Part 2

The other _Fruits_ of the Earth, as _Apples_, _Pears_, _Cherries_, _Plumbs_, together with the _Herbs_ and _Plants_, also the _Fowls_ and _Fish_ taken in this Land, serve rather for our Delight and Food than Trade. Some _Cider_ we do Export, also Spirits raised by the _Distiller_ both from some of these, and also from many other things.

[Sidenote: Fish.]

On the _Sea Coasts_ we catch great Quantities of _Herrings_ and _Pilchards_, which we save, and sell in Forreign Markets.

[Sidenote: Minerals.]

Nor is this all the Product of our Earth, whose Womb being big with Treasure longs to be Delivered, and after many Throws brings forth _Lead_, _Tin_, _Copper_, _Calamy_, _Coal_, _Culm_, _Iron_, _Allom_, _Copperas_, and sundry other _Minerals_, which return us great Treasure from Forreign Markets whither they are Exported; besides the several _Shrubs_ and _Trees_ that adorn our Fields, among which the _Oak_, the _Ash_, and the _Elm_, are the chiefest, these not only serve in Building our Sips, but do also furnish us with Materials wherewith our _Arificers_ make many things fit for Forregn Commerce, and it were much to be wisht better care were taken for preserving Timber, lest out Posterities want what we so Prodigally squander away.

[Sidenote: Manufactures.]

The next thing is our Manufactures, whereby we Improve the value of our Products by the Labour of our Inhabitants, and make them useful in sundry manners both for our selves and others, fitting them for such Services as of their own Natures without the help of Art they would not have been proper, and those to suit the Necessities and Humours both of our own and Foreign Countries to which we Export them, where they yield a price not only according to the true value of the Materials and Labour, but an overplus likewise suitable to the Necessity and Fancy of the Buyer, and this adds to the profit of the Nation, and increases its Wealth.

These Manufactures as they Imploy Multitudes of People in their making, so also in Transporting them, and fetching several Forreign Materials used with our own, such as _Oyl_, _Dye-stuffe_, _Silk_, _Wool_, _Cotten_, _Barrilia_, and many others, which are either Manufactured here of themselves, or wrought up with our Product.

[Sidenote: Sheeps Wool.]

And first to begin with _Sheeps Wool_, whereof either by it self or mixt with _Silk_ or _Linnen_ we make various sorts of pretty things fit for all Climates, and proper for the wearing of both Sexes, wherein the Invention and Imitation of our Workmen is so great that they have no _Idea_ represented or _Pattern_ set before them that is not soon out done; from a strong heavy Cloath fit to keep out cold in Winter they turn their Hands to a fine thin sort which will scarse keep warm in Summer, _Ladies_ may now wear Gowns thereof so light that they can hardly know they have them on; from hence they fell on _Perpets_, _Serges_, _Crapes_, _Stuffs_, _Says_, _Rattoons_, _Gauzes_, _Anthrines_, and many other sorts fit both for outward Garments and inward Linings, of various Colors Stripes and Flowers, some of them so fine and pleasant scarse to be known from _Silk_; besides those multitudes of courser Clothes for the Poor, also _Rugs_, _Blankets_, and all Furniture for Houses, and such a Progress have they made in this sort of Manufactures, that a Man may have his Picture wrought in _Tapestry_ with the same exactness both for Life and Colors as if drawn with a curious Pencil; for this I refer the Reader to those _Hangings_ at the _Custom-House_ in _London_, where he may see the several Officers so lively represented in their Stations, that want of Motion seems to be the only thing which differs them from their Originals; One Workman endeavouring to exceed another they make things to answer all the ends of _Silks_, _Calicoes_, and _Linnen_, of bare Sheeps Wool, which if they were by Fashion brought into wearing would then be thought as handsom; fine _Flannel_ for Shirts; white _Crape_ for Neckclothes, Cuffs, and Head-Dresses; besides the pretty Laces, whereof we see various sorts used about the Dead; and _Caduce_ of several Colours in imitation of _Ribbons_; also Hats, Stockings, and many such things are made of _Wool_ and other Mixtures, both worn at home and Exported abroad.

[Sidenote: Cotton Wool.]

The next Material for our Manufactures is _Cotton-Wool_, which is now become a great Imployment for the Poor, and so adds to the Wealth of the Nation; this being curiously pickt and spun makes _Dimities_, _Tapes_, _Stockings_, _Gloves_, besides several things wove fit for use, as _Petticoats_, _wastcoats_, and _Drawers_, of different Fancies and Stripes, and I doubt not our Workmen would exceed the _East Indies_ for _Calicoes_ had they Incouragment; with all which we supply Forreign Markets besides the Consumption at home.

