the dying Trade of this Nation is that all Jews lately crept into this Nation and its Donminions be extirpated and banished according to the ancient Laws and Statutes made from time to time to that purpose it being the Jews whole design where ever they are admitted by degrees for to disperse themselves into all parts of the Nation where trade is that they may thereby the better ingross the same into their own hands Their next course being the farming of the Customs and Publick Duties gathered in those places where they be admitted whereby becoming both masters of the money and the trade they may the better oppress all boâ—h rich and poor sucking the very blood of the people like Horse-leaches out of their veins and lacking their estates with griping usury it being observable whereever they have had any time to settle themselves among a people they have been the destruction of that Nation and People both in their Trade and Estates which this Nation of ours in former dayes hath sufficiently experienced As whoever please but to peruse that worthy Piece of Mr. Prynne against the admission of Jews in England may easily be satisfied what a generation of People they be And if by our own lamentable experience we cannot be sufficiently warned of them let Spain Portugal Italy the East and West Indies where they are so numerous at this present be examples unto us there having never any Tax been laid in those parts but Jews are still the Farmers thereof There hath never been any false money coyned or introduced but Jews are the fomenters and contrivers thereof No false barrs of silver made in the Indies but the Jews have been the Actors therein And notwithstanding those exemplary punishments which from time to time hath been inflicted on them sometimes to the cutting off their whole Posterities that others might thereby be terrified yet for all those heavy punishments they will not leave their villany being a stift-necked People and so continue to this day without remorse or any amendment And if you will look a little nigher into the present time with us observe but since O. C. the late Protector seemingly gave them a hope to have admission in this Nation and that upon the suggestion of some that by their tradings among us they would advance the Revenue one hundred thousand pounds per annum how have they increased coming from all parts to us and not only here in England but into all our American Plantations as Barbadoes St. Cists Mevis seranam where by their slaves whom they use like Horses carry on their backs up and down into every corner of those Plantations all sorts of Commodities ingrossing thereby the whole Trade filling them with false monies and merchandise and if report be true were the Authors of that first great fire in Barbadoes wherein so many suffered the losse of their Estates to their ruine and really conceived was done by the Jews malitiously but those that give the best construction thereof say it happened by their coyning of false pieces of eight to deceive the Inhabitants the fire beginning at a Jews house it being a Maxim held by that People not to value their own losse so thereby they can destroy Christians being such haters of Christianity that seldom or never do you see any of them to become Christians and when any occasionally do pretend to be Christians it s either for fear of some extraordinary punishment likely to fall upon them which they may have deserved or else to secure and save their Estates from confiscations which Mr. Prynne very fully by many examples in his book before recited hath made appear And in regard it s somewhat pertinent to the present purposes I shall by one example in these our dayes apparent in the eyes of the whole Commerce and worth observation whereby those who think these people a harmlesse generation of men and to be admitted among us in hopes of their conversions may be undeceived and satisfied it hath not been without cause that former ages have made such strict Laws against them it being to be feared considering the fantastical opinions and heresies now reigning in this Nation instead of our converting them to Christianity they rather may pervert and turn us to Iudaism for who have you seen of these Jews lately admitted into England that hath publikely been baptized acknowledging the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus-Christ In contra I pray see Antonio Fernandes Caravahal what he hath done after twenty years living in England enjoying all privileges and quietnesse among us received as a Citizen in this City of London tradâ—ng freely without the least molestation having for about sixteen years of that time professed himself a Roman Catholick Answered at the Font for many Christian Children baptised at the Spanish Embassadors house nay hath there also baptised divers of his own publikely though it seems neverthelesse he circumcised them the eighth day privately proclaiming himself a Christian and yet a Jew in heart waiting only a fit time to discover it which he did as soon as there was a seeming consent of their admission as is before declared by the late O. P. And this Fernandes Caravahal hath notably abused this Nation for when the Hambrough Silver ships were taken many Jews subject to the Hollander had their Estates owned by him as Portugal Spaniards but when we fell out with Portugal then he was a Spaniard when the War began with Spain then he was neither Spaniard Portugal French nor Dutch Italian nor Turk but an Hebrew a plain down-right Jew acknowledging he never was or would be a Christian taking upon him the outward profession of Christianity only for safety which now he needed no longer to make use of being he could live in England a professed Jew and receive more respect with O. P. or his Council in all businesses either for himself or his Tribe than any Christian could have whatsoever Is not this then evidence enough to shew what these Jews be and would it not be an extream peece of Iustice in this Nation and a great service to God for to punish this Fernandes for his Hypocrisie and to banish both him and all his Tribe out of the Nation whereby to prevent farther mischief that others might through the terror thereof be warned from doing the like for the future confiscation of his Estate being too small a punishment for his offence And for a further experience of these Jews ingrossing the trade of this Nation to its ruine let the Canary Merchants be called to testifie who it is but the Jews that have spoiled that trade and brought us to pay twenty pounds a pipe for Canary wines in ready mony silver scarce being liked or able to purchase them at that rate but it must be Spanish pistols when as heretofore
in place that hath authority to make them give satisfaction and to take cognisance of what they make us to suffer As touching the maintainance of the Consul and his charges to have a Duty laid of half or of one per cent upon the Merchandise introduced by the Nation in that place of his Residence and when setled not to be turned out unlesse to some better imployment or that he himself shall desire to be discharged or else on very just grounds of misdemeanors As for the assistants they to be every two or three years chosen or as need require who are to serve Gratis If any in any factory shall dye and leave no Will or appointment to any to have his Estate and hath neither disposed thereof in his life-time nor any friends to give it unto then in such case after all care is taken to make the best thereof and charges deducted the one half thereof to be imployed for the redemption of Captives and conveying Orphans and poor people to our American plantations the other half to the Publike treasury of the Nation The tenth means for incouragement and ease of the trade of this Nation is That in making peace and setling our trade and Commerce with any forein Prince or Sâ—ate the following particulars to be observed 1. That all privileges that our Nation ever had any ways advantageous to our being among them and our trade with them may be confirmed and what more may or can be got for our more free living whilst our trade is there 2. That such Consuls as we shall think meet to settle in any of our factories may be of our own Nation and choice and so confirmed by the Government of the Country where setled which in Spain to the dishonour of our Nation hath been denyed us and such put upon us neither fit nor meet and yet their consulidge hath been extorted from us very unjustly to our great prejudice which is not fit to be permitted again upon any settlement of peace with that Nation 3. That our Nation may have freedome to excercise their own Religion in any factory where ever they reside in their own houses or families not giving any publike scandal to those of a contrary judgement in whose Country we shall reside 4. That in all factories which we shall settle in other Princes or states territories we may have assigned to us places of burial where we may bury our dead without giving offence to the people in whose Dominions we live and may not be of our Religion it having been done in Spain that after some of the English have been buried their bodies have been taken up by boys and lewd people and dragged up and down the City in scorn and for a reproach to the great scandal of our Nation and discouragement of those that are ingaged to live in places where such barbarism is used 5. That in what Princes Dominions soever our factories be setled all arrests that shall be put upon our Merchants ships either in hindering them when loading or unloading or from sailing away when ready what ever damages shall thereby accrew to the owners of such ships or Merchants loading or imploying them to be made them good by the said Prince or State where it happens many Merchants of this Nation knowing it to their cost that by such abuses voyages have been overthrown and many men and their ships ruinated and lost which discouragement is so great that if not remedyed will undoubtedly grow worse and worse 6. That no Prince or State with whom our Nation trades shall have liberty to take into their service upon any pretence whatever any of our ships or Seamen without the absolute consent of the Commander of such ships and Seamen and Merchants by whom she is imployed 7. That in all places and Princes Dominions where the factories of our Nation shall reside it be not permitted for the Officers of that Kingdome or State to take any of our Merchandise or goods without the consent of the owner of them and what they shall by consent have to give immediate satisfaction for the same as the price current of such goods at the time of their receiving shall upon the place rule and be sold for 8. That care be had in every Country that as the customs and ways of negotiation be different one from the other so accordingly provision may be made with them in the setling our trade in those parts that all inconveniencies incident to men residing among them may be avoyded and all conveniencies needful obtained whereby every one may be incouraged for to carry on the trade of this Nation of England and its Dominions with spirit and vigour to the advantage of the General and to that purpose in making Peace and setling Commerce anywhere that those be consulted with that have lived traded and travailed into such places that can inform what may be needful in order thereunto The eleventh means to ease and incourage the trade and Commerce of England is That there might be a Court Merchant established in this Nation wherein all forein transactions between Merchants and their Factors may be tried and determined among themselves for that the Commerce is founded and setled upon sundry Laws and Customs which have been observed and practiced among Forein Nations from whence trade originally hath been derived to us which Customs and Rules in many things are repugnant to the Common Law of this Nation and cannot be decided thereby And there is no Court capable to determine Merchants differences in this Nation but the Chancery and in that very Court when accompts are therein brought of Forein negotiations the Coyns measures weights Customs bargans and sales of those Countries are so different from ours that none of the Lawyers which are to plead the Merchants Causes or the Judges that are to hear and Judge of what is pleaded do understand any thing thereof and so are uncapable to determine them and through the intricacy of Merchants accompts there is in that Court of Chancery such delatory proceedings and so many strange and corrupted ways to stave off all sutes of that nature especially where dishonesty is one of the parties that before any determination can be made therein most men by their vast expenses are undone and yet can have no end of their sutes but at last must come to be ended by Merchants or else the Merchants must make report therein and state how they find the difference for the Court to determine which duly considered is a sore aggrievance to this Nations trade and its traders who groan under the burden thereof desiring and praying to be relieved therein The twelfth means to ease and incourage the trade and Commerce of England is That order may be taken for the regulating of these three following agrievancies and inconveniencies that lie upon all men in generally but more especially on forein traders who are great sufferers thereby 1. That
it be not permitted for any man upon any debt due to him from another to enter any Action against or to arrest the said party indebted for a greater Sum than is justly due unto him for hereby many out of malice meerly to destroy one another will lay on them such large Actions only that they may not get bail but lye in prison and through the noise thereof be the means of their ruine as it hath been of many an honest man who having lost his reputation by lying in prison hath utterly been undone 2. That the intollerable and inhumane proceedings of Bayliffs and Searjeants may be taken off from the Nation they being a Generation of men made purposely to torment both the bodies and purses of poor men their bodies by abusing astronting halling and dragging them though of never so much respect if they get men into their power and will not conform to their exorbitant expences and humors and then their purses when they meet with any honest man that not knowing their power for quietnesse sake is willing to submit to their villany to be cheated and cousened by them by false pretences of keeping them out of prison in their own houses and using so many tricks to catch them by the mony as it would spend too much time to discover them especially being by all persons for the most part so well known they never arresting any man but will be paid twice for doing it of him that set them a work and of the poor man whom they catch to the great agrievance of the whole Nation but especially of the Commerce For remedy whereof because many will say how shall people get in their debts of divers that without such courses will not pay any thing they owe to one another Let the antient way used in this Nation of Summons issue out against the party indebted to appear at the Court appointed for such causes and in case at the third Summons being left duely at his place of habitation with his servant or with the party where he may lodge or dwell he shall not appear at the Court to answer what is demanded of him that judgement immediately to passe against him and his Estate and execution to follow the same within certain days after whereby the party to whom the Defendant is indebted may have satisfaction but in case it shall appear that this person so condemned have not directly nor indirectly wherewith to satisfie what he ows his body not to remain in prison yet if it shall appear that by loose livings or riotous expenses he have wasted the Estate he bad and of other men then to be condemned to a house of Correction there for to work till he hath paid the uttermost farthing to his Creditors or till they shall approve and give consent for his releasement but if it may appear that his Estate hath been lost by other mens failing with him or by accident of Fire losses at Sea no such mans body to be kept in prison but to be set at liberty immediately it being an inhumane and unchristian-like thing and against nature to debarre any of their liberty when afflictions have fallen upon them by the hand of God and this is a very sote aggrievance in this Nation 3. That when it shall happen for any man to fail in his credit and so break as the phrase is and shall call his Creditors together acquainting them with his condition the major part of whom being contented to compound their debts with the party failed