Transcriber’s Note In this text version of “An Essay To the Restoring of our Decayed Trade”, words in italics are marked with _underscores_, words in plain text within italics are marked with +plus signs+. Sidenotes have been moved the start of paragraphs. Variant spelling, irregular punctuation and inconsistent use of italics are retained. The changes that have been made are listed at the end of the book. AN ESSAY To the Restoring of our Decayed TRADE. Wherein is Described, the SMUGLERS, LAWYERS, AND OFFICERS Frauds, _&c._ By _JOSEPH TREVERS_. LONDON Printed for _Giles Widdowes_, at the _Green Dragon_ in St. _Pauls Church_-Yard, _John Sims_ at the _King’s Head_ at _Sweetings Alley_ end in _Cornhil_, near the _Royal Exchange_, and _Will. Milward_ Stationer at _Westminster-Hall_ door in _New-Pallace-Yard_, 1678 The Contents. 1. _That no Nation hath such advantages whereby to inrich themselves, as +England+ hath._ 2. _That the private Exportation of our wooll and Fullers Earth, doth exceedingly hinder the Trade of this Kingdom, as also doth the private Importation of Forreign Prohibited Goods._ 3. _The ignorance of our common People of the Law in such cases, and want of incouragement to the discoverers._ 4. _The great loss our Silk and Ribbon-weavers._ 5. _That the Trade of Clothing is the cheifest thing in the Nation._ 6. _The profit gained by working up our wooll by our own poor people, is almost unspeakable, and influential to all degrees of persons in the Kingdome._ 7. _That there is lost Millions +per annum+ to the King and Kingdome, in Customes, +&c.+ by losing our Trade of Clothing._ 8. _That no other Country affords wooll to make good cloth without our +English+ wooll and Fullers Earth._ 9. _A recital of several Statutes concerning wooll, and the Transportation thereof, setling the +Aulangers+ Office, and for the well making of Cloth, and the abuses of our good Lawes._ 10. _Setting forth the industry of the +Dutch+, and other Countries, whereby in a great measure they undermine our Trade._ 11, _How the decay of Trade occasions the Poor to be so numerous, brings Rents low, and consequently Poverty to the Kingdome._ 12. _Several Quæries Propounded, by way of Remedy._ By, A true friend to his Countrey, _JO. TREVERS_. [Illustration: Decoration] To the Right Honourable _EDWARD SEYMOUR_, SPEAKER of the Right Honourable House of COMMONS; Treasurer of His Majesties Royal Navy, and one of His Majesties most Honourable Privy _COUNCEL_. For me to speak of the Nobility and Worth of your Ancestors, and the Noble Family (most Honoured Sir) would be but as an Eclipse of the Sun by the Moon, which is the Planet that moves in the lowest Orbe, but laying a side all such thoughts, the Occasion of the Dedication of this ensuing Treatise to your Honour, is,