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REMARKS
UPON
THE HISTORY
O F T H E
LANDED AND COMMERCIAL POLICY
O F
ENGLAND,
FROM .
THF INVASION OF THE ROMANS
T o
THE ACCESSION OF J^MES THE FIRST.
I N T W O V O L U M E S,
VOL. I.
Navigia, atquc agri culturas, moenia, leges,
Anna, vias, veftcs, et cactera dc gcncre horum,
Fraemiaj delicias quoque vitse funditus omnes,
Carminay piduras, et daedala figna polire
Ufus, et impigrae fimiil experientia mentis
Paulatim docuit pedetentim progredientis.
LUCRET. 1. V.
LONDON,
Printed for E. B R O O K E, in BcU-yard, Temple-Bar.
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A
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T H S
■p; R_ ; E "F" A Q ."JB. ■
THE ^eatefV part of the foUowing
R«MARits w^ tnade inany years
©gov upofi: reatfm^ ^fbiwe of cnif ancient
ijiftbrtcaJ Wrttjers; ' i^tad thtJijgh agricu)^-
tuwtiii^ tdrtitsittct btkr an fncMderabfe
part xnM** liiftbry 6f rtcH^^
they may deferve fome notice, as frequent-
ly affording the beft indications of the ftate
and condition of the inferior ranks of peo-
ple. In Britain they never can be thought
ufelefs fubje6:s. Our wcahh and popula-^
tion are chiefly derived from hufbandry,
manufa£tures9 and commerce ; and it mud
always be the intereft of the nation to en-
courage and fupport them, as eflential to
i% l^fare. At the fame time^ it may be
a 2 con-
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confidered as a gratification of curiofity t#
trape jtheir, pjogreffive JmpmvemettfSf -and
influence on liberty and manners. The
Reader, however, is not to expert a com-
plete hiftory of thefe fubjefts. The au-
thor has confined himfelf to Rem^arks ojply
iipofl fucn laws and "^cuftdms zi had the
greateft influence upon agriculture, com-
:pie^p,e,;^9r^|l5il^ .of..the p^^piev'^ ^iK*? «
n>any4)artip\Uars relatiye-to- thefe /ubjgiSs
Jie-qifperfe^ if^zjgf^t nirmb^r 9^Yqlu|Bes>
}f.:^^y-}^^L?Sfi^^^^^ tfl/on^f^i^^erRpf 54i]g^
J^^hilbry to ^d tljen^ cpye^fted foge|he£i
^nd reduced ipto.^narrow compafs^ f : -
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CONTENTS
OF THE
FIRST VOLUME.
page
CHAP. L
Remarks upon the landed and commercial
policy of the ancient Britons^ i
CHAP. 11.
Remarks upon the landed and commercial
policy of the Britons under the Roman
government. 37
CHAP. III.
Remarks upon the landed and commercial
policy of England^ under the Angio^
Saxon government. 1 07
CHAP. IV.
Remarks upon the landed and commercial
policy of England^ from the Norman
Conquejl to the accejjion of Henry the
Ithird. 207
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- I
K- •
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p_,frii r I la ni ti^ I fr n r'l i^^tf .■ .f Nr M 1 uiu'lirimftm ,% irT^^O) i^nrnifOMj
<:' H A, P- i.
ft E M AJll^ 8 ^ FO !rriT « B ^L A MDfiD
AND dOMMERCI AL POLICV
^ OF Ttt^ ANCIENy PRITONS.^/;
• civil fSciety/wi^^ni have ulually'con-^
fidered man|cmd in, llifee diffirent ligntS|/
as favages,' (Jiepherds, and huiban'dmen.^
Uiider the firft.af thefe they include fuch
a^ ftibfift by fifhingV the acqiiidtions of the
chace, or the natural produftions of the
ground. The number of inhabitants in
this ftate muft, in general, be few t and
they- can \ihit;e together oiily in fmall par-
ties, ^s the'iheaiis of fubfiffi^nce are often*
time^ fcahty *aud ' 'precarious. Every thing
*VoL. I. B being
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( 2 )
being- common, and the property of the
firft occupier, no other law can be ex-
in "a great meaTure oil perlonal firengthv
When men have fb far advanced towards.
civilizaticHi as to obtain a diftinft property
in cattle, thev have commonly claimed an
exclufive ri^t td particular diftrifts, the
boundaries of which have been fettled by
mutual agreement or long pofleffion. In
tbi§ ft2^e/bQdi0S:ofrmeit)may Hnite,.lni^rt>**
portion to the riehnefa qithp jfo^l^.aud the
extent 'of the country they poffefs. As
the-prdpeAy of letmry fridividtiai is e^f?I^
afcertained^ few regulations are neceffary ;.
When. agricuJitiire . is^iut^^o^x^fgj^j^r^p^ny^
Becomes. ^ iraflpus. and cpn^iiciated^^ th^i^
a cbcle'pf '.laws IS, iieceiTaiy ^o-preCerve \i
as, well as.t<^: encourage, .v^vd^Il;r^.,.f;MtiT:
vatedlaiids yieBiug a grfeat^r Wpd.V,ce.ui.aii^
in- a flate ,of nature, a. larffer qe^y Qt pep-,
pie, may fubfift together, ^ and /9,ri» ^fi^
Upipp for tlie^jj^^hty ig^aiaft £prek/a,^^
donieiftic eaem6S.,.-,Aj\^. ?}|Jftf ^WW. -''®1
qijiTt? the atd of ^ifit^^'^^xV^Si '^o.jfupply.
'., " • " '- r ' its
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its ^4nf^, artiAcers and man-ufaftufers are
gtaduall^* fbr'med, and the feveral occupa-
tions of lifer are allotted to particular per-
fons, v^hich m the other ftates are ufually
fexercffed by all the members. Ancietu
writers have therefore generally madfc
agricuktire and legiflation coeval and at-
tendant on each other f^^.
When "Brrtaifi was firft myaded by tKi
l^omans, the inhabitants in different parts
of the iflaM afforded fpecimens of thele
thtde ftftes of mankind. In the northerft,
]^att&r they were little advanced atove the
degree of favages ; ^n& if the' lands Wera
tiiltivjAed hi fome parts of the fouth, p^fr
tutatge took place in the interior cotmtrieS^.
Ancrevery nation and country in fifurbpe^
during the firft period of thei? hiftbry^
f6em to have refendbled Britain and its
hide inhabitants in thofe early ages. ' iThp
la^d^ V^ere generally .uncultivated,' and tKe
|^e(!)^le' uncivilized and warlike^ fubiifting
chiefly on the fpohfaneous fruits of the
earthj^ wild animals, or' the produce ^f
• (rf; VsiriW ii K6 Ruff. t. it. c. i. '.Macfb^.'Sat. 1. k c.
yt. Ovid. Mesi 1. y.Ver. 341. . . .-i^
• B 2 their
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; their flocks and herds. This is a truth
>vhich many Greek and Roman writers
have acknowledged. Unacquainted with
,tlie true origin of mankind, and the anr
Cie«t hiftory of the eadern ftates^ they
J^ave been aimpft unanimous in repref^nt-
jipgjthe primftivp inhabitants of their own
and many other countries as igno^rant and
^arbarous as the Britpns/ And the firft
accounts of Greece, Italy, and the \ve(l:er«
parts of Europe feemed tpf countenance
t;hi§ opinipn. Arts and civility hjyl bp^u
'gradually introduced into thefe.comitrie?^
and the time of their adnMffioaiu fpP^
^eafurij afcertalned* .So that the title of
barbarians, whiph the Greeks for a lou|^
tHT>^,{ic^ne?ced to ahnpft every other nation^
knight have been applied in th^ early pffj^
h€ i^ieir hJftory with equal propriety to
themielves as the Aborigines or natives of
Itajyand.the w^ftern pountries of J^^^^^PP?
All *qf: them were diftinguiftied Jiy their
pirii^c^X ^ depredations, or military e^qpedi-
tioiisagaihft their neighbours long before
they formed thenafelves into regular ftates,
and hecame eminent for humanity and
fcieiice* ^
The
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^ The original inhabitants of Brit^', ac-
cording to the earlieft and moft authentic
accounts, were numerous and martial, and
many of them very little fuperior in arts
and knowledge to the favages, which iii
later ages have been difcoyered in Nbrth
America. It is, however, probable, thai
Caefar magnified the number of Britons,'
either to give importance to his invafion
of fo diftant a country, or through tl*e
want of proper information f^^. The
number of inhabitants in every country*
dcftitute of commerce is always propor-
tioned to the quantity of food which the
foil or the neighbouring feas or rivers
afibrd; add the prodoce of the Britifh
lands, in their native and uncultivated
ilate, could not be fo confiderable as to
maintain a nun&erous hodj 6f ' people.
Where huibandry has beeii neglefted, or
the foil barren, the fea or rivers have
yielded a conilant or occafional fupjJly' of
pr6vifions: but the northern Britorii^ are
faid to have abftained from eating iiflVf^^^
. ' ■■ . . . J : ;ff' :
(^) Cast Com. dc Bel. Gal. 1. ▼. c. ^ «, ^ | ^ i
(e) Xiphil. Ejut. Dion. p. 4^t.
;• , ^ B 3 ^ and
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and it -IS oat uplikely but the famp cuflon^
prevailed among the otheT inh^tant^ of
the. i(jlaqd#, TTheir xpartiaL difpofition nxay
be ioferred from their uacivilijted ilate|
from feme peculiar tenets of their reli*
gipQ, and the nature of the climate, undes
which they Uved. ppmeftic feuds an4
diflentioas are frequent among ^11 the
^ribes pf Ijarbarians^ and kept up, by th^t
ipirit of reverse which they cbnfider a;^
one of the branches of juftice, and pf ^U
ijther habjts and pafEons is in them the
Jiardeft to fubdue. Warm and hafty ii^
their * refentmentp^ they will undertake
through the ^ mere thifft of revenge to re::^
^refs jm iiyury committed by a iiiember
p£ a neighbouring tribe, to Avhich a oiorq
poliihed people ca^i be incited only throi^h
intereft op ^cQfs&ity.
When thp ^ppan.^ 6?|l hfcame ac^
q^aiptgd with the Pr^t(>ps,: thp inhabitants
^f the :fe*-foaS:a in ^Im. fft¥rtb-eaft part? laf
the iflaud are iai4 to. have bei^n more civi-
lized by their iiit«rcx)ucfe -with, foreigners
than thofe in the interior countries.
Whilft the latter contented themfelves
chiefly with the milk ?ind produce of their
cattle.
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C 7 )'.
Cattkj find the Sefli cf fucK animals as
they caijght by hxmting, a'rtch were per-
teAtted h^ tfedr reKgion t6 cMf^t the
former pra6tifed a mode of hnlbandry
which they had learnt wpon the continetit^
or coldnifts had b^kmght from thencte. It
h impoflible to dfetermine with exadhiefs
«nto whom the Sritons were indebted ibr
tl^ introdu6biati of agriculture. We are
told by C^far, that at the time of his in-^
vafion thofe parts of th6 iflatid wfeere the
huidsiwere chiefiy cultiv^Jt^d Wtte occupied
by fbme fettlers from Gaul^^^. Corn
had been <5ukiv«ed in the fouthem p^rts
of Gaul long before tlie Roman iiirafion;
and friom the ^oaftant intercourfe between?
the 5Jaltivea,af each country, and the fimi-
larity of th^ir cuftoms^ k ntay be naturally
inferred, that th« Brkon^ learnt hulbandry
from them. Perhaps this iirt might be
imported into both nations by the Phoe-
niciansi, fpr.thef^k? of vi<3:ualling their?
(hips in the frequent voyages they made,
to thefe countries. And it is not impro-
bable but they brought hu£bandmen - to
(J) Caef. ». G, 1. V. b. 14.
3 4 inftru£t
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inftnia the natiyes^ of fettled c?)lcnile^ ibr
the purpofe of trade^ o^ the jc;^ivepie»?0
•of fupplying their ihips m^ gnain.^^
other provifions, r:
It might be imagined, that the; fpeci*
mens of agriculture given by the fouthem^
inhabitants of Britain would have beea
followed hy the reft, aftd adopted through;
utility or neceflity : but improvements of
this kind always make a flow progrefs
among af bafrbarous people. They. would,'
probably, have been confined for manyt
. ages to particular diftri<9:s, if they had net
been encouraged and carried on by the
Romans. Modern obiervation rnay affure
us, that though hbrds of favages live hi
tlie immyediate view of improved and civi-
lized life, and difcern the benefite of agri-
culture, yet they rarely adopt it without
conftraint. This mpde of life requires
confinement and ftated labour, to which
the favage is always unwilling to fubmit.
Senfible of few real waiits, he prefers li-
berty and the pleafure of the chace to
every advantage that can be derived from
3 fettled habitation and ?n ufeful cuUi-
2 vation
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( 9').
vation of; the groun<L And at that tim4
neithepthe climateof Britain, noir the ftiitt
of the lands, was fevourable to a regular
culture. The country, like all the nor-
thern regicns iti thofe ages, was in a great
meafure covered with woods and thickets,
and abounded with ftagnant waters and
morales. And it cannot be expefted,
from the' charafter of the natives, that a
proper degree of induftry would be ex-
erted'to clear the lands and make thete
both falubrious and profitable by a due
cultivation. If they had been more at-
tentive to the biifinefs of hulbandry than
they are reprefented, the great number of
woods and marfhes, ' and the moiflnefs of
the climate, muft have prevented a full
maturity of the beft forts of grain. Thefe
fcldora fucceed in the northern parts of
Europe^ till the air is freed from the
noxioua exhalations which always attend
on woody and marfhy countries.
We are fbmetimes apt to cotifider the
defcriptions which the Greek and Roman
writers have left us of ancient Gaul, Ger-*
jhaay, and Britain, as fabulous, and owing
• ta
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(( IQ )
{wt of d^ir accbtiiits was Iten^dmibeedly
K^ei^ fitBB merchahts or foidieils, u?lio^
prcfuming on the ignorance or credulity
•f ,th^ faearw?, ton^ the liberty to nag-
juiy what they hadiieien or learitf Smm
deport* IB^v the t^nperatiKre. of the m^
is io widely di&r^nt in pultiviated and un«
cultivated cowitries^ though lying nn^r
th« fame If^titinkS) thsit there ia no rea^oof
Ipdiftruft the veracity of thefe writf ils in
tbt relation? they have gwt^ ^ i^ of thet
northern r part£f of Europe. Some conn*
trie$^ which were then looked ti^x>n to be
almoft uninhabitjd]|J^ t^irough the extre-
mity of cold, afford many conveniences o€
K&^ and prcfduce gra^n and fruits Tv^ichr
were then thought to be incprnpaciblo
with the climate. * And the cpltiv^atedi
tra^s of a country yrill hj^e , a beneficial
influence upon others ^hat lie js^ a coofi'^
derable diftajice, Every part pf E?kglan4
and France feels the advantages of the
improved agriculture of tfeeir fiortheri:^
i>eighbpur^ and enjoys a warnith and
temperature of air unkpiown in .fprmd:
a£es«
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coafts m the iputhern parts of the^ ifljiiidf
^nd a few other places^ were tUled^thft
ioterior countrjies were left n^rlj in ^bof
prkaitive Aate, and cl;uefly epg^loyed for
the xnaintcnapcc of cattle. AU the aii*
pient writers on Britifli affairs are uoanU
pious in defcribing the greatefl; part of the
inhabitants as fubfiiling chiefly on the
produce of their flocks and herds; though
Strabo has obferved, that fomc of them
were ignorant of the art of making cheefe,
while the Germans pf the fame age are
faid to have made it a part ot their
food(f)' And among a martial aod «n-
civilized people agriculture is always held
jn the loweft eflimation, and ufually left
to the care of women or children, or fuch
as by age, debility^ or inclination, are un-
fit for a military life. This was the cafe
at leaft among all the northern niatlons in
tl^ early ages of their hiftory^ Oa the
firfl: advances of men from the ftate 6f
favages, they commonly apply thdmfelvefc
to pafturage, and obtain a diftinft property
(fi Strab. Gcog. 1. Ir. p.. jop, C«f. A C h yU c, '.
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ill
ifi^^tfe f .and in the progreft bf civiliia-
toon, when they hegin to cuftitate the
^nds, vafialage ufualfy takd^ place, and
Aen the bufinefs of hufbaodry is con-
figned to tJiecare of flaves and ca^tiresl
And it would be almoft a lingular in-
i&nce hi hiftory t6 find a martial and
barbarous people engaged in the cuiti*
Tation of the lands Or the exercile of the^
manual arts, and fubmitting to the drud*
gery of octtipations which they commonly
hold to be mean and difhonourable (g).
Though we have no reafon to prefume,
from the ftate of knowledge, arts, and
induftry aniong the Britons, that they
made a great proficiency in agriculture;
yet we are informed they fb far attended
to it as to difcover that marie was a ma-
nure, and might be ule fully employed in
the cultivation oF lzT\d^(Jb). At the fame
time we learn, that they laid up their coni
in pits or fubterrraneous magazines (/^ ,
This wa$> unleed, a cuftom not peculiai^
4f) Herod. Hift. 1. 1?, c. 167.
(6) PUn. Hid. 1. xrii. c. 6.
fr> Kod^Sic HiA. l.**. p. 361.
to
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< ^3 )
tp them, ,but m ufe/afnong other itat^ot
M^ho b^ no intftcpurft with tswU
-other (ij. And thjs region df it was pro*
bablythe fame ia all ; tp fecure the grain
/rem the depfedatiotis qf aa enemy, or to
make the discovery of it difficult (Co. ft6wrf
gers. Thb cuftom may be urged :a$ a
proof of the lo^y (bate df hufbandry, or al
leaft of the. unfettled condition of the in-p
habitants^ who h^d not iktll oiou^h to
cre^, or qoiild npt ereft wkh lafety,' hlaamt
and other conveniences fi?r lodging thett
grain, but were phliged to depoiit it under
the ground in fo moift a c^P^ate <2^Bntzm..
According. to fome of qur ancient hifto4
rians, Du^ya^lo Mdln^utius, aBritiih kirig^
who lived .before the in vafioh pf the Bo.^
man§, a^po^fited what i^umber of plow>|
?very diftridt fliouid employ^ and' made
many ufejful regulations for the encourage-:
ip[ie|it;,ofoagr4cpltiire,.:and cohftru<3:k)ii of
the pAit>lic, road's f/jl,.- But ^the iyhole ftory
' (i) Hift.^Bcl. Arricrc^4S- Varrode Re RuiJ.:!. i. c. 5>
ftnd 6^» t T«cit. de Mor. Germ. *
, Ji) Raqtil., Higd,: Polych. p*.,i96, ,114. Rad^^dc Dkjatsi,
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h & inocf^Mtnt with the ftat^of Britath
Int'Ae timers c^f t^ khs^htft^y 1:^(1^69 't^at
it k it ^flfy for the ^ ^rtAility of iht
: Wri*«^ha\^geiieftlfy rcprtifeftfed 6ver^
hi^Mrott^pec^ as^ tP^ffllcK'mg b)r barter or
an^ Adhaage (^ c»£»ftiodit:ie& with 'foreipk^
crsas weH as' each othet. And, ut^tit a^
fept94ant9tWQ of tbe valdd ^ gtkidi isi ei"^
Mblibed by tfititual cc^feiif^ Ifradd tmht
casMdot) ODl;)?r HI thiB n^iyner/ ^^a<^ag<»
mill occafiotiaHif exthdAfgti* «^eir acqHifi«>
tMias^with ^adh ^Hef r kftd iweri k rf pofft
torid. ftate mtlft ha^ fflojf-e fii^ueiyl^ occa*^
fidus t(^ tmke exchanges df.davtft^, and
cShet ^ih of thd^ indyityi fSr thofe of
aaother. " If £&« aech^ngeie^f th6>foflr dei*
INBodcoii: capricftj' tbofe^ Af theltettcr ai^
ofera dbfi^edfrora necelfit/^ and^dre equally
faeoefidai to both ps^fcias^ W&^jie vtgncvth
turc tB introdocedv J^nd f he^ t^im^d ' Wbicmi^
k eftiaiated by c(Jft%nihg t^fev^ty^otfeu-i
pations of the mechanic and manufa^urer
to particular per(ons» .filyer oj: gol^f, .,ap a,
jpqirefcantktive of the. prToe of comhiodhies
aad labour, becomes hi^ fpttife ', meafii re^ lic^
ceffarjTt
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d^ Han4$^ pf ftav/!Sb» .*i>d hoftiiijdry M iti
fo^ll quantity \o£ Ipefiie will ! I^pfnirt
the traffic, df f^c^ia? natfigutv i Jt i&onljr
when ^ th^ :liabotii)ersi andl } Woi^lraMtL lOt
the y^irbus arj^j^ li^e^ary fti improved Jfew
ciety^ become fte^ and iad^^nt, tlsat jsd
great quantity of xnoney €a& eater into cir^
culfj;i9Il^; a^id this wiU always be m ptpr*
poftio^ to th^iv. freedom, apd the VfUi^ d€
l^rovi^iac^ qther^nece0aiie$t t6 theiC
iuhfifteiise^' it.pannop;,- thi^efore^ .j^ij^tif
^iSed, from the fiate^^^Bfit^oifir a&d<4ttt
uj)ial4«tt3rfs. itt, t^ofe ep^ly -ages, ,th»t ai 90^
fiderjs4>}^r qjil]^9|ijjty <>£ the pfeek^usrmetab
i^^^ycir/ciifetq^fpr ithe paiipcpfe^.of ca^
Ij^a^/rthat a ^w eoiM.i«smt:curDeot ^a^
a^ ^he |»me :^ . iGa^rarfse ihxraibar ;i :aaMl
i^e ii^MhA mofii (^ul^ntifthabbants. mij^
h W9i $oyft W/ifwnlD5t»fmadc i<^
i^apo$^ ; jb^rqfbfeigotxs^'Of > tbidt niaterili^
mj^t^.^'cgliedk^ i^^ mmt^ ;
but tb^ fpq<!:ie/ im ctirrency wap:cemxnity
t90\^fi^fid^abU3 tOT^avr^icm: ai][ie^«nfH^
T/jAi ^ com«^
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C i^ J
oomineree ; ind;* as tfie - totliei ' werJi • it6^
brought < into circtftetieh, they' ccnild Be <if
no more fervice to' trsdcCthan the afttkjiKP
coins aiid biedals in the^abit'etbf ati anti-
quaiy. RingS^ 6t fndCeslc^^ copjiei', on
inin, ibpptfed tHe waftt>ofg<d4i rfnd (ilvef i'
andt^ thoqgh thefe ferved th^*'ptirj)t>fe4 "oP
exchange amongft themffelves, they wtere'
irery itoproper for carrying bn a lucrative;
tf^^c-tv^ foreigners^ TTi^ chief richfes
6f the Britons, like other liatioiis who livbd
by '^afturage, confifted in' the*nijmbcr oF
tteeir ^ocks and herds; -ahd thefe might
filpply theni'ttot only vKth provifions, but
ipwih evfcry*otb^ iieteffiiry toriimo&^yi by^
(fitehanging theu; prbdiice ^ri^ ftran|fers; or-
^k<ekiiWrtccouf\try|rfcii?. - A^^ti^i^|Vant3'
wc^f (ivtl fleiixfe^ e«^dai^fflent-.ebuld bfe
giitren to the jmerchafrtoi^ SYttfidferr 9ava(g€s
|ipawe fcw< articles to exchange with ^reign-^
pEi^icor ^eaeh^ .inhftc^i and,;^x:th(ifigh-t?bfc-
Britons had jaikde advanceifittflua^
MtioG by theinttx>4ui9hiiHrJoftpa(fcur4g«^^ai4d*
agriculture in partteuFar.pEces^^tlicyJwere:
ablcito fupply thexnfeivjes^* by^their own m*
doftry^ithfalaiDft eieei^ tilibg^b^CSfliH^y^to^
•.Tc: t^xeir
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I :^7 )
dieir ftate and mode of life without having
recourfe to foreigners. With thie progrefs
of civility, arts, and luxury, the real or
imaginary wants of men are fo far increafed,
as ta invite^ merchants from abroad, and
to engage the Ikill of the artizan and ma-
nufacturer at hpme to yield a fupply. And
though the Britons had not arrived at that
ftate of civility, which gives the'ftilleft en-
couragement to foreign and domeftie trade^
yet they were vifited by merchants frt>m
abroad, who cjvrried on in fome articles a
confiderable traffic.
Before Caefar's invafion, the Phoenicians
and Carthaginians had traded with the
Britons for tin and lead ; and they found
the commerce fo beneficial, that they con-
fined it for fpme centuries almoft entirely
to themfelves. 1^ the aid of their fettlc-
ments in Spain, and efpecially at Cadiz^
they were enabled to carry on this traffic
with greatei- eafe"^ than any other nation,
and even to fecure a monopoly. Like all
other commercial ftates in ancient and mo-i
dern times, they were jealous of compe-
titors in every branch of their trade, and
Vpi*,J. C ufed
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\xted the \itiiioft precaution to keep it itt
their own hands. The ftory of the Phoer-
nician pilot is well known. Being pur-
llied by a Roman yeffel, with a view to
difcover the proper courfe to the Brifilh
or Scilly ifles, he ran his fhip^ upon the
rocks, in order to deftroy the other, or de-
feat his defign j and, for this piece of fer-
vice to his <:ountjy men^ he was indemni-
fied at the public expcnQc(m). But, to
judge the better of their inclination to mo-
nopolize trade, we may appeal to a bar-
barous law or cuftom eftabliflied at Cadiz
Zi\d Sardinia, which enjoined all foreign
mariners to be drowned, who reforted thi-
ther without their leave (n). The ,Greek$
of Marfeille^ neverthelefs,, on the decline
of the Carthaginian power, fomid their
way to Britain, and traded with the natives
both before and aftQr they were fubdued
by the Romans,
After this commerce had been fuccef^
fively carried on by feveral ilate? on the
coafta of the Mediterranean, the Britons
were vifited hy their neighbours oq the
f;w^ Stwb, Geog. 1. iiL p. 1^5,
coafts
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coafts df Gaul, for the fame purpofe. The
Veneti, or people of Vannes, one of the
Belgic tribes, befides corn and cattle, pur-
chafed lead and tin, and conveyed thejat-
ter from their own country by land to
Marfeille (o). This troublefome and ex-
pcnfive mode of conveying fuch heavy com-
modities affords a prefumption, that the
quantity could not be very confiderable,
and may be adduced as evidence of the de-
clining, and imperfe£t ftate of navigation
at that period. But whatever regard the
Britons might pay to commerce in general,
they feem to have been very defedlive in
the art of conftrudting or navigating (hips;
at leaft, hiftory affords us no authentic
proofs, that they made ufe of their own
veffels in exporting their commodities, or
fitted out many fhips of war on occafion
5Df aflifting their allies, or defending them-
felves. Some of their veflels, or boats,
rwere made of wiqker, or ofier, and co-
vered with leather ; and, being compofed
of fuch flight materials, they could be ufed
iOnlyj for tranfporting light goods or paf-
fengers over creeks or rivers.
(o) Diod. Sic. Hift. 1. V.I'* joa.
r C z The
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*rhe principal exports of Britain wcre>
tin and lead, though the Romans on their
firft invafion had flattered themfelves with,
the hope of findmg more valuable commo*^
dities. Gold, filver, and pearls, were
looked upon to be the products of the
ifland } or at leaft this notion was propa*
gated for very obvious reafons amongft the
ibldiery. But they found, on experience,
that the quantity of thefe was too incon*'
fiderable to anfwer their expeSations. They
Were obliged to be contented with thepro^
fits arifing from the fale of their prilixiers^
whom, according to cuftom, they reduced
to the caj3acity of flaves(]^Jl Notwith*
ftanding this difappointment, Strabo and
Tacitus continued to place gold and filver
among the Bdtifh produfts. According to
the firft of thefe writers, com, cattle, goldy
lilver, iron, hides, flaves, and dogs, were
the chief exports ; and from the Scilly
iflands lead and tin (q). The laft of thefe
were of greater value than the others. In
the time of this writer, the quantity of corn,
raifcd for domeftic. ufe or exportation, coul^
(p) Epift. ad Att. 1. ir. 16, 17. AdFam«Lvu. 7.
(q) Strab, Geog. L iv. p. 199,
4 not
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r 8t )
jtot be very confiderable. The interior
parts of the ifland were in a great meafure
overfpread with woods, though a few places
might be cleared, for thepurpofeoffowing
grain, of fupplying their cattle with
herbage, or naaking room for their chariots.
And it was not till fome centuries aftef
Caefar's invafion, that Britain became diftin^
gui(hed as a corn country, and furni(he4
the Roman garrifons on the frontiers of
Gerniany with grain and other provifiona.
The article of flaves was, perhaps, of
all others, excepting tin and lead, the
richeft brancb of commerce both befor^
and foo*i after the fettlement of the Ro-
mans. Caefar carried away a few prifoners
as the fruits of his expedition ; and, on
the conqueft of the ifland, all the captives
taken in war would be expofed to fale, and
g r^ular trade in flaves be in Ibme meafure
dftablifhed. Almofl: all the trading veflels
of every commercial ftate in ancient times
made a part of their returns in flaves; and,
among a barbarous people, thefe are com-
monly fo plentiful as to be purchafed at
low rates. The petty clans, into which a
C 3 , rude
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( 22 ) .
nide and ignorant people is always divided;
often break out into hoftilities againft each
other, either on account of encroachments
made upon their territories, or of fome in-
juries done to individuals; and the pri-
Ibners they take are ufually fold to fo-
reigiiers, when they have an opportunity
for this purpofe, efpecially as' many as
cfcape from immediate flaughter, or are riot
deftined to other ufes. For almoft all the
tribes of favages, that have held no corre*
fpondence with civilized nations, have ge-
nerally been reprefented as facrificing their
captives to fome favourite deity, or putting
them to the moft painful deaths. For thiS'
reafbn the execrable flave-trade iti ancient
as in modern times, though it might en-
courage hoftilities among favages for the
fake of procuring prifoners, was, never-
thelefs, the means of preferving the lives
of niany captives. On the other hand,
the lucrative trade, by encouraging pirates
and freebooters to carry off as rnany of the r
barbarous inhabitants in every country as
fell into their hands, naturally created
^mpng an uncivilized people an averfion
to
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to ftrangers, or prevented a free iaterarar(e
with theqa. And it deferves to be remarked»
that, while the inhabitants of the fea-coafls
in the weftern parts of Europe were com-
monly reprefented as inhofpitabJe and cruel
to ftrangers, the natives of the interior
copjcitries were ufually diftinguifhed for
their civility to travellers ajjd foreigner^.
And one reafon for this differience of ^ha-
ra^fter might be, that the former had been
fo frequently injured by the depredations
of pirates as to become jealous of every
ftranger 5 while the other, exempted from
tl;ie like^tre^m^t by their inland iU;uation,
reirejved every foreigner wjth courtefy, and
-entertained him with greater hofpit^iUty
than more civilized ^jatipns.. And it was
perhaps for this jeafon anwttgft others,
that the ancient Greeks built their towixs
at. a diftanqe frqm the fea-coaft? (^Ji ^d
that iflauders were reprefejnfqd by them as
fliore fierce an4 intractable xh^n the inha-
bitants of the continent. An ancient Greek
writer obferved, that it wa^ 9 general prac-
^i^e among ^1 barbarous nations to expel
0 Thucyd. ^ift, !• i. c. 7.
C 4 ftran-
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ftrangers (s)^ The fame cuftom nevcrtlie-
Jfefs prevailed anaong civilized people, as the
ancient Egyptians arc {aid to have adjudged
€vcry foreigner^ who arrived in their coun-
try, to death or flavery (l). And the na-
tives had probably been fo ofteit plundered
or violently carried avv^ay by pirates, as to
give them an averfion to every ftranger
^who landed upon their toafts.
It is almoft needlefs to mention other ar-
ticles of Britifh commerce* The prepara--
tioh of iron, tin, and lead, requires a de*-
gree of induftry and application, which a
barbarous people fubmit to with as. much
reluftance as the labours of hufbaftdry*
And the number of ddg^s, which was occa*-
(ionally tranfporfed to Rome, and ihfe quan^
tity of hides and (kins exported to other
places, befides thofe Which were necef-
fary for their own ufe^ could not be fo
confiderable as to enrich the Britifti traders,
lor lay the fomidation of an ex ten live and
beneficial commerce.
As the native produ6:s of every country
^have been in a gtieat meafurc invariable, it
(s) Strab. Geog. I. xvii^ p 80 2 •
(t) Piod. Sic. HiiU I. 1. p, Ch,
may ,
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( 25 )
may be thought an omiffion in Strabo and
other writers, that wool was not mention-
ed as one of the Briti(h commodities, efpe-
cialiy as its value was then underftood, and
the Spanifh fheep were at that time, as they
have been almoft ever fincc, diftingulflied
for the finenefs of their fleeces (u). To re*
Iblve the doubt, it will be neceflary only to
obferve, that, though fheep now abound in
Britain, their number in ancient times was
not very great, on account of the moiftnefs
of the foil and climate. A marfhy and
woody country is of all others the moft un-
favourable to the propagation of thefe ufe-
ful animals.
The Britifli imports were as trifling as
the exports. A people, who clothed them-
felves chiefly with the fkins of their own
cattle, lived in temporary hovels, or flieK
tered themfelves from the inclemency of
the weather in woods and thickets, could
ftand in need of few foreign commodities
for ufe or ornament. Some degree of lux-
ury and greater induflry than is ufually ex-
•fcrted hy a barbarous people mufl unavoid-
(u) Strab. Geog. !• iii. p. 144.
ably
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{ ^6 )
ably take place in every country, before its
commerce can become extenfive, or evea
profitable to its inhabitants. The chief im^
ports confifted of fait, earthen ware, ket-
tles, and toys of brafs, iron, and ztnber(w).
Articles of this kind have commonly
been more acceptable to an uncivilized peo-
ple than the ornamental and even ufeful
commodities in a more poliflied ftate of (b-
ciety. The exchange of trifles for the na-
tive produfts of any country in their rudeft
Hate has always been one of the moft lu-
crative branches of commerce. And a con-
liderable part of the power and opulence
of the commercial cities in ancient times
was derived from their trade with the un-
civilized countries of Africa and Europe.
They received from thefe places many ufe-
ful commodities, in exchange for toys or
goods of the loweft value*
As rude, however, and ignorant as we
may fuppofe the Britons to have been in
their original ftate, they muft have pof^
iefled fome degree of ikill in the mechani-
cal arts, as far at leaft as their mode of life
(wj Id.l. Hi. p. 175. Hift. do Cpmrncrce par Huet, p. 208.
re-
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( V )
required. The conftru£lion of theJr cars
or chariot$ affords a proof of their inge-
nuity, and ferves to place them above the
rank of favages. And Stonehenge and fimi-
lar vWorks in different parts of Britain
equally (hew their affiduity in effeftiug
what in modern times are looked upoa
ivith fo'me degree of wonder. There is ner
verthelefs flender reafon to believe, thaf
they made a great proficiency in the mecha-
nical or any other arts, that are pradifed
by a people enlightened by learning and
knowledge. Their buildings, utenfils, and
arms, indicate their want of (kill, as well as
the rudenef? of their ftate. ^No goods or
manufadures, that required application or
dexterity to fit them for ufe, are enumerat-
ed among their exports ; and even lead and
tin were probably difpofed of to foreigners
in their rudeft ftate, and in no greater
quantities than to fupply themfelvea by ex-
ichange with the fimpleft articles of ufe or
vanity. If the traffic in thefe commodities
had been confiderable, or had employed a
great number of hands to prepare them for
exportation, thofep^rtsof theifland, where
they
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( 28 )
they were found ia the greatcft ahundancct,
would have been the moft populous, and
the people more civilized than the reft:
and yet there is no reafon to prefumc, th^tit
in this refpedt they were fuperior to the
other inhabitants. It is probable, that few
mines of tin, lead, or iron, were opened,
except where the materials lay near the
iurfece, or could be collefted with eafc.
• How long the Britons might have re-
mained, in this uncultivated ftate, if they
had not been fubdued and inftru£l:ed by the
Romans, is not eafy to determine. Though
it appears on the firft view to be a work of
no great difficulty to inftil the general prin-
ciples of juftice and humanity into an ig-
norant and barbarous people, and to form
them into regular focieties; yet the hiftory
of almoft every nation informs us, that
the progrefs of arts aiwi civility has been
extrenaely flow. So violent is the love of
natural liberty, that it has required the
experience of many ages, and the joint ef-
forts of religion and policy, to fubdue and
confine it within the bounds of prdcr and
Jaws. The firft bond of union among fa-
vages is commonly formed for mutual
faf Jty ;
d by Google
Digitized b
( ^9 1
lifety ; and, the firft inftances of difclpline^
and fubmiflion to authority have generally
been of the martial kind, for their own der
fence, or the annoyance of their neighbours.
And improvements in the art of war have
fo far preceded others, that almoft every
nation in Europe diftinguifhed itfelf by its
military flcill and expeditions long before it
became known for its proficiency in civi*
lity and fclence. And until thefe are ia
ibn^ degree introduced, ' huibandry and
commerce, which form and preferve both
foreign and domeftic connexions, will be
equally neglected, or held in contempt.
However defirable an improven\pnt m
the ftate of the Britons may be thought^
there is flender reafon to believe, that thqr
were diflatisfied with their condition, or
willing to exchange it for the fervile but
more polifhed manners of Roman fubjeAs>
Moft of them poflfeffed the freedom attjgii*^
dant on a paftoral life, in which iris fcaircely
poffible to hold a nuincrousbody of people
iu a ftate of flavery* This can be i3aain»
tained only where agricultiire and the me-
chanicaj: i^s have beotx introduced iui4
encou-*
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encouraged, and might prevail in a fnttall
degree among fome of the fouthern Bri-
tons. As the labourers and workmen are
conftantly under the infpedion of their
matters, it is not difficult to retain them
in their fervice. In a paftoral ftate, the op*
portunity of deferting is more frequent and
eafy, but at the fame time leis inviting, as*
the labours and mode of life of the mafter'
and fervant are nearly alike. And though
pafturage may be confidered as one ft6{>
towards civilization, yet it participates fo
much of natural liberty, and is fo flatter*
ing to the roving difpoiition of a barbarous
people, that it is not eafy to draw them
from it, and confine them to fedentary oc-
cupations and fettled abodes. Thefe ends
can be attained only by building large
towns, by encouraging foreign or domeftic
trade, and enlarging the number of manu-
facturers and workmen in the moft ufcful
articles of civilized life. The diviTion of
Britain into fmall independent cantoris
tnight likewife obttrud the introduflfion 6f
jnany arts, as it ever waS the fate of petty
ilates in the early periods of their hiftory
to
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( 31 )
t6 he engaged in frequent hoflilities v^irh
their neighbours, and for that reafon few
improvements were made for a long courfe
of time, except in the art of war. This
was the cafe of the fmall ftates of Greece
and Italy, in which the profeffion of arms
was more attended to than any other, and
the early law- givers were employed in form-
ing the people inta fbldiers, rather than in-
ftruding them in the arts of peace, and the
neceffary occupations of a focial life.
And this was the cafe of the ancient
Britons, of their chieftains, and law-givers.
There was nothing in their civil or reli-
gious inftitutions, that promifed an imme-
diate improvement in their ftate, or a more
perfeft civilization, without foreign affif^
tance. In Ibme countries, the aid of reli-
gion was called in, to encourage agricul-
ture, and promote the views of legiflatpra
in forming men to focial manners. In this
refpeft the ancient law-givers of Greece and
Italy werefuperior to the bards and Druid$
of Gaul and Britain. The poets or bard?,
who, in the early ages of moft countries'^
had a great fliare in forming the fcntiments
aa4
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< 3* )
and manners of the people, wertf to thfe
Britons either ufelefs, or had a pernicious
influence. Animating their chieftains and
their clans to afts of valour and revenge by
reciting the martial deeds of their ancef-
tors, they diverted their attention from the
arts of peace, and increafed rather than
mitigated the ferocity of their manners.
And the opinions and practices of the
Druidsf, if we except their philofophical no-
tions, appear to have been calculated ohly^
for a barbarous and warlike people. Liv-
ing amidil the gloom and horror of the
woods, that then overfpread the northern
regions, apd converfiilg with a wild and
martial people, they invented or introduced
thofe tenets and modes of religious wor*-
ihi|>, which were heft adapted to their ftatc
and difpofition, and calculated to form
them into a body of warriors. And on this
|)lea we may excufe fome of the political
iaftitutions of the Druids* Strangers to re^
gular focieties, Jtnd the refinements of civi-
j&zed life, they wanted thofe patterns of
legiflation w:hich the Grecian and Italian
Jawgiv-ers Iwid before them in modelling
their
Digitized
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( 33 )
their re(pe(9:ive ttates. And it is not un-
likely but the primitive inhabitants of
Greece and Italy were as favage in their
mantiers^ and as iingular in their religious
opinions, as thofe of the weftern parts of
Europe^'till, copying theinftitutions of their
civilized neighbours, their ancient euftoms
fell into difufe, and in length of time, were
almoft totally forgotten. Ah alteration in
civil life will introduce a change in the
forms and tenets of IreU^on ; and the fame
fpirit, which mitigates the violence of fa-
vage niannersi will foften or abolifh the
barbarous cuftomS which haVe crept into
religion;
Some, however, 6f the l^ritifli cuftoms
feem to have been derived rather from po-
litical than religious reafohs. Abftinence
from fi(h,*in a couiitry whofe feas and rivers
abounded with them, may be confidered as
a meafure peculiarly calculated for encou-
raging the cultivation of the lands, and
obliging the jpepple to depend on their pro-
duce for a fubfiftence. It ought neverthe-
iefS to be obferved, that the antient Greeks
utc faid to have abftained from eating
VoL;L D fiOi;
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C 54 )
ii(h fx) ; and that the civil aiid religion*
inftitutions of favagcs are fo oftita detivfc'4
irorti caprice and accidents, thdt it is diffiX
cult to deterntiine, whether att had anyiiii
fluence in giving them an eftabliftimenti
Tliere is reafon to believe, that many of
the religious . inftitutions? of the 'Grecian
lawgivers were fiunded^ on policy^! dh^
views of publi<i mtereft. .They borrowed
their knowledge from Egypt, or fhfc civi-'
lized ftates of Alia, ^ii4 were fjree from
thofe capricious paflioiis, which.of^enjgfve
rbirth to the civil and jpeligio][iS' quftonis
which prevail among favages. .To. the God
of War, the moft ancient and renowned
anoLongft all the tribes of barbarians, they
added thofe deities whicli thjey thought to
prefide over arts and fciences^, apd, • ^U !^b?
lufeful inventions of civilized life. A,^l9ng
thefe we always find th^ deities whicJi
were fuppofed to prefide over agriculture
held in great veneration, and jiilaced on a
level with their ancient Gods. And when-
ever we find, in the hiftory of aiiy/people,
that a reverence is paid* to the deified pa-
trons, or fuppofed inventors. of hufbandry,
(x) Pla'.o <le Rep. 1. iii.
ff^om
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( .35 )
/rorti thit pefiod w^ may date the begiii-
Hing of dvillie^ life. ^
The Grecian lawgivers were fuperior to
the druids, in many other refpeflts. The
building of magnificent temples and cities,
ind alniofl: all the religious Htes obfefved
In their wdfmipj had a natifral tendency to
|)roriiote fdciety^ and encourage civility
arhong the people* The Druids, on the
Contrary, dbrifecrating groves and v^rbods,
and performing the chief oftides of their
religion in the mofl; gloomy and retired
parts, contrived, as it were, to keep the
country in its rude and uncultivated flate,
and to increafe the natural fiercenefs of the
people by the ceremonies as well as tenets
of their religion. And fo durable was the
force of fuperftition, and fo long and reli-
gioufly was this veneration paid to particu-^
lar places and groves m Gaul, that they
were not only left in their ancient ftate,
after the adjacent lands had been tilled, but
even the offerings and treafures depofited
there were preferved with equal care, till
t:hey were carried away by the Romans fyj,
(j) Caef. B. G. 1. vi. c, i6. Suet. Jul. Caf. c. 54.
D2 It
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It ihould feem^ thereforet from the tenor
and fpirit of the Druidical inftitutions, as if
little ifAprovement in ufeful knowledge
and the arts of civilized life could be ex-
peded. Thejr were calculated rather to
keep the people in their wandering and
barbarous flate, than oblige them to feek
their fuftenance from the cultivation of the
ground, or lead them to the happinefs of a
fettled and focial life, by the introdudion
of induftiy, order, and commerce.
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C H A P. n.
REMARKS UPON THE L A N D £ ]»
AND COMMERCIAL POLICY OF
THE BRITONS UNDER THE GO-
VERNMENT OF THE ROMANS,
IF ambition or refentment led Julius Cse-
lar into Britain^ the vanity of enlarge*
ing the bounds of the empire urged his
fucceflbrs to complete his defign. This is
the beft reafon that can be afligned for their
attempt to fubdue a nation which could
give them very little diftarbance on the
continent, and would fcarcely repay the
expences of a conqueft. A cultivated
countr^y, abounding with a rich and flou-
rifliing people, might have rouzed their
txisjy ^ and tempted them on the flightefl:
pretences to bring it within the pale of
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their empire ; but the ftate of Britain and
its inhabitants offered no fuch inviting prize
to their arms. They were fenfible of the
fmall value o£, its aative c^fnmQdities fron^
the time of Caefar-s invafipn, and reaped
greater profit from the duties impofed on
them, when exported into Gaul, than they
eould hojpe to derive from the conqueft of
th^ whole ifland :. for thefe reafons, amoagft
o^kers, the Sritons yvfvc peraijtte4, till the
time of Claujdius, to enjoy their primitjve
liberty faj.
Though the invafipn of a country, thro^
ambition or. avarice, can feldom he excufed
pv defendi^^ yet the Britons were in fonae
ferpe<fts bbliji^ed^to their conquerors. ' The
Romans were compelled to civilize them,
in order Xo make fhem ufeful, and keep
them in fubje£lj6n ; and the projpa^ation of
arts and civility among an ignorant and
barbarous pepf)le extenuates the injuftige of
a cbnqueft. Hords of favages may be de-
nroyed; and a body of foreigners intro-
duced'in their rooin ; or they may be awed
into a temporary fubjeftion by a fuperior
(^i Strab* Geog. J. ii. p. 1 16.
force ;
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force : b«t tlie conqueft will never be com-
jpiete and durable, until they are fettled in
ifowns, poffeffed of a fixed property in the
lands, aiad obliged to depend on their pro-^
4uce for a^ fubfiftence. This is a truth,
that may fee collected from the hiftory of
fbme tribes of Arabs. Tliough thefe have
fceen almoft inceffantly -engaged in hoftili-'
tiea, and frequently attacked by fuperior
forces; yet they ^' have fubfifted from the
daniieft ages nearly in a ftate of indepen-
dence; or if they were fometimes reduced
to a tempbrary (bbmiffion^ they have never
l>een entirely fubdued. Poffefled of fevv
towns, ^ndhaviiig no diftindt property in
fhe lands, which required their care and
defence, they have always retired, with
their cattle^« and mpft valuable efFefls, into
the ^yllds and natural faftnefles of their
country, on the approach of a powerful
enemy, and have eluded or defeated the
.attempts of the ableft generals. And until
their mode of life is altered, and they are
xonfined to fettled habitations, they will re-
tain a great portioii of their ancient inde-
D 4 pendence.
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pcndcnce. The Britons, like them, ^ouI4
probably have defied the Roman arms, if
they had poUeffed fimilar retreats, and an
equal extent of country. But no places in
the ifland were inacceifible tp the Roma^i
legions ; nor any fo diftant, to which they
could not convey, or carry with them, a
due quantity of provifions. And ?it alj
^imes it h much eafier to civilize the nor-
thern than the fou|hem favages. Thefe
commonly finding an ealy and ready fub?
(iftence from the natural produftions of the
foil, enervated bj the warmth of the cli-
mate, and averfe to the degree of induftry
and labour required in civilized life, are
formed with the greateft difficulty into re-
gular focieties. On the other hand, the
rude inhabitants of the North, occupying
a foil not fo bountiful in its returns, and
more accuftomed to hardfhips and fatigues,
fettle more readily into ^ community, and
^ubmit with lefs relu£lance to the neceffary
labours of a focial ftate. And it may be
added, that as a property in the neceflaries
of life is much harder to acquire, and of
confequence more valuable, than in the
warmer
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ivarmer regions of the South, the inhabi-
tants fubmit with greater willingnefs to
fuch laws and regulations as are required
to afcertain and preferve it from ufurpa*
tion and violence. And the fecurity of per-
fonal propierty naturally encourages induf*
try and order.
As the Romans are confidered as the chief
civilizers of the Weftcrn parts of Europe,
it may be of ufe to refleft by what means
they accompliftied an end fo defirable as
almoft tempts us to excufe their thirft of
doirunion^ and to place them among the
benefaftors of mankind. A late celebrated
writer ha?, indeed, fet them in a different
light. He confiders them as the fcourges
of the people whom they fubdued, and
leading out their armies, rather with a view
to plunder and deftroy, than to inftru6t the
vanquiftied by the introdudion of ufeful
arts, and a more equitable and beneficial
plan of government C^^. There is un-
doubtedly fome truth in this ohfervation ;
and it would be a vain attelmpt to defend
(I) Montriq* Efp. ie$ Loix, liv. x. c. 14. lir. xxi. c. 12*
all
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all the -mfearui-fes and' proceedings of th«
Romaiis in cveiy period of their hiftoryj
If, however, devaftations arrd fefvitude
fnarked the progrefs of their arms in Greece,
Afia, and the cultivated. parts of Africa^
the: eftablifhment of arts, and ufefii;! lawi
and regulations attended their conqueft of
Gaul and Brittiio. And as long as we cati
forget the uijuftice of their invafioji, and
the violence employed to fubdue the inha-
hitaiits of thefe countries^ we nuay think
rnore favourably of their proceedTn'gSr-.aad
confider their conqueft as accidentally pron
duftive of fome benefits to their nevy fub-
je£t:s, in retjuru for depriyipg the^n pf tkm
jincient liberty,
. The meafures purfued by the Roflcjap^
for civilizing, a3 well as retaining^ "the
Cauls and Britons in a ftate of fubj^iSioa,
>yere fimilar -to thof^ ;whi(ph. cither mtiom
5iad employed for: • th^ . fame • fjvirpofes.
Whatever arts they niight iiatroduce among
a barbarous people^ Agriculture was the
;|jrft, and in many refpe<3;b the moft iifeful,
by enforcing induftry, and afcertaining a
^ftiu6l property in the ground^ arid its
pro-
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prpdud^s. Almoft all the great and flourlfh-
ing dates of the Eaft had employed both p o-
litical and religious motives to encourage
a proper cultivation of the lands ; and
from this fpurce they chiefly derived their
populoufnefs, wealth, and power. Egypt^
from whence the law-givers pf ancient
Greece and Italy chiefly borrowed their
ideas of civil polity, was diftinguiflied for
its huftandry. The fertility of its foil oc-.
cafioned its popviloufnefs ; and this necef-
farily introduced a regular government,
and gave room for every effort in the va-
rious branches of legiflation. For this rea-.
fon it had been fabious for its (yftem of
laws, and reforted to by the inquiiitive
Greeks long before their Countrymen emer-
ged from a ftate of ignorance.
As the early civilization of Egypt was In
fome meafure owing to its peculiar fitua-
tion, and the fertility of Its foil, that of
the Greeks, whofe lands were not fo fruit-
ful, muft be afcribed to other caufes, be^
fides the introduftion of agriculture. Ap-
plying themfelves to traffic with their
neighbours inftead of engaging in a6ls of
6 piracy,
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piracy, and cultivating their lands with
greater affiduity, dividing the country into
petty principalities, and employing all the
profits and revenues of their territories to
improve and adorn their capitals, more po-
liflied maimers and a mQre equitable go-
vernment began to take place. Commerce
necefiarily introduces juflice, order, and
induftry ; and the fpirit of a large and trad-
ing city has ufually been of fo liberal a turn,
as ieldom to endure for a confiderable fpace
of time an arbitrary governor.
Before this improvement of Greece, the
inhabitants were divided into clans under
the direction of a chieftain, who feems to
have poflefled a fbvereign command in civil
and military affairs. When thefe ancient
monarchical forms of government began
to decline, and the fpirit of liberty to ani-
mate the Grecian ftates, we juftly hold
them in the higheft admiration, and ef-
teem it as the peculiar felicity of a country,
which refembles them in zeal for freedom,
and in all the arts and accomplifliments of
civilized life : but amidft the admiration of
what
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what is commendable^ we are almoft in*
fenfibly led to forget, that, while a juft or
rather an unbounded liberty reigned amongft
the freemen in the capitals of many ftates^
fervitude and oppreffion generally took
place in every other part of their territo*
ries. If in fome of the Eaftcrn (lates the
hufbandmen conHfled chiefly of freemen ;
in Greece, and in all the countries depen*
denton Carthage, the bufinefs of tilling the
lands and all rural occupations were com«
monly allotted to flaves and captives under
the diredion of an overfeer or bailiff. The
Elotes or Spartan hufbandmen were as ab-
je£t flaves as the Negroes in an American
plantation : and in other parts of Greece
the condition of the ploughmen and la-
bourers was nearly fimilar. If by the for-
tune of war one flate obtained a fuperiority
over another^ many of the inhabitants were
ufually reduced to the capacity of flaves, and
the chief produfts of their country con-
veyed to the capital of the vigors* In this
inflance the Greeks were hot Angular^
^me of the public works in Egypt Were
cxe-
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executed by prifonofs taken in w^v' fej.
And it was almoft an univerfal maxim of
policy in all ancient ftates to make ufe of
the people they fubdued, as kbourersi
mechanics^ or hufbandmen, if the coun-'
try would admit of cultivalioii, and its
prckludls were necefiary fot this nfe. And
wlienever an attempt was made to civilize
a barbarous peoplcy the utmoft care was
taken to inftruft them in hufbandryj and
the various arts and occupations cdnnefted
with a rural life. The civilizers of Greecd
and Egypt are feid to hafVfe beeh the inven-*
tors Or patrons of agriculture, and to have
cfie^ted their defigns by introducing or en-^.
couraging it in th^ir i^eipeftive countries;
The Egyptians Were fo ftirfible of the bene-
fits derived from their anoieiit law-givers^^
who introduced hufbandry^ as to advance
them to the rank of deities (^). And irt
later times Alexander the Great, who
cijudkd aiiy of the rfneient cbnquerors in
the knowledge of civil government, pur^
, (e) Herod. Hift. K \u c roS, Diod. Sic. Hill. 1. i. ji* 51.
