THAT Tinne the Native and Royall commodity of this Nation, hath formerly set on worke many thousand Families of English men in their owne Land, who by the Manifacture thereof have been inabled to support themselves, to the Honour of the Nation, the comfort of their Families, and usefull to the Publick where they have lived; But of later yeares by reason of Oppression they are much decayed, and greatly impoverished, by which the whole Nation and Kingdome is much dishonoured and abused; the working our Native Commodity almost wholy become the Trade of Strangers, as will clearely appeare by the Particulars following. Viz.

First, by the covetousnesse of a few particular men, who to make themselves rich though in the Kingdomes Ruine, have by indirect meanes pro­cured Patents to themselves to have (like the Soape-men) the sole Trade in their own hands, and have hereby not onely advanced the price neare one halfe upon the Nation, but limiting and binding the Free People in the use, buying, working, and selling their Native Commodities; so as by these meanes they have been forced to leave their Calling ore; else to follow them in other Countries, sometimes to their utter undoing, and Kingdomes dishonour.

Secondly, whereas former PARLIAMENTS have taken great Care that all liquid Measures should be made of Pewter, according to the ancient Standard of the Kingdome, the dearenesse of the said Commodity inforced the poorer sort of People to buy whited Iron; a deceitfull out-Landish commodity, French Juggs, Flanders Cans, &c. So by the poverty of some, but fraudulency of most, all sort of People are deceived in their Measure, especially the poore and Traveller in things of neare concernment, as Ale, Beere, Milk, Oyle, &c. Yea, the Strangers that live amongst us have great cause of complaint to the great dishonour of our Nation.

Thirdly, although Tinne is at this great price, it is presumed, not in any City or Towne in England out of Cornewall is one block of Tinne to be bought for any Money; When in Amsterdam, Roan, Paris, Constanstinople, Legorn &c. there is very great quantity of English Tinne in the custo­dy of English Merchants supposed Tinne-Patentees; so as those whose Livelihood hath depended upon the foresaid Commodity, have been forced to buy it in Holland or elsewhere, and it is at present sold in LONDON at 18 pence a pound, having never been sold at the Mines for above 3 l. per a hundred weight, little more then 6 d. a Pound, a sad thing to consider that a free People should be so abused in their owne Native Commodities.

Fourthly, Whereas in most part of the World English wrought pewter hath beene in very great esteeme, as many Merchants can testifie, till now of late yeares, since they have beene supplyed and incouraged with Tinne unwrought in great abundance, and the Patentees having gotten a power did prohibit without their Licence the transportation of wrought Pewter: which Licence could not be attained for any part where their unwrought Tinne, sold; to the great discouragement of the Merchant, and the undoing the Manefacture of this Kingdome.

Fifthly, Forraine States having supply of Tinne, in their wisdome for the good of their owne people; As Holland, part of France, and Flan­ders, &c. prohibited the bringing in of wrought Pewrer as formerly. Excepting for private use doe set on worke their owne Nation, and supply many parts of the World with debased false mettle: bringing without Controwle great quantities into Scotland and Ireland striking the Kingdomes Rose and Crowne upon it. A knowne Marke in forraigne parts to testifie the just goodnesse of Pewter, according to the Lawes of this Land. By meanes whereof, Our English Nation is greatly abused, and if not timely prevented, the Manifacture will come to nothing.

It is therefore humbly desired and conceived for the prevention of the fore-mentioned evills, or worse for the future; The supporting of many thousand Families whose Livelyhoods depend upon the Manefacture of the aforesaid Commodity, The maintaining the Ancient Esteeme of English Pewter, which is made to a perfect Standard of goodnesse, and the Honour of the Nation; These few things amongst many other may prove very worthy the serious Consideration of the Honourable House of PARLIAMENT, Of whose Care for the freedome and good of the Common-Wealth, The Experience of this Age (to their Prayse) will tell Posterity.

1. That Provision may be made that the Kingdome of England be furnished with Tinne as formerly, and that any English man may be free to trade in the said Commodity from the Mines in Cornwall &c: to any part of this Kingdome.

2. That all Tinne may be wrought into Pewter, or cast into Barres before it be transported, which will be a good meanes to uphold the Mani­facture, and to keepe the Tinner from falsifying it: which otherwise may easily be done, and hath beene much used, as may be clearely proved by many Returnes of false Mettle from beyond the Sea, and Experience at home.

3. For the benefit of the State at least 20 shillings in every hundred weight may be paide by way of Custome; Kings Revenue or otherwise upon Tinne transported unwrought more then wrought Pewter.

4. That wrought Pewter may be prohibited from being brought into any part of the three Kingdomes from beyond the Sea.

5. That Excise upon Tinne may be payde by the first buyer, from the Tinner in Cornwall &c: which may be done with ease by one Office to prevent Many. So the Commodity will come alike to all men.

Lastly, It is desired after so many yeares bondage, and for almost five yeares, this Commodity hath beene kept out of the PARLIAMENTS Pow­er by the Enemy, but now at last by the Blessing of God, and Vigilancie of our Armyes, both the Tinne and the greatest part of the west Countrey is under their Command, and having for a long time waited, doe not know but this may be the blessed Opportunity that the Honourable PARLIA­MENT in their grand wisedome will thinke upon some way of Redresse in this Particular for the Honour and Credit of our Nation, the Weale, and Comfort of all Sorts of People, from the greatest to the least, that they being delivered from those Taske-Masters the Patentees, may be free men to get their bread, by the working of their Native Commodity, and have measure according to Lawes provided in that behalfe. For the ef­fecting whereof, the Peoples eyes are upon Your Honours, for whom they are in Duty bound to pray, &c.