A. D. 1783. 



'5 



The fteady progrefTive increafe of any branch of manufadure or com- 

 merce gives the beft-founded hopes of its profperity being permanent. 

 The wellvvifhers to the bufy fwarms of people, whofe well-direded in- 

 duflry enlivens and enriches the well; riding of York-fliire, may enjoy 

 the pleafure of obferving an increafe, almoft regularly progrefTive, in 

 the foUoM^ing extrad from the authentic annual accounts of the fruits 

 of their perfevering difigence in the manufadure of woollen cloths. In 

 the year 1725 the broad cloths, made in this diftrid, were by ad of par- 

 liament fubjeded to examination and regifter : in 1738 the fame regu- 

 lation was extended to the narrow cloths : and after 1768 the number 

 of yards was alfo regiftered, the cloths being of unequal lengths. The 

 account commences with the year ending 25''' March 1727, being the 

 firft whole year of the regifter, and proceeds at intervals of five years 

 till the commencement of the prefent reign, whence it is continued 

 annually. 



Years 

 ending 

 March. 



1769 



1770 



1771 



1772 



1773 



1774 



1775 



1776 



1777 



1778 



17/9 

 I78O 

 1781 



1782 

 1733 



The quantity of the finer cloths, manufadured in the weftern parts 

 of England, is not fo well afcertained. But this view of the progrefs of 

 one of the moft confiderable branches of the woollen manufadure, and 

 the continuation of it, to be afterwards given, afford a very fufficient 

 anfwer to thofe who fay, that the manufadure is in a declining or ruin- 

 ous condition. We fee plainly, that it felt no interruption from the 

 American non-importation agreement in 1765, and that the check 

 occafioned by the American war was but temporary. 



The following eftimate of the annual produce and condition of the 

 principal manufadures of Great Britain was publifhed about this time,, 

 which I give as I find it, not knowing upon what principles it is founded.. 

 Woollen _ - - ^16,800,000 



Leather - - - 10,500,000 declining. 



Flax _ - - 1,750,000 rather declining. . 