^ ("<// Diod. Sic. ioid.
fued
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iuted thd ifame meafwcv as the' means of ct*
viHztw^ a barbarous people {e).
Many of the Greeks, elated with their
fiiperiority over fome other nations in fci*
ejice^ art$^ and peHtical knowledge, looked
upon every barbarous people as unfit for
the employments bffreenien, and defigned
by nature for fervitude (fj. And as they
could not be fuppHed ivith a proper nnm^
ber of flafres from their own countries, they
wefe obliged to h)rmg tbein frorli abroiu}^
and oftentin^esidinftiiiguifhed them by the
nata^i of the riatbns from . which they
were iniported. Even in the a^ of Homer^
when his trojLifttrymen were only ettictg^
it^ fromterbarlfm^-ilaves ^ite coftfidered
as arffclestof rtraffic, and exchanged lik^
other commodities (g^J. After his timd
the flave-tradi was enlarged in proportion
to their atdv«nceinlent in arts and luxuty^
and continued' to be carrred on as long ai
their, gbvernrhfentfe fufcfifted. By the ceafe«^
fej Strab. Geog. 1. xi. p. 786. Plut. torn. ii. p. 328.
(/) Arift. Pol. 1. i. c. 2, 5, 6.
(g) Horn. 11. vii.427,
lefs
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lefs viciflitude of human afiairs, their de^
fcendents are at prefent nearly reduced te
the fame ftate of fervility and ignorance as
the barbarians^ who iti their eftimatioii
Were deftined for flaveiy ; while the We(*-
tern countries of Europe, which they con-
iidered as occupied by barbarous nati<xis^
are now become the feats of civility and
learning, and the inhabitants poflefled of all
the qualities and endowments which they
believed to confer a right of tyrannizing
over a rude and uncultivated people.
It is not, however, to be imagined, that
in Greece (laves alone were lemployed iri
the cultivation of the lands, or that the
occupation itfelf was thought difhonourable
by nfxen of letters and diCdti&txm. ' One of
Hefiod's poems affords an evidence of the
attention paid to agriculture by the ancient
Greeks ; and the more ufeful treatifes on the
fame fubje6l by fucceeding writers, many
of which are enumerated by Varro (b)^ fuf-
ficieiitly (he^, that it continued to be held
'. :. .^
th) be Ro kuft. f. i; c. I. '
in
DigiU^d by VjOOQIC
5h fbtiSc -^^gree of repite for feveral ageii
If any other evideiice <vas wanting, the Oc*
conomics of XertophorirtiTiy be addflced as
a j)roof of the regard which men of ge-
nius as weH as eminence in the ftate paid
to th54'cultivati'6li bf the lands, ahd of the
care they took to fepiermtend and direA
tlieir^ flkves and -JibotiiQrs -^n' cduntry-
'a^irsflj: ' Wheit^^they retired ft^ni pub*
lie bufineis k6' their villas or fafifis, this was
their -ufu^al einployment; and-it continued
tobefo, til^ the weakly brought in^bycom-
liierce, and, the f^idiolii in the 'capitals, di^
verted their attention' from all rural occu-
pations. . GonficJ^rlng the power and bpu-
lence of fbme <^f. the Grecian Stdtes, it may
feem furprizi^g, that meii of rani^ an4 di^
tuition in the ;gQy:9rnme;it ^Qul4 hatyeipr
plied theroielves, jfpr^^cjjpp^^ tirneio the
bufinefs of hufbaiidry.; but the landed pof-
fcilion^ of the le^d^ng men in the adminif*
trajioii :of;pul4ip affa^s xy^r^ wfually fp
fmaUi i;li(at it reqjjked ^b'^ utmoft cgre aijd
^onOnay to 4ra>v,i freoxithoiix a^mamte^
. , » - r •
(ij Xeri6ph. OecoD. c. i6, 17,
'Vol. I. E nauc
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nance proportionedf to their ftation. And oa
tbis fuppofilion we may 2)CCoupt for their
IkHl and attention to an Qroployment,
.which in i^ation^eqvmlly polii^ipd is ufu^y
uegle^ed by pien of the fame rank^
Nor was this regard ;to huflbandry in
thpfe early agep coDfinpd to the Greeks or
eaftern ftates. THe inhabitants, of Italy,
before they were fubdued by the Romans,
ccjualled ajpy other people in this occupa-
tion. If any credit is dae to the early hiC-
tory of the. Romans^ the little i flates, into
which Italy was tKen divided, were e3^7
tremely populous^ And it is fcarc^ly poi?*
fible'^to fuppofei that fuch a.great num-
ber of people could have been maiiitained,
except by a vigorous ^cuhivation of the
lands, and a degree 6f mduilry as weD as
'fim^Iicrty of diet unknown iri;in6dern ag?s;
Bur ifthfey eq^alied or excelled the Greeks
rn this inftance, they Were inferior to thehk
ill others. 'Confining thcAifelvcs wholly
<o tlie profeflkm of arms and agrictiftiife,
^and ^ retafeiiY^ • thdk a»ci|?iit fiibplici^ of
-CTaiitners^ tbearttf^mi fciencfes weXtf'flightly
attended to^ or entirely neglected ; while
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Ae Greeks, who lived m a cotltitry not
fo fertile, by applying themfelve^ to com*
merce, and enriching and adorning their
capital citieSy carried all the polite arts to
fuch a degree of perfedtion as to become the
models of fucceeding ages. The Taren*
tines alone refembled them moft, by adopt-
ing their manners. They were originally
a Greek colony ; and, led by their fituaticMi
to engage in commerce, they made a grea-
ter profiiiienqy m the polite arts, than the
contemporary inhabitants of any other
i]l:ate in Italy.
In fome refpefts the Romans were fupe*
rior to the Greeks in the arts of legiflation*
The ^ancient law-givers of Greece had
formed their plans pf government on fo
narrow and cputra£teid a bafis, as fcarcely to
admit of a numerous aivd.flouriftung ftate
of people, or an extenfive empire ruled by
a liberal lyfteiyx pf l?iws. The political in-
ftitutipns of Crete, Sparta, and particular
ftates in ancient Italy,, though ufefiil in
piany refpefts, feem to be calculated ra-
Jther fo;r forming a aunierous body qf war-
riors, than fop propagating arts and civility,
^ttd founding a grwt empire by jtbje iji-
E 2 trodu^oa
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j^ccerdii^- to; the' fpirrit of .th^fe. g^^yeyiat
flien.tSi e^efy people. Which! i?ell,u»daf
fikielr domiiwtioi), . muft ; ^th^r. W.. r$<faicf d
Jo a fUje of fervkucte ; or, .if they received
the laws o£ their coiM}uerorS| m^fl: become
ajmoft ti^ppond«it, and be xcaifidcr^ imiy
as their friends and allies^* . Their:plans of
government were alfo calculated for a citj
or fmall diflrift, and could rarely be efta*
-blifhed. in. a-^ dilftant counfery^'^ Wbkh'^h^
fubdued, * with : advan tags t^ ^ihqiri ' dwu
ftate. At the fame time, their iriftiWti<Hift
hayihg too much<>f a military caft, feiVedi
to pufli, them oil to conquefts, which thejr
Were'tinabfe to prdferve^' -iThe Roman re-
'Ji^blit:,-^ though formed on a more exten*
^vq plSn^ was iiot^ without its defe6ts. Iii
the early -ages of^ this mode of goveriiiiient
the liberty and happinefs of '^ concJtfereJ
p'febple were ity precarious ^nfdinfecur^ as iii
\he time^;o&t4ie£diperors« - 't?B:^ier the firft
'perl6d> cruer agrarian ^fewfeAv^^re idha^^ed^
ifer dividing the lands? of the variquifliSd
ilStes among tb^i^ bWh'cHii^ns ; dnd ui^t-
^di^r tife tattei: thg pr<DYinGeS[ Sdmftidnly f^M
4!ito'tf)fefcind^'$*iraj^acious^g(iJ*^i^ ^i^
XloLl^UbulJ ^ il re-
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btAvicci'the gf^teft part of the people to'a
ftate of poverty an^i fervitade. It is only
in modem times that \ve muft look for an
cqtial .diftribution of .juftice in the capital
and diftaiit parts of an empires And it
may be obferved, toth'e honour of the pre*
ient times^ that the condition of the inha*
bitants of every ftate in Europe, who have
been obliged to fubimit tp a ioreigp power*
has been ipwch .more <:<)nifortabJe than it
would have been in the bjeft -ages of the
Greek or Roman republics*
After fthefe Remarks on the policy and
gQ^r^f^ent ;pf -^iKJent 'fl:ates,^T^c nrj^y re^
turn to-oqr fiabjed^^and confider^the. i^ean&
^sq^ployedby the llomaas for ci\?ilizing the
weftern^parts of Eujrope* And one rea-
ibn of the imprrovements. made in thefe
ijflcultiyated.cwntries may be juftly af-
pribed,to the,ifcttlement of colonies, and
t^e introdudipn of .jigricialture. It .had
been the conftant pra6tice of ,the Phoeni-
cians, apd Other ancient commerciarftates,
to carry out companies of their country-
men,, and plpCAthem gn the coaftspf Africa
or Eui*ope/ jpy the aid of thefe colonies
E 3 they
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they were enibled to eftabKfti a trader and
make an exchange of goods with the batr
barou^ natives, and fecure to themfelves a
monopoly. "And neccflity concurred ' with
xitility in recommending this meafure.
<Moft of thefe trading cities being fituated
on iflands, or confined to a fmaU trad of
land upon the continent, could not conve-
niently accommodate the inhabijahts with
lodging aiid provifirtns, wlie& their com*
taerce becarne extenfive, and their citizen^
numerous* Excepting Carthage and Alex-
andria, few of ' thefe commerciall ftates
•were able to furnilh thefr^ fubjeSSs* with
grain and other provifions, without- €i*'4{^
fiftance of the neighbouring nations Or their
own colonies. For this r8afon,' corn was
iifually the principal article, in which the
colonies oiT the Greeks and other Mediter*
xanean ftates traffickejiwith the parent^
country. And as far as /thig' colonics exf
tended themfelves into the 'adjacent fencis
for the purpqfe of rai/ing grain, fo far they
might cbntribute to the civilization of their
barbarous heighbQurs. ,But ;is they ^lyere
• :' ' ' '- - ' ' - -• Mea
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led out chiefly for the fake of trade, they ge-
nerally confined themfelves to the lands
contiguous to the coafts. If they attended
themfelves farther, it was commonly with
a defign to obtain the poflfeffion of fome va-
luable mines ; and then it became necef^
iary to ftibdue the original inhabitants.
With this view the Carthaginians attacked
the ISpaniards, and reduced a part of their
country to fome degree of fubjeftion. To
thefe reafons for fending out colonies, we
may add the necefSty of providing for the
incEgent, which are comnioftly numerous
in every commercial ftate. No public
provifion feems to have been made for
them, except in the city of Rhodes (k).
The ftate therefore, for it5 own relief, would
be willing to provide for them in other
countries, wliere they might be of fervice
inftead of a burthen to their countrymen
at home. Perhaps too, as the conftitution
of thefe trading ftates was generally repub-
lican, the magiftrates might thiifk 'it to
•be an a6t of prudence to remove the lower
^k) Strab, Q^%. !• xiv. p. 653.
E 4 prdey:
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or4€;r of citizens, who^ bavhig votes in
the jpublic aflemblies. Height be emplayed
to ferv^ tbe purpofes of a faction, ox fuffer
themielv^ to bq governed by a feditiou^
demagog^?. And tp this meafure wer may
jn foma degree attribute the duration of
thefe petty, f^ajtes. They no fooner^ceafed
from, fending out colonies, than they were
nentby domeftic cont^fts aiTd;ft^^"ggl^s for
powcfy^ and the. inferior citizens bfcam<^
engaged in ifupporting the d$%ns of fom^
faftipus leader. ,: . .
Tbff BqI^^J^s had other yje^s in their
conqueftsthan the iiitereft of uade. This
fc^ins: to have roade no part of their deCgns
m the republican times of their gpyern**
jnp^ent. Tbfir . jcplonies confined chiefly of
veteran foldiers, who were requited for
their fervices with a part of the lands
they h.ad;Conquered, and at the fame time
were ifli tended to keep the natives m fpb-
je(3:io;n.. Particulac/legions fettled in the
country they had fubdued, formed a bar-
jrier againft the invafipn of thek neigh-
|3ours, and were always at hand to aflift
their countrymen j when they were obliged
4 to
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to maintain, or dlfpofed to: extend, their
cfmquefts. Thijs wa^ one of the naoft po*
litical meafiires employed l>y the Ron^ans
forjsnlargmg thcif en^pire; and it was no
iefs ufeful in preferving the tranquillity of
the capital. In times . of peace it was
Scarcely poiGble to imjjmtain; the authority
<rf the magiftr^iteis in a ftate, where every
leading member was ambitbus Co dif^ini
guifli himfeif by military entcrprifes. A
people almoft conftantly exerciled in arms
may be taught the ntmoft fubmiffion to
f heir general as long as they are engaged
in aftual (ervice ; butt when they ate ref^
tored to the rank and capacity of merdci-*-
ti^ens, they are commonly faftious and
turbulent, and ready to diftate in all the
affairs of governn>ent. This was fo much
the fpirit of the Romrfn people, that the
feafbns of peace, though few and fhort,
were always attended with inteftine con-*
vulfions and difturbance ; and no expedient
could be devifed more proper for quelling
them than a declaration of war againft
fome foreign power, or the eftablifhment
of colonies. The very being of the Ro- "
man
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man ftate was In feme degree iupported by
thefc meafures. The laws required a greater
(tiiitt of virtue aiiid public fpirit to enforce
their obfervance than was to be ^nd^ or
could be expected, acaong a yi£):arious and
flourifiiing people.
. ..Agraj^ian laws were for many ^es agree*
able to the Roman populace, and common-
ly propofed by the tribunes, who (X)urted
their favour. After the times of the CShrac-
chi, the diftribution of the lands of a con-
quei;ed country was generally oppofed by
the vwrthi^ ^rt x)f *|ie ietiate, out of 4
priiiciple of hunaanity, or f^r Ae fake fi(
iiicreafing the public revenues. But the
removal of an indigent and feditious com*
monalty^ by the eftabliflimeat of colonies,
ought to have outweighed all other confidera-
tions, -aiid determined every we^-wiflier to
his country to have encouraged fo ufeful a
defign. And it might have been efFeded
without any great injury to the vanquiftied,
by taking from them, as was fometimes
ilone, only a part .of their lands (/). Con-
fined to the city, the loweft part of the peo-
{IJ Uv. Hifl, I. iu c. 41.
pie
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pie became the tools of every artful and fe-
ditious tribune,, and at laft the chief -fiip*
port of the ambitious patricians ; and, if
fettled abroad, they might have been of
real fervice to their country.
On a juft comparifon, the love of rule
and dominion, which animated the Ro*
mans, will be found more beneficial in its
confequences to every barbarous people they
fubdued, than the thirft of gain, which
poffefled all the ancient commercial ftates.
Thefe aiming to fecure a monopoly in
trade, or to difburthen themfelves of a nee-
dy and licentious populace, placed them on
the coafts of uncivilized countries, and
looked upon them as their agents or fac-
tors, in trafficking with their barbarous
neighbours. Unufed to arms, their colo-
nifts iiejdom attempted to make any fettle*-
•ments in the interior cpu!)tries, though a
few merchants might refort thither for the
iake of making an exchange of commodi-'
ties. On the other hand, moft of the Ro-
.xnan qolpnifts, confiftiqg of veteran foldiers,
entered far into every country ; they in-
vaded, and fpread arts and civility farther
* and
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and more fuccefsfoHy than anJjrjstbef fcoh-
querors. By the* affiftanceof^ib^fecolo*
nie$ and: military ftation^, they^kept the
inhabitaiij:^ in^ftwe,' and hiftru^ed -theni
in the moft ufeful brandies of civilized life.
And we may afcribe the quick civilization
of-the Wcftern parts of Europe to thefe
meafures* Strabo prefers the Roman co-
lonies to thofe of any othefr nation (m). And
one reafon for giving this pre^ferertce may
be juftly afcribedto the choice which was
made of colonifts. Inftead of the ener-
vated and feditious citizens, fdit out by the
corninerci^I rtateS- dii the eoafts of the Me-
diterranean,'the-Romans, ' in the time of
their' republfcaii-gdvernment, c6mmorily fe-
ie6ted the oldeft foldiers, trahied up in the
difcipHne of ah army, inured to labour and
hardfliips, and fitted for the- ferviees of
luilbandryj ai^«^ijill the- nieehanical art§^,
which were neceflTaiy'on the fettlemeht of
a colony. In after-ages, the legionary fol*
diers began to confider ^tl allotment of
lands in k diftanit province a^ uh'^orthy of
their atceptance, ' and as a meafure caK
(m) Strab. Gcog. 1, v, p. iio,
culated
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( ^'5
cubt^df rftther to k^m(ki%hM 6^, reward
thcox for thebrfervioBsf ;r^.: :AatJ^;ilahapH
|aly for the couatrida in whieb thcy!chofc
to place themfelves, agricuteure began to
be. looked upon in the time of tiu5 empe-^
roi^ Jas an ignoble piiofefiiaa', .and fit only
for flaives and prif^ners. Duxing the laft
j^ribd of the republic,, the populace iof
Rome was fo neceflary in the ftniggles foaf
pp't^/ser, and afterwiards fb much carel3ed
and bribed by largefles lyader thremperbrs^
that they became! unwilling to ietde in fo^
reign and ur^cultiTOted cduntijica They
chofe rather tofubfift on. the tribute pfeVu
and provifions' brxsnaghtfrom the provinc^^
of thqir empire, and 0njoy^thc pu^licihews
and entertainments, thaivfuhmit tothefla*
hours ufhufbandry in a diftant andtpferi
haps wijieajthy blirftajte^T i i c:r .l
H&r^l&tf us raiurfc .the' difference ttf op^
nion- between the antients .-and inoderm
on tfee {i^eSt I of > odb^ki. . . The [ £Mtmt
tbdUght?ihe«p*n^effiu:y to extend w lecuw
tiaiicwooaiai^mre^ conquteflrs^ or wi free
dvemfelves Irom^het burthen or dangerous
,j-c ' ; :. :t. . ) , . . .: ^l : i'l : ': ..:
(n) TacitrAnn, 1. 1. "^
^'''' defigns
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I ^ )
defigtis of fk^i^nb or ufekfs citi^ftn^; aud
at the feme timetogiverocm fbrthegrc^wtb
and advaneefmettt'of odm^s.> Mo^rnft^es^
equally fond af trade andj^mpiiTey have been
frequently difpofed toco»fidcr cobnizaticm
in a diffcrtat light. It has be^n reprefented
as detrimental to the parent* ftate, by cK*
xninifking its interiial ftrength, and bring*!
ing on expenced ^tbat are feldom repaid*
The different nature of traffic, in anaent
9nd modern 'times, hai^cxrcafipDed thisidi^^
verfity of fentiments. .From the greater
nuri&er of people in any icouiyrry It is gew*
rally prefumed, that chcapncfs of labour
and manufactures muft i^cKiv^oidably fbUowi
aud this, it is urged, mufl: give a pi^fe-
renoe to itis mer^hai^dife in fore^n niitof
kets, and almoj^ eftabliih \a tan^nopol^
Among the ancients, trade^ being carried
oh nol fo much by cheap as fcaroeioiJiceftiy
manufactures, by the produ^ions of art or
nature peduliar.ta^bme ciMintriesv or by a&
exchange xifcx^mmqdilies^depetlded^ little
Cttixhe cheapnidrs of : labi^iur or tiM^oumhi^
of peopku They fbiind greater «diantagte
in fettlmg their indigent citizens abroad,
than
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^n by any addition they amid n^ike (b
their commerqe at hiwaoie by their nunaher
and induftry. And itmay be jtjftly doubt*
pd, whether the eftabliftimcnt of cqlonies
eveir weakened or diftrefled: the parent-
country* The pr^feat ftate of Spain is
€<wnfnonly appealed to on this fub|-e6^j
whofe weaknefs is attributed to the t^pLP^
meM of the Moors, aiKl the removal of il^
inhabitants to America* BMt ;It,.hat$ he^n
obferyed, by a very conapptent judge,, that
the provinces of Spaii),^^ which fend; the
^eateft nxunber of ffxeu ito the Indieis,. are
the beft peopled (o),; and it, is queftiomahle,
whether its ftrength is nof as great at j>re-
fent as in any other period, though it apy
pears to be conxparativcly lefs by the^adr
vjincepaent of othei:^ nations,. whic]^,,^o;:7
merly vwre inferior to it i^^ wealth ^|^ij
power* And the reafon why it has pjpt
paade the fanqie progrefs as fome oth^ ft^f es>
xnay be owing to, the defpotic natym;rpfrf)f?
governnx^nt, and the waiU of a pfftP9f ff>j
^prnal poUcy^ As far as experience cai>; i^i^
form us, it fliould feem. as if no flourifhing
(e) V&mz'i TScor# of Com.' y. !• p* 461 ' ']
ftate
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( «^ )
ftete Vas cEv3er? mju^ed hy fending diit colo^
nies% They * nway 4iiake an addition to the
trade of the meffhiefKroirnt ry ; ^ndf the^
give room for anlincfeafe m ivunabeif and
Tigotir'to^ thole whoafe teftbfehind. Th*
^cancyi they leave, is fo foon filled ^p
Jihikri pi*tKJent>g6VemHaeilt, that in- a'fe#
ytow»S- it is fcarcely difc^nible. But ef^ffr
ftkodern (hte in- Europe ftenaS to be- fo^t
prepoflefled -in^ favour ef popu4atioii-^-at
hdme^ that it is rather defirous. of increafi
ing the iiunibeFof ftsi inhabit^lnts By a£ls
of nattiraHzaticAi, tH'an oFtliminiiKing i^l^
the e{?atolifflnieiit of 'pblonib^ ' - ^'
If we arefurpmbd at the'boldnel^ of thi6
Roman colonifb in placing themfelVek in
an enenhy^s country, we have no lefs^ rfeMSa
to Wfi^nder at the; fmall quantity^ iif^rt)uftd
which they irfoaiiy ' bcciipied; l^k iWded
J)ofle|Ron§ of the ancient i^BAans^ Were
fcarceljr equal to the garden bf 4 itioderate
family in the j[iTeftnt times; an^d v^rhen tHe
Unds of a^ yk'nqmfhed ftate \^re divide
amoai; thetfiWzeris; the fhareof. each wii
{o trifling, as* to reqnirb' an tin common' 'de*
gree of induftry and fldll; in agrjljulture, ia
» order
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order to derive from it a maihtehance ibr
their houfcholds.. The fmallhefs, howevert
of this allotment enabled theiri to unite
more readily for felf-defence, and to pro-
tect their poffeffions with greater eafe. On
their firft fettlemdfit thej foriheda camp
adjpifiing the feiids ^he^ propofed to' c\^I-
tivate'; ^ndtfiis' by degrees was cohVefted
into a fortified tdwh, to which they might
retire in the time of danger with their
cattle and effefts. The great quantity tff
ground required by n^odern dolohifts, m
order to fiipply thdiifi with pr6vifi6iSs and
other neceffaries, has expofed t*hem to
many incotivemences-, and made thfeiV pof-
feffibriS lefs dfefenfibT^ againlt thd attacks^ of
ah' enemy, ' ''*:'*
• 'But, bfefide^ the advantage of occupy4iig
ftioh a fmall portion of ground,' the cJolo^
mftssy in the 6arly ages of the Romah ftaW, ^
had been employed during a refpke fi%fefi
military fervke in rural occupatibtis, 'aftd
\iefe in every refpe£t qualified foi* iriipf o?^ •
iHg the lands where they fettled, and" For''
inftrufting v their ignorant neighbours iii
the moft ufeful branches of hiifbaridf^; :
Vol, L §\ This
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i 66 )
Xhis had been the favourite employment
of the pioft diftihguifhed Romans in the
virtuous ages of their hiftory, and one of
thofe . arts in which they were ambitious
to exeeL A good hufba.ndmari was held iii
the ^higheftjeftimation, and confidered as
an ufefjul member of the ftate fp). On
:the taking of Carthage, they preferved the
writings of Mago on agriculture, and or-
dered them to be tranflated into their own
language (qj. Even fo late as the age of
Tully, agriculture was held in fome degree
of repute, and recommended by him as a
liberal profeffion, and not below the atten-
tion of a fenatorfryf. But from his time
the fpirit of it began to decline fo faft as no
longer to be confidered as a polite amufe-
ment. The fpoils of the conquered coun-
tries, the imitation of Afiatic and Grecian
manners, and the import of corn and pro-
yifions frbtn the provinces, firft brought this
occupation into negleft, and in a few years
into contempt. The care of the lands
(f) Cato de Re Ruft. <n i.
. (^) Varro dc Re Ru((. 1. i* c. !• Col. 1. i. c. i.
f ; TuU;deOC 1. ii. <?. 42. Dc Senca, c. 15.
was
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Tsras configned to flaves, and the loweft of
the people; and hufbandry and hunting,
which had been the amufements of the
-early Romans, were, by a contemporary of
Tully, placed among the fervile and igno-
ble employments fs) : and agriculture
never recovered its credit fo far as to en-
gage the attention of the Roman people.
Auguftus, and fome of the beft of his fuc-
ceflbrs, encouraged it through views of po-
licy. Virgil recommended it to his coun-
trymen ; and cloathed the moft ufeful of its
precepts in all the beauties of poetry ; and
fucceeding writers laid down rules for the
management of lands, which they had
borrowed from Greek or Latin authors, or
their own obfervation and experience : but
their efforts proved ineffedtual. The nobles
were funk in effeminacy, and oftentimes
derived their fafety from their floth and
vices ; and the fervile and lazy populace of
Rome hdd too long been maintained by
the produfts of the conquered countries to
fubmit to the labour of cultivating their
own lands.
(/; Saluft. BelU Cat. c. i.
F 2 Agri-
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( 68 )
Agrlciilture, thus almoft baniihed from
ttaly^ flourilhed in the provinces of the em-
pire, and fupplied Rome with the greateft
part of its provifioiis. Sicily, Africa, Egypt,
and other countries, fucceffively fent im-
menfe quantities of grain thither ; and the
more diftaut provinces paid their tribute of
corn to the troops which were quartered
there. Agriculture was therefore encou-
raged in the provinces both through in-
terefl: and neceffity. Whether it was, that
the Romans looked upon the offices of huf-
bandry as fervile, or that the employment
was beft calculated to keep the people iu
fubjeftion ; it feems to be certain, that it
was enforced in the provinces, and in fome
againft the inclination of the inhabitants f /J.
Something muft be attributed to each of •
thefe reafons. Every people, which cul-
tivates its lands, muft be in a great degree
dependent on the will of their conquerors.
As it is eafy to deprive them of their pro-
perty and fubfiftence, it is eafy for the
fame reafon to bind the chains of fervi-
tude the more clofely. And by a natural
(t) Strab. Geog.l. vii. p. 315.
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( 69 )
revolution in the manners of the Romans,
the idea of flavery became annexed to an oc-
cupation, which was once confidered as
the badge of freedom. In the early ages
of their hiftory, almoft every branch of
trade and all the mechanical arts were
allotted to flaves, and liberty allowed only
to the profeflion of arms and agriculture.
But when their conquefts became ex ten -
five, flaves alone under the direction of an
overfeer ,were employed in all the offices
of hufbandry. Every corn country abound-
ed with them* In Sicily, and all the
cultivated parts of Africa, their number was
alftioft incredible ; and under the Empe-
rors many of the provincial fubjefts were
reduced nearly to the fame ftate, and em-
ployed chiefly in raifing corn for the ufe
of the capital, or of the forces which
were Rationed there to keep them in fubr
je<ftion.
The ancient Romans, indeed, like moft
other natocms, made great ufe of flaves in
the cultivation oPtheir lands ; and as long
as they direded and aflifted them in per-
fon, they treated their fellow:-labourers
F 3 with
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With fome degree of humanity ; . but when
hufbandry began to fall into contempt by,
the influx of wealth and the fpoils of
foreign nations, the rigors of flavery were
increafed. Among the rules laid down for
the management of lands by writers on
hufbandry, dire£lioiis are given how to
employ the flaves in the moft beneficial
manner, and derive the greateft profit froni
their labours. They were allowed to marry;
to poflefs a peculium or private propertyj
and the female flave, who reared above
three male children, was emancipated, (uj^
When fick or infirtn, they were expoied
by their mafters upon an ifland in the
Tiber, and had the wretched cpnfolatioii
to refled, that with the recovery of theii?
health they might regain their liberty (w^.
But notwithftanding they enjoyed feme
privileges, diftated rather by policy than
humanity, their condition was far from be-
ing eafy and comfortable. Cato, in his
book on hufbandry, lays it down as aruk
of ofcconomy, to difpofe of flaves in cafe of
(u) Columell. dc Re Ruft, 1, u c. 7.
(wj Sueu Claud, c xxv» '
debj-
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C 7> ) .
debility or old age, like fuperannuated cat-
tle, and replace them by others, who were
younger and more vigorous (x). And
yet this writer was diftinguifhed for in-
tegrity and fimplicity of manners ; qua-
lities, that are generally fuppofed to be
indications of an humane temper, or at
leaft inconfiftent with a fevere and cruel
behaviour to inferiors and dependents.
But men of rigid and inflexible virtue,
biaffed by the prevailing manners^ of thofe
times, were frequently lefs difpofed to
feel and relieve the fufFerings of another,
than thofe who were debilitated by vice,
and effeminacy. The fale of (laves at Rome
was always con fiderable, and charged with
a tax by one of the Emperors (y)* Some
of thefe flaves were born in the families of
their mafters, and others werq.purchafed.
in foreign countries, or redujced to flavery
by pirates or the fortune of vyar. jJVccord-.
ihg to the maxims of thofe ages, the rights
of conqueft were carried fo far, that the
vanquiflied were entirely at the difpofal of
{jc) Cato dc Re FSaft. c. ib -PIAti tJc. -Cat. ' Maj.
(y) Tacit. Ann. I. xiii,
•F 4 the
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C 7^. X
thevv^tors, and thegrajaj of lifpitfelf evenia
a ftate of flavery wds coii(i49''^^ ^^ ^ ^vour.
, /^s fopn'as the Romans wprfe furniflied
with coVji knd pcpvifions from theii* pro-'
vmcesj they beg^n to. rqllow trie Greciaii;
fhpd'e 'of empjoylfig • thei^" flaves ,in •othei:
occu|iations befides huib,andry. In ancient
time^, .'every family .fuppjied itfelf ^ylth^
the chief ^ nec'eftaries .of '.life by . thpir
cWn ;ltid^\iiftry 'drfd the aififtapce of a fe\y,
IJa^esf.' As^the'^kpttal and luxury in erf af-:
ed; ' 'mihy articles! ' ^6f • xife ^ or oriiament,
Ts^hiih were fdrm-erly unknown or' neg-
lefted, beca'me fnfhionable, and yielded a
cohMehiAt pJtbdt to th;e artifts and'.W^'fk-
men, 'who Verb* employed to' fbpply the*
mai^ets vvith'them. l\i Athens/ahd;fome
other Grecian ftate?, (laves wdre em^ployed In'
all the mechanical arts, and iTi,aintaioe4.
their mailers by the procluce'of their in-
duftfy. In the timt'of the Petopbnneliari.
\Var atibi^e twehty thqu'farid Atneriian flaves,*
chieft))' mechanics,; delerted theif mafters ;
and from. hence We may infer^ '.that' they
mtift'have been extremely 'riumeroiis at
Athens /ar). AQd.jQ^h,??:. . (^(p§FQf ^ Greece
(z) Thucyd. HiftH- vii. c. 27.
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^.qV^Uy ^bosiid^d witfe th?m (a). In the
hter age;$ of the republic, the Romans be-
gan to employ their flaves in the Grecian
manner. CralTus and Atticus entertained
many in their tervice, and received great
films from the fale of their labours. A part
of the weahh of both was derived from this
fource ; at leaft they found greater profit*
by employing them to fupply the city with
articles of luxury than in* cultivating the
lands. And this is one reafon why the
moft wortblefs and intractable of their
flaves were engaged in the management of
thfeir farms, or fent hito the country by
way of punifliment f^J, while the more dex-
trous and obfequious were retained in the
city, to fiipport the grandeur of their maf-
t«rs,- or to enrich them by their labours.
In length of time, when the Romans be-
gan: ta entertain a great number of flaves
for ofteiitation- anxl 'fhew, th^y occafionally
treated' the qa with great cruehy, and |)u-
ni(hp4* thpm feveirely for the flighteft of-
fences. iTh? Ath^ni^ns on the other hand
(a) Thucyd. I. viil. c. 40.
(i) Colamcll. de Re Ruft. I. u c. i, .
I em*
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employing them chiefly in manual arts,
found it to be their intereft, on account of
the profit derived from their induftry, to
treat them with mildnefs and humanity (c).
From thefe remarks on the hiftory of
Roman manners, it may be inferred, thrt
the period of time when Claudius invaded
Britain was very unfriendly to the caufe
of liberty, and the eftablifhment of juft
and equitable laws among a conquered peo-
ple. Defpotifm had feized all the depart-
ments of the ftate, and fervitude had
fpread itfelf over every art and occupation,
which required induftry and attention. If,
however, the civilized countries which fell
under the domination of the Romans,,
fu^ered every fpecies of oppreffion, thcBri--
tons derived fome advantages from their
mvafion, by applying themfelves to agricul-
ture and other ufeful occupations, and,
karnt the rudiments of civilized life.
. The Roman colonifts, who fettled iiv
Britain, would undoubtedly apply them-
felves to the cultivation of the lands in^
their neighbourhood, and . endeavour to
(r) Pint. Thcf. De Superftit. * Montefq. Efprit des Loic
irx^lt:. 1 6.
tfach
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teach the natives by example their own
mode of hufbandry as far as it was appU*
cable to the foil and climate. But the
number of colonifts was too fmall to have
an extenfive influence. Equal benefits arofe
from the legions, which were quartered in
different parts of the ifland. As foon as
the natives were reduced to fubmiffion, the
fbldiers would either till, or oblige them to
aflift in tilling, the adjacent lands, in order
to fuppl J themfelves with better provifions
than the coarfe food of the inhabitants. la
procds of time, villages were built near
thefe military ftations ; and fuch of the
natives, as chofe to imitate the manners of
the Romans, put themfelves under their
prote<3:ion, and cultivated tbeir lands iti
greater fecurity from the inroads of their
countrymen than they could in many other
places. And, for the better proteftion of
the people, the troops were quartered in
fuch parts as were beft adapted for main-
taining the internal peace and tranquillity
of the provinces. As many Britons had
retired into Wales and the northern parts
of the ifland, and annoyed both the Ro-
nlans
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mans and their cxwintrymcti by their in-
curfions, the military forces were fo dif-
pofed as to guard againft them in the moft
cffeitual manner. The legions {rationed at
Glourafter, Qiefter, and Carlifte, and the
walls and ramparts throwa up by Adrian
. and Severus, are inftances of the care they
took to preferve domeftic tranquillity.
. Writers have not told us with exaftnefs
what were the particular taxes or impofi-
tioixs, which the Romans laid upon the
fflritons. Horfes, cattle, and grain, are
faid to have been paid as tribute; but
corn was undoubtedly the principal arti-
cle^*, and the moft ufeful to the Romans.
Their troops required it for their fubfiff
tcnce ; and it ^ppears^ that they compelled
the natives to bring in a ftipulated quan-
tity, and fometimes, through difguft or
Joy: way of puniftxment, obliged them to do-
iiver.it at inconvenient places ^^j. This
tribute of corn, and the induftry and la-
bour i-equired to raife it, were for a long
iime .fubjeftspf complaint amongft the ua-
tiwes, and gave occafion to inltinredions.
(dj Taelt. Vit. Agric.
Their
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Their leaders Hnimafed them to rebeUiba
by dwelling upon thefe topics, which were
heard with great difguft, as recommending
labour and a fettled refidence, and thereby
deprivhig them of their ancient naodc of
living by hunting and pafturage (e). And^
to aggravate this imagined grievance^ the
Romans began a few years after their fef-«
tlement in Britain to export grain to the
continent. Being almoft conftantly en-»
gaged in hoftilities with the Germans^
corn became a neceffarv article to . the
J-
troops employed againft them ; an<J Britain^
by itsfituation, fertility, and certainty of
its crops, was beft adapted to afford a fup^
ply. And confidering the ftate of the
Britons at that period, this was the mod:
ufeful and judicious tax that could be im-*
pofed. By obliging them to certain abc«fe^
a«d £hited labours, it imperceptibly laid tl«
foundation of civilized manners.
And wherever a fuccefsful civilization
of a barbarous people has taken place, the
fame policy has been generally purfucd;
(e) Ibid* XipKil. Epit. Dion. p. 280.
They
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They have been inftrufted In the arts of
hufbandry, and compelled to bring in a
fHpulated quantity of grain to the troops
who were appointed to keep them in fub-
je£tion* And it would have been a mea-
fure equally fortunate to the natives of
North America and our colonifts there, if
the example of the Romans in this in-
ftance had been followed, and either in-
tereft or humanity had led us to inftruft
the inhabitants in agriculture and manual
arts. Though they have now lived al-
moft two centuries in the neighbourhood
of oiir colonies, a flender change has been
made in their difpoiitions and mode of life.
They have adopted and improved upon
fome of the European vices ; and, being
. fupplied with ftrong liquors and arms,
they are become more intra£table, and lefs
difpofed to order and fobriety. Confidera-
ble fums of money have been colledted for
the purpofe of inftrufting them in civility
and religion : but there are no regular
towns or villages to (hew as the fruits of
national benevolence. This is an event
not to be expeded, till the number of
wild
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i 79 )
^vild beafts is reduced, and the inhabi-
tants are compelled to have recourfe to
the annual produdls of the ground for a
fubfiftence. And, before this happens, the
number of favages will, probably, be fo
far reduced, as to make room for European
fettlements. Unhappily for the favages
and the colonifts, the intereft of trade and
the purfuit of gain led the latter to encou-
rage in the other their ufual paflion for
the chace, and ancient manner of living.
The exchange of furs and peltry for Bri*
tifh commodities was found to be mcft
beneficial and agreeable to both. And as
long as thefe continue to be the chief ar-
ticles of traffic, there is greater reafon to
expedl, that the natives will be deftroyed
by domeftic wars and foreign luxuries and
difeafes than reduced into regular focieties.
The Romans are faid to have civilized and
inftru6ted in the ufeful arts of life every
barbarous people whom they fubdued (f);
it may therefere be juftly doubted, whe-
ther their care in thefe -refpefts was not
more advantageous to an ignorant and fa-
^(/y Stiab. Geog. 1. ii, p. 127.
vage
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Vag6 people than theiJjirJt of tfade, \^hicii
has now poflcfled almoft all the nations of
Europe, and whofe itnttlediatfe hitefeft is
preferred to every other cotifideration.
Nor were the Romans left ufeful to the
Britons, in making public roads, and open-
ing a ready comfnu'mcafion.with £he moft
diftant ftations of the foldiers. In tlie care
of thefe, they were luperior to mod other
nations ('^j. And though they were made
for their own convenience, they became of
^qual fervice to the natives. Some public
advantages too arofe from the deftrudioi>
of the woods by the introduftion or im-
provement of fdt works and forges in
different parts of the kingdom. The woods
had formerly ferved as a fhelter to the in;*
habitants from the inclemency of the wea-
ther, and afterwards encouraged them to
rebellion by affording a retreat from the
purfuit of their enemies. And, at the fame
time that this deftruftion of woods madp
room for paiTrurage or the growth of corn,
it helped to leflen the number of wild ani^
(g) Strab. Geo^. I. v. p; ^35^
mals
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;xnals and. beaAs of prey, which, like thp
natives, found a fafe retreat under the trees
and thickiets^ which Kh^n coyered a great
part of the ifland. , The mhahitauts, in-
•deed,, tjisfore ,t^ae arrival of the Romans
.^ere ^n fotoie ipeafure obliged) tO; confine
the wGods^ for the fake Of providing fodder
and herba^ .for . ti^ir cattle ; and th?; ufe
th^y piade of chariots fufficiieptly Ihews
that ^here were fomei open. grounds; but
thefe were few, a»d fotne of thehi unfit
for tillage in many 'places of the north till
the fettlement of the Romans in.thofe
countries. And even with their encou-
ragement and ,afl[ift«ice many centuries
elapfed before: the woods wer? confined
within proper bounds, 4nd room made for
a more extenfive cultivation of the?, lands.
But, however flowly or ' imperfeftly this
work might be carried on, it was'fo fur
executed as td enable tl^ Romans to hold
thfe>people in fubjcftion j and by deftroy-
ing many of the wild animals, on which
the natives partly fubfifted, they obliged
them tp fupply the defeat by an additional
Vol. I. G , quan-
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(C «2 ))
quantity of corn or a greatfer liilteber d*^
tame cattle. -
Camdfeh an^ othei-Sr hate imagiaed, ^h^
the Romans phnted vineyards^ ^id tt^a^
confidca-able quantities of Wiik). * ia bis «?-
touiit of Gls^efterfliire he tells us, ^^^*fe
'^ dxi not to wonder, diati* ttttiSy places
** in thia county fremk ihm^* vinis are
'^ called vineyardSf becanfe they ftlrmerly
*^ afEwrded plenty^of wirie i : and tksstthisy .
"M yield ridnfetiow isIrathpT/to he hupulirf
f<^ tb the flothi^f th^ finhabitamts:jd!ia^ the
•^.ihdilpofitionof the climate (h)ll^ ItJs.
not. imfirobabte hut. thei.Rbnianft mi^t
jcbafce a.tryal howjfirvitieyairds woiiid jImq-
c^e'diaBfHain.^ /Tiwity.^^ ind^i h9ri;.cfo-
,ferv&d>.:thal oiJi:. clirtjat;^ w^ unfit,|i*.fi-
. j)€niftg,,gfape5,. plf vmt. ^Q^ iPit^^
;ftfi^ia^4j^«>,tM6 W«*i550ttotries.//^, ^^^t
ppipts^of tjiisjlfeirjdi^e, fpm^tainep J^5|^
;detpi:i:ipii»Qdjl)y^pxperin\ent^ t^a|i' l^jr^fefleq-
.tionB pn^tjie ff^tur^ ofj;hB"foUa^id,pjyknatf.
In favourable feqjfons.pur vijies nalght yidtt
a fmall quant|t]jr of (gir4uxaTy v^incj^ -bu^ fuciv
Vi;.Camd.Glouceft; ^ • •* '
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^rXownTtlSit fee dVfej^v^tiou b^Tfa ?Ku
Tiolds good'; ahd» as the editor of Camden*^
"Sqtannia very jiiftly remarks, our vines
WiAQrhpronei for nWd*^ th#'.fruic7'';^'-
tti€y e^peij^eo, ^ift'"^tanting viniJyarBs, tliey
mfet ^'^th'tttil t^e putture' of many fruit
%ttd tiriibei: ' trees, , Which th'iy brought
trim idly y}if^%' itk'mp^MtxWcT'
'mf ' ai|f&a/''thalt M Ui'-MhzHeiWi;:
trees. Wd^'^cf^ilitf Wgfet fto^ aBrb'ad,
'as fhanjf bf' thtfrii had b'^gfi ' foriheflj re-
.tnoved from otheirctfiintrieB in to, Italy it-
ftit And ■s^b'k'i'e ^^kps^iipt lefs ittdibtei
ia -tl^fe^tjate '<iir^!^ 4t/fe^Hs^if(fl^:fdtiie'R oVr
•tiihbkf' tt4s,' ri¥6ii^h4hgy' ire ' holv ,I(i6ked
upon* as:d66vatf :Wiih ■tlfe' flfdtfe'of ancient
oritain.\ * ." ^
'^'^^^Marfy^^t^i^efs'iifu fiito. a
of plunder and the purchafe of flaves and
captives, but to .carry on a raoieihonour-
able traSic } and^ as few and trifling as the
' G t co,n^-
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f- ,«* )
V
5h?ir fettl^tQent h^ jCOQUdera]^
In the .general maflacrc of them under
Boadicea they, are faid to have amounted t^
eighty ^thoufan4 /^j* ]An<J even a; th^
the ^Romans Was not calcuEatpd Iqi; pror
jnotingCQipmerce 1^1 Italy or t{{e provinces^
trade, would neyerthelef? be io J^r. ^nco^-
raged in BdtaUi, ai to be; in rfomp deg^^
benefTcial tp the pa^ve^i. )bj^ ^wiiij^ them
the ufe and'valoe pf their owi^ proc^^ls^
which had been formerly oyerjppked, or
<:olle6ied pnfy 1^ fm^l qu^titie$.^|^^ qf
coppi^rwpuld^e p^y^ ^?fr*^^fe
;^nd th^ ancient mines of fin^ Iea4^ fn^ff irgf^
-^would he wrought tp greater adyaj^ta^^bjr
the affiftance and iniftruiftions of ttiel^if*
jxi^%. I A^^t^thef^e.^l^xe^.tb^^
% of ph9|i^^ft4^ai^ <^
fk) Xiphil. Eptt;Dttii. p.. ijf,
(J) TwuA^thM^xy^ .
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^l^'oula bllsnlarged^^ih br^er'to fupply tUc
jjejv wants of t^^e jiativesL, or. gratify* the
VCvariceipf.tlieir mailers. The Sritons, iii
'their df igirial ftate, ' not .feeliiig the want
*<)!f any" dtherdothinff than t*he fkins of
"their Qwri' dnirhaW, of unacquaihted wita
*the ufe b^'tiiany forelgn'coaiiiiodities, could
not hiak^ ^ade in objeft of their concern,
*^^r intefeft''thMfdve's'.fiirthe^'iii irtlian"^
-acquire Bf '^znir''^\kwtA^\{^^^^^
•With the ^fogrfefs ; 6? ^civlfit/^ tfielf wants
^incf^^fed, ahdfiequired' a fupply fr6m thqir
't)v^ mflum^^ hy Snport's%om^ abroad
^ffi^iibfrangfe^fSr^tljert^owrf^^ In
-wants, 4 ^fldictef ' dtgrde' of laS^our'^'and^'a^-
^plicatioh'^ould ftlflilfl^ an addqu«e fupply;
Ijat, wh«i fhey^ari U imit«6fh^Rdfti^h
^teaiiftef 6,^ thelt w«i« betJiimeJfHt^e'nijJme-
^row5,-^rahd^ called for^^tt^iwioi^^ht! id?ft-
'gemre, to ^tify tbetn «vWiw a^^y im-
-perfefk manwfflT. Richer doathing, ' rt\citc
.bpnveiiient ibuildingsviaiidsa mt)rc -eiegaiit
Land ^xpfenfiv^mod^'pf iliving, gayeooccafion
tb a»ny:ms^iSMdX^^€Sicis^d of afe ipJiuf-
.• nz: }' G 3 > try
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,< .« ^
try unknown tpthdr-aiiceftors.' But |f
jfeems to have been ttie^ policy Vf tKe Ro-
mans in all their eoncjuefts rather to oblige
^the people to bc contentec} with theirna-
-'tive products an5inanufa£lures, than to en-
cournge an exchange with other nations.
If commerce alone, according to the mo-
dcrn maxims of Europe^ can lay the foun-
dation of a: navaj power, the fleets of the
Romans, in the repubUcan , times of- their
goyernmeat, .muft appear to, be very ex-
traordinary. \ l^eglefting Of defpifing. all
the advantages of a trade with foreigners
for feveral centuries,, they contented them-
felvea. chiefly with their ownxoarfe manu-
jfadures, and^ the produdions of their owp
country* • F.ew merchants were able to
find a faie far the rich manufa^liires of the
Eaft, or even for thofe articles which are
.ufually lopped ¥poM as neceflaries Ih a ftat^
of pblifhed manners- And, as the early
fupply irotei^atm^ Jthey 1;^ ai.few xrofq-
moditics vto: gite^ iQ ;^cliange; ^ i?r«gal,
:parifeioniot3Sy^atid:*piaiii4^^
ditt^: riicy btii tiieLM^«teft^ll»Jt^^ef 1 tite
: * $ ' ' '-- I O imports
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-cks of luxury^ aiid tending rjrfhpr to corr
arupt their miamwrs, tjjan. add to t^e cafe
flnd accoijimodatious pf life. "Slaves wenp
J^ -ojojft c^Hiiiderablfe article in theiv im--
^rtsi andj i^ latei: timesi :?n inifnenfe^qu^Ur
^ity of. cori^ and proyifions from the pror
vinces^f thj^i* empire. .TJ^i^r riches flowe^
iu 'fr9m the ipoiU ;and. rev'euues qf ^th^
coantrles.%ey bad crjj^^.ed, and jjipt frpngi
j^iy induiljy rof thiak. own to acqv\ir^ ^bf^
\xy trafSjpi and? ifthdr4iaJKal ppwfjr appeared
.formidable at any tjinae lujader the cjnperpra,
jt was; r^er-Qwingtothe cucomragepiciit
;thj(3y g^vie tx? the ifflpprt -^f:;<:af^;ai|d thp
care they JEi^f^.to d^jefs ti^ade^ jji (the pror
j«ipcj^s, -aij^. prevent thp fiie.of a. ii^arinp
,tbajt ipight Qppo yiith their own, t|ian to
.Wj^alth hr«aght ap ijy foreign commerce,
vit'^as; not tUl ;aft% Jjb/e p^yi^i^^C Car-
thage, Greece, rand |E^pt, th^^^^^he in-
jtj|f^,of Jtra4e biecai:pe an objed ofr theiy ^t-
^fte^jtio^,^ . and eveii the Iktle regard that
Was then paid to it was more owing to par-
ticular governors of prpviucieS;, f;^:X<^ private
G 4 -pe^fons^
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< ^ )
pcrfoiTS, ttan to any zffiihkfit 6t care be*
flowed Upon ic by the ftate* '
In aiicieiit times almoft tvtry Romatt-
ftmily fupplied itfelf with the chief arti*
cles of food and cloathing by their own in-
dtiftry. The fetnale part of the fafeSly
manufa<3ured the appaxelv while the other
part of il was employed in the cultivation
of the l^nds. In. later ages, eacli of thefe
offices was allotted to flaves anddomeftics,
;^ho' were retained for thcfe pnrpofcs, and
were oiteh times extretnely nnmerbns.
How neceflary they tht)itght them to be
^br their iutercft or grandeuK may Be cot-
k&id from a particular itiftfance, (^i\
"tHe; icMii&ion of Corinth ahd Carthage,
'the' imtiienfe films of I'noney which' ftSl
4i>to their hands were thlfefiy Mfl oii^^
the pnrchafe of flavfes (nfj. '''So great^v^^s
the dematid for tltem, that ten thotifiny
were-Tometimes fold at Delus, in Cilicia,
in dne day (^n) fhough the Romans, tvePc
iiifceflanrly boafting of their :liberty,^T^^y
wer«
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were labouring to reduce Vheir neighbours
to a ftate of fervitude ; and the number of
their flaves hi alnioft every period of their
hiftory equalled or furpafled the number
of citizens. In fiich a nation it was ^1-
moft impoffiblethrt trade (hould flouriih.
The unequal d'rvifion of riches and proper-
ty, and the mean and narrow circum-
ftances of the people, formed' infuperable
obftacles to its progrefs. Wheffever flaves
^lone are employed to fupply their makers
with the principal articles- of ^ food, cioathi-
ing, and other iiecefihries; and at the fame
time v^here the freemen in general are
hdd i<v*a ftate of JDovcrty andde^endeikre ;
itW vain to exp^<3: a vigorous coftimered.
*This requires the moft extenfive^freedotit,
and almoft -entirely depends on an equal
difltijibution of riches ^araong' the feveral
members of the ftate. ^An opulent qobility,
::atteaidcd and fupplied hy a traia of Aayes,
an4 a -needy and cfependeiif commonalty,
muA always check thqfpirit of tirade^ and
keep it in a, very, languid cqndition. The
jprhicipal imports wiU chiefty cmifift of
mer^Miycqri^s^ .wfejcb always employ a
*'* V fmall
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( 9^ >
itnall number ot v^fiels^^ ^4,.iW€l with
lew purchafer^T . Ana> if We»^ex:cept pQrn^
the chief imports o( the Romans, even hi
ttieir moft- flo'urifliing fta^j were of this
IsjUid. ' ^/tiie^, wer6 brpughp from^ ^tbe Eaft,
an4 p,trOcii|re4 by- renuttaiKes ;9;f gold aa4
jfilver^ j'nilead of hejng exchanged, for the
manufactures and produ(?;ions,of their owu
iCCMunJ^rjr, Th^j had, indeed, fuch a fmaU
i^^pi^er af CjDmnip<^ to;gii^e in exr
fkmg^^t)^ aa extepiive tradf-^ould &o^
jjftye:reducei4 t^^«? <^* ftate of banjcru]^
-pjj, if th«y :h*4 tWibeeii fupf¥>r^edr by the
plunder jaixd ^^venues of th^jr pro*ii3ces.