[Sidenote: Hemp and Flax.]

_Hemp_ and _Flax_ are the Grounds for another Manufacture, for though Weaving of _Linnen_ is not so much used here as of _Woollen_, yet several _Counties_ are maintained thereby, who not only supply themselves, but furnish those Bordering on them with such Cloth as answers the ends of _French Linnens_, besides which great Quantities of _Ticking_ of all finenesses, _Incle_, _Tapes_, _Sacking_, _Girtwhip_, are daily made thereof, also _Cordage_, _Twine_, _Nets_, with multitudes of other Manufactures which Imploy the Poor, and bring by their Exports Profit to the Nation.

[Sidenote: Glass.]

_Glass_ is a Manufacture, lately fallen on here, and in a short time brought to a great Perfection, which keeps many at work, the _Materials_ whereof its made being generally our own and in themselves of small value costs the Nation little in Comparison of what it formerly did when fetcht from _Venice_; those noble _Plate Glases_ of all sizes both for Coaches and Houses are things of great Ornament, and much used, which also shew forth the _Genius_ of the _English_ People; and for common uses what various sorts of Utensils are made of Flint fit for all the occasions of a Family, which look as well as _Silver_, and 'twould be better for the Nation they were more used in its stead; besides the ordinary _Glass_ for Windows, and also _Glass Bottles_; all which find a greater expence both at home and abroad by their cheapness.

[Sidenote: Earthen Wares.]

And as for Earthen Ware, though the Progress we have made therein is not suitable to the other, yet it hath been such as may give us cause to hope that time and Industry will bring it to a perfection equal if not to exceed the _Dutch_.

[Sidenote: Silk.]

_Silk_ is another Material for a great Manufacture, which being brought from abroad Raw we here twist, dye, and weave into different goodness, both plain, stript, and flowered, either by it self, or mix'd with Gold and Silver, so richly brocadoed that we exceed those from whom at first we had the Art; besides great Quantities of _Ribbons_, _Silk Stockings_, and other things daily made not only to serve our selves but also to Export.

[Sidenote: Distilling.]

_Distilling_ is an _Art_ so exceedingly Improved in a few Years that had it not met with Discouraging _Laws_ 'twould by this time have attained to a great height; this brings great profit to the Nation, for next to that of making something out of nothing is the making somthing of what is worth nothing, therefore this Art ought to have been Handled very chearily, to have been trained up with a great deal of gentleness, and not loaden with _Taxes_ in its Infancy, like the _Hen_ in the _Fable_, we had not Patience to expect its Treasure as Time and Nature could produce it, but by our Avarice were like to discourage it in the beginning, however it hath still bore up under all the weight laid upon it. 'Twas a great mistake to appoint Measures by _Act of Parliament_ to the _Distillers_ in their workings, Mens knowledge increases by Observation, and this is the reason why one Age exceeds another in any sort of _Mistery_, because they improve the Notions of their Predecessors, therefore confining _Distilling_ only to Corn was an Error, 'tis true other things were allowed to be used, but on such Terms and Restrictions as were next to a Prohibition, had the makers of that _Law_ then Prohibited _Coffee_ and _Tea_ to be drank in _Publick_ _Houses_ it might more probably have answered their ends in advancing the price of _Barly_ by a greater consumption of _Ale_, and by degrees the _Distillers_ would have fallen on that Commodity themselves, using it with other mixtures, and thereby drawing from it a cleaner Spirit then it doth afford of it self, which they might in time have Rectified to such a fineness as to have increased very much its use. No Nation can give more incouragement to the Mistery of _Distilling_ then _England_, whose Plantations being many and well Peopled where those Spirits are so necessary and useful for the Inhabitants, and these depending wholly on us for all things, might have been supplied with them hence only, besides the great Quantities used in our Navigation, therefore a total Prohibition of their Importation from other Nations (who make them generally of such things which are else of little value) would be very convenient: We have many Materials of our own Product to work on, such as are _Melasses_, _Cyder_, _Perry_, Barly, &c. all which in time they would have used, for as the _Distillers_ found their sales increased they would have made new _Essays_: It was a great discouragement both to them, and also to the _Sugar Bakers_ and _Brewers_, to hinder Distilling on _Mellasses_, _Scum_, _Tilts_, and _Wash_, a fault the _Dutch_ nor no Trading Nation besides our selves would have been guilty of, and proceeded from ill Advice given that _Parliament_ by those who under pretence of advancing Corn designed to discourage _Distilling_, only took it by that handle they thought would be best received in the House, which being generally made up of _Gentlemen_ unskilful in Trade lookt no deeper into it than as it answered that plausible pretence; whereas were Trading _Cities_ and _Towns_ more careful in chusing Men well Verst in _Trade_ in 'twould be much better for the Nation: I cannot omit what a worthy _Member_ of the _House_ once told me in private Discourse, says he, I have always observed that when we have meddled with Trade we have left it worse than we found it, which proceeds from want of more Traders in the House, the places we depend on for them sending such Members as are able to give us but little Information, and so partial that we can take no true measures of them; The truth is great Cities are to blame in this, who ought to think none so fit to represent them in Parliament as those who have their Heads fill'd with good Notions of Trade, such who can speak well to it, and be heard when they speak; Trade and Land go Hand in Hand as to their Interest, if one flourish, so will the other, encourage _Distilling_, and it will spend Hundreds of things now thrown away.

