A true Remonstrance of the State of the Salt businesse, undertaken (for the furnishment thereof between Barwick and Pool; they with the Ile of Wight, and members inclusive) by the Societie of Saltmakers of South, and North-Shields, and of Scotland.

IN the times of Hostility with Spain and France, which was in Anno 1627. 28, 29, 30. there was such a scarcitie of Salt in this His Majesties King­dome, that it was sold at extream rates, Viz. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10s per Bushell and upwards, and in many places of this Kingdome, Salt not to be had for any money: and that, which in those times was imported (unlesse by way of Reprizall) was imported by Hamburghers, and Flemings, who made their advantage of our necessities for so usefull, and necessary a commodity.

When the Peace was concluded between His Majesty, and the French King; the French King made an Edict, that no Salt should be exported out of His Kingdome, upon confiscation of Ship goods, and life.

In which streight, in December 1630. The Lord Maior, and Aldermen, and the Company of Fishmongers of the City of London, together with the Maior, Aldermen, and Cominalty of the Town of Kings-Lynne, the Bailiffs, and Aldermen of Great Yarmouth, and divers others in behalf of them­selves, and the Fishermen Inhabiting amongst them, did petition to the right Honourable, the Lords, and others of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Counsell (in haec verba.)

Petition inhi­ting exporta­tion. HUmbly shewing, That whereas by an Edict made by the French King about six Moneths since, the exportation of any Salt was forbidden, whereas since that time, the Dutch for their supply have repaired to Newcastle, and places thereto adjoyning in this Kingdom, and have there bought, great quantities of Salt, which they export out of this Kingdome, into their own Countrey, who before the said Edict, for the advance and benefit of their own people, did make a decree, that no Newcastle Salt should be imported into their Countrey, upon pain of Confiscation: and now by their daily, and continuall exportation of Salt out of this Kingdome, the Fishermen here should be altogether unprovided of Salt, for their voyages to Wesmony, Ise­land, and North-Seas.

And forasmuch as all other things to furnish them to Sea, are now at excessive rates, as victualls, Cordage, and all other materialls: and also Salt by reason of the said exportation, much inhaunced in price, by reason whereof the Fishermen shall be disabled to go to Sea, their voyages overthrown, and thereby this Kingdome destitute of victuall, which is by them brought in.

The Petitioners humbly pray this Honourable Board, to take into consideration, that it concerneth the maintenance, and imployment of many thousand Seamen, the Nursery of Navigation, the supply of this Kingdom with Fish, and therefore to restrain the exportation of all Salt from New­castle, and places thereto adjoyning, out of this Kingdome, untill Midsomer next; by which time we hope this Kingdome, which is now destitute in all parts, may be supplyed out of Spain,

And your Petitioners shall pray, &c.

Whitehall the eight of December, 1630.

Ordered that none be expor­ted. Their Lordships upon mature advice, and deliberation had thereof, have thought fit, and ordered, that the exportation of all Salt, aswell from the Ports of Newcastle, as from all other Ports of this Kingdome, into forraign parts, be hereby strictly prohibited, and that no Salt shall be laden or Shipped at any Port of this Kingdome, before good security be given, that the same shall be brought to some other Ports of this Realm, and there sold and disposed to his Majesties Subjects, within the same. Hereof the Lord Treasurer is prayed, and required, to take notice, and give directions to the severall Ports accordingly,

1630. The Peace being concluded between the Crowns of England, and Spain, divers Merchants of this Kingdome sent to Spain, betweene 2. and 300. sail of Ships, to fetch Salt for the supply of this Kingdome, and the King of Spain taking advantage of our necessities, did not only along time imbarge the said Ships, but did also impose upon his Salt 30 Ryalls per Moy, and 3 Moys making a London weigh, and the principall price of the Salt was formerly but 12 to 15 Ryalls per Moy; so the Impost on every weigh, was 45' per weigh: by which means of imbargement, and Imposition His Majesties Sub­jects were damnified in that voyage (though Salt was sold here at a very dear rate) at the least forty thousand pounds sterling.

Whereupon divers of the said Merchants for their relief, did a long time Petition His Majesty, and the Board, for imbargement of their Ships, and impositions laid by the King of Spain, upon the said Salt, but could get none.