. J A$:.^^'ifewfity acid iirppUcity crfjfea^^
j^r«f r *»ong, the ardent R9miffii§ ; ipade
^^QOteifitcg^hiioft. unixeceiTary $ ;fo <H>fcrya-
Jfioas on the genius «id i^e of tradii^
ftates gave them a difguft to it as long* as
,1^ [ republic ibbfifted* Carthagmian> pajr-
\fid5K^;virhkhi pafled mto a proverb, i^^s^not
ei^'aufl«h:xiwii\g to the breacj^ of tyea^ies,
.'or the ijtilfceadffii^fs of a democracy, as^ to
"the fpirit: «<ttf=a'tradi|i|g natioft,. that wi^' al^
ways neady^^'to iacrifice every^ thing, louixir
medhpa^^mi' 1^^ f|)iHt tobk fo€r
* feffiof)
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i 91 )
^efiion ef ,the ^Greeks as fpon us their cpm;'
merce became exteiifive, aflid brought thepa
wider the fame reproach. Thq^ pbilofb*
phers were djigufted at the- mnxims,?ind
manners it introduced ; apd, in their ideal
^rms of government, profcribed it a? ufi;-
lefs or pernicious, or referred it to the care
of flaves (^). What the. Grecian pbUcrfq-
phers recommended in their vUiooaiy
plans of policy, the Romans in a great
meaiure pijt in execution. So long had
this unjpft notiou of trade prevailed, anpd
fo deep an im.preffion had it qiade, that.it
fubfifted to the time of Tully. He fpeaks
of agriculture with the greatqft refpeft^ ^p^
places Jt among the liberal vprofeffipns ;
and at the fame time treats 'the n^erobamt
.with a kind of flighty and the retale t«d*r
with the utmoft conternpt (fi)' Refle<3:ioijs
* of this fort nriight become a philofopheu ;
but in,, njodern times t|ie^. wouW be
Xhought furprifingiii ahian, wh6 wasco]&-
^::^ ..il. t.i : 1- ..: ., ■
fo) Plato, dcRep. I, li ; de Leg, I, viii# Arift^ Pol U
iii, c. 4. 1. yVu c. 9. U viii c. a,
(fj De 0£c 1. i« c. 4^ .
yetfan^
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
!: /
,^, .^,9VV ,, .,,
Verfarii m public life,* and uliderrtoOcI tfie
iuterefts of a ftate. He is writing, indeed^
to his fon, to whom eveVy branch of traffic
tnieht be confiderdd as dKhohourabk,' and
'iilcon^f^eht ' with ^his ftation. On thrs
ftibjeft 'Tuliy s rank, phJIbfophy, MixTlo'^
bf ancient manners, tempted him" to lay
down fuch rigid maxima in the conduit of
trade a^ were inccnifipatible with thfc genital
'ipirit of a commercial people (^^j. His
ientiments on this fubjeft do boiiour fe
him as a man of probity,' and might Ifc
-'gravely inculcated in* a company of philti-
fophers, but would be (lightly^ attended to
-on every exchange iti' rHodeht Europe.. "^ '*^'
• When we refleft "6n the' riches and ex^
tent of the Romah dominions in the later
ages of the republic, or. ui>d'er the emp*-
'rors, we areju)ftly furprifed at the loWlfefc-
tOf commerce. ' An ernpire fo popi^ldus^ ami
' 46 connefted'&i all its parts j ic might' be
- imagii>ed, wauld have parried • on a,-^piro<li-r
gious traffic, and furniihed a marine fu;^
• perior to that of any modern /late. Aud
^ -X 'M De OfEcJ. ni, c 12I i?. ^
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f 93 )
yf€t It -m^^ bedoubted, whether the prefent
trade ofEn^^id, .France, or Holland, 1$
not iiiore extepfive, and does not enaploy a
greater number of yellels, than the whole
commerce oif the Roman empire in any
period of its hiflpry. /And one reafba is,
that though toaqy fubje£is \yere extremely
opulent in the time pf the 'emperors, yet
the number of ilaves^was not dimiitifliedi
and the body of the people in the capital
and provincies was in too mean and indi*
gent a condition to encourage an extend vc
commerce by the purchafe of foreign com-
modities, or too flothful, through penury
oroppreflion, to fupply the markets abroad
'with their own manufadturesv The only
"branches of commerce, which feemdd to
merit the public attention, were the Indiaii
and corn trade. The duties and Impofts
which were levied on the former tempte4
the emperors to promote it, and the con-
ftant wants of the city obliged them to thfe
cire of the other. ' The capital of this
mighty' empire, by its populoufnefs, and
the negledl of agriculture in Italy, was de^
|)endent on its provinces for the greater
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. , . : t W, J ,_. , , ,, , .
tart of It? bread and prbyifipiif^^ v^tiicfi
Deing (bmetimeS wi^th-held' b^ 'the^goveri
iiors^ reduced the poopld of Rome to greifc
diftrefs. I'^he utmoifl: !atteation was tKertfi
fore paid tothejcor^ trade by fhe emperidrs'jL
arid particular ii^dalgehces graated Xo^t!>fe
|nercliants and mariners wli^^
mfupplyingthe'city withglram. And, li\
•lorherefpec^s^ tlic policy of levying a con-
fiderable partof tji^ -proviheial • taxes", ui
i:OTa„4inllead.ot tixoney, was :, not without
ip.li^fe*.,- AlppftaU the provinces were.b^
^his means flocked with* hulbandmen, ^nd
vx tpis capacity met with fome degree of
^f^flpuragemont and protection: and the
fifiXi^fs Off many countries, where agricul;-
^ure. fiadjbisieft fUghtly. attended to^ wpre
Udl^j^ up in an ulcfol occupation ; and,
jihough, treated almoft as llaveSj were gra-
.dua^ly enyr/fd fo a ;ftate of or^er. and d-
:vili^. '..:: :.:.^,\kU. ^ ■ U^ r-.. \ .^.fi
; Thk ^m the cdft^of t^qiBf it»^- > "Thfif
were obliged toapply thefiifelves- to tfoe
cultivation of tiie lanide^ and in length ot
•liin^ reafftd iConfiderable| advafttag?^ fronpi
it,^ If the iirft accounts of Britain repre-
fent
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C 9M ...
lent it as Wild and unciilti\^ated, and the
inhibitatits as igncfrabt and barbarous, later
writers have given us no difagreeable de^
fcriptiensof both. The Britons began to
imitate "their iTKtfters in drefs,' letters, and
tother iccomf^liflhifteints ; and; 'though ttiefe
fltethe proper iiijftr»naents fiir €iftabliftin*g
fe?vit\i4e, they are; the^ means of ^ civiliza*-
tion, and the neceflary attendants on k
ilate of .pplifbed fodtty (r^. :l^go^
jtowr}s^fxd :village$ w^Q buil| loi^g^l^orc
th^ ,Roiiians qujjtted the iflaiid» atod^ the
Britons aWris^id tf^h^vp, .jradle (o great .a
proficiency^^ifi ;the; En«:ha[iuciil-arts,, that
Conftanfiu^, after, ;^e^;yMaory over Jilkch^
.jtu^, removed,. fn%iB^ Bifitiflj^ ar^ilkera aiid
.nxechf^icVtin^o Gji^li rta: firry wi fome
public f\vpjpk&r^e; h^^i^gwv^ia'thaticdufi-
JffTf:^* -^P^ }^ ^^ 'Britons fmrpaifed the
Gauls in this refpeft, they equalled or iex-
«Ued thena. hi agriculture. The tbuBtry
was fo well cultivated as to 'beeofcne thfc
granary o£ the weftern parts of Europe.
ffj Tacit. Vit. Agric'
{i} Panc^.' Max. Aug. dift. p. i^o* ^ ,
The
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The Homao garrifons on the fropticrs irf*
Germany were usually fupplied with cora
from hence; and though, this trade paet
with lome interruptions, yet the ^emperor
Julian removed thenm^ and ra^d^thecon*
veyanee rapre eafy* He employed eight
hundred fm^ill veffels in loranfporting com
to the continent (/). From this circufti-
ftance we inay form an idea of the Britifh
agriculture in thofe tihies, and of the gi?feat
improvfiftienlfs^that were made in it by the
^ or inftruftions of the Romans. And it
jdefeirves-to be -remarkedi though no un«
common event in the revolution of human
:afiairs, that the tVade in corn, which ^eft
Idiftinguith^d Britain^, likefome great river
long diverted frdm itS-cdurfe, ih6uld,'aftfer
^m^ioterraption! of ^bove a thdufaild years,
return toits former channel, aridenridh the
ftme country.) : i. i
^ J.f the conje£hires of fome learned anti-
quaries mdy, be depended on, equal care
was tajken of thc^ inland trade in corn-
According to them, a navigable canal was
^t) Zof. Hift. \. iii. Asnm. MftrctU, L xvlir. c. j.
-i i* mad^
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made, from Peterborough to York, by
which grain was conveyed from the'fouth^
em counties with greater eafe and expedi-
tion than it can be at prcfent. A work of
this kind would have done honour to the
Romans in the moft flourifhing ages of
their empire ; but the reality of fuch a na«
vigable canal is liable to fo many objec- .
tions, that few perfons will be difpofed to
believe it, unlefs t\\e evidence for it was
clearer^ or better authenticated (u).
At the time of Gasiar's invafioii few of
the Britifh inhabitants, except fuch as had
ronoved from Gaul^ or adc^ted die nnodes
and fa/hidis of that country, wore any-
other clothirig than th^ ikins of animals;
and though t\-^^ f^me di«fs .might for a
t\tnc prevail after the Roman conqueft, yet
this ]yvov.l4 gradually give wjiy to the vk&
of woollen garmtut^^.^UKl introduce or im-
prove jthe n^tiv^ j^ the art qf weaving.
VVe have neverthelqfs flender reafon to
prefupieg, thai; the nMnufa<3:ure of wool w^
fo far carried on as to admit ofexpoi:tarion,
(p) Drake*s Hi ft. of Yoik, p. 47,
Vol. I. H though
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though a quantity of cloth might be made
fufficient to fupply the foldiery, and feme
of the natives (w). And the fame remark
may be applied to almoft all other articles
of traffic that required attention and induf^
try to fit them for ufe. Men, , who have
been enured to a vagrant life, or have fub-
fifted chiefly by pafturage and the acqui-
(itions of the chace, are not eafily brought
to fubmit to application and labour in a
fedentary profeffion. Civilization, ^nd the
numerous train of wants it introduces,
can only produce this effeft, and make in-
duflry as habitual as it is necefiary in this
ftafce. If it ihould he fuppofed^ that the
Biitons were inclined to exert all the flkiH
^nd diligence required among a trading
people, the military and defpdtic power
ypxercifed over them by the Romans wais
not calculated for pronaofing' comnnet'ce at
home or abroad. T^-cariry on this with
^4;iccefs, many privileges and immunities
were aeceflary both to the merchaiits and
(mf) Camd. Brit* vol. i.p. 96. 137.
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people. And, sis thefe indulgences were
generally thought to? interfere with the
rights they affunied over a conquered na-
tion, they were rarely granted in fo ample
a manner as to anfwer this purpofc.
Amidfl:, however, thefe and other dif-
couragements to the propagation and ad^
vancement of arts alid induftry, we have
authentic proofs, that the value and im^
portanceiof Britain were lb Avell nnderftood
by the eipperors, as to eng^e their care to
preferve 'the ci vilified parts /from the in-
vaiions of the Scots-and Saxons. At the
fariie time, ' its fertility and the number of
its flocks' and hetids Were made fubjeQ:s of
panegyric, ^And it feemed to vie in ufeful
riches with the bfeft'proviiicfes of the em-*
.pire. So lavifh were fomfe' writers in its
praifesj that they looked upon it as one of
the fbrtfiinafe iflands, - which ^ w&s as 'likely
to be *fountf here as^^iii^'a^iy^prher part of
the then knfclwn'W6t?d^^:i9- '/After making
all due allowance for the charadlers and
■ ' ii. ■ ..
Aug. pr 542.
*^ ^ H z fituation
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,( too )
fituation of (hcfc pan^yrift^i wto feldom
fcrupled to compliment their mafters at
the expence of truthy we may fafely cchi-
elude from their accounts, that Britain had
received great improvements, and abound-
ed with all the necefiarics and donvehknces
of life.
Before we proceed to the Saxon hiilory,
it may be of uTe to make a few reniarks oa
the effedls of/ the Romaii government in
the conquered provinces^. Though the ci-^
vilization of a barbarous peopk^:f by what^
ever means it is acjcorpplilhed^t.m^iy be
coniidered, as beoejSci^J, it is ; r^werth^ft
commonly attended , with foft^? dif^4^ajLvr
tagea^ when i^Jrpd^ced by.fffFCd,:,an4the
exerciftp^a fpr|ign power; .Checking the
natjve genioS/of the p^opje, andcompellifjg
them to ifliitate rather than invent, fejv
Rations h^va e?^c;ell^ in the acts an4i im^
provf^tpen^f.^pf .life^.^u^vder tbcfc cirQum*
ft^pces. . Su9h of the Gr^fi jjt^ ^f^^^^ A^- j^^.^?
unawed by a foreign pow^r, and graduaUjr
improved themfelves in civility and fcience,
gave rooni to the efforts of genius^ and
excelled every nation that was inftru^ea'^](
- M the
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the Romans in arts and hutrfanity. Among
a peopled juft advancing from barbarifnj, it
has rarely happened, but fonM remarkable
produAions of fuperior abilities have ap-
peared, toid for a time hecoihe national
models* Self-tdnght, and uiiconftrained
by ru}e,:they give way to the fallics ofge^
nius, and, though irregular in their' pro^
duftions, have been the admiration of more
enlightened ag^s. But neither the Britons,
nor any of thfe Northern nations, vtrhich
fell under the 'Roman yoke, diftinguiflied
themfelves by fuperior attainments in arti
or fcience. Ruled by a . military power,
and- reducfed to the capacity - of flaves ^and
dependents, they adopted the' barbarous
tafte of their matters. Nor could fuch Ji
violent government have a more benign
influence on trade, hufbandry, or even the
mechanical^ arts. Commerce can never
flourifh where the greateft part of the peo-
ple is held in a ftate of fervitude. And
hulbaildry, when carried on hy flaves, will
alway^ continue in a languid ftate, and feci
the pernicious effcfts of a defpotic power.
. Self-intereft in this, as in every other oc-
H 3 cupation,
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cupMi6ii) mufl> atiimate the labourer, and
lead him to exert his abilities and induftjry
in' making every improvement that pro-
raifes to terminate in his awn benefit. And
it may be added/ that by {locking the lands
with a great number of flaves, in order to
derive a profit: frt)m their labours, and
obliging the provincial fubjefis. to. apply
themfelves'almoft wholly to agriculture^
with a vie^y .to retain them in fiibjei^ion.oa
the e^fieft terms, many inconvfoienc§s .re^
fulted from this policy. On the ipvafipn
of an enemy, th? greater pari; of the inha-
bitants, flattering themfelves with the hop^
of regaining, their liberty^ or of improving
their condition, was ajlways ready to revolt,
or tp make a. feeble oppofition, .^jVe, may
afcribe to this caufc the facility witJi which
Sicily was lb often conquered or invaded
by different ftates, and the cultivated parts
of Africa wer^ fubdued by the Rofj:^ans#
And it was in fbme meafure owing to this
fervile application to hulbandry by the in-?
habitants of Gaul and Britain, that they
were fo eafily conquered by the Northern
Barbarians. Moft of the people held in a
flate
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ftate of vaflalage, and having fcarcely any
property of value to defend, or few of thofe
inducements which animate men to exert
themfelves in the defence of their country,
either fled with their mafters on the ap-
pearance of an enemy, or tamely fubmitted
after a flight refiftance.
If in thefe refpeds Britain fliared tlie
fate of every other country, which fell
under the domination of the Romans, in
Ibme infl:ances it enjoyed peculiar advan-
tages. Divided from the continent, and
fecured from the depredations of the Scots
and Saxons, it had pofl'efled a ftate of tran-
quillity unknown to almoft every other
part of the Roman empire, and improved
in arts and knowledge ; while more civi-j
lized nations under the fame government,
after the lofs of liberty, funk into a ftate of
ignorance and barbarifm. And in fome
degree this became the fate of the Britons
by the long continuance of a foreign power,
and the exercife of a policy over a conquered
country, that produced in the end the
moft pernicious effefts. It was almoft an
invariable maxim in the Roman govern*
H' 4 ment
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ment .to deny the ufe of arms to every
people they fubdued, and oblige them to
depend on their afliftance and protection
againft invaders. Such of the natives as
had a martial fpirit were admitted into
their troops, or formed into legions ; but
they were generally employed in foreign
fervice, and never left at home to rouze
their countrymen to fhake off the yoke,
and aflift them with that military fkill and
difcipline they had learnt from their maf-
ters. Neceffity juftified the expedience of
this meafureas long as the fpirit of rebel-
lion fubfifted in the country they had
lately fubdued ; but, as foon as this was ex-
tinguifhed, true policy required the purfuit
of different meafures. The Romans hav*
ing nothing to depend on but a number of
turbulent and factious troops, that were
placed on the frontiers of the empire, €x-
pofed their fubjeds to all the ravages of the
Barbarians on a (ingle defeat. The ivkhi^
hitants, nnable to defend themfelves, or
affift the Imperiai forces, ferved only to add
to the con-ftcrnation, or joined themfelves
to the invaders, in hope oi' partaking of the
plunden
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pluiid^r. if, inftead of debarring the fyb-
jedls from military fervice, and enuring
them to all the enjoyments of eafe and
fervitude, they had been permitted to avail
themfelves of their own courage, and in-
flrudled in the ufe of arms, in order to de-
fend their native country, a ftrooger barrier
would have been formed againft the at*
tempts of their enemies tlian could have
been made by their mutinous legions. Per-
haps a regulation of this kind might have
helped to reftrain the iniblence of the fol-
diery, and occafionally preferved the tran-^
quillity of the wholf empire. The feverity
of military difcipiine iiad inaintained the
reputation of courage in the Roman troops^
which was once the portion of all the citi-
zens of Rome, and the produce of public
fpirit ; and it fubfifted in the army after it
had been alngioft entirely loft in the citizens,
and a blind and implicit fubmilSion to th^
will of the emperor was confidered as die
moft valuable quality in a fubjed. And
there is no doubt but the fervile fpirit,
which fo univerfally prevailed, was intro-
duced by the continued exercife of a military
power>
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power, that gradually extinguifhed a fenfc
both of liberty and virtue.
• Gn the departure of the Romans, the]
Britons found themfelves in the fame ftate
as the inhabitants s)f the frontier-countries
ill the Weftern empire; difpirited, cow-
ardly, and fonder of eafe than of indepen-
dence and freedom. They had now fo far
degenerated from the fpirit of their an-
ceftors, that they were unable to defend
themfelves againft their Northern neigh-
bours, whom they had once refembled, and
equalled in military Ikill and courage.
And it is not unufual in the tranfition
from favage to civilized manners, when
made by a foreign power, that men fhould
be as pufillanimous in the latter ftate as
they were intrepid in the other. A native
ferocity prevails among all the favagcs of
the cold countries; and a refolute and
fte^dy courage is commonly to be found in
a' more improved ftate of life. ' The firft
quality- IS the gift of nature ; but t"he latter
can be acquired only by experience and the
Xifeofarms. ^
CHAP,
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C 107 )
CHAP. m.
REMARKS UPON THE LANDED AND
COMMERCIAL POLICY OF ENGLAND
UNDER THE ANGLO-SAXON GO-
VERNMENT, ^
IF th6 kortians have been cenfured for
the fervitude they introduced in ^l\
their conquefts, the Saxons and other
Northern nations have been commended
for their fpirit of freedom; or at leaft they
have been confidered as fcattering the feeds
of that liberty whii^h, in fucceeding ages,
were brought to maturity (a). Their mi-
litary Ikill and even their virtues were
much greater than could be expe<9:ed from
(a) M«Dteiq. Efp, dcs Loix, )• jpriiw Cit 5*
the
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the rudenels of their flate. Though pof-
fefling all the fiercenefs of Barbarians, they
excelled the fubjefl:s of the Roman empire
in the obfervaoce gf m?ny moral duties.
With the lofs of liberty thefe had con-
tra<9:ed the vices of flaves, and all the pro-
per qualities for keeping them in a fervile
qpaditipn* But, whatever refpe<9: thefe
hardy invaders from the North may ob-
tain on account of their martial qualities,
6r particular virtues, the regard which
they paid to the liberty of -the people they
fubdued, or even to their own common-
alty, feems not to have been fo great as to
^Tervj& ?qu»l commendation. The free-
^boit^eiy enjoyed or granted to l^eir new
fubjeiSs vv^as rather a confequei>ce of their
meaner M^fji^, ^nd imperjfedt notions of
government, thai^ the refuk ^f deliberatipn
and defign. The Rpm^OP, in ordpf |x) ke€^
aconquiered people in .fubjo^iqn,7C9rppe^le4
the*ii to] l^tle in cities And viU^gp?^ ^nd tp
^tivQf€ the grpuiKl._ On the other band,
tjie Saxons and . Northern barbarians, de-
.ftroying many of the cities and populous
towns in the -tountfies they invaded, and
-' ' 3 addiding
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addliSHQg themfelvcs chiefly to pafturag^
and huntings muft neceflarily aboiiih a
great part of the fcrvitode eftablifhed hf
the 6ther. If any other people, equally
barbarous, fhonld fettle in tl fioirriithiiig and
populous country, and introduce tiie fanoc
mode of life, the confcquence would be
nearly the fanie* Moft: of the nati'v^a rauft
cither be exterminated or baul(h^d, whitft
th^ir conquerors lived in that favage frec^
dom which is generally attendaiit Oil a
todrtial and palloral life.
In every hord of favages an unbounded
freedom muft take place. Authority* can
be dferived only from age, experience, or
approved eourag^; and though tl^efe may
perfuade, they can ncrver compel. Atwi
wherever men lubfift by pafturage, it is
^arcely poffible to divcft them of ^ the
rights. of fireemen* If therp is any ewoep-
tbor to Ais remark, it is to be fwiid
among >thft.iTartar$, ov^r; whom their
fchieftaipsiiarfe faid to^exerc^ft an authority
touch gt§^^F than' ieems to be confident
.Wilh tfe§k!i»o^e of lif^/^^^j^butiy^t ti^?ir
' con-
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coudition is far frdm being fervile/ TEe
openhefs. of the country, ranknef&of the
fbiJ, and confequent populoufnefs^ enable
their leaders, who are commonly diftin-
guifhed for their wealth, : to ufurp a more
extenfive jurifdi<Stion over their inferiors
than is.ufuall^ the cafe in ^dody and
moontainous countries, where the. inhabi-
tants are neither (o numerous nor fp tv^^
^ie^ ::; Among thefe the . power* of the
chii^tain i$ extcemely limited;? and the
form of government, ; if it deserves i the
name, approaches to a democracy. It is
chieHy in countries where agriculture is
excrcifed, and large towns have been buitei
that deffiotifm caiv be eftablifliodi /It ; hjs
feidom prevailed among natiotis i?^holdef
rived a great part of their, fobfiftence from
pafturage and hunting, Poctitjiis ^nsifoa
the. Germans, and oth^r natibnioaf^^liie
Nortli, poflfefled a* greiiter degr^ afi ftieei.
dorn than the more civili^;^ iivhibitantsiof
the South, till they adopted their arts and
inanners. Averfe to livinjg in cities, ^and
tinflciUed in hulbaodry arid eoriimerce/Anrd
all thofe fedcntary occupations which tend
- 'u- ' * " to
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to introduce vaffalage, they muft unavoid-
ably retain a great portion of their original
freedom, in whatever country they fettled,
as long as they confined themfelves to their
ancient mode of life. This is the chief
. merit they can claim as aflertors of liberty
and enemies to defpotifm. They no (boner
applied themfelves to hulbandry, and fet*
tied in regular towns, than they reduced
the inferior orders of people to the famos
ftate of dependence and vaffalage as the
Greeks and Romans had done before them
in their feveral conquefts.
It is not poflible to colleft, from any
authentic records, what form of govet-li-
ment was ^ftabllfhed among the Saxons in
their native country,; or what regard they
paid to pommerce, or tb6 cultivation of the
ground. Among their* neighbours, the
Germans, whom they prob&bly refembled
in character and 4iianners, hufbandry was
held in the lowejft -eftimatiofi (c). PrefeN
ring the: exercife of arms to every other
ocpupati^^ .^jd ari[|i[exing bonpur and free-
i dom
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^om to this profefficm alone, they looked
upon all the brahchcs of agriculture as be-
neath their notice, and fit only for the
employment of flaves, or of the old and
infirm. One of their tribes left the care
of their lands to their vaflals or Captives, or
to fuch 6f their countrymen^ as were unfit
•for a military life, or obliged to fubmit to
lb fervile an office. Allotting to each of
thefe a fmall parcel of land, they received
a ftipulated quantity of corn, cloth, or a
certain number of cattle, in lieu of rent*
Neither would they allow of a fixed and
diftinft property in their lands, but annu-
ally divided them among the people. Tire
4loble8 6r chijsftains allotted to each a cer-
tain portion; and, after one yea^V reff-
denfce, removed into other parts 'of the
country /^^/y. Like many other baHiarous
jiiations they depended for fubfiflence lipbli
their flocks and herds, afad the natural pfo-
du^aions of the foil, rather than thfe la-
bours of the hufbandman. And it feems
to have been a prevailing nbtiorr, akbong
(ii) Caef; ubi fupra* Tadt, dt M6r, Germ.
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all the Northern nations, that tbo great
.attention to agriculture tended to introduce
manners, which they looked upon as infal-
lible fteps to effemuiacy and fervitude.
We learn from Tacitus, that one of the
• hords in the Northern parts of Germany at-
tended more to the cultivation of the lands
than fuch of their countrymen aslivedonthe
borders of the Roman empire (e). As the
. foil was lefs fertile, or the climate more
unkind, they were obliged to be more in-
duftrious in providing a maintenance ; but
- it is doubtful whether the Saxons ought to
be placed in this number. It is, however,
extremely probable, that they followed the
cuftoms of the Germans, and left the ma-
. nagement of the lands, and the exercife of
manual arts, to flaves and captives. Many
years before the final departure of the Ro-
mans from Britain, all the North-weft
coafts of Europe, not immediately in their
pojSbflioq:^ were the rendezvous of pirates
and freebooters, who fubiifted chiefly by
rapine ^nd plunder. In thefe Northern
(e) De Mor. Germ,
Vol. I. I couui-
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coifn tries there were troops ready to ein-
bark in afny enterj)rize that afforded a pnjf-
'ft&, of fpoil, or a fettled abode. The
Saxons, in fofne meafure debarred by their
fituation from fTgnafizing their courage by-
land, became pirates ; and, during the de-
clining ftate of the Weftetn empire^ diftin-
guifhed themfelves by their depredations
on the coafts of Britain, and the Southern
parts 6f Europe; And as the inhabitants
• of the North had been conftantly increai^
ing from the time that the Rojnans in-
• Vaded fome provinces of the Eaft and Ger-
. many, fo they had been improving in nii-
litary (kill and navigation, and preparing
themfelves for the execution of greater
•^projeft^ than pillaging the defenccdefs
* toWhs on the coafts of Gaul or Britain; *
If the Romans had been fucceeded in
Britain by a nation which imderftodd^ the
art of making a conquered country ufef&I,
many of their laws Jand regukti6hs rtiSght
have been adopted, on account of itheir
- titillty v but the Saxons were i^ithet tdo
ignorant in the art of government, or too
much devoted to their ancient manners, to
follow
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Mlow the example or inl^itutiotis o^ their
predeceflbrs in con'qiieft. And in fome re-
tpefts their frieafures could not be exactly
piirftied. The Saxons, like other norther A
nations who emigrated into thefouth, were
'attended by their wives and families; and,
'having ho idea of making a vatiquillied
people tifefiil, e^c^pt in the Capacity of
"flaves, faw no 'other advantage of a con-
qufeft th'an in the fettlement and fubfifVehcfe
it afforded immediately to themfelves and
^their httuieholds \ and on account oi then:
want oFikill in hulbandry, and pnflion for
the ChaCfe, a largfetraft of land vt^as required
for thefe jpurpofes. They therefore endea-
voutiedto fe^tefminate or baniih the inha-
bitants, whferevef they propofed tofefttlfe,
hot only that they might li\^e in Ifecurity,
but enjoy the pleafures of the chac6 witU
greater ff eedotli.
rioW juftly the Saxons Wete branded
with cruelty rriay b6 in fbfne meafurC cbl-
lefted from 'their language. Wherever the
Romans fettled, the introduition of their
own manners and tongue was employed' as
I 2 one
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( "6 )
one of the means of civilization ; and the
more rude and ignorant the natives were^
and of confequence the more fcanty their
language, the greater number of Latin
words muft of courfe be introduced; and
yet there is fcarcely a country, wherein
the Romans refided fo long as in Britain,
in which there appear fewer marks of their
fettleinfent than in the language of the
Saxons. If a confiderable number of Bri^
tons and Romans had been permitted to
live in the country, the efFefts of their lan-
guages would have been more difcernible
in the Saxon tongue. The names of fuch
arts and utenfils as were ufed by the na-
tives, or (x>mmunicated by the Romans,
would have been retained by the common
people, who feldom entirely change the
names of things that are of general u(e,
but frequently preferve them amidft the
violence and revolutions of a conqueft.
Some words, indeed, of a Roman origin,
; are obfervable in the Saxon language ; but
many of them were introduced after the
eftabliflimeut of the Chriftian religion;
• and
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( "7 ^
and they are fo few as to afFord a prefump-
tion that, according to the accounts of hif-
torians, the greateft part of the Britifli and
Roman families was either baniflied or put
to the fword. For this reafon we may
juftly exped to find more German than
Roman cuftoms in the Saxon management
and application of the lands.
As the attendants and companions of the
Saxon chieftains or generals in their mili-
tary expeditions entered voluntarily into
the fervice, it is natural to infer that they
would confider themfelves as partners with
them in plunder or conqueft. And it feems
to have been a cuftom among all the
northern nations, on their fettlement in
the Roman provinces, either to divide the
lands by lot, or aflign to each a portion ac-
cording to his rank, intereft, or valour.
After the allotment to the leader or general,
the nobles or officers in the army feized or
took pofleffion of other portions, and di-
vided them among themfelves and their
followers. And as the armies of the
northern nations ufually confifted of a kind
I 3 of
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.< :^\^ ))
of clans or farnUies united l¥ig?thfr»' <^
their clifperfion over a conquered country
they endeavoured ta k?ep yp the alUanp^,
and fettle in the wighbourhopd of the^r
chieftain, as well through a^^ipti as'fo li^e
in readinefs to attend him on every, {nilif^y
fummons.
This mode of dividing the lands is na^
tural enough, among a barbarous. pgf^Ie,
uniuftruaed in the foyifl of a regular ga-
vernnjent, and conquering ;qnly for tbe
fake of afettleinenr, To provide for their
fafety agalnft the attempts of the nativQ?,
their firft inftitutions muft neceflarity h^vB
^martial caft, and depejidenqe and fubordi-
nation be enforced rather on military tj[i^p
civil motives. When alpi^nce Wfls r^
quired againft foreign or domeftic en^a^iei,
all perfons qualified to bear arm^ wer^
convened, and the plan pf proceeding {f^~
tied according to the fentiments of the roi-
pvkyffj, ^ '
As it was impra<aicable to levy pecu-
niary aids, for the maintenance of jthe
^C/; Tacit, de Mor, Ger,-
■" prince
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( "9 t
prlace or chieftain, among a people whole,
trade was carried on chiefly by barter, and
conlequently where money was fcarce, a
portion of land was allotted tp him for this
purpofe. This was a cuftom eftabli(hed
^rpong one of the ancient tribes in Ger^
many (g) ; and it prevailed in a great de-
^ee among all the princes of the Anglo-
$axon race. The demefnes of the crown
y/ere extenfive, and afforded all, oi: the
greateft part of, the neceflaries required for
the fupppft of the king, without levying
taxes on' the fubjeds. A part of the fines
for trefpafjes and offences, which were fet-
tled by law or cuftorp, yvas paid to the
king ; and in later times, on the invafiou
of the Danes, when the crown-lands had
been very much diminifhed by grants to
the nobility and religious houfes, a land-
tax was levied under th^ pame of Dane-
^eit. IsTot^ithflanding thefe contributions
of the fubjefts, the chief fupplies for the
king's maintenance were drawn from the
lan(Js annexed to the crown. There is an
W Tacit, dc Mor. Ger*
I 4 ordi^
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ordinance fo Jate as the time of Canute/
wherein he enjoins, that his houfehold
Ihould be fuppHed from his demefnes, and'
nothing taken from the fubjefts without
their confent (i>). And the fame order
continued to be obferved till the time of
the Norman conqueft.
The fame force of military difcipllne,
which kept the early Saxons in fome degnee
of fubordination, would at the fame tim6
introduce an inequality in riches as well as
in rank and power ; and in the divilion of
the lands the fame inequality would be
readily admitted. As all lived on their
own portion of land, without paying ftated
levies to their leader or his officers, it be-
came neceflary to fubmit to an inequality
in the diftribution of the conquered lands,
that every one might hold thern freefroni
the impofts aivd duties required in more ci-
vilized countries. And the refped paid to
the nobility, and the honourable defcent
pf the Saxon generals from a race of princes,
(b) Leg. Ang. Sax, p. 144.
whoni
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•whom they revered as gods, would for a
time create a diftindtion in their favour on
the allotment of the lands, and entitle
them to a (hare proportioned to their rank.
On the firfl: divifion of the country, the
principal part of the demefnes of the king
or general were probably contiguous to his
ufual place of refidence; but in later times
they confifted of particular farms and dif-
trifts, that lay at a great diftance from each
other. After the diffolution of the hep-
tarchy, the kings had eftates and cuftomary
rents in money, provifions, or fervices, in
almoft every county. But the ancient
Saxons were fo far from having an idea of
rents paid in money, that, antiquaries
have pbferved, the word feonriy or farm,
originally fignified victuals or provifions
(0. .
The arable lands were ufually divided
into hydes, and thefe again into lefler por-
tions. An hyde is generally fuppofed to
have contained about an hundred and
(ly Spcloi. Gloif. V. Firm*
twenty
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c ^ w ))
tpreaky' acres ;^ but, as the real quantiij&r
w^ uncertain, it is commonly defcribed to;
ifuply fuch a portion of ground as was fuf-^
fipieat to employ a yoke of oxen, or mam--
tail) tl|e family of ^ fr.eeip^iq (k). 0a
ijj^hateyer accouqt thi? divjfipii was brought
^nto tjfe, it wqs applied to other purppfe?
l;)e{ide& the admeafurement of lands. As
the poiTeffion of a certain numb^irof hydes
^^s ufually required to ep title any perfoa
to the rank of a th^i|p, and as every order
of nxei> had their price or wer^gild on qc-
C^fion of murder, and the credibility of
their Qaths in fomejudickr cafes was efti-
inated according to their eftates ; this divi-
fion wa? of ufe in fettling th^fe points.
And it is not uali)cely but it was originally
defigned, as it was in later times employed,
to determine with what number of iiien
^n<i. hpr^^§. ^y^^y landqwner (hpuld attend
the army, when called into fervice; and,
Ibnae time before the Nornian conqueft, it
ferved to regulate the land-tax or Dane-
gelt, -
(i) Chron. tf?omf. p, 887. Anrr. Wavcrl. p. 133.
•- • * 3 The
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^, The kiqgs fhus retaining fippl^ .a-pqrtig?
pf lan^ as was necefl&ry for f^ppljing theif
jtiQufel^old with provifions, divided it int^
farips, fome of which they |et tp thf
ijeprlgs qr .pjpughmen, according to thp
cuflpna of the Germans, ou the conditip^
^f delivering to their officejrs a certain tmttkr
jjprpf |?ajttle, a ftipijlate^ quantity of corn^
.^o4 othgr proyifions fof tfie kitchen and
^h^ flj. Thefe W'ere brought at ftated
:f:imes to the king's place of refidence, and
|)5rjphably regulated in fuch a manner as to
ivicceed each othen . . i
■ But the number of thefe ceorlef, or fap-
Ittiere, f^ems tjo have been very inconfidera^
fefe. It was almoft a general cuftom a*
mong the great landowners to take a large
|)ar|:W their eftates under their own ma-
nagement, and ftock them at their own ex-
pcnee witli men, cattle, and all the inftrit-
inents required m hufbandry. The farms
ivere then put under the care of a reeve or
overfeer, who eithef received the chief pro-
fits for the ufe of his jnafter, or agreed by
(I) Gcrv. Tilb. p, 3^.
con-
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fcontra^l to fupply him with a certain quan-
tity of grain and other provifions. In thi^
refpeft they were widely different frorn
modern farmers. As they entered upon
the lands already ftocked with plowmenr,
cattle, labourers, and all the implements
of hufbandry, when the leafe expired, or
the principal tenant was willing to relink
quifh the farm, an order or law was made
on what terms he fhould leave it. If he
rented twenty, ten, or three hydes, he wafe
cenjoined to leave one ^lalf of them fown*
It was alfo ordered, that flieep fhould not
he clipped before Midfummer, or that the
fleece fhould be fold for two pence (w). It
appears very probable, from thefe regiila-
tions, that the lands in general were flock-
ed by the owners ; and the tenants obliged^
on quitting them, to leave them m the
fame flate wherein they found them upon
their admiffion. To prevent frauds among
the tenants, when they relinqulfhed their
^ farms, a time was fixed by law for clip-
ping their fheep. And for the fam^ reafon
it may be inferred, that the cottagers,
(«) Leg, Ang.Sax. p. 25.
' glebe
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glebe tenants, and flayes, who were th?
real managers of the lands, as well as the
utenfils of hufbandry, were confidered as
annexed to the premifles, and not remove-
able, when the leafe of the principal te-
nant expired.
In the laws of Ina we have an account
of the rent or quantity of provifions which
every hyde was appointed to furnifli, tho*
the weights and meafures are extremely
uncertain. The occupier of ten hydes was
enjoined to pay ten barrels of honey, three
hundred loaves, twelve ftands of Welch
ale, and thirty of a weaker fort, two oxen
or ten wethers, ten geefe, twenty hens,
ten cheeles, a barrel of butter, five falmons,
twenty wey of fodder or provender, and an
hundred eels (//)* ^
Though this law is fuppofed to fix the
rent§ of lands in general, it is much mor^
likely that it refers only to particular te-
nants, and was never univerfally obferved
by the kings or their fubje(Sls« As the
Saxons, like moft of the Northern ijation?.
(n) Leg. Ang» Sax. p« ^5.,
were
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mr6 foM of mgad^ a qtiiiltity dl hdiiej^
Hvas ail ufuar rent' iriipofed bti tenants^
and falted fifh bein^ veiy much ufed as
a winter provifion, was equally required ;
on wHich account filR^ries In the. rivers or
upon the coafts became of confidlerafele
i Tfeemit or p^6vifi6h^reqttherd b^thf^
\zx^ cf Ina fefve to liie*^^ that the fea^ oi*
feonVfenrence of thfe tenants Was ii\ fblttfe
^'feaTurfe ccJhfulted. And Wirhoilt a regul^-
iioli' df tills fort the 'e>:pfetic6 dt'fhe Carriage
^bf rents in kind to the JaAdlotd*s place df
-rdidence, i^at a conftderable drftance, muft
liiVe ex^ceeded i^e pritne coil of the pfo-
tVffi^h^, a;nd rendered this; 'cftates ^^etcWgink
^tt)^*fe ^king'or nbWlIty th places ve^ ^dif- ^
tant from their manfion-bouffes either; \ife-
Idfs to them, or thfe pkymdnt'of rent very
btnrdenfbhie to the tehant, JBut it dught
t6 b^"6Wervfed,^ that'thte princes, as wfell is
*ftei^ehtrf ttfthfofe tirties, hSd feltloftt^tty
*fited abodfer. 'rtie kiAg, dnd At^biiity Kafd
^t6WmhtiVy an hmfCe ill their' ^etttefne
towns, where they occafionally refided.
^:f^d they bftdn removed' from oiie feat to
auo-
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,lMicM:her, in order to fehjby the ]p!e?irurc4 *f
the ch^ce, or to reap with greater eafe the
profit of theit farms ih difitreiit parts ^df
the kingdom.
Amonjg the various rrtodes of efHmating
^ the value of lands^ the moft finguiii- is j that
of letting or computing their profit^ Uy the
rent of a night, a day, or a certain number
K of days {o). It is not eafy to determmc,
whetlicr this cuftom arofe from dividing
- their eftates in fuch a manner is to yield a
' conftant ainnual fttpply, as was bfual in
the iponafteries/^^ ; or whether it wafe not
, derived from a cfttculation how fojt^ eacji
of their farms would maintain them and
their retiaue, when they lodged there upc^
: a journey* According to eitho: of the^
; fuppolitions, the tenant? were obliged to
. furnifli their landlords with a q\|a4itity of
. ^rovifions fufficient to entertain them the
ftipulated time, or deliver it, for their ufp,
. to tl^eif ; ftewprrrds or taiiiffs. In IcngtlBi'^f
, tinie^'^^is cuftom was found fo. inconvf-
(<>) ^pelno; Gl<^. V.*FiRM. . ' .
(/) Hift; J^fenf- p. sty4. \ ' ' . "
• nient
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nknt to the kings and their tenants, tbaf^
aswc learn fromDomefday*-book, the value
of many of thefe rents was conjpitted, and
paid in money.
Bdides making provi(ion for the kiiig^s
maintenance, and the fupport of his houfe-
hold, large trafts of land were converted
into forcfts and chaces, for the pldafure
, of hunting. The princes and nobility of
thofe tioiies, unacquainted with the amufe-
ments and diverfions of more civilized na^
tions, fpent the greateft part of their time
in hunting, hawking, or other ^orts of
the field. They found in thefe fomething
refembling a military life ; and the exercife
which thefe rural diverfions occafioned,
prepared them for enduring the fatigues of
' war. All the Anglo-Saxdn princes, as
well as their contemporaries in Frande and
Germany, were extremely fond of hunt-
ing, and fo careful to prefcrve the game,
that the laws enafted for this purpofe were
drawn up with great exadneft, 'We have
in Spelman's Gloffary the foreft laws of
Canute, which, though of doubtful au-
thority, feem to have b6eh tranflated from
th*
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the Saxori language by a Normati wntcr.
They are, in fome articles, fimilar to thofe
of other nations upon the continent, and
afford an evidence of the great attention
that was paid to the prcfervation of the
gftnie in thofe barbarous ages. According
to thefc laws of Canute, the chief fbrefters
were chofen out of the nobility, and par-
ticular privileges granted to the fubaltcrn
officers. Even a flave, when admitted to
the honour of being a keeper or fervant in
the foreft, obtained his freedom at the
king's expcnce. If a freeman, by accident
or defign, purfued a beaft of the chace tijl
It was out of breath, he forfeited ten fliil-
lings ; if an inferior perfon, was guilty of
the fame offence, he was fined twenty
fhillings ; if a flave, he was punifhed by
whipping. If a ftag, or royal beaft, was
thus treated by any of the perfons above-
mentioned, the firft was to be imprifoned
for a year, the fccond two years, and the
flave was outlawed : but, if any of thefe"
perfons killed a flag, the firft forfeited his
arms, the fecond his liberty, ^nd the flave
his life. It was likewife pr4ei«d, that no
Vol. I. K dif-
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^ifturbance ftibuld bfe given to'thegafo^ by
: cutting down the woods, or depriving tKeih
of cdvcr, unlefs by p^fticular command.
Even Wolves and ^ foxes were not allowed
to be hunted within the prccinfts oFtHe
foreft* Nor was any one permitted to keep
grey-ihounds^ unlefs they were maimed,
wiHiin ten miles of the foreft,. under a pe-
'iialty of "forfeiting one Ihifling for every
mile he approached nearer. And though,
leave was given to Jceep a particular Jpecies
of , dogs, yet if any of them' became maa>
and was found within the foreft, the owri-
^et was fined in the fum of two hundred
Shillings, the price of weregild of a freq-
man : if he bit any beaft of thechace, the
penalty, was twelve .hundred inillings, the
price of ia[ t^iane ; but, if he, bit' a .ftaW or
>oyal beaft, the owner br\he dog was
deen\ed to.be guilty of the greateffcrime (y).
Befides thefe I'aw^s, the kiiig; or his fd-
Vefters, were . at liberty to eftablifli any
'otfer \for ,the pfefervation of' the game.
And foon after the;Norman tdtiqb^ftV'and
- • ! (V*^ Spdffl. Gloff.y. Forest* t , : •
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probably before,' every fpreft was. confif
dered as?^ formitig a kind of diftin<£k prin*
cipality^ apd governed by its own laws ;
it was neither admitted to be a part of any
county or pariih, nor fubjedt to civil or
C5)ifcopal jurifdiftion, nor even to the pay*'
mcnt of tithes for the aifatts or: cultivated
<po^, unlefs dilpofed of in charity, or by
the particular order bf the king (; ). And
as proper fences we^ oftentimes wanting
to the foj^s, and the boundaries were un*
certain, *tliey were frequently extended into
the neighbouring country, at the pleafure
of the keepers. : ^ It was a grdat relief, as
win as benefit^ to the landr.owners^in after-
%€8j wheSn the ifeverlty of tKefe laws waS
mitigated, and the bounds of the forcfts
^yere exa<9:ly determined.
On the firft divifion cff the lands, the
Iharts of th^ ndbility.and ojflScers iil the
^a^tt army Were undoubtedly much left
than in later 'tifne«, wh^h they hjki fub-
dued a confiderable part of the ifland, an 5^
attained to a greater degree of opulence and
(r) Spelm* ibid. MadQx's Hift. •f the Excb* y. i. p. 348.
. ^ - 'K 2 power.
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power. Though nobly born^ ihc |)affc(i
iion of foity hydes was required in the
later periods of their hiftory to .place them
in the rank <rf nobility (i). So that w«
may juft^ imagine, the principal thwi^
poit^^ a much greater number. In geiic*
ral their landed poffeffions were fo lar^^
that in thofe ages, when their rents were
paid chiefly in kind, they could not be ap*
plied ei>tirely to their own ufe. For thi»
reafon, they fometimes difpofed of a part of
their eilates to the theodeps or le0er thanes^
or other perfbtts, who held them by a kind
of military tenure. Property of every fort
was fo infecure, that it eo.uld be main*
tained oiily by the fword ; and the feuds
and anioipfities that iaceflantly broke out
amotig fo licentious and independent a body
as the nobility^ would oblige thern to con-
fult their own fafety, by retainaig in their
iervice a great number of vafials^ whom
they could employ in defending them-
fblves, or diftr^ffing an enemy.
As huntiiig tvas tKe favouritfe.diverfion
of ^die noKlity, a* part of the lands conti-
guous
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t '33 )
guous to their manlion*houfcs was ufualljr
laid out in parks and warrens ; and the re-
mainder of the lands in the neighbour-
hood was commonly kept in their owtt
pofleffion, and cultivated by t|ieir plow-
men and flaves* But it was almoft a
general cuftom among the principal land-
owners to flock a great part of their eftates
at their own expence, and receive the en-
tire profits, except the pittance of provi-
fions, or fmall parcel of land, which they
flowed to their labourers and tenants, in
return for their fervices. The lands thus
retained in their own occupation were call-
ed inland, orbordland; that is, fuch as
were immediately applied to the mainte-
nance or board of the family. Other parts
of their eflates, fituated at a diflance from
their dwelling-houfes, were called utland
or outlands, and fometimes let to tenants
on the condition of fupplylng them with a
certain quantity of gpin or provifions, a
fmall funj of money, or affifling them in
works of hufbandry. If, however, any in-
dependent plowmen or ceorles were fettled
upon their lands under certain rents and
K 3 for-
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( ^^34 :)
iervices; it was Icarcely poflible td main*
tain the rights of freemen under the powi^
trs and jufifdiflion exercifed over them by
the nobility. The (lender authority of the
laws obliged niany of the freemen to enter
into aflfbciations for their own defence, or
to put themfelves under tlie protection of
fbme powerful neighbour, and repay it by
Services in hulbandry, or other marks of his
jurifdi£lion and their dependence* 1 • *
As'it was not ufual to maititaili ji' regular
body of forces in the pay oif the' prince,
lands were fometimes granted to particular
perfons, on the condition of military fefvice^
and fines. levied upon them- for non-btteia-
iknce in .time of vf^r(<). 'Among the
Jaws of ; A theJftan, there: is one ^which en-
joins, that every plow-lhnd, oi* hyde of
land^ fhobld maintain t«ro good horfemea
and horfes (a*). It is ne\/erthelefs uncer*
taih,. whether this y^a6ii>e: ufual condition
jon^ which thej landofwbers . in: general, or
only fome military tenajitSy held theirleftates.
But wHateverobligationsthe freemen niight
L . ■• . ^- ' \ ,••. ,:;
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•^ ■ be
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be tihder in this refpeft, it feertis as if the/
were always prepared, according to the
euftom of the Germans, for military fer-
vice. The right of bearing arms belonged
only to a freeman, and he feldom appear-
ed in public without this badge of his rank.-
The ufe of arms was fo general among the
ancient Saxons, that their armies com-
monly-confifted of the whole body of free-
men, who either voluntarily, or by* the
tenure of their lands, were obliged to at-
tend in every military expedition. In l&ter
times, when their ancient manners -^Ml
into difufe, and the number of free*meu
was very much reduced,, few of the inha-
bitants were called to military fervice, sxl
rept thofe who were retained by the Jciivg
or nobility for this purpofe, and were eithet
maintained by them, or enjoyed foiiie por^
cioii pf land ibr their attendance in time of
war.
- The Anglo-Saxon tenants, who moft re-
semble modern farmers, were the ceories.
Thefe were of greater note than oth^r^ og-
-cupiers of the lands, on-accouivt of their
wealth or freedom. And if they were fub-
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jcft to onilttary fervice, yet thi? was ooHi
'iidered in thofe ages as honourable, and the
principal means of preferving their freedon^
and property. The eftimate of tl^cir per-
fonsor weregild in fpme countries wj|s twq
hondrpd fhillings, or the fixth part of the
price of a thane j and particular tines werp
impofefl upon l^ch as maltreiated them (^e>).
On fome opcalious thefe ceorlesfeem, like
the flayes fuid gl^be-tenai^ts, to have been
cpnfidered as apnexecj to the eftate ; and|
though conveyed with it on a gift or fale,
W^eare allowed to have fq nopcht iiUereft in
it, as to retain the poffeflion of it, with all
the privileges they had fornaerly e;n)oyed.
Lands held on thefe advantageous terms
were undoubtedly not very common ; but
Xhcy were tbfi Ipt pf" fome tenants of the
qrpwn,, nobility, ^njj monafteries*
Sp ipych regard ;\va§ paid to the (;eorles^
and the promotion of agriculture, ths^t
> lyhew they coyld obtain the ppfleffiou of
^Jivc hydeft of lands, a chprch, kitchen,
bell-hpufe^ a feat in the king*s court, or a
^iftindk office in hi^ball, they were allowed
(ii9 Leg. Angl. Sax. p. 4a. 64*
the
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the rank of a thane *(x). It was not pof>
fible, that many plowmen ihould arrive at
this honour under the defcent of lands ac-
cording to the cuftom of gavel-kind. This
was probably the tenure of all the lands be*
longing to the commons; and in every
cpuntry where it takes place, it njuft gra-
dually bring the people nearly to a level.
In a republican ftate, debarred from fo-
reign cqmmerf*, and pollefled only of a
fcanty territory, fuch a defceqt of lands
piay be a ipeans of keeping the inhabitants
in a ftate of equality, and prevent the ac-
cumulation of landed property. The fame
cuftom prevailed ztnong the Welch fyj.
In later times, a fimilar one took place in
the ifland of Catidia ; and the confequencc
has been, that the ancient landownei:$ are
reduced to poverty («). And it was pro*
bably pw^ng to tht fame caufe, that the
number of freeholders was fo fmall in the
later times of the Anglo-Saxons, and that
;he goverqmE^nt inclined fo much to au
{;if) Leg. A»gl. Sax. p. 70.
(y) Leg. Wall. p. 149.
(s) Poco€k€*s JmclH V^lht* ^^
aril^
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a'riftpcraey^ Thenojbifity, poffcffing aright
o£ coDLVcying their bodamls to miy of their
children or.relatious, wereetubledto maiaH
tain. the rank and fplendorxjf .theinfamily ;
while, i the owners of all other lands^ bjr
hmii^ fometimcs obliged to divide them
among a nifmerous progeny, gradually fell
into poverty, or thf condition of cotta-
gers. — ^
^ Some of the ceorles, or plowmen, rented
firme according to moderr^cuftoms under
fiked rents aisd fervices for a terrh of y^rs;
or under certain fines on the renewa^l of
their Ifeafes ;'hut the landowners in general
ieldorti chofe to 4ettle fueh independent
tenants on f heir lands; tinlefs they lay at
6 gre^t diftance frdm' their abbde. They
found greater advantages,- as already^ ob-
fei**'ed/ in "flocking tbeir eftates with all
the neceffaries of husbandry, and ^ppfopri^
%ting theii-whdlfe' profits' to theii? own %fe^
Except the mainten^ce or' pittance of ^fand
4iHoWed to * their lafcourers. Or if. they
permitted fome of their principal tenants
to continue upon their farmis .binder an^i^nt
rents, they*^ frequtt>t1y<^rrtade additions to
^ ' their
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their ferviccs, levied fines, or exaAed he-
riots on every fucccflion to the tenancjr^
or employed other modes of oppreffion, lb
as to reduce them to a ftate of depen-*
dence. . »
The cottagers, or bordars, who rented
imall parcels of land, were much more
numerous than the ceorles, and, excepting
bind days and fervices, which they owed
to their landlords, were not unhke th«
lower rank of farmers and labourers in mo*
derri'tlnies* Thefe paid the greateft part
of their rent in ferviccs or perfonal la^
hour for the benefit of their landlords rand,
though they, are coqimonly. fuppofed td
have been -freeilien^ their couditioti atid
clrcumftaiwtesi i wfere fcarceily * fupcrior. to
thofe of th^ Hates or glebe- tenants (ii):i
Their cKtrcme' -poverty^ necelferily t icqst
<hemnin a.ftate of depecdencq; aiid tbt
daws afifordcdfthem ;k fleiidier pnit^^ioajfei
t?defenife 6f;thejf ^right;:?^ j[y i^veu :q£ theii: \ir
beoty> igairift' the. V;iafeai<:„a md tyrmtyjiiff
an :aFWitrary larfdloA^. v- - - -r>
,. . The
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( 140 )
Tfec barbarous ages in the hiffory of al-'
moft every nation are generally diftinguifli^*
cd for the fpirit of liberty. As every frcc^
man is allowed the ufe of anns, it is diffi*?
cult to enforce an abfolute fubmiffion to
the will of the chieftain, or to eftablifh
any other than an ariftocratical or popular
form of government. The limited power
of the Anglo-Saxon kings afibrds an evi*
dence of the attention that was paid to
the liberty of particular fubjeds ; l»it this
liberty was far from being univerfal. While
a few were enjoying the benefits of firee*
dom, the greateft part of the people was
held in a ftate of dependence or vai&lage.
Oa the firft approaches of men to civility
and a regular government, if fpme pajtir
cular families have maintained their libera
ty, the a)mmon people have generally hem
ib tinfortunate as to be reduced almoft t^
the capacity of ilaves. This^was the o^
of the ancient Greeks, and in CaeiarV time
the ftate of the Gauls (6). The tbeowest
or flaves, in every periodof |he Anglq-
(h) Thucyd. Hi& 1. u G^i.iJ. CmC. 4« B. G. 1. rU
Saxon
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( ^41 )
Saxon hiftoiy, formed a numerous bod/v
and were employed not only in works of
hufbandry, but in mod of the mechanical
arts that were of general ufe. It was, in-
deed, almoft impoffible to employ them ia
any other manner. A rude and unpoliflied
people* cati have little occafion for the per^
ibnal attendance of fervants (r) ; and for
this reason they have ufually employed
the captives taken in war in cultivating
the lands, or in fuch c^ces as require in-
duftry and. confinement. To the morti«>
fiction of the Romans, their officers, and
foldiers^ after the defeat of Varus^ wece
defttned toth^fe \jfes (V^. Irt this inftance^
the e&£ls pf vpolifhcd and barbarouB niftn*
iiers are alike, that ftated labour is. con*
iidered ^ a mark of flavery. Amopg a
l)arbarous people the flaves will occafionf
ally be treated with great fcverity, and
feel every degree of violence and infull;
from a capricious and tyrannical mafter{^);
/i) Ttdt. dcMor.Oermi ?
