104 PRESENT STATE 



In 1770, the balance in favour of Scot- } r 

 land had arrived at - - \ V 



1780, it fell to , - 99>3*5 



1781, it was againft Scotland 34>7^i 



1782, ditto - I55>3*3 



And 



againft the great ftaple of Scotland- The linen traJt, which is 

 fupportedin an eminent degree by the printing of coarfer fabrics. 

 That high duties will operate moft effectually in eitablifhing a 

 fyftem of illicit trade, perfectly fimilar to that which prevailed 

 with regard to India muflins and calicoes, before the duties on 

 thofe articles were reduced from 33 to 18 per cent. 



That limilar manufactures are eitablilhed in Ireland, aided by 

 bounties, both on inland confumption and exportation, and that 

 the Irim parliament hath burdened the Scottiih goods with a 

 duty pf 10 per cent, when imported into that kingdom ; which, 

 taken in conjunction with the bounty given on their own manu- 

 factures, operates as a moft fevere check on the former j and having 

 already drawn over above i ooo weavers in the branch of thread- 

 gauzes, lawns, &c. mows the impolicy of any additional burden, 

 under circumilances fo extremely delicate and critical. 



Finally, That the memorialiits little expected, at a moment when 

 they are itrugglihg at every foreign market with a competition 

 threatening the ruin pf their infant manufactures, that a blow fo 

 fatal to them fhould originate with that legifla^ure to which they 

 have been accuitomed to look up for prote6tipn. That tKeir ar- 

 dent defire is to be ufeful and induftrious members of the com* 

 munity ; but while they fee themielves marked as the victims of 

 diftreis and ruin, by a meaiure partial in its operatipn, ancl de- 

 ftructive in its conferences, they would act a criminal 'part to lit 

 iilent, without avowing to his majefty's minifters, to parliament, 

 and to the world, thofe fentiments which become the iubjefts of 

 a free gpvernment. 



It hath been alib aflerted by the principal manufacturers, that the 

 Britifh India company fupplies Germany, France, and particularly 

 Switzerland, in calicoes; which thofe nations print and import into 

 Great Britain, being enabled thereto, by the drawback ori 'the firft 

 purchafe, faving of the excife, and cheapnefs of provifions aud 

 labour. The Jri|h have the iame advantages over Great Britain ; 

 and thofe obftructions will finally drive every man of property out 

 of the trade, or into the foreign trade ; thereby diverting the--r 

 capital from a fafe and commodious trade at home, beneficial to 

 .themfelves and their country, to a circuitous, a difficult, and a, 

 precarious trade abroad. And, fay they, it is notorious, that when a 

 rnamifacturer goes to London, and offers his goods to th^ ware^ 

 houfekeepers, the latter immediately turn over goods of India 

 fabric, ahd alfo of France, Germany, and Switzerland, which, 

 they purchafe. at pleafure |rom the agents of tfip.fe countries, or^ 