Thereupon His Majesty, in His Princely care, with the advice of His most Honourable Privy Counsell, and His Councell learned in the Law, fell into consideration how to erect a native manufactury within His Majesties Kingdomes of England, and Scotland, for the supplying of these His King­domes (without dependency upon any forraign State) with Salt, being so necessary and usefull, as cannot be wanted, His Majesty being informed, that there were sufficient materialls (as Pan-coales, fit for no other use) within His Kingdomes of England and Scotland, to go on with the work, and by which means many thousands of His poore Subjects should have imployments in making the said Comodity: which hath been proved, and will be maintained to be as sufficient for Sea, and in land uses, as any forraign Salt whatsoever. And that Fish salted with that Salt, doth out sell Fish salted with any Forraine Salt in any Market whatsoever.

Ʋndecimo Caroli. The first Society. Upon which weighty considerations His Majesty was pleased to give incouragement by incorporating many of His Subjects of England and Scot­land, to erect works for the making of Salt, enabling them with divers liberties and priviledges, for the regulating of the said Trade, or Mistery for the term of fourteen yeers, with Proviso, that in case His Majesty, and the State should finde any better way for the settlement thereof, within three yeers, their Charter of Incorporation to be surrendered: wherein the said Societies were tyed to these particulars.

1 To make a sufficient quantitie of good and Merchantable Salt for the supply of His Subjects within the limits between Barwick and Southampton, they with the Ile of Wight included.

2 At a certain moderate price, not exceeding three pounds per weigh for Land-use, accompting forty Bushels to the weigh, and ten Gallons to every Bushell, and 50s per weigh for Fishery-use, out of which they were to pay His Majesty for what they did make, 10s per weigh for Land-use, and 3s 4d per weigh for Fishery use: In recompence to His Majesty for what he should loose in his customes by restraint of forraign Salt.

3. To permit any that had any Salt-workes erected within the Limits to make and sell, they conforming themselves to such meet orders of the said Society, for the regulating of their Trade, as were not repugnant to His Majesties Lawes.

His Majestie covenanteth with the said Societie.

1 To regulate the Society of Saltmakers in Scotland.

2 To inhibite forraign Importation within the Limits under a nomine penae of 48s 6d per weigh to support the native Manufacture at home.

Not long after, severall Merchants of Southampton, and the West parts with some Salters in London Petitioned the Board against the said Inhibition of forraign Salt, and procured liberty to import great quantities of forraign Salt, pretending the Native Salt, was insufficient to save their Newfound-Land Fish, and for other uses thereby intending rather to destroy then support so good a Native Manufactury in this Kingdome, as the making of Salt was.

Shortly after one Nicholas Murford proposeth to His Majesty a new way of making of Salt by the Sun, and to supply the whole Kingdomes of England and Ireland, with sufficient Salt for all uses, and to pay His Majesty out of it 10s per weigh, for all Land use, and 3s 4d per weigh for Fishery but propounded no certain price to the Subject: Which proposition of Murfords, and the liberty of Importation to the Merchants of Southampton caused the first undertakers, to Petition His Majesty to be discharged: Whereupon many disputes arose between the Societies of Scotland, and them of South, and North-Shields, and the said Nicholas Murford: For the hearing whereof, His Majesty, and the Board appointed a day to hear the said parties at Greenwich in July 1638. when the said Murford proffered His Majesty, and the Board to farm his said duties of 10s. and 3s 4d. and 48s 6d per weigh, and give ten thousand pounds per annum for the same, provided none might import any forraign Salt, but the said Murford to whom the said duties were let at 10000l per annum. And, the Society of South, and North-Shields left to use their Pans, and sell as they please; provided, they paid His Majesties duties of 10s per weigh for Land use, and 3s 4d per weigh for Fishery expence.

Which caused the Saltmakers of South and North-Shields (seeing the said Murford was permitted to import what Salt he pleased, and set up what works he would, which assured them, that nothing lesse, then their undoing could befall them) for their relief therein to Petition His Majesty at Oatelands the 15 of July 1638. that they might either be discharged of the duties of 10s and 3s 4d per weigh, or have some course taken that they might have sail for what they made at moderate rates, so as they might subsist in their Trade, else they could neither pay His Majesty, nor subsist.

His Majesty thereupon conferring with His most Honourable Privy Counsell, wished some course might be taken, that they might be relieved, and that they should think of some better course, and attend him at Oatelands the then next sitting of the Lords. At which time, the present Society of Salt­makers made some propositions to His Majesty, both to pay His Majesty, and serve His Subjects at more moderate rates then formerly, which toge­ther with the said Nicholas Murfords were read, and consider of at Oatelands, July 29, 1638. and an Order as followeth, was thereupon made,

[...]

