.

2. That every Register shall pay to the publike an annual rent for his An annual rent by them to be paid. Office as shall be thought fit, which he may very well doe out of his income that will grow due to him.

3. That as the Nation will receive so great a benefit as to be freed 3. Every person upon registring his estate, to poy 3d. 4d. or 6d. in the pound according to the Rent. from all deceits in purchasing lands, which now they are subject unto, and also tedious sutes and expences of Law, which will be taken away, so they to pay to the publike 6d. 4d. or 3d. in the pound, according to the annual rents which their Lands, Morgage, Lease, Annuity, House or reversion is worth when they doe register the same, which the Register shall receive of them, and once a Month pay it into the publike Treasury of the Nation, which, at the first registring of the said estates, it will amount unto a very considerable sum of money, and yearly after as men purchase, morgage, or grant annuities, reversions, lives, or as divisions doe happen, it will be a continual spring of money that will dayly be gathered in, to a good value yearly out of the whole Nation, and be a good support with other duties to maintain the Nations charge, so that what with the fines of Registers, their annual payments out of their Offices, and this together, will undoubtedly give a good help to abate taxes.

The third way to raise a revenue to the Nation is, that in and The third means to raise the revenue is b [...] the Registers of shiping in the Sea-ports of England. throughout all the Sea-ports of the Nation there may be the like Registers belonging to the Commerce by shiping, whose admission into their Offices, and remaining in them may be as those for the inland, as also for the regulation in them, which will be of great use to Merchants and owners of ships, and will hinder those frauds as by Masters of ships are usually put upon the owners, making many times, and that too [Page] often seventeen, eighteen, and sometimes three and twenty sixteenth parts in a ship, whereby some must be couzened, which by these Registers will be prevented, taking the rise from the first building of the ships for the future, and for present as they stand now owned.

The advantage to the Revenue will be, upon having 6 d. 4 d. or The advantage. 1. Having 6 d. 4 d. or 3 d. upon every tun for registring. 2. Hereby the Publike will be furnished the better with the ships they may want. 3 d. for every t [...] at present, and afterwards upon their buying, or selling, or morgaging, after the nature of what is before expressed in matter of the lands.

2. Hereby the power knowing what ships and boats of burden appertain to each Sea-port or town, may the better know how to cause every place to bear its equal burden and proportion when any publike occasion doth administer to use ships or boats for the publike service; And this will be of great satisfaction to the Commerce, and bring in a considerable revenue for the present, and annually afterwards.

The 4th. way to increase the revenue of the Nation without prejudice is, The 4th. way to raise the revenue is to have Notaries Publique throughout England. The duty of the Notary, and what is to doe. that throughout all England there be in all Cities, Towns corporate, Market Towns and Parishes Notaries publike established, in every place a certain number of them as is fit to manage the work in the said City or Town, who being chosen by the Magistrate of the said Town or City, approved of by the power, taking oath to be faithfull in their places, and to give security for their performances, which said place to be hereditary as the Registers places, because of the continuances of their Offices, and these men to make all Bonds, Bills, Releases, Conveyances, Agreements, Leases, Morgages, Certificates, and all manner of writings whatever, that is to ingross them, a rate to be set upon every thing, that the people may not be abused or grated upon. The original writing to remain always on Record in the Office, and a Copy under the Notaries hand to the partie or parties, and that Copy to be authentick to all intents and purposes, as the original; by which means mens writings will ever be to be found, and never lost, and so those inconveniences avoided which now dayly arise to men, by losing their Deeds, breaking the seals of their Bonds, Witnesses dying, which is the occasion too too often of many mens losing their monies and estates, which by this way will be prevented, to the great satisfaction of the whole Nation.

The advantages arising to the revenue will be, that every Notary The advantages to the Revenue will be the fines of their admission, and annual vents after. The Rules to be observed. 1. Not to give Copies of any Deeds, or to discover them. 2. To keep a duplicate of all transactions to be remitted to the grand Office. pay at his admission a fine, and then afterwards a yearly pension, as shall be thought fit; and its conceived there cannot be less than five thousand Notaries places established to supply the occasions of the Nation, which calculate at five pound fine one with the other, and five pounds a year rent, will come to a very hansome addition to the revenue, with the dayly alienations and changes that will happen among them.