(d) Senec. Epift. 47* X
(#) T«du4e Mor. G<rm^
7 while,
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i r49 D
;9rfailib,.<m the othetfvbaiKU ^oio^ poltibe^
and luxjuribus nations, naahy of them live
inbre at their eafe than the lo*iycA rank of
freemen who . fiibfift by their labou r. A$
riacr captiv^ among, the- CJenaaiis ,We*
bfiiaHy taken ;fr6i» rtationft more ciyiliiawJ
than-themftivca, they SvwW ^Uffiei It^bear
tnafters, ;not only in hnfhandry, but in aU
ihe ^arts of improved life: and t^re is .no
iloiibt bttt. the Oennans would availihemi'
fclves^the (kill and induftry ojStheii: pril-
{bnera, a^ <sdiploy them in fbdfo^wcrrksds
th^ /were, unable to execute themfekeg*
Tlw Northern nations, by reaioft of theit-
ufteultivated ftiite, could not erf ploy theif
ilwes ih fuch a variety of aits *an^-ocerupai-
tlSiVs is the Greeks aild Romatjs ; and ^et
f h*y made great ufe of them', and eftab^
Ulhed marts and laws for regulating their
jfile. Thr^e things werfe required ^n thfe
fale tof -a (lave ; that he (hoUld' be fefilni^iifc
the' neW and full moon; J (me ffbm tlifc
falling (icknefs, and not older than the
feller engaged him to he- (7^. : Theic ouf-
(/J Leg. AngUSaju p. loj^ note, ., ' v
* toms
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toms of the- North probably iprcv^iyi a-
mc«ig the Saxons/ and were brought by
them into Britain, or adopted foon after
' their fettlement. If at firft a few fircem^i
were employed in tilling the lands, in later
times thdr number wis very much re-
duced. Almoft all the lands were in the
occupation of glebe-tenants, whom the
owners confidered as their property, . and
:ciaimed lalmoftjan .Tinlimitfed authority over
their perfons and effefts* ' ;
Writers have cprpqad^ly diftinguifl>^ii
. thip ; fl^ves among the Anglo-3axons, as
well'as the.earlyNpfman.s, into two kinds^^;
•iuch as were annexed to the lands, and
-not liable to be fold or remdvedj^ and fuch
,as belonged to the perfoa^of their mafter,
and we're- entirely fubjeft to his difpofal.
^Moft of the vafTals fettled on the king^s
' demefnes were of the firft fort ; and, when
the nobility let their eftates to the ceorles,
provifion was commonly made, that the
. ftock o£ families fettled upon their lancjs
fhonid not.be diminiflied. And the fame
obligations were probably laid upon the
fie ward of every opulent landowner.^
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( 144 )
As the Haves and glebe^tenanti were con^
fidered as a part of their mafler's fubdance,
they were difpofed of by will, or their ef-
feds were fetzed for his debt. And fbr the
lame realbn, when the lands they occupied
were expofed to fale, they were generally
valued as yielding profit like a ilock bf cat*
tie. Their condition and occupation were
therefsre commonly enumerated on the
conveyance of lands, when writings came
into uie, and their families and efieds
^ trausferred to the purchafen An early
^orman writer has given us a form of this
kind, wherein we find a bailiff, fmithi
carpenter, fiflierman, and miller, with their
families and goods, conveyed as parcel of
the eftate (g). Many inftances of a iimilar
nature occur in our ancient writers. On
an exchange of eftates, wc are told, that
one exceeded the value of the other by an
hundred (heep, fifty-five hogs^ two men,
and five oxen (h). And on a purchaie of
lands we leam» that the men, cattle, and
com, were valued at feven pounds (i).
(g) Infulph. Hift. p. t7« '
r^<; "Hift, EUcnt p.4Si. - ({) li.p.^yS.
Though
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^ThougK the occupieirs of the lands were
thus i^ited like cattle, it is not to be fup-
pofed that 4ll of them were flaves, or fub-
jedL to fale at the pleafure of their land-
lords. Some of them were freemen, who
owed only certain rents and fervices ; and
even the glebe-tenants, like fbme of the
flaves among the Romans, enjoyed a pro*
perty of their own. Excepting a few, who
were retained about the feats of the nobili*
ty, or the monafteries, for domeftic ufes,
the greater part^ according to the cuftom of
the Germans, was fettled with their fami-
lies in cottages, to which a fmall parcel of
land was annexed, and permitted to enjoy
fbme of the fruits of their induftry. The
fervices and fines required from them, and
even their hydegild or pecuniary mul6t tor
exempt them from being whipped, feem
toindicate a&if they were confidered as a
kind of petty ; tenants, ; and permitted to
paBkk fome effedis^ which were allowed ta
be thd^r own, or were feldom wrefted from
them. But the befl evidence of their pof-
fcfling a property of their own may be col-
Voh.h . L leaed
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letted from tKe|)urchafe which they {oipc*
times madfi of thcic freedom. By improv-
ing their peculium, /ome of them w^re
enabled to red^eem themfelves from flavery^
^any iaftances of this;kind are fnentipned'
*by Hickes, which are fp far fubjei^s dJ'cu-
iriofity, as they fl\ew the value\of flaves in
thofe ages. One flave, we are told, bought
of the abbot and monks of Bath his own
liberty, and that of liis "children^ for fivd
ores and twelve fheep(i&). ' Another ob-
tained his freedom^ and that of his wife
and children,. foT fifteen* (hillings. The
liberty of a woman was puittiafed at the.
j^rice of ten fhilTihga ; and a man obtained
it at the fame. rate. *Anothet''"paid two
pounds for 'the liberty of himfelf, his vrX^;
chitdren, lEtnd gratidchildten. ' A man and
his brother bought itheir freedom for feven
matks, inGkrdirigthc toB. Sometimes the'
Kberty of a fitigle perfou was valued at five
iliillings, t^a ihiHings, or' the half of a
pound ; and at 6Vher t4tne$ it Was eflimat^
(k) Hlckesy.Difidjt. Bpift. An ore wraa equal to twenty
pence of Saxon money, or abQut four (liillings and eigh^
penoe hilf-pcfljay of ours. i
^ .; .//at
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( ^^^ )
ctt a pound (^/). To account for this dif-
ference of prices, their ages, abilities, occu-
pations, and circumftances^ were probably
taken into corifideratioii ; and fomething,
perhaps, ought to be afcribed to the favour
or indulgence of their mafters. There is,
however, no reafon to doubt, but their
condition was attended to, and their value
regulated by it, whenever they purchafed
their freedom, • or the eftates on which
they were fettled were expofed to fale.
When the ferfs, or glebe-tenants, belong-
ing to the monafteries, obtained their free-
dom, a memorandum was generally made
of it in a vacant leaf of the Bibles, or other
books depofited in their library ; and in
other places their freedom was recorded in
the toll- books, as a toll was ufually paid
on thele occafions in the fame manner as
upon the fale of cattle or merchandife.
But in general, when their mafters or land-
lords were difpofed to make them freemen,
the bufinefs was difpatched at the hundred
or county-courts, according to a form pre-
(IJ Hickcp, DifTert. Epift. p, 13, 14, i^* 22.
L a fcribed
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fcrlbed for that purpofe, and regiflered Kke
the conveyances of lands («/).
Though the pofleffion of property, and
fome other rights enjoyed by the Anglo*
Saxon ferfsy feem to place them above a
ftate of abfolute flavcry, yet their mafters
were always fuppofed to have fo much in-
tcreft in them as to be entitled to a part of
the fine that was levied on their murder-
ers (ji). And the power of the thane <»rer
his vaflals was ufually extended fo far, that
without his leave they could not go to
work out of his demefnes, or marry their
daughters out of his jurifdidion, without
the payment of a fine* Thefe inftances,
though confiftent with perfonal freedom^
are fufficient to (hew the low and depen*
dent ftate of the theowes or ferfs, and
place them aknoft on a level with the flavea
in our American iflands.
Landed property being confidered by the
Saxons as of no other ufe than as the
means of fupplying them with provifions^
{m) Hickcs, Diflert. Epifl. p. 14.
W.Spclm. GloiC V. MAi<»OTE,
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tnd the common neceflaries of life, with-
out being obliged to purchafe them of
others, it was difpofed of in fuch a manner
as to anfwcr thefe ends by dividing it into
irnail parcels, and exafling a fum of mo-
aey, or a portion of the product, from
ibme tenants, and labour, or particular
Services, from others. The demefnes of
"the lords and gentry were commonly fuf-^
ficient to furnifli them with corn and cat-
tie for the maintenaace of their families ;
and other parts of their eftates were dif-
pofed of on fuch terms as to fupply thera
with carriages and labourers* To fbme
tenants a fmall portion of land was granted,
in confideration of working particular days
for their landlord ; others were bound to
carry out the manure to his demefne-lands j
to reap, mow, or carry his corn or hay ;
to (hoe his horfes, and find the iron ; to
fence a few yards of his park, or to fetch
timber from the woods; to fupply hio^
with a quantity of honey or malt ; to carry
his provifions when he travelled, or at par-
ticular timejs fp treat his fteward or bal-
Lj li£'
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( '50 >
\W(o). In (hort, every tenant, accordkig
to his circumftances, was obliged to lend
iffiftance to his landlord. The ceorles a(w
iited him with their plows and carriages^
and the cottagers and ferfs with their la-
bour. Whenever thefe forts of tenants
were obliged to attend, ' it was commonly
fixed, how many hours they (hould work^
and how much they ihould pay for the ne-
gleft ; what quantity of meat or drink
ihould be allowed, and at what times they
ihould work without any gratuity. Some*
times particular days were appointed for
their attendance, and at other times they
were obliged to attend on the fummons of
the hdxLiff(p)» As the fervices, duties, and
fines, of the tenants, were fo various, care
was taken by the great land-ownei-s to note
them down in a land- book or rental. This
not only marked the boundaries of particu-
(o) Somner, on GaveUkind, p. 1 1 j, and other places.
(pj Spclm. GlofT. V. Preca«. The two old proverbs,
Kurt a muck, and Run a tllih.^ or, a€ commonly pronounced,
tilty may perhaps be derived from the hurry and confufion
occaiioned by a numeroas body of tenants, when fummoned
to carry out the manure, or to plow the dewc/nes of their
laudlord&t
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lar lands, but 'contained an account of the
'terms on \yhich every parcel of land was
let to the tenant. A land-book, or fur-
vey of the crown-lands, had been made by
one of the Anglo-Saxon kings ; and Wil-
liam the Conqueror fo far improved upon
the plai), as to make a furvey in Domefday-
book of all the lands in England.
It was this demand of fervices from te-
nants, that fecured to the ferfs and cotta-
gers fome degree of property, or at leaft
.the ufe of fuch implements. as were necef-
fary to difcharge the works and duties
which they owed to their landlords. And
it was thought to be fo ufeful a referve on
occafion of. their mafler*s arreft for debt,
that it afterwards found a place in the great
- charter. After the introdu£tion of Chrif-
tianity, many laws and regulations were
,made m favour of the flaves. The church,
in one of its conftitutions, had prohibited
their fale into fpreign countries, left they
Ih.ould fall, into the hands of heathens^ And
the bifhops, in their refpeftive dioceles,
were enjoined to fettle the quantity of work
L 4 to
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to be performed by thtm, and tq exhort
their mafters to permit them, at particular
times, to work For their own profit. On
the death of a bifliop, all his Anglo-Saxon
flaves were required to be fet at liberty ;
and every bifhop and abbot was command-
ed to give freedom to three flaves f^q). If
this humane and ufeful defign had been
put in execution, the ftate of the flaves
would haye been more comfortable, and
the number of them gradually reduced.
But the influence of the clergy was not fo
fuccefsful as to bring the pepple to fubmit
to regulations in favour of an order of men
which they looked upon to be as much at
their difpofal as their cattle. Though the
Chriftian religion, and a more regular go*
vernment, had fqftenei the fef ocity of the
ancient maqner? of the EnglilDh, it had not
cfiefted fo great a change m their treat-
ment of the flaves in the period immediately
preceding the Norman cpncjuefl: as might
have been expelled. The wife of earl
(Grodwin, the fifter qf king Canute^ boyight
(i) Leg. Ang. Stx. p. 90. ;o7* UQ^ \i^ SpelB|«
pojttc, y. It p. jaot 495. '.
^ ' a great
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( ^53 )
a great number of bojs and girls in £ng«
^d, and either fold them in Denmark, or
proftituted the girls at home for gain.
/This gave fo much offence to the monks^
that they confidered her death by light-
ning as an a<5t of divine vengeance (rj. And
it appears from other inftances, that about
the time of the Norman conqueft the Irifli
were fupplied with a great number of
flaves from England ('j). As the glebe-
tenants were permitted to occupy a fmall
portion of land, their condition was not fo
deplorable as that of the flaves. The di-i
yilion of landed property into fmall par-
pels, in order to accommodate them with
petty farms, fubfifled a long time after the
fettlement of the Normans ; and even at
prefeqt many of the common and undi-
yided fields in different parts of the king*
dom fhew, by the intermixture of the
ridges or felUons of the feveral proprietors,
that they had once been occupied by a great
number of perfons, and divided into frnall
^arqis.
j[r) W. Malmelb. p. 46. 57. H. ^nyglitoii, p» j • 3 j|*
(s) W.Malmcfb. p. 62. Angl. Sacra^ torn* ii. p. 358.
■" ' • ■ It
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< y54 )
■ It is to this abjed idate of the commons
that we may afcribe the territorial .juril>
diftion exercifed over them by the nobility,
•and other land-owners. Thefe being pof-
fefl't^d of large trafts of land,, and ftockiiag
. them with Haves, or letting them to cotta-
gers, or to freemen whofe circumftances
were extremely low, reduced, all their te-
nants to a ftate of dependence. And on
this principle we may account for the dif-
tinftion of lands into boclaud and folkland.
The tenure of the firft was the.moft ho-
nourable, and almdft peculiar to the nobi-
lity and monaftics. It is difficult to de-
termine at what period of time this diftinc-*
tion took place, though it muft have been
very anciently ill ufe.
On the firft' fettlemeiit of the Saxons m
Britain, and many yearns aftervvards, every
chieftain or military officer, if he followed
the cuftom of the Germans, would confider
]jhimfelf not' only as the proprietor pf his
portion of laiid, but as entitled to ari exten-
five jurifdi£lion over his tenants and vaflal's,
zt leafb oa common fubjeds of difpute (/).
(0 Tacit, de Mor. Germ,
And
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( 155 )
Aad in thofe martial ages, arid Impdffeft
ftate of government, It caimot be expe€l:ed,
that the iiobility, in cafes of controverfy
among their vaflalsand dependents, would
permit an appeal to any court, except their
own. They feem in general to have af-
fiimed, unlefs on extraordinary occafions,
the fole power of determining moft cauics
within their refpeftive diftrids ; and their
authority would be readily fubmitted to, as
the greateft part of the people, fettled on
their lands, confifted of their clients, te-
nants, or flaves. And where the property
of the people was inconfiderable, as was
generally the cafe, few fubjefls of difpute
would occur which might not be referred
to the determination of the courts held by
their lords.
In later times this extenfive jurifdiiflion
claimed by the nobility was very much
abridged, and appeals allowed to the court?
X)f the king^s reeve^ alderman, or earl.
An exemption from the jurifdi<9:ion of thefe
courts of the king was a privilege, that
«o»l(J be obtaiued .only by a ..cjiarter, or
5 grant
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grant of the crown, confirmed by the no-
bility and prelates. The confent of thcic
was generally required to create bocland»
This feems to have been exempted from all
taxes and fervices, except fuch as were
common to all the lands, military expedi-
tion, and the repairs of bridges and £orw
trefies. The owners alio, if they were
laymen> pofleffed the privilege of alienat-
ing it, or devifing it by will, except in
fome particular cafes (»). At the fame
time, they had power pf trying and capi-
tally conviding ofifenders, and claimed ^
right to tlie fines and forfeitures for crimen
and mifdemeanors committed within their
territory; they poffefled a jurifdi^flion over
the children of their vaffals, and ibmetimes
a right to receive fugitives ; in Ihort, they
feem in many refpedls to have enjoyed jn*
ra regalia^ or every privilege belonging tp
the crown. The boundaries of thefe land§
were always diftinftly marked out, in order
to confine the owners within their owi>
diftrifts, and inforni the inhabitants under
(u) Leg. Ang. 8ax«. p. 43. tUcktSp Dii** Epift. p. 6o.
whpf$
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whofe jurifdi^ion they lived. As the too-
bUi^y would not permit the king to alie-
nate his eftates, or to grant particular pri-
irileges and immunities to a fubje£t, which
intrenched upon their own, as was the cafe
oil the creation of bocland or charterland,
it became neceflary that they fhould con-
firm the grant ; and when writings came
into ufe, to lign the deed or charter.
All othei; lands were denominated folk-
land, or lands of the commons, though
they might be the property of the thanes
or nobility. The owners or tenants of thefe
lands were liable to all public burthens,
obliged to attend the court of the reeve or
carl, fubje£t to the payment of forfeitures
to the king's officers, add in later times to
the tax of Danegelt (v). Nor could folk-
land be devifed by will, but defcended by
the cuftom of gavel-kind, to all the male
children of the proprietor. It was alio
fubjefl: to fb many duties and fervices to
the thanes, who from thence took occa-
iion to claim an intereft in it, that it could
{ni) W. Malialb. p. 34$. Dalfjrmple on F«iuial property,
p. ij. 14.
4 rarely
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rarely %e fold' w alicriatcd'tvithout flicfr
coafent. And though the jurifdiftion of
the nobility was very much limited by per-
mitting appeals to the king's couitg, yec
they conthrued to hold kiferidr courts^, ^
where they tried petty trelpaffes ai:Mi of-
fences, atid made ireguhitions for the ma-
nagement of the arable lands and comnhfeii
paftures; and by introducing parti^vflair
laws and cuftoms into their courts, and m-
fifting on a variety of .duties and ferviceah
from the freeholders^ tbey gradually wrfeft-
ed their property from them, of reduced
them to a fiate of dependence* It appears
horn Donxefday-booic, that in tiie tiri» of
Edwar/d the Confeffor there were oftfy ^ix--
ty-fix freeholder? in Norfolk (w). And in^
this refpedt there is no reafon to ^ believe^
that this county Wfts diftinguiflied from the
jeft. So that if the 'nobility loft fi^mc
fhare of th^ir -power, hy fuffering appeals
to be made to fuperior courts, they em-
ployed the properefl: -meafures to extend
the authority of the courts they were ftill
per*
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( 159 )
permitted Xo hold. And the \people' m
general were too much dep^adait upoa
them to make a fuccefsful refinance to their
claims. Thefe petty courts^ howtvcr^
were not entirely ufelefs. They ierved to
keep the lower claffes of the people in fomQ
degree of order, by punifhing mifdemea-
nors and trifling crimes, which pafled un-
noticed as foon as they xeafed to be regur^
larly held, or loft a great part of their aii^*
cient authority. , .
It will be needlefs to inquire in' what
manner the monaftics, or religious houfes^^
jpaanaged their eftates, as in this refpeO:, it
fnay be juftly pre fumed, they would follow
the example oF the nobility. They had
their ceorles, bordars, and ferfs^ which
they found upon the lands they piirchafed,
or on the eftates beftowed upon them by
the kings or other benefactors, and they
treated them nearly in the fame manner.
Soiiietirnes they were fo humane as" to giv6
freedom tofomeof their flaves, or confidef
them as petty tenants, like the bordars (^) J
(tc) Chron. Rromt. p. 798, H. Hunt# p. 192.
and
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i l66 )
and they might fo far conform to the latv*
enaded in their behalf as to exempt them
from fale into foreign countries. The corn
arifing from the farms, which they pof-
fefled in the neighbourhood of their monaf-
tcries, was lodged in their granaries ; and
upon their eftates at a diftance they built
houfcs and granges, which ferved them ^
a kind of inns in their journeys, or main-
tained fome of the fraternity, who occa-
fionally reforted thither to hold their
courts, or for the fake of health or diver-
iion (yj.
In fome other relpeds the conduct of
the clergy and monaftics deferves notice*
The allotment or diftribution of the lands
on the firft fetdement of the Saxons ne-
ceflarily created a divifion of property ; and
rile jurifdiflion exercifed by the land-^
owners over the occupiers equally required^
that the boundaries fhould be afcertaineid.
And the divifion of the kingdom into pa-
riihes was a well- concerted meafure for
civilizing the rude inhabitants, by obliging
(j^ Kc5jicu*s Paroch. Antiq. Glofli v. Mansio,
them
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( i6i >
them to a fixed refidence. Iii every relpel^
it anfwered the fame ends as the fettle*
ment of colonies and ftationary legions'
made ufe of by the Romans for the fame
purpofe, and efFefted the fame defign by
lefs vioknt means. It brought the inha-
bitants together, and in fome meafure con-
fined them to the cultivation of the ad-
jacent lands. Almolt all the laws and re-
gulations of Alfred, fo well calculated fot
the ftate of the people in his time, were
founded on this partition of the lands, and
could be enforced only on its eftab!i(hment ;
and it fucceeded fo far as to bring the peo-
. pie, as far as fo wild and martial a people
could be brqught, to order and regula-
rity.
The building of monafteries feems to
have been prior to this divifion of the coun-
try into parifhes, and in fome meafure to
have anfwered the fame ends. Monaftic
inftitutions are generally fuppofed to have
been the produd of perfecution, and of
the gloomy temper fo natural to the na-
tives of Egypt, wl^ere they took their rife.
Vol. h M or
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( l^^ )
pr were held in the greateft eftimation*
They imperceptibly made their way thro*
the greateft part of Europe, and gained
voluntary profely tes^ where their progrefs
was not aided by the fame qaufes. . The
violence and barbarity of manners, fb com-
mon in the weftern parts of Europe, efFec-!-
tuated the fame ends as the climate and
peirfecution in other countries. Men were
glad to retire into thofe places of fecurity^
where they might exercife all thofe forms
of devotion which, among an ignorant
people, will be always looked upon as of
equal value with the practice of the moral
and focial duties of life. In the general
eiVimation the monaftic life was reckoned
to be the moft perfeft ; and the diforders
of fociety gave fome degree of authority ta
this opinion.
Nor was the building pf monafteries to-
tally ufelefs with refpe^ to the improve-
. ment of the lands. Many places in Bri-
tain were left by the Ramans in tljeir pri-
mitive uncultivated ftate ; and the wars
and devaftations, that enfued after the arri-
val of the Saxons, added to the^ number of
waftes. Thefe were proper places for the
reli*
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( 1^3 )
Tellgious exercifes of the firft monaftics, a«
affording the privacy which they thought
eHential to the worfhip of God. Ereftiug
cells in thefe defcrts, and coIk£Ung a uumr
ber of followers by their admonitions^ or
admiratiot) of the aufteritj of their lives,
they afterwards built more fpaciaus dwel-
lings ; and having obtained pofleflion of
-the lands in their, neighbourhood, ,;Uy do-
nations of the priiKcs, or other benefac-
.tors, they improved them by their labouff
-aad made them more falubrious and profi-
table. And, if we coniider the general flctth
and poverty of tke> pcKDpie, it 13 eafy to be-
lieve, that many trafts of land would. haVe
remained in the ftate of nature, and ferved
only for a ihelter to wild beafts, if they
had not been improved by theinduftry if
the monaftics^ On the firft inftitution of
religious houfes in England and other coun*
tries, the monks were generally obliged to
labour, and to take their turns in the cul-
tivation of the lands which belonged to
their moaaftery (v). Learning was then a
/ • . ' ' • *
(k) Gbron. Brompt. p, 968. 994.
Ma yery
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( 1^4 )
very rare accomplilhment ; and the inter-
val of their devotional afts could not be
more uiefully laid out than in the bufinefs
of hufbandry. The monks of Bangor, ac-
cording to the accounts of hiftoriahs, were
employed in works of this kind. While
a part of their fraternity was engaged in
-the management of their farms, the re-
'mainder was attending on the offices of the
-church (a). And fimilar regulations pro-
bably took place in other focieties of this
fort, on their firft inflitutioni In after-
:ag6s^ when their acquifitions werefufficient
.to mabtaia thqm in idlenefs,.they fpoit
: their revenues in decorating their build-
:iHgs, or in hofpitality and luxury* In the
. laft ir^ftance they fpllow^d the ex^mpM of
•thejftptyility apd gentry : in others they ex-
jcefle^ th^m. The learning^and kno^-
\. J^edge of thofe times, as fcanty and trifling
^j^sj^they may appear, fell chiefly to their
.ijiare ; and, if we are o^end^d.at thelegefi*
^dary tales of their faints and founders, we
a^e neverthelefs indebted to them /or tranf-
xnitting and prefervihg many valuable
{a) Cam^, Brit. v. I. p. 68y«
^ * writings
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C ^^5 ) -
writings of ancient authors, which no
other order of men thought worthy of re-
gard (b). In erefting their buildings, as
well as -ornamenting their churche^' and
fhrines, they generally employed the mof^
fldlful workmen that were to be found in
Ewrope (^), and taught and preferved manj^
arts, which, although fimple, were ex-
tremely ufeful, and, without their care,
i^ould have been entirely loft. And the
frequent vifits which the clergy and monks
made to the court of Rome, on account of
bulinefs, or through a ipirit of fuperftition,
might be the means of importing fbme
xifeful arts. Italy, though ravaged by the
northern Barbarians, ftili maintained a fu-
periority in all the arts of civilizediife, and
might give Ibme ufeful inftru6lk)ns in
commerce, manufactures, and agriculture,
to the rude inhabitants of the weftern parts
of Europe.
Upon the converfion of the Saxons to
the Chriftian faith, maiiy of their laws
(I) Hume's Hift, v. III. p. 3x1, Matt. Parw, .,
yit.p-57. 93.
{r) Sim. Dunelm, p. 293.
M 3 were
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C J66 >
^erc borrowed from the Pentateuch. Aiitf
tlieChriftian religion, wherever introducedf,
by the pi a6lical , virtues it inculcated^
woul<!^merid the worft, and improve the
b.ft, mode of government ; but, being de^
figned to incorporate with the civij confti-
tution of every ftate, beiides other reafons,
it prefqribed no particular form of a civil
government ; recourfe was therefore had to
the Old Teftament; and fuch laws being
fingled out as were moft applicable to the
ftg.te;anjdi gpnius of the people^ they were
incorporated with their ancient cuftoms.
And as many of the Jewilh laws were
merely ceremonial, they would be more
readily admitted by the clergy and laity.
The Savage and Barbarian will be always
attached to the forms of Religion ; and for
a tiine tb^fe may be of ufe, by introducing
a regard for it, and lay a foundation for a
better knowledge of their duty to God and
each other. And the moral duties of life,
though infinitely preferable on political as
well as religious views to rites and cere-
moi^t-<5. will neither Jbe perfectly under*
ftood^
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. ( '6; ) .
ftood, nor can be fuccefsfuUy enforced, till
men have attained to fome degree of civi-
lity and refinement in the commerce of
life, and made a progrefs in learning and
knowledge. The churchmen, therefore,
the chief lawgivers in thofe ages, unac-
quainted with the models of government
left by the Greeks and Romans, and biafled
in favour of the laws of Mofes, took him
for their guide in many of their civil and
ecclefiaftical inftitutions. And almoft
every part of Europe was at that time in
io unfettled a ftate, as to afford no patterns
of a regular government. And, a^ (kiguiar
as ibme of the religious inftitutions of the
Anglo-Saxons after their converfion to the
Chriflian faith may appear to us, they
were preferable to thofe barbarous rites ob-
ferved by their countrymen abroad. The
Chriftian feligiou, under th? grofleft abufes
and corruptions, was more beneficial to
the people, than the religious cuftoms
eftablifted by the Northern law-givers#
Though debafed by a mixture of fuper^
ilitipus practices, it prefer ved a regard for
ibcial manners ; a«d, by keeping up a reve-
M 4 renc^
d by Google
Digitized b
( i68 )
f cQCf fpr -thef?, it provided in fome degree
for the order, peace, and happmef^sif^'^
Citty. It would be folly to pleaC'l<^r the
fuperftitious modes of worfhip that pre-
vailed in thofe ages of ignorance ; and yet
even on political views it was a fortunate
circumftance to the people that the Chrif-
tian religion took place of the Saxon, and
taught, amidft all its corruptions, princi*
pies more confiftent with reafon, juftice,
and humanity. .
Before thisfubjeft'is difmifled, it may.b*
proper to obferve, that the religious houfes
were a kind of fortreffes, to which the
neighbouring inhabitants retired in times
of public danger, and lodged there their
moft valuable efFefts. So that, if they
fometimes protected fuch as fled from jujf-
tice, they (ecured others from violence apd
cppreflion. Such as reforted thither on
Hiefe accounts were commonly retained by
the abbots, and employed in the capacity
ef labourers or foldlers. In the abbey of
Croyland the number of thefe fugitives
ouce
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( .'^9 )
once amounted to two hundred (d). The
laws, indeed, had prohibited the fubjedls
from receiving the flaves of others {/) : but
the owners of bocland, or charterland^
fbmetimes claimed an exemption from
them. And the power which the abbots
poflefled, of imprifoning and trying offen-
ders within their jurifdidion, enabled them
to keep fuch a numerous and licentious
body in fome degree of order. The power
of the clergy in thofe ages, ufually laid out
for their own aggrandizement, was in this
inftance of pubhc fervice, and, by opening
fan£tuaries, afforded a place of refuge to
the opprefled commons. It has been ob-
ferved, that in more civilized countries the
churph has fcmetimes reftrained the vio-
lence of the monarch, and" put bounds to
his tyranny (f) ; and in thofe barbarous
ages the right of fandluary muft have been
of equal utility, and almoft neceflary,
(d) Ingulpb. Hift. p. 14. 20. Abb. S. Pet. de Burg,
p. 15.
(i) Leg. Ang. Sax. p. 19. 60.
(f) Montcfq. £fp* des Loix, 1. ii. c. 4*
We
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( I70 )
We have very imperfed accounts of
th^ trade carried on by the Anglo-Saxons ;
Vut 'we tnay be aflured^ jthat it could not
be very confiderable, as neither the iiatc of
the people nor of Europe would admit of
an active or extended comnnierce. Th^
greateft part of the inhabitants was held
in a ftate of vaffalage, and from the mean-
aefs of their circumftances was unable tp
purchafe any goods of value from natives
or foreigners. And almoft every part of
the Weftern empire was in fuch a ftate of
X!pnfu(Ion, as fcarcely to admit of a regular
trade with the Englifh, or any other na-
tion, if an attempt of this kind had been
made by fome enterprjzipg pririge at home
or abroad. After the irruption and fettle-
ment of the Northern nations in the South*
em parts of Europe, the little ^pmmercial
intercourfe which had been forfmxly car^
ried on between the feveral provinces of
the empire, was almoft totally deftroy^,
2nd no new connexions were formed ki
thtit ftead. The Romans had long bfeen
jealous of th« Germans, and oth^r iphabir
tants
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( '7' )
tants of the North, and were unwilliiig ta
engage too deeply in traffic with them, left
they (hould invite them into the empire, by
Ihewing them the value of their commodi*
ties. This was a meafure unworthy of the
Roman name ; and, by expofing the feeble
condition and fears of the fubjefts, ferved
rather to accelerate than retard an invafion
from a martial people.
The conqueft of a neighbouring ftate
has fometimes been the means of enlarging
commerce, by breaking the obftacles which
prevented a free intercourfe with each
other ; but the conquefts made by the feve^-
ral nations of the North were attended
with a very difFereiit efFeft. The petty
principalities, into which the Weftern em-
pire was divided, fcarcely kept up any in-
Tercourfe with each other, but contented
themfelves chiefly with their own manu-
failures and produds. And with the lofs
of commerce all other connexions feem to
have been obliterated. Conftantinople was
almoft the only place in Europe, where any
remains of ancient trade were to be found ;
and even this was confined chiefly to the
Eaftera
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f m )
J^ailern pjfts of t|)p M^diterraneaiu Al|
ether couptries, in Europe, excepting pi^r-
haps fome^partf of, Spain,, w^r? ^engaged ia
don^eftic wars, or in fp unftpttled and de-
plorable a condition as to exclude all cojun
mercial connexions with foreigners. Vpoii
thefettlementpf the Saxons in Brit/ui, the
ancient trade of the nation was almoft en-e
tirdy extinguiflied ; and, during the whole
period of their hiftory, never recovered its
priftinc vigour. The navigation of the
rivers, which had been opened by the Ro-
inans, was obftrui^jed . by weirs or other
obft^cle? ; and, if fome of the ports con-
tinued in their ancient ft^te, it was more
pwing t;o nature than the care of the princes
or fubjefts to keep them; in order. Ii]l
length of time, trade began to revive. Fo-
reign merchants attended with their goods
s|t the fairs, which were held in fonie of
the moft populous tovv^ns on the ppafts;
and our merchants, though fcarcely fuper
rior in wealth to modern pedlars, vifited
the continent, and imported fome of it§
commodities. .Wines, fpices, fruits, and
linen, were the principal imports ; and, as^
thefe
Digitized
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c m )
thefe Could be pufch^fed only; by a feW
opulent land-owners or the clergy; the de*
mand for them could npt be very coniider*
able. No new articles were added to the
ancient exports of Britain ; but the number
was probably diminiflied ; and it may be
juftly prefumed, that the quantity was tod
fmall to employ a great number of veflels,
or even to influence the value of lands. But,
as trifling as the commerce of the Anglo-
Saxons appears to have been, it may be
coUeded, from a few inftances, that it was
held in fonre degree of repute. There is a
law of Athelftah, which allows every one
tixe honours of a thane of the fecond rank,
who had made three voyages to the conti-
nent at his own expeiice ^^y. And ano-
ther ordinance may be alledged! to the fame
purpofe. It permits every merchant- (hip
iafely to enter any of the Britifh pqrts^ and
even an enemy's fliip, unlefs forced in bjr
tempeftuous weather;, and in the laft lu-
ftance it direfts both the (hip and cargo,
on certain conditions^ to^ac r-eftored to the
{g) Leg. Angl. Sax, p. yt.
owner.
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( m )
owner (Ji)^ This law feems to have giveii
occafion, in fucceeding ages, to an article
in Magna Charta. TKic bifliops fometimes
employed . veffels in trading to the conti-
nent (/); but it may be prefumed, that as
they chiefly imported books, reliques, pic-
tures, and other ornaments of churches^
there were not many articles of general ufe
that were publicly expofed to fale, and
added to the national commerce. The in-
tereft of trade, however, feems to have fo
far engaged the attention of the Anglo-
Saxon princes, that they fometimes took
the merchants under their proteftipn when
they were ill treated by foreigners {k).
Though there is no reafon to -believe,
that the navy of the Anglo Saxons was in
any period of their hiftory either numerous
or formidable, it was fometimes much
more fo than could be expedled from the
*lpw ftate of their commerce. Before their ■
'fettlementiii Britain,, they arefaid to have
^eeh dextrous in the management of their
(B) Leg. Angl. S«. J). 104. . ' '"^ -
\i) Hickes, DiiT. Epift. p. 6u
(k) Ibid. Attderfon'ttMtof Com. t«I* p- 3^*
fmall
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( ^75 )
fmall veflys, and to have attained to fume
degree of (kill in n^aritime affairs ; but it
^vas almoft entirely extinguiflied with the
ipirit of piracj. Some time after their fet--
tlement in Britain, their navy u^as fo far
fufiered to decay, as to be unable to defend
thera againft the invafionsof the Danes ancJ
ether freebooters of the North. Thefe fre-
quently made defcents upon the coafts, and
plundered the villages, though their at-
tacks were generally made againft the mo-
jiafteries, as affording the richeft fpoili
All attempts to reprefs thefe Northern pi-
rates feem to have been unfuccefsful, till
the reign of Alfred, who is faid to have
Improved the navy by building Ihips on
better models than were then in ufe, to
have madedifcoveries in the Northern parts
of Europe, and opened a correfpondence
with fome Chriftians in theEaft Indies /7^.
And his known abilities leave us no juft
reafoii to doubt the truth of thefe ndafions.
After his deceafe, the memory of his dif-
(I) ChrOD. Sax« p. 98. Affcr. dereb. geft. Alf* p. t%
W. Malmcft. Gcft, Pont. p. 141*
troverks
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( i76 )
coveries was almoft entirely loft, or at
leaft thfey Were never applied to any wfeful
purpofes ; but the improvements he made
in the marine were more durable. Th6
navy of fome of the fucceeding priiices was
much greater than in former ages. King
Edgar's fleet is faid to have confifted o^ a
great number of (hips, and to have been
fo well ftationed as to prote6t the fubjedts
from the depredations of pirates (m) ; but
after his reign the navy gradually fell into
fuch a weak ttate, that the Danes obtained
a fuperiority, and in length of time got
pofleffion of the crown. In the North,
^ piracy had long been the fupport of a navy;
and fbme ages elapfed before a marine
could be formed on the bafis of a regular
commerce in England, or the Weftem parts
of Europe.
Notvvithftanding the encouragement
given to merchants by the aboyemeritioned
law of Athelftan, trade made a flow prp-
grefs both at home and abroad. The cif-
(m) Chron. Mailros, p. ijo, Chron, Brompt. p. 869
Eihel.,Abb. Ricv. p. 360.
cumftances
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'Ciilftftanc^ of ov<? inei:'c;haiits t^ho exported
E©g^l0^ c^qnmoditks were ooi fo opulent
e^ to enable them to carry on a large traf-
.^€. Mai^y 9^ thena in foreign eoijntrles
'SifluiTqtajd thQ drefs o.f pilgrims travelling to
^pl3Cf§ of deyotiffes V^\ pr4er to avoid the
.pay me?» t pf th^ cuftomary duties. And iji
th^ c^pcicity It cannot be fuppofed that
they carried with them a large quantity of
:i goods, thotigh Charkmagne thought proper
.to put a Aop tp frwd? ^f this kind within
:hi5/dDminions(^). At the famfe tLn^e; the
^te of the biirgefles, who were the prin-
cipal tradefmen in thofe times, was held
to be fo nc^an, tbst they w^re pjaced .on ^
fcyel with the -cottagers aad glebe- tdnants,
'.ftttd'lookjed'Upon^s equally baCe andigna-
ble. If they enj<^ed fome fecurity from
fudden ^tf^ck^ by livijig in . fortified
itown§t ^^njoft.of th^ l3ic?fpughs.vire<f, 9nd
ipofi^j^fed pac^ic^lMr isntqiufljiti^^ an^ fr^n-
jphif^s^ . tbfif cir<;unj^ft^Q9es weie . tpQ .low
^ j¥k«y on aw extend?^ ^pqGiip,ercel^ It ap-
pears from Domefday-book, that, in order
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( '7« )
to trade with fecurity, they vrete oMig^
to put themfelves tinder the protection ef
the crown, or Ibme potent thane, and malK
an annual acknowledgement for their fa-
vour and fupport (o}. And it was the
profit ariiingftonl the tolk in the markets,
port-duties, or fees received from the bur;-
geffes, rather-than the intereft of trade, that
engaged their patronage.
The cities and. boroughs w^re the chief
places where markets were permitted to bte
held^ and no goods^ except of the Ibweft
value, were allowed to be fold there but
in the prefence of witaeffes (p). Th& is a
law, which is ofteii * repeated, and wts
calculated as m^ch for levying th& toIls> as
the fccurity of^ the buyer. Cattle ^wew
undoubtedly the chief commckKties expelled
to fale ; and as the praftice of fledling them
•was frequeiitj vouchers* to the chara^:^
-and hcmefty of the fefler wcfe t^oiug^
n'eeeffary/^^. As money was fcarce, and
traffic was chicffty carried on by barter^ ih
(#; Bracty on Burghs, p. 8. lo. io«
(f; Id. p. Bo.
• Wales,
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^ ^79 >
Wales, and in fome of the Northern coun-t
tries in Europe, a value was fet upon every
fort of goods, that the exchange might
be made with the fame facility as in places
where money was plentiful. And it is not
Unlikely but ther£uae cuAom prevailed a-
mong the Anglo-Saxons*
As the riches of the people in thofe ages
principally confifted in the number of their
flaves and cattle, the law* adjudged what
compenfation (hould Jbe made for every in-
jury that was done to them. A flave in
fome countries was eftimated at a pound ;
znd a fine, or manbote, was paid to the maf^
ter for his murderer). Particular limbs of
cattie, when niaimed or injurfed, had alfo
their prices fettled by law (j). And as they
were frequently ftolen, if they were traced
into any perfon^s lands, the owner was
obliged to ihew the places where they were
driven out, or to make fatisfadion for
them' (/). And it was ordered, probably
for the fame reafon, that the hides of cattle--
(r) Leg. Angl. Sax. p. 105. Spelm.Gloin v.Mamsote.
{s) Id. p. 34.
(/) Id. p. 6 J. 68. 8 1,
N 2 fhould
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( i8o )
jbQi44 be kept (lute ^eiy% nvtbe^b^^W
the <>wiieif jbelpFe ^yi^e^e £>14^ (fi^^:: r :
If tf ade bad beea eB6oiifag;o4 SHa^<fiBg t&ir
Snglkb mp» f bov k rea^^ tvfi^ imaif
diiieuhiea dqcufred m caf^i^;i£ en i/vdb
vigour. Eyory pejrfoa i^rbQ ro4« » «iftMf
or market was obliged to gl?e tx>^ to btU^
l^ghfacMir^ o£ hhmUnUQ%i ^n4 Qa^his^
fMifri^ to zc^diat thest .w^ ;hii po^
der^igojit of the.bjghw^jr^; ^^pegle^^
|x> ibout or ^a^ a|i horny be wf^ con*'
fulered. ^^ a robber^* and liable to be^ fiv
i^ibd or im|)riibued {w}. Aud every fch*
reign, ipereliaut^ as j^pfi af .he arr%^,«^
^?wy P9^t, was oblfged to give »a aqopune
,oT '?Ke number of his men, und to, brijig
them before the. port-reeve in ordei to be
ej^^mined, or to levjjr the duties or iagt^
pofts(^). fhefe inftancea are fiiffici^
.|H^©of^ how difficult it wa3 to^trayej iotof:^
Interior, countries in ordef to trqffip witb
the natwes^ and with what fufpicion every
C») Chroc Bromt.^ p« 897*
(v)i Leg. Aug. Sax. p. 8i«
I'w) Id. p. i2r 18^ (W; Id. g. i^r»
4 ^ foiclgitfer
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fbret gner w^ receiyed mk<& Imsdoi 4»h t|i#
€oafb. . Nor were ^oputr r^alation^ mad*
lor leryiag tlie 4iitie8 upon goods itupoitf*
^ or sxpQtt&L Tl^KMsgh the duties iWere
comnmniy k>W| yet, if we tKcept tke ^tjr
«f XfO^ott/^yy^ thejr fcern to have beeai
coUetS^cd in moft other fdaces ia a verT'ir*
SQgukr na^^Hfic^ Aad the want fsf a book
^ ra^ m^St ill ey:€ry couatry hethe banc
ef comoMixre^ toA ^e&u^Uy x^ard its pM«
jf ^eigia^s fovind ^ d^igeroos Co q$
^y9fid tte t^wnsInpoQ tbfi^ co^s, the nar
<^yes^ whether Ujii^Uf^ or, ^th^s, \c&a\A
«ei^ t)air«l fi^rpkoes ?at a ^t^taoce without
fvbmtttiag:) tp wasgr iftpoRiyepiejoyces* Aa
th^ w^re fpw 'fux^ Of ii^f?? Qf entertaiiii-
%fLpnt Ml the f;Q9d j^ the gci^ommodationt
^jtrav^lkrsi, tfee j^gB a»d |M>biiitf, whe^
liliey temoved »to pl?^e? ^t a diftaijpe, wfu*
ally cai?ri^ ^hqr Rroyifion? with ^h«D9t oc
cefort^djCoil^c^ of >their eftates as they ha4
]^t oti the .CQqditbn of f^p^yii;^ them
^d .their attqxd^n^ with provifions fQt ^
f^) AoderfonVSifloiy of CommtxQtf p. j«^
N 3 ffir
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( i82 )
(Hpukted tim6 ; and when thefc conveni-^
ences were wanting^ they took up their
quarters in the mouafterieSy which ufually
had an hall and lodgings for the accotn-
modatibn of ftrangers. This want of pub-
lic houfes was one reafon for the con(lant
ufe of faked provifions. At the beginning
of winter, the bailiffe of the great land-
owners took care to fait the flefli of the
oxen and iheep which were fed upon their
eftates, and kept it in readinefs for the ufe
of their - matters, when they reforted
thither, or conveyed it along with them ia
"their journeys. *Rit, befides this pit)vifion
for their:' maintenance on the road, the
nobility ufually travelled with dogs, nfetSj^
hawks, and all the implements of hunt-
ing. This mode of travelling probably
gave occafion to the daufe in the charter
of for^s, which permits the nobility and
prelates to kill a buck in fuch of the fti*
i«efts as they paflfed through When called
on to attend the national councils. And
it is equally probable, that the cuftom of
travelling like fportfmen gave rife to many
ancient tenures of lands, by ^he fervice of
fn|)it
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f^j)plymg the kiiig or lord with an hom^
bow, arrows, d(^s, or other requifitcs in
hunting, when he vifited that country.
Though tnoft of thefe tenures are fuppofcd
to be pofterior to the Norman conqueft,
yet, therfc is the greateft reafon to believe,
they were dcrivfed from Anglo-Saxon cuf-
Jtoms. As every fordgner, in order to pre-
vent hioiielf from being feized as a robber,
when hie rambled from the hi^way, was
o^gcd to fhout^ or to blow an horn ; it
is n<^ unlikely but the fervants of the
gentry m^ide vfe of .ail horn for the fame
jpurpofe, when they travelled into' remote
parts of the kingdom, An horn and hounds
were alfo frequently employed in purfuing
ftolea cattle.
Though the nobility and gentry found
lodging and enttrtainment in the monas-
teries, yet the fame hofpitality was not ex-
ercifed towards all other travellers. Thefe
were either' entirely excluded, or relieved
with viiSuals at the gate, for which pur-
pofe lands were often bequeathed to reli*
gious houfesip When thefe accommoda-
fAoa% were wanting, they made ufe of the
N 4. houfes
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r
the wail&of Qc>i3(kniop> 00^ tafi|g)4!]r d^^
ill the mornitig w^hput ^^^Ag any thing
fpr their l9<%iag ^nd eptertiiiijpffient (f|).*
Moft hacb^rous^ Wltloa^ ^vp.^heefi i^iilia-*
giuflied for theif hofpjlfalifyj; and, if,^h^
Ai?gl9-Sax<Mis w?re mt fgg^^k^Wp ^r^*
virtue^ it was <?^yil^g ta the w?«it pf p.»^f
occafions for the exercife-ofit.*-; Thi^'cpfa-^
mon people feldopa j^jT^bl/^d ff om Ifppi^^
unle/s to vifit fome pl^ of d^ofipn, An4
the tojls that, were, Ify.j|e<i in i)afling the
forefts, particular rpads^, rivers, or bridges^
the cuftom of requiring fecurlty for i
ft ranger aftqr two niglitS; Ipdj^n^ («V and
the fufpicion entertained pf ey?ry y^P^uiowij
^erfon, that h6 Was a pirate, roDber>.of
flave who had defertcd hi^ tnafter, roufl:
jieceffafily confine the trad^fnieri and in**
ferior,clafs of people to their x>wa dwellr
ings, and prevent , a fr^j? a^d conftant m^
tercourfe between the fevefftl part? of thp
ifland. ' i . ^
(x) Spelm. GlofT. v. Kobar.
(<i) Leg. Aog, Sax. ^. 9, «cfl. Huflt. i>* Jt5* *
Afmdft
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( ■%: X
. . AipJdfl: the «^e<J?; of Jiwny. pftful ,0^
cupations, the toonii^l nf.s {torn to have
pofiefied feme fort of efteexx2« £rf ry prieft
i?fas obliged to learn foioae handicraft (^)^
The lat^ Saxon kings enjoined thek
daughters to learn letters, fpioning, and
needlework; and the coofort pf Edward
the Confeffor is faid to have embroidered
the apparel of her hufband (/). The fame
ftpry is told of the daughters of Charle-
ipagne (dj. The chief luxury in drefs and
jfurniture of rooms confifted moftly ia
works of embroidery ; but they were prin-
cipally defigned for the ufe of the clergy,
or employed in adorning the altars and
Ihfines of the churches and convents. Ar«
tides of this kmd, however elegant and
ufeful they might be thought, were con-
fined to a few, and feldom expofed to fale ;
and fuch was the general poverty of the
people, that their circumftances would not
enable them to purchafe auy coftly manii-
failures of foreign or domeftic workman-
(h) Leg. Ang% 6tx« p. t^j. Chr^n. Bromh p. II78. 968,
(c) R. Higd. Pttfychron* p. ^$9, Cbron.Br^mU p« 878*
(d) Rad. de DicQC. p.44.3«
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iBSp. They were jgcncrally bbligcd*fo be
conttented with thecoarfe and clumfey fa-^'
brics in their own neighbourhood : and as
there could be no competition where the
workmen weye ^w and divided from each
Qther^ ^nd t^ prices Qf their goods were
extremely low, flender advances muft be
inade to>yard§ improvement. If any com-
modifies of value were cxppfed to fale/ if
^as only at fome annual jnai;t or fair^
which was held in the neighbourhoocj*
This was commonly piuch frequented by
the people^ who ufually fuppiied themfelveS
•With fuch goods as were not to be purchafed
at any other time in the neighbourhood*
The great quantity of golden and filver
utenfils lodged in (he . ngionaftenes gnd ca-
thedrals affords a prefumpjipn, that g
much mpre lucrative commerce was carried
on with foreigners than is here reprefe;nted^
As there is no reafon to believe thgt thcfe
riches were gathered from our mines, it is
concluded, that the balance of trade was
greatly in our faypur. In fome cpuntrie^
the influx of the precious metals is an evi*
^eu.ce of an extended and Jbeneficial com?
^ merpe j
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( i87 )
merce; but wliether this was "the caic
among the Anglo*Saxons is extremeljr
doubtful. Upon their conqueft of the
Southern parts of Britain, confiderabie fums
of money muft have been coUefted from
the natives; the greateft pnrt of whcfe
wealth gradually fell into the hands of the
viftors. And there is fonae reafon to be-,
lieve, that a great part of the gold and fil-
ver pofleflcd by the Englifli was derive4
from hence rather than from a traffic with
foreign nations ; few of whom held any
cpmmercial inf^rcourfe with them, or
abounded fb much with the precious metals
as to give them in exchange for Britiih
commodities. In countries equally deftl-
t)}te of trade apd mines, the churches and
conv^ts frequently appeared rich and
fplendid beygnd wjiat 43Qight be ejfpefted
|Jrom the general ppyerty of the people.
Such was the fuperftition of thofp ages,
that a great pajrt pf the natipnal wealth,
from whatever fources it was derived, gra-.
4uaUy felj into the poflefiion of the clergy
qr mopks, where it accumulated in a courfe
pf fime to a cpnlidf rabje amount^ and b?-^
came
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brou^C into, cinn^aticm hf nsecrffity, mt
feme vi£l:Qnia6 mvaden The ikrant of gold
and filTcr, depc^ttd ia the dtmsfaes and i^
Isgioos houfes, was f uppiied by tlK cuAom
•f trafficking by baroer, or an excKmigc of
goods, and no matt dinuniflied theiiationai
trade than the bills of modern neierchants.
From the low ftate of tra^ aad manti-
lafhsresy and theabj<:6l: condttiion of the
CKMnmons among the Anglo^Sft^^iis, it is
natoral to infer ^ that huCt^andty o6uld not
ilourifli ; and en ijiquiry w€ ^all ftnA its
many impediments to a ftiJI cultivation of
the lands, a^ to improvement$in f omme^cj;'
and the mechanical arts.
The peasants in general were too IjgooF
rant to give any remarkable pjroofeof theif
flcill in agrictikarc. This occupation re-
quires the affiflance of ^her arts, and f
greater degree of knowledge than feH to the
ihare of the hufbandmea iivfl^ofe ages, ii|
order to carry it towards perfeifticm* Theii:'
(kill rarely extended ferther tfeiEia to rwfe
the ordinary ^forts of ^rain, t)ats, rye, or
barley. Wheat required^ ^better prepara*
tlQII
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1^011 of the foiV to cttUiya^ it facce&IUUjr^
tbaa thefb ; and^ thmigh it mig^t be grown
in couiiderable cju^tities m feme parts of
the Souths it waft extremely fcarce in
Wales- and tl^ Northern counties. Bar«
ley, rye, or oaten bread, was the ufual
food of the lower clafs of people; and
wheaten bread was looked upon as io great
a delicacy^ as to be almoft entirely confified
to the t^ujent*
But thoi^ hulbandry might be very
Jboperfc^ly carried on by the Anglo*Sax«-
iHis, yet, Hke mojce civilized people, they de*
jtived many advan^ges from k. If it {enr«
ed lo introduce vafialag?, and increafe the
number of fl^ea, it ailifted in civilizing the
peo|de, and in keepiiig up the form of a
jr^^lar govt^mxieBt* Induflry and cooh
^nemc^nt to certain abodes are required to
jraifftg/^aiBn ; an4 ipr thi$ r^fon, on the fir^
'advances of mep to a civilized ftate, this
€)ccupation has been uAially allotted to
flaves, as unworthy of the care of freemeai*
The andent Britons and Oermas^ lived
ckie^* on the pxoduee of their flocks and
loAid&t. and^ lojajg. after the iettlem^ of the
Saxon*
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fojtonfi m firltain, fle(h*aieat was the chief
food of thelrifh, WeWh, and Scots. And
as long ais they confined themielves topaf-
turage, they muft necefiarily retain a great
portion of their ancient barbarity of man-
ners. ' •
The cheapnefs of ftefh-nipaf, compared
with the price of corn, >yas undoubtedly
one reafon for its general ufe in thole age^«
From the great quantity of grafs-lands in-
cluded within the foreft§, chafesi p^ks,
and waftcs, in almoft every part of the
ifland, it may be juftly prcfumed, that the
•price of fleflh-meat, during the ftimmefj
touft have been extremely low ; aiid aS
the cuftom i)f faking it for winter-ufe was
-univerfaily pra<9:ifed, it muft at all times
have ' been proportionably cheaper than
grain, except in very plentiful years* The
woods abounded with hogs, which fad' It
part of the year on maft, or acorns ; and
rfU the parks, watrehs, and waftes, were
partly ftocked with neat cattle and flteep.