and to free him out of prison that he may regain his lost condition and live in the world the rest to be ingaged to under Write as the major part have done that every one may have their proportion as the agreement shall be made and not for the wilfulnesse of one or two whose perverse harsh and malicious spirits often times interposing the finishing such aggreement doe not only ruinate the Estate that would fully satisfie every one his just debt but likewise hindering the party failed from having liberty to use his indeavours to get in the Estate by casting him in prison whereby all become sufferers experience dayly shewing that by these perverse wayes good Estates have been brought to nothing and when the Creditors mought a had 10 s. and 15 s. in the pound they have not had one farthing for when a Statute of Bankrupt is taken out it likely eats up the whole Estate and the parties failing not only perishing in prison but thereby others are drawn into the same misery which aggrievance is considerable and merits redresse in a trading Nation other Countries as Spain and Italy having wisely for the upholding of Commerce made provision herein that by the wilfulnesse of a few perverse men the rest shall not be sufferers but are to joyn with the major part and in case any break out of knavery and that within three months after hath bought any goods he is to be proceeded against criminally as a Felon and to suffer death being counted worse to break premeditaly than the robbing on the high ways The thirteenth means for the incouragement and ease of trade in thir Nation is That the two abuses following may be remedyed for the future and no more practiced in this Nation of England and its Dominions being of great consequence in trade 1. That these Statutes of Bankrupt which are now so intreaged with corruption and deviated from the original cause of them may be brought to a rule of justnesse and righteousnesse and that when a man is broken it be not permitted that any person having dealt with him before and paid him mony or evened accompts with him should be called upon to repay again what they had justly paid or accompted for it being brought to this Custom that if a man brake and his accompts not finished what shall be owing to the party broke must go to the general payments of his debts and what he owes in contra to the other is to be included with the rest of the other Creditors and so he to have but his proportion as the rest have which things and Course is so unjust that among Christians it ought not to be suffered But for the future remedied accounts being made up between the party broke and his Debtor only the liquidated sum due upon ballance of such Accounts to be the Debt for which satisfaction is to be given or received for hereby great abuses are dayly in these causes put upon men of the commerce in this Nation divers have been made Banqueropts many years after dead and others that have evened Accounts mouths and years before men do break questioned to the disturbance and vexation of honest men which ought not to be suftered longer to indure in a Nation professing Christianity and so much Saint-ship as we do in England But if any man break nothing to be called to account but from the time of his failing
TRADE REVIVED Or a Way Proposed To Restore Increase Inrich Strengthen and Preserve the Decayed and even Dying Trade of this our English Nation in its Manufactories Coin Shiping and Revenue Whereby TAXES may be lessened if not totally taken away to the great content of the PEOPLE As also a way shewed how the Duty of Excise may be regulated for the ease and incouragement of this Nations Commerce both for the outward exportation and inward consumption of all sorts of commodities AND LIKEWISE Certain ways propounded for the raising of considerable sums of money to maintain the charges of the Goverment without prejudice of the people as also for the payment of all the Souldiers just Arrears and the Peoples just Publique Faith Debts Set forth by a Wel-wisher to the Nation and its Prosperity And for to incourage other men who by their greater knowledge and longer experience may undoubtedly be hereby ingaged to put hereto their helping hand for the perfecting this work so much desired by all ingenuous publike spirited men LONDON Printed for Thomas Holmwood for the use of the People of England and its Dominions in the year of our Lord 1659. Epistle Dedicatory To all such and only to such as do really desire the prosperity of this Nation and its Commerce Most worthy of all honour THis discourse is not published in expectation of reward or applause from any But meerly to stirr up those Grandees which sit at the Helm of Goverment to consider of such means as may settle the Trade of this Nation upon a sure and lasting foundation And if by the ensuing Proposals exhibited to the view both of those in Authority and others in the way to inform them there is any thing Considerable declared or worthy observation which may help thereunto it is all that the Author of them desires And when what herein is set forth and written shall not doe the work so it may incite others endued with a greater Tallent of knowledge to Refine these proposals and to advise exacter wayes for the accomplishment of that good which here is intended to the Nation and it s even dying Trade the Proposer of these hath his end and as a well-wisher to the publick peace and prosperity of this Nation of England and its Domnions intreats and begs all persons interessed therein both in authority or out of authority to do their duties that God may blesse us in our endeavours and desires and that we may see settled the Trade and Commerce of this Nation upon such a glorious and sure foundation that it may florish and encrease so long as this Nation of England shall endure never more to be undermined or overthrown by any pollicy or State whatsoever To the judicious Reader I shall not need to commend to you the Reading of this little tract the Subject Matter and Variety expressed in the Title will undoubtedly engage you to it which will not prove a painted Sepulcher for I am sure you will not think your pains ill bestowed after you have perused the same through The sheets are but few in number yet full of many excellent observations of much value which only a publick spirit experienced in forain Countryes and Negotiations could or would have published and will be of great consequence in this juncture of the even dying Trade of this Nation through the present pressures which by Wars and other inconveniences we lye under That they ought seriously to be considered of by all persons endeavouring the weal of England and its Dominions But more especially by those that are at the Helm of Government and so therby in a capacity to establish them for the good of the concerned who are no more nor less than the whole body of this Nation both publick and private First to the publick in reference to the supreme Power and its maintenance Secondly to every particular person in reference to their Trade one with an other And although I was by Mr. John Bland Merchant who was the Author of these Proposals injoyned at the Printing them to silence his name and have accordingly deliverd sundry Books to divers worthy Persons under a Nonemus I have conceived it just and indeed my duty to correct the error I then committed First in regard of the publick it not being meet a person whose knowledge and experience may be so usefull in these times should be obscured when as by his advice and information so great advantages may be made for the common good Next to prevent all others from making this work theirs and challenging to themselves what they never deserved or could have attained unto but by his ingenious pen Lastly that the Author may have that esteem as is justly to him due for his great pains in setting sâ—â—h a Pattern and and laying so infalliable a foundation wherupon Englands dying Trade and Commerse may be reedified and built which if set up according to the rules prescribed asuredly will make this Nation and People both rich and happy in their Trade as well abroad as at home And if by devulging to the world the Author of this work contrary to his especial command and will I shall by him be blamed I hope those that receive the advantage and are pleased therwith will joyn with me to beg his pardon who am Your very humble Servant Thomas Holmwood A Proposal to Restore Trade OR A way Proposed for the Restoring Increasing and Preserving the decayed Trade of this Nation of England and its Dominions Stated under several heads and Presented to the consideration of all Persons in Authority and Power who are or may be capable to Re-establish the same by one who desireth the Advancement and Prosperity of this Nation in its Shipping Manufactorie Comerce and Revenew THis Discourse is not intended to be enlarged to shew or set forth the decay of Trade which the Nation at this present lyes under both in respect of the Persons Trading as also in the Manufactory of the Nation in which they traded because it is obvious to every Eye and may be pointed at by every person that hath but a very ordinary infight into the negotiations of the Nation at this time especially taking into consideration these few following particulars First the lowness of the Customs which in the years past 1641. and 42. mounted to and at this present yeeld not throughout the Nation above Secondly the multitude of ships that have been taken from us lately both full and empty not lesse by computation than 1200 sayl some say 1500. valued when least in a million of mony Thirdly the weaknesse of mens Estates that are forein traders occasioned by their late vast losses at Sea and seisures abroad as also through the continued war and piracies whereby they are hindered in the management of their trades Fourthly the false making of our English Commodities contrary to the old Rule Standard which hath brought them into such dis-repute abroad that they
be even out of use and utterly rejected Fifthly the abolishing of Corporations and companies whereby the Comerce is left without support and open to all people whose ignorance and want of experience hath not only suffered our native Commodities to lose their valew abroad but at home pulling up thereby the foundation of all Comerce which the most forwardest in this work heretofore do now see their error and by their own losses find how destructive it is to destroy Government in the least of things and what advantage arises by Vnion in Society and Rule to walk by for this very thing hath so ruinated the Comerce of this Nation that it 's even past cure unlesse some very speedy remedy be applyed thereunto Sixthly the admission of Jews among us a race of people that are the very bane of all trade wheresoever they come and the Horseleeches of every Commonwealth State and Kingdome as it is very evident to all if observation be but taken of those lately crept into this Nation and its Dominions having ingrossed into their hands the quintessence of our trade with all other people and Nations and not only so but in our own American plantations of Barbados Seranam and other parts to the great detriment of both trader and planter filling all parts wheresoever they arive or be admitted with false Mony and Commodities Vsury and such like which practice is so inherent to that people as they count all Christians strangers although by them they be suâ—â—ered to live as Jews never so quietly among them Thus having briefly set down some of the most important Causes of our Nations decay of trade although there be many of smaller account destructive enough that might have been added I shall paâ—â—e them by in this place and proceed with submission to the more experienced Judgements to shew the way and means which undoubtedly if put in practice in a very short time will not only restore the trade of this Nation to its former splendor and magnitude but increase the same as likewise its shipping to the great incouragement of the traders and advancement of the publique Revenew whereby the honor and glory of this Nation may be the better maintained which is the end and scope for which this Remonstrance is set forth In order to which for the Restoring Increasing the present decayed trade of this Nation its Shipping and Revenew It is meet that a general peace be sought and established with our Neighbours and forein Princes and likewise at home amongst our selves without which trade and ingenious Arts seldome or never flourish Wars and Insurrections being inconsistent to Comerce for where fears and jealousies are raised by Armed Troops amidst a people all men of such professions are dis-heartned Seeing then that it is Peace which produceth and is the Mother of all Comerce Trade and ingenious Arts and being produced nourisheth and sustaineth them Let us see what Issue is to be desired from this noble Stock which may successively maintain the honour of the Progenitor and raise themselves by Industry unto a glorious height of Renown The Productions that are to be here desired are only two The first-born to have a perfectnesse in its Members and Body with Vnity of Spirit not an Hermophrodite a Monster in nature and the defect of Generation Which by way of Comparison I mean that all Trades should center in Companies and Corporations the only Foundation and Pillar upon which a lasting Monument of Trade and Manufactories is to be built and preserved for although Corporations and Companies consist of many Members they are but one Body united and so consequently being thus compact of one Intire Spirit The Advantage arising upon the Settlement of the Comerce of this Nation by Companies and Corporations will be these following First Where many are joyned in a Company to consult and carry on a Trade it 's ever more judicially mannaged both for Profit and Safety than its possible for a particular man to do Secondly By a Company Trade both abroad and at home may be better Regulated as to the season for exporting goods vendible in Forein parts and keeping up their valew and then in making Provisions for Returns Thirdly By Corporations our native Commodities may be kept true according to their Standard and Rule for Waight Measure and Breadth and all falsifyings of them prevented Fourthly Where Companies and Corporations are established Brethren of such Societies are known to each other and as Pillars of the Comerce upon any suddain or immergent necessity of the Nation they will be able among themselves for supply of the Publick to raise considerable sums of mony very easily without trouble or perplexity untill the Incomes of the Nation repay the same Fifthly By Companies many excellent discoveries and Trades have been found out and setled and more likely to be if incouraged to the great increase of our Navigation Shipping and Sea-men as also of Comerce by finding vent for our Manufactories and introducing others among us unknown which particular men as unable either for parts or estates or both can never bring to passe Sixtly Having Companies and Corporations there will be a means and that of great use for the incouragement of many gallant ingenious men by placing them for Heads Governours of the said Companies and Corporations as meriting the same for their industry and knowledge and so more inabled for the management of forein affairs whereby the Publick may be by them the better served and they rewarded and supported in honour when ever they shall be called to these trusts Having thus brought the first born to its full growth and setled him in his proper sphere with such qualifications as are meet for the support of his Dignity I come in the next place to shew you what the second born should be not twins who are seldome long liv'd but of a single body that having the more nourishment it may obtain thereby the greater strength and courage to support and maintain the glory of its birth and succession By which birth I understand I would not that any person in this Nation should be permitted to use two Trades but to apply himself to one only That is no forein Trader as a Merchant to be a retailing Shop-keeper at home nor no Ingrosser or retayling Shop-keeper at home admitted to be a Trader as a Merchant beyond the Seas but each to keep to their Trade and Calling and if they will not whoever will from a Shop-keeper turn Merchant let him but then to be prohibited from keeping a retailing Trade in a Shop the like if a Merchant trading beyond Seas will set up a shop let him then be prohibited from trading as a Merchant beyond Seas There is nothing so mischievous or pernicious to the Comerce of a setled Nation and its Revenue than this is 1.