The Rules for them to observe, are,

1. That they shew no mans deeds or writings, nor give copies of them without the consent of the parties to whom they are originally belonging.

2. That they keep a Duplicate of all they do, and once a month remit it up to the original Office appointed to preserve those publick Notary Records, that if any Accident happen by fire, or other wayes [Page] to their Office, none may be prejudiced thereby.

3. That to prevent fire, &c. their Offices be appointed by the Magistracy 3. For prevention of fire, their Offices to be made of brick or stone. 4. To be punished as a Felon for making any false Deeds, c. of the place where to be kept, and all built of Brick or Stone, for prevention of fire, and such accidents.

4. If any of them shall counterfeit any Deed, or any mans hand, or falsly to make Oath, or certifie false Witnesses, or make any false Deed whatever, to be proceeded against as a Felon, his goods confiscate to make satisfaction to the party damnified; and what he cannot his sureties to do it, to lose his Office, and to be punished as the Law in such cases shall ordain to such as counterfeit mens hands, &c.

The fifth means to encrease the Revenue of the Nation without The fifth way to raise the Revenue is to establish Brokers in the Nation. prejudice is, That for the benefit of the commerce and all trading persons in this Nation, there may be Brokers established in all Cities and places of trade, whereby they as the immediate dealers between man and man may take off the differences arising upon bargaining with each other, whose wirness in all cases to be of that validity, as to decide any differen [...]e that shall arise: whose places to remain onely for life, at their admissions to pay a fine, and afterwards a yearly Revenue by way of Rent, and none to use the trade of a Broker, but such as shall be so authorized; yet no man to be debarred from selling his goods without a Broker, if he shall think fit so to do; but if a Broker is imployed, only such as be authorized; and if any other person not authorized, should intermeddle with buying or selling goods (except it be the party himself buying or selling for his own use) both to be fined, he that shall personate the Broker, and the buyer and seller that maketh use of him. The income to the State will be considerable; for considering how many there must be of them, at least thousands throughout the Nation, they paying ten pounds a piece admission, or upon any alienation, change, or the like, then the same rate annually by way of rent; it will amount to a good sum of money for the present, and a handsome addition to the yearly Revenue for the future. Rules by them to be observed. 1. That a rate be set for their pains.

The Rules those Brokers should observe are,

1. That a Rate be set on them for their pains, which may be one quarter per cent. of the Buyer, and the like of the Seller; but at most not above one third per cent. that is, for all Merchandise bought and sold: and as for the Brokerage of Exchange, two shillings for every hundred pound of the Drawer, and the like of the Remitter, which is enough. 2. That they keep a Register of what they do.

2. That whatever bargain is made by the hand of a Broker, the said Broker to draw the same up in a Book, which they should keep for the purpose, the bargain to be stated in the presence of the parties, who should set their names to what is agreed between them, the day, and month, and time of the day when concluded, which will be the means to avoid many sutes and wranglings between dealers.

3. That such as be admitted Brokers, to be men of known understanding 3. That they be able and understanding men. and honesty, able to give security for their faithfulnesse in the executing of their trust committed to their management; that if so be by their default any persons receive damage, they may be made liable to give satisfaction to the parties damnified.

[Page] 4. That wherein these Brokers shall by any dishonest practice forswear 4. For falsity to be criminally punished and pay damages. themselves, or falsifie any bargain made by them between any persons, to be criminally prosecuted, and if convicted, to make good the damage, forfeit his Office to the Power of the Nation, and never more to be admitted to execute the same, or any other.

Divers other ways and means very satisfactory to the people, and advantageous to the Revenue, might have been declared, were our quiet so as to encourage the setlings of them; but I hope by the five foregoing proposals, I have made good my promise for the raising of the Revenue, which if taken into serious debate, and well considered of, undoubtedly it will appear to judicious men, the Revenue will be much augmented to carry on the publick charges of the government, and the people no way prejudiced, but pleased and advantaged. But before I finish this Discourse, I shall adde four short proposals more, Four Proposals more. which have reference to the Revenue, and to the whole people of this Nation and its commerce, as also to particular men more immediately interested therein.