The woods fcem to have been more valu-
^le on account of the cover they afibrded
'the game, and th^ maintenance of hogs,
than
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than for any other ufes. The great nmn-
bar of Tfoods made timber extremely
cheap ; and on this account, as well as the
want of workmen to build with flones,
aknoft all the houles, except a few be-
longing to the nobility and monaftics, were
built widi ttnaber. »
Among the various impediments to a vi-
gorous cultivation of the lands, we may
reckon the forefts. Thefe were (ecured
from the encroachment of the fubje£ls by
fuch (evere laws as were a terror and
fcourge to the whole neighbourhood ; and
at the fame time they were fb numerous
and extenfive, that it was not eafy to avoid
them in travelling to any place at a diC-.
t&ftce. At particular ttrbes, travellers were
icarcely allowed to pafs through them on
any terms ; and at all times the keepers,
like the modern Arabs^ levied contribu-
tions on every paffenger who gravelled
through ' their territories. As the forefts.
belonged to thexrown, the nobility were
indulged with parks and warrens, and al-
lowed the liberty of hunting, as long as
they kept at a proper diftance from the
royal
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tbecefere 1^ ^t |p^ thdfi purpefea in
every part of t\^ ki!ig4oa>« Soorti after
the Norooaa .coikcyue^^ it is fs^d, there
were fixty-wgfeit fiMrefta, thirteen xhzftXf
aod ^ea.hundmd ^ud eightjtoor psixks,
ill England (^) . Such large paiocdbi of ws^
ground, a^d like eoi^S^.t treipafies of. the
•deer, ^ro^ the wa^t of pr<^r fences
pa the qydiUv4te4 lands .Iq the, mghbouf*
^od, mtift undoubtedly coQtrih»rt^ to di-
-tninifli the quantity of corn ; b^t |h^ k)W
ilate o^ conptmerce^ and the fngiall val^e af
lai]kdy made the lofs of (6 much ground tx>
1^ fcaicely f<i£ by <^ piiijiqe. or the fob-
Beddes d^i^ imp^ime^t ^t^ a genei;al c\A^
tivatioi% of the lands, there w^jre few <?f
thoie incentives to induf^ry and. .improve-
opgiirfs that tjak^ plpce m mg^fcr^^ timeiiL.Jii
•i&very country, where the^ mobility ha?e
obtained pofjeffiou of t^e. greafceft; past i of
the lands* aiid the prodjufts have nekher
lieeu £bnt abroad,.' nor.arts^ maiiufiidhures,
W Spdmfc GJoff, T.'FoiiiL*T# . ,
. * and
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( 193 ) .
and population, encouraged at home, the
moft carelefs hufbandry has been the ufual
confequence. And this was in a great
meafure the cafe of the Anglo-Saxons. The
landed poffeffion 3 of the nobility were fb
large, that the rents or products muft have
l)een almoft ufelefs, if they had not beea
employed in naaintaining a great number
of idle domeftics and retainers! A more
equal diftribution of the lands, and z nipre
numerous body of inferior freeholders, are
neceffary in every country to a full culti-
vation. And in all ages the beft hu{band*
men have always been the owners of fmall
parcels of ground, who have been obliged
to cultivate them with their own hands,
and permitted to appily the whole profits to
their own ufe. The ancient Romans afibrd
us an inftance how llnall a portion of land,
under the management of an induftrious
owner, is fufficient to maintain a family.
Their fartns oiftfentimes confifted of no
more than four or five acres. The infe-
rior tenan'ts among the Englifli generally
occupied a larger quantity of land; but
Vol. I. O they
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( ^9+ )
they were neither the proprietors^ nor pof-
defied of the (kill and induftry of the Ro-
;nans; and, if th«y had really pofleffed
thefe qualities, it was fcarqely in theix
power to exert them to advantage. The
diyiiion of the arable fields was v?ry incon-
venieiit to an enterprizing and induilrioos
farmer. The intermixturfe pf property in
alnibfl: every parifh prevented all innovation
in the fucceflion of the crops, and checked
every improvement. And fpr the {%iiie
reafon a flpvenly hufbandry is. iliU (a he
found in ^Imoft ^11 the ]undiyi4^d ahd^coi]^
mon fields in the kingdom ; and itis gpDe>
rally tHe worft where the farms are fmaU
and mp^ numerous- ,
\/lCh9ygh it is poffible that ^Icult^rc
may , flpuriih where ilayes zxc. die. chief
cultivators, yet the poverty of tenants. is
always a great obftacle to its progrcfs and
improvement. The Roman hufhandmen^
Indeed, employed a great; numb(2X of fljavess
and in Sicily the number of the^lattet was
almoft incredible ; and yet this ifland was
for a time the granary of Rome, and the
7 ' . . beft
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( ^95 ) .
Bcft cultivated country in Europe. And
the ireaibn was, that grain was exported
in large quantities ; and, brhiging conlider-
able profit to the land-owiiers, they aflified
their flaves in perfon, or liberally fupplied
them with every thuig neceflhry in agri-
Culture/ Afterwards, when they would'
lieither fuperintend them, nor furnifli
them with provilions and inftruments of
their bufinftfs, the fdil feenrfed to have lofi
fts ancient fertility fo f^r ai to' oblige the
Romans io have recourfe to other coun-
tries for z fupply of grain. On the con-
frary, among the Englilh, agriculture was
/lightly attended to ; and the tenants were
left to purfiie their own mode of cultiva-
tion, without receiving afliftaiice or in-
firuftions from their matters or landlords.
And frohi perfbns in their fituation and
circumftarices the moft negligent hufban-
dry naight be juftly expected. A fpirit of
induftry arid emulation could aever take
place i[p longas they were unable to pur-
chafe the necjeffary ftock of cattle, and th^
moft ufeful iixjffruipeats of^ their jprofeflion.
'^ Oz ' And
[iu'^.JO
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And this was ^fualljr the cafe of the -pogr
liih peafaiits. The farms in general, whe-.
ther occupied by tlie ceorles or other frec^
tenants, were too fniall to encourage in-
duftry. They afforded little more than a
fcanty maintenance to' tKe tenants,: an4.pe-,
ceffarily kept therfi in. a ftate.of ppvertjf.^
And the great number of fervices to whick
they were bound mufl often oblige them
to, trefpafs on ^a due attention '^l^eir ow%
feufinef?. • . And w^ c;oiay ad^, that, the
payment of rent i^, kind.ni\i|fl:, foo^^rpe?
be inconvenient to the tenant* Fort^io^gh
it may feem to bp of little moment, wl^e^^
tlier he difcharges his i:ept jby ^^ cprtai^
portion of the pr6du6l' of Ills form, " or "bx
the payment ot a luni 9! money ; ^yet^ to
oq^iit other inconveniences, 'thV con vey^iiice
of corn to tlie jandtord*s'place^oF refidence^
whetV hp iiWd. at adiftarice, niufl: be'trou-
Biefo^ dM^i^i^hfe; ;^ ''•':f:;!^; ";
^ i^ haVb^n.already bi)fcfved, t^
mg to a Ta\*' or Ina, t^c tenants we^e
obliged'^ to^leaVeT^^pdrttbri/'toi^' their ikn^
Ibwn whenrtli'6 t^rth' of th^l^ I'eafe'eipired?
Aiftian6tad^'oi?tei^^
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occafion a very negligent culture, Thofe,
who were not permitted to reap, would be
very carelefs about the fucceeding crop.
But the law was probably calculated for
the eafe and convenience of the new te-
nants, who were unable to ftock the ]and&
upon their admittance, and affords a proof
of the general poverty of the farmers.
The payment of tithes to the clergy,
which is frequently enjoined in the Aiaglo-;
Saxon laws, 'was not fo detrimental , to
agriculture in thofe ages as it is. generally
reputed to be at prefent. Wherever the
lands are tilled chiefly by flaves, or the
rents are difcharged by a certain portion q^
the produce, it is a matter of indifference to.
the tenant, whether he conveys a tentl^
part to the barn of th^ landlord,, or, thift
parochial . clergy. It is fometimes more
convenient to deliver a part of his corn at
home, than carry, it to his landlord a^t a
diftahce. Tithes were neverthelefs paid
with great/rejuftance, and the clergy were
obliged to ufe,an their interaft and autho*
jfity ^-enforce the payment. In later ages,
O 3 %vhea
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when the rents of land^ wer^,4ifcbv|;cAui
money, and the payment of tithes was re-.
ferred to the tenant, this incuniibranfe has
been thought detrimental to hiifbapdry.
And it would have been of benefit to the
clergy, if a portion of land had been al-.
lotted for their maintenance inftead gf
tithes. Modern parliaments, on the int
clofure of common fields, have ufually
purfued this mpafure ; and in the event i^
will be found equally conducive to ^he eafe
and influence of the clergy, and the pro-
motion of agriculture.
But the low ftate of huiBandrymay be;
attributed, in a great meafiire, to the want
<jf a proper number of artkans^ and manu*
fafturers, to tonfurpe the pfodufts of* the
lands*. The conneft^on between the landed
and commercial intereft is fo intimate in
mdft countries, that they rpuft flourifh -or
ifecay together. A nunierous bcidy pf work-
men in all l^he manual arts will preate a i^u-
merous peafantry ; andboth will fiibfift by
a niutual exchange of the prodiiflis or their
labours; And in general both foreign and
'* . ' ' '^ do*
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domeftic trade depends on the circumftances
and condition of the people. Wherever the
lands are cultivated chiefly by flaves, and
the greateft part of the fubjeds is held in a
ftatc of poverty and dependence, the do-
nieftic trade muft be very inconfiderable^
The artificer, wanting a market for the
,fele of his conamodities, will become floth-
ful; and the huibandman, unable to di{^
pofe of his gr^n, will be inclined to a
carelefs culture* To promote the indudry
oJf both, and increafe their number, it is
oeceHary to place them and the people in
general in cafy and iu<kpendent cirtum-
ftanpes,^ tj^at they may be enabled to pur-
^hafe ^he commpdities of ^ach other, and
(o fpend more than is ufually allotted to
ilaves. In (otnt ancieut fiates^ the corn«
trade, arts, and nianufa^tures, fiourifhed,
though the labourer* coniifted ^chiefly of
flaves } but it ought to be obfervcd, that
the freen^cn in general were in affluent
gircui^iianpes, or that foreign nations purK
chafed their grain, and other produSs of:
their induftry. The Anglo-Saxons pof-
• O4 * fbfled
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feffed none of thefe advantages : they had
no conftant market for their grain abroad^
nor for any other cpmmodities that re-
quired, a great number of hands to prepare
thera for ufe. And the general mode of
living among all ranks, and the mean con-
dition of the commonalty, gave flender en*
couragement to induftry in any occupaticw.
The nobiUty and gentry fupplied them-
fclves 'with provifions from off their own
lancfe, without having recoprfe to the mar-
kets ; and purchafed few mapiuia£l;jires of
value from native or foreign workmen.
The inferior freeholders mairttained them*
ielvcs nearly in the fanne manner, and
either manufaftured a great part^ of their
own coarfe cloathing, or bought it of the
neighbouring weavers. And it was the en-
deavour of all ranks to furnifli themfelves
ynth every neceflary of life^ without being
obliged to purchafe of each other. And
where\fer this* is the cafe, hufbahdry, ma-
MufaiSEures, and commerce, cannot lend
that^ mutual affiftance, which is required to
give irigbur to each. '
7^\ '] • ': " ^ ' The
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The maiiuers of the Anglo-Saxons, lA
general, were not calculated for promoting
trade or agriculture. During every period
of their hiftory, the government was fb un*
fettled, and the people fo ignorant and bar-
barous, that no lading regulations could
be made, for the adminiftration of juftice,
or the encouragement -of induftry. En-
gaged for a long time in wars with the
Britons or each other, they were obliged to
maintain fomething of the ferocity of man^
liers they brought with them; and this
muft undoubtedly check all improvements
in the arts of civilized life. Governed bjf
ancient cuftoms, they had little occafion
for written laws ; and when thefe were ad-
mitted, the turbulent difpolition and power
of the nobility prevented them from pro-
ducing any other than a partial tScd:. The
lower order of freernen was not poffefled of
a landed property fuflScient to counter*
balance the power of the ariftocracy^ and
obtain that Influence in the governnient
which was required for the fupport of gene-
tal liberty. Though, the Nor'mans were
not eminent for their accomplifliments, or
IkiU
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ftiU ill die polite arts, they afi^^ted to ^e-
fpi{c the Engliih for their drunkenaefs,
aad the coarfenefs and barbarit)r df their
manners (f). Aftd there' i^rfS too tntich
r^afon for this charge a^jainfl: them. When
the nobility were freed from public or pri-
vate contentions, or difmifled from the
national councils,* tWey retired td" their
caftlcs or feats, and diverted them&ly'es
with hunting, or other rural pleafures; dr
rather made them their principal employ-
ment. Surrounded in thefe '^iikward and
gloomy manfions by a train of vaflaU and
dq>endents, they conftimed tne rints "and
products of their lands in intenlperance,
and a coarfe hofpitality. There was' no^
thing in their mode of living or manners
conducive to the advancement of trade^
arts, or ftience* / J
As to the comnwm people, they 'were
generally in too abjeft^antl dependent /a
ftate to advance themfelves by their induf-
try to that degree of wealth as to attj^^
(/) Gerv. Tilb. p. ^xq. Chitin. Brpmt B«9i5.
the
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^e notice of their fupefiprs, pr attain tbat^
fuperflutty which i^ neceflary to promote
foreign or dpinei|ic tr^de. The merchants
and tr^defmcn were fev^r and poor, and de-
pendent for prpteftipn Oft their opulent
peighbours : ti^e fafmerSt who lyere placed
in the rank qf freemen, were unable, uur
^er thp P^Qwef^ e^ercifed oyer fhem by
thejr landlords or nobility, tp rna|:e any
great addition, to their pircqmftaiices ; an^
the ferfs, or glebertenaqt?, who were the
chi^f cultivators of the lands, and formed
a very numerous body, w?r^ ftill more de?
prefled, and obliged to be contented with
a bare fubfiftence. Their ftate, in many
refpefts, vyas fiipilar to that of the flaye§
in other p ountries^ except that its rigorsf
had been fpftened by the introduction pf
the Chriftian religion. But the cafe of the
freemen in England was widely different.
In ancient Greece and Rome, the oath of a
freeinai| in judjcial caufes was admitted
as evidence^ without diftindiion of rank :
among the Apglo-Sj^xons, the credibility of
every one was commonly eftimated by his
fortune and ftation^ as if veracity depended
on
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on wealth, tmd couM l^expeftei^ bniy
from its pofleflbrs^ So partial' and unjiift
a diftinftion betweefn * ftieemen*^ iti ' every
country where the (a\y is Vague; triuf^ die-
cefliarily contnbute to keep the execution
of juftice in the hands of the opulent^ aii^
eftablifh oppreflion' and tyranny over the
Inferior ranks of people. If thfe poWer of
the princes was fiitiited, the benefit accrued
principally to the iiobility, who exercifedf
an authority over their' inferiors more op^
preflive than that of the monarch. And
under fuch ia mode of government there
was a flender profped!^ of improvemeht^in
the condition and circumftances of the peo-
ple. ' Comriierce Was in too' low a'ftate' fcj
bring about a revolution bf* landed property
aild power, and transfer them to the loweif-
clafs of fubje£ts, in defence of public: frec^*
Confidering' the l^th of tIrne/WHich*
the Anglo Saxon gove^meht'^*fubfIftfed;
and the little diftutbance which the |5etf-
ple met with from foreign %ati6iis?,'^it fs*
natural- to aik, w^at" cbuW lie'the't&^fb'ff
of the flow-prog^refs^'of ^<nvi}it&ati6nv*aft^;
and^
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ik^4 kaawlie^e ? . M^iy .of the Greek ai^i
Afiatip ila|ep,;ifi a much fliotrter period^
made a greater proficiency in the arts of
improved life. The . maimers of the
Greeks ai3ud/Saxons,.ia their primitive ftatc,
WcJre ^<ju&lly barbvous j aiid,f what may bo
thoyght miore rem^arkaWe,. they. were both
of them firft. diftin^iflied in hiftory by
their ails x>f piracy;. By accounting for the
r^pid. advancemept of arts and learning;
atiWMi^thbGfrodi?, Hveare enabled loaffigiv
the caiifts of the flender broficieftcy nkd^
in th^m by tlie;.Saxobs^ and other barba-
rous nation s#* who fettled in the Wleftern
empire. The progress of civilization will
tie always quick ,^ wherever men are qbiiged*
to live m 'citl^jl, lajtid' cOtlimertre is. iotro-'
^iiced and ehcoaVagedP. lii Bwh <iafes, a: re-
gular police, l2(Ws,"aiid oi:der, are "ri?quired,
and enforced by neceffity. And as moll of
the petty ftates on the coafts of the Medi-
terran^n were addi<5ted to commerce, and
the utmoft care was taken to people and
adorn the capitals, laws, humanity, and
poliftied manners, were the confequences,
and, frorn thence dlfFqfed into the neigk-
" ^ ' -'^ ' bouring
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bcmrhig^ country. On the ooMnry^ th#
Saxons, and ill the Northern nations,
being fond of hunting, averfe to a cxmi-^
ftant rdidence in cities, and diffegardipg^
commerce, mud unavoidably make a flow^-
progrefs in the arts of civilizal life, and
employ, as it were, the propereft means to
keep themfelves in a (late of ignorance and
barbarifm. It was fcarcely poffible for Eng*-^
land, or any other principality in Eump^
to attain a refemblance to the a^icientflates
of Greece in arts and elegance, till com-^.
merce had introduced a regular policy, an<l
the capitals were ,m;|de the chief fefideac^
of their princes, their courts, and officers,:
and.confidered as the centers of decency
and politenefs. And there is greater rea^a
tq afcribe the prefent flouriftiing ftateof
Europe to thefe caufes, than tp the views of
its legiflators, or the eiForts of policy*
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CHAK
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( ^^1 )
CHAP. IV;
REMARKS UPON THE LANDED AND COM-
MERCIAL POLICY OF ENGLAND, FROM
THE NORMAN CONOyEST TO THE AC-
CESSION OF HENRY THE THIRD.
THOUGH the Normans are faid to
have been more poliihed in taeir
manners than the Anglo-Saxons, yet they
poffefled few of the requifite talents for
making improvements in agriculture and
commerce^ In many reipe£ls they con-
formed to the ufages and regulations of the
Engliih in both thefe articles. And if they*
had been difpofed or qualified to improve
theni, the merchants and land-holders wctq
under too many reftriftions, and the fqbr
jeds in general in too mean and opprefled
aftatCy
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a ftate, for executing fuch a dedgn. It 13
much more eafy to enumerate the dlfcou-
ragements given both to trade and hufban-
dry, than to point otit the Regulations macfe
in their favour.
Soon after the battle at Haftings^ the
conqueror took pofleffion of the demefne^
of the crown, and afteriVards enlarged them
by adding lome of the confifcated e{lates
of the ^ngliflK nobility. We are told by
hiftorians, that he referved for his own ufc
above fourteen hundred manors, befides
feveral parcels of land in different parts of
the kingdom. In fome refpefts )le con4
fidered himftlf a^ the ^le proprietor of all
tfie lands, in right bfconqueft ;. and, if he
permitted any of the Engliih to retain Ac
poffeflion of their eftates^ it was looked
tipon as a favour that might be rofom^d at
his pleafure, and the inhcritkace with-
held from their children withoyt'iajuf*
tice:(a),* If, however^. ttie AilglorSiiaa
ftofoUity felt 'aILthchardihips>o£a conqlaeli;
the ^tenants of the no^'al dteoaefeDCs mexo
I ' .'-... ' ^ V
C0) Gerv. Tilb. p. 392.
permitted
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permitted t6 hold their farm* nearly on
ancient terms. According to the Anglo-
Saxon mode of letting lands, the king re-
ferved upon evciy leafe a ftipulated quan*
tity of provilions, arid enjoined them to be
delivered at ftated times to the officers of
his houfehold. He neveirthelefs made fome
addition to the ancient rents .; and, without
regarding former contracts, let them to
the higheft bidder (A). The low ftate of
the land-holders in thofe times will not
permit us to imagine, that the real occu-
piers of his demcfnes entered into thefe
leafes: it is nwre reafonable to fuppofe,
that fuch perfons, whole circumftance?
enabled them to give fecurity for the per-
formance of the contraft, collefted the
rents of the feveral tenants, and delivered
the due quantity of provifions at the ftipu-
lated time. And, as many of the roya}
demefnes were already (locked with plow-
men, villains, cattle, and implements gf
hulbandry, it was neceflary that the lefiets
(h) Chron. Sax. p. i88. Ann. Waverl. p. 134. Chron^,
Brompr. p. 981. Htn, Hunr. p, 21a.
Vol. I. P fhoyld
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fliould eater into covenant ta leave dieim
m the fame ftate at the expiration of the
kafe. Thefe tenants of the crown after-
wards abuied their power fo mucht th>M; act
ordinance was made» that the hv^baadn^ct^
ihouid not bedtftrefled or ejected, except in
default of paying their cuftoniary rents and
fervice&(r). Bat it cannot be fuppofed^
that an order o£ this kind, fo favourable to
the Englilh tenants, would be ftridly ^
ferved by the Normans. ^
On the firft view^ it fhould feem as if this
ample provifion for the king might haVe
been of great fervice to the land-owners, by
relievipg them from the neceflity of aids to
the crown. The produce of the royal
demefues, and the revenue arifing from
ifines, reliefs, and other claims of the king^
were fu(ficient to defray the ordinary ex-
pencespf his houfehold, and even tq carry
on any public undertaking, without apply-
ing for the pecuniary affiftance of the fub-
jc&%* * Taxes were nevcrtlielefs levied, nn-
(c) Le{« Ang. Six. p. 115*.
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2rr /
<ler the ndrtie of Daiiegelt, for fome time
rfter the Cotiquefr; and the occupiers 6f
the lands wei^e fo' jnuch oppfeffed by thefe
fevieS) and other exaftions of the officers
6f William the Second, that, if we will
Relieve the .hiftorians of thofe times,- the
cultivation of the lands was neglefted, and
of courle fucceeded by dreadful famines (dj.
This mode, of Tetting the demefhes of
tile' croWn Cbhtihuad in ufe till the reigrl
of Henty the Firfi, wh6, Wantirig mOney
for executing his defigiis on the continenr^
Hppointed pfpper perfbns to make an efti-
mate of the value 6f the^provifions which
his tenants were obliged to furnilh, Thefe
were fettled according to the following
rates, which were extremely low". A quan^
rity of A^heat fufficient for makitig bread
for ai) huiidrdd men Was computed atone
flbilKng.; afatox,a[t the f$me price ; a ram,
or fheeV), at four pence ; and oats or pro-
vender for twenty horfes, at the fame
film (e). The (herifFs of each county WQro
(//) Cbron. Sax. p. 205. 21a. H- Kflyg!«oD, p. 2366.
(/) Gerva-', Tilb. p. sSi.
l^ 2 ^ ufually
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uflialiy charged with the care of colle£Hiig
thefe rents, or farmed them at a certain
fum, and accounted for them at the £x-.
chequer (f). As the coin at that time was
very much diminifhed, the king required
the additional fum of fix-pence in every
pound (g). This alteration in the pay-
ment of the rents due to the crown was
extremely beneficial to the tenants who
lived at a diftance from the king's place of
refidence, as the carriage of fome forts of
provifions muft have been troublefome and
expenfive. And after the Conqueft, this
burthen was increafed, as the kings did not
remove from one feat to another fo often
as their Saxon predecefibrs. And it is iaid,
that not only the want of money for the
king's ufe, but the relief of the tenant;
was one reafon for making this alteration*
Whenever the plowmen met the king in
his. progreffes, they held up their plow-
fliares, in token of the declining ilate of
if) Afadox'i Hift. V tlw Exc^rq. v.II. p. 137, 151.
/^) Getr. Tilb. p. }8i* Speln. Gloff«^.,LiBR.
huf.
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litifbandry, which, among other reafons,
tvas afcribed to the expences incurred by
the paynient of rents in kind (h). As the
nominal value of money was inceffantly
decreasing, and the rents of confequence
decreafing in tHe fame proportion, this
Commutation Would have been very advan*
tageous to the tenants of the crown, if
the kings had not claimed a power of im-
pofing arbitrary talliages upon all their an-
cient demefnes (i). Thefe levies were
commonly fettled by the IherifFs, juftices
itinerant, or other officers of the crown,
and were fo exceffively high, that the te-
nants petitioned, though without fuccefs,
to be afleffed as other land-owners {k). One
advantage, however, attended this change
in the payment of rents, that it introduced
a greater quantity of money into circula-
tion. As long as the rents were paid in
kind, cafh muft have been extremely fcarce,
and almoft needlefs, as no more could en -
. {b) Gcnr. TilK p. 381.
(i) Madox's Hjft. of th? Ex^h. v. I. p, 4U, 6ii, 700,
. . {k) lin ▼. It p. 723.
P 3 ter
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ter intQ the geaeral curteftCy thgft li^h^
^as required for oth^r ui?s ; aftd fcoro thd
lo^y ftate.of track, and indigence irf tte
people, it may be iiiferr^d, th^t the eiationii
Hock of ca(l> was very inooqiiderablje. The
payment of rents m ki»d, iji forage mea-*
fure, reduced the fnbje£lg to the ft?fe^ of
thofe barbarous nations who traffick hy
baiter ; and, as rnoney anaong them i& al*
inoft ns^4^1s, it cannot be fuppofed to be
plentiful.
This regulation x)f Henry the Firft i&
generally fuppofed to have exte^ided to al-
moft all the den^efnes of the crown, and
to have unalterably fi^ed the rents of the
ter^ant^ for the future : and, if thel^e had
been numerous^ it rnuft have had a ^reat
influence on the flate of the occupiers, b^
creating a kind of tenants in villaiqage,
under fixed and moderate rents, and \yhQ
enjoyed, in forpe refpefts, advanta^^^ eqv|al
to freeholders; but the numbeic of thefe
tenants feems not to have been very great.
The cottagers and glebe 6ei>ants, who paid
their rents chiefly in the fervices of the
plovt", orperfonal labour, remained in their
former
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fortioer ftate ; and many of tlie manors and
binds 6f the king, which Had formerly beeta
managed by his officers, ieem to have beeu
ftili entnided to their care, and were either
let under annual rents, or ftocked by them
with c^ltle, and other necefiaries of huf-
bandry. This regulation therefore was far
from producing fo beneficial and exteniive
an efFeft as might have been expefted, even
if it had not been defeated by the arbitrary
afleiTments impofed by the crown. When
thefe talliages were remitted, the boroughs,
many of which had formerly been the
king's towns, were commonly taxed higher
in the public aids than other towns ('/j.
And it might perhaps be owing to thefe
extraordinary aflefllnents and arbitrary ex*
adions of the crown or nobility, that the
tradefraen fecreted their money (/w). To
make, as it were, fome compenfation for
thefe exadions, the king's town§, as long
as they remained in his hands, had the
privilege of conferring freedom upon the
(I) Brady on Bnrghs, p. 66. 69. 77,
\m) GcTT. Tilb* p. 435.
P 4 villains
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.Villains who had fled thither, and.fcfided
f there a year and a day {e^) • And- th* - te-
nants of the demcfne-landa of the crown,
though originally annexed to the glebe,
f were poflfefled of feme liberties and immu-
nities that difUi>gyiil^d them firwn the
tenants of the fuhjeds* They v^re ac-
quitted from the^ayment of toUa and paf-
. ftige in feir3 and markets for goods boi^ht
and fold there that were the produce of their
Iand», or ncceflary fpr (heir cultivation,
.but. not for merchandifiog ^ej ; and they
could not be inip^nnelpd, pr put upon ju-
ries and iaquefts, for any lands held, there,
except i» their own to\vns. And in later
. times they w:ere exe^mpjted from parliamen-
tary taxes and contributions to the, Jj^ights
, who attended in parliarnpntC/j. _ t , ..
Befides thefe ancient demefnes, all the
confiderable landed eftates in the kingdo^i
occafi(xially fell, into the ;liands of the king^
by the failure of heirs, forfeitufes,. ward-
. ihips, or ix) virtue of rights claimed by the
{ft) Fitzherbcrt'5 Nat. Brev, p. i8i.
{o) Id. p. 5^, (f) Id. p. 31. 5*0.
crowa*
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crown/ And wh^icyer this happened^
^hey were dtfpofed of as the royal demefues,
tby Mting/th^fn to particular perfons, or
-«itrufting them to the care of the {htriffs.
or officers of the. king's revenue. And as
the trade of the nation was inconfiderabley
and there w^e in thofe times fcarcely any
other means of acquiring riches, except
. from the profits of the lands, the kings
virtually poflfefled the powers of the moft
delpotic monarchs, by the rights which
they occafionally exercifed over the eftates
of their wealthieft fubjefts.
We have an inftance in what manner
1 irtie eftates of the king's wards were ma-
naged in the tiiiie' of Richard the Firft ; and
it defe rv^s notice, as it was probably the
ancient rule in letting the demefnes of the
crown. * After an enquiry had been made
how many oxen and beafts of the plow
eveiy manor and each hyde or plowland
required for a proper cultivationj a con-
trail was made with the officers of the
court of efcheats and wards to ftock them
according to the eftimate. But as moft
eftates
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C v9 )
Mata^imtn ftocfeMl with dfttle whor. thb
MmsLttt mis jadoutted^ he m^ ch^ci^ :stt^
the exfttrcitiMi of the leaie, to Ufsttt^ ^ib
.^me number on the premtfies^ or to itKiker
latis&£tion for them according to the fbi*
Jowing hites* The price of^ kbouring oic
wasoompitted^at fbur'flitil]«^s; ailieepof
fine wool at ten-^pehce, one of coarie wool
at iiK-pence, and i^n hog at t^velve- pence.
When the term c^ the leafe expired, the
tenant was allowed Co take with hioi all
hk^efieSii and cattle, e^e{^ fuch m were
the property of tlw: king's ward,, and to
fnj according to the prices abovementidned
lor all fqch: cattle as Tj^ere wanting, or to
piircha^, others ih their ftead (^)i ' Not*
Wfthftanding th^fe regulations, tfcwD ej[|nte$,
which fell into the king% hands* fli^ring
the minority of the heir, were coipmouly
impoyefiihed, by the wafte ofgood^, Ipis of
lenants^ cattle, and implements of huf-
„b?odry. As a great part of the eftate w^s *
- nfually occupied by the owner, and flocked
. 9t hi5 expencei it was much.eafier tQ Qpm^
'^ ^- (^) W. Malinefbf pt 434.
mit
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mit waib than if the rents had heat paiA
la money. And, to aggravate the evil, the
crown frequently let the lands of minors
through favour, or prefented them to fonobe
needy dependant, who was to raife or rc^
pair his fortune .by the plunder of the
eftiite : ahd even the minors themfelved
were fometimes difpoled of in marriage for
a valuable confideration.
The reliefs of lands on the adiDiflion of
the heir, though for fome time after the
Conqueft very uncertain, may be confider-
ed as a kind of fines, and were not, for
this reafon, {0 oppreffiv* as the court of
wards, and the guardians appointed by the
crown.
The Normans, like the Saxons, were
extremely fond of the diverfions of the
cbace, and made it one of their principal
amufements. William the Firft increafed
the feverity of the ancient game-laws, and
carried his paflion for thexhace fo far as to
deftroy thirty villages to make a foreft.
And if fome of his defcendants mitigated
the rigour' of thefe laws, it was only done
to
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io ier?e a pnrpole, ^nd feldom of long con^
txnuance. Heniy the Firft made particu^
lar treipaiTes in the foreft equal to homt-
cide, and punifhed offenders with the lo(s
©f eyes^ or imprifcMiment (r). And thoi^h
Henrjr the Second, and feme of his fw-
cefibrSy abated the ieverity of theie laws,
yet, on every occafiou 6£ difguft agsdnft
the barons or people, they were put in exe-
cution, and immenfe fums levied by com-
mutations for trdfpafles (s). Richard tlie
Krft, equally rapacious and profufe, em-
ployed them to extort money froin the fub*
Je6t$» And John, on his return from York,.
Wdered the fences of the forefls to be le-
irelled, and the deer to be let looie into the
peighboyring fields ; on which account the
abbey of Peterborough paidfthirteen hun-
dred and twenty marks for difafforefting
^bme lands belonging to the monaftcry (/) :
and there is no doubt but other land-
owners were obliged to pay large fums for
(r) Chron. Hemingford, P.47B.
(s) Id. p. 515. Rad.delXceto, 4)^587. Madox%Hii^»
of the Excbeq. v. L p. 395. 541. ▼ol, II. p. 131.
(/} Mat. Far. p. aaS. Swapb, Hill. Ccen* Burg. p. loS.
obtaining
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obtaining the fame &voun Such ; was tiit
paflion for the chace, that trefpafles wece
inceilantly committed in the foFefl;s ; the,
fines for which made jio inconiiderable p^*
of tlie royal revenue. Every perfou ofranlc
travelled with hounds and hawks, and aH
the implements of fportCoaea. And in thi^
inftance they were followed by the prelate*
and digiiitaries of the church, though fbr-
biddeu by one of its cpiiftitatioiis ^j^)y
The fubjeds in general could not bo tikor^
(everely fcourged for any offence than bf
letting ioofe the forefters up^u them, la*
cefTant complaints were made againft the
land-owners, in the neighbourhood of rtie
foreflts, for purpreftureg^ or encroachments;
and, as the boundaries of thefooefts wiette
not iu thofe times afcertaioed^ by perambu^
lations, the people were, on thefe accounts;
liable to finres or litigations with the keep
ers. All the woods within the precin^s
of the forefts, tliough the property of the
fubje6ls, were wrefted from them, or ren-
jdered .^felefs, under the pretence of pre>
(v) Chron. Gcrv. p. ^456^
ferving
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C it2 J
&rvitkg the game. What was decftidd
waib in thefe woods feertis to have been
very early Ifettled, and tht li^miier of db*
Ci^rcieiming this pmnt was fo fingular as to
deferve to be mentioned. When any one'
ftood on the ftump of a tree, and cotrH fee
live other trees cut down, it was a3(i5tidge<f
to be wafte, and the owner of the wood
liable to a fine (v). So careful were all the
fbrefters to prevent trcfpaflfes, that the
houfes within the fo^fts were oftentimes
fearched for bows and nets ; the dogs were
nbaimedy and the hogs were with dijfficuk3f
permitted to gather the mail ai^ acorns
Even the bees, as an old writer humou*
roufly obferved, were fcarcdy allowed w
wander over thefe privileged waftes with-
out envying their fpoils. Sometimes, by a
petition to the crown, and the payment of
a ftipulated fum of money, particular places
fubjeft*to the forcft-Iaws werp exempted
from the jurifdiftion of the forefters ; and^
when this favour could not be obtained,
the boundaries of partlci^aF forefts were
(if) Gcnr. Tilb. p. 596.
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«fcertaindi by a peramtMiiatkMu But tkefe
privileges were n^her general, nor ooufcl
they be obtamed wkboot gieat expenee fi#
the rubfed:& la (horty a charter of libek:^
in tboie ages would have been aio^ tife^
left to the people, uhlefs aided by a^ charter
<rf the forefts ; both vj^ere therefore dertiatxd^
ed, and eCcablilhedy nearly at the fame
time. .
Thotrgh thefe kw^ of the fortHs are
jaaw grown obfoletd, or feebly executed,
yet fome of the evils ariliiig from theie
ivafties ftill fuBfift* Many of the forefts re-
main in their original unailtivated ftate,
and yield no more profit to the nation tham
in the days of thofe tyrannical forefters- If
they were properly inclofed and cultivated^
they would be of greater utility to the pub-
lic than the peopling of a province in Nova
Scotia. And it muft be looked upon- as
extreme negligence in a nation diftinguilh-
ed for itfi hufbandiy to permit fuch extea-
five tra<9:s of land to He wafte ; and at' the
ian>e tjrnxe endeavour^ at a great .expenc^
to people the wilds in North America. The
wafte?
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waAes in our own country, If put under
cultivation^ would afibrd employment and
provifion to a great number of people* And
It may he obferved,, that the forefts yielded
in. thgie ^s as much, and probably greater
profit than at prefent* Particular fpots,
under the name of aflarts, w? re allowed to
be cultivated, on certain terms, fo eaj*ly as
the time of Richard the Firft. The annual
rent of an acre fbwn with wheat was efti-
mated at one fliilling ; and the faijqLe quan-
tity {own with barley, p^s, or oats,, at
lix-pence('ze?). The /heriffswere ufually
allowed to make thefc contradbs in their
refpeitive counties, and had the care of col-
lecting the rents. And though in. ancient
times a greater extent of cultivated land
would have been of little fervice to the
prince or people, as increafing only the
number of vaffals, it would at prefent make
an addition to the number of freemen, and
in the lame proportion encourage induftry^
;and enlarge the national commerce. '
Among other grievances complained of
by the hufbandmen in thofe ages, purvey-
. '• ' . ' ' *
^ (w) Gerv. Tilb. p. 394. W. Malmefb. p. 446.
ance
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ance for the nfe of the king and royal f^
mily was not one of the jieaft. Whenever
the king removed from one feat to anpther,
his retinue affumed a right to pillage the
lands of the crown, ^\d fometimcs the
neighbouring country, of all forts of necef*
faries, under a pretence of providing fof
him. Horfes, c^rt^, victuals, and every
thing, that could be of the leafl: ufe, were
feized by his officers ; lind though promife.s
of paynaent were naade, they were feldom
<Aferved. His domeftics too, when fent
upon bufinefs intodiftant parts of the king-
dom, claimed the fame privilege, and de-
n^nded a fupply of provifions wherevfer
they lodged^ and in almoft every town
through which they travelled.: The beft
remedy which the people cpuld apply
againft this evil was, upon notice of the
king's progrefs, to retire, >with -^their ef-
&dis, into the woods, or unto places at a
diftance iirom his .route-(ar). Henry t^e
Firft endeavoured in vain to j^elieve the
people, hy filing the prices of ^ovifioos^
Vol. L Q^ and
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and the prifes of his officers. The cuiloin
continued, with fome mitigations, and was
not entirely abolifhed till fome centuries
after his reign.
All the lands of the fubjefis, under the
Anglo-Saxon government, were liable to
the repair of caftles, as neceffa'ry to tlie
defence of the realm ; but thefe fortiffed
places were not then very numerous. The
Normans found itiieceffary to increafe the
number ; and fdt this reafon called upbn
the people firft to ereft, and then to i-epair
them fyj. Nor did the grievk'ncd reft h*dre.
The keepers of thefe caftles generally pliin-
dered the whole neighbourhood, in order
to fupply themfelves with timber, provi*
lions, arid o:her ftores. This cuftom, like
the other, though fubjeft to fome limita-
• tiori^ by the great charter, was riot totally
laid'afide till the rime of the Stuarts.
If the fubjefts had juft reafon to Com-
. plain of the exadlions of the purveyors and
caftellans, they had equal reafon, in (bme
( inftances, to^ condemn the proceedings of
(j) H, Hunt. p. ii6. H.Knyghton, p. «373«
the
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the (heriffs, as not lefs oppreffive than the
other. When the (herlffs were called upon
to Aftrain the cattle of the farmers^ for
debts due to the crown or fubje6is, they^
* ufed great feverity in the exercife of their
power, and commonly apprail'cd and fold
them at low rates (55). So beneficial was
this branch of their office, that in fome
counties it was cliaimed by an hereditary
right (a). And, to Aggravate the oppreffion
of the people, the fherifFs were allowed,
in travelling through their counties, to take
up their lodgings gratis, wherever they
thought proper ^^^. This grievance was
fo far redrefled, under a fucceedin^ reign,
as to limit the number of horfes and at-
tendants (c). '
If we may conclude from thefe accounts,
that the jurifdiftion exercifed by the kings
over their tenants and fubje(9:$ was iipt fa-
vourable to a due cultivation of the lands,
the barons and great land-owners will not
afford us inftances of better regulations in
(«j? Madox'sHlft, of the Excheq, v. II. p. 196*
(a) Ibid. {h) Id. p. 147.
ic) Ibid. Star. Wcftm. 1. c. 1.
0,2 the
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the managemcat of their eftates^ Ia thb
rc(pefi: they Ibafcely excelled the Aagk>
Sax(»is. Many of their eftates weJre re-
tained In their -own hauds, aiul (locked ^
their ttxpence with villains and cattk uod&r
the direction of their ftewards. The caf-
tles or manfion-houfes of the t^rons wcee
commonly furrounded with • a park, wat-
ren, and gt^vcs, which maintained a gwat
nnmber-t^ cattle ; and com and other pro-
viiions were bpou^t in at Hated tknesj^
their plowmen and terf^ts. Large grana-
ries were buik for layings up the corn, and
veflek or troughs prepared for lalting their
flafh^rbeat, and ftoring it up for uie durio^
the winter.
It has been already obferv^d, that the
•poffeffion of forty hydes of land was re-
quired-to qualify ah Anglo-Saxon for tlie
honour of a thane of the firft rank ; anid
though' the fatoe landed qufilific^tton w&s
not ncceflaiy to entitle aNoitnan to an
icaridom or barony, yet'inany of theim pof-
feffed more ample eftates (d). WilUam
(JJ Madax'j Hifi* of the Excb* t« l» p. 57 ?• .^o*
the
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rile Firft was extremely liberal to Tome of
his attendants, in dividing the fpdils of the
Englifli, and gave them fuch extenfive
trafts df land as- could be of no 4afe, Except
in maintaining a great retinue of followers
ind dependents. And in rude and uiicul-
thrafted ages this isufually the firft fpecies
of luxury, and the only way in which tho
large incomes of the nobility can be con-
fum^. And this was in fome meafure
the cafe of the early Norman nobility. Un^
acquainted with thofe foreign expenfive
commodities and fafliionablc articles, which
exhauft the revenue of the opulent land-
owners in modern times, they were oblig-.
cd to fpend the chief profits of their eftates
in hofpitality, and the maintenance of a
numerous train of followers. And the
want of a foreign market for the principal
products of the Unds, and the cuftom of
receiving a great part of their rents in kind,
enabled them to maintain, on the eafieft
terms,: a retinue of fervants in proportion
to their incomes, and made fuch a mode of
luxury almoft neceflary.
QS ■ The
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The Nortnans, immediately after the
Gonqueft, were obliged to fpread themfelves
over the kingdom, and fettle in every -part
with a company of armed attendants. The
barons and great land^ owners might, iii
this refpeft, be compared to fo many gene-
ral?, who governed their refpedlive dif-
tridts by a military force, and at the fame
4:ime aflbmed the cognizance of ialmoft
every fubjed of difpute among their de-
pendents. Many of their courts were equal
in authority to thofe of the king (e) ; and
though divers attempts were occafionally
made by the crown, for fome reigns after
the Conqueft, to reduce the power of the
nobility ; yet fo little regard was paid to
the benefit or liberty of the fubjefts in this
defign, that they were often obliged to pay
a fine, in order to have their caufes heard
in the king's courts (/). Intereft or pe-
ceffity kept the barons within reafonable
bounds during the reigns of the two Wil-
liams ; but they had no fooner won over
(e) Madox*s Hlft. of the Exch. v. I. p. loy*
'(/) Id. T. L p. 98* 104. 118. X20. 426, 443.
the
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the natives to their party, or deprefled
them beyond a poffibility of reliftance, than
they affutned almoft an unlimited autho-
rity over their tenants and dependents,
Henry the Firft faw the error of his fa-
ther's condud, in making grants of fuch
extenfive territories and powers ; and en-
deavoured in vain to bring about a more
equal diftribution of property. Under fbme
of the fucceeding reigns, the princes were
pbliged to court the affiftance of the barons
againft their rivals to the throne by con-
firming their claims, Thefe conceflions,
indeed, were afterwards commonly revok-
ed; but the barons, fubmitted no longer
than tiil a favourable opportunity offered
to refume them. The policy of fome of
the kings, and the weaknefs of others, kept
the power of the nobility in a flu£luating
ftate, though the ableft princes could not
entirely ravifti it from them, and transfer
it to themfelves. Or if by art or violence
they gained a fuperiority over the barons,
their fucceflbrs were' frequently willing to
grant, for a valuable confideration, or thro*
favour, all the privileges annexed to boc-
0^4 lands,
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lands, undir the Atiglo-Saxon government.
In length of time the nobility had the ad-
drefs to g^t many df their demands con-
firmed by Magna Charta ; and in limiting
the tlaims of the Crown over themfelves,
Mmoft undefignedly laid the foundation of
general liberty* The compofition for nji-
Ktary fervice, called fcutage, the deftruc-
fion of caiiles under Henry the Second, and
the appointment of juftices itinerant, werd
meafures Well calculated fpr depreffing thd
power and martial fpirit of the nobility, if
a fucceffion of foreign and dortieftic wars
had Hot, in iforne meafure,' defeated their
tScGts. Military expeditions, both at home
and abroad, were, however, fo farfervice-
able in difFufmg landed property among
the people, that the barons began to diiP-
pofe of fome part of their eftates, in order
to raife money, to fupport their expences,
though it cannot be fuppoled, that a large
number of additional fre<iholders would be
Created by thefe alienations.
In every country where the hufband-
men conlift chiefly of flaves iand glebe*
tenants, the bvils of a conqueft are riot fo
feverely
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fevcrely felt as where landed property H
more divided, and the freemen are numc-*
rous. For this reafon, though a great
part of the lands was wrefted from thtf
owners, by the conqueror, for the fake of
rewarding his foldiers, yet the tenants of
occupiers were generally permitted to con*
tinue on their farms. They were tranf*
ferred to the viftors, who exacted from
them their accuftomed rents and fervicei,
' or any additional burthens they thought
proper to impofe. And this waS eafily efi
fefted, as all the laws and ufages in thofe
times were,, in a peculiar manner, calcu-
lated for keeping the lower rank of people
in a ft ate of fervility or dependence. T^hc
jurifdiftion which the Englifli thanes exei*-
cifed over their tenants and Vaffals, was
maintained by the Norman barons. They
held their courts. in the fame manner, and
fubje^ted all fuch as.live^ within their li-
berties to many troublefome burthens and
fervices. It would be tedious to relate ail
the petty impofitions pf this kind, though
they had precedents for^moft of them,
under the reigns of the Anglo-Saxon
princes.
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{>riuc6d. Sometimes the tenants were
chimed to grind their com only at their
]ord!s irill, and even to fubmit to the ex-
aftions of his licenfed baker. And the
barons had a more expeditious way of en-
forcing their commands, and recovering
their debts, than by the tedious procefs of
law. They pounded the cattle of defaul-
ters in* the yards of their caftles, and hyr
this means foon obliged the owners tofub-
init to their demands. But, however op-
preffive the petty courts of the lords may
be thought, neceffity almoft enforced their
eftablifliment. The mean and indig ent
ftate of the people, and the * great num-
ber of vaflals fettled upon the lands, re-
quired fome cheap and expeditious mode
of obtaining juftice ; and in moft cafes it is
realbnahlc to fuppofe, that the greater part
pf the perfons who lived within their lord's
juiifdidllon would voluntarily appeal to
him, and fubmit to his decilion. As th^
people grew more independent, they began
to complain of the oppreffions in thefe
courts, and to feek for redrefs in the courts
of .the king ; and the appointment of juf-
tices
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tftres itmerant gradually introduced a more
equal diftribution of juftice, and relieved
the inferior freeholders from many griev-
ances and exactions.
But, whatever regulations might be made
in favour of liberty, the villains, or ferfs,
found no mitigation of their flavery. Some
of them v^ere confidered as attached to the
glebe, and depended, for a fubfiftence and
fettJement, on the will of their mafters ;
and others were liable to be fold, with
only this referve, that they (hould not be
difpofed of to foreigners (g). And though
they were ftill allowed to have a property
in their cattle and goods, yet thefe were
fubjeft to fale for the debts of their maf-
ter, when there was a deficiency in his ef-
fe6ls (/6). So much regard, however, was
paid to the intereft of agriculture, that
oxen for the plough were exempted from
fale, as long as there vvere any other efFeds
to fatisfy the creditor's demand (/). This
~(g) Gerv, Tilb. p. 393* Rog. Hoved, p. 3^3.
(h) Madox's Hift. ofthcExch. v^Ut p. 102.
//•; Oerv, Tilb, p. 438.
was
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Was afterwards fettled by a ftatute ; but (a
little regarded, that it was frequentli^ re*
ilewed (k). The ftatc of the glebe-tenants
was neverthelefs fo far attended to, that
tfidr rights, as well is the claims of their
fliafterS o^er them, We.re, in fome degree,
fettled, and itiade a part of the Englifti ju-
l^fprudencfe for fome centuries.
The difpbfal of the efFeds of inteftates,
ijnder tb^Normans, may be confidered as
d fpeci^' of oppreflion, or at the leaflr a
^reat -difcouragement to induftty. In the
)titne of the Anglo-Saxon government, the
goods of inteftates were ordered, on fbme
occafions, to be divided among the chil-
dren or relations of the deceafed (/^ ; but,
under the early Normans, the king or lord
of the fee aflumed a right to the difpofal of
them(/;7) ; and, as writing was then a rare
accomplifhment, many perfons muft fre-
quently die inteftate, and undefignedly de-
prive their Creditors or relations of the
fruits of their induftry and labour.
(I) 51 Hen. !IT. Stat, iv. Stat. Weft. ii. c. I7«
(/; Lfg.Ang. Sax. p.i44-
(m) Blackftone's Cum. v. U. p. 494*
7 I^»
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If, in civilized ftates, dftffs, equipage^
court- intrigues, or more literal amufer
ments, ufually engage the attention of all
perfons whole circumftances exempt them
irom perfonal labour; among the early
Normans, miUt*iry atchievaments and the
^verfiolis of the chace were the chief em^
ployments of all the independent orders irf"
the people. Many therefore of the te^
nures, by which the lands were held of
the king or barons, were of a military kiud ;
tut in procefs of time the fervices required
by th^m were commuted for money. The
tenure by focage, as the martial fpirit of
the people fubfided, became the moft gene-
ral, and in length of time was found to be
' moft beneficial to the public. But if lands
bdd in focage were free from fome bur-
thens incident to feudal teaures, the own-
ers' pf th^m y/ev0 cpmcoouly fubjejS: to
great exadlions on evepy fucc.eflion. The,
uncertainty of reliefs, on 9 change , of heirs,
was complained of by .the barons, till the
value of them was fixed by the great chair-*
ter ; and though it had -been ufual to re-
' ceiv0
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ceivc a year*s profit, and fbmetimes only
an heriot, on the fucceffion to focagc-lands,
yet the fuperior lord commonly kept the
terms of admiffion uncertain, in order to
ejrtort money from the - heir («) j and for
this rcafon lands held by this tenure were,
in general, of no greater value, than copy-
lK)ld lands at prefent, when the fine iaun-
xrertain.
1 he frequency of the famines in thofe
ages affords undeniable proofs of the low
(late of hulbandry, and poverty of the far-
mers. Thefe exceffive dearths, which
fwept away a great number of people, are
.ibmetimrs afcribed, by the hiftorians of
thofe times, to the exorbitant taxes levied
:0a the land-holders, to the exadtions of the
^purveyors and officers of the crown, and
jfometimes to a more probable caufe, the
,wel;nefs of the feafons. This has been
. at all times, in England, the principal caufe
of the fcarcity of grain, except when oc-
^ cafioned by too large an export. Repxarks
,]^ave been made in (bme countries^ that,
. whet) particular fprings break ou|:, a dearth
^ {n) Dalfymple on Feudal Property, p, 58.
or
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or fcanty harveft enfues. This cbferva*
tion ts generally placed among the idle
prophecies founded on the appearance of a
comet, mock-fun, or other unufual phae*
nomenon, though it is built on a better
foundation. Rainy feafons were equally
the caufes of thefe extraordinary fprings,
and of the fcarcity of grain which com-
monly followed (o).
The miferable ftate of the occupiers of
the lands, and the fmallnefs of their farms,
will not permit us to imagine, that- a pro-
per provifion could be made for a fcanty
harveft. Like the flaves or vaffals in other
countries, their principal care extended no
.farther than to fupply their own immediate
wants, and the demands of their land-
lords. In times of great plenty, the price
of grain was immoderately low, as very
little was exported ; and during a fcarcity,
it was exceflively high : both of which are
equally pernicious to hufbandry.. So littl?
provilion was made for unfavourable fea*
fons, or even againft a fevere winter, that
(f) Camd. Bdun. p« 741. 748,
a great
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( ^4o )
a great part of the cattle ufually peri(he4
at thefe times. Many of the (hecpi, mr
deed, furvived, as more care was generally
Jbeftowed upon them than other cattlq.
They were commonly kfept in barns, oyr
fmall inclofures, in the nights during the
winter, either to prevent them from being
ilole;i, or to improve the quality of the
wool, which was beginning to be thp
riclieft article of the Englifli commerce.
,A|id it is not unlikely, but the increaled
pumber of (heep, for the fake of traffic in
•their wool, might help to difcograge til-
lage, and bring on thofe grievous famii^s,
which feem to have been more frequent
liian in fornaer ages. The land-owners,
finding greater benefits from their flocks
of fheep than raifing corn, converged maoj^
of their tillage-lands into paftures, and gra-
dually diminiflied the quantity of grain.
And as fewer perfons were required to at-
tend the. flocks of fheep than to till the
lands, the number of formers and cottagers
would be feniibly reduced. Some advan-
tages, however, arofe from this change, in
the appli?»tiQft pf th? lan<fe. J^apy of the
vil-
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by Google
( 24l' )
kins were abandoned, or fet at liberty,
on eafy terms, as no longer fo profitable
to their mafterS as in preceding ages.
Under the government of th.e Anglo-Sax-
ons, when the export of wool was incon-
fiJerable, and tillage encouraged by every
land dwner, the ferfs and inferior tenants
were ufeful,^ and even neceuary :' but, as
pafturage increafed, their nufcnber was re-
duced, and many of them began to be
coniidered as burdenfdme, rather than pro-
fitable to their landlords. And this may
be one reafon why the number of freemen
gradually increafed from the time of the
Conqueft. The Normans, finding many
of the glebe tenants fettled in their i*na-
nors to be in fbme meafure ufelefs, by the
declining ftatet>f tillage, and perhaps un-
williiig to afford them fubfiftence any
longer, might be induced to emancipate
them in their o\yn relief, or to offer them
liberty on very moderate terms.-
From the union between Normandy and
England after the Conqueft, and the ac*
ceflions of territory, which were made by
fuccecding kings, it might have been ex-
^ Vot. I. R peeled.
