478 History of the Author's 



on terms which must raise the price of our woollen goods beyond all profitable 

 bounds, I leave those to judge, who have observed the spirit of the French Em- 

 peror, and his own declarations of his eagerness to establish manufactures and com- 

 merce throughout his extensive and populous dominions. 



There is another point which ought here to be mentioned, Bourgoing has taken 

 great pains to shew that the travelling sheep are destructive of the produce and 

 population of the finest provinces of Spain ; and he contends, that nothing would 

 so much contribute to the welfare of that country, as the inclosure of these pro- 

 vinces, and the consequent annihilation, or reduction, of those immense flocks. 

 Such a step wbuld, probably, soon follow any revolution in the Spanish go- 

 vernment. 



In the mean while, should none of these events take place, we cannot but know, 

 that for several years past, we have been annually paying for fine wool, to a coun- 

 try which will not by treaty take any of our goods, more than 15 hundred thousand 

 pounds sterling ; and the clothiers complain that its price is now so greatly ad- 

 vanced, that it is scarcely worth their while to continue the trade. Spanish wool, of 

 the best quality, is certainly increased at least 3s. per lb. ; and 2 lbs. of imported wool 

 are necessary to make a yard of broad-cloth. If then, to these 6s. per yard, be added 

 the great augmentation of wages, and of the price of dying materials, soap, candles, 

 oil, coals, and almost every article which is employed in the manufacture, we shall 

 readily allow that the addition of 4 or 5 shillings per yard to the retail price of the 

 cloth, can go but a small way in compensating the manufacturer for all these enor- 

 mous advances. 



What then can lead him to discourage the introduction of a new and ad- 

 ditional supply of so precarious a commodity, on the existence of which depends 

 his very subsistence ? I fear it will be found that this conduct originates in a 

 spirit of monopoly ; or in a little, lazy, narrow policy, which fears to hazard 

 shillings, in order ta secure pounds. The importation of Spanish wool is in few 

 hands. We know that vast stocks of that important article have been accu- 

 mulated, a price set upon it at discretion, and great profit's made from its sale. 

 Several clothiers arc partners in these commercial houses. Many others are ac- 

 tually supported by them on long credit; just as publicans are often furnished and' 

 maintained by the great brewers. The importer has in his hands all the bullion 

 from which is coined the whole circulating and perishable commodity ; and the 



