But, leaving the author's speculations, the fact is, that they have not deserted; and of course the manufacture cannot be departed, or departing, with them. I am not indeed able to get at all the details of our manufactures; though, I think, I have taken full as much pains for that purpose as our author. Some I have by me; and they do not hitherto, thank God, support the author's complaint, unless a vast increase of the quantity of goods manufactured be a proof of losing the manufacture. On a view of the registers in the West Riding of Yorkshire, for three years before the war, and for the three last, it appears, that the quantities of cloths entered were as follows: Pieces broad. Pieces narrow. 1752 60,724 72,442 1753 55,358 71,618 1754 56,070 72,394 ------- ------- 172,152 216,454 Pieces broad. Pieces narrow. 1765 54,660 77,419 1766 72,575 78,893 1767 102,428 78,819 ------- ------- 3 years, ending 1767 229,663 235,131 3 years, ending 1754 172,152 216,464 ------- ------- Increase 57,511 18,677 In this manner this capital branch of manufacture has increased, under the increase of taxes; and this not from a declining, but from a greatly flourishing period of commerce. I may say the same on the best authority of the fabric of thin goods at Halifax; of the bays at Rochdale; and of that infinite variety of admirable manufactures that grow and extend every year among the spirited, inventive, and enterprising traders of Manchester.