And Master Murfords undertaking uncertain.

1 By reason he depended on hot and dry weather, which was uncertain, without which he could make little or no Salt.

2 He would set no certain price, but would be left to his will to raise, and fall in it, as he pleased.

3 That none should import any forraign Salt but he. As by the order of His Majesty, and the Board the 15 day of July 1638. appeareth.

Whereupon His Majesty in His Princely care, tendring the good of the Weale Publike, was pleased to admit freedome of dispute, what could be said in opposition by all the severall Ports within the Lymits, with the City of London, Fishmongers, and Traders in Salt there; appointing a particular day for the hearing of all their complaints, reasons, and discourses for the full clearing thereof, before the settlement thereof, expressed as followeth.

At Whitehall the ninteenth of December, 1638.

This day upon consideration had at the Board (His Majesty being present in Counsell) of the severall Petitions presented in the name of the Cinque Ports, and their members the Towns, and Counties of Southampton and Poole, and the Towns of Weymouth, and Welcomb Regis, the Town and Fishery of great Yarmouth, Lewes, and of the Traders in Fish, and Salt of the City of London, touching the vending and making of Salt at Shields: And upon hearing of the Agents of the said Ports, and their Councell, and the answer of Thomas Horth, and the new undertakers of the said Saltbusinesse. His Majesty, and the Bord conceiving it to be a matter of great advantage to the Kingdom, that Salt made within His Mies own Dominions should be pre­ferred, and used before any forraign Salt, and finding upon debate, that the Salt made in His Majesties Dominions is sufficient for all uses; Did there­fore order that the said businesse be forth with established, and that for the price, the Lord Treasurer, and the Lord Cottington should be hereby prayed, and required to call before them some Fishermen, and others, and upon hearing of them, and the said Horth, to set down what rates and prices Salt shall be sold at by the undertakers, which was by their Lordships setled accordingly.

Since which settlement, the said present undertakers, have been alwayes furnished with sufficient quantities to serve within the limits, and have not at any time sold the same above three half pence per Gallon at the most, but for the greatest part they have not sold for above one penny per Gallon.

The second undertaking began 14o Caroli.And they are able to make such quantities of good and sufficient Salt, to serve within the limits, and the whole Kingdom, if need be, at jd. ob. per Gallon, which is far cheaper than it hath been at many yeers before, or since the surrendring and discharging the said undertakers. It having been sold, before either of the said Societies were settled; at 4l. 3l. 15s. 3l. 10s. and 3l. the Sheilds weigh, many yeers together: And since the discharge of the said Charter, Salt hath been sold in London by the Ingrossers, Forestallers, and Regrators, at 2s. and 2s 6d. the Peck, Land-measure, which is lightly measu­red, whereby they make 5 Pecks and half out of every Bushell that they buy from the Merchant, which is 13s. 9d. per Bushell, accounting 40 Bushels to the weigh,As in the moneths of Ianuary and February. The French King for mixt clothes. The States of the Nether­lands for white Salt. is 27l 10s the weigh; which cost them not at the dearest (laid up in their houses) above 5l per weigh, which in the being of both the Charters was not sold at above five pence or six pence per Peck at most by the Retayler: which moderate rate was occasioned by the certainty of the price: And therefore the Retailers of Salt in London, with the Refiners of Salt. And some Western Merchants trading to the Newfound-Land; are the main oppo­sers of this Native Manufacture, which all other Princes and States, do so nuch cherish when they can erect any Native Manufacture within their own principalities, to give employment to their own Natives, that they prohibit the importation of any such Commodity, upon confiscation of Ship and Goods.

