To prevent the export of bullion, for purchasing flax, hemp, and linnen

Author: D. T.1696

TO PREVENT The Export of Bullion, FOR PURCHASING FLAX, HEMP, and LINNEN.

ENgland and Ireland being under one Government, and lying so near to each other, must partake in each others Fortune for ever. And the Land of Ireland, being so very productive of Flax and Hemp, and the People's natural Inclination tending to Spinning, would, with a small Incouragement, soon give Life to the Linnen Manufactory there; but at present, what to do with what they now make, they are at at a loss, the overplus resting useless (being cheaper made in other Parts, though not in England,) which is their only Hindrance to a more vigorous Progress therein, and necessitates the Improvement of their Lands, and their Labours in other Husbandry.

It being conceived to be the Interest of both Kingdoms to propagate the Linnen Manufactory in Ireland, I humbly propose, That all Flax, Hemp, and the Manufactures thereof of the Growth of Ireland, may be Imported into England Duty-Free, which will be of many Advantages to England, for,

1. That what Ireland produces, will abate the like Quantities from other Nations, which now do greatly occasion the Ballance of Trade to our prejudice, for no one sort of Commodity does so exhaust our Treasure, as Flax, Hemp, and Linnen.

2. It will employ their Lands and Hands, in Productions and Manufactories different from England.

3. They being of our selves do pursue the same Modes, all they can, in Apparel, House, Furniture, &c. and would do more, might the Payments, they are able to make, be accepted in England, whereby the better Quantities of English Manufactures (Woollen not excepted,) would be uttered there; in lieu whereof they are now constrained to produce such Commodities as will best vend among themselves, and procure best Returns from Foreign Parts.

To set down the many Advantages it may be to both Nations would be too large for so small a Treatise, and therefore I shall leave it here with the Wisdom of our Legislators, to consider whether it is, or is not, the Advantage of England, to encourage the Linnen Manufactory, by the admitting the Import from thence Custom-Free.

D. T.

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