To particular men of all Professions who are undone 2. To the general Comercer hereby suffering 3. To the Publick Revenew which is extreamly impoverished The Reasons why it is so Dammageable follow I an ingrossing Shop-keeper or Retaylor bred being permitted to trade as a Merchant into Forein parts keeping still his shop hath the same advantage in buying his goods at home and abroad as the Trading Merchants if not more for oftentimes it happens that what he sells to Merchants of his own fabrick he exports the like buying oft of a Merchant what he vends in his own shop and imports and by his thus knowing the Cost of what is imported or exported beats down both abroad and at home the price of goods that he may have the greater vent by himself which Ruinates the Forein trading Merchant 1. Because the Merchant knows not how to disperse his Commodities to Chapmen as the Shop-keeper doth being it is his course of Trade to retail 2. Because the Merchant hath no body to sell his Goods and Merchandise unto but to the Shop-keepers at home that hath not stock as others to trade with 3. Because a Merchant cannot sell his goods so cheap as the Shop-keeper trading can who if he gets only what he used to do by retailing is to him sufficient who selling to Chapmen goods at the same Rate he should have given the Merchant himself did he not trade beyond Seas doth extreamly prejudice the Comerce 4ly The Forein Trading Shop-keepers Ruinates those of his own Profession that have not stock to trade with Beyond Sea nor no other subsistence but his Credit to be trusted by the Merchant 1. Because he can afford his goods cheaper than any of his own Profession that trade not to all sorts of Chapmen buying them at first hand abroad 2. Because he that hath not stock to trade he must repair to the Merchant to supply himself upon his Credit and so consequently must allow the Merchant such a price as that the Merchant may live thereby who cannot sell his goods to loss unlesse to his Ruine 3. By Reason that the retailing Shop-keepers trade beyond Sea he of his own Profession that cannot must sit still and buy no goods of the Merchant because he cannot afford them so cheap to Customers as he that trades and then the Merchant must keep his goods unsold wanting persons to take them off by reason the trading Retaylor doth supply every person it being the general course of all people to go where what they want may be had cheapest and who can afford them cheaper than the Retaylor that brings them from beyond Seas which really considered it will most evidently appear this is extream destructive to all Traders in this Nation II. The second Reason being in reference to the sufferance of the Comerce which is Ruinated by the trading Shop-keepers 1. Because they to supply their Retaylings and shop Customers hasten their returns by ordering the selling their goods which they export at under rates abroad 2. Because that they may have a constant supply of goods for their shops export our native Commodities preposterously and unseasonably which hath those inconveniencies 1. It heightens the prices of goods at home more than is meet 2. It lessens the valew abroad more being introduced by them into Forein Markets than the place will Vend And in contra it makes Forein Commodities dear abroad and cheap at home which most certainly must needs take Merchants from their Callings to their Ruine and those of their own Callings also that have not ability to trade abroad and by these persons want of experience Forein Nations make their advantage of us to the overthrow of the whole Comerce of this Nation III. The third Reason sheweth what disadvantage the trading Shop-keepers bringeth to the Publick Revenew of the Nation both in its Custome and Excise to the Customs which thereby are lessened First By the Cloying Forein parts at undue seasons with our goods and so hindering Merchants whose experience guides them to observe time to withold their Trade or carry it on as is meet Second By beating down the prices of all Forein Commodities here at home which doth discourage the Merchant from trading which is in the third Article foregoing in particular expressed Thirdly By their disturbing Merchants in their tradings by their unexperienced intrusions ingaging them to leave off their Trade whereby the exportation and importation of this Nation is lessened which consequently must needs lessen the Income of the Custome To the Duety of Excise which thereby is not only lessened but defrauded 1. Because the trading Shop-keeper keeps all Commodities low by underselling the Merchant and those of his own Profession that Trade not or hindering them from selling at all whereby the Excise is not gathered in or paid as otherwise it would be both in reference to the prices of goods sold as also the great vent there would be by the Merchant 2. Because the trading Shop-keeper having entred a parcell of goods in the Custome House for which he pays Custom and Excise brings in ten parcels of the same and pays neither the one Daety nor the other And who can call him to account for the same being Retayled in his Shop under colour of those first brought in by him which if he traded not beyond Seas what were and would be bought of the Merchant the Excise could not be defrauded but constantly have its due Thus having by the foregoing particulars made it apparent what dammages this Nation suffers by the trading Shopkeepers as to particular persons the general Comerce and Publick Revenew of the Nation It is desired and hoped by all such as wait and long to see our dying Trade restored that an Act Ordinance or Order might speedily be made for the reviving the Antient Statute made by our Judicious fore Fathers who foreseeing how naturally men are addicted for to intrench upon one anothers Callings and Estates that no person should use two Trades as being destructive to the very essence of Trade and Comerce with man-kind And that where the said Statute is found any way short to have it inlarged with strict Prohibitions that no Merchant trading beyond Seas should sell by Retayl or keep a shop to Retayl in nor any Shop-keeper that keeps a Shop or Warehouse to trade beyond Seas but every one to keep to one way and Trade if he will trade beyond Seas then to leave off his shop if the Merchant will keep a shop to leave off his trading beyond Sea These two worthies being so setled as the main Pillars to support this Nations Comerce and Trade and advance its prosperity In the next place I shall proceed for to describe the means and ways meet 1. First to Nourish Improve and Strengthen them 2. Second To
of Seamen and giving large fraights to shiping that would be much encouraged and increased by that Navigation it being a Country stretching it self so far Southerly as capable of producing all Southerly commodities that may be planted therein and then in contra running so far Northerly as all Northern commodities would be had there in abundance ordinary care and industry lending but a weak arm to manage the same The advantages that would arise hereby to this Nation and its commerce are as followeth 1. The Natives being civilized and the climat cold as well as hot would cause a vaste expence of our Native commodities to the very great increase of the commerce 2. Upon the civilising this people they would fall into the advantages of planting and manuring the land now useless and thereby introduce an increase of many rich commodities which we are forced to fetch from other Princes territories at their own rates which they think meet to put upon us and that because we are beholding to them for what we want which in this place would be supplied by our own hands and from our own Dominions as Silk Cotton Curants Wine Oyl Sugar Rice Spices Hemp Flax Wool and Corn Masts Pitch and Tar all which are of use to us and we cannot well be without the same 3. The Mines of the Country would not onely be discovered but opened which are in that continent very plentiful and good as Copper Iron Lead and of Silver also which some have not onely seen but have tried the experiment thereof and being a plentiful Country of Wood how easily are these things brought to be wrought and great advantages obtained thereby and I can of my own knowledge aver to have had Iron thence that proves as good as any Iron in the world likewise another Mineral the worth of which I have had tryed in the Tower of London so considerable as that of a hundred grains it produced clear metal forty five and by the Say-masters observation thereof believed would in working be found much richer so that if a publike stock were laid out for to improve these Mines and they wrought upon a publike account what need we to be beholding to other Countries for that which we can attain unto from our own territories 4. This Nation will finde an admirable remedy for the disburdening it self of our supernumerary people which increase among us without fomenting of wars to be rid of them where in Virginia they would find a present being for habitation and plenty for their subsistence which through the fertility of the soil an easie labour would bring to perfection and vaste multitudes of people transported thither would not fill the least part of that place and yet give them by their industry very great riches The poor throughout England that are so burdensome to every parish being sent thither would have a happy being and the very money gathered in every parish to maintain them at home would suffice to transport them thither And in case that were not sufficient for to forward so good a work it annually a sum were gathered throughout the Nation to add thereunto for the perfecting thereof it would be freely paid by all men with much alacrity and in very few years the poor sent over would bless God for their prosperity and happiness and the commerce of the Nation would be advantaged in supplying them and the Natives with necessaries besides thereby many gallant men would be reared up to wealth and honor which now come to nothing but grow to be geggers from Town to Town wanting bread and afterwards turn thieves robbing on the High-way whose end is the Gallows 5. Our shipping would finde great imployment in conveying over passengers and in bringing thence the fruits of the Country which will daily increase more and more as the place is seaced and the ground manared and other Nations would seek out for commerce and traffick there which will very much advance both the revenue there inrich the place and we here at home reap the benefit 6. In the well seating the Country of Virginia and searching out the Commodities thereof there is an unquestionable opinion that a nearer way will be found out for the carrying on the Trade in the East Indies China and those parts for most men Artists in Geography and Navigation conclude that the South Sea undoubtedly doth fall upon the back side of Virginia as it doth of Terra firma Nova Hispania possessed by the Spainards which is all one continent with Virginia the Natives of Virginia having given such satisfactory demonstrations that there is a Sea on the back of that part of that continent setled by our people as it s not to be gainsaid which discovery would put into our possession divers brave and rich Countries at present unknown and supposed to exceed in Longitude and Latitude wealth and riches what yet in those parts hath been discovered by any Nation 7. The promoting of this Colony by a publike hand would furnish a means to reward and imploy ingenious spirited-men to perfect settle these discoveries whereby they might obtain noble livelihoods as a reward for their indefatigable pains without putting the Nation to a penny cost for their maintenance which by reason of the straightness of our Island they cannot expect and so are disheartned from imploying themselves to ingenious undertakings 8. All materials may be had from Virginia for the building and setting forth of shipping for war or peace the Country being full of good Oaks for Planks Pines and Fir for Masts Pitch Tar and Rosin the land full of Catâ—el Corn for Victualling Hemp and Flax for Gordage Sails Iron for Guns and other utensils the Rivers abounding with Fish for loading ships as well as provisions and if from our neighbours these materials for shipping be difficult to be obtained we may here in England have supplies from our own dominions and in a very few years men civilized fit for our shipping in times of war as times of peace 9. The honor that will accrew to our Nation by setling Virginia will be very great and the more as being the Instruments of civilising so numerous a people inhabitants of that vast tract of land who would all be subject unto us and by us brought to know God their Creator and Jesus Christ the Redeemer and Saviour of them and us and be the means of saving their souls whereby God may be glorified and we repaying to them that good by shewing our thankfulness to God for what others in former dayes did for our forefathers without which mercy of God to us we must have continued in darkness and heathens as they be to this day The fifth means to increase and nourish Trade in this Nation Is That out of the publike revenew of the Nation a ship or two should
England and its dominions or in any other Princes dominions and Ports if any English ship be there to be fraighted 2. That all persons of our own Nation and its dominions as well as any other Princes or States Subjects whatsoever importing among us or exporting from us any sort of merchandise in any vessel not properly belonging to this Nation of England and its dominions and sailed by an English Commander and the major part English men to pay double Custome for all his Goods and Merchandise so brought in by forein ships or shipped out in them and if that double Custom may not be thought enough upon some sort of Goods to impose treble Custom on such as may require that charge 3. That in Contra to the foregoing Article all strangers of what Nation soever that shall bring into this Nation or export any Commodities hence in the ships bona fide and properly belonging to this Nation and its dominions to pay no more Custom upon the Goods so imported or exported in our ships than an English-man The advantages arising hereby to the Commerce of this Nation are as followeth 1. All forein Nations will make use of our ships by reason of their strength and force able to secure their Goods from Enemies and Pirates as likewise for the advantage they will have in bringing their Merchandise to us and obtaining thereby the benefit of paying no more Customs than our selves which will be very easie to them 2. Forein shipping although they bring their Goods in reference to fraight cheaper than our ships do yet they will not forestall our fraight in regard what is saved in the fraight by such as fraight them will be inhansed upon them again by their paying double Customes 3. We our selves in our own ships shall hereby be inabled to bring our Goods to market as cheap as any forein ships can do by reason of the easiness of our Customes 4. No strangers by this course will be able for to under-sell us because their Goods will stand them in as dear as ours and so we shall trade with them upon equal terms for undoubtedly when all the difference that will be betwixt the stranger and us who it is that shall purchase his Goods at the best hand we shall be both as able diligent and quick as they 5. That great obstacle or Remora which our Navigation is stopt with of the Hollanders sayling cheaper in their ships than we do in ours and so by their easie fraight are capable to under-sell us in all places will be quite taken away and laid aside for by this way and course we shall be equal with them 6. That great trade which the Hollanders do carry on with us now from Norway and East-land in Timber Deals Masts Hemp Pitch and Tarr will be ours And whereas now we do want ships for the management of that trade our own shipping being generally unfit in a short time we walking in this prescribed path all their Prames and Fluts will become ours and their very Seamen for want of imployment will remove to us naturalizing themselves meerly to get imployment from us that they may have bread to eat and feed their otherwise starved bodies who must perish as well as their ships the one unless they do come over to us for imployment and the other unless they be sold to us then by their Seamens coming over to us we shall be fitted with people understanding in the management of the fishing trade a thing so considerable for the inriching this Nation and that is in a manner the sole maintenance of the Hollanders trade Seamen and shipping 7. Hereby in the Levant and Mediterranean Seas the Hollanders ships will be slighted and rejected and want their imployment from all Nations