Objections by the opposers: Are
  • 1 That it is a Monopoly.
  • 2 That the Imposition laid upon the forraign, and Native Salt, is contraty to Law.
  • 3 That the prosecution hath been unjust, and with violence.
  • 4 That the Comodity is not sufficient for the Fishery Trade.
  • 5 That the prices are extreame.
  • 6 That there cannot be sufficient quantities made to serve the Kingdome.
  • 7 That it is a very great decay to Navigation.
  • 8 That it is an Enbargement to Free Trade.
Answer
  • 1 The Charter was granted for 14 yeers with proviso, that if His Majesty or State should finde any better way for the settlement thereof, to be surren­dred at three yeers. It debarres no man from making, that formerly had any works, no man from erecting of new works, only requires them to be of the Corporation, and to pay the duty imposed by His Majesty, and to serve the Subject at the rates agreed on. If a Monopoly be a sole Vendition, the So­ciety are not the sole Vendors, for all Salt Retaylers are free to come and buy at the works, or without the lymitts.
  • Chiefe Iustice Popham, in the Case of Currents.
    2 It is a Judg'd case, that His Majesty may under a nomine penae prohibite importation of any forraign Comodity, it hath not at any time been adjudged against His Majesty, that without a nomine penae he cannot prohibite the Importation of any forraign Commodity that he intends to make a Native Manufacture.
  • 3 The prosecution is warranted by order of the Lords, and yet not prosecuted with violence, but with great moderation.
  • 4 It is sufficient to cure both Cod and Ling, and doth sell at any Market dearer and better then that which is cured with French or Spanish Salt.
  • 5 During the Charter, Salt hath been cheaper then before or after the Society selling it at such moderate Rates to the Retaylers, that the Common­wealth from the Retaylers of Salt, might be served at any time at 2d½ or 3d the Gallon at the most, and yet the Retaylers of Salt, sufficient gainers there­by, but since the Delivery up of the Charter, Salt hath been, and is sold by the Retaylers to the Subject at two shillings the Peck, as at this day.
  • 6 The Society of both Kingdomes, are able to make farre greater quantities then His Majesties Kingdomes can Vend.
  • 7 Navigation shall not be prejudiced, but rather beneficed by the Manufacture, for it will appear upon Examination by the Books of entry retur­ned by the Officers of the Ports, that whereas there is one English bottome that formerly hath imported Salt, there have been ten strangers to one, but hereby will be many hundreds of English Barqes imployed from Port to Port of His Majesties Subjects only.
  • 8 The complaint of want of free Trade concernes the Complainants private ends, and not the generall good, they intending in their particular way by ingrosing, forestalling, and regrating to make a scarcity at their pleasure, to the great abuse of the Weale publike, which they cannot so well do if this Comodity be made a Native Manufacture, and settled at a certain moderate known rate, as aforesaid.
Inconveni­ences.
  • 1 THe importation of Salt, by the French, is the exportation of the treasure of the kingdome although the Law command, that the mony, ta­ken for Salt &c, shalbe imployed in the Commodity of this kingdome, yet not one stranger of ten imploys his money in England, for be­tween the Buyer, the Officer, and the Seller, there are only factionall Bills of imployment, but no imployment.
  • 2 If Salt proove scarce in France, then our English must dearely pay for that scarcity.
  • 3 If the French King lay an Edict, that none shall be transported (as he hath done) upon confiscation of Ship, goods, and life, then these King­domes cannot be served with that most usefull and necessary Commodity.
  • 4 If wars fall between the Crownes of France and England, then we can have no French Salt, but such as is imported by Flemings, or some other Neutrall States, who (as they have done) will make advantage of our necessities.
  • 5 In the like Case we stand with Spaine, to both of them we shall be Subiect to what tax or Imposition they please to lay upon that Comodity which we cannot be without, nor the Common-weale at any certaintie, unlesse the Manufactures be supported.

Conveniences BE it warre, or peace, Scarcity or plenty in forraign parts His Maiesties Kingdomes and Subiects, may be served with a sufficiency of good Salt, many thousands of his poore Subiects set on work, and gain their daily livelihood, the materialls that the Salt is made by, not usefull for these Kingdomes, only for the Salt works, being Salt water and Pan-coales, Navigation no wayes preiudiced, much lesse destroyed, nor any Enbarge­ment of any free Trade to the preiudice of the Weale-publike, why should the Manufacture be destroyed to the dishonour of His Maiesty, the ruine of such His Loyall Subiects, who by His Maiesties command, and Princely Encouragement, have spent many thousands of pounds to bring the work to perfection, beside the miserable distresse that many thousands of His Maiesties poore Subiects will be left in, who eate their dayly bread, by their dayly labour in that Manufacture. Which reasons are humbly offered for the supportation of so absolute, and necessary a Comodity which must of necessity be destroyed, unlesse the inhibition of importation of forraign Salt, within the Lymitts be ratified and confirmed.

The consideration whereof is humbly presented to the most honourable Houses of Parliament.

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