The reformation of which abuse will redound to the benefit of the Clothier, as well as the Merchant. For none is more hurt with false Cloth, then that Clothier which maketh true Cloth: because his markets are alwayes hurt by the cheapnesse that false Cloth may be afforded at. Therefore to facilitate this Remedy, I have made a collection of all the principall Cities and Townes in the Clothing Counties for this purpose, as by a list thereof, fixed to the end of this discourse may appeare, that so a worke of this nature be no longer deferred, wherein the Honour of the King, and the Benefit of the Publique are so much involved.
Under the Merchant I observed the Cloth-Trade to suffer at Home and Abroad: At Home, either by exporting the Materials of Clothing, or by Ore-lading the Cloth-Trade with charge. The Remedy in the former, were to lay a restraint of exportation of Wools and Wool-fels out of Ireland, and to quicken the execution of the Statute for that purpose in England, by encouraging the discoverers of such abuses.
The latter is the Sur-charging of the Cloth Trade, either generally or specially: this last, in the Impositions and Impress monies imposed by the Merchant Adventurers: which as it is a charge laid upon the Drapery of the Kingdome, I conceive, under favour, is a matter that trencheth into the Suprmeme power and dignity of the King, and is peculiar to Him alone. And if for Government, or other just causes in Societies and Corporation, there be a necessity of paying of debts, or defraying of necessary charge; I should thinke it better policy to spare the Cloth, and other the Native Commodities of the Kingdom, and to implore His Majesties favour, to levy such charge upon the Forreine Commodities: according to the Counsell of Stephanus, Si Vectigal nouum euitari non potest, tune onerentur inerces perigrinae, auae ad luxum magis quam ad necessitatem faciunt. And this I conceive would be a good remedy for easing the Cloth Trade of the present charge under the Merchants: which would also bee a meanes for paying of their debts, with a little more length of time, and a great deale of encouragement, both to Clothiers and Merchants in the Cloth Trade.
And Abroad, if it appeare upon examination, that the Residence of the Merchant Adventurers at Delft in Holland be inconvenient for the Trade: As His Majestie was graciously pleased to five them that liberty for a tryall, so it may please His Majestie to dispose thereof, in some more fit place for their's and the Publique good.
The Forreince Causes of the Decay of the Drapery, I noted to bee Generall, as the Warres; or Speciall, as the great Imposition in Holland. The one is the worke of God, the other of the King, to remove the same. To whom I recommend them both.
And thus farre for the Remedies in the Matter of Trade, considered in Money and Merchandize: the Forme followeth in Governed and Ungoverned Trade. In the Former I observed a too strict, and in the latter a too loose forme of Trade. The Remedy in the One, if it seeme good to the high wisedome of His Majestie, may be Privative, in racing and rooting out the name and use of Monopolies from amongst this Nation, as His Majestie hath royally begun in that His Gracious Proclamation before mentioned. And to free and open the course of Trade, where now it is unequally stopt, to the encouragement of the subjects, and the benefit of the Publique.
In the other Positive, by disposing the Trades of His Majesties subjects that are now distracted; into Order and Government. Whereof none hath more need, as hath been shewed, then those that Trade into the Dominions of the King of Spaine.
Whose Trade the rather calleth for redresse, because it exporteth Cloth and other the Manufactures of the Kingdome, and importeth Treasure, the life of Trade: In both which thre is now a marveilous great defect, and Trade in all mens hands become so poore and leane, that it doth scarce, haerere ossibus. For where Trade is disordred, and the Traders ungoverned, there they are like a house devided, which cannot long subsist: according to that of the Orator, Nec domus ulla, nec Civitas, nec Societas, nee Gens, nec hominum universum genus stare, nec rerum natura omnis, nec fine imperio mundus ipse potest.
{Greek phrase omitted}
The Principall Cities and Towns for execution of the Statute for searching and Sealing of Cloth, are in Counties, Three Greater:
Wiltshire: Salisbury, Wilton, Westbury, Trubigde, Wooton-Basset, Deuizes, Malmsbury, Chipnam, Castlecomb, Calne, Bradford, Bromhil, Beckinton, Warminster.
Somersetsh.: Bath, Wells, Freshfor, Tauton, Philips-Norton, Frome, Somerton, Wellington, Bridgewater, Ilmister, Axbridge, Glastonbury.
Glocestersh.: Glocester, Tedbury, Sttowdwater, Dursley, Wotten-underhedge, Ebley, Witcomb, Winchcomb, Thornbury, Teuxbury, Cirencester.
Six less:
Oxfordshire: Burford, Witney.
Worcesters.: Worcester, Kidderminster.
Herefordshire: Hereford, Lidbury.
Warwickshire: Watwicke, Coventry.
Devonshire: Exceter, Tanton.
Hampsh.: Southampton, Portsmouth.