The first is, that if so be the Power of the Nation shall settle a 1. For raising money to bear the charge of the Committee for trade. Committee of Merchants for the carrying on the commerce of this Nation and its Trade, according to what is proposed in the twentieth Article for encouragement of trade, and allow them a yearly stipend for their extraordinary attendance and pains to perfect what will be expected from them;

I shall shew a way how that charge shall be born by the commerce, both freely and willingly without dislike or prejudice, and raise thereby a sufficient income to maintain the same without taking one penny from the Publick Treasury of the Nation.

The second is, That if so be the Power of this Nation will perform 2. For the raising of money to pay all the Publick Faith debts in the Nation, and afterwards to maintain the publick charge. what in honour they are ingaged to do (especially if ever they expect upon any immergent occasion for money that the people should assist them freely therewith) which is to pay to the people of this Nation their just debts due to them upon the Publick Faith, for Loans, Arrears for services, suppplying them with Arms, Ammunition, or Ships, or otherwise;

I shall shew a means how to raise so considerable a Revenue in this Nation, that without prejudice of the people, being setled, and the conveniency thereof found, will not only be liked, but approved of, and in a very few years not only pay to a penny all the Publick Faith debts that shall be justly due to any person throughout the Nation, but they being paid, establish a constant annual Revenue, whereby a stock of money may be laid up for the supply of all future occasions that may require the same. And besides hereby regain to the Publick their lost Credits with the people. And all this to be effected without burdening the Nation with unequal Taxes and Impositions which are for present so vexatiously extorted from them by armed men, who are ever the disturbers and enemies to all trade, Traders, Ingenuous Arts, either at home or abroad.

The third is, That if it shall be approved of to raise a stock to furnish forein Traders with moneys at easier rates in their urgent necessity, [Page] According to the purposes expressed in the sixteenth means for incouragement of trade and commerce in this Nation;

I shall shew a way and means how this stock may be easily raised without prejudice to the people of this Nation, but rather for their advantage, and that not only to the traders, but in reference to the general good of all the whole Nation, whereby the commerce aforesaid shall not only be accommodated for their occasions, but withall a considerable income over and above gathered for increase of the publike revenue, and also the following advantages of the Nation, to the great satisfaction and benefit of the people and their posterity in after ages.

1. That all Orphans estates of what condition or quality soever shall be secured from the knavish rapine and wicked practices of Gardians, Father-in-Laws, Executors, Ad ninistrators, and weak Women, who in their fondnesses, being overswayed by eyil minded and unconscionable men, Ruinate for the most part not only themselvs but their children and their Estates, whereby whole fanilies are dayly undone, which would be preserved were a publick care taken thereof.

2. That all honest and ingenuous persons, who dying and leaving their children Orphans and remedilesse without estates, should hereby not only find relief for their necessities, but means to preferre them in the world by the publick, according as their ingenuity and aptnesse should administer and give occasion, be they males or females.

The fourth is, that if so be the government of the City shall think it to 4. For the easing the Commerce from the burden of wharfingers and their inchroachment. be of too great a consequence to purchase the wharfs lying upon the River, and that they cannot find means to curb the insolency of the whar fingers that have incroched upon the peoples right, by requiring unreasonable rates, upon their takings up or shipping of their goods and Merchandize, under which the Commerce groanes;

I shall shew a way how this may be done without purchasing the said wharfs and at no great expence for the government, but of infinite advantage to the people and Commerce of this Nation, and the curbing of all these incroching wharfingers.

Having brought to a conclusion what I intended, and shewed the way and means to revive, encrease, enrich, case, strengthen, and encourage the Trade, and Commerce of this Nation, both in respect of its Manufactories, shippings, Dominions, Coyn and revenew, I shall recommend All persons desired to be instrumental to revive the dying trade of England. what hath been said and proposed therein to the consideration of all persons that desire the well-fare and prosperity of this our English Nation, and withall entreat them unanimously to use their utmost interest and endeavour that the power of the Nation may seriously take into their thoughts our dying Trade, whereby they may be incited to apply a timely remedy, that thereby the ulcerated wound thereof may be healed, lest if delayed never so little it gangrene and become incurable, and so both the Trade and Traders therein utterly come to ruine and perish. The conclusion of thi discourse, and the only means to increase and revive the dying trade of England.

