The trade with the Indies thus encountered bitter opposition, and many tracts were published calling attention to the alleged grievances of native workmen from its prosecution. In 1700, _Reasons_, a tract, tells us: “The charter of the East India Company was confirmed by King Charles II in the thirteenth year of his reign, and the law for permitting bullion to be exported was made soon after. In 1672 or 1673, several artificers were sent over by the Company with great quantity of English patterns to teach the Indians how to manufacture goods to make them vendible in England and the rest of the European markets. After which began the trade in manufactured goods from the Indies.” In 1699, also, a bitter wail went up in a broadside entitled _Prince Butler’s Tale_: When first the India trade began, And ships beyond the tropics ran In quest of various drugs and spices, And sundry other strange devices. Saltpetre, drugs, spice and such trading Composed the bulk of all their lading: Bengals and silks of India’s making Our merchants then refused to take in, Knowing it would their country ruin And might prove to their own undoing. Nor did they carry gold or bullion To fetch home what supplants our woollen; Nor were this nation fond to wear Such Indian toys which cost so dear. Then were we clad in woollen stuffs, With cambric bands and lawn ruffs, Or else in silk which was imported For woollen goods which we exported; Which silk our English weavers bought And into various figures wrought. That scarce a child was to be seen Without Say frock, that was of green. Our hangings, beds, our coats and gowns Made of our wool in clothing towns, This nation then was rich and wealthy And in a state which we call’d healthy. But since the men of Gath arose, And for their chief Goliath chose, And since that mighty giant’s reign Whose chiefest aim was private gain, This trade was drove on by such measures As soon exhausted much our treasures; For then our chiefest artists went With patterns, and with money sent, To make and purchase Indian ware, For which this nation pays full dear. Then by great gifts of _finest_ touches To lords and ladies, dukes and duchess, So far prevailed as set the fashion Which, plague-like, soon spread o’er the nation. Our ladies all were set a gadding, After these toys they ran a madding; And nothing then would please their fancies, Nor Dolls, nor Joans, nor wanton Nancies Unless it was of Indians’ making;