in those parts who will strive to have their Merchandise conveighed only in our English vessels 8. By this Act our English shipping will gain such repute in all parts that it will infinitely increase them both in number as well as strength and burden 9. Hereby our shipping will never want imployment and good fraights for what we our selves cannot lade strangers will supply by reason of their security and advantage which thereby they will receive And whereas our great ships have even lost their wonted esteem and so we have been forced to send them out upon long and desperate voyages they will regain it again and being imployed neuer hand be ready at all summons to supply the Publick when ever any occasion may offer to make use of them The ninth meanes to increase and nourish the trade of this Nation is that some way may be found out to agree with the Spaniard for the baying up the Wool of his Country prohibiting all other Nations besides the English to transport from Spain to any other people or place any of the said Wool but for England The Advantages that would arise hereby unto our Nation and its Commerce are these 1. It would very much improve our Manufactories and make our Nation the Staple for all sorts of woollen Commodities throughout the World 2. The Hollander would be utterly disabled from counterfeiting our Woollen-Draperies and all his subtleties would come to nothing which through our neglect of compassing this work and suffering him to get into his power the Spanish Wool he hath even eaten us out of our fine Cloth trade 3. It would be a meanes infinitely to imploy our own people and to set them at work and thereby keep the fabrick of these sorts of Goods in our own Dominions 4. It would occasion the imployment of much shipping to setch these Wools from place to place and afford owners of ships good fraights to the great incouragement of building ships 5. It would notably advance the Spanish Trade giving the Traders that way a most large meanes for to make returns from thence when other wayes may fail and that not only to the Trader for the North parts of Spain but to the Trader for the South likewise It having been in agitation heretofore between the two Nations even within a very little of being settled had not the unhappy warr in the bowels of this Nation fallen out which frustrated the compleating this so noble a design which was not misliked by the Councils of both Nations who were very well satisfied therein and of the great benefit that would have arrived thereby to each other It being my judgement if we were settled in peace within our selves and this negotiation of the Wools set afoot again by some judicious person with the Publick approbation and support there might be meanes used to compass the same and such terms proposed between us and the Spaniard that might be approved of to the liking of them and us and therefore to be wished that a work so advantagious to this Commerce were estected The tenth meanes to nourish increase and revive
they were bought by our Nation trading thither part for Commodities carried hence part for time and part mony at ten pound per Pipe to the great accommodation of all that traded into those Islands and the expence of our manufactories which advantage is now quite taken away and instead of having the proceeds of our Commodities returned in wines we are fain to carry mony to purchase them which impoverisheth the Nation and what can be more destructive than this is unto us And although private interest and Self the great Sin of this Age assisted the admission of Jews under that grand pretence of their increasing the publick revenew by their trade the design was stopped at that time by Gods providence through the prous opposit on of some who are to be reverenced and never to be forgotten for their faithfulnesse to the Nation and the Gospel setled therein it being not only desired but hoped that they may never be admitted by Law among us under what pretence soever for should the Nation be in want of mony never so much without having it from Jews undoubtedly the publick may be furnished for be sure they will not doe it but on such terms as unhappy should we be to have it from them it would not be to the increasing the revenew but decreasing it and the Nations trade likewise for it is evident to all knowing Merchants of this Nation that the Stock of England is too great for its own trade our Country affording such plenty of Commodities and our Merchants so numerous and wealthy that where ever the Nation settles any factory its easie to see how they overcloy all parts with our goods more than they can vent and again for returns more is imported by us of forein Commodities than the Nation can spend being then so as that it is so is most apparent if consideration be had in observing how low all sorts of Commodities are in England and at what easie rates they are to be had It s true the present trouble makes them the cheaper yet when a Nations stock is greater than its trade will bear Commodities will alwayes in that place be cheap and therefore what need we the Jews Stock to increase our trade which must of necessity decrease and spoil it for did we want Stock in thé Nation then somewhat might be said but seeing our own is too great already it must follow they trading we must desist and if we do desist from trading and let them alone we must suffer them to become Masters of the whole trade of our Nation the Ingrossers of all the Land and at last we must become their Vassals and Slaves and if the question would satisfie pray let it be required that the Officers of the Custom House declare how much the Customs have been increased since they have been permitted to live and trade among us it s well if they have not decreased rather I am sure the trade of the Nation hath and that not a little Considering all which and much more that might be inlarged in reference thereunto It will behove us all of this Nation as we are Christians for the glory of God and honour of our Saviour Jesus Christ and his Gospel to endeavour the extirpation and banishment of all Jews from among us and then as Englishmen if we desire the trade of this Nation to increase let us unanimously be instrumental to discover these people and divest them of their hold which they have gotten in England that they may never settle in this Nation for fear lest by willingly permitting them to remain among us instead of a blessing we bring a curse upon our posterity to the Nations utter ruine and destruction not doubting but God in his due time will do his own work in their conversion and being their own Country Iudea wants inhabitants its better they return thither and wait Gods pleasure where in the mean time they may have room enough to inlarge any trade they can manage and we may accompany them with our prayers and desires and permit all those among us that think of the rebuilding Jerusolem again to go along with them and blesse God we are so well rid of such a Generation Thus having by the foregoing proposals shewd some means for the increasing the trade of the Nation which is commended to your consideration In the next place I shall set down some wayes and means for the case and incouragement of the trade and commerce of this Nation whereby in these sad and dangerous times wherein we are the traders into forein parts may not be disheartened but inlivened with hopes that by theirperseverance in trade they may in time reap the benefit of their patience and extream hazards which since this Nation was a trading people never were greater And it is not to be doubted but that those that are in power considering how necessary a thing it is for their own advantage to preserve and incourage trade without which as the people of this Nation cannot subsist nor supply their wants or vent their commodities so likewise the Publick without trade cannot have any way or means for to furnish or maintain the charges of the Government Therefore it doth concern them that are in power to ease and incourage trade all they can as well as the people to desire it it being prayed by all such as wish this Nations prosperity that a speedy course may be taken to remedy what is amisse in the Commerce whereby to ease and incourage all Merchants tradings lest by delaying the cure other people and Nations get our trade from us and when the Merchants trading are ruinated having nothing left to trade with it will be too late according to the Proverb when the Steed is stole to shut the Stable dore The wayes therefore which are to be taken into consideration for the ease and incouragement of the trade of this Nation are as followeth The first means to incourage and ease the trade of this Nation is that the burdens and disturbances of the Custom House and its Officers be removed taken away or regulated 1 That the Customs may not be farmed by any under what pretence soever but executed by Commissioners for the Publike they to be able knowing men of publike spirits curteous in their carriage not covetous but honest and free hearred meet to incourage men that do trade and ready to ease them when any occasion shall present or offer before them 2. That those Commissioners so established may have such authority and power given them that they may end and determine all differences arising between the Merchants and Officers in reference to scisures or otherwayes that the Merchant trading may thereby be freed from waiting upon Committees or Courts of Justice spending their mony in Law and their time in attendances upon every petty
be called to account what he hath gained thereby the which to be taken from him and applyed to better uses and with his Pattent about hâ—s neck whipped throughout every Port of England for an example to others that none may for the future dare to undertake the like It being one of the greatest discouragements to trade in this Nation and of notable consequence if duely considered the advantages not any but to some particular Ingressers of Commodities and private monyed men the disadvantages many and that to all persons generally trading throughout the Nation especially to merchants who ought in their own right and assistance to support trade petition against this Projector to get him well punished that this delivering out of mens Entries may be never more practiced And that the disadvantages may be taken into consideration pray observe the sollowing particulars how trade thereby is discouraged 1. Trade is hereby discouraged in regard that by these bills of Entry every mans negotiations are discovered and it gives too much liberty to busie headed men to pry into the affairs of each other intermedling therein to their great prejudice which ought to be kept secret many hereby supplying their own ignorance by other mens ingenuity and then wanting experience trade only because such men whom they conceive are knowing trade to such or such a place whereby they spoyl each others Markets 2. Trade hereby is greatly discouraged because all your Ingrossers of Commodities retailing Shop-keepers having these bills of Entries are made acquainted into whoâ—e hands what Commodities that be imported come and then joyning in company to beat down the Markets taking the advantage of such men whom they observe over trade themselves and thereby become necessitated for monies who for to supply themselvs in their wants must sell at any rate whereby it s not they alone that are prejudiced but all other men that trade now if so be these bills of Entry were not permitted to be given to any person whatever the buyer would not be acquainted with what is imported or exported and thereby be incouraged to give the better rate to the Merchant for his goods to the great incouragement of traders for necessitated men then would obtain as good Markets for their Commodities as others and no man would be prejudiced by another mans sale 3. Hereby arises a general inconveniency to the whole Commerce for that the Ingrosser and Retayler having these Bills of Entry come to know the quantities of such goods as formerly were brought in and again exported and thereby observing what may be left not sufficient to supply the Markets immediately inhance the price upon the people that need the Commodity beyond reason and so become the only gainers in this Nation to the destruction and ruine of all forein traders by having his trade not only here at home but abroad discovered 4. Our trade beyond the Seas is greatly discouraged and hindered many men herby having sustained considerable losse it often happening by an ingenious foregsiht some have got the start of others in conveying their goods to a Market in hopes of reaping the fruit of their industry when by these bills of Entry being sent over giving notice what hath been laden in some other ship for the same place which happily might not arrive at their port in many months after yet being divulged that store of good were laden for the same Market they have forborn buying what was in the place and needed in expectation of more to come whereby not only what was upon the place remains unbought but at the arrival of fresh goods the Markets are cloyd and beat down to so low a rate that the trade is destroyed thereby and men ruinated in their designs for want of vent of their Commodities which otherwise did none of these Entries appear Markets would be kept up continually at a constant rate within a little more or lesse and goods would find quicker vent to the great satisfaction and incouragement of the whole Commerce 5. Hereby the makers of our Native Commodities are extreamly indamaged and discouraged for by these bills of Entry all persons understand what goods be shipped off and for what places by which discovery although many ingenious men to keep their negotiations private do as the water men look one way and row another entring goods to one part when designed to another yet hereby when men that are setled traders to any one place and knowing what those places where they trade usually unto can vent finding such large Entries for the same Marker although perchance alligned for other parts as I said before yet they know it not and so are discouraged from buying what otherwise they would keeping their mony by them Whereby the poor maker of our Commodities loses the sale of his goods and wanting mony to carry on his calling is not only discouraged but many times ruinated which is not to be slighted but of consideration the whole Nations trade suffering violence thereby 6. By making these Entries publike it is not only a general inconveniency to the Commerce in reference to Ingrossers and Shopkeepers as in the third clause of this article it is expressed but the total destruction of trade every where it being observed by understanding and experienced men that what ever trade is driven most secretly and out of view doth generally thrive best and those men that have kept their trade privatest have ever best prospered And what can be more prejudicial to trade than that every man be master of anothers design for when an ingenuous man discovers a course to obtain a livelyhood whilst its nor discovered he may obtain from small beginning a comfortable subsistence but if discovered some ignorant coveto is monyed man strikes into what the others ingenuity found out and at one blow turns the other not only out of his livelyhood but overthrows the same by 〈◊〉 cloying the place many times ruinating the one and yet getting nothing himself so that whoever would have trade consounded and in a Nation brought to nothing let him suffer by these Bills of entries every one to be master of anothers design for nothing publisheth it more to the World than these bills of Entries do Let but these bills of Entry be once prohibited you shall see and find trade will presently alter and mend besides every individual person trading when none but himself can discover his negotiations either in buying selling importing or exporting plenâ—y or want of mony which now in their tradings by these bâ—ll of Entry may shrewâ—ly be gessed at how couragiously will he proâ—ecute his businesse and tak delight in that which now proves a burden and then Brokers will be fie agents to mediate betwixt man and men by whose hand the Comtmerce will find great advantages so by their hands with more judiciousnesse every man may manage his businesse as occasion shall require and