Digitized
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pcfted, that fome advantages would have
accrued to both countries, by an exchange
of each other's products : but, excepting
wines, thefe were too much alike to lay
the foundation of a projitable traffic be-
tween them. If proper encouragement
had been given to trade, the lands would
have felt the influence by an advance of
their rents, and a more induftrious cul-
ture. Nor is it poflible, in many cafes,
that the lands fhould make the moft pro-
fitable returns, or be cultivated to their
full extent, without permitting a free and
la^e export of their products. The fuper-
fluous commodities of one country may
bear /a confiderable price in another ; and
thi/, in return, may have other goods to
give in exchange, to their mutual advan-
^tage. The timber of the Northern, and
the wines of the Southern parts of Europe,
owe their value, in a great meafure, to the
demands of other countries, and withovit
permitting their export would be almoft
ufelefs to the natives. This is now fo well
underftood, that every European nation is
endeavouring to gain the advantage of each
other,
Digitized
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( ^43 )
otW, by exchanging fuch commodities as
employ the greateft number of hands to fit
them for ufe, for raw and unwrought ma-
terials. In thofe early ages this policy was
Httle underftopd. It feemedonly neceflary
for the purpofe of commerce to make an
exchange of goods, without attending to
the number of workmen they employed.
Wool was exchanged with the Flemings
for cloth ; and it may be thought remark-
able, that the firft advance of the value of
lai)ds, and the richeft branch of trade,
(hould be owing to the export of a com*
modity that tended to depopulate the
country, to diminiih tillage, and make the
nation almoft tributary to foreigners for one
of the OToft neceflary articles of life.
A mercantile people would have en*
deavoured to turn the native commodities
of a conquered country to advantage, by
encouraging their e?fport, and augmenting
their quantity ; but the Normans were little
fuperior to the Engliih in thofe arts and
improvements of Hie, which give birth
and fupport to manuftifturv^s and com-
R 2 merce.
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merce. The reproach of drunkennefs,
charged on the Englifli, was, in a few years,
applicable to the Normans, who, like other
conquerors, adopted the vices of the van-
qu idled. They were, neverthelefs, in feme
refpe£ts, fuperior to the Engliih. They
built more fumptuous houfes, and affefted
greater elegance in their drefs, furniture,
and manners (/>). The nobility, fpending
their time chiefly \u their caftles and coun-
try-houfes, and converfing little with each
other, had all that decency and politenefs
which confift in ceremony and form, and
all the refpeft which can be created by a
numerous rethiue of fervants. Qualities
of this kind contributed little to the ad-
vancement of foreign or domeftic trade.
The military tenure, by which moft of the
lands were held, and the conftant feuds
among- a factious and turbulent nobility,
muft unavoidably prevent many perfons in
opulent circumiianccs from giving a proper
attention to arts and commerce ; and the
{/>J VV. Malmtfb. p. ((7. H* Knyghton, p. ^369,
Cbron. Brompt. p. 95 3 •
cuftom
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cuftom of retaining a numerous train of
fervants muft difqualify naany of the lower
clafs of people for more ufeful fervices and
perfonal labour. If we except the barons,
clergy, and a few others, the remauider of
the people was held in fuch a ftate of vaf-
falage and dependence, that it was not in
their power to encourage the artift . and
manufadlurer. Though fome of the Nor-
mans are faid to have been fond of agri-
culture fq)^ yet the care of the lands, and
many of the mechanical arts, were ufually
referred to the villains, or to thofe who
were fcarcely raifed above the condition of
flaves. The arts, indeed, as before obferv-
ed, had flouriftied in Greece ; and hufban-
dry had been fuccefsfully carried on in Ita-
ly, and other countries, under the care of
flaves ; but they were directed by mailers
who thought them worthy of attention.
On the other hand, the Englifli and Nor-
man gentry held all manual occupations in
the loweft eftimation ; and looked upon ig-
norance in many ufeful arts as an honour
to their rank and charafter.
{q) Ingulph. Hid. p. 77.
R3 The
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The barons and prelates" affected great
^pomp, and thought it neceflary to their
grandeur to be furrounded by a numerous
compnhy of fervants and attendants, which
they maintained in great fplendor. Becket*8
retinue of knights and dependents is not
taken notice of by hiftorians, on^countof
its fingularit}'' ; fincc every other perfon of
diftinttlon commonly maintained as many
as his circumftances enabled him to fup-
port. Among thefe fome degree of ele-
gance in apparel might prevail ; but many
of them were unable to fupport their
knighthood by an adequate fortune; and
their demands were too fmall to improve
the ancient manufadures, by encouraging
the workmen to greater induftry and ex-
ceilenQe. It can give us no favourable
idea of the ufeful luxury of thofe tiitleS to
be told, that the rooms of Becket's palace
were covered with rufhes in the fummer,
and with ftraw or hay in the winterer).
Nor was the furniture of the king*s bed-
chamber lefs extraordinary. His bed was
(r) Madp-%'s HilK of ihe Exch vpl. II. p. 511.
ulually
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( ^47 )
ufually fluffed with ftraw ; and fome lands
were held on the condition of finding clean
ftraw for his ufe, when he refided at a
particular houfe (i). The monaftics, in-
deed, foon after the Conqueft, began to
complain of the luxury of the times ; but
their declamations were principally levelled
againft wearing piqued (hoes and long hair :
falhioiis, like many others, that might be
very troublefome, and at the fame time
ulelefs towards promoting the intereft of
trade. To (hew the prevalence and dura-
tion of fa(hion, it may be obferved, that
the cuftom of wearing piqued (hoes con-
tinued in ufe till the reign of, Edward the
Fourth, when their length was limited by
a ftatute (/). If there was any thing of
our own manufafture, that deferved the
name of luxury, it was the needleworks
of thofe times. Many of thefe were de-
figned for making the copes and veftments
of the clergy, or for adorning the (brines
and altars in the convents and churches.
(/; Chron. Wykes, p. 43. Camd. Brit, v. I. p. 551.
(/) 4 Edw. IV. G. 8.
R 4 London
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( mS )
London was fb famous for works of: this
kind, that they were requefted as prefents
by one of the popes (u). But they were
too much limited in their ufe to becomei
objedts of national importance as articles
of coniimerce. The trade of the nation,
excepting the export of wool, continued
nearly in the fame ftate as under tlic
Anglo-Saxons. No new arts or ikill ia
manufaftures were imported by. the Nor-
mans ; and no addition was made to the
liberty of the fubjefls, which might tempt
them to exert genius and induftry, an4
enable them, by the returns pf their la-
bours, to promote trade by the confump-
tion of native and foreign commodities.
The invafions of the Danes had obliged
the Englifli to form a navy ; and WilHam
the Firft, as weU to repel the invaders as
to tranfport trgops into his foreign domi-
nions, had a confiderable fleet, a part of
which might-occafionally be employed ii\
conveying . merchandlfe into other coun-
tries. Corn was Ibmetimes exported to -
(u) Malt. Paris, p. 705.
France
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by Google
( 249 . )
"France and other ftates; but. the <Iemand
for it abroad was not conftant, nor could
leave be always obtained to export it. Ri-
chard the Firft ordered the fea-ports to be
guarded for a time, that it rnight not be
fent abroad, and commanded the maftcrs.
of five fliips at Valeri to be hanged, for ex-
porting it without his leave (^w^ Nor
was the quantity of leather, or Ikins, ib
large as to employ a great number of vef-
fels. Wool was an article of the greateft
value, and for fome centuries after the Con-
queft was continually increafing in quan-
tity and prlce^ . The ranfom-money of
Richard the Firft was, in part, raifed from
the lale of this article ; and the people had
fcarcely any other commodity that was in,
demand amongft foreigners. Though the
export of this ufeful material may be
thought, in' modern times,, to have been
an iili|K>litiQ meafure, by difcouraging til-
lage and population, it ferved in thofe ages
to give' in exchange for foreign goods, and
advanced the value of landed property.
(w) Rad. de Diccto, p. 696. CKroru Broippt. p. 127^.
And
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And as fkilful workmen were then wanting
to manufaiShire it, if it had not .been ex-
ported, it would have been almoft ufelefs to
the fubjeSs.
The Flemings, who were driven out of
riieir own country by an inundation, and
retired into England in the time of Henry
the Firft, might have been extremely ufe-
fill to the natives, by their flcill in fome
branches of the woollen manufafture, if
they had been employed to inftruft them.
They muft have been numerous, as they
were removed from the North to the bor-
ders of Wales, in order to form a barrier
againft the incurfions of the Welch ; and
they acquitted themfelves fo well in the
capacity of Ibldiers and merchants as to
become fubjefts of pzncgjric {x). They
would have been much more ferviceaWe, if
they bad been employed to improve the
£ngli(h in the art of weaving ; or, at leaft,
if they had been placed in a (ituation where
they might have communicated their fltill,
and difpofed of tbcir goods with greater
ix) <5ir. Carob. Irin. Wal. p* 848* W.Mateicft. p. 89.
3 eafe
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eafe than in a remote corner of the iflaod,
in which they Were liabie to inceffant in*
terruptions from their fierce neighbours ;
but the benefits of trade wfere imperfectly
*undeTflood, or (lightly attended to by the
princes or their fubjc£ls.
In every country where honour and re-
ipect are annexed only to the profeffion ot
arms, trade will be looked upon as dif-
graceful to the gentry, and configned to
Jews, ufurers, and the loweft of the peo-
ple (y). And, if commerce had been a
more creditable employment, it could not
flourish tinder the arbitrary exaftions of the
monarchs of thofe times, who afiumed a
fovereign jurifdiftion over all its branches,
and frequently feized the merchandrfe of
the fubjcfts or aliens without diftinftion.
The duties or cuftoms levied on goods im-
ported or exported were, fof fome time aftfer
the Conqueft, in a great meafure undeter-
mined^, and collerfled by officers, who
fometimes plundered, inftead of prote^iilg
the merchants. Through intereft or bribes,
g licence to trade might be obtained from
/>; Gerv. Tilb. p. 436.
the
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the crown by particular perfohs; and if
a few were enriched by the grant, the in-
duftry of others was proportionably dis-
couraged. So far was commerce thought
to be at the difpofal of the king, or under
the controul of his officers, that it was
dangerous to intermeddle in any of' its
branches without having obtained leave, by
a fine or a prefcnt. Lvery privilege rela-
tive to trade was expofed to fale, and might
be obtained for a valuable confideration.
And traffic, even in the moft neceflary at;^
tides, was under great reftridlions. The
people were compelled to pay a fine for
leave to export corn, leather, cheefe, or
any other commodity ; to remove corn
from one county to another ; to fell dyed
cloth, or to fait fi(h in a particular man-
ner (2:). The king^s officers were feldom
to be approached by the fubjefts 'without
a prefent in their hands, though this was
Ibmetimes extremely trifling. When no-
thing of greater value could be extorted,
they ftooped to receive an hawk, hound, or
(z) Madox's Hid. of the Exch. v. I. p. 3. 46. 470.
a few
Digitized
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( ^53 )
^ few fowls, for granting what juftice and
public utility required.
As little intercourfe was kept up between
the feveral nations of Europe, and afts of
piracy and robbery were frequent, flrangers
were commonly received with marks of
jfealoufy, and feldom permitted to vifit the
interior counties, except at the time of a
fair. If any foreign merchants reforted to
England at thefe feafons, their refidence
was ufually limited to forty days (/?). A
longer refidence would have been equally
dangerous to their perfons and property, by
the jurifdidion or powers which the crown
or barons exercifed over all Grangers who
lived within their territories. And when
the borough- towns became more nume-
rous, and the tolls or cuftoms were farmed
by the inhabitants, every tradefman, whe-
ther a native or alien, if he was not ad-
mitted to his freedom, was liable to expul-
lion, or to grievous exadlions by the bur-
gefles. Thefe regulations of trade, if they
deferve the name, feem to be calculated
rather to deprefs than encourage the ipirit
(a) Parliam. Hlfl. v. II. p. 198.
of
Digitized
by Google
( ^54 )
9f commerce, and could aulwer no other
end than to form monopojies deftru<3:ive of
its progrefs, or to make it unprofitable to
the greateft part of the people.
Almoft all the laws and cuftoms, which
had been introduced by the Anglo-Saxons
for regulating domeftic trade, continued in
force after the fettlement of the Normans*
Nothing was allowed to be fold above the
value of four-pence, except in cities, bo^
roughs, and fairs, under a preten<?e of pre-
venting theft and frauds, but rather with
^ view to coUeil the tolls (b). Even the
butchers were not allowed to fell their
meat in any other places (c). Nor were
any cloths, except black, permitted to be
dyed but only in cities and boroughs (dj^
When the merchants conveyed their goods
to any markets in the inland counties,
they were inceflantly fwbjefl: to «xa£lions
for paffing bridges, forefts, and other pri«
vil^ed places ; and when th^y expofed
(h) I-eg. Ai^. Saif . p. 2 2f6. H, Hunt, p. 547.
(c) Up Hunt, p. 343. 347.
(J) Mau Paris, p. 191. H. Hunt. p. 440.
thcra
Digitized
by Google
( ^55 )
them to fale, they were obliged to fubmit
to a variety of cuftomary tolls. Thefe are
enumerated, with great exadiiefs, in (bme
antient charters, and ferve to (hew for
what reafons the barons and others fbli-
cited thefe grants from the crown. As
long as the market-towns were few, and
little frequented, and the trade of the na-
tion was carried on chiefly at fairs, the tolls
at fuch times might amount to a confider-
able fum ; but at prefent, by the alterations
in trade, and the decreafed value of money^
they are become trifling, and the payment
of them rather troublefome than oppreffive
to the fubjefts.
The credit of every perfbn concerned in
trade muft unavoidably have been low, on
account of the fcarcity of money, the high
rate of" intereft, and the extreme difficulty
of giving proper {ecurity for the payment
of debts or goods. Moft landed eftates
could not be alienated or transferred with-
out great trouble ; and the fmall parcels
of lands pofieffed by the inferior freemen
were fubjeft to fuch a variety of fervices
and demands as to be almoft ufelefs for the
pay-
Digitized
by Google
( 256 )
payment of creditors. It frequently hap-
pened, that no mon^y tould be borrowed
upon them, nor an alienation made, with-
out the leave of the fuperlor ; and this
could feldom be obtained without the pay-
ment of a fine. For this reafbii, the cre-
dit of every merchant/vvas chiefly confined
to his capital ftock ; and that of the buyers,
to the ready money they were able to pro-
duce: and, from the great fcarcity of cafli,
and the general poverty of the people, the
credit of both muft have been too low to
carry on an extended commerce.
If, however, trade laboured under thefe,
and other difcouragerrients, it kept gradu-
ally increafing from the time of the Cou-
qutft. The Saxons and Danes, after their
fettlement in Britain, maintained a con-
ftant or occafional correfpondence with the
inhabitants, of the North, which was not^
entirely loft after the arrival of the Nor-
rn;ins. The furs and hawks, which were
imported from Norway and the Northerh
regions, and the grain exported thither,
afford an evidence, that thefecoun tries were
vifited by the Englifh ; and it is not un-
likely
5
Digitized by ClOOgIC
( ^57 )
likfely but dried fiih was brought from
thence in exchange, as this was the chief
article of their commerce. Timber, and'
nlmoft all other commodities that now
fupporl the trade with the Northern, ftates,
were, in thofe times, almoft equally plen-
tiful in England. But on whatever account
this correfpondence was kept up, all the
coafts of the Mediterranean were unknown
to the Englilh feamen. The connexion
with the fee of Rome was on a religious
account ; and thofe who reforted thither
ufually pafied through France ; and all the
commodities which the Englifti received
from the mercantile ftates of Italy were
imported by the merchants of Florence, or
other foreigners, or conveyed through
France, In the time of the Crufades, con-
nexions were formed with Italian mer-
chants, who, on this account, might be
induced to fend larger quantities of goods
to the Weftern parts of Europe ; and thp*
thefe romantic expeditions cannot be d^
fended on the views of policy and utility,
they were nevcrthelefs produftive of fon^e
benefits in exchange for the treafure they
V^OL. 1. S ex*
Digitized
by Google
C *5a >
exhaufted. They allayed, for a tlmci^ tBe
domeftic broils fo frequent ia tbofe ages^,
aud introduced a more liberal intercourfe
between the feveral nations of Europe. Be-
fore the time of thefe expeditions, every
petty ftate on the continent was fo mucb
engaged in f»pprefling the fadioQs whicEl
Wefe inceflantly breaking out atDoogft thet
nobility, or fo unconcerned aboat the £sitc
or fortunes of the bordering countries, that
there were the flighteft eommemal or poll*
tical connexions formed betwixt thenie
The mutual interefts of trade- between re*
-mote, or even neighbouring nations, were
fcarcely attended to ; nor were tlie oppref-
fion or ill treatment of the fiafc^fts of any
piince in a foreign^ country always thought
worthy of refentment, except when it was^
in his power to retaliate, and thereby pre-
vent all future correfpondence. The princes
of thofe times looked upon themfelves, by
a kind of mutual confent, as poffeffing zn
ablblute comfnand over all ftrangers whc^
refided within their territories, except at
the time of a mart, and confidered every
"^ privilege
Digitized
by Google
( *59 )
jwiftice, a#)fpwkj;if*rwr83 j-^1^ t^rrispfci^
thc./diftributioii, j^l" .<ftUi^tFte$ intp fipali
prill dpaKtws^ might ^ probably be th? rea-
«rs* :Iq aricikit ^m€;$# ;;e!/^,«>untJrytjjitft
emerging frooaibairbaiifno, .anddivubd ibto
fmall cantons^ was commonly mrfcd^ fan
the iuholpitable manners of the inhabit
t^fitdv Italy had fcnrixifirly dbeon broken
into little ipec^peudeiit :^t% whwhcm^dfi
tjcavelliiig, daiigdtous>\au4:.previesji^d jfhrf
refort of ftrangprs .(^), .So that the free
iiitercourlie, which now fubfifts het.weert
the fe¥«ral inatipfast <Qf. ^mofe^Ajif^J^
afcribed^ afooDcg) othtr pattfc^^ tic> ^iie -a^^
litbn of the tarnt^vid^iK^'fOii fe^jefcii^fei
by the petty ^princes a^d riob^icy. By the
aid of comoierce^. a.od th^ , ^coniii^dions
formed on that acfiwrtji gvfr3f jifw ant
and improvement* i^ Iifej^ra4p41y' m?ko
ihcir way intQj!)tber countrief,T,^4 enrich
them as v<^eU as the iaventorst , An.d tho*
(0 LiviiHift. i.i. c.i^ ' \ ''
Digitized
by Google
( ^^ )
had^bc Attained td that dtgiwi of fldll ift;
feaftufeAwres," krts, abd ' : fciencci wBiicli
the^ afterwards pbfl^ifed; yet tliey were
m-theie refpe^St^ gi^eitly fup^iar to thq
Blfglith^ Ftendb, and'Geritiaas, evirho m^bt
fk^'^^tott&w^mzay ufefiyd: iuvciitioa^^
ftodi fccce:\5erf ftour thcminftructipns mrHn
ttcitature mild government. But the b^ne^
fiicial effects of thi$ intercourfej with fo-
m^ers ^wccb ';iot iio^.vilible iaiEngiaod^
ahd^od>6r^ N^nfaei^niicduntries^r ai mt^b^
hate -btiiftv ^€ii]^tSted. .: No. marine was
formed,' no new dif^overies in arts or
knowledge, nor any improvements in ma-
MfaigtiHrea; v^^6imj^rt^%theCrardders*
A^6r^«heir return^ tiiey/ijpnteate^ thJem^
Mvei with the Faitt^iof thair prcmrefs, and
perriiieted the ftbi^^s of Itajy to ^eap the
chief benefits of their expeditions. Thefe
Si^Ti^'ffbrA thd adve«i**irefs Immenfe fums
of^HTontfjH fbr'ftic^f pa^ge; and theiv took
tefie feW^antages ef 'tl>ei T?ho*
the kings RicKard and lidward had au op-
portunity of forming cpmmercial connec-
tiMS with the Greeks and" Italians, fome
cen-
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< ^^ 'J)
fceitfurks elapfai. fbeforc^ aiigr: Bngli(k:finer«
chaiita fent tradmg vdJcbiinto the Mediir
terrapean* ^ *4< . ^ .. - ;hi 3
-> PertwfS: the- grea*eft advant^iges ^oriwli
fifomth^lGriifaidcs Avere-otvirig to' the affi^
tamte Iwhick: ' th«y : .gave m- ' fediKing the
Wealth and power r of the barons and gei:^^
tir)^, .wh6 ^ere ofbltgedUo alienate jtheir
Jand^, w ord^r torraile money forhthfibr
maintedance abitead, apdridiQrcby'^fiffiSifed
firoperty liBore ^ Equally .among the^/peo>
pie jTS'*' The 'alienation of lands^'^aefcofdJ-
ing to thfe feudal fyftem, ^was extremeff
diffictlt. ' Some faperibr brd 'had^Wudlly
a claim aip^n 'the "eftslfe of evefy^'iitftrior
freeholder J and hFs cdnfent \a' exchange
tenants could not alwiays'be e'afily obtaifieil.
On bccafioh of the Crufades/ leave^^was
comfnphly given hy the fuperior to'alienate
-..V „i^j-:._.. ^1 ,' ^^^^ thpiign the pre.-
5, both in' EhgUnd' and
oh nioderate termaj
lates ahd monaftics
. i ' S3 gainers,
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gamertft ^S^t^ d^gcdl thesr reteBooi :Attd
powbr J>5r pwchliwg the ;eflat»i of iha
Crufa^lers, yet it'may be juftly pTefuiti^dy
ftmottierpetfotw nil slower cirGamftaHccs
Would Uke the foeneStof theie jofficb^ ami
pkc^ tbemfelves in^het irdmber of feee^
holders* In England^ the ktngs were the
greiaPteft ftilfercrs' by tbcfc evpeditiorvs. Ri*
ichdfd :the Pirft mortgaged his revenue^
and'fbldta great rpart' of the ancient de^
tnefhesof thecrowiriand^tbcwigh ijc aften-
^rd$. endeavoured to rcfume/them, ytt
If ihoiild fe^m , without {v^^i^ Johni,
|tis fucceifijrj bjf hi^owf^ |MrOife(io»; pi^ tllp
fliea?tioa$ laaa^ Jjy; ^i&^^r9tb6if, ;Wa^ i^
iwcb aeedy f ircJHnftances ja?; to ^ obl^ed
to have recourfe to the- contributions of liis
/ubjeds, rVhp wpf^ always unwiHing tp
grant, thpni . withputf , fpBfi^e epnceiiiQ^^ i^
their f^yovr, ?t^)e far^eAau^ ittoft.popur
Joufe tdwnsti^ronging to tjiQ crown were
generally ready^ by d' joint colleftion, to
purchrfefomte new privilege or immunity j
iiid' theiklti^ was dually ready to grant it
on tl^ejr^QWJ^ jterxx?^,^T^^ C^iftwe
ma^ attribute the creation of ^ groM'bum-
. ' 'itv" ^ '- ber
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( ^(>3 )
%er of boroughs, and the improved ftatc of
the inhabitants, which gradually followed.
After the arrival of the Normans, the
few privileges which the nM;>ft favoured
i>oroughs poffefled were either wrefted
from them, or looked upon to be at the
idifpofaliof the viftors. William the Firft
confirmed the charter of the Londoners;
and, by declaring them to be law- worthy^
and permictkag their children to fucceed to
their eftates and effects, cftabltfhed all the
rights they had formerly pofft(icd(g).
During the ikcceeding reigns, the niraibcr
«f boroughs and corporate towns was in-
creafed, and their privileges enlarged, till
an the time of Johu alnw^ft every coniider-
able town belonging to the cxown obtained
the frauchifes of a borough l^ gift or pur-
chafe* Maiiy -^f thefe privvileges appear at
prefent to be extremely trifling ; but they
were in thofe times of great ufe, and even
oeceflary ^to the encouragement of trade :
afterwards they were converted into mono*
polies, and by the exciufiye rights which
(g) Brady on Barghs, p, 2^.
S 4 ' the
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( 264 )
the burgcffes poffeflcd or aflumed, inter*
rupted its progrcfs. The moft valuable
privileges belonging ta the inhabitants of
the boroughs was that of appointing their
own officers, and of fanning the tolls and
revenues of their towns at a certain fum.
This being fixed, fome limitations were
put on the arbitrary exadlions of the crown;
and the rent remaining witliout variation,
In a courfe of time, by the decreafuig va-
lue of money, it became very triflittg.
From this aera, a fpirit of induftry began
to diffufe itfelf in the4>oroughs, and pre-
pared the way for a more firee and extend-
ed commerce. Something iimilar, though
on a n>ore eivlarged plan, had taken place
in other countries. The lawlefs exa<9:ions
of princes in thofe ages contributed to the
. rife of the Hanfe towns, and threw almoft
every lucrative branch of trade into their
power. . Forming themfelves Into a kind
of republics, and fixing the duties and im^
pofts on every mercantile commodity, they
led the inhabitants to induftry, under an
affurance of receiving its rewards ; while
the
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the fubjcds of other ftates, where the fame
ufeful regulations were not eftabh'fhed, la-
boured under every difficulty and oppref-
fion that could embarrafs or ruia com-
4nerce.
^ Amidft, however, all the difcourage-
meiits to trade, fome regard was paid to
the manufacture of woollen goods. Gfilds
of weavers were formed under Henry the
Second in London and other places (A)^ ;
and though it may be fuppofed, that the
workmen were neither very numerous, nor
expert in their bufinefs, yet they ferved to
keep np the little (kill in the manuf^u^e
of cloth which they then poflefled, and
prevented it from being entirely loft. The
gilds or companies might be diffolved, and
the workmen difperfed, in the confufions
that followed his reign ; but the art of
weaving would be fo far retained, as to
fuppty the common people with coarfe
cloth. And there is no reafbn to doubt,
but that weavers were to be found in moft
counties, who fupplied the neighbouring
(h) Halt's Prim, Orig. p. i6i.
inhabitants
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inhabitants with their manufaAures, tho*
too few ia number, in moft placc^ to bfe
formed intogild^.
It is not eafy to conje5:ure on what pre-
tence cloth made of Spanifli wool was or-
dered by Henry the Second to be bjurnt.
As it can fcarcely be iuppofed, that Eng-
tiih wool was dearer, or eveii equal in fine-
nefs, to fuch Spaniik wool aa would be
imported, it may be prefumed the king
was willing to encour^e the manufadure
of our own wool. There is no reafcm to
believe, that our wool was at that tin»
finer than at prefent. A much greater
quantity of coarie than of fine cloths was
jrcquired for domcftic ufe, on account of
the general poverty of the people ; and the
fincft parts of our owa wool might fup-
ply a fufficient quantity for the cloaths
that were worn by the gentry.
The plundering of the monafteries feems,
<m the firft view, to have promifed ibme
advantages to trade and hufbandly, by
ipreading the riches deposited there among
the people, and making them ufeful to the
public. The writers of thofe times have
taken
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( a«7 )
taken care to inform us, with eviny ctr-<
cumftance 6( aggravation, how cruelly the
mcmaAics were treated by William the
Firft, aiid what immenfc fums were ga-
thered from the plunder of the monafte-*-
ties, ' The fuperftition of thofe timesi
though its influence was powerful^ was
not able to reftrahi bis avidity, when it
ftood in the way of his intereft or am*
bition- ' He coiifidered the monafteries ^
the chief feminaries of rebellion, where
plots would be formed for difturbing hi^
govtfritneptj and whofe riches w^ould be
chearfully expended iii this fervice. But,
befkles th« nimiey which was the pro*
perty of the monaftics, he feized fuch ef-
fefts of the fubjefts as had been depofited
there foi* fafety, though juftice required
that a diftinftion ihould have been made
betwixt them (^/. If thefe riches could
^ have been difperfed among the people, and
brought into currency, a great addition
would have been made to the trading ftock
of .the nation. But on many accounts the
&• Dtvielm* p« 296» 96/.
' 7 rich
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( ^«J8 )
rich fpmlsof the ^onaflerifis meodof (li^t
fervice to the jpublic. The occupiers . of
lands, the traddlmen, and manufa^urerS)
were held in fuch a ftatc of vaffakge,, *that
• they cauld. not 1 feeLthe efFeds of thii addn
tional wealth. The price of provifions
and other commodities remaiaiu^ the
fame, the price of libour would keep pace
with it ; and until thefe obtain in advanced
value, ho additioia can be made to the cafli
in circulation by the influx of nipuriy, ei*
cept by iacreafing the number of inhabi-
tants. As long as the greateft part of the
people, was dcprivsed of liberty, and aljnpfl^
of property, it was of. lit^Jp njipn^oCi tp
them, .whether tjie riches of ;the Ireligipujs
remained in the mon,afterie^, or ^ere re^
moved into the chefts of the king or-bk
officers.. The greateft; advantage accruing
to the fubje<5ts' ffona thefe fppils was^, that
jJiey were relieved from extraordinary leyjes
,to the king. Having a great number of
mercenary troops to reward^ and recjuirin^
fupplies/or carrying 5)j^j^ his dci^ps^ujjp^i
the continent, William the Firft employed
them in thefe ufes ;^fotr which reafb/i si Very
' \ flender
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( ^9 )
illbndBr. Edition ^^as made to the natumal
currency.
The religious houfes^ bjr accumulating
wealth, as it gradually flowed into the na-
tion by commerce, or the acquifitions of
induflxy, helped to kc^p the pric^ of la-
bour, provifions, and all the produds of
the lands, nearly on an equality, for a long
period of timc*^ In, ibme ancieqt ftatesji^
where the people enjoyed a greater fhare of
liberty, and thejlr conimercc was more ex-
tended, a like effeft was produced from a
paufenpt very diflimilan Some of the
Greek and Afiatic Hates locked up a great
part of the public revenues in their trea-
furies, and referved it for particular exi-
gences : keeping by this meaus nearly an
equal quantity of money in circulation,
although the trade "of the inhabitants con-
ftantly increafed, the rates of labour and
provifions continued almoft the fartie. The
bullion that Is brought in by commerce
or acquired from mines in modern times,
l)y entering into circulation, has reduced
the value' of inafifey ; or, what is the fame
thing, it has nominally advanced the price
*•'-' of
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( *r> )
of hbonr^ provifionBt ^fxd laxicISi But Aab
efieds are owing not fo much to this atci^
Rental infliix of .W6alth> as to thiK fme ind
koproved flafie of the peoj^e^ and the ^kw
^on of vaflalage in aknoft every part ol
Europe, Wherever the fubjefts in genefid
are held in a ftate<if iervitude, the natio©^
riches, or the ca(h in drculattdh, muft be
much fmallcr than in countries where
tlie fireenKn are more numerous, and ^r-
mitted to enjoy the fruits of therrinduftry.
For thefe reafons, the fpoils of the monaf-
teries made a lefs addition to thd public
currency, and bad a lefs inftuenxJe On the
value of lands and their produdts, than a
proportional quantity would have in the
prefent age. And for thef fame reafons it
is doubtful, whether the. riches which axe
lodged in the cl^urch?s and monafteries of
fame Eyrapean ftatcs, if they were icized
by their refpedive princes, and applied to
public ufes, would nt>t in a ^w years diC*
app^r, without making a feijiible addition
to the Wealth of the fubje<5«f The valup
of lauds, and all thif articles depending
upon
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^pon t&em, tnuft be augmented, before
thefe additional riches could be retained in
the nation, and circulate among the peo*
pie. And this event cannot be cjqpcQed^
without adding to the freedom and indiii^
try of the fubjcifVs, and enlai^ng, as well
as fecuring, the perfonal property of every
iudividuaL
If the expenfive ofnaments or occafkynal
donatives to the churches and convents dt
verted money from the courfe of trade, aod
thereby made it in forae meafure n&lefs,
the landed acquifitions of the cle^y and
religious were almoij equally pernicious ;
and after the firft flbock of the Conqueft
thefe were continually increafing* In ereiy
commercial ftate, afts of mortmain are in
ibme degree necefiary. Trade can ieldom
be carried to its utmoft extent without
almoft an unlimited freedom to alienate
landed property, ajid convert it into monejr
for |he payment of debts. The credit of
the merchants and fubje<a:s in general is
enlarged in proportion to their eftates, aad
the facility with which an alienation can
be made. Every reftraint therefore on the
iak
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( ^72 )
fale of lands muft operate updn trade, and
interrupt its progrefs and extent* But as
aimoft all other lands, as well as thofe be-
longing,to the clergy, and monaftics, were
equalty unalienable, and the trade of the
nation was extremely low, the pernicious
efiefts of thefe landed endowments were
not fenlibly felt. In length of time, {omt
iimitati6ns were put on the acquifitions of
•the^ clergy, but rather with a view to re-
prefs and abridge their power, than to- en-
large the credit of the merchant, or the
trade of the nation.
Whatever reafons the ecclefiaftics might
have to complain of the depredations com-
mitted upon their eftates by the Normans,
they loon recovered their lofles, and in a
few years after the Conqueft became almoft
as opulent and powerful as in the time of
Edward the Confeffor. The princes and
churchmen in other countries, by fupplying
the Crufaders with money for their journey
ihto the Eaft, gained the pofleffion of con-
liderable eftates ; and, if the Engliih pre-
lates and monaftics had not an opportunity
* 3 of
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C m y
of making the fame advantages of the zccil
of their countrymen, the tranfmariiie.^dQ-t
ihinions of the crown anfwered nearly the
fame purpofe. The nobility and gentry
were oftentimes <>bliged to mortgage or fell
their eftates, in order to equip themfelves
for the voyage, and ^o Aonour to the
prince by the fplendor ,of their drefs and
equipage ; and as the clergy were generally
poflefled of large fums of mQney, they
were the principal purchafers. But thcif
opulence was derived from other fources.
Superftition, under their diredion, proved
as profitable a vein of wealth as the. charity
of more enlightened ages, Amidft the li-
centipufnefs and diforders which were then
frequent, crimes equally fhocking to juftice
and humanity were committed by all or-
ders of rpen ; and, under a confcioufnefs of
guilt, benefaftions, or, donations of lands
or money to churches. or monafteries, wer^
looked upon as a proper atonement. Henry
the Firft built a mouaftery with this view ;
and others made compenfations for theit
Vol. I. T vices
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( V4 )
vices by fimilar foundatioos (^Jl« Froov
thefe, and other fbtirces^ their acquHitioiiSs
became fo. large, and their powet? fo extcn*.
five, that the princes and fubjcib began to
look.i^i tbem wkh envy and jeMouiy;
but both were withheld from wreftin^
their poflfefllons from them, not only by
tlie terrors of fuperftition, but by political
reafpns. The, kuiigs were frequently
obliged to make ufe of the influence of ther
clergy, or to court their affiftance in con-
firming their title to. the throne ; and the
monaftics had beenfi)]oftenharrafled by their
pjcent neighbours, who were conilantly
encroaching^ upon their lands, or difputiug
the validity jo£ their title to them, that
they found It expedient to purchafe the
protection of fome powerful baron, by
consigning to him a part of their eftates,^
imdex a very moderate rent. By thus ad-
mitting the laity to a (hare in their reve-
nues, , they found for a time able advocates
fi3r their caufe, till at laft their power and
poflcifions bec^ude fo enormmis„that it was-
fi) M. Parity p. 6z. Pet» BicC p, xiOr HnmeVHifiw
t^ I. p. 6a. 115.
: - , found
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46m6 wcefllty » icttk the <^tea« 6( thek
pfivikgcs by thr Conftitutions of Chreii-
A>rkj and. afterwards to Hmit their landed
^fcqmfifiom fcy ftatutes jof iMbrttitwia*
. If lire review thri period of time from: the
Kormaiai Ctiit[\ieil to the dcceflioa 6f Heniy
liko Third, neither the publie regulationsi
ftor the tuftoms and manners of the pca-
ph^ feem to have been calculated fot ex*
tending dhe, comnaercc, or promoting the
h^ftty vttntcto^l wealthy ofthenatioa*
linou^ Iboie advances were made to«
ward^ improving the ftateof the fubje^«,
-Ibey ^bre too inconfideraye to ef&6t a
^reat aheratiod* A^eeably to the wiihds
of t^e peofkle^ ibmc of the Anglo-S^xoix
cuAoms had been re«€ftd:)U<hed, and ad-
mitted as laws, bftit fttll fiibjda to & many
refbrves, as to render them alm(^ ufek9%»
It was nevertheiefs of Service to the ptib*
lie, to fnbftitute a written law in (lead of
i^ue and particular cuftoms, which, how-
ever inc4)nvenient for a time, promifed, m
Ibme ftt^ure p^iod^ to introduce a more
legolu government and mgre ufeful rcgia-
iatioR«. And, indeed, the jprogrcrfaref arts
T J, and
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and civHit)? i$ ^lw»y% gratluali' and bftmi^
times imperceptibly flowi unlefs aided krf
Jparticailar ciccomftances, and a train of
evefnts, whicH \few;^ na6cmsr^jhave been £d
•ibrtunate as to enjoyv If thedJ^ormans lex- '
xelled the Engiifh. in decency, of ' mainoers,
^nd other external accoraplifltn^ents, tbey
-wereiequarlly unflcftled in all the tfeftil arts
and occupat'iQiis x)f life. Andcjche commer-
.cial coone6lion, - which was fteceifarily
.formed ^between Ei^Iandaridf the^^^Wfeg^s
-tranfmarine dominions^ was of fleii<fer ier-
, vice to our trade or manufafturers* : There
were few commodities which could be ei^
changed to the Benefit' x)f .both ctiuntrie^^
; At the ftme timse that Jtrade^liboured under
maiiy inconvenithces, nnoi idcfition was
made c IP the libcityjof th^ people, ^hfch is
.the. chief iftcontive to iiKdoftry ^nd; com-
merce. V^lage *l¥as daaintaitted nearFf
in its ancieut ^igor, .ali^d^^U the* occupiers
of the lands were hejd id; their ibrmerftate
of fervitude pr c)e|)j?qd^iK:et:j Ifibmeirays
. of liberty begaii tQ tfres^nout ia the:-to-
. roughs, their . beneficial: efiws. weije !ii*tet*
cepted by the grijicesj^ jjjjbiMtyi or .ojtherfe,
: : 3 * : r who
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wtio ft&^vtiitfy extdrtteci c large fums of
njoney ibr proteding them in the enjoy-
inent of their charters and franchifes* No*
thing fceins to have beeri attended to by all
the independent orders of the people^; but
th^:. pi'oftlBon ^ 6f arms, arid the fthiggles
for the crown and doraeftic broils, mad^
it in fome meafure neceflaryv It was at thf
fame titrie elicouraged 'th/ifugh views bf
policy.^ If William the Firft endeavourea
to de^refs the martial fpirit of the Englifli^
•fey denying thetn the ufe of arms, he took
every^inethod to rouze aftd naaintain it
among his countrymen and followers, hy.
obli^irrg every cttniidirSbfe land-owner by
<the' tenure of hid lands to attend on every
Hnilitary furomons. ^ Such a plan of policy,
however ufeful it iniglit be in thofe un-
icttled^ ages, tnuft have had a pernicious
Infliiencc on all tHofe aks which embel-
lifli dritxlptove human life, pr at leaft
muft retard their advancement, by divert-
ing the attention of all the independent
brdert of the fubjeffcs to other objedls.
For fomfe years after the fettlemeiit of the
Norjciians, the authority tff -the laWs ' and
anticnf
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( »ti )
«btwAC9u(^to$^ bim wail fecww «ltublteji
foe jproBiptttig ih* jaibiio welfoie, weM
poftuw to aflr^f an44pfei^ tlft^]^Wy<Jg»H
or the jurifdidioii, which th^j? pcffife^dor
aflumcd over the kjferior wiJb of pecj>lc»
Heuce aroic jiaccffmit opppf^tioix ^^id 4ifr
turhance m tbp e^^ecufioft ©f j:afticc;r^;iui4
a- total negled.of that or.ckif and pc^liclj
lirhlch are lb elTential tp thp mtfqduftbm
and fupport of arts, roaou^a£t«j:a^a,i^d com*
merce. * ..^^
There were above fixtf ^hoyfand kry^s*
/ees in the kingdom^ the owners of whicl^
exGcptmg the dergy and conveu-^al^ wlw
were allowed to fend deputies, wer« reh
j^uired to he always iieady to ohey the im-
liitary orders of the crown;. Apd, as Iba^
degree of honour wa$; annexed to the ordt^t
of knighthood, it was for a time held ia
xepute ; and though a landed quaUficatioti
wasfometimes required to entitle men to it,
y;et this . was frecjuently dilpenfed with, and
perfonsQf very moderate ^rtunes admitted
to
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( ?75t )
to the honour-. In after-ages it became a
fund of oppreffion in the hands of thcf
kings, by calling upon the owners of fmall
eftates to receive knighthood, or to com--
pound for their refuial by a pecuniary pay-
ment (1). At the fame tin^e, the inferiojc
freeholders, who are ufually the firft ii\
cultivating and promoting trade, hufban-
dry, and other ufeful occupations, were
obliged to be provided with a fet of ar--
mour, according to their drcumftances (;»).*
And robberies were fo frequent^ that arms
became iieceflary for their fecurity and de^
fence. The citizens of London geherally
went armed in the evening ; and gangs of
robbers occafionally infefted every noteci
mart and papulous town in the fcingAwn;
Native and foreign mperchants were of 2Sk
others the moft expofed to their depreda-
tions: and it was often difficult to bring
known robbers to juftice, on account of
their rank or coimeftions (n). Many of
the order of knighthood, when difmtfled
(0^ 5p<ta» Gioff. V. 1^
{m) Gerv. MotirDorobr pv 1459* Bovcd. p. jjo.
C«) M. Paris, p. 744, 758. 760. %2.
from
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froth military" fervice, maintained thcm-
felves ill a great meafiire by rapine and
violence* We may form fome idea of their
conditioa and mode of life from the edi£t
pr- award . iffued by Henry the Third at
Kenilworth. ' Knights and Efquires, who
had been robbers^ if they poflefl^d no eftate
in lands, but gnly effects, were enjoined to
redeem themfelves by the payment of an
half of their goods, and find fiireties for
their good behaviour ; and thofe who pof-
feffed neither lands nor efFe£ls were re-
quired to bind themfelves by oath and
iureties, that they would keep the peace^
and make fuch fatisfa6tion as the church
enjoined (oj. In (hort, the military fyf-
tem eftabliftied by the Normans, inftead
of forming the land-owners into a ufeful
body of foldicrs, feems to have been calcu-
lated for deftroying order and regularity,
and introducing confufion into every de*
partment of government. It was pofliblc,
as was the cafe of the antient ftates of
Greece, to form the free inhabitants of a
(o) DiAi de KcDilwonh.
city
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tity vt^o a regular army ; or^ like the early
Romans, to turn the attention of th-e citi-
zens to arms and hufbandlry ; ih both rafes
fubofdlnation was eafily enforced, as their
armies confiftod of freemen, who lived
under the immediate infpeflton of;thc ma-r
giftrates in times both- of pe^ce and war :
but it was imprafticahle to maintain the
fame difcipline and order among the nu-
merous military tenants in England, many
of whom were raifed above the rank of
commoners, and lived at a great diftance
from each other. It was always difficult
to execute any warlike undertaking by the
aid of fuch a militia, whofe fervice was
limited to forty days, and whoib rank and
opulence made them almoft independent of
the crown. It became therefore an aft of
policy and neceflity to exchange the mili-
tary fervices required by the tenure of lands
for money, and employ a more tradable
and ufeful body of foldiers.
A more agreeable view of things now
begins to open before us'; and we (hall have
the fatisfaftion of feeing the liberty andi
property of the fubjefts fecured by written
T 5 laws.
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laws, to which they could always appeal ;
and though thefe for ^ time were uudigeft-
cd, feebly and irregularly executed, and
adapted only to a particular qxigence, yet
experience, found out and applied the pror
per remedies^ and gave birth to many ule-
ful regulations,, which we now enjoy^ And
from this period we may trace the ^vances
of liberty and .con>pierce» as they were
gradually encouraged and fe^cured by pub-
lic ft4t:utes.
Ei^tipF THE FIRST VOLUME.
* i "'*■ ' - *
f • » , !•
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REMARKS
U P Q N
THE HISTORY
O F T H E
LANDED AND COMMERCIAL POLJCY
O F
ENGLAND,
F K O M
THE INVASION CF THE ROMANS
T O
THE ACCESSION OF JAMES THE FIRST,
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL, II.
Navigia, atque agri culturas, mfjenia, leges,
Arma, vias, veftcs, ct catera de gcocre horum,
Praemia, delicias quoque vita funditus omnee,
Carmina, piduras, et daedala figna polire
Ufus, et impigrae fimul experientia mentis
Paulatim docujt pedetjentim progredientis.
LUCRET. 1. V.
LONDON,
Printed for E. B R O O K E, in Bell-yard, Temple-Bar.
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CONTENTS
OP THE
SECOND VOLUME.
page
C H A P. V.
Remarks upon the landed and commercial
policy of England^ from the accejpon
of Henry the Tiirdf to the reign of
Henry the Seventh. i
C H A P. VL
Remarks^ &c. from the accejjion of
Henry the Seventh ^ to the end of the
reign of queen Elizabeth. izy
a 2
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V /;. * I ',.1 > I ^ ■■ ] i,...,v
CHAP. V.
Titi lAnbEt) AND' COMMERCIAL
POLICY OF ENGLAND FROM THE
.4kQ,CP?rSlON. OF HENBLY THE
Hfll^fi TO THEi^ tEtG^ OF
h'j^KRY THE SiviNTH.
TIlE- ^reatf charter^ artd charter of fhef
hf^y ^rfe juftly looked upon a^
kyfng ther fovmdatiork of EfrglHh liberty^
tfe^ugfe, -for- a* cattfiderabfe time after the/
wei^ %fved, ¥be greateft part of the peof>fe
3Ceaped ileivdefr advantages from them. Thef
chief benefiw accrued kr the ilobifity ainf
Vol. 1L B pre--
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prelates ; who, retaining their former ju-
rifdiftion and authority over their tenants
and vaflals^jaow exteiuied their power o-
ver the crown, and reduced it almoft to a
ftate of dependence on their will. The
commonalty flood too much in awe of their
fuperiors to affume the privileges that were
offered, or were in too indigent circum-
ftances to claim and affert them as the
rights of freemen. The kings for feveral
fiieceflions, as well as the nobility, cxe^
cuted fome.ofthe articles in ^hefe ^barters
with great reluctance, except when their
own interdft' was immediately concerned*
Andif commerccyandits atteftdant wealth,
had i^ot introduced z .more regular polity,
the common pwple would prpb^ibly have
remained in their "ancient ftate of fubjec-
tion to the barons, and the government
have fettled into, an ariftocracy.' So far
bad the. nobility carried their fjurifdiftfcn
over the commons, that addifi^nal Jawsf
were as neceffary to reftrain, their autjbo-.
rity, and reduce it wit^ijn ^ ; reafonable
bounds, as the charters w^r^ to; limit. the
claims and power of the ^crowil. ,\ )f- c \ .. >
/ Matfy
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Many articles in thefe cKartfers arfc
neverthelefs calculated in favour of general
liberty ; and, if they had been duly exe-
cuted, would have promoted the landed
and commerciaT interefis of the nation, and
accekrated the progrefs o^ induftry and
freedom. They were in many refpe<Sts
ifavourable to all ranks of people, by afcer-
taining the value of reliefs, by reftraining
guardians from committing wafte on the
eftates of minors, by direfling (herifFs in
their diftraints for debts, by fettling the
demands for the repairs of fortrefles,
bridges, and other public works, by li-
miting the power of the king's purveyors
and conftables of caftles, by proportioning
fines and amercements to the offence, by
permitting freemen to difpofe of their ef-
fefts by will, or the wife and children of
inteflates to fucceed to the cuftomary part
of their effe<fts, by preventing a fraudulent
conveyance of lands to religious houfes, by
ordaining the ufe of one weight and onemea-
/ure throughout the kingdom, by allowing
merchants to go abroad and return at their
pleafure, and freeing them from arbitrary
B 2 tolls
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tolls a;id impofitioiis^ by bpeiilp^the rivef S
for the purpofa o£ -navigation^ and pro-
mifing protcdion to the perfoiis and pro-
perty of foreign merchants* ,
, The charter; of the for^ft was of equal
fervice to rpany of the Jahdowners by re-
ftorhxg to them the ufe of their woods and'
lands withiu the forefts, by reducing the
vague cuftoma that had long prevailed lu
the goverument of the forefts to ctirtain
laws, and regulating the jurlfdiilicMi aiod
power of the keepers, and rangers.
Thefe and other regulations in Magna
Charta, aa trifling as they now appear^
were in thofc ages of great benefit to the
Cradefmen and landowners. As long as the
reliefs of eftate^ were undetermined, the
heirs tipon their admiffion were fubjed to
grievous^ exa£lioirs, and almoft obliged to
purchafe the inheritance hi order to obtaia
pofleffion i and the eftates of minors, who
were the kirtg's wards^ were generally
ruined by the gu'afdiana appointed by the
rown,, or ftrtpped of almoft every move-
able that was of value. The purveyors'
and conftables of caftles, in virtue of the
powers
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powers which they poflefled by apcient
cuftbm, took the liberty to feize the corn,
cattle, and provflidns of the fubjcifts, under
the pretence of fupplying die caftles or .the
king*$ houfehbld. And though the articles
relative to trade and merchants feem to be
of littte monient, yet, as long as foreigners,
who reforted hither for the fake of traffic,
were Kable to be feized on the Highteft
pretences, and the duties on the goods im-
ported and exported were undetermiried,
they were of great fervice, aftd afford th^
firft inftan<re ^ iht public attention to
commeiice iinder the Norman government.
TUewder^ indeed, for removing the weirs
and other obftacles which impeded the
toaivigatioti of rivers, thougii eiiforced by
fubfeqiafent ftatutes, was in A great meafur6
negledled. The propridtors of filheries and
roilis m particolaT rivers prevented its due
't'he only el^ufc in thegreat charter which
app^ar^imn^diatcly to^ff^i^ the'occiipie^sof
the lands, is that whereby the oxen and beafts
•*f tfie'^tetfgh, and implenmetits of hufbah-
dry% were exempted from feizure by the
^ ' * B 3 king's
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king*$ officers. Thi§ articlf,, Ijke fbqjc^
others, was a part of the comnion law,
and found to be (o ufeful as to be enlarg^
and enforced \^y additional ftatutes(tf)5
andj confidering the dppenflent ftate of the
hufbandippn, it is an infl:§nce of regard to
agriculture we have no reafpn to expeft.
But the cafe was, ^s before obferyed, x\x^%
as the ploughqjien were generally oblige4
to till and manure the demefnes of their
landlords, and to carry their corn, h^^
^n^ wopd,iij:.Was neceffary toexerppt theiy
horfes, cart§, and inftruments of their pro^
feffion, from feizurp, in order to enable
jhem to idifcharge th^fe feryices. And, it
m^y b^. prefpmed, this referve was/mjads
rather pn thefe apcounts thau out pf 'wy
regard, to tho: })enefits of agricuki|r€> ^^'t9
fhe libcjrty pf th? peafaiits. ^ -;
Tjie charter of the- for^ft 9fa% u^ fom«
refpeds as beneficial to the puplic ^s jhe
phfirter of liberties. T^p fprefts, chafes,
^nd park3, belonging to |:he prpsvn, wer«
, - '^' . ■ . a :,
17. a8 Edw, Lc. 12.
^ nnmei'ou$
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iiumerous and extenfive^ and had been fc^r
many ages a fburce of oppreflion in almoft
every part of the kingdom. The keepers,
or their fubalterns, as before taken notice
of, had eneroached on the lands of the fub-
jefts, ieized their woods in the precin(9:s of
the forefts, levied- arbitrary contributions
on' paflengers and travellers through their
territories, and executed the laws on offen-
ders with the utmoft feverity. ; Care was
therefore taken to limit the power of the
officers, to open the public roads through
theforeftoii certain conditions, and com-
mute the fanguinary punifliments on tref-
paffers' for fifies and imprifonment. Leave
'at the fame time was granted to fink marie
pits in fuch parts of the forefts as were
private property^ The cuflom of marling
grounds, whether ufed hy the ancient Bri-
tonf, or introducbd by the Romans, had
been preferved'-by the Saxons^ and was
thought to be of fo much cpufequence as
to be taken notice of m this charter.
After this period the ufe of marie feems
gradually to have declined, or to have been
confined to a few places, till about a century
' '- B4 ago
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»go it became more general, attdwas.fi>»»4
by experience to be of great fcfvic^ i»
improving particular foils.
What was wantipg in this ehaWi^r t©
make it more exteafively ufefi4 waB after^
wards obtained, and th^t was a.pefaianb^la^
tion of the forefts.- The bounds being
thus afgertained, room was given for th^
cultivation and improvement of rn^py
parcels of land which had forn^fiy beeji
Wafte» and fcrved almoft no other end than
to furnifli a fubjeft of litigation with th*
keepers. And the liberty, which many *f
the fubjeds acquired by purchafe of dii?
^orefting particular lands^ wa^ oq^^J
beneficial to the public- ,Th^ wh^lg^c^^H^f y
of Cornw^l was fubjf ft t5> the; law^ pf.^fe^
foreft till the reign of king Johp{^)t' fl[ii4
the forefts in many other counties, U^fjPfs^
extenfive, that it mi^ have bee»<>fgf«^
fervice to the landowners tq obt^a aij-^x*-
cmption of their eftates from tha jurifdi^s
tion of ,the forefters, and this was frff
quently efFeSed by mon^^ A^K %h^
[h) Caijad. BnUDf voj. I. g.^^^/ >r
^ccef.
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law^fl^oa of H^iny the Tliird, the kijtgfc
were fo mvtch;eugaged in \Var with the
Scot^s or fbreiga ftwes, that the pailion foe
the^choG^foraewhat ^b^ted; Mid the forefts
\v;?j^ fo l^ga and Hutiiefou$, that many of
thefla w^rc ^hw)ft ufelefs to %hc croWn ; at
leaft^ mpn^y was fo neceflary for carrying
on miUtarj undertakings pr the defigns of
th^ covir^i that th^ kings were always iii-#
chaedjto difafForeft particular lands for a
valuable confideratiofi (r). It is, however^
obfervahle, thaf, a$. the feverjty of the foreft
Jaws relaxed, the nobility began to pro-
yid^^.for the preleryation of the game
iTithii) their parks . and mataors. They
petitioned Henry tbe'tthtrd, that they
might have leave tp irftpriibii fuch as they
found trefpaffing in; tht^ir parks and ponds
{d),i and, though tb^ met with a denial
?tt that time, t^ey obtained an zd: under
his fucceflbr, .which, a^npowered them to
imprifon, trefpaflers foj:' three years, and
leven to kill t;heift if th^y refuied to fiirrenr
(c) Madox% Hiii. of the Excli. v. I. p. 40^. 409. v. If.
p. 412. 420, . ' ,
l^) 20 Henry III. c. 1 1.
der.