And for Conclusion of all, if we of this Nation do seriously and really desire the Commerce thereof to encrease and prosper, and to stand firm upon a lasting foundation, not to be moved or shaken by other Nations, Let us but observe these few Rules following, and I dare warrant, and [Page] will undertake that in a very short time we shall all see our dying trah revive and flourish, traders grow rich, the Nation powerful in strengt Wealth and prosperity to dwell within our Walls, Lands, Towns, and Cities, and God will bless us, yea we shall be blessed.

1. That we labour diligently and faithfully every one in that way 1. To be diligent in our own callings. 2. To disparage no man to advance themselves. 3. To use no deceits in buying and selling. wherein God hath called us, and not for lucre or gain to intrench upon each others callings.

2. That we asperse no mans goods, or his good name, by disparaging them or him, thereby supposing to advance our own.

3. That we use no false lights, weights, or measures, nor oaths, to sell or put off our Merchandize and wares, but to deal uprightly, faithfully and truly with one another.

4. That we strive not to circumvent any person in our buying or selling 4. To force no man out of their right by power. (or to out-wit one another, as the phrase is lately come up) with tricks and quillets, and then by Law to wrest from one the other what we ought not, and detaining by force either of Purse or Power the right of each other.

5. That we oppress not each other in necessity, either by griping 5. To oppress no man by usury. usury, or rating what we sell to each other, at so high rates, that who is forced so to buy cannot live by one another.

6. That we would forbear malitiously to vex and molest each other with 6. To ruinate no person malitiously. Arrests, & Serjeants, the times being vexatious enough in the ruinating of the commerce, through the losses all have sustained; and therefore Traders should consider each other, and not fly upon one the other, because we cannot have what we would of them we deal with.

7. That the prosperity of another occasion not our envy, nor his living 7. To believe no mans prosperity is our adversity. better than we make us to repine, but let us rejoyce therein, and not thwart each other privately, but rather assist each other more and more, and no way to think by the ruine of another we may reap the greater advantage.

8. That in occasion of difference between one another, we strive to 8. To seek the peace of all men. make peace, and rather hinder differences, than widen them, striving to be at peace with all men, and to have no man, but to seek peace, and to run after it, that we may expect that blessing assured to such as make peace.

9. That no mans estate or riches entice us to cover the same, or engage 9. To defraud no man to enrich our selves. us by force or fraud to lick our selves whole, or to build up our own fame upon another mans ruines; nor to believe that by Piracy or Robery, being enriched with an estate so gotten, will last long to us or our posterity.

10. That whatever we may have taken fraudulently, or by force from 10. To make restitution of all we have ill got. 11. To around in charity to one another. each other, be it lands, debts, or ought else; Let us follow the example of Zacheus in the Gospel, and make restitution.

11. That considering these sad and disastrous times, wherewith God hath afflicted this Nation, let us be charitable to one another, by relieving each other with our substance what we can, in having good thoughts for each other, good works and actions, and let not poverty cause us to despise or draw us back from assisting each the other, for with these things God is well pleased.

[Page] 12. That upon all publick occasions hapning to each other, we be 12. To assist others, as we would have them assist us. 12. To submit to one another, and not to be rebellions in any kind. ready to help and assist one the other, for no man doth know but it may be his lot to require assistance from others, and to need the same,

13. That we be tractable, civil and courteous to each other, having respect of one the other as to their parts and persons; also to submit our selves to our Superiours, and no ways to dispise order nor government and to avoid having any hand in Rebellious practises, either for the destroying of Religion, which is Gods cause, or of our Princes, or Countrie, which Trade and Traders are not to intermeddle with.