but one weight one measure permitted or used for by the diversity of weights and measures men are abused and cousened it occasioning strife and debate every where which were they alike it would be instead thereof a very great ease and advantage to the people for by having diverse bushels as in one place 8. gallons makes a bushel in other parts 9. 10 16 18 and 23. Also wine measure Ale measure the like in weights as Troy weights Haverdepâ—ys Venice weights then the stone in some places 8 l. some 14 l. and some more to the confusion and trouble of the whole land and its commerce which duly considered of and rectified would be of singular ease and advantage to the Nation The eighth meanes to ease and incourage trade is That all Merchants rrading beyond seas not keeping shops for retailing be exempted from all taxes that at any time shall be levied upon the Personal estates of men provided that they by their forein trade shall export of the manufactories of the nation the value of what may arise and shall appear to pay in the Custom house 3 hundred pounds per an. or otherwise for forein goods imported what may arise to pay annually in Custome to the Nation one thousand pounds per annum hereby trade will be encouraged the publick revenue increased beyond what can any way be expected from the Merchants by taxes and that inequality of rating men by tax for their personal estates when they have none and only live upon forein employments and their credits who should they be taxed according to their forein trade would not only be discouraged but ruinated The ninth means to ease and encourage the trade of this nation is That in all forein parts as well in our own plantations of America as in other Princes Dominions where any factory is setled that certain publike ministers under the title of Consulls be established with some who by the consent of the factory residing upon the place may be appointed and nominating two or more from among the rest as assistants to the Consul which said assistants with the Consull to be a Court for the following purposes 1. To protect the Nation there residing from the injuries of the Natives and to obtain redress for them when need requireth and if not to be obtained to give accompt thereof to the supream power in England of such abuses as shall be offered either to their persons or estates that by their means restitution may be made for what injury our Nation in particular or in general shall have suffered 2. For the deciding of all controversies that may or shall arise between any of the Nation there resident one with the other concerning any matter whatsoever with which judgement if any shall think himself injured or agrieved first complying with the sentence and laying down one fifth part more for charges the party that thinks himself agriev'd may appeal to the next factory in that Dominion who confirming the sentence to have no further appeal but if the first sentence shall be repealed then both to submit the business to the Court Merchant in England who vpon view of all the transactions on both sides to give their definitive sentence without further appeal but therein to acquiesce 3. For the regulating the commerce there among themselves and that 1. In reference to the sale of any of our own manufactories to keep up the prices as occasions may offer that men may not by underhand dealing deceive one another to the general disadvantage of their principals at home and undervalewing of our manufactories 2. In reference to the buying up of any particular commodity to be sent to the principal that consenting to joyn together each person may without fraud have his proportion 3. In reference to the fraightment or dispatch of any ship or ships that may be taken to supply the general occasions of the factory there resident 4ly For safety of the Factors there and their principals and friends at home in case of mortality and that by these wayes 1. If any die suddenly and appoint no body to take care of his estate and his principals that may be in his hands the Consull and assistance to appoint one immediately to take an exact Inventory of the goods and debts left by the deceased the original to remain in the Court and a Copy thereof sent to the deceased's friends and principals if he have any 2. To appoint one or two able honest men of the said factory to receive into his or their custody what the deceased so left in goods and debts that thereby the debts may be got in and the goods sold and disposed of at the best rates can be made of them both for the advantage of the deceased's friends to whom they may appertain or to his principals that corresponded with him and so soon as the estate shall be got in and all charges deducted the neet proceed to be deposited in the Court for the use of those to whom it shall or may belong And further in case the party deceased shall by Will or other ways nominate any person to be his Executor nevertheless for the benefit of those to whom the estate may any ways appertain to have an exact Inventory taken as if there were no such appointment and if the party so appointed shal not by the factory there residing be thought a responsable person then they to nominate another to receive such effects as shall belong to the principals of the party deceased who shall give accompt of all things as is before recited when any shall die without will or nominating any to succeed him in his business The want of care and order in this thing is in forein parts but more especially in our American plantations the greatest ruine that befalls those that trade thither whose estate upon the death of their correspondence are the preys of Rogues and Knaves which doth extremely discourage men to trade thither and those places doe not prosper as other ways they would do if their losses hapning to the commerce by such as die were remedied which is easily effected if the government in those places will order the same 5. It will occasion much unity and peace in all factories when so setled as likewise order and civility taking away that looseness which is crept into all factories for want of Government or some to reprove them for their unwarrantable proceedings or of whom they should stand in some awe and undoubtedly when young men abroad shall have such as may reprehend them present they will live with more circumspection and so gain from such in whose Dominions they live respect and credit 6. It will be an honour to our Nation and its Commerce to have in all parts where they do reside such a settlement and the Nations among whom we live will not be so ready to affront us or abuse us when there is one
Cart or Wain should travel but upon four wheels and with double horses as Coaches do then our High-ways will never be spoiled let them carry what weight they will and go with never so many horses for as the feet of the horses goes in the same tract the wheels turn both will so beat the way as we shall have no more ruts to hinder men from going where they please the High-ways will be plain all occasion of quarrels from travellers taken away and the ease of the Nation by travelling in Coaches or on horse-back much bettered no Country using the way of drawing in Carts or setting one Horse before another but England I having observed in other Countries that in their drawing with double horses they carry as great loads if not greater than we do in this Nation with putting one before another single and did they there find any inconveniency they would not use it The fifteenth means to encourage the trade of this Nation of England and its Dominions is That whereas the customs of this Nation were originally setled and are still gathered and received for the maintenance of the Navy and setting it out to guard our Coasts from enemies and to protect our Merchants ships from Pirates that thereby the commerce of this Nation might be secured and encouraged It would be an honourable act of the Power of the Nation and but just to ordain it there being presidents thereof in the dayes of Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory That whatever her ships and men of war in her service took from Pirates or Enemies the most was made thereof and divided to such Merchants whose goods had been lost by Pirates or Men of War or seized in our Enemies Territories to each person as his loss in course had happened being Registered accordingly and allowed as their goods appeared to be valued in the Custom-House and their ships as really worth to which end Commissioners were appointed to receive the proceeds of what was made of the Prizes taken and to pay the same 〈◊〉 â—ach person as his course came which did infinitly encourage trade and preserve many gallant Merchants from ruine and would do so still if continued in practice for as the forein Trader by his industry benefiteth the whole Nation and the people obtain the advantage It is not just that when times of War happen all the loss shall fall upon a few Merchants as generally it doth but that they should be preserved by having the satisfaction proposed the Publick being more able to bear a Tax or duty to be divided for its own weal than any particular person the loss of his whole estate and the ruine of his family The sixteenth means to encourage the trade of this Nation is That there might be some way thought of to raise a Publick stock of money that therewith such persons that have goods arrived from forein parts and want friends or means to supply themselves with present monies to discharge their Fraights Sea-mens Wages Customs and such like necessities might be supplyed at easie rates by the depositing of their goods in custody for security thereof And that upon sale of their first goods to repay what they borrowed and the remainder of their goods to be returned the which stock would in few years encrease to a vast value publick Ware-houses to be built for that purpose And this very thing would be of infinite use to encourage trade The seventeenth means to encourage trade and trades-men in this Nation and its Dominions is That all persons Inventers of any new Art Trade or Manufacture useful for the advancement of commerce or the general good of the people may be considerably rewarded and signal preferment given themwith esteem And in case he or they cannot by their own purse carry through the work to be assisted by the publicktreasury and that antient Order and Rule observed in such Cases put in execution prohibiting all others for certain years from interrupting the Inventers thereof by making the like when seen or notice taken of what is made or done except it shall be tollerated to any by the inventer thereof in this Nation which said admition or tolleration to be obtained from the party under his or their hand and seal And were this carefully observed how would it raise the spirits of ingenuous men to expose themselves to excellent undertakings and be a great encouragement to trade The eighteenth means to encourage the trade of this Nation and its commerce is that from hence forth to abolish that inhumane and barberous custom used in this Island of England whereby the Lords of such Mannors as lie upon the Sea coasts appropriate to themselves the wracks and goods of such poor miserable men as the raging Sea in their misfortunes saves them It hapning dayly for to hinder discovery many men coming alive ashore have been murdered the Sea proving less cruel and more merciful to poor Merchants and Sea-men than the Land on which they are cast which the very Heathens abhor and yet we Christians nay among us who deem our selves Saints the holiest of all other Christians do still maintain this abominable Custom which former ages did absolutely declare against as in the judgement and Laws of Oleroon Cap. 17. appears at large and that by an Edict of Henry the third King of England which in that place is fully recited to that purpose wherein it is so severely set down that upon whose land soever any such accident should happen if the Lord of the Land did himself take or suffer any of his people to embesle any goods so cast up on the shore by the Sea and detained it from the owner thereof he was to be criminally proceeded against as a Fellon and his estate seized and made to give satisfaction to a penny and in case of any detention or absconding of any such goods excommunications and curses issued out till restitution was made And this was in those days when trade was only budding in these parts and from these Laws of Oleroon do we generally derive all our Sea Customs and maritine contracts and being this was so wholsom and so Christian a Law why should it not now be put in practice and the other that is so pernitious abolished For what is here done is but reviving a wholsom Law which time and covetousness hath worn out and in so doing would extremely encourage all Traders by Sea in this Nation and consequently the commerce thereof The nineteenth means to encourage the trade of this Nation and of great satisfaction to the commerce and whole people of England is That no persons Lands of inheritance Houses Leases Morgages or Hereditary Offices shall be exempted from paying their debts which they may or shall owe to any person by Bond Bill or Contract but be liable to sale whereby such persons to whom they owe may be satisfied for under pretence of intailing their Lands or buying Land in
other names in trust the people of the Nation are extremely prejudiced and cuzened thereby which if remedied and course taken therein would infinitely encourage the trade and commerce of England The twentieth means to encourage and ease the trade and commerce of this Nation and its Dominions is That there might be a Committee of Merchants setled consisting of a meet number either fifteen or seventeen or more or less as shall be thought fit five or seven of which to be the Corum to settle any business the which Merchants to be of the ablest understandingest and experiencedst men trading into forein parts who should meet a place being appropriated to the commerce for that purpose once in fourteen days or oftener as affairs required 1. To consult of such forein trade as may be promoted and carried on for the advantage of this Nations commerce and people 2. To consider of all such inconveniencies as arise in forein trades and traders and how to regulate and redress them 3. To compose what hath been consulted of and to draw up the same to a head if found advantageous for the commerce and so presented to the Power that they may approve thereof and order its execution and practice whereby as occasion shall offer all Traders may by this Committee find relief at an easie attendance when any interruption shall be imposed on them either at home or abroad to discourage or destry the trade 4. To find out by their experienced knowledge and examination of all things in reference to our trade at home and abroad a means to settle the same upon such a continued succession of advantages that it may be an incouragement to all persons that desire to employ themselves in a forein trade And for the better establishing of this Committee for incouragement of trade the rules following to be observed 1. That those chosen for this Committee to be men bred up in forein parts and if possible such as have travailed and been experienced in most Countries where trade is setled that by their general knowledge they may be the abler to manage what is intrusted to them 2. That every Nation with whom we have trade setled the Merchants trading into that Country to choose one from among them to be of the Committee first to nominate two and one of them two to be approved of by the power of the nation and after that way one for every Countries trade to compleat the number that shal be thought â—it for this Committee be it more or less viz. One Hamborough Merchant one East-Country Merchant one Rushia Merchant one Flemish Merchant one Holland Merchant one French Merchant one Portugal Merchant one Spanish Merchant one Italian Merchant one Turkey Merchant one Barbary Merchant one Ginny Merchant one East-India Merchant one West-India Merchant for the Cariby Islands one Virginia Merchant which number will make up 15 and if it be thought fit to adde two more then one for New-England another for New found land which is 17 and so I believe most of our trades will have one that will know what is convenient for the bettering of each trade and advancing the same 3. That these so chosen among themselvs to appoint one to be President and to keep the Chair for that year every one afterwards to take their turns as they shall be nominated in the Commission which doth impower them to act by 4. That they so nominated doe remain for life unless through weakness of body by sickness or that they shall be by the publike appointed to forein imployments or that through age they may not be able to act in that trust imposed on them or that by death they shall be taken away in any such cases in the room of any such person and for that Country for which he was chosen the Merchants trading for that place to nominate two others and one of them appointed in the room of the other whose place shall be void by any of the ways before expressed and still at every