[Sidenote: Sugar-baking.]

Refining of _Sugars_ hath given Employment to our People, and added to their value in Foreign Parts, where we found great Sales, till the _Dutch_ and _French_ beat us out, and this was much to be attributed to the Duty of Two Shillings and Four Pence _per Cent_ lately laid on _Muscovado_ Sugars, whereby they were wrought up abroad above Twelve _per Cent_ cheaper than at home, and though that Law is now expired, yet 'tis harder to regain a Trade when lost, than keep it when we have it.

[Sidenote: Tobacco.]

_Tobacco_ also hath employed our Poor by Cutting and Rowling it, both for a home Consumption, and also for Exportation, the latter we decay in every Year, but Methods may be offered in Parliament to render those two Manufactures of _Sugar_ and _Tobacco_ more advantageous to the Nation than ever hitherto they have been.

[Sidenote: Tanning.]

_Tanning_ of _Leather_ is an Employment which ought to be encouraged, as it furnishes us with a Commodity fit to be manufactured at home, and also to be transported into Foreign Countrys; I know the Exportation of _Leather_ hath been much opposed by the _Shooe-makers_ and others who cut it at home, and represented as attended with ill Consequences, one whereof is the making it dear here, but would it not be of much worse to confine and limit that Employment to an _Inland_ Expence, on the other side would it not naturally follow that when _Leather_ rises to a great Price the Exportation must cease because _Ireland_ would under-sell us, and would it not seem an unreasonable Discouragement to Trade if _Tobacco_, _Sugar_, and Woollen Manufactures were debarred from Exportation only because they should be sold cheaper here; for suppose the occasions of the Nation could not consume all the _Leather_ that is made, to what a low price must _Hides_ be reduced, for no other reason but that the _Shooemakers_ may get more by their _Shooes_? 'Tis true, if they could make out that those Countrys must then have their _Shooes_ from us who now have their _Leather_, I should be of their Minds, but it must needs have a quite contrary effect, especially whilst Ireland is able to supply them: This proceeds from a very narrow Spirit, and such as ought not to be encouraged in a Trading Nation; _Ireland_ hath already made great Progress in this Mistery, occasioned by our Imprudence, and should we give Encouragement to other Countrys we might too late repent it. A good Export for _Leather_ would cause a great Import of _Raw Hides_, which would be more Advantage to the Nation than if they were tann'd in _Ireland_, and sent abroad thence.

[Sidenote: Iron.]

Nor can I omit _Iron_, which is the great foundation of sundry Manufactures, not only used at home, but wherewith we supply our Plantations and other Places abroad, as _Howes_, _Bills_, _Axes_, _Cases_, _Locks_, _Nailes_, and a thousand such Necessaries, the Workmanship whereof adds much to their Value.

[Sidenote: Clockwork.]

There are many other things which may be and are daily improved amongst us; as _Clockwork_, wherein we sell nothing but Art and Labour, the Materials thereof being of small value; I have seen _Watches_ and _Clocks_ of great Prizes made for the Courts of Foreign Princes.

[Sidenote: Paper-Mills.] [Sidenote: Powder-Mills.] [Sidenote: Artificers.] [Sidenote: Methods to improve our Manufactures.]

_Paper-Mills_ are a Benefit to the Nation, as they make that Commodity from things of themselves worth little; so are are _Powder-Mills_; also Artificers, who bring advantage to the Nation by supplying it with things which must otherwise be had from abroad for its own use, as also with others proper to be sent thither for Sales, and when Exported are more or less profitable as the labour of the Subject adds to their value; In like manner things are cheaper to us when we pay only for the first Materials whereof they are made, the rest being work done at home is divided amongst our selves, so that on the whole it appears to be the great Interest of _England_ to advance its Manufactures, and this I humbly conceive may be done these several ways.

