146 LINEN MANUFACTURE. 



manufacture in Ireland, which makes your loyal fubjects in 

 this kingdom very apprehenfive that the further growth of it 

 may greatly prejudice the faid manufacture here ; by which 

 the trade of this nation and the value of lands will very much 

 decreafe, and the numbers of your people be much leflened 

 here ; wherefore we do moft humbly befeech your moft fa- 

 cred majefty, that your majefty would be pleafed, in the moil 

 public and effectual Way that may be, to declare to all your 

 iubjects of Ireland, that the growth and increafe of the wool- 

 len manufacture there hath long, and will ever be looked upon 

 with great jealoufy, by all your fubjedts of this kingdom : and 

 if not timely remedied, may occafion very ftrict laws totally 

 to prohibit and fuppreis the fame, and on the other hand, if 

 they turn their induftry and (kill to the fettling and improv- 

 ing the linen manufacture, for which generally the lands of 

 that kingdom are very proper, they (hall receive all counte- 

 nance, favour, and protection from your royal influence, for 

 the encouragement and promoting of the faid linen manu- 

 facture, to all the advantage and profit that kingdom can be 

 capable of." 



To which the houfe agreed. 



. It is ordered by the lords fpiritual and temporal in parlia- 

 ment aflembled, That the lords with white (laves do humbly 

 attend his majefty with the addreis of this houfe, concerning 

 the woollen manufacture in Ireland. 



Die Veneris 10 Junij 1698. 



The Lord Steward reported his Majefty's anfwer to the 

 addrefs, to this effect, viz. 



his Majefty will take care to do what their lord- 

 fhips have defifed. 



ASHLEY COWPER. 



Cler. Parliamentor." 

 Jovh 30 Die Junii 1698. 



" Moft Gracious Sovereign, 



" WE your majefty's moft dutiful and loyal fubjects, the 

 commons in parliament aflembled, being very feniible that 

 the wealth and power of this kingdom do, in a great meafure, 

 depend on the preferving the woollen manufacture as much 

 as poflible entire to this realm, think it becomes us, like our an- 

 ceftors, to be jealous of the eftablilhment and increafe thereof 

 elfewherc ; and to uffi our utmoft endeavours to prevent it. 



"And 