choice to supply that vacancie two of the ablest understandingst men reputed of that have lived in the factorie of that Country to be nominated by the traders that way and one chosen by observation of which rule the Committee will always be supplied with able knowing men 5. That having setled this Committee they may have a Clerk and such Officers to assist in the work as may keep Registers of what they shall perfect or act in reference to this their imployment 6. And Lastly That as it is not fit for men to bestow their time and pains in promoting the publike and disadvantage themselves so it will be just that they may have somewhat yearly allowed them by way of acknowledgement from the publike to incourage them to meet and take this task upon them for the advancement of this Nations trade which Committee thus ordered undoubtedly there will offer and be brought to pass many excellent ways to increase incourage ease and inrich this Nation both in its domestique and forein commerce and introducing rare advantages for the fabricating of forein manufactories among us and hereby restore the now decayed and even dying trade of this Nation Having by the foregoing discourse as briefly as I could and the parriticulars treated of therein would admit laid down some directions for the restoring increasing inriching strengthning easing and incouraging the decayed trade of England and its Dominions which proposals though not all yet if the most considerable of them might be put in practice undoubtedly it would very much revive our present decay of trade which lieth even desperate and at its period unless a speedy remedy be applyed thereunto the which is recommended to those that are at helm and have power to promote the same who hereby are called upon to doe their duty and all other persons interessed herein for to put their assisting hands thereunto that what we are now upon loosing may be kept among us lest by a too late repentance when the error is committed it be past our skill to recover again Many things more might have been set forth and much said therein but with what is here inserted I shall rest satisfied of having done my part desiring that wherein I have been deficient or not large enough those whose longer experience in the trade of the world by their perfecter knowledge and conceptions would correct what is here amiss and by adding their thoughts carry on this work begun to such an issue as to bring it to perfectness for the good of all the people of this Nation and the prosperity thereof And for as much as I conceive it not altogether impertinent seeing that not only the Traders but all the people of this Nation that now trade are in some part or other if not altogether concerned I shall before I end make one proposal more concerning a grand abuse which all I believe are sufferers in and shew a
means to remedy the same if so be the Power of the Nation shall think fit to put it in execution which I am sure doth as much concern themselves in particular as the people in general and that is concerning the infinite cheats put upon the whole Nation by Wood-mongers in their sale of wood and Coals the Wood told out by notches and that as they will mark them Their Char-coal in sacks and that in such as the Colliers and Sellers thereof will make them which is generally complained of all suffer thereby especially Brewers Bakers Dyers and such that prepare goods for the commerce and then Housholders that are of the commerce and all in England that live by commerce as well as those that do not For prevention of this grand deceit in time to come and to remedy the same is That it be ordered by a Law that all sorts of wood for firing whatsoever except Bavins or brush Fagots as likewise Char-coal or other Coal be bought and sold by weight either by the hundred weight or pound weight which rule so setled throughout the Nation it will be of singular content and advantage to the people and thereby the Wood-mongers cannot possibly deceive any unless those intrusted to receive the same by negligence suffer themselves to be abused and deceived For according to the age and goodness of the Wood or Coal the price will be but as to the quantity being weighed there cannot well be any fraud The like order might be observed in the sale and buying of all sorts of fruits Apples Pears Plums c. it would avoid debates that arise in Markets among the people and be of great use to keep quietness and peace this course being in Spain Italy and other ingenuous places used and practised in all the aforesaid particulars and is commended to the consideration of the Authority of the Nation to do therein as it shall be thought meer I should now rest here and conclude but that I promised that in lieu of such deminishments of the Customs and Excise which many may conceive would arise admitting such free exportation of our Manufactures and the importation of such Commodities as are imported towards the fabricating of them upon such small customs as is proposed although I hope judicious men observing what hath been said therein haply may be convinced of the contrary however to make good what I promised in case it should in time appear really to be so which as to my own judgement I believe those two Duties will rather increase than decrease trade being ordered and setled on the foundation prescribed The following ways I do propose as fit means to settle a considerable Revenue to maintain the charges of the government of this Nation which will be a good supply when the other failes and I hope to be owned no way prejudicial or vexatious to the people out of whose purses estates or labours it must issue It is a maxim approved of by wise and juditious men and esteemed most properest that when necessity of State requires a duty to be levied upon a people for publick occasions to raise it upon the vitiousness of the Nation for thereby on the one hand it may happily deter them from delighting therein to save their purses or if not it will be sooner accepted of and not opposed which if otherwise laid upon the ingenuous industry of men it is for the most part opposed and when not ever taken as a burden and a discouraging and undoubtedly it is most safe for any Government to punish Vice every way and encourage Virtue not by burdening the same with Taxes but if any way with rewards There be many examples hereof in forein parts as in Rome Naples and other parts of Italy where the Princes raise great Revenues out of their Stews in Spain upon Tobacco in snuff and other ways taken then in Russia and those parts where the Emperor gathers into his Treasury a very considerable income out of the Ale-Houses Strong-water Houses and sellers of Beer and is one of the greatest among many in his Dominions the which is done by these Princes and Potentates chiefly to punish these Vices to which their people are naturally inclined Certainly we of this Nation are not far behind hand with them in all drunkenness and debauchery it were well if we did not exceed them especially considering our knowledge and then our profession of sanctity having more means for to attain to piety than any Nation under Heaven but none practises it less than we and where then can Taxes be better laid than upon our Vices In the first place then to raise a Revenue in this Nation let a view be taken of all the thousands of Tap-Houses and Tobacco-shops dispersed in every corner of the Nation both in the Towns and Cities And ordering a set number to be admitted in every Town Village and City according as each place shall require and let such be admitted to sell Tobacco draw Beer Wine Strong-waters or Ale or any potable liquor as can give caution for their performance and so upon each Seller of Tobacco Victualer Wine Beer Strong-water or Ale drawer to pay a certain sum of money at his admission to keep a Tobacco shop Victualing House or to draw Drink by way of Fine and ever after an Annual Rent to the State and none else but such as are admitted to sell any Tobacco potable lequor or to keep victualing which revenew will bring into the Nation at least three hundred thousand pound per annum And this hath been computed by very judicious knowing men so that by this means the Excise on Brewers so burdensom to the people may be laid aside to their great ease and content with all what is by the undue practices of Justices of Peace and their Clerks got clandestinely from the people to grant Licenses to idle people to set up Ale-Houses the dens of Thieves and vile persons to the scandal of the Nation will come into the publick purse and none admitted but those that can give security for their honest behaviour and known persons and hereby none will be prejudiced but lewd and debauched people The second way to raise a considerable Revenue for the affairs of the Nation is That the Power of the Nation establish in England these four following Offices Inland Registers Registers for Shipping publick Notaries and Brokers 1. Publick Registers in all Counties and Cities throughout the Nation which places to be made Hereditary because of their constantly keeping the Records of the said City or County in one place and in case of death where it may happen to fall to an Infant or one uncapable then in the nonage of the said Infant to be executed by a person fit for the employment and if it falls so as no Heirs sit to manage the same its value to be made good to the kindred and another responsible person placed therein approved of
for his ability and faithfulness by the Magistrates of that City or County and he to give good security for his faithful administration thereof as none otherwise to be admitted into such Offices but upon good security given for their faithfulnesse for which this Register Office is established The use of this Register for the first only to take the grosse of every mans estate wherewith they are possessed in Lands Housing Leases Morgages Reversions and such like how many Acres and of what value esteemed really worth not looking after the Title which every person may keep to himself but after the said Registers be setled from thence forward to Register the Sales and Purchases Leafes or Morgages Rent Charges and Reversions sold and purchased by any man that for the future no man may be cheated or abused as now they be which would be prevented were this put in execution in this our Nation And that after any man shall take a Lease Morgage or lend any money upon his estate and shall not Register the same within one month the next man lending the same party mony and Registering his first shall be first satisfied in case of a failer and the estate come to be sold to pay debts and so the second and the rest in order And if any shall have lent any money upon a confidence that the estate might produce his supposed thoughts thereof and it doe not the last man to lose whatever the estate makes not out to pay him Again after the Registers be setled that every man shall be limited a time to register his said Lands Leases Morgages Reversions c. and all such as can lay claim to any mans estate in part or in whole to put in their claims with in a certain limited time as it shall be ordered or else to be debarred ever after from molesting or troubling the party possessed thereof or his heirs for ever and where Infants or Orphans are in the case their Gardians or friends and if they have none they to lay their claim within twelve or eighteen months after they come of age and if Femals and maried within twelve months after such mariage if maried to persons that are of age else within the limited time after their husbands doe come to age and in failing therein to be debarred from molesting or disturbing any person that is seised of the said estate and this will very much ease the people of this Nation and take off thousands of litigious sutes managed by troublesome spirited men meerly upon pretences to get money from those that are of right owners of what they do possess and are seised with And further where any death happens all such as be heirs to the estate of the deceased person to register their proportions thereof as left them within three months after the decease of those whose heirs they be that none may come to be defrauded for the want of registring the same It would be an unspeakable ease to this Nation were these Registers setled and save many thousands in a year which is now spent in litigious sutes to the ruine of many and their whole estates which by the subtlety of some for want of a word in a Deed are unjustly wrested from them The Rules by which these Registers are to be guided are as followeth 1. To be chosen in the City or County in which they are to execute their office and then confirmed by the power of the Nation 2. Upon their admission and confirmation therein by the Power and having given security to take an Oath of fidelity for the performance of that trust which they have undertaken 3. To keep a duplicate of all that they doe register and transmit it up every month to the grand Office and Registry of the Nation to be kept in the Metropolis of the Land where the chief concourse of the people is that without sending down to any particular place if they think fit they may be satisfied by a search what they desire to be informed of concerning the ingagement upon any persons estate 4. That the power of the Nation settle the fees which shall be received by the Register of such as doe register their estates and what they shall receive for searches and certificates as occasion offers that all men may know what to pay as they to receive that the people be not abused and intrenched upon 5. That if by negligence of the Register or his Clerk any man shall be damnified in not having the register entred in due time his damage to be made him good by the said Register without any demur so soon as his damage shall be made justly to appear 6. That if any Register shall by any Act give out any false Certificate or anticipate any Register or doe any unjust things and convicted thereof he to make good the damage which any person shall suffer thereby and be proceeded against criminally as a felon and to forfeit his Office and estate to the publike and another placed therein and what his own estate will not make good his security to doe it for him by this strict dealings men will be cautious how they falsifie their trust The advantages arising hereby to the publike revenue may be these 1. Every Register at his admission to pay to the publike a fine as also at every alienation of the said Office by sale to another or upon death by the successor which fine to be certain that is one years reincome that will venue 2. That every Register shall pay to the publike an annual rent for his Office as shall be thought fit which he may very well doe out of his income that will grow due to him 3. That as the Nation will receive so great a benefit as to be freed from all deceits in purchasing lands which now they are subject unto and also tedious sutes and expences of Law which will be taken away so they to pay to the publike 6d 4d or 3d. in the pound according to the annual rents which their Lands Morgage Lease Annuity House or reversion is worth when they doe register the same which the Register shall receive of them and once a Month pay it into the publike Treasury of the Nation which at the first registring of the said estates it will amount unto a very considerable sum of money and yearly after as men purchase morgage or grant annuities reversions lives or as divisions doe happen it will be a continual spring of money that will dayly be gathered in to a good value yearly out of the whole Nation and be a good support with other duties to maintain the Nations charge so that what with the fines of Registers their annual payments out of their Offices and this together will undoubtedly give a good help to abate taxes The third way to raise a revenue to the Nation is that in and throughout all the Sea-ports of the Nation there
