Page:Craik History of British Commerce Vol 2.djvu/104

102 consisted of foreign commodities, the rest of home produce and manufactures, such as drapery, tin, and lead. Of the imports, there might be consumed in England, pepper to the value of 6,000l.; saltpetre to that of 30,000l.; silks (raw and manufactured) to that of 30,000l.; calicoes to that of 160,000l.; and indigo and other drugs to that of from 10,000l. to 15,000l. "All the rest of the returns abovementioned," the statement proceeds, "amounting to 630,000l. value, are transported to foreign markets, as is also most part of the private trade. The pepper I reckon at 8d. per pound weight, so necessary a spice for all people, which formerly cost us 3s. 4d. per pound, being nowhere to be had but in India; and, were we obliged to have it from the Dutch, they would probably raise it as high as they do their other spices; yet, supposing it so low as 1s. 4d. per pound, it would be a further annual expense of 6000l. to the nation. Saltpetre is of that absolute necessity, that without it we should be like the Israelites under the bondage of the Philistines—without the means of defending ourselves. Possibly, even if we had no Indian trade, we might in time of peace, purchase it, though it would cost us double what it now does. But in case of war where could we have sufficient? Not, surely from our enemies. Or, would our gentlemen, citizens, and farmers be willing to have their cellars and rooms dug up as in King Charles I.'s reign, and be deprived of freedom in their own houses, exposed and laid open to saltpetre-men? Which method would be, besides, by no means equal to the affording us the necessary supplies. Raw silk we might possibly be supplied with from other parts, though not so cheap as from India. And India wrought silks serve us instead of so much Italian or French silks, which would cost us almost treble the price of Indian silks, to the kingdom's loss of above 20,000l. yearly. Calicoes serve instead of the like quantity of French, Dutch, and Flemish linen, which would cost us thrice as much; hereby 200,000l. or 300,000l. is yearly saved to the nation. And, if the linen manufacture were settled in Ireland so as to supply