Now that such advantages as might accrue to the Kingdom are not laid hold on, and the Commodities improoved to what it might be, is too too evident to all men, that have any feeling of the case, or that do make any inspection into it; which may also be sufficiently confirmed to all others, by the sad complaints, and frequent moanes, that are dayly made concerning the miserable decay of Trade, to the great loss of many perticuler men, and to the King, and Nation in General, and principally in the Trade of Cloathing.
But if the Wooll of England, and Ireland were improoved to the best advantages, and secured from exportation to Forreigners, doubtless England would be the General Market for the whole Universe, for matter of Cloathing, and what would soon be the Riches, greatness, and Splendor thereof, (by the Almighties blessing) is not a thing very difficult to be imagined, by any sober judicious Person, Merchant, or Traveller.
No Wool so good as English.
And that no Nation hath such good Wooll, for the general Trade of Cloathing is evident, elce what makes so many Forreigners of other Nations, so greedy of our English Wooll, if they had as good, or near as good of their own, and how highly was it formerly esteemed, by the Dukes of Burgundy, and what benefit and advantage did that People under his government make of it; when they paid but sixpence the pound for our English Wooll, they returned it to us in Cloath at Ten shillings the Yard; by which may very easily be computed, what profit did redound to that people, in the working up the Wooll, which thing occasioned many English Families, to transport themselves into those parts, for their profitable livelihood and subsistence.
Cloathing set up in England.
But after the Victorious Conquest, made by Edward the third, of Famous Memory, he caused to be ordered and set up the Manufactures of Wooll in this Kingdom, to the great increase of the Riches of his own People; the memory of whom, for his provident care for the wellfare of his People; is worthy to be perpetuated to all succeeding Generations.
Forreigners do covet our Wooll.
And what now a days makes Holland, and France, so covetous of our Wooll, and what large quantities by sinister meanes, do they procure to serve themselves, and their Countries; and what Riches do they acquire to themselves thereby, may in some measure be guessed at, for by having our good English Wooll, they can mix their own course Wooll with it, and so make good Cloath, or Stuffes, which otherwise they could not do.
To instance perticulerly in the French, it is taken for granted, and sufficiently known, that their Wooll is very course, and of it self fit for little, but to make a sort of Cloath which is worn by Sea-men, and Fisher-men, &c. But by the help of our good Wooll, they make very good work, and send to other parts of the World their druggets, &c.