the parties damnified 4. That wherein these Brokers shall by any dishonest practice forswear themselves or falsifie any bargain made by them between any persons to be criminally prosecuted and if convicted to make good the damage forfeit his Office to the Power of the Nation and never more to be admitted to execute the same or any other Divers other ways and means very satisfactory to the people and advantageous to the Revenue might have been declared were our quiet so as to encourage the setlings of them but I hope by the five foregoing proposals I have made good my promise for the raising of the Revenue which if taken into serious debate and well considered of undoubtedly it will appear to judicious men the Revenue will be much augmented to carry on the publick charges of the government and the people no way prejudiced but pleased and advantaged But before I finish this Discourse I shall adde four short proposals more which have reference to the Revenue and to the whole people of this Nation and its commerce as also to particular men more immediately interested therein The first is that if so be the Power of the Nation shall settle a Committee of Merchants for the carrying on the commerce of this Nation and its Trade according to what is proposed in the twentieth Article for encouragement of trade and allow them a yearly stipend for their extraordinary attendance and pains to perfect what will be expected from them I shall shew a way how that charge shall be born by the commerce both freely and willingly without dislike or prejudice and raise thereby a sufficient income to maintain the same without taking one penny from the Publick Treasury of the Nation The second is That if so be the Power of this Nation will perform what in honour they are ingaged to do especially if ever they expect upon any immergent occasion for money that the people should assist them freely therewith which is to pay to the people of this Nation their just debts due to them upon the Publick Faith for Loans Arrears for services suppplying them with Arms Ammunition or Ships or otherwise I shall shew a means how to raise so considerable a Revenue in this Nation that without prejudice of the people being setled and the conveniency thereof found will not only be liked but approved of and in a very few years not only pay to a penny all the Publick Faith debts that shall be justly due to any person throughout the Nation but they being paid establish a constant annual Revenue whereby a stock of money may be laid up for the supply of all future occasions that may require the same And besides hereby regain to the Publick their lost Credits with the people And all this to be effected without burdening the Nation with unequal Taxes and Impositions which are for present so vexatiously extorted from them by armed men who are ever the disturbers and enemies to all trade Traders Ingenuous Arts either at home or abroad The third is That if it shall be approved of to raise a stock to furnish forein Traders with moneys at easier rates in their urgent necessity According to the purposes expressed in the sixteenth means for incouragement of trade and commerce in this Nation I shall shew a way and means how this stock may be easily raised without prejudice to the people of this Nation but rather for their advantage and that not only to the traders but in reference to the general good of all the whole Nation whereby the commerce aforesaid shall not only be accommodated for their occasions but withall a considerable income over and above gathered for increase of the publike revenue and also the following advantages of the Nation to the great satisfaction and benefit of the people and their posterity in after ages 1. That all Orphans estates of what condition or quality soever shall be secured from the knavish rapine and wicked practices of Gardians Father-in-Laws Executors Ad ninistrators and weak Women who in their fondnesses being overswayed by eyil minded and unconscionable men Ruinate for the most part not only themselvs but their children and their Estates whereby whole fanilies are dayly undone which would be preserved were a publick care taken thereof 2. That all honest and ingenuous persons who dying and leaving their children Orphans and remedilesse without estates should hereby not only find relief for their necessities but means to preferre them in the world by the publick according as their ingenuity and aptnesse should administer and give occasion be they males or females The fourth is that if so be the government of the City shall think it to be of too great a consequence to purchase the wharfs lying upon the River and that they cannot find means to curb the insolency of the whar fingers that have incroched upon the peoples right by requiring unreasonable rates upon their takings up or shipping of their goods and Merchandize under which the Commerce groanes I shall shew a way how this may be done without purchasing the said wharfs and at no great expence for the government but of infinite advantage to the people and Commerce of this Nation and the curbing of all these incroching wharfingers Having brought to a conclusion what I intended and shewed the way and means to revive encrease enrich case strengthen and encourage the Trade and Commerce of this Nation both in respect of its Manufactories shippings Dominions Coyn and revenew I shall recommend what hath been said and proposed therein to the consideration of all persons that desire the well-fare and prosperity of this our English Nation and withall entreat them unanimously to use their utmost interest and endeavour that the power of the Nation may seriously take into their thoughts our dying Trade whereby they may be incited to apply a timely remedy that thereby the ulcerated wound thereof may be healed lest if delayed never so little it gangrene and become incurable and so both the Trade and Traders therein utterly come to ruine and perish And for Conclusion of all if we of this Nation do seriously and really desire the Commerce thereof to encrease and prosper and to stand firm upon a lasting foundation not to be moved or shaken by other Nations Let us but observe these few Rules following and I dare warrant and will undertake that in a very short time we shall all see our dying trah revive and flourish traders grow rich the Nation powerful in strengt Wealth and prosperity to dwell within our Walls Lands Towns and Cities and God will bless us yea we shall be blessed 1. That we labour diligently and faithfully every one in that way wherein God hath called us and not for lucre or gain to intrench upon each others callings 2. That we asperse no mans goods or his good name by disparaging them or him thereby supposing to advance our own 3. That we
use no false lights weights or measures nor oaths to sell or put off our Merchandize and wares but to deal uprightly faithfully and truly with one another 4. That we strive not to circumvent any person in our buying or selling or to out-wit one another as the phrase is lately come up with tricks and quillets and then by Law to wrest from one the other what we ought not and detaining by force either of Purse or Power the right of each other 5. That we oppress not each other in necessity either by griping usury or rating what we sell to each other at so high rates that who is forced so to buy cannot live by one another 6. That we would forbear malitiously to vex and molest each other with Arrests Serjeants the times being vexatious enough in the ruinating of the commerce through the losses all have sustained and therefore Traders should consider each other and not fly upon one the other because we cannot have what we would of them we deal with 7. That the prosperity of another occasion not our envy nor his living better than we make us to repine but let us rejoyce therein and not thwart each other privately but rather assist each other more and more and no way to think by the ruine of another we may reap the greater advantage 8. That in occasion of difference between one another we strive to make peace and rather hinder differences than widen them striving to be at peace with all men and to have no man but to seek peace and to run after it that we may expect that blessing assured to such as make peace 9. That no mans estate or riches entice us to cover the same or engage us by force or fraud to lick our selves whole or to build up our own fame upon another mans ruines nor to believe that by Piracy or Robery being enriched with an estate so gotten will last long to us or our posterity 10. That whatever we may have taken fraudulently or by force from each other be it lands debts or ought else Let us follow the example of Zacheus in the Gospel and make restitution 11. That considering these sad and disastrous times wherewith God hath afflicted this Nation let us be charitable to one another by relieving each other with our substance what we can in having good thoughts for each other good works and actions and let not poverty cause us to despise or draw us back from assisting each the other for with these things God is well pleased 12. That upon all publick occasions hapning to each other we be ready to help and assist one the other for no man doth know but it may be his lot to require assistance from others and to need the same 13. That we be tractable civil and courteous to each other having respect of one the other as to their parts and persons also to submit our selves to our Superiours and no ways to dispise order nor government and to avoid having any hand in Rebellious practises either for the destroying of Religion which is Gods cause or of our Princes or Countrie which Trade and Traders are not to intermeddle with 14. And lastly that we be righteous in all our ways towards God and in our dealings towards one another observing carefully and strictly that golden Rule Let us do to every one and for every one as we would have them do to and for us which is the summe of all that can be said or done and if we resolve duly to observe but this alone how happy would this Nation be in its Trade and Commerce in its Peace and Plenty in its Glory and Honour which the Lord in mercy grant to whom be all Glory Honour and Praise for ever and ever Amen Amen THE END Postscript If it shall be suggested by any that shall peruse this discourse at many â—hâ—â—gs herein proposed are lately published by other 〈◊〉 and he as present under consideration the Author hereof is glad to see others concurr with him in opinion and that there be still some publick spirits that will take the pains to do the Nation service in their Generation What is here discoursed of was some years since intended for publick View but as every year almost if not altogether hath brought its change with it I have been forced to change many things that were prepared and put in others and now fearing these our changes will never leave changing till we are all changed to dust and so can change no more but as God shall change us I resolved whatever change should come to change nothing more herein but to send it to the view and perusal of those that will take the pains to cast their eyes over the same and when it please not all I hope it will please some and then I have my desire You have herein my Conceptions do with them what you please And if you find any errors committed of any side either in the Author or Printer both are humane and the best of men do erre therefore such as do find any faults are desired not to blame any for their good will and zeal for the publick Good but to amend them making the best of the worst error it will be both charity and wisdom If the curiosity of some are not satisfied because no mans name is subscribed hereunto let it suffice them that it is not done because the Author of these Proposals is either ashamed to be known or to own them you have a Reason given at the beginning of this Discourse which may satisfie you therein If the Authority and power of the Nation shall approve of any or of all that is here proposed and desire to be farther satisfied in any particular they shall not want a means to be informed by him who desires nothing more than that the Lord would be pleased to make him instrumental in his Generation to serve his Country and people therein in some acceptable service whereby the Nation may receive the benefit and God the glory The causes of its decay as to the Persons Trading and as to the Commodities in which they traded 1. The lowness of the Customs 2 The loss of so many ships with their ladings 3. The weakness of mens Estates trading beyond Seas 4. The falsisying of our native Commodities 5. The abollishing of Corporations and Companies The admitting Jews into England The smaller causes of decay of trade omitted Means to increase and restore the trade of this Nation proposed To have peace established at home and abroad Peace is the Mother of all Arts and Comerce The Issue desired of this Mother Only two Advantages The first how qualified As Companies and Corporations the Foundation and Pillar of trades Perfect in parts united in Spirit 1. For Council and Safety 2. For Regulation at home and abroad 3. For keeping our Manufactories to a Rule 4. For raising mony for the
trade In reference to sales of our own commodities 2. For buying up of the commodities of the Country 3. For dispatch and fraightment of ships 4. For safety in case of mortality as followeth 1. Insecuring mens estates on any sudden death 2. appointing able men to manage the estates of those that die with wills or without wills The want of care in this is the loss of many mens estates when factors die abroad especially in the American plantations 5. For the maintaining of unity and peace in factories and civility to each other 6. For the honour of the Nation preserving them from the afronts of the Natives where they reside and obtaining satisfaction in case of damage The maintainance of the Consull to be by a duty imposed on the goods imported in that place The Consul to be for life the assistants every three years If any factor dye without heirs or bequeathing his Estate how to be bestowed To redeem Captives and transport poor to the American plantations The tenth means to incourage trade Is to settle it well abroad By procuring good privileges By having our own Consulls To have freedome to exercise our own Religion not giving scandal To have burying places for the dead In Spain he English 〈◊〉 burial have had their bodies taken up and ill created Iohn Maâ—on a Merchant was so used in Civilla To have all damages upon arrests and stopping our ships made good To have none of our Seamen or ships taken into service without the leave of Commander and Merchants That no Princes officers shall without consent take any Merchandise from any residing in his Dominions That in making peace with any Prince or State such be consulted with that know the Customs of their Countries and trade The eleventh means to incourage and ease trade is to have a Court Merchant to decide all Merchants Causes The twelfth means to encourage trade That the three following grievances may be regulated The first grievance to be regulated is that no Action be laid on any person for more than justly he owes The second grievance to be regulated is to take off the inhumanity of Bayliffs and Sergeants For Remedy that the 〈◊〉 Rule for summoning men may he revived in this Nation The third agrievance to be regulated is when any person faileth that if the major part of his Creditors compound the rest to be tyed thereunto The thirteenth means to incourage trade is that the two abuses following be remedyed 1. Statutes of Bankrupt 2. The not admitting of men to discount their debts one with the other The ways to remedy the said inconveniency The fourteenth means to encourdge trade is that the carriages of goods to and again may be cheap The way how this may be brought to pass is to mend all our High-wayes and Rivers c. The Souldiers to do it and it will be no disparagement to them but honour and advantage 1. To eternize their memory 2. To secure Trade and Travellers 3. To enrich barren grounds 4. To keep the souldiers out of idleness 5. To prevent disorders and to keep them in action 6. It s most easie to be accomplished by them The means to preserve the ways when mended All Carts to have 4 wheels and double horses The fifteenth meaâ—â— to encourage Trade iâ— that what Pirates 〈◊〉 publick ships taâ—â— to distribute the saâ—â— to such Merchants 〈◊〉 have had loss by Eâ—â—mies and Pirates The sixteenth means to encourage trade is To raise a stock of money to supply Merchants at easie rates the seventeenth means 〈◊〉 encourage trade is to reward all invenâ—â—â—s of new Arts and â—rades the eighteenth means encourage trade is abolish the barbaâ—â—â—â—s custom used conâ—â—â—ning wracks at sea 〈◊〉 The ninteenth means to encourage trade is that all mens lands may be liable to pay their debts The twentieth means to encourage trade is to setle a Committee of Merchants for trade 1. To consult about the advance of trade 2. To redress abuses in trade 3. To present the same to the Power for confirmation 4. To settle trade for the incouragement of all men The Merchants of this Committee how qualified 1. To be men bred up in forein parts and Travellers 2. That every Nation where our commerce is may have one to be of this Committee and how to choose him 3 One of the Committee to be President for the year and afterwards every one to take his turn 4 To remain for life unless by death or publike imployment discharged or any other sickness c. 5. To have a Register kept of their