Petition on Silk

Document excerpt

Certaine Considerations vpon a petition to his Ma[jes]tie for reformac[i]on of abuses of certaine tradismen. whoe vent and sell Silk. Stockings and Silke Wastcotes wooven in a Loome at the same rates; as those knitt with needles. That it hath beene the vigilant care of the State in all tymes to provide remedies for the redressing abuses and deceipts discovered in the seuerall manufactures vsed and exercised within this Kingdome. And whereas good Lawes haue beene wanting for the suppressing thereof. The Kings of this Realme haue by their Proclamations declaring their royall pleasures. for the present. provided for the redresse of deceipts in all kinds. and by their Letters Pattents vnder the great Seale of England given authority to severall persons to take the care And to imploy their tyme and Labour in the searching out and discoverye of all such abuses by diligent pursuance of such orders and directions as haue beene conceived. necessary for the tymely suppressing of severall deceipts of what nature soever./ That the Traders and dealers for Silke Stockings and Silke wastcotes haue in Late yeares invented and vsed a way in working and making in a Loome the said commodities. soe neerely resembling the way of knitting with needles. that fewe or none can distinguish betweene them; which invencon though in it selfe bee Lawdable. and not to bee disallowed. yett through the misuse and deceiptfull practise of the Traders themselues great preiudice and Losse hath redownded to the wearers and occupiers of such commodityes./ That the said Traders and dealers for Silke Stockings and Wastcotes by the experience and skill they haue attayned in the aforesaid making and working such commodityes in a Loome and by the cunning draweing and making them vpp when they are brought from the Loome. doe make excessive gaine by venting them at as great prices as if they were of the best sort of Knitt. though in truth such wooven stockings and wastcotes both in the multitude of deceiptfull and rotten silke vsed for the same. and the slightnesse in the making thereof for weare and vse. cannot deserue scarce a third part of the prices they vsually demaund receive and take for the same./ That it cannot but bee conceived. but that his Ma[jes]ties loving Subiects are greatly abused in the buying of these Commodityes. all sorts both wooven and perhapps knitt being obtruded vnto their hands. there being noe knowne marke or distinction to discerne one from the other (as in other Commodityes a conscionable care is had./ For prevention of which vnconscionable dealing. It would please his Maiestye (in respect the Traders and dealers in Silke Stockings and Silke wastcoates. are not subiect to the search and veiwe of any officer or officers nominated or appointed. vnder the governement of the Citties of London or Westminster. or any other the Citties or Townes corporate within this Kingdome. by vertue of any acts. orders or constitutions established for the avoiding of deceipts and abuses in such Trading and dealing.) to sett forth his Proclamation. exhibiting the Traders and dealers in the aforesaid Commodityes to vent transport or make sale. of any Silke wastcoates or Silke Stockings. vntill the severall sorts. nowe and hereafter being or to bee in their severall possessions bee vented and searched by such as shall bee Skillfull therein to distinguish and severt such Stockings and wastcotes. as are knitt with needles. and such as are wooven in a Loome. and shall by his Letters Pattents vnder the great Seale of England. command and ordeine a Seale to bee delivered to the Petic[i]oner by him to bee carefully imprinted in Lead with severall marke. K. & W. for the better and more full distinction betweene the knitt and the wooven./ That for the more full and certaine performance of the faithfull service of the Petic[i]oner. and reformac[i]on of the abuse and deceipts herein. Noe Traders and Marchants of Silke Stockings or Silke Wastcoates shall hereafter permitt or suffer any such commodityes eyther knitt or wooven to bee made vpp or putt to sale vpon paine of forfeiture of the said Commodityes vntill such Stockings and wastcotes bee first searched veiwed and sealed with the said Marke of distinction at such an appointed place as shall bee thought fitting and convenient for the booking and sealing of the said Commodityes./