Selected quad for the lemma: book_n
Text snippets containing the quad
|
ID |
Title |
Author |
Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
STC |
Words |
Pages |
|
B02610
|
The case of several thousands concerned and employed about the importation and working of iron wire
|
|
1689
(1689)
|
Wing C987; ESTC R170978
|
1,975
|
1
|
THE CASE Of Several Thousands Concerned and employed in and about the Importation and Working of IRON WIRE BY the Statute of 3 Edw. 4 Cap. 4. Amongst divers other things the Importation and Vending of foreign White Iron Thread commonly called White-Wire is prohibited under the Forfeiture thereof And by the Statute 1 Rich. 3. Cap. 12. the Importation of all Iron-Wire by Aliens is prohibited under the like Penalty There are and always have been several sorts of foreign Iron-Wire known by several distinct Names which are not Card-Wire nor called White-Wire which in all times ever since the Statute of 3 Edw. 4. have been imported by Denizens and paid the Duties required by Law and was never looked upon to be prohibited by the said Statute as Card-Wire and sorts finer were The several sorts of Iron-Wire which were larger than Card-Wire being always imported without Restraint a further Duty therefore was laid upon the same as appears by the Book of Rates 12 Car. 2. and the old Duty of 5 s. per c. weight was advanced to 7 s. 6 d. The Parliament taking notice that notwithstanding the said Statute 3 Edw. 4. great Quantities of Card-Wire was imported to the prejudice of the Woolen Manufacture did by an Act made the 14th Car. 2. Cap. 19. restrain the importation of any foreign Wool Cards or foreign Card-Wire or Wire for making Cards Nevertheless the Importation of all other foreign Wire by Denizens was allowed and practised as appears by the Custom-House-Books till about Twelve years since one Conen a Dutch-man but naturalized importing some sort of Iron-Wire larger than Card-Wire under the supposition that it was imported by an Alien it was seized after the Duty paid and under Colour of a Verdict upon the said Seizure no foreign Wire hath been suffered to be imported to the great impoverishment and almost ruine of many Families the then Prosecutor pretending to furnish the Traders concerned therein with sufficient Iron-Wire of his own Manufacture which he has in no sort performed Therefore the Traders and Dealers in Iron-Wire do humbly offer the Reasons following for the Importation of all Wire except Card-Wire or Wire of a lesser size 1. Because many necessary Trades and Manufactures cannot be carried on or supported without the Foreign Wire the English Wire being of a soft hollow nature and apt to cleave is not so serviceable as the Foreign Wire the Traders who are chiefly concerned herein being Tin-Plate-workers Wire-drawers Hetchel-makers for dressing Hemp and Flax Skreen makers for Corn Braziers Wire-workers Hook and Eye-makers Ship-Lanthorn-makers Box-makers Tobacco-Pipe-makers and many others 2. Because they have not nor indeed cannot be in any measure supplied with English Wire sufficient for the several Artificers concerned therein 3. Because as the English Wire is not so good nor fit for many Uses so it is far dearer the Foreign Wire called Fine being to be afforded at 4 s. notwithstanding it pays a fourth peny Custom when for the English is exacted 6 s. 8 d. for the like Size and Quantity Besides those Persons in whose hands the sole making of all English Wire remains taking the advantage of the great necessities the poor Handicrafts are in at this time for want of Wire have within these few days advanced their English Wire 5 l. per Cent. 4. Because if this Prohibition be continued their Majesties will greatly lose in their Customs the Duty upon Foreign Wire having formerly yielded about 5000 l. per annum Custom when the Duty was but at 7 s. 6 d. per Cent. weight I. But it may be Objected How has this Nation been supplied since the late Verdict Resp 1. Very great quantities were clandestinely imported much of which was seized and condemned in the Exchequer and sold publickly as may appear by the Custom-House-Officers 2. Great quantities were imported under the Denomination of Steel-Wire and paid the Duty as such but these private Practices being supprest it is now fully evident that the Iron-Wire made in England is not sufficient to supply the Markets II. It may be Objected That a large Imposition will encourage clandestine Importations Resp The height of the Price of the English Iron Wire above the Foreign Wire and that being under a Prohibition and not a sufficient Quantity of the English Wire being made will doubtless more encourage and almost necessitate Clandestine Importations III. It may be Objected That if this sort of Wire be permitted to be imported it will ruine very many Families who are solely employ'd in the making of Wire here in England Resp 1. There are but about an hundred Persons in England that are employ'd therein who nevertheless cannot want Work though this Permission be granted 2. Whereas there are now employ'd not above 100 Men in manufacturing the rough English Wire it being made by Water Engines there are at least an hundred times the Number employed in drawing Card-Wire by hand and other necessary Uses of Iron-Wire who will equally be employ'd by the foreign rough Iron-Wire as by the English IV. It may be Objected That it will extremely lower the Price of our English Wire to the great disencouragement of the Dealers therein Resp If a Duty of 15 s. per cent or more be imposed upon it as generally all dealers in Wire would be very well contented with rather than be without it it will keep up the Price of English Wire and thereby gratifie the Dealers therein As also be a great Accommodation to all the Manufactors and Traders in that Comodity Besides that it will advance their Majesties Customs at least 10 or 12000 l. per Annum Wherefore 't is most humbly hoped that this Honourable House will be pleased to explain the said Statute of the 3 d of Edw. 4. according to the constant Vsage whereby the Workers in Iron-Wire may be capable to follow their several Callings