transactions and Officers accordingly to manage the same 6. They to have salary for their publike service allowed them One proposal more for the general good of the Nation concerning Woodmongers and how thereby the Nation is cheated A prevention of this cheâ—t of Wood and Coal to have both sold by the pound or C. weight The like order might be for sale of fruits Ways proposed to settle a considerable Revenue in the Nation To raise it on the vices of a people most approved of by wise men Italy Spain Russia patterns to us herein The first means to raise the Revenue upon Ale-Houses Tobacco-Shops Taverns and Victualling Houses and Strong-water Shops computed to yield annually three hundred thousand pounds The second way to raise the Revenue is by the four following Offices 1. To settle Registers throughout England for registring of lands c. The uses of the said Office of Register â—â—les for the Regiâ—â—â—â—s To be chosen by 〈◊〉 County or City in â—â—ich they are to â—â—â—cute To take an oath of â—â—â—â—lity to gyve â—â—â—â—rity To keep a dupliâ—â—â—â— of their transacâ—â—â—â—s and to send that 〈◊〉 the grand Office 4. That by the publâ—ke authority their fees may be settled 5. If by their negligence any suffer to be made good by the Register 6. Falsifying his trust to be punished as a felon The advantages to the publike 1. Every Regicter at his admission to pay a fine An annual rent by them to be paid 3. Every person upon registring his estate to poy 3d. 4d or 6d in the pound according to the Rent The third means to raise the revenue is bâ— the Registers of shiping in the Sea-ports of England The advantage 1. Having 6 d. 4 d. or 3 d. upon every tun for registring 2. Hereby the Publike will be furnished the better with the ships they may want The 4th way to raise the revenue is to have Notaries Publique throughout England The duty of the Notary and what is to doe The advantages to the Revenue will be the fines of their admission and annual vents after The Rules to be observed 1. Not to give Copies of any Deeds or to discover them 2. To keep a duplicate of all transactions to be remitted to the grand Office 3. For prevention of fire their Offices to be made of brick or stone 4. To be punished as a Felon for making any false Deeds c. The fifth way to raise the Revenue is to establish Brokers in the Nation Rules by them to be observed 1. That a rate be set for their pains 2. That they keep a Register of what they do 3. That they be able and understanding men 4. For falsity to be criminally punished and pay damages Four Proposals more 1. For raising money to bear the charge of the Committee for trade 2. For the raising of money to pay all the Publick Faith debts in the Nation and afterwards to maintain the publick charge 4. For the easing the Commerce from the burden of wharfingers and their inchroachment All persons desired to be instrumental to revive the dying trade of England The conclusion of thi discourse and the only means to increase and revive the dying trade of England 1. To be diligent in our own callings 2. To disparage no man to advance themselves 3. To use no deceits in buying and selling 4. To force no man out of their right by power 5. To oppress no man by usury 6. To ruinate no person malitiously 7. To believe no mans prosperity is our adversity 8. To seek the peace of all men 9. To defraud no man to enrich our selves 10. To make restitution of all we have ill got 11. To around in charity to one another 12. To assist others as we would have them assist us 12. To submit to one another and not to be rebellions in any kind 14. To serve God and to do to all men as we would they should do to us the true and only means to increase the trade of this Nation
to fill us therewith especially it being prohibited to pass in payments between man and man and no person to be ingaged in any payment whatever to receive thereof above a penny worth or two meerly for change and no otherways except the party shall desire the same for his private use of him that is to pay him any sum or sums of money for should Copper Brass or mixed metal mony be coyned and made current it would utterly destroy the wealth of the Nation as experience sheweth us by the black money introduced and made current in Spain where by the reason of the admission of that mony to go current in buying and selling commodities their very Silver money is become a Merchandize and almost hath lost the name of a coyn how prejudicial it is and hath been to that Nation all persons who have the knowledge of Sâ—ain can testifie and the like will happen to us if we should admit it 6. That Gold be considered of under the same observance as is expressed concerning our Silver which if lessened in weight and kept to the present value will remain with us and not be carried out as it is every day For the admitting of all sorts of Forain coyn to be exported after brought in for the use and benefit of such Trades as cannot well be managed without it and that without prejudice to the Nation The way is That all Forain coyn that is true Gold and Silver may pass in payments currently among us according to their value as they do in Holland France Italy and other Princes Countries and Territories The advantages will be 1. Our own coyn will ever remain with us unexported 2. All persons needing Bullion and coyn to manage their trade will alwayes export such Species as are known in those parts where they go to negotiate where only coyn is required to obtain their commodities 3. Hereby all sorts of Forain coyn will be continually brought in by every body when it s known to passe curently for the buying up of our own native commodities as being readier to purchase any thing for dispatch 4. By this means these Forain coyns will be as Merchandize rising and falling as its plentifully imported to buy up commodities among us or as occasion may offer to the negotiator to export the same for his forain imployments 5. There will never want forain coin of all sorts to supply all persons that shall need the same to export for their quotidian occasions 6. Experience shews us that in Italy Holland and other parts where the exportation of forain coin is permitted there never is a want thereof for any that desire or need the same 7. The Publike Revenue may hereby be advanced and that upon a very good foundation ingaging every one that exports forain coin or bullion to enter it in the Custom house and to pay for the admitting its exportation one or two per cent for licence but more not by reason that if too high a rate be set thereon people will carry it out under hand and pay nothing so the Nation will be bereft of its wealth and the publike never a whit the better 8. That in order to the foregoing proposals and benefit of the Nation it be felony to export any forain coin out of the land without paying the forementioned duty for licence besides the loss of the money so discovered to be conveyed out and the strict course for prohibition of conveying our own coin out of the land to continue in force The eighth means to increase and nourish trade in this nation Is 1. To guard and strengthen it with stout and warlike ships whereby we may be defended from Enemies and Pirates 2. To supply the commerce with convenient ships of burthen as well as of force for all sorts of trades and that at easie rates especially for the lading and fetching of gross goods as Timber Masts Pitch Tarr Corn Salt and that we may no longer be inforced to make use of the Hollander our Neighbours ships and themselves to fetch and bring all those Northern commodities which we cannot be without from Norway and the East Country whereby we inrich them and increase their shiping to our own prejudice and infinite disadvantage and this meerly by our sloath and negligence To remedy the same and to disable the Hollanders our only competitors in trade and shiping and that to our own advantage in a short time the following particulars are recommended to be considered of and if found convenient desired to be put in practice the sooner the better That the late Act for increase of shiping be repealed and void to all tents and purposes Experience having taught us since it was made how pernitious and destructive it hath proved to our trade and shipping especially for the northern parts of this Nation we having suffered far greater inconveniences and loss thereby than ever it could have any wayes advantaged us 1. Because put in execution too suddenly before we could supply our selves with meet shipping for the introducieg among us grosse goods from Norway and the East-land Countries 2. Because it was left with so many loop-holes and sally-ports that every one got out of it when and how he pleased being not to be hindered 3. Because so defective in its self admitting as many interpretations as men had occasion to make use of whereby the Hollanders got more advantages of us both as to our trade and imployment of his shipping especially since the warr began and hath continued with Spain that never could a happened the like mischief to a people coveting trade as we do and jealous of every thing that hath but a colour of intercepting us therein having been hereby laid open and destroyed by these crafty and subtle Hollanders by our own permission 1. In setting our own shipping remain by the walls and imploying theirs notwithstanding the Act which in a manner gave us occasion more freely to imploy them 2. By our imploying of their ships and people we have given them the insight and knowledge of our whole trade and negotiations which thereby hath been discovered unto them inabling them the better to circumvent us 3. In giving them hereby the power to betray us which they have done by wofull experience and upon obtaining their ships and fraight have delivered up our goods to our enemies whereby many have been ruinated and undone the Nations stock lost the revenue indamaged our shipping and Seamen perishing For prevention thereof in the future and that the Hollanders trade and shipping may be decreased and our own shipping increased 1. That forthwith a Prohibition be made that all the Subjects of this Nation of England and its dominions shall not take to fraight any Foreiners ships directly nor indirectly in any of the Ports belonging to
and no farther back which would be of great ease and encouragement to this Nations trade and the commerce thereof 2. That whereas by the Laws of this Land it is permitted That if one man shall owe another five hundred pounds upon account ajusted and he to whom this five hundred pounds is owing shall owe the other one hundred by bond he that hath the bond shall by Law recover his hundred pound and not discount it out of what on account is owing to him but must pay the said bond and sue the other afterward upon account and if not able to prosecute must be undone and never get a penny The like is between Merchants trading and having accounts one with the other he that oweth the most often times holding out a suit against the other with the interest of his own money which abuse is so extreme and intollerable in this our Nation as that divers persons have been and are hereby undone dayly which ought to be remedied in a special manner And for remedy thereof may be observed That each party suing one the other to give in his demands upon account made upon oath and upon perusing of each parties accounts which being referred to Auditors and Accountants for that purpose being by them stated upon a just ballance so made up the money due to any person on such Account to be immediately paid into Court that no man be engaged to sue for the mony really due to him or forced by Law to be kept out of his own with his own money It would be of infinite ease and encouragement to the commerce for then the debate would only arise upon questionable things that would be by the Court appointed for that purpose decided and determined as they should see cause whereby dishonest and litidious men would not be so troublesom in keeping others from their rights as now they do were they to go to Law upon their own purse and not out of anothers men dayly being undone by such as are too powerful either in purse or friends upon this very foundation by keeping their rights from them and making use of their own weapons to destroy them And this is a very considerable abuse and lies as a very heavy burden on the people of this Nation who may earnestly pray and desire a remedy thereof The fourteenth means to encourage the trade of this Nation and to ease the same is that the carriages from place to place by Boat Cart or Horse of all our Manufactures or forein Nations brought in to us may be cheap and easie for the cheapness and conveniency of Portage of goods especially gross goods is of great concernment to ease trade and the commerce of a Nation which that it may be of advantage to our Land It would be of notable importance and benefit not only to the commerce but the whole people of England If by the Power order were taken for the mending of all High-ways in England where narrow to make them broader where bad to make them good And where Bridges and Causies be wanting to build them mending all such as are dacayed and then cutting of Rivers from one into another where to be done as that of Severn into Thames and so of others where it can be done making new where none is for the conveying of our goods and Merchandise Corn Cattel and Provisions from one Shire to another Boats going with a hundred times less charge than Carts or Horses The means to have it done both with ease and speed may be as followeth That seeing we are now in peace among our selves an Army kept still up only for fear of what may happen to us by new discontents or forein Princes invasion and the Souldiery duly paid by a continued Tax upon the Nation it would be a noble and generous act of the Power so far to please the people as in satisfaction of what is levied upon them to imploy the Souldiers in mending the High ways Bridges and cutting Rivers for them it will be no disparagement for the Souldiers to do this if you will but look back to former times and view the Histories of those ages you shall see Greece Italy and other of those Countries flourish in such heroick works even this Island can shew us patterns very remarkable made by the Romars as Camden tells us It was the custome in those ages for all gallant men who kept up great Armies ever to imploy their Souldiers in such actions when they were not immediatly fighting 1. To eternize their memories for time to come 2. For conveniency of their own countries and such as were conquered by them to ease and secure Travellers and Commerce between place and place 3 For the inriching of barren grounds that for want of water yielded nothing which afterwards by cutting Rivers to water them have been made strangely fruitful 4. And chiefly to keep their Souldiers to a coastant labour that when in time of war necessity required them to build Forts make Trenches and such like it should not seem irksome or tedious but through custom a delight to work 5. For prevention of disorder which idleness ever produceth it 's most certainly experienced that idleness draws effeminateness in men and makes them prone to all wickedness as it is noted of Hannibal's Army that they lost more lying idlely in Italy in one year than they had gained by their valour in many years wars And it was the sole means of giving the Romans the oportunity to overthrow the whole Carthaginian State 6. That by having so great a multitude together and under command what ever can be thought on or attempted for a generall good is easilier compassed and brought to perfection than it can be done by levying of men for a perticular work who will faintly begin and never finish and yet for the most part bring with it an excessive charge on the people which being executed this way would be done And for the encouragement of the Souldiers to this work there may be added to their constant pay as Souldiers what is levied by the Inland Rates for mending High-ways and Bridges c. and given to them which will be an advantage to such as are good husbands who may save mony in their purses by this allowance bringing to themselves for time to come both honour and renown and to their posterity the benefit and use of their labours And in such Counties where any thing is most of present use there to begin first and so by degrees one after another For the preservation of these works when done especially the High-wayes and Bridges that they may not be torn up as now they be by our two wheeled Carts which make such furrows as in some places are extreme dangerous for all Travellers causing quarrels upon the High-ways by reason of mens unwillingness to go out of one path into another in respect of the Cart-ruts That no