[Sidenote: By imploying the Poor.]

1. By providing Work-houses for the Poor, and making good Laws both to force and encourage them to work; but designing to speak larger to this before I close this Tract shall referr the Reader to it.

[Sidenote: By freeing the Manufactures from Customs.]

2. By discharging all Customs payable on them at their Exportation, and also on the Materials used in making them at their Importation; for as the one would encourage the Merchant to send more abroad, so the other would enable the Manufacturers to afford them cheaper at home, and 'tis strange that a Nation whose Wealth depends on Manufactures, and whose Interest it is to outdo all others (especially in the Woollen) by underselling them in Foreign Markets, should load either with Taxes.

[Sidenote: Logwood.] [Sidenote: Dying and dressing our Woollen Manufactures at home.]

Here I cannot but mention that of _Logwood_, a Commodity much used in _Dying_, which pays Five Pounds _per Tun_ Custom in, and draws back Three Pounds Fifteen Shillings when shipt out, by which means the _Dyers_ in _Holland_ use it so much cheaper than ours; now if it was Imported Custom Free, and paid Twenty five Shillings _per Tun_ at its Export, the _Dyers_ there would use it so much dearer than ours here, and I think it would be well worth Inquiry, whither a Prohibition either total or in part of Shipping out our Manufactures thither and to the Northern Kingdoms undyed or undrest might not be made, I am sure it would be of great Advantage to this Kingdom if it might be done without running into greater Inconveniencies, which for my part I do not foresee, the _Dutch_ discourage their being brought in dyed or drest, that they may thereby give Employments to their own People, and increase their Navigation by the consumption of great quantities of Dye-stuff, and the same reasons should prevail with us to dye and dress them here, But this deserves the consideration of a Committee of Parliament to hear what may be said both for and against it.

[Sidenote: By not importing things manufactur'd.]

3. By discouraging the Importation of Commodities already manufactured either from our own Plantations or other Places, such as clay'd and refined _Sugars_, wrought _Silks_, _Calicoes_, _Brandy_, _Glass_, _Earthen Ware_, _Irish Frizes_, _Tann'd Leather_, _Gloves_, _Lace_, &c. and instead thereof we should encourage bringing in the Materials whereof they are made, to be wrought up here; this may be done by Laws, and also by being in love with our Home Manufactures, and bringing their Wearing into Fashion.

[Sidenote: By freeing the Manufactures from Excises.]

4. By freeing the Manufactures from burthensome Excises, which do much discourage small Stocks, who are not able to carry on their Trades and make Provision for such great Payments; the _Distillers_ have long groaned under them, and I fear the _Glass-makers_ now will, especially those in and about _London_, who have another load by the Duty of Coals, besides the Swarms of Officers to which we lay open the Houses of those Men who deserve all the Encouragement we can give them, and ought to have things made as easie to them as may be; had the like Methods been used to our Wollen and Leather (as was intended) we might have repented it at Leisure; Taxes when laid on our Manufactures ought to be raised by such easie Methods as shall give least trouble to the Makers: Trade ought to be handled gently, and he that considers the Expences of this Nation at Five Pounds _per Head_ comes to Forty Millions, and the Lands of _England_ but to Twelve, will imagine easie Methods may be found out to raise a greater Tax annually then we pay, without loading either Land or Trade as now we do, a Scheme whereof may be easily drawn up.

[Sidenote: By not exporting Materials till Manufactured.]

5. By prohibiting as much as may be the Exportation of things to the Plantations fit to be manufactured there till they are first done here, thus 'tvvas better _Shooes_ vvere Transported to the Plantations than _Leather_, so things made of _Iron_, than _Iron_ it self, this vvould employ our People, and add to the value of vvhat vve ship out.

[Sidenote: By securing the Foreign Trade.] [Sidenote: Counrts of Merchants.]

6. By defending the Merchants in their Trades who export the Manufactures, and making it as easie to them as may be; To this end good Conveys should be allowed, and good Cruisers maintain'd to preserve their Ships, it being certain that what-ever is diminish'd out of the Merchants Stock doth so far disable him in Trade, and then consequently lessen his Exports and Imports; _Courts_ of _Merchants_ should be also erected for the speedy deciding all differences relating to Sea Affairs, which are better ended by those who understand them, than they are in _Westminster-Hall_, where all things are tried by the Nice Rules of Law, to whom after much Attendance and Expence they are often referred by the Judges, by this means they would see short ends to their differences, and not be detained at home to attend long Issues; but there can be no general Rules given for these _Courts_, which must be settled according as they best suit the convenience of every Trading City.