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4tTf or made reflft^nce to ^t\k keepers (^)#
AiM>ther of the gfeme-lSws i^ fo defcriptive
of the maimers of the times, arid (hews fo
clearly the value fet upon tlie diverfion of
hawking, as todefeyve notice, and the more
fo, as, like fome other laws equaHy ufelefs,
it remains unrepealed. If any perfon founcj
a falcon, or other fpecies of hawks, he- was
required to carry it to the flieriff of the
county, who was to make proclamation 'iii
ail the good towns of the county that fuck
an hawk was in his cuft6dy; and if any
perfon challenged the fame, he was to my
the cofts, and have the hawk; and if
within four months no one cime to chal-
lenge it, then tbe^ fherifF wa$' enjoined to
fatisfy the pferfon who found it, if a fimple
man, for his trouble; but, if a gentleman
found it, the hawk was to be delivered to
him, paying reafonable cofts for its maid-^
tenance; And if any perfoft fliould conceal
fuch an hawk, and be thereof convifted, he
was to be imprifoned for the fpace of two
years. Afterwards it was made equally
(e) 3 Edw. I. c. 20. 21 Edw. L&SLU2.
: criminal
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criminal to (leal an hawk as an horfe, or
Other thing (y). It can fcarcely be
thought furprifing that the trouble of re-j
Reiving hawks fhould be devolved upon the
ll^erifF, when we refled, that an hawk was
pf great value in thofe ages, confidered as an,
f flent^al part of the pquipage of a gentle-,
man, and that the officers of the exchequer
had been formerly obliged to employ th^
king's falconers in examining the ages an4
qualities of fuch hawksas/weredue to the
crown by fine or other engagement? (^-).
Npt^ithftanding the limitations of th&
power of the king and nobility by thefe
charters, public liberty was far from being
fully eftabliflied. The inferior landowners,
iperchants, andlower ranks of people, were
^ill obliged to fubmit to many oppreffions
aut^rized by ufage oir prefcription. Ii^
proportion as the povyer of ^the king an4
nobility was reft rained in fome articles, it
was parried to exqefs in others. But ne7
ceflSty at laft extorted ^ confirmatioa of the
fharters. Engaged in foreign wars, the
(/J 34 Edw.ljr. c. 22. 37 Edw. III. c. 19.
(g) Gjer V. Tilb. p. 44.7. ^ ^
. / 2 kings
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kmgs w^ere obliged' to mortgage or alienate
fheir revenues, and incur^ expences which
they ton Id uot d?f2harge Withbtrt the pe-
^niary aids of the fubjeSs; and in return
fbr this affiftance they were obliged to
jredify fuch breaches of the charter's A^ they
Trcre conftantly making in times of pubUd
tranquillity* In this refpe^t the foreign
ftates of the crown were of peculiar fer-
Tice. They required incef^nt fupplies of
Inoncy in order to proteft them ; and thefe
were fddom granted by the people without
ibme requital or confiderations in their
favour. If the crown had not been re*
duced to thefe ftraits, it may be juftly
doubted whether the Firft or Third Edward
would not have regained the power which
their predeceflbrs had been obliged to dif^
claim, and reduced the charters to a^ little
confequence as that of Henry the Firft^
ivhich might havfe teen equally ufeful, bat
was foon neglefted, and in a few years
aloioft totally forgotteir. - t . ^ ^ '^
While* the nobilitjr were fecurin]g;themi^
felves againft the tyranny of thecrown^by
the eftablifliment of the . chatters, they
^^ - - . were
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Ij^fe exei;cifiiig their former juri§}i£yofli
over their tenants, vafials, aud inferior
freemen. They were frequently the (bio
proprietors of pariihes and manors, and
amojiig their tenants and depended t$ were
wiilmg, as in former ages, to confidef
themfelves as civil magiftrates, and almoflb
independent of the crown. In this relpe^b
the Northern nations were diftlnguiflicd
from moft other coiiquerors* Th^ Rocnaa
legion? and colonifts never .confidered
themfelves as the proprietors of the land%
on which they fettled without an allotment
by the fenate or prince, or authorized ,to(
admin ifle r juftice without their appoint-
ment. On the other hand, the Northerly
nations, fettling with their families in the
countries they fubdued, cLiimed as pro-
prietors, anjd looked upon themfelves asi
iubjefts of their leader or prince in their
military rather than their civil capacity^
The diftribution of juilice, in the diftrida
which the officers 'poflefled, was almoft
entirely in their hands; and in after-ages,
though their power was very much
abridged, yet they ftill maintained a- great^
part
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fart o^ their ancient authority over theiir
tasnaots and the petty freeholders withitl
their manors.
Every lord of a' manor, according to
ancient cuftom, kept his court, made bye-
laws for the regulation of the lands in
tillage, paftures, or commons, within the
pariih, and took cognizance of many of-
fences, which are now referred to Other
courts. But many of the barons carried
their authority much farth(ir, and ufurped
a jurifdi£lion over their tenants and inferior
freeholders within their diftri6ls, which
kept them in a ftate of dependence or fub-'
jedion. .They obliged their tenants to
unufual fervices, and called upon the free-
holders who lived within their manors to
exhibit the title-deeds to their eftates (A).
A demand of this kind, when conveyances
were rare, and many of the people held
their lands rather by fucceflion and cuftom
than by writings properly attefted,' muft
fubjedl: them to great inconveniences, and
(b) jt Hen. III. c. 22. Stat, Marlcb, Ct iJ. 15 Rig. IT*
render
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lA o within the
, ferth<sr. ^fe^
,ar tenants,^ y,
V by i-^^f ttteM »•',
Swti
, Mttf ^«^'
.c.^^' ^^'
fell"'
< J5
xeuder the p^{^e(^oa of
very precarious. The !
the ufe of writings in
xnore qommon than xmd
Saxon government ; bu
iiderable length of time
could become general :
freeholders. And, to i
refirained the lords fr
freeholders by unjuft a
their ftewards or fome
were employed to move
and in fuch an unequal
them muft be deprived c
or fubje(3: to grievous e;
to add to their oppref
barons aflumed a powe
holders within their 11
plication to the king'j
ppunded the cattle wh
within tljie yards p/the
whenevei- the principal
CQullft in. their, ftpck of
1 .. .:.'.'-
(i) Ij^dw. I. c. 36.
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t poweiimiill W in die- JHgtfd!! i^fetf ©p*
preffive* Law^ were ena^ed 46 fdTtatt!
thefe abufe^j which lefved rather to atntrft
the; people than to affai*d a teal ffdtef^ df
^beif grievances. AncJ tircre rs iSie !^
t^fovk to be ftirprifedf that the iidb|Kfy
ftK>^M ufiTfp.an extraorcfinary jifrifdii^fcrf
•ever tl>e lo^wer rank of pebj^Ie, <viim;''thty
were able by their armed iattfen'&ots t(^
0v^fawe the deKbeifations ctf^the parKara^fit-j^
Edwapd" the Firft bftfei-ecf ptacfemation ttf
b^ «iade, tha^ ttOfie ilt6trld come artwetf td
parham^nt (/) I aiici, ¥ fii^ atdets W6re
jfe^metuiies obeyed, the bar<yAs rftH contt-
ij^iied to ijiaintivin a retinue df fervanf S ht
tli^ country, who^ were altrays/jTea^dy' to?
execute their commands* '
If the ftatutes for ineMrtg ail<f iJftfpfdVti
Mig waftes Were injd'riousf to the^ cuflfcWffaryi
lights^ of rpany ^feehofder^ zn^ itifptipti
tenants, they may neverthele^ be tdtiE:^
dered in fome refpe^ a^ calciiPated foii<
public utility (w). There- ^were- in atitioflf
every parifh large tracts of wafte ground
(/; 7 Ediv. I. ftat.T, . ,-. .i.f /.'■>
(mj Stau Mcit. c 4. J 3 Ed w. I, flat, i . c, 46.
or
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0? common paftures, on which the farmers
rhaintained their cattle during the fummer;
and, before inclofures became more fre*
(Juent, were neoeflary for this purpofe. By
the aid of thefe commons, andafmall por-
tion of at^ble laivd, the inferior tenants and
(iottagfers werb eiiabled to fupport their
faniilies, aitd diicharge their rents and
fervices. The right of common w'as^, in
thofe ages, one reafon of the fmallr^efs oiP
farms, and of the great number of petty
tenants : but, as ihclbfuies became rt^oro
Common, the;fal^rbs began to be enlarged ';
and the number of the other to be dimi- '
niflied- And though the ftatutes provide,
that a fufSciency of common fliould^be f^
out, and the remainder inclofed j yet many
of the freeholder's 'ati^petty^ tenxints rtr6uld
be hmited under various pretences in thfr
number of their cattle^ and feel the incon-^
vemance of this redu<^i<^ii# In forttier ages
the common' pafture was ufuali}^ p^ropor*
tiohed to the jiumbfep of cattle, that wa^
neceflary for tilling or liianliring thq ara*
ble lands (//) ; but, as the commons were
(^/) Fltzlitrb. Nar. KreV. p»'|20.
* Vol. II. - C ii^
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in many places more than fufficient for
this purpofe, and the pietty freeholders had
probably exceeded this proportion, they
would be obliged, in confequence of an
inclofure, to leflen the number. At the
fame time, it became neceifary to examine
their right to the common pafture, which
being frequently founded only upon cuf*
torn, would give occafion to litigations or
difputes. And ad it ibmetimes happened^
that the lord of the manor had a property
onlyjin the foil, thefe ftatutes muft have
been injurious in particular par Hhes to. the
freeholders ((^). If, hdwovcr, die great
laftd-owner^ diilrelTed the petty-farmers,
by id^ning the extent of the commons,
there 19 no dcnibt but th? inclofureof wafle*
grounds, not itnmfdiately fi^eiTary for a
((O^iQon patlure, wa$ bsneliciaji tp th^ pvh*
liqki . When brought under culti?iition,
the value of their produds would be.much
greater than in their rjlde ftate, and make
iome comp^m&ibiim to the publick fi)r the
^imig that w^ ibmetimes done to the ia*
-fcrior freeholders*
(») Minoir, c, v.
As
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C -^9 )
As tSite 'was^taken, ih the great charter^
tx).pmvj8nt theuvafte of eftat^^j ^MHi^g the
minority of the heir^ fo equal provifioa
i«ra8 made, by a*fubfequent ftatute, to pro-
hibit tenants from makilag wajfteof bj^fes,
woods, orjoien, without the fpeciaJ iio^nc?
Jofth^ proprietor i(/)). Tho^igh thc/rigoUf:
of viliamage began to abate, the lords were
not always willing to hofe the fcrvkes o^
their Vaflkis ; and for this reafon,itbey re?-
quired*: that their number ihonld be kepit
up, as- ucceflary for^Jti\c purfijft.of ^ri-*
culture. * ; ■; ^
* Aoiidifl: the varioijs^f prcffions to which
the .peopb were :fubjjri3:,ibn]Be, relief, waa-
cfbtaaied; '%.' limitiiig ..the fetia^e of tJb^
(heriffk t^ '^fWe? or eftx- .boitfcB^: ^xi^: forbid-
?ding them^ to lodge, 'tc^: oft^ at one pUcje
• witb poor peiif^n^,: t og-. ^^ . the ^religioU^
hQtifes4^)<. Tfeff«)§cj^^li^gth^ I
:receiv^ H\^^ be|^fi|;rjl^op[V'4^ej ^atut^s
.relatiag fo pttrVcfyor $- vf^Thefe had b«p
- brou^xii uoder /@rm: r^flf i.^i^is j by MagJ^a
; ' ({7) Stat;. Weft. I. c, u art. f^'ti*- CkaaT*' c.xiiL
G i " - Char ta i
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( ^o )
Charta; but further lumtatiottSMlf thcic
Authority became needful, as they flilioiiitiT
tinued to opprefs jthe people, uisxier va?
nous pretences. They feiai^ provifiow^ for
the army and navy without paying for
th^m:; tjstf infifted, that, the corn, i^rUoh
they bought fliould be unftricken, or that
nine buihcli ihould be delivered fi^r a quar*
ttrx they took the ftieep of the farmers, a
Iktlc -Keforetbe time of clipping them, f(^
the4?enefit if the wool; thcgr fciied the
l^orfes of -the fubje£ls, under pretence of
the king*s fervicf, and the hoftlers and
vidifaU^rs purchafoi-pat^nts of the crown
tfoF this purpofd. . So far had J^e right of
purveya^cis btea carried^ that all tiieklng'Ss
^CHil«jfVic5«HBd retainers to thcc«irt, when
thej >^i^v^llcfd into di^ant parts of tbp
JtkMg;doin, claimed the fame privilege as
^tae ling's imttiedM*^ officers, or the royal
'family r'evdfr^^i king's: h^ntftticni. aofl
'grooms of hi^ftaWes provided ftwr their
, idogs and liorfes^ 4u virOJeiof the ^am^ cut
torn. Some of thelc abufes were reftrmned
by Several ftatjites. The right^ of purvey-
ance, was confiiied to the king, queen, and
royal
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royal femlljrl and the name of purveyor
was changed into buyer, who was obliged
to make immediate payment for every
pommodity under the value of twenty
ihillings, and to take the com according to
llatute-meafure (r). Thefe ads would
have been extremely ufeful, if they had
been duly put in execution ; but the griev-
ance of purveyance was not entirely re-
inoved till after the Reftoration.
If the rigor of viUainage began fome-
what to abate, and the glebe-tenants to
find' their fituation more eafy and comfor-
table than in former ages, the- number of
J&rmers was irtfenfibly reduced, by inclof-
ipg waftes, or by taking their lands from
them for the immediate irfe of their land-
lords ♦ Every .confideraWeland-owner, from
the time of the A^pgld-Sa3con«,'Ufually held
-the lands conttgtioiis to his &at ia his ow^
occupation, and let his ^ftatesat a diftance
at a'certairi rent in money, provifions, and
fervices. ^ -As the barons had a numerous
n
r) Stat. Weft, I. c xxxiJ. art. Sup. Chart, c. ii.
d. Ill, c. Hi. 8f IT. 5 Ed. III.! c. ii. &t. '
C ^ retinue
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tetmue df fdr varies tb liiairitafn, tfiey.ffelMi^
it necefiafy, d^ ' mbre pi-6i[!fdbk^' tb/tztb i
greaf part 6^th«r'ete§1h't6*ttIei^Wll
hanJa, and manage them bV the ^ftfftattVft
pf theif fteWards atld 'vaffals. The conl
jhat ^'as thus raifed or received from their
tenants, iii lieu ojf rent, was laid np hi
bartis or granaries; and the cattle which
Ihey had fattened were flaughtered as fdbn
as the grafs began to fail, and'falted fbt
tlieir ufe in the wihteK ' By^hefe ftbckJj of
provifions the barons ^^ere efhabled to main^
i:ain the numferous body of fe'rvdnts aiid de-p
pferidents* which always attended* them
when they remoVfd from one ftfat to ano*-
theh If money had been^ 'tiiore piehttftil
than It really \Vas, few' mkrkti-towhsMri
thdfe'ageS' were mble^'to fbpply tirem witli
prdvifians when thfeyVefided in their neigh-
t)oirrht)odi 'It^ bdfcaiiie' thej^fdrd an i<3 iff
heceffity io -lay ^ up i large ft©bk of pra^-
vifions at evei-^ manfi6n*ho^fe, that ^igh%
tnaintahi them ' and their followers, ' wheti
they reforted thither, or be readily goht
yeyed to their pl^e * of ireiidence. j . ^|ie
jftijUilber of cattle, ^d quantity of corn and
other
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ether provifions, that were pofi^fied by the
opulent land-owners, feem to be almoft iii-
credibk* In the petition delivered into the
parliament by Hugh le Difpenfer,^ the fa-
ther, he complains that himfelf and his
fon had hmx plundered of twenty- eight
thoufand flieep, twenty-two thoufandoxen,
cows, and heifers, fix hundred horfes and
mares, two thoufand hogs, fix hundred
bacons, eighty carcafles of beef, and fix
hundred muttons in the larder, befides the
lofs of two crops of corn, one in the barn,
and the other upon the ground. Ihis
complaint was made in the fpring, whe|i
it may be fuppofed^ that the quantity of
falted provifions had been very much di-
minifhcd by thp winter*s confumption (j).
The account of the damages fuftained by
the Sp^nfirs is probably exaggerated ; it
ferves neverthelefs to (hew the mode o£
living in thofe times, and the manner in
which the barons managed their eflates :
for ii> thefe refpe^ts it cannot be imagined
(i) Parliam* Hift. v. I. p. 190. Home*sHift. v. If.
'p. 379. :
C 4 that
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ihat the Spcttfers: /wterdl ikigulai^. ^ Every
iubftanttal liouferkdepw^^ io^^ proportion to
his rank, commonly maintaindd a* number
■of oxem and ihcep, which were flaughtered
at the end of autumn, aud d^ftnied for the
winter provifiou of the family. Cabbages,
timieps, and other roots, whjcb, in modern
times, fupply the want of hay in the win-
ter, were, hi thofe ages, unknown by the
'Englifli farmers: And, is hiclofb res were
rare, hay was generally fo exceffively fcarce,
ithat a great mortality of cattle ufually at-
tended a fevere winter. The cuftom of
ialting the flefh of oxeny (heep, and even
-deer, prevailed, for *fom^* cefrturies^ after
this period, and in-fohie plirts 6f the mJrth
is not entirely difufed- at prefeiit. • Large
ialting veflels were thought a heeeffary
piece of furniture in great faiteiliesi, and
the fureft marks of plenty, land tfife hofpi-
tality of the maftfer. ■ .
An extra<St from art eftimate of the anf*
nual value of the ellates belonging t6 the
abbey of Peterborough, made upon oatjti by
the king*s efcheators, in the fifteentbryqir
of
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of the reigu of Edward the Secc^ul, will
eqabje the reader to judge of the general
ftate and maoagement of the lands about
that time, as there is no reaf^n to fuppoie,
that the abbey-lands w.ere put under a
courfe of hufbandry ; different from others.
In the parifliof Wermiugton, in the coon*
ty of Northampton, we are tcJd by the
elbbeators, that there was one capital mef-
fuqge, :wh.ich, with the gardens and adja-
cent fiiheries, waa valued at five (hillings a
year, a dove-houfe at three (hillings, two
water-mills at five pounds, three hundred
and Gen ^cres of tillage-lands in demeine^
fix-pence an acre, thirty-one acres of noea^
dpw-land at two (hillings an acre, and a
pafture at fix fhillings and eight-pence
There were alfo ten free tenants, who paid
at Chriftmas, Eaflier, Midfummer, andMi*
chaelcnas, the yearly rent of thn^ poun<k
and eighteen (hillings ; and forty-one cus-
tomary tenants, who occupied thirty-three
ynrd-iands and an half, under an annual
rent of fixteen (hillings, payable at Chrift-
mas and Eafter,' or fix-pence for each yard*
land;
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k&^(/); and the <K»nipiers were obligedi
for each yard-land, to work, or employ 4
labourer to work, three days in every week
from Michaelmas to Michaelmas, for the
benefit of the landlord, or for the negleft
of each day*s work to forfeit one half*
jtenny ; the valne of whole work, during
the year, was computed at nine pounds and
fiftefen (hillings (a). The occupiers were
aUb fkrther obliged, for each yard-land, to
iii^pjply the landlord with three labourers
to work two days in the time of harveft,
and during thofe days to be vifhiialled at
his expence, the value of whofe work was
i^imated at eight Ihillihgs and wie pentty
halfpenny, or an halfpenny for each day*.
Ifbey were likewife bound, for each yard*
land, to plow two days in autumn and the
. {i) The ffrntimitj of a yard^laiKl was very uocmaini It
fSBiaipej frotfi. f&ttn to forty acirs^ according ^a t^ecuf*
WB)^(>rt^ country. Spclm. Gloif. v. Vine at*
(») A rdptte froin work^ thoagh not mentiomed in this
flicr, was alIowe<) for a month m the year; w fortnight ut
. ^ht^msi^j^ m ^iKidc at; £after,. and aixnher at W^ijtfuMiide^
pamt aUowanee was alfo made for holidays aa4 bad wea^
fpring,
a
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fpririg,fot the benefit of the landlbr<i, W
to be (upplied with viftuals at his charge ;
^ich of wltich &d.ysof ploWittg was^efti-
mated a^ the cleaV yialue of three-pence J
and *^acK tenant /\^as obliged at Chiriftmas
tb'pay an'hen, valued' at a penny." *Therc
were alfo five land-tenahts, each of which
occupied a meffuage and half ayard-Iandi
for which they paid yearly at the faid four
terms Forty (hillings, but were fubjeft to
no bind-days. There were alfo fix te-
nants, each of which occupied a yard-land,
and paid' yearly at the faid four termis three
pounds, or ten (hillings for each yard-land,
and were obliged to fupply their landlord
With two labourers for two days in the
Vime of harveft, and then to be vidualled
l5y'him*,"who('e labour was eftirifated at the
clear Vc^tueof (ix-pence/ There \yere al(b
Tix Cbttngefs', who paid yearly, At thfe
atbrefaid foiir terms, dght thillings. The
faid cuiloniary tenants p^id alfo yearly at
Michaelmas the idditionil Uritt^ o^'fotirteeu
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, la th^parifli oF.J^^erwgg,: iixthc {sttm
pountj» the faidefcheators inibrin m^ ^^ihat
there was one capi|tal meflbage, with twp
^ardeqs and a Ijfberyt of the jfearly yalu?
pf ii:$;(hilliqgsand eigfit-|)ei)9e, s.dqyehoufe
of four lhilling;s, aqd a.windip31 and w?i-
termlU of three ppvinds thirteeii Ihiliingg
and four-pence, . aad a market ,held ou
Fridays, the tolj hi which amounted to
fixtcen fhilluigs ajyear;j .three hundred
acres of tillage-land, held in demefne, va-
lued at four- pence an *^cre; and fixteen
acres of meadow-land, at two (hillings an
acre. There was alfb.a feparate pafture.
Valued at three fhillings. and four-pence,
^nd a common pafture, at four fhillings a
year. There were llkevvife forty cuftomary
tenants,, iji^ho occupied thirty ^-fpur yard-
jai^da, and paid at Chriftm^s and Ea^er
one Shilling for each yardlahd. Xhe oe-p
cupiers wer^ jalfo obliged for ^ach^yaird;-
iand, to leoid one labourei; to y/ork for the
benefit of the landlord two days in every
week througliQut the ^ear, excepting , a
fortnight at Chrliftmas, g, w<^pk at EJafter,
aud another at Whitfuntide, or to pay an
half*
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(29)
hklfpehny for the iiegleft of each <fc^*»
work, andrno mofe, according to the .ctif^
totn of tUc manor ; the value of whole
work amounted to -fix pounds and fixteen
ihillrngs a yean And the ^d cuftomary
tenants were obliged every year to ,fet
Jbw{v), pldw> and fow, with grain fup-
plied by the landlord, to harrow, weed,
mow, or reap, gati^er, bind, and carry to
the landlord's barns the crop of two hun-
'dred acres of, the :faid lands in cfemefne ;
the vdue <Jf each acre eilimated at one
fliilling and three pence,^ the whole a-
niounted to twelve pounds and ten Ihil-
Ithgs. And tlie aforefaid cuftonury te-»
.hants wqre^^very year bbliged to fallow
-an hundred acres of ^^he faid demefae-
lands, the value of faliawing each acre
computed at fix-pence, the whole amount-
ed to fifty fhiUings. There were alfb fix-
teen land-tenants, who t>ccupied forty-
three acres of la^id, and paid yearly at the
(t) The words <ik areHart and reliuarr^ here aid for
fallowinij,"arc dotved from the French words ^/rrrf and.
hiftTTy though the forircr is a torruptioo ^f the old Latin
word vcruffgfrg ot vtra^j^mp a fallow. •.'•:•
four
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( f o )
lour teriiM aferefald twopoiHiis miti fight
iktUmgs^ 'bBttt were: fubjtd ^tD- w> bindp
4bys (ti;). Thetse <wepe likewife twenty^
.four cottiers, who paid y^trly at the fow
term^ afore£ud three pdunds etgltt ^lilings
•and iik-pencc* And ^fcc afore&id cufbae"
ftKity -tenants paid yeariy at Micb^t^fe^a^
acccMxling to cuftbin, the additionial fdm of
^fte«¥|>ounds^ltK ^iltings^aml eight p^nee.
-The profits of the cawts Icetaiid baron
;am6uoted anDiaally totthirtyihiUiiigs (>)/*
t:'- Thefe inftaiiccs ai:efifefficieirt>t^,^Kw tb^
nfiial' ixiode x)f oEiamg^ag Jalaps j^eld i»
nletoefii^ ; • and^fchooghk mayvaspp^a: to be
calcvkted for reaping^ their! pw^s at tbp
^leaA es^ice aiid troi^le ta iheipraprtctor,
Urm^'be Jjoilly. prefttiTRd^ itjwsojuld 'prop
rdiice a very negligent culture,. Tbeije*
iiautSv wha were coddled, > as it wece^ to
irhen the tenants perform aoy ^ipulaited \^afic lit the reqi^
firion of their la^ullord.
(:») Hift, An^. Script, p. i^z. Auxiliqm, iMretranf^
' latcd additionciil-fumy fomi^imes fignifie.d the uiliage pa|d
in addition to their rents hy the culK^n^ary tenao^s at Mi«
cbaeicnas or Cbnlhnas*
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C y^ )'
cultivate ttie demefn^ of their landlorils^
would be much Ids indaftrious and attea*
tive to their work than if they had beeo
permitted, as in. modern tiitoes, to reap th&
crop they had raifed ; and the labourersp
which they were obliged to fupply at their
expence, xyould be equally carelefs and
flothful in every work they were employ-
ed in. The ftate of both was fo dependent;
and fervUe, that we have no reafon to be
furprifed at the efforts they made under z ,
fucceeding reign to break the fetters of
vailalage, and improve their condltidn* And
it defcrves to be obferved, that hy divid-
ing the greateft part of the lands into fmall
farms, the villages became extremely popu*
lous. Few of the cities and market-towii$
in thofe ages contained as great a number
of inhabitants as in modern times ; but it
may be doubled, whether mau^ paiifhes^
which confifted chiefly of lands in tillage,
and have remained fo, were not then more
populous thaji at prefent, except where a
pianufa^ory has been eftabli(hed. But
however advantageous to the ftate this po-
pulation may appear^ the circumftanees of
^ ''-' ' ^ ' ' the
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the labourers and ciiftomary tenants Weft6
fo mean, ^nd thefai'tns of the free tenant^
fo fmalls that; tfndeb all the advaniagfes
that riilght b6 e*pfe<5ed from the cheapilefs
bf labout and pi'oVifioils, &ri Uhiverfal po^
verty, equally decriitifenfal to trade and
Agriculture, muft take plac^ m the villages.
The occupiers of the lands xn g^nefal^ fd
much employed in difcharging, the duties
^nd fervices required by their landlords,
muft be frequently obliged to neglect the
proper cultivation of thtir own farms ; and
the narrownefs of their circuraftance?;
muft difable them from cultivating their
own pittance of land in the moft profita*
ble manner, and confine them to the pur-
cha{e of mere neceffaries from thetradeA
man and manufacturer.
As the land-holders, iii many of the
villages, were thus obliged to labour for
the benefit of the landlord, in cultivating
his demefne-lands, the utmoft care ^vould
be taken to iuperinten^ them in perform^
in'g their ftipcilaped fein^ices. Aiid we find,
from a writer tinder the reign of Edward
the Firft, that proper (Jfficers w^re appbiiited
for
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( 33 X
for this purpofe, who obliged th^m, a$ far;
j^s waspoffibk, to ufe the fame care and.
(JiligeiiGe as if they had beeii labouring fo^?
their own profit. The iiiftru6tion$:laid
doiarja for the direftioa of thefe officers are
very minute; and exafl:, aiid affi)rd a prooC
that the bufinefa of hufbandry was-carried;
on in a much better nianner thaii could be-^
expe£led from the forged fervices and fer?^
vile ftate of the tenants (^y). In piany
parts of the j^ingdom, the fame modes o^
cultivation cyjtit^np.e in ul^^andare fo wpll
calculated; for jyoducipg plenty of grain,
that it may be thought furprifing dearths
fliould have be^eA , fo frequent in thofe
ages. •
The general poverty, of the hu{bandm?u,
fmallnefs of their farms, and number of
fervices required from them, undoubtedly
contributed to create the'fcarQity of grain
lb frequently complained o!^, and fo feverely
felt, by^ the people. The circdmftances
of the farmers were too low to permit
them to lay up a ftock of corn ia times of
/ (j) Fleta, p, 162. r
Vol. 11^ D ~ plenty j
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C 3* J
pknty ; andf. for this rcafoo^ it? priise wa»
alinoft fiutimly dependent on the^ ncftui^ o^
the feafous* ' And^ afi thcfib wero irregular,.
tjbe c^mleot loiiiil-owners . weire oommonly
^pr^ideut as to hoard up l^rg^ qtaaiiitities
of gr^ia in theik' barns and granarios^ and
tei lay up a gceat ftock of failed provifions,
jis th^ could nM be Applied, mider at^
tinpropihoHS feaf^, by their tenants pr
ftle neighboiiring markets. Thus pro-
vided^ they feldom felt the iH efFeSs of a-
fearcity ; while the petty fbnaofei-s, and la-
boui-ers in almoft every dccupaHon,wh<>
deperided^'for fdb^.ftencc oh the annual re-
turn, were reduced to gfe^tdiftrcft by one
fcanty hape^. ^
. The mgji of Ed\yard the. Second wa$^
^iftlQiguiihed by ati extr'fiofdinary famine,,
and, by ireafpn^f the fcanty ^and .bad diet
of the peopl?/ was f^cceeded by a pefti^
j[pn^9. ^Xh^^wr^tps of thofe times have
Ipft P§ melancholy a<jcounts'of tb^ devafta-^
iiou it made among the people ajid cattle^
Famines happened under almoft every king
of the Norman line, and had not been
unufwal
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i 3! ^
tinufual uii3et th^ AnglbTSaXori govefii-
rnent. They' are g^i^ctid\y 6boli(Jered atf
ibfaUitie proofs of the low ftate of tillage;^
arid they afford equal pVoof^ 6f tjtie poverty
of the firdcier's'. In the'ftfuggles for the
crown, or contefts with' each other, th^'
bafbrtsi always conimrtteH^ great Wafte^ and
deftroyed:the com arid, c^'ttle^'pr the Jr ad-'
verlari^s ; but the inclemency of the fea*
fbns was the principal^ Caufe of jthe dearths
In thofe ijhd' late rages." Eveh after the
lands, wfere belter cultWzi^d^^^nA theTcir-
cufnftance^ of the people wefe improved^
the ill effects of i icarcity of grain w6uld
have been more feverely feft,^ if a fupply
had not beenlDroiight in Trorii foreign conn--
trie$. ^ - _ . .^, -, ^ J ' ' f ^ '!• ''
"The beft expedTent which the parjianient
^buld deVife^for relieving the j^eople, was
to fix the prices of provifions ; but this
remedy was found to be inefRftual, au4
ferVed rather tP increafe than to mitigat^
the^^evil- Irhe adi was therefore repealed
the following^ ycafc^ ' and .ptovifions were
permitted to bear the price which plenty
or fcarcity will alWays fix Upon them. The
D 2 enaperor
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<• 3<J )
emperor Julian tried the cSkdiofjht lame,
meafure at Antipch, in^|:hc; time of a fcar-,
qity, and tbft rfimi|ie w;j^ augmented (j^)*
And expenn^ents of the like kind ha\re
been made in other countries with the fame
event, • A (imilar trial was nm^ imder
Edward the Siii^th, and the confequence;
was fuch as . might be expeded ; the far-
mers wot^ld not bring their graiii to the^
market (a). One cfFe^lual method of pro-
viding againft the Qonfequences of a fa-
mine is to permit an advanced price oif
pfovHlonS:(^}.\ ^This neceflarily enforces
frugality aiid aoontomy,^ and^ by prevent-
ing a jieedlefi xronfumption, feenis to en-»
large the ftore^ and to afford a longer fub-
fiflence* - * ^
We, are told by. fome travellers, that in
China the pricQ of grain and provifioiis is
fixed by the magiftrates, and has continue^
iiearly the fame ,for feveral centuries*
Whether the information be true or not,
the meafure is pradiicable in that Country
^ (;i) Socrat. Ecclef. Hift. Liiu c.r;*
{a) KingEdw. JoumaL p. at* ^dit.B^rQet»
\i) Huroc*8 H'iftt r. II,, p* 377^
With-
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Without Injuring the lancJ-hoIders. The
trade of the Chinefe with foreigners is very
inconfiderable when compared with the
11 limber of inhabitants, and the bullion im-
ported is fcarceiy fufficient to fupply the
corifumption and wafte in the current
pieces of filver, utenfils, and manufaftures.
And to give, as it were, an equal value to
their currency, they are, faid to prohibit
the opening of their richeft mines of gold
and fiiver. As the xjuantity, therefore, of
thefe metals continues to be nearly the
fame, no alteration in the price of provi-
lions is neceflary, except what arifes from
the irregularity of the feafons. And even
this inconvenience is in fome degree pro-
vided againft in Chinft. As a part of the
taxes upon the lands is paid in kind, when
the feafon has been unfavourable, the em*
peror commonly remits it, and thereby
enables the occupiers to fell the products
of their farms nearly at their ufual rates.
In other countries, where the fame mea-
fures are not purfued, a variation in the
price of grajn and provifions muft occafi-
onally take place, by the debafemcnt of the
D 3 coin,
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f 3? )
cow^ the bflux. of |oid and filver fijom thi^
rctufns'of comipercej^ and ^h^ iuequality
of the. feafons. In' the; lafl inftaiice it
would be equally un politic and unjuiljto
oblige, the occjupiers 'q{ the. lands,, by publiq
authorrty, t;o' leli aicanty crop at the iame
rate as when it^was plentifuL
Though the exportation of wool in I^rge
quantities is ', j^iftly condemned in moderi^
times, it was not then thc^ught to be fb
impolitic. After the largeft exports, there
was ^enough to fupply. our owii fabrics.;
and it was efteemed an aft of prudence to
convey the^ fu^plus to foreigners, inorde^
to give a value to the^ lands, and increal^
the revenue of the crown. The Ja^id-?
owners derived the principaj part of theiip
ca(h fjroiji'it, ^nd were always jealous. of
every Q|)ftru(9tion tp ^ifs exp9rf* Tk^ ba-.
Tons, ir/ritatedby aq arbitrary duty x(p]^oi^Q^
xipou It by Edward, the ^irff, declared, that
half the w?ajth pf the r nation confifted, iii
Its wool (f), X^^oug^h there i§ probabI)f
more of anger ^hanof tru^hin tlys decla-
U) Spt\tn. kdaq.p.'iSi.
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( 39 )
irtftlon, it feems to be nerertlielefs, fp^ far
juft, that wool was, as the parliament after-
wards pronounced it to be, the treafurj: of
tilt nation, and the rcwrereign mcrchan,diz,e
.and jewel of the crown (^d). It was fa
,j>fp^table a commodity to tbe land-owners,
that no views of public intereft or policy
jcould induce them to check its e:xport.
Attentive only to prefel^tgain, they coul^
not be pea*fuaded to adopt a meafare that
^ight have been for a time in fome fm4l
-degree detrimental to their intereft, though
in its event it might have terminated in
their profit, and become afoui5ce4)f dura-
He riches to the whole jDiatioi>. • . r
The extraordhiary price of wpol< coig-
pared with the rates of other ptodu^Ss of
the lands, points out the reafop^ why tj^e
land- owners were fo folicitous to export }t
without limitation, and guard againft* every
additional impoft upoB it. It appears fro\r*
an account of the annual revenue of Saint
Mary's 'abbey, at Bolton in Craven, in
xh? year 13:24, that fixteen facks of clean
(^i Pari. Hift. vol. !• pp. 20a. 389.
D4 woo\
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. ( 40 )
vvodl were foM for eleven marks a iack.
."And we learn from the fame account, that
the price of a. bufliel of wheat fcarcely
amounted to ohe ihilling(^). Suppoling
a fack of wool toxontain twenty-fix ftones,
after the rate of fourteen pounds to the
ftone, the value of a ftone of this wool will
amount to about fixteen (hillings in mo-
dern money, and at that time would have
purchafed abo\re five'bufhels and an half
of wheat. If the price of wool may be
thought high, that of wheat was undoubt-
edly fo, as, we are told, it was intended^
for feed ; and in Craven' it muft have been
nfually dearer than in fome of the fouthem
couhties. .
In the time of ^Edward the Third the
price of wool continned nearly the fame,
except^ when it was deprefled by the arbi-
trary proceedings of the crown. In 1333,
on fixing the'ftaple at particular places in
the kingdom, it was ordered by proclama-
tion to be fold at twb (hillings a ftone, or
about five (hillings and fix pence ofmo-
{e) Biutou's Moaaft. p» i2$»
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< 40
deni money; but, notwithftanding th?s
order, the merchants were obliged to buy
it at higher rates (f). , \x\ the year 1338,
the king took a fifteenth in wool of all thfe
commonalty in the realm; the price of
every ftone, at fourteen pounds to the
ftone, being rated at two (hillings, or a-
bout five (hillings and fix pence of the pre-
fent money. And in the fame year he (old
in^Brabant ten thoufand facks, which had
been' coHeftefl for his ufe, at twenty
pounds a fack(^). Two years afterwards,
feveral perfons undertook to rai(e, for the
king*s u(e, twenty thouland (acks, and that
he (hould receive for every fack of the beft
fort of wool fix pounds, for an inferior fort
five pounds, and for the word four marks,
befides the duty of forty (hillings on every
fack (/&). We have an account of the
price of grain and provifions about. this
time, which will enable us to compare it
with the price of wool. In 1336, a quar*^
(f) Knyghton, p. 2563.
(^) Id, p. 2570. Piirl Hilt. vol. I. p. 344*
{b) Pari. Hift. vdL I. p. 256.
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( 4? ^)
te^. of wheat was Cold at two fhilliiig^s^ and
a iat ox at fix ihiUings and eight; pence.
And| ill the year 1358, the price of a quai>
ijer of .wheat w^s •forty pence, and ibm©-
time^ under ; h^tUy and oats, ten pence ;
and beans aiwi ;pe4s, twelve pence (/). Ac*
.«or4ing to th^'aocounts, a (tone of wool
was ntfLviy equal in value to a quarter o£
whea^ iuplentjifui years. In the year
: J J42, the current value of a ^ck of wool
was aboi^t eight poumls; and^ in the fol-
lowing year, the wool of Shropfhire was
fitted by the parliament at ^urtcen marks
the iaqk; P^ford and StaffprdOiires, at thir-
teen n^rks ; Leicefter, Gloucefter, and
Herefordihires, at twelve marks; and 1^3
other counties defcended in price till it
cao^e to the lowed priced wool, which
was that of Cornwall, valued at no higher
rate than four marks? a fack(i&)i In the
year 1 426 a tod of clean \vool was ibid at
Burcefter in Ox ford (hire for nine (hillings
and fix pence, or about fifteen (hillings
(0 Knyghton^ pp- 256^ 1575.
(i) Anderfon's HiiU of Com, rob L p. 173.
and
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C 4a J
9ttd right pen^e oi. our mon^* -To judge
tV bpfliec [p£ tl^ v^u^ ^f wool at that
time, it ought, to be compared with the
prices, of other articles. Aiid we learn,
that ill the fame year the annual ftipend of
the heyward^ or herdfman, was thirteen
fliiUiugs and four pe»ce ; the ploughrqan,
ilfteen fhill^iigs ; tl>Q price of a quarter of
pfas, about ;twp .Aillings and- t\5^o p^nce ;
aujd ^^ qtra^t^r of wheat, 4?^gaed fqr: malt*
ing, fburlhilliugs(/)- 7;hQUgh tbis wheat
was probably of an .Qi^^Iuaty ibr^t, jfgt it
inay be prelunaed, th^t a t^d s^ ?lean wool
would aj:.t^t time, have purc^^d about
^\yo ^u^rt^rs* of good wl[ieat» Andf in gp-
ueral, tb$ value of the, baft -forts of wool
»?y W^^h .^hopght wneorpn»Poly high*
whein compared with the )prices of gfaiin
^a4 other: ax'tidesi i» ! thofe ancj rm^m
->tene^.i It. otjght neverthelcfs tot be <^
ferved, that, if wbol was formeady of much
greater value than at prefcnt, the land*
owners have no juft reafon to complain.
The advanced price of (hambles-^meat,
(7) Keririett's Taroch. Abiiq. p. 572.
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C 44 >
com^ and other prodilfts of tlie lands, in
modern tioies, has made an ample compen-
fation for the lower price of wool, and
augmented the rents of all the land-owners
in the kingdom*
It is difficult to determine with exaft-
nefs what quantity of wool was annually
exported,. According to an account, which
is faid to contain a ftate of the EnglilH
trade in the twenty-eighth year of Edward
the Third, 31,651 facks and an half were
exported, and valued at fix pounds each
(fw). But there is reafon to believe, that
this quantity was ufually exceeded. The
parliament offered thirty thoufknd facks to
the fame king, and it is very unlikely they
would offer the whole quantity that was
to be exported (»)• Others again have
fuppoiedv that an hundred thoufand f^ks
were annually fent abroad; which is e*
qually . improbable (0) . Whatevei" might
be the quantity, it was undoubtedly the
. (m) , Aijilerfon*i Hift. of Conp; vol, jl* j, 185;
(if> Pariiam. Hill. v. 1. p. 2^8/
{o) Id. p. 305. ' Aodcrfon's Hift* of C<»n» voL I. p*
188.
prin*
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0 45 >
friacipal article of traffic in thofe ^ge^
and riK>fe profitable to the crown, as well
as the Aibje£ts, than all other exports.
The prices of wool and grain, compared ^
with each other, fuggeft one obvious reafon
for the low ftate of tillage, and the great
iencouragement given to pafturage, Ne-
ceflity, rather than profit, obliged many of
the land-owners to keep their lands in til-
lage. Under all the difad vantages arifing'
from the cheapnefs of labour, cattle, ind
iaftruments of hufbandfy, the price of
com was too low to promote its cultivation.
So great was the difproportion between the
value of grafs and tillage lands in thofe
ages, that if the manufacture of wool had
not been encouraged, and the price of
grain very much advanced, we were iit
danger djf becoming, what fome foreign
writers have reprefented us to have really
been, a nation of (hepherds and wool-
merchants (^).
But, however profitable pafture:land$
might be thought, on account of the high
Xp) Groudc Rei^. Bclg. p. jof. Dc Wiu's Max,;
p. aoo.
price
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( 40 , .
price of wool/thre ftate of'^t^t open 'mS
umlivMed ficldsf made the growjh^of^ t:6rii
in fome meafurc nVceffary. ^Tho* ptoptx^y
of every freeholder in njah^ of^the cdtn-
moh ficHs was generally fb intermixed,
and Goftfifted of fiiclifmnH parcels; ihit it
cou£d fcajrccly be appHcd to any other pqi--
pofe th^ri >^fin^ graip.^ T^fe petty-pro-
prietors were able to maintain their fdmi-
lie* on a fmall quantity bf'knd intilhge^
under the loweft price of corn i andiri the
capacity. of graziers; on" a *mnch latter
tarm> would have been rfe<!fiiced td i ftate
of poverty. In view, therefore, of their
own intereft, they would prevent, as much
as poffiWc, the great land -owners fromf
converting tillage - lands into pafturesi
When the parifh was the property of Qn0
peribn, and m his own occiipation, an in-
clofure might be eaffly efFe^ed : but, wheii
there were many proprietors, every at-
,tcmpt of this kind was comntonly attended
with oppofitlon arid tumults. And it may
, be confidered as a jfoflluiiate circiimftance
in favoyr of population and tillage, thadtthe
prohibition againft lending money upon
intereft.
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mter^ft, and the fow ftate of trade, oBllgdcl
the petty farmers, who could colfe^i 9
fmall fum by their iiiduftry, to expend^ it
ill the purchafe of lands, which their o.wnf
•benefit required to be kept in tilfage. To*
accomnmodate them with fmall parcels, the
iSirmsof the^ villains ahd* inferior tenants
were cxtrenaely convenient. For this rca*^
fori, the number of {ietty freeholders^ was
^luch greater than could be expededf'frim]}
the general povferty of the people. In the
time of Edward the Firft, the great land?^
owners had indeed only a few of the
f omrnon fields and waftes ': under the. fuc-*
ceeding reigns, the cuftom of inclofing l»*
came more general; and the ruin it
Wought upcm the inferior freeholders and
petty' tenants drove them to defpair and
iiifurreAibns, And, during the ftrugglei
between the houfesof York and Lancafter^
the nobility^ being obliged to -.maintain a
great number of retainers and dependents^
might be inclined to keep a large part of
their, eftates in tillage, and divided into
fmall farms, as this was the moft conve-
nient
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( 48 )
nlent method of providing for them, and
attended with the leaft expence,
;' Pafture-lands being thus confidercd by
the great laud-owners as more profitable
than lands in tillage^ tlie commons and
waftes. were generally prefer ved from all
cncroachtnents of the plough^ and as much
as pofiible enlarged. In their wildeft ftate
they yielded almoft as much profit to in-
dividuals as if they had been converted into
coim-lands. And oor- Ikill in huibanBry
was either fo imperfeft; or tillage lb much
difcouraged by the low price of grain, th«
we were frequently fuppHed with cofn
from abroad. In the lime of Edward the
Firft, we are told, .that, on ftoppinjg the
export of wool aiid hides, a fcarcity of
wine and grain enfucd (f ) ; from wheticc
it appears, that foreigners had occafionally
fupplied lis with corn. Grain was, never-
thelefs, confidered as one of the national
exports. From the time of the Nor'mftri
conqueft it had been t ran fported at parti-
cular times to the king's foreign dominions,
(«) Knyghton^ p. 2471.
but
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but feldom in fuch quantities a^ to influ-
ence the value of lands* Under the reign
of Edward the Third, the export of it was
for a time confined to Calais and Gaf-
coigne(r) ; and from this limitation it may
be prefumed, that it had fomctimes been
fent to other countries. It was afterwards
allowed to be exported to any place, ex-
cepting the king's enemies, paying fubfi-
dics and duties, till reftrained by the king*s
council (j). Its quantity, however, was
not v^ry large, as we neither had a fufE-
cient ftock to yield a coiiftant fupply, if it
had been demanded abroad, nor were our
roads and rivers in fuch a ftate as to admit
of the conveyance of grain from the inte-
rior counties. Its low price was no en«*
cburagement to its export, ^s it was nearly
of the fame value in other countries, and
required only in the time of a fcarcity. In
almoft all the wars carried on againft the
French, our forces were generally fupplied
with provilions from England ; and greater
quantities of corn were exported on this
(r) 34 Ed. III. c. 20.
{s) 17 Ric, il. c. 7. 4 Hen. VI. c 5*
Vol. II. El- account
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<f so. \
account than for the fupply pf foreigaex8<
Confidering the populoufnef3 of Flaaders,
and the eafy circumftances of the people.
It nxight have been ex^ed^ed that our conij^
as weU as our wool, might have found 4
mart there ; but the .greater ikill of th^
Klemifh hufbandmen, and fertility of theif
foil, enabled them, to fupply therr country*^
men with grain and other pnivifions with-t
out the affiftance of their neighbours, an4
occafionally to export them into othe?
countries^ -- :
J^s ufeful ^ the ^rn-tr^ ^raight have
hcen to the nation, the ftate of the rivert
and roads in England would not admit of
its being carried on in an advantageous 01;
extenfiye nianner. If fame counties, o^
particular towns, upoo the coafts, might
^lave received a benefit from it, the mland
countries were alaioft entirely debarredfron)
this branch pf trade. Few rivers were navii*
gable, though mjiny of the weirs had beett
ordered|toJ)e, remo^yed;. ax^id the roads were
fcarcely paflable, in the . winter. Manj*
things are requifite to carry on the corn-
trade, with advantage t^ th6 nation. Gdod
. ^ ^ . ,rpads,
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t 5\ )
tos^s cfavigable riter^, gts6at pkrtty of
grain at hdme^ and an advanced price a-
hrmdf snare c^uknt farmers^ and* a dimi^
nutioa of thd number of flipep, wdfene^
cefl&ry to encourage the growth of corn,
and qiake all .(he lands in till^e equal in
value to Ihieep-walks and paftures. The
principajl exports, wool, hldes^ and cbeefe^
by; introdufibg p^fturage, kfferied the
nunob^i: of Inhabitants, and prevented.^he
growth of graioL m fuch quantities as to afe
ford a conftant fupply to foreigners ; and
both the number of peo|de and the quan*^
tlty of cgm muft have continually de-^
pre^fed, if jthe woollen manufafture had
not been eftabKfhed and eticouraged.
The ditenkiution of the number of peo**
plCifrojoa thefe caules might, pfobably be
one reafon for ena<3:ing the ftatute of la-
bourers* The reafbn afligned in the adl is^
the great fcarcity of workmen and far-
Vants, owing to the peftilence ; and in a
fubfequent ftatute it is attributed to the
^reat number of perfons engaged in the
fervice of the nobility (/). During the
; (/; «3 tdi III. c. 'i- 25 Ed* IIL4bt, I.
E 2 time
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< 50
time of the plague, hboureri ttnere & O^skcc^
that a part of the com was left .uucuty
notwithdandhig their wages were ad*
vanced, and provifions of all kinds were
cxccffivcly. cheap (itf^. To thefe reafon^
for enadlng thde ftatute^ may be addecft
the advanocd price of com aiid other pro-
vidoDS^ This had been gradually increaf-
ing during the two laft centuries, and the
wages of iabo^Pecs would undoubtedly
keep pace with it. They rife : pr h\i to-
gether; and all the efforts that can be made
to reduce the one without the other will
be iiieffedual. The debafementof tl^ccmi
inuflalfbaffift in advancTng the aomiual
price of labour and provifions. Though
money is no more thaii an arbitrary repre-
fentative of the value of commodities, it i$
not hi the power of the kgiflature to nrife
or (ink it at pleafure without affeftiog their
price. In fome feafons of diftrefs a Ae^
bafeipent of the ccnn may bring a tempos-
rary relief to the government at the exr
pence of the fubjefts; butits general eicd
(*) KnyghtoB, p, ^ ^9^
is,
Digitized
by Google
( 5^3 /
is, that it oihly adds to the tale of money,'
Without yielding any pernnanent profit to
the natit>ri. The price of corn and provi-
fibns' rriay at fuch tinmes fecm to advance,
when, in reality, the denomination of ino-
ney* IS only altered.
Before the time of enacting this ftatirte
of labourers, the condition of the mecha-
tiics and artificers, in almoft every occupa-
tion, had been fo much improved, that
they confiddfed : themfelves no longer as
the iiicre vaffals of their mafiers. Ahnoft
afl the petry occupiers of the lands were
now included under the name of tenants
or villains, without diftinguifliing them
into flaves and freemen. If there was any
<liftindiori in their dates, it was only, that
jbme of them were fubjeft to no bind-days,
and others obliged to fervices which were
due by cuftom or agreement. The per(bns
of both, were equally free on the difcharge
of the rents and fervices required of tbem^
though many of them were confined to the
manors in which they lived. Under the
Anglo-Saxon government, the number o/
hired fervants was extremely fmall. Al-
E 3 moft
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•( 54 )
moft all the mecliaDfcsf aiid' labourers !i{
hufbandry were. (Uve^ or > tenants of th^
glebe ; and fpr this reafon Jt was n«|dlef5
to fettle the price of labour. After the ar->
rjval of the Normajis, the villains and arti-r
ficers continued nearly jii.the fame^ate,
and fervec^ their mafters acfording to» an-
cient cuftpms, Ry degrees they .obtaine4
fome port'ion of liber tyr* ; Many of the flave$
belonging to f hpt , laify , as well* as eccle^
fiaftic§ hjad he^n. fet fffe^e, i or purchafed
their /freedoift 5 , and^'ptherS had ppfleffed
their fmall paincels of Jand fo long as to b?
admitted as tenants in villainage. Th^
ancient fprin of conveyance nevertheleft
i^rontinned in-Xife : and' the ofccnpiers of the
lands held in villaSiaage were conveyed to the
purohafer, with their faitiilies and feffeds.
•But' this forni' of coliveyance oftentimes
implied littJe more than a right to the fer*
vices which were du^ by cuftpnA. ' The
^Norrnan^i afife<Siing gi?eater elegance in their
buildings and fufftiture, and introducing
better pfiodels in architefture than were in
•ufe among the AnglorSaxons, difcharged
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( 55 )
*teany of their clumly mechanics, and
brought more (kilful oi^S from abroad.
"They retakied, hpwever, fuch la^urers in
their feryice as were confined to woits bf
-^iiufbandry, ^nd for which aloijte ^they wefe
qualified.
Ail the ftatutes of labourers were un-
doubtedly calculated for the benefit of the
land QwnerSj and defigned.to keep their
villciins and labourers in their' ancient ftate
^f fubjeftion. No ekprefs notice is taken
in tjie ads of any wojrkmen employed in
Jhe^ wooUeii manufedure, though at that
jtime thty xnuft have been p^'etfy nume-
rous. The wage? of thefe feem to have
been referred po their mafters, while
the land-owners thought it neceffary to
fix the wages of their labourers on lower
terms .th<iu were offered by the artificers
and manufadurers. And though the
ii^orkmen in almoft every occupation were
fubjed to many oppreflions, yet their con-
dition w^s preferable to the labourers in
hufbandry, who had fo long been confidered
as vaflals, that their maflers were generally
unwilling to admit of any addition to their
* E 4 ^; ancient
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( 5<5 )
ancient wages. It cannot therefore be
thought ftrauge, ihat the foiis of the vil-
lains and cottagers (hould . flee to the bo*
roughs, or any other places that offered a
profped^ of liberty, and a more profitable
employment.
Various means wem made ufe of to re-
tain them in the fcrvice of their mafters on
antient terms. In the firft ftatutc, provi-.
iion was made, that the lords ihould be pre-
ferred to others in the choice of their la-
bourers and land-tenants, fo.that they re-
tained no more than, were neceflkry {v).