14. And lastly, that we be righteous in all our ways towards God, 14. [To serve God,] and to do to all men, as we would they should do to us the true and only means to increase the trade of this Nation. and in our dealings towards one another, observing carefully and strictly that golden Rule, Let us do to every one and for every one, as we would have them do to and for us, which is the summe of all that can be said or done; and if we resolve duly to observe but this alone, how happy would this Nation be in its Trade and Commerce, in its Peace and Plenty, in its Glory and Honour, which the Lord in mercy grant; to whom be all Glory, Honour and Praise for ever and ever,

Amen, Amen.

THE END.

§

§

[Page]

[Page]

TRADE REVIVED, Or a Way Proposed To Restore, Increase, Inrich, Strengthen and Preserve the Decayed and even Dying Trade of this our English Nation, in its Manufactories, Coin, Shiping and Revenue.

Whereby TAXES may be lessened if not totally taken away, to the great content of the PEOPLE.

As also a way shewed how the Duty of Excise may be regulated for the ease and incouragement of this Nations Commerce, both for the outward exportation and inward consumption of all sorts of commodities.

AND LIKEWISE Certain ways propounded for the raising of considerable sums of money to maintain the charges of the Goverment, without prejudice of the people; as also for the payment of all the Souldiers just Arrears, and the Peoples just Publique Faith Debts.

Set forth by a Wel-wisher to the Nation and its Prosperity.

And for to incourage other men, who by their greater knowledge, and longer experience, may undoubtedly be hereby ingaged to put hereto their helping hand for the perfecting this work so much desired by all ingenuous publike spirited men.

LONDON, Printed for Thomas Holmwood for the use of the People of England, and its Dominions, in the year of our Lord 1659.

Epistle Dedicatory To all such and only to such as do really desire the prosperity of this Nation and its Commerce

[Page]

[Page]

Most worthy of all honour,

THis discourse is not published in expectation of reward or applause from any, But meerly to stirr up those Grandees which sit at the Helm of Goverment, to consider of such means as may settle the Trade of this Nation, upon a sure and lasting foundation.

And if by the ensuing Proposals exhibited to the view both of those in Authority, and others, in the way to inform them there is any thing Considerable declared, or worthy observation which may help thereunto it is all that the Author of them desires.

And when what herein is set forth and written shall not doe the work, so it may incite others endued with a greater Tallent of knowledge to Refine these proposals, and to advise exacter wayes for the accomplishment of that good which here is intended to the Nation, and its even dying Trade, the Proposer of these hath his end, and as a well-wisher to the publick peace and prosperity of this Nation of England and its Domnions, intreats and begs all persons interessed therein, both in authority or out of authority to do their duties that God may blesse us in our endeavours, and desires, and that we may see settled the Trade and Commerce of this Nation upon such a glorious and sure foundation, that it may florish and encrease so long as this Nation of England shall endure, never more to be undermined or overthrown by any pollicy or State whatsoever.

To the judicious Reader.

[Page]

[Page]

I shall not need to commend to you the Reading of this little tract, the Subject, Matter, and Variety expressed in the Title, will undoubtedly engage you to it, (which will not prove a painted Sepulcher) for I am sure you will not think your pains ill bestowed after you have perused the same through; The sheets are but few in number yet full of many excellent observations of much value, which only a publick spirit, experienced in forain Countryes and Negotiations, could or would have published and will be of great consequence in this juncture of the even dying Trade of this Nation, through the present pressures which by Wars and other inconveniences we lye under. That they ought seriously to be considered of by all persons endeavouring the weal of England, and its Dominions; But more especially by those that are at the Helm of Government and (so therby) in a capacity to establish them for the good of the concerned, who are no more nor less than the whole body of this Nation both publick and private. First to the publick, in reference to the supreme Power and its maintenance, Secondly to every particular person in reference to their Trade one with an other.

And although I was by Mr. John Bland Merchant, who was the Author of these Proposals, injoyned, at the Printing them, to silence his name, and have accordingly deliverd sundry Books to divers worthy Persons under a Nonemus, I have conceived it just, and indeed my duty to correct the error I then committed.

First in regard of the publick, it not being meet a person whose knowledge and experience may be so usefull in these times [Page] should be obscured, when as by his advice and information so great advantages may be made for the common good.

Next to prevent all others from making this work theirs, and challenging to themselves what they never deserved, or could have attained unto, but by his ingenious pen.

Lastly, that the Author may have that esteem as is justly to him due, for his great pains in setting s [...]h a Pattern and and laying so infalliable a foundation, wherupon Englands dying Trade and Commerse may be reedified and built, which if set up according to the rules prescribed, asuredly will make this Nation and People both rich and happy in their Trade, as well abroad as at home. And if by devulging to the world the Author of this work, contrary to his especial command and will, I shall by him be blamed. I hope those that receive the advantage and are pleased therwith, will joyn with me to beg his pardon, who am,

Your very humble Servant, Thomas Holmwood.

Postscript.

[Page]

If it shall be suggested by any that shall peruse this discourse, at many [...]h [...]gs herein proposed are lately published by other [...], and he as present under consideration, the Author hereof is glad to see others concurr with him in opinion, and that there be still some publick spirits that will take the pains to do the Nation service in their Generation. What is here discoursed of was some years since intended for publick View, but as every year almost, if not altogether, hath brought its change with it, I have been forced to change many things that were prepared, and put in others; and now fearing these our changes will never leave changing till we are all changed to dust, and so can change no more, but as God shall change us; I resolved whatever change should come, to change nothing more herein; but to send it to the view and perusal of those that will take the pains to cast their eyes over the same; and when it please not all, I hope it will please some, and then I have my desire. You have herein my Conceptions, do with them what you please. And if you find any errors committed of any side, either in the Author or Printer, both are humane, and the best of men do erre; therefore such as do find any faults, are desired not to blame any for their good will and zeal for the publick Good, but to amend them, making the best of the worst error, it will be both charity and wisdom. If the curiosity of some are not satisfied, because no mans name is subscribed hereunto let it suffice them, that it is not done because the Author of these Proposals is either ashamed to be known, or to own them; you have a Reason given at the beginning of this Discourse, which may satisfie you therein.

If the Authority and power of the Nation shall approve of any, or of all that is here proposed, and desire to be farther satisfied in any particular, they shall not want a means to be informed by him, who desires nothing more, than that the Lord would be pleased to make him instrumental in his Generation to serve his Country and people therein, in some acceptable service, whereby the Nation may receive the benefit, and God the glory.

Information about this book

Title statement

Trade revived, or, A way proposed to restore, increase, inrich, strengthen and preserve the decayed and even dying trade of this our English nation, in its manufactories, coin, shiping and revenue whereby taxes may be lessened if not totally taken away, to the great content of the people : as also a way shewed how the duty of excise may be regulated for the ease and incouragement of this nations commerce, both for the outward exportation and inward consumption of all sorts of commodities : and likewise, certain ways propounded for the raising of considerable sums of money to maintain the charges of the government,without prejudice of the people, as also for the payment of all the souldiers just arrears, and the peoples just publique faith debts / set forth by a wel-wisher to the nation and its prosperity ...

Bland, John.

Edition statement

1659

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A28355

ID [STC]

Wing B3158

ID [STC]

ESTC R11152

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

13571516

ID [OCLC]

ocm 13571516

ID [VID]

100372

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Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A28355)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 100372)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 836:13)

Source

— Trade revived, or, A way proposed to restore, increase, inrich, strengthen and preserve the decayed and even dying trade of this our English nation, in its manufactories, coin, shiping and revenue whereby taxes may be lessened if not totally taken away, to the great content of the people : as also a way shewed how the duty of excise may be regulated for the ease and incouragement of this nations commerce, both for the outward exportation and inward consumption of all sorts of commodities : and likewise, certain ways propounded for the raising of considerable sums of money to maintain the charges of the government,without prejudice of the people, as also for the payment of all the souldiers just arrears, and the peoples just publique faith debts / set forth by a wel-wisher to the nation and its prosperity ..., Bland, John..

Extent

[6], 57, [1] p.

Printed for Thomas Holmwood ...,. London :: 1659.. (Written by John Bland. Cf. BM.) (Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.)

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