This giving the lords a power to keep an
indtfijiite number, two years afterwards
the commons conifJ^i^^j that fervants
paid no regard to the ftatute> but engaged
themfelves in the fervice of great naen and
others, uiilcfs their wages were .advaijce4f
The former aft was therefore enforced^
and the wages of particular workmen and
labourers were exactly fixed (w). In order
to defeat thefe afts, many of the land*
(v) 25 Edvr* III. c* I.
(fvj 25 Edw. ni. fiat. I. 1 1 Ric. IL c. 4. 1 Hen. VI.
7 tenants
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( SI )
tenants and labourers fled into other coun-
ties, or to the cities and boroughs ; it was
therefore ordained, that labourers and
workmen fhould not remove out of their
own hundred without a letter patent under
the king's feal, or that they (hould be out-
lawed, or brought back and imprifbned^
or returned to their matters {x). By other
afts it was orcfercd, that artificers and han-
dicrafts people ihould hold to one myfterjr
{^y) ; that no wages (hould be taken on
feftlval days {%) ^ and that, in the time of
harveft, artificers, and people of myftery^
fervaftts, and apprentices, (hould be obliged
to aflift in reaping and carrying in the corn
{a). And, to bind them (lill clofer to the
land owners, it was ordained, that vftxj
one who had been confined to works of
hu{bandry till twelve years of age, (hould
be obliged to continue in that occupation
^^) ; but as this law was eluded by parents,
(«) 34 Bdw. III. c. lo, II. II Ric. II« c. s* . '
(y) 37 E<Jw. III. c. 6.
(xy 34 Edw. III. c. • • 4 Hen. IV« cw 14^
(a) I a Ric. IL c. 3.
{^; la Ric. II. C.J.
who
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t 5« ^
j9irbQ bound th^tt thiidren *E|){B:t£it«:es ft
Ithe nbaptifftdiarers^nd artificers before tha|
age, ail »& ^i^as loade^ by which parents
^vere prohibit from putting out their
^ildrcn apprentices, uf^efs they pofleflfed
.tw^iHy (hUJiogs a year in i rent or land (c),
^To enforce tb^c ftatute$, a paialty vrz^
Jnflt^ed on the giver and taker of higher
-wages than were appoinfed(i/). As thi«
Jaw could pot be ftrldly obferved by the
tinaftors, they were obliged to compound
fop offeoiics of this ^Jtind witfi the jking*s
.officers^' who levied cpniiderable fums on
;this account, though Edward tlie Third
.fometimes granted tp the qommpns the
•fines ^and amercements for pfifei>ces of thi$
<ort, itt aid of tenths and fifteenths (e). A
i-emedy was therefore provided^ by fobjfeftr
ilig the taker only to a penalty {"/J. And
though this, fcheme, like every other of
,the fame kind, failed in producing thd d?-
(c) 7 FJen, IV. c* t ;• t .
(^) 12 Ric. ll.c. 4.
{0 Knygh^i^ p^ i^oo. . ?3 Edwi 111, c* 8. 25 Edwr.
nLc.6. * .
CO 4 Hen. V. c 4.
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{ S9 }
JpRg^r/tp: tyra?wi?e over their yfoxkmQti
^d: ita^ourers^ In tlie ^ fecpnd ad for.t fet-^
^Img: th§ ,w;^s. of labourers, thf price of ^
l^tffli^ of whe?t was fbfed at ,t€n^ pepce j
giid^hi GQiuntd^S: wh^^^l^^qw^r,? Yf&re u-*
AwUfJ^'r^i^ itli6raifl>; it; w?^ lejft^ t^ the op-
lion of th^ iitsifter whetsher ,bea would pay
f hem in Qom oc money (g-)- This was a
referve fo nwch 41 favour of fche m^er,
jhat.it iiMe^ariljfiXQutributediWiCfefe^t tht
iiit^iotian of the ftatute^ .ThQ^rr^gwUr
price of grain enabled ^him.tQi^ppr^fs hi»
workmen by. paying them in wheat , only
when it fell.fhortof the price mentioned iii
th^'^^. And it Ay;4S.this:v^ri4ble prijqe of
gl^airt; an.d provifiops that Jpaad^; it 4kiJoft
lmpr^0^^h\^ tft JAJt the.laWt i4 exficmio^^
^nd at |aft,.Qbligied,the legi(lat;ur€ jto refer
thefe^^lingof wa^s fo the jafticeaf of;,th«
peace, according to the rates of proviiion^.
By the firft ftatute fot regulating the
wages of labourers, they were enjoined to
J:ake no higher wages than were ufually
H;) 2S Edw. III. flat* i. c. I,
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die tWeMkth feaar of SJ^ard the Third^^
or ftvc t>r fix years^ aftxt bifora (i&) • Uii^ef-
the foMc^ng reigns their wages were tbiofe
csa6kly fisted. In the reign of Rkhard the
Second^ a bmliff in huitaiKiTy was tare-
ceive for his annual ^^^ges tbtrfeeen ^iHinga
:^d four|ieiice, and hh clo^x^u^. ou«e :ki
tite year; ^he metier hind) carter^ and ib^
herdt ten ihiUing$ each ; oxheid 'and 'Cow-
herd, fix'fliilUiigs alid e^t pence ^each ;
fwineherd; womau klxburer^ and d^e 0^
lix (hiliings eadi ; plough dr«ferj {even
Aillings^ and every other fervallt or ki-
bpurer according to his dqgree^iaad le& m
countries where left ufed to be given, with-
out ctoaditng or any gratuity (i); lAider
the re^ 06 Heiliry the Six^ the wag^ of
iervants were advaated« The atinual falary
of the bailiff in husbandry was fettled at
* ■ • / ■ -. t . ' ' . - '.
(1) A ^aye, or dairyman, w.a$ employed by the pobiKiy
and monafHcs to fuperintend tbelr cows and deifies, and to
Aifply ttiemwijth^nftilH^ bnrter, and dieefe^ or to dtf pd(e of
fbefc articles when they were noi required for their ufe. In
this a(^ the deye feems to txnun the miUi orvdairy maid.
ik) 1 2 Ric. II. c. 4.
twenty*
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( <^t )
hi6 clothing at fivb ihiUmgs; chief htod^
farjter, and chief (bepberd, at twenty flttl*
^lgs> Laci4. their €loalll»Bg at four fliiilings,
each ; a cojnmdli f^vaht in ^iifl>an<ky tc.
fifte^ (hiiiiiigs, and his cloathing at forty
pence ; a woman fervatit at ten fliillingSy
asid her doalMiig at four (hillings ; and a(
cMId under fourteai yea» of age at fix
ftiilings, anddoathing at three (hillings (/)*
This difiference of wages may in fonic de-
gree be attributed to the alteration in the
coin, - In the tinatt'of Richard the Second,
riie (hilling <:ohtainedj^o hundred and
thirteen grains of pure filver; and, in the
t«^9PtyTtbir4 ^ Henry the &xth, only one
hi^red ind fe?enty*lix grains,: or, in otlier
Words^ a pound of filver' was coined into
tfircnty^feve (billings tinder the (brnaer
king^ aud into thirty ihiUings under ^he
latter. To carry thefe regulations into ex -
ecution, it was thought neceflary to eftab?
liih a kind of furaptuary Jaw, and appoint
the diet of fervaiits (^m). And there is the
(/) 23 Hen. VI, c. ti*
(«) 37 Bdw. in. c. 9^ 9. ^
left
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( «o
thy (hould be exercised ovift the mferiol!*
rdnks of people, ^ tHe gentry' ^ert for a
time unabrfimikrTeftriAiott»?^tifeb re^^
tp their at)palr«l ami td:Ae9(Ki)v • > >
. Upon every view . that wc . dan take of
thefe ftatutes, they myft appear to-be ex*
tretnely impolitic* >.To fiK^the wagesi of
laboiarers at a certain Aim, ojiuft in its .cori^
fcquefKS$fflheGk the %ii:itof iaBuftry,iTlrfc«
bad fCTvl|ii*$(^)i,:aud<reidiiice all the woit«»
men to ai:ftate of flothfulnefe; but riie
land^o^ners bad' ccfenmanded the ferviceof
thdr vaiCtk,(iaiTd rfequitcd it on theit* oWil
tefcms' fibr f a iori^ a ticjie, ihat'thc^p -WeFe
tmwiQingitD^ admic of any impfoyeriientifi
their conditioii, or of the ftioft diftant :4p^
proaches to liberty and in^ckpefldence; ^^^If
ihe.prfce o6gKahi was higher than ih fef3»
mar ages^ or the boitmddrba^, iinn W9g>M
of Jabojiirers' mUft unavoidably ^b^ kd vaii<Jedy
in order to yield therh a rriaintenance ; and
this addition to dncicnt wages, by incrcaf**
■j:*: ^;u/: i -/i ^:^; .^:! •"- : -'^ . •- -^-'l
(>?) lo Edw. III. ftar, 3. ^ 3*7 Edw* III. c io« 5 Edwr*
*^' ^'5* . , t 1 V^ ' it i , )
(^) Knyghton, p. a6oj. I.; • -^ ' .
'- ; ing
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k^g tbe e^cpences of raifing com, imift nc-i
ceffarily make au addition to its price;
With refpeft to the law for cldathing fcr^
vaats, it naturally tended to confine thd
greateft part of our wo<Jlen manufidburers
to the making of coarfe cloths, which, cm^
ploying, fewer hand$ than the finer, gave-
jjn advantage to foreigners, Thcie con^
ftantly fupplied us with fine draperies for
fome centuries, and left us nothing to ex-
port but coarfe manufa£lures. And the
law for confining artificers to one myftery
or occupation feems to be calculated only
for defpotic flates, and muft oftentimes be
not only inconvenient, but reprefs geniuB
and induilry.
If .we compare the prices of grain and -
labour in thofe and the prefent times, th?
gain will be found on the fide of .moderiji
labourers. The price of a bufhel of wh^at
is fixed in the firft ftatute at ten pei>ce, of
about twenty ihillings a quarter in our
money ; and this was cpnfidered as its mer
dium price, in the time of ^Edward th^
Third, and the three "or foy,r fgllowing
reigns. So much has the condition' of la-
2 bOurers
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( H )
bourers been improved, and (b mudh
greater is the prefent Ikill in hufbandry^
that, notwitbftanding the higher rate of
lands, the price of wheat has fcarcely been
doubled^ while, the wages of all forts of
workmen and labourers, after deducing
the public burthens, are at the loaft jfiv^
times higher than in thofe times of vaf-
falage«
The reduftion of wages was a point in
which the land-owners and manufafturert
feemed to agree, though there cannot be a
furer fymptom of a general poverty in a
commercial ftate than the low wages of
workmen. As long as they continue to be
low, the circulating ca(h of the nation muft
be inconfiderable, the produds of the laflds
of fmall value, and the nation itfelf incapa*
ble of carrying on an exienfive trade at
home or abroad. If the wages of work-
men and labourers are very low, and the
people in general in mean circumftances,
the confumption of their own manufac*
tures will be proportionally fmall. And
\i$vmg fo littld to expend in the purchafe
of
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iif their cswixicohimoflmfife,. there miifir He
itoidet encoutag^nieiit/to. th^^tfcnfunafftifln
.o€ thdjgpdd^fhcy.receite fr(nil»r!fiine!gnfirs
in ^e&tchaiige. fo't their owa*. So th^Jt, as
has ibe^n hriiorfe, thaiv;ouce.,oBfejrvQd, the
4^itme^, ^rid fdr^igii^^v^e. .of eyeiy n^UiQai
^fxpeptinig .the; j^rotits,. :a/ifiiig ^tfrqiaa, ti)e
^cighrt of goods^ iu forpf; ^^gf ^e (Jepe^cjai
Oil the ^ gene r^l^Vcvimcfta^iceSf pf xk^ people.
"^hije . che;iaad-owrt^V,s \yef e ^r uggUilg
t;Q;^etaia titbit tenawt^ aiid ^affaU. in their
a<>cieatft(i^qf f¥tgei<l:ioj[J bj.yi^idfet mrj9ta$,
an effeflu^- ifnetb(i)4rWas tak^u for thdr
ijf]j^f,i)tf\9licc^rftging th^ ejXpott pf graiii.
TThis/^^as ^[ni^afure equally. calculated for
thewter^ t>£)bQth ; and, if it tended. to
|)ratBat^ tha^eafe aiid . independence of the
oCcjipieraroffthe laftdsj.^t enriched theif
lanjd.iot4** .ajiid.gaVe a'li additional value to
their eftat^0* f The impott and export of
gr^Jn.feenif to Ji^ye bpen for fosxiQ ages
jequally.f^rmitt^d,;,w ^?gardmg t^
different efFe<9ts fhejr muft produce in the
eultivatron of the lands> And the low
ftate of hu{bahdry,^ a;nd poverty of the
farmers, both at home ai>d abroad, made a
Vol. II. F li.
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'5 ^.^^^
: licence of this kind in ibme .meafure n^-
ceftkry. Dearths were fo frequent, both
in Ehgldnd and on the continent, that the
inhabitants were obliged occafionally -to
fupply each other with provifions. Early
ill the reign of 'Edward the Third, leate
^was given to foreigners to buy or fell corrf,
viduals, and^ other commodities (p) ; but
the export of grain was aftertvards con^
fined to Calais and Gafcony, in ordei- to
fupply the kih^^s^ fotbes in his ekpeditioh
againft France (y);i^A§thi^'^''wa^ 66-
figned to ferve a paYticuMr p(irj[)ole, it pro-
bably fell into difufe in ft ifew yearg, or
was occafionally difpenfed with by the
officers- of the crown. Under the reign nJf
Richard the Second, leave was given t3o
export corn, except t6 the king's enemies,
on the payment of the fuhlidies and duties,
with a referve, that his council might re-
ftrairi it, when neceffary for the ^obd df
the kingdom (r). This a€l: tvas. renevvefl
(f) gEdw. III. (he. I.
{tr) 3$ Ed w. III. c. 20.
(r) i7Ric*lLc. 7. : ' ;: ;
. or
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( <7 )
6t confirmed 4ii the time of Henry' the
Sixth, but was afteirwalrds repealed, under
the fame prince, and another fubftituted
in its place. Leave was given, for a li*
mited time, to export corn, when the price
of a quarter of wheat was under fix (hil-
lings and eight pence, and barley and rye
under three (hillings (i). A few years
afterwards, the a£l was made perpetual,
and continued in force, excepting (bme
occafional fufpenfions, till the reign of
Elizabeth.
While this encouragement was given to
export grain, the free import of it was
permitted, and fubje<Sl to no other reftric-
tions than that the merchants, who im-
ported it, (hould-expend the money they
received for their com, or other merchan-
dize, in the purchafe of Englifh commodi-
ties. Under a fucceeding reign, the im-
port of foreign grain was. prohibited, when
the price of a quarter of wheat, at homq,
was under fix (hillings and eight pence ;
rye, four (hillings ; and barley, three (hiU
(/) 15 Hen. VI. c. 2. 23 Hctu VI. c. ^.
F 2 lin^s.
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( 68' )
lings (/). This ftatutc ||ad xm^ttadflj^
its ufe ; but it was not produftive df fuch
beneficial cotifequences as might have beed^
expedted. Nothing could be more? im|)o^
litic than ta permit the free import cyfgraiO^
at all times, into a country, whofe landfr
were abundant^ fufficient, by a proper
culture, to fupply the national demand.
Ill the time of a fcarcity, ai3? iiiiport be-*
comes ,neccffary ; but the occafion ought
to be pre.fitng, left difcouragetnent or ruitt
Ihould attend our hufbandry at homCr
When th^ harveft has not beeft" fo plentiful
as ufual^ the farmer experts acr advance in
the price of his grain, as req,uifite to dif-
ch^rge his rent:' and this can be effeftecf
only ty reft raining the free import of corn
by foreigners. It may fomefiimes happen,
by the difference of feafons, low price pi*
labour, or greater fertility Ojf foil, that
grain may be cheaper abroad than at lio^pe ;
but there is no m6re reafon, at fuck times,
tb admit its import, than the wear of any
foreign manufadure, however cheap, that
interferes with the fale of our own;
(/; 5 Edw, IV. c. li
Though
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( 69 )
Though thefe ads, relating to the ex-
port and import of grain, continued in
force during federal reigns, yet many rea-
fbns concurred to make fome alterations
neceflary for the encouragement of tillage.
If foreigners were permitted to import
wheat, when its price in England exceeded
fix fhillings and eight pence a quarter, and
other forts of grain in proportion, and the
fubjefts were at thofe prices prohibited
from exporting them, the advantage lay
entirely ou the fide of the former. By the
debaf^nent of the coin, and the acceflion
of wealth by trade and induftry, money
was reduced alnjoft to one third of its an-
'<:leat value. So that, by the neceflary adi-
vance of the nominal price of grain, from
thefe and other caufes, foreigners were fel-
dom debarred from importing, and the
natives as feldom ^t liberty to export it^ if
it (hould have been demanded abroad.
To thefe difcouragements of tillage,
others may be added, Butter and cheefe
had been made merchandize of the ftaple ;
tut the king's licence feems to have been
jiepeflary to the merchant who exported
F 3 them^
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( 7« )
them, till the end of the reigii of Richard
the Second ; and afterwards they could be
exported only to Calais without the fpecial
licence of the chancellor; but this law
was repealed the following year («).
Thefe limitations were fo far of fervice in
promoting tillage, as they tended to check
the export of thefe articles, and by that
means to leflen the quantity. The land-
owners, finding the profit arifing from
thefe articles, as well as from wool and
leather, augniented the number of their
flocks and herds, and converted many of
their tillage lands into paftures. It was
therefore neceffary, for the encouragement
of tillage, either to plohibit the export of
thefe jirticles, or to advance the price of
grai^-
A ftatute was enabled for prohibiting
the exportation of live fheep^ not only on
account of the lofs to the kingV revenue,
by carrying the wool out of the nation
without paying th^ ufual duty, but under
a pretence that the breed of Enjglifli fheep
(«) 11 Ric. II. ^.17. 18 ntn, VI. c. 3. P»L Hift.
vol, II, pp. 190, 236,
might
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.( 7i )
inight be propagated abroad, to the d^trt^
ment of our woollen manufaftories ('^)J
The finenefs of the Spanifh wool has^ beeii
attributed to a few Gotefwold (heep pre^*
fented to the king of Spain by Edward the
Fourth ; and the ftory has been fometimejj
believed. As Spain was femous for the
goddnefs of its wool, we were willing to
divide the honour with 'it/ though we
wete too late in our claitii by many c6nta*
f ies. And there is greater reafon tb be-
KeVe, that the breed of (hefep^ in ^many
parts of Europe, has been improved by the
Splhiih, rather than that the latter -has re-
ceived any improvement from* the Iheep
of other Countries. The fame king is faid
to have permitted Annually the export of
two thoufand rams to Flanders, during the
Kfe'of his aunt (^\. - Aiid if tTieFlemifh
wool had equalled qUt/Own, we fhould
have afcri^ed it to the (aMe caufe.. Supr
polirtg it had been poffible tp introduce the
breed of Engiilh fheep into, foreign couri*
(v) 5 Heir. VI. c. i. Park Hift* vol. II. p. i^o. .
(k;) Anderfi>ft*i Hift of Com. vol.J* p. 296.
F 4 tries,
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(7* )
tmm. and prefcrW} tlje ;fuiei>ffs of theif
>fOqlf .aU. the 9^re,of. th^, legiflature^toprer
veil t their p:gjport yvpviid havQ tjeefj ixief-
fc£lu^. Bef(:^e,t^,9ro]^lbitip}),ag4pfl: the
export ©f fheepr took t.pltV?^ tbp?€> is no
^lovl?f >t«at thePr^^fli, Flem^iig]^ awd Qther
patio4i% niafle c^^g^irpeiafia of this , kind,
yjie higlx piic^ ^4 ?%^^^. '^^P^^ WR^4
Uffip^^h^m t^qrma^a -trial ,hpw^rfar,t|i^
Qr cli«iatefpein^ *^J^^^^ def^^teql it* Spa^
i»i^.%?P^jf5W>Yed;^k^^ Bngjaud, 4oq
f^geiaera^e, i[^ .re(p9^ ,^i tjjte ^gc)9ch>efs of
tj^eir Ijeecea \ and ♦for t)>$ ikig^-reafojj it is
{jrateble^ th^t£ngli£h :(hjeep^mfiy«l intq
jjljnBe.p^rft; of Spdir^^ im-
pro^ia jhisireipeKSt, till, in leiigth of ^ime|
the^a^vcre^ecjual tpjtji^.^iv^, if treajted ii^
^c^l^€^4P^pqij^<. Scyeral parts- of Italv
had fprnfiQrly hepji .^f^QiCitis for the fi|i43ne^
pf their w^li \ ^i tlwe is reaibn "to be-
J^evei that;^ m^y fraitlef§ 9ttem|>te were
made to equa\ It jin^ther plapes. Some of
our wooT ncaifly eqiials the Sj>ariiih ; but
theq\mtityis lefeat prefeut thaa m.for-
pier ages, on iaccouirt of th^ uickj^res.that
^ % * have
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( 73 )
hvf^ feeeil m^dc of th« ej^tenfire dawn9
^nd waftcs which were aoicieatly flocked
wkh ihecp; aud ane now applied to other
purpofe^. Aii4 though it xnay^ be ia our
power, to irnprove <:?ur >vQoi, in particular
foiU and fituatipns, by adopting the Spii^iifh
uiode of managing their flieepj yet :the
plimate^ or the want of proper* paftures^
will probably for eyer prevent us, froa>
attainu^ to ^ perfpft .equality, ^ ,
. j[t n|^y hp^ ^jeceflary to take fogie noti(?e
pf : the ftatute relative . to the prefervatioa
pf syoods, as, during the period of which I
^m iijpeaki|)g, t^hey b^amef the pbJ3^d$ of,
jarU%qa^i}^ry car^ Woods had forxinerly
bp^a fo plentijful. in every part of tlie kii:fg-
dom, and the demand for fjiip- timber fq
fmall, that they are not noticed in the
ftatiitcrbook. till the reign of Edwiird the
I'ourtbj, .ivheii licenpe wa^ given tq iiijclofe
(ucb wqqds as were the; property j of. the
fubjefl^ wit|:iin thf forefts, chafes^ -an^
purlieus, for feyen years after they ha4
been cut -down, for the -fake of preferving
^he young trees (x). As th? a£l relates
ix) 2i Edw. IV. c. 7,
' pnly
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i 74 J
only to woods within the fbrefts, it may
be fuppofed that greater care had been
taken of others ; though the right, which
mm^y of the freeholders poflefled^ of fup^^
plying themfelves with timber and fuel, in
countries where woods abounded, would
frequently defeat every attempt to prefervc
them. Till the reign of Edward the Firft,
the Londoners were fupplied with wood
and turf from the neighbourhood; 'and,i
loiig after his time, coals were brought
only in fmall quantities firom the north.
An eminent writer has obferved, that it is
of cbnfiderable benefit to a Country, when
itis able to fupply itfelf with necieffkiy fuel
V/itTiout appropriating largetra^Jsoflandfof
the growth of woods {y). And there can l>e
no 'doubt, but the lauds, which are applied
to the growth of corn or grafs, are more
profitable to th^^ public, by the ntimber of
b^Adtf^ they fcmploy in their culttire, than
in^Q woodlands; but the increafe of coqi-
m'^^fcei and the navy, after thofe times,
obliged us to have rtecourfe to foreigners
. ^i'M ' ■ - . ■ .
(y) Monicfq^. Efpril dti Loix, L ixiii. c 4. .
for
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i 75 )
for a fupply of (hip -timber. The fcarcity*
of woods is, therefore, not always {o bene-
ficial to a trading nation, though abound-.
jDg with coals, as may on the firft view,
appear.
And, at the time of enafting this ftatutc,
the national commerce was very much en*
larged, and required a greater number of
veflels, to caj^ry it on, than in former, ages.
Its progrefe, indeed, had been extrejmeljf
flow. Notwithftanding the encourage-
ment given to it by Magna Charta, the
nobility and gentry ftill afFe<3;ed to confider
every fpecie$ of traffic a$ ignoble, and treat-
ed the nierchants and tradefmen with fome
degree of cpi^itempt. .Nor were prope^
reftridions alwjiys put upon, the king's
officers in collecting the duties and cuftomst
though it was promifed, in the Great
Charter, to fettle them according to ancient
ufage. And there is no, iuftance to . be
given, that trade has floUrilhed, in any
country, till its fifcal and mercantile laws
have been exprefled with all poffible clearr
nefs, and the powers of the colleftors of the
cuftoms, as well as the rights of the peo-
ple,
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jjic, have been exaftly afcertatned. But
jthis could not be expefted m- thofe rude
ages. Tb^ nature of commerce was im-
perft&ly underftood; ?nd the beft mer-?
can tile Fegulatipns, in every ftate, have
rather been the refult of experience thaij
of forefight and reflefkion. It w^as, never-
theless, ^n advantage to the merchants,
that cut mpft valuable exports wej-e the
immediate produfts of the lands, and the
chief benefits of them received by the land-
owners. Under thefe circumftances, th6
intereft of both became infej^rably \iriited,
^d led them to guard, with equal care,
jigainft fvery rpiojle of oppreffion by the
prown. When ^n additional duty was fci4
tipon woqI exported, B^ Edwatrd th? Third,
the parlian^ent remonft rated againft it, not
merely as ar^ arbitrary impofition, but a?
calculated to deprive them pf a part of their
ipevenues; and y(^t, if its price had been
f^nhanced to foreign weavers by an extra-
ordinary duty, our woollen maiiufafturers
would have beeq better enabled to enter
into competition with them in the markets
abroad* But tj^ utility of cpnfining our
wool
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wool at home, for the ufe of our ^wn fa-
brics, was not {o readily difcerned by the
gentry as the benefits of its expdrt; and,
for this reafon, it continued to be carried
abroad, in large quantities, long after its
manufa^ure had • been encouraged by tlia
nation.
Under the reign of Henry the Third,
the merchants were obliged to fubmit to a
variety of oppreffions, on account of the
poverty of the crqwn^ and the diforderiy
ftate of the nation. {%). After the acceffioa
of Edward the Firft, the government l)^ii
to take a more regular form. Many ufeful
iaws were, indeed, occafionally diipenied
with, or imperfeftly put in execution ; bi](
as they were generally foimded oi\r th^
principles of public utility, there was rca^
fon to hope that they would in timecJ^t^
a more conftant refpe£l and authority.
Edward the Third difcerned the power
and opulence derived by the Flemings froa>
the maniifadure of our wool ; and he too!^
proper methods for introducing and encou-
(s) M, Paris, p. 744.' Ann. Burt. ^ 309. Pari. HIiL
vol I. p. 43,
raging
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raging it in England. By protefting the
Flemifh wearers who fled hither, and iu-r
viting' others to fettle here, he took the
moft efreftual meafures for improvhig our
woolleii manufafture ; and, to aid its pro-
grefs^ he prohibited the export of our wool,
till otherwife ordered, and the import of
foreign cloth, and confined the fubjefts to
the ufe only of our own (^r). If the ftate
of our wooHen-^maiiufaftories' would, have
permitted a* rigorous' execution of thefe
Jaws, they muft -have been of the utmoft
fer/ic^'to the public; but they were imme-
diately neglefted, and anfwered no other
yurpofe than to mortify the earl of Flan-
ders (^). By .a ftran^e. kind of policy, a
ifitity was laid upon cloth ddfigned for fo-
reign mark^S; and; at the fame time, the
export of. wool was: encouraged under the
ancieolr ouftoms. . And ^ fo little was the
tnje oatttircxxf comfherce underrtood, that
th^ ^trweri-gehemlly^' open for the re-
ception of eVery foreign commocHty, with-
(a) ti Ed, in. c, I. 2. 3. 5.
(^; Anderfon^s Hi(>, otCom, vol." I. p. i66.
out
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out regarding how far it might contribute
to diminifli the lale of our own. What*
ever was iFo\!md to be profitable to the
crown, or individuals, was- often the mea-
fure of public policy; and it was com-
monly thought to be of flight confequencfe
what fort of goods was imported, fo fong
-as particular perfons received an advantage
from them. The ^ impofition of extraordf-
nary duties on fome foreign goods,.and the
prohibition to export fome of our own pro*
du£ts in their rude ftate, were the invention
of later times, arid introduced a new proHcy
into all the 4>ranches oi commerce. If,
however, greater encouragement had been
given to our woollen manufa<9:ories, thejr
muft nec^flarily have continued in a Ian**
guid ftate tiU the circumftances of ItlA
people, both at home and abroad, werdb
far improved ?s to enable them to purchafe
a greater quantity of our aianuia£ttirel«
In later ages, the Hollanders ooold ttat
have made fo rapid a progrcfs in wealth
and commerce, if they had not been^aflifted
by the richer atid more improved ftates of
Europe. In modern times, a (ingle city,
or
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6r populous towa^ cqafumes^ HlQie ^a^v^
aad forcigu g9Qds,,,aij4 mi^kfa a gireatw
.addition ^ ]&be trade of -th)^ paciou, fbim i
whole county under the r^tgus.c^the tjl^^ae
firft Edwards. And, on this principle, we
roay account for the great a^Vance§ qf
comiperc^ in t{|fe I^w Countries, witlxi^
thecompafs af little q^ire than a century,
and its flow progref^ in Jthi^e e^ly lag^s^ \
It app^vs, iffopi^ a|> article in M^gnrf
Cl>^rt5^jhat, ajt th^.>t^(^^ of figging it,, we
l^d jQjiQ^rGhanta abroad. ^ but at th? faflie
tijpae we ha4 a much greajte^v^^nher tqf
merchant M^r^ngprs in JEpg^i?^, who ^
foix^f time afterwards engroffe^ the princi-
pal ip^rt of the> i^tiop;^l tf^sj^e* They were
.allfwc^,; to the.e3^plufipn{o^;^jPjatiyes, to
etpott the clji^f ^ticlfiftofjctra^c, wooj,
kad^ and tin, and a^f^hp^ piqr^andize of
J^e ijt8Bl^(c|, . Aqd, wl^at may be thought
e<|^Hj); > i^jjolitic, Ofn xn^rchau^s were, not
The EafterHi^igSvOr Hanfemerchiant$,.^ei«e
themoftcopfideraVk ti-aders, a^d^.bjj^the
- (0 *4 Ed. lii. c. 3; ' . ' "
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Jirivileges Which they ^Iquirdd froftith*
ferdwa, obtained (b lar|fe a fliare of dut
toitihierec as to cd«filld if rfmdft t^hdlly f6
thettifelvesi They Were gettfefally willing
to purchafe ^hy pf ml^g« Whifcb th^
th6^ght rie^fllkiy fof carrylilg it 6n t6 fe|i
vanta^j awd the ctoWn w^s tifuilly'Sfe
ready^ fot a v^oabliJ^cdnfideratidfij t6 cdfti-
ply with their rtqumfi^ And the national
intereft was for a time fo far neglaSted^ or
mifunderltbod, by bur princes ahd the par*
liameat^ that ^reigners' wdre inrited td re-
fbrt hither ?ifer the fale m purbhafe of ewrjr"
naeroan tile. commodity without dtfliuftionb
Th^y were , permitted to buy or fell corn,
widely WwlS^ olothsy and all other tbkigs ^
veadible j ai>d# noti^kfeftanding the ffa»»
ehifes df ,bQrQV<§{ik^: aif>d;ite!wn!a cdrpor^^e;,
were allowed . tO: fell the goods they im*v
ported by; wbodkrfil© or retale(*)/ Out
merchants wiejre; Ukewife reftrained frote
fengrofiing particular conimoditiesy and
eorvfined td ufeor deal only kiv onie rher^
chandize; but this limitation continued
(e) 9 Edw. ni. c. I. 45 tdW. III. flat; iv. e. z.
Vol. II. G only
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only one ycar^/^ As tht priQcipIfis^of
commerce became better undefftoo^, ths?
fifiy^eges of i^^^eign.mercJiantf b«gan tolje
i^qni^red as incompatible ivith the ai^it«iel
^tie»:eft; or they g^ve io rmu^ od^nceto
j^f^ewas pofl[eflpdof thefranchifes of a
jjprpugh, as tp.be^graduajyiy reiftrftiijed. lA-
Imi iJicrQhjtots, and 5W>rkm€»> froid ab»)tid
in every occupation^ ^wereralw^ £&gfee«
able tojthe populace^ atid ufBally <meit with
g»cat oppofition m<the dticfsrand! bofoughs>
ill Loi^iim, and Mher p^acefs^ vtoletik^ was
ibfhetlmeis \ifed t<»^ expeiithemi ind^;fftt
other ttmesi they were put wider virions
,rtftri<Skions by thei^parlibmein^ whteh* weife
4^dMr inconvenient? to them, than bbnefidal
td*»be nation. I^rtieular good^ Wisrecnn'-
tt»rat«di which theff. m^hl fell ito ^m%
a(nd not by^i^fle^^). They were^ alio re-
quired to €xpend»«an half of the money,
fhi^ t^eived ibr the goods they imported,
' in th^ purchafe of £ngrii(h commodities ;
and aftcrwardfe tHey" were enjoined to ex-
Cf) 37Eclw-irL c.^-
if) ^ Ric, II. flat. ii. €. I.
... i«»d
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( ^1 >
ftran'ger, '<w 'tof^flHpofe'^ oF hfs goodi by re- '
taler0.' Itt'a'fiiMtiq^ii rtigti, thfef wens'
cortip^«?d»td fen thek ^gbbd J \Vithiii Wqii^
ifer of *yaaf- -^na'fo.dipenk %b)fc''ra6'ri6y;
mewjlian^feei' ' Witft refpeS:^ td- the Hme
iSSMWHigithef were relieved j3xe ridxt-year;'
EiHiEi' at''tHe fame' tftrie,-'a^ ffciferviatiott" %as
iniaae^' ^the iJbertefe^^m'«IteTfi«Mfei-c*^fe
wci6l,' bri ^Vwere, requ'trfel' t^^ lirtdg,"^
^V% &fe'af ^<iol/or three' Jnfefee^- 6f fin,-
they ^ fettt ab*o*i^ (aiy<i8«ihc^ tpf S'goW • t& the
fiSm'^A)v- ■ !AiS*/>'«P m^Ni&> •■ iforfeigfw<¥
fti«inlflM^ ai th^i^fifcyftSfeli-ae^i'tl^ Eiigl^
wef^- ir6^Uift:id \xM io |;iVe -^ft^m ariy credit
f0ti\m'g66dyfhiy^6\dthem, \i\it' i&iadik
bnPknmedfet^p&ynrfeiit ; Jthe^teiriiv, however;
♦ -..:. ^ . J ■': ►€.>., r '3I. ".' ;,; ;.'.. ■,■»,_ .„;
(|i) 14Ric.II. c. I. 4Hea. IV. C.15..
(J) 16 Ric. II. c. I. . ;. . .
(i) 4 Hen. IV. c, i^. 5 Hen. ly:. 0. 9. . 6 Hen. IV.
li) 8Hen. V. c. 1. .1
^.''■) G * was
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(m). ^A4}d tills was tbfc.teri;^^?^
theltajiau ^jxhantsibr^^f^p^^pf th^
goods («)t As foteigners^ x)lthf farae paf;
tion,, wen fometioies cfmcd, V6^^.^ ^'*'
%er ^ tbp ;dfbto of ^ch pt^ftr, cfpp wa;^,
takeuy bf ^ .Aatutet |o reUcY^i^tlj^.frofa.
ftwdbg this fecurity^, alien i^^dt^^ts
oftei^imes contradled with did c^0^i>to
ajiTwefr oh}^. for thek a^ra 4^bt&(^. Ma{Kf
40iit4M^^ bavp, Veeof found i^<|oay^finiK^ttK
^tpiffU^ and would ^vQ;{cm9 k>t«rrup^
tipi) IQ th^ traffic^ And as ^her J>n§^ihi
w*fe co^'ftantly iiii>provi»g,te tHe w<|oH<^
%i;^ufa^r^ ^^!^^iii,^i9^kii||^ i^theCftimjBfea
hibit ^tb€f impqit of > maay ^ :(^|iE>fiauo^«^
which Jbad . )[)een nTukll j , faar^ngbt* frofB a^
bro^f/ BiH^ thi^ idefigEi ^[)ul4j.^^$!^ be rea*
dily effected in thofc ages* As the prkei*
(;») 8 Hen. VI. c. a4« . , .u ,.
*(*) t RJc. III. c. 9^ .^ ^ . ... . ,
(tf) 27 Edw. III. c# 17. Andcrfoii% Hift. of Coot*
vvl. I;pp. 155. 157* "^ ' ■'' ' '•
A? 5 // cipal
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( 8j >
dprf^BEiftc^nts bimc firdfti' couht^cs where
tb^'tiieBal arl9 Were carried to greater per-*
fcditto thift4n Eiigland, or impof^ted ftich
asKHmgcKiti^arcqtfld Adt be mahnfiifhif ^d.
h^fty> k^iMtiyo happm^ tAAf tke' iate o^
t):^^nd$ or mei^c^aiidiae Interleredwkii
tiiat'^f wir ow»* At fodn as our workmen
be€&rakf^(MV ikiiiifl in thtir re^eftive 4x3^^
cupotii^iis^-paiikiilar goods* were efaai^gei
tiiitB big^ duties i i^^ in kngth of titne^
2iA ibeht « fape^ii commoditiM^ ae could ' he
mhi "Wi nkstnuhd^teJi m Bnglaad, were
fiotadif eaalnckd* T)K)ij^k it was i^nmzAy
tke ifitet^ft>of the n^tkMK to itefmie* trade, as^
fert4lftf|affiMe5 out of the hands iofforei^a«r
^t^ aiDdtraAtfiei' it" td^^rac&lves, yet our tixr*-
^aiit« were not i^ioa^ed for ^xecufiiig fuck
a-de^^* They generally wanted eipcrieiioe
ii$^C(>fnffleK)i^Iaffiurs,Aip^ flock, and fy^.
f^gif cohne^ion^, in order to tnable them
to eri^ef into a faccefsfiil coiupetljtion with:
alien merchants. From theni^ as more
experienced in mercantile tranfadlions, our
merchants might graduafly leartif the beft
mode of conduftin^ them, till thev were
prepared to carry them on without their
affiftance. And this could not be expefted
G^ ' till
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a joint fiock, w(ere?nal)le4.tp iu()|ihx fhQQjC;.
cafipn^ Ipfle?, w^ich yvOuld halve bjteil«Wte
qus tp indiyi4]j4s^'9od,t&.pB«!ph»fe. J|jgi»t»B
qoaa%7 c(f gfiods thati';^!;^: cajatal: of a,^
gle .(ni&fc|;^Q^: 3y(»ildi<«#»ttriofi > cNeceflity^:
tbefe|9f^ a^ weU ft? .«lttlity» eoacurfed tm
giviugeiicoui;agei»«ntitaftrangwsi'iiH the!
l^^lPi, n^er^haitt^ WQ«ftai)aldod,/b^itbnc
weajth4,^9i)ne<aiqqs. 'abroad, :-aj4dj^il (kitt
9f the;ir workmen^ to. fopplmt tbem.awithif
out violence. ; Agid in l^gtk.oif tioae'.thii
was in a gr^t meaCy^c; 'ac9f>c0p(t(^$d, ami
fp n^anj.rfiftffljiife piji: Hppi><in^i:iHlft|t|teao!S
gers>>^jj tqgivea.fuperipii^ tOLMf Qifl*.!; -
. ]^pfwithftaB<li|ig.;t^j^i&4\fl«itage5 o«5
^omraerce laboured :ttdf4er, wo havfta-flath
tering accpnnt pf k in the twenty •eighth
year of Edward the Thiird, by whieh it ap-r
peaii&, that tfie value pf ouc jmpPr.ljS fcaceely-
arppM^ted %6 jv feyenth p§rt (p) of our ex-
ports. JJo^^vfif f^aufible thie ^cpunt may
appear, there are fpme cirqjunftalices which
tei^d to weak,en. its qredit. Whe^ieyer thfii
(jI>) Anderfon^ Hill ofC^mtVo!. I. p. 18^.
'.''■' ■ ■ ■ ex-
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i[ «7 )
exports of a nation exceed its imports in' fo
great a proportion, tHe balance muft be paid
ia cafh or l>\iilion, aiid money .will become
plentifol. • A law was neveithelefs cnidicdf
under his r^eign, obliging foreigaers to bring
bullion for the purchafe of our commodi-
ties 5 and in every country, Where laws of
tfiis kind take place, it may be prefumed
that the balance of trade is generally. againft
it. A' part, indeed, of the filver and gold
imported, might be fent abroad by the
crown, or be expended m plate or utenfils
by the ' opulent, and almoft difappear,
though the trade of the nation might be
enlarged ; but the quantity employed in
thefeufes ootid not be fo great as to re-
quire law5 to be enacted for the import of
bullion, if our trade with foreigners had
been annually (o advantageous as here re-
prefented*
As the principal branches of domeftic
trade and manufaftures were in the hands
of the inhabitants of th^' boroughsf, they
generally took care to procure fuch privi-
leges and inOTi\inities as were thought ne-
ceflary for carrying them on with fiiccels.
G 4 But
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( 8M
pf ^PpqintUig . their ^pwu ,officfj:^, S<>4.pf
than tHiC^ J^cgan to ?^j»lqy th^r, frji^jijfe?
to exclude svery; iiraqgf^ and .,f<»;^gtjff
-irono tf aj^9i^jpg, pr ./p}igagipg ip^guy^*''
^lual pccupatioi^, vvif;hin tbei^r . li^rfif^.
.The J^ar^i^rn??)?. y§^. i^^^eforf -§-e<avefi$^
'^f>ljgf^ to e,r?ft<Sk f^Vt^,?e^ fgr tjie.^qyragft.
n^^nt.pf iiierphant ftraqgers, ^j>^ tj)eftn?Rii|i
tp propnjfe, by proclarmtioji, ,%uriQr |t5>
foreign workmen who ,reiortf>4 hijtherf T^p
many ads of this na^pre aifoi^ fi|^g]^pt
pfoet^ of the opppfujop, J:h^ mpt ,.'^it|i,
ajidpfthe fpuit of n^pjmpoty : whifih f»^r
feflea the inhabitants, of the,, bQt:pugl?§.
Xbere vy,as an iiiceflhnt fti"qggl6 ;ai^4 QQIW"
petition between the byrgf ^e^ aj)4 i^elgn.-
ers; and if the king or parlianiep.t bad not
^ecafionally interfgr^d; ;t^^ ,i)|tional com-
Hjerce, and m^ny irn^fpy.? ojeuts in weav-
iHg.apd ^{le n^anqql ftftgj.wQilld have be^n
prpw)ted, pr greatly iatetsn^pited. Neither
the wea-yprs of Brib^»t» .thoughuqualij^
t/^ impTQV^. the uativbs Itiltlis.mauu^&me
■• , - of
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< 8? )
pi iclptK tior 6th$r A?^drkmen, who im*
fOit(i4 ^^^ a/*5 md inventions, wem fnft
fered' to refide ia thfi bero^gh towns with^
p«t thp fpo^hl pvotti&mn- of the crown.
An4 it Apas ^ fort«nite circum^ance for
X\]G adyajt^ceipent'of tr&de, that fhe cuftoin$
^d dutief leyi^d 911 jrtergh^udize ptwdf &
Cppfiders^ble a part of the ro3^al r^vcnm^ 35
to engage; |lif f:are gnd enCoiar^g^meftt o£
the kings. For tH)3 rf afpn, the qorpplaint^
pf the' luxuidonfr?, .ynder Edward the
Third, ag^inft the adrnifpQii of foreigners
p trade withjn the city or kingdom, were
(qUqW^ attendtfd to, except that thej? fonier
time§ pr^vf^il^d fo far as to fubjaft them to
fofne teinf¥)rar)r inconveniences. Under
tl)^ fqpcef ding reigns, the privileges of the
t^roughs were kept in a flui&uating ftato*
When the kings afibfted popularity, th^y
matntained them ; and when difgufted'with
the commons, they fupprefled them, and
gave encouragameiit to foreigners. • In th^
time qf Richard the Third, the influence
pfthe Londoners fd far prevailed, that hf>
foreigner wftS allowed to exercife any ma-
nual occupation, CKcept M'kh a native, nor
cveu
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( 90 )
«rcn ^to make t cli)th ^y). But this a£l vrtti
ilcgledbbd ^indeir'his (ucJ«ffo!\' and- foreign
weavers again invited to fcttk in England.
-II By ancient' cuftom, foreign merchants
•wfere allowed to refidc only forty days j
and, as they atiendbd chiefly at thfe time of
a; mart or fciir^ they had a Ibfficient time to
difpofe of their goods; but, tvhen the trade
of the nation intreafcd, thfe teitri was en*
Iarge4, though 4tiil limited,^ except t6 the
Hanfe merchants, who obtained leave to
relide conftantly in London. The kings,
however, claimed a (bvereign jurifdi^iori
over all merchant ftrangers, and a power
.of . annulling the privileges granted oy the
tdiarters of their predeoeflbrs : and for this
reafon, when they were diftrefled for mo-
ney^ they ufually extorted large fums for
|th(J renewal or confirmation of their privi-
jfcges ; . and on thefe terms alien merchants
?5Qmu>c)nly obtained every re^fonable indul*
^ence tbeycould requeft intheir favour.
..Notwithftanding the encouragement
given: to foreign pierchants to export the
if) fRIclII.C.^ . ;
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( H. >
principal part of our i^^odudls md,j»ztm*^
fy&XLMS, » and ^ . t)ie Um^MmP. jta import
flaerchapdisje from abroad,. attempts were
made' to fofpi ^ navy pf .our, own,;. that
^ight affift in carrying on ouf commerce,
pr. feci^re n§ froq[> the d^pcedatioiis of pi-
yates, Jt may, indeed, be thought a fui-;
guLar project, to confine the export of al-
moft all our. commercial 4f ti(?les to aliens,
^nd yet :cndeavour to increafe the number
Qf our veflelsi and mariners. Such a defign,
as naight be juftly <fxpe£ted, would bq
fopud jUpfuccef^fnl or uf^efs upon trial,
^iieiirft attempt of this l^ind.was made by
jippc^jixtittg- the cirque ports; to keep fifty-
feyen (hips always in readinefs ^r the ufe
pf thp ?rQWu : ^nd ^t particular times they
might be abje to fit out. the ftipulated
number; byt, as r the tr^d^ carried on at
thefe pprfs was inconfiderable, it cannot be
fappqfed that they would always be pre-
pared for feryice, or furniflied with failors,
except at the expenceof the merchant fhips.
The fcheme might fucceed . fo ftr as to
Jc^ep a body of men in readinefs to imprefs
failors, and, if neceffary for the public fer-
vice^
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C 5J« )
however; they* %ete o6c^6i\A\f of ufe to
riie ftate, tJit^ Wre fbtoetimes coiially per-
nicfoos by Aeit jrtraticil d^rtdatlous (>).
Ahd W could^^fcsffi^^^ be eipeSed that a
nfidritte coxAA be formed dn fo oiiitraiftcd a
plan, aftd 'indepcndent> isis It were, of tKe
natiopal C(»nmcrce; ' ' • '-' '-^ * '
^ much. more pn^abfe tnetTibd'ti^fr;a!^^'
terwaV^s taken to forrfi a tii^yi and- rfeftue
tra^e otit df the hantfe of foreigritcttr, by
eftabliffiiiig navigation afts, whidh, ^hot#^*
ever unfuccefsftitatfiyft, promifea^m tiihtf'
to be of general benefit. And thH^Was^m
Ibme rneafure attempted uia^r Rkift^ttf ^hti*
Second, It \vzs ordered, that merchahd^^^
ihould be exported and impdited, b^ l^
Englifh, only in (hips of ilie king's a|le^-'
ance,'e7icept when Englifh fhJps were '^ii'nt;^^
if>g'(5J.' And it was a fcw'years,"^flei<Wai-(ff
ennifled, that Eiiglifh merchants* fhould'
export our ,ni€rchandi^e only in Eriglifh
(r) Chroo. Wifcefe, v. 6^*
, vef-
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Uisve tha^ this atle^fipt oo^ild be attewM
with ffiarefs^ as.th«exfK>ft^^tl^ cn^cl^^^^
dixfi of the Oiaple^ wool, woolfels^ leather^
tin, ^d lead, was p&roHtted only to ta^
reigotr^ (n}*^ A. laifr 4)f this kind might
epp^ra^ q^ ^a^tclwil^, but w^uld ra^bi
a fieuder addition to tbpf aumber of[ Qur ,
ihips aod fl9iMriQei:&.
Tl^e^ gr^eft paft of our ttade was (tillf
canried ,ca by the Ha^fe tBerohanttfi wha
(e^mcto ]m^e,jUeca the earliest. ia f^tlin^
b^i ^>4 ^ hard t contintled tii^ bn^dLr
Th^iiumhtir tif morchanli^ who reforted.
p Biigkad^ k^ icoqtinually iucneafini^
^jrai.thc^ tii^ df tbd Normal £oh<|t)eft$
ai)4 the «»poitt of oot wool te t)he Lo«r
Cobntries^ imAitt^ tmpott of mmy cloU»
fc9m theace^ would iiiducd fotbe Engtifli^^
men to. vifit them for th« iake of eftablifli^
ifi^ a m^antUe corn^fpofidence there i
aud^ for the fame reafon, they might fettle
iii'fome of the king's tranfmaiiUe dominie
(») a; £dw* IIL iUr. iL c« 8« ^4 t\c lU c<^ 5*
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i few bthef^ sn^ictes i«fnefr*-w^ tih'^ed
from chencei; *BAt^thegfekt^flf^rt dfotif
tradb was/ - ncvferth«efV, 'engroflfed tijr ifo-
te}gikh;d Soi«^ of ^¥&fe- ire M ti^'havc
bc^B Spiilkt-ds. *aiid ItafiJihs'r anidWoubtlcft
there mttft'^hivfe fbeeh''(brife^^fttoto>
coimtrJeS'.' 'But thle! ftJei^ht^f^^frottr th^
Hanfe towns appear to haVe-tJ^c^ \M mod:'
riurti^rousV^^tid'^poflMied^jtJf g^featar^ivi^
kges than arijNrfhe^:' And, notwithfland*
ing all thee&rtefef^be Londebeps^to^^X^
pelthe^, or- abridge th^kilib^rliesy thef
continued to hold tkbmv wkh fortw interl'
ruptions, to tbetre^of £jdiirarQd:he SiitbJ
Piracy hud formcdy bd^ithejchifef fuppjrt
of a nav^ m^ the/fvortteri^ ipdttsqof E4JJk>^»$^
aud V w bca .^i hlfi declined yx ichfacififjieries. ^be-*
eame a conftafctoo^rfeiiy forr f^aaajcn nvith'*i
oiitiitb)el.aid o£i.foffiign.icomfiien^e; ^ The
]ands^af&rding^a:lfcanty iub£ilQDce to the
iiihabitatrrts^ thfiideficietioyjiwai frippMed by
th^i&Qai wbkdiidbouiid^.i^ aib the) coafhi
of the north. We n^ay impute to thefe
caufes the maritime fkill of* the 'northern
pople,' when it i^as' almott' entirely toff in
'-'^ the
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the weftem/parts of Europe*. !«' length
€f time^ however, the EnglfOiatiii other
iiatiQns9ifBprovi0g in arts and govern metitf^
defended themfelves againft the inroads of
pirates more fuccefsfuily than in former
^s ; and the pirates^ not finding their ex-
pedition's fo poofitable as ufual, began to
^igage in traffic with nations whofecbafts
they had formerly vifited only for the fake
of plunder, and to form laflbciatioils for
carrying it on ^with fuccefs. ^ By thtle
means, 3! few .fifliiiig towns On -the coafti
^tthd Baltic arrived at fttch a degree of
maritioae^ power as to: give iaw'to their
aeighbours. Enabled, by their freedom^td
form the n^pft ufqful regulatSona: for thfc
.condu<3: of trade, and: trafficking by a Joint
ftock> they .engrofled ia^cnoft : all the com^
merce of the northern countries^ iri th«dxi^
^acity of maritime carriers. Thcrp iwore
above fixty Hanfe towns, which occalion*-
ally 'ccHifederated together, and by^ their
Jpint foijces were enabled to affiftjorcdefenH
^ach other^ or to maintain theipjivileges
ihey had a/cquijced, by .gift or purciiafe, i^j
tOth?r ijoyatnes. And, to fecure a, mono-
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ftolyj th^ wtw equally ready ^ to diftr*6
every fi)ttign yeflel ithfab* navig^4 th«
iK>rthem>fcas^ .or entered di«ir poct^^ttrith^
0ut their IttfllTe \ and fom^tknes tbey -^m^
ployed pirates iot the fame pnqpofd* By
degrees th#ir power bc^ta tadtcluie: t\iQ
inlblenca with whkb they treated 0iaily of
th« northdm ftatet rouis^ ths indig|0t^
of the princes, and brought ofi hiipftUitiesI
and thefe, with the advancoment 0i tracfe^
ixid a mor^ oirdeily gcimemaient^ gradnalty
cS^ed their juin. The £nglHh« as well
^ other' nfttktos. whjg. bad fotmtrhf Jeto-
played th^r" &ips kai eExpouttng. goodi, \iff
the iiicrealfe of cocnmerfie obtaitied d ^tif-
|icient nucnber of their «rwn } and a§ the
Harife miercbai)*i vrWe jchitfly eftSpkyed a*^
jmaritinke earfierSy ihei# haficteft }life«fibly.
decUhed, and they kft tttiiiy 6f th6^f ari-
cient privileges in England aiid otbei* . jj^lts
4»f£iijrope.
:Ta acfcelerate the ruin of th^ Hanfe
towns, compaHJies erf E»eycbaet* V^te
forrtiod^in England an^ aferod^i Jfoif Ae
purpofe of carrying oii tn^ Wifhdnfe. rf»9
affiftance of foreigners. As We had tlie
largeft
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i j7 y
largeft dealings with the Netherlands, k
conopany of merchant-adventurers was
eftabliftied for trafficking with them and
other parts of the north. This was one
of the moft ancient of our trading compa-
nies, and deferved -encouragement, till its.
members began to introduce a monopoly^
and affume a power of excluding every
perfon from trading to the fame countries^
unlefs admitted to the freedom of the com-
pany, for virhich they exacted a confiderable
fine. This was, indeed, ufually the cafe
oftradingconipanies; and on this account
they, have been generally decried as pemi*
cious to trade. But, whatever juft objec-
tions may be made to them in modern
times, they were tieceflary in thofe ages for
the introduftioa and fupport of commerce.
The merchants were not in fuch opulent
circumftances as to be able to carry on an
extenfive? trade with their own ftock. It
could fucceed only by the joint contribu*
tions of many adventurers, who, eftablifhed
by charter, were enabled to carry on a
greater trade, and to obtain and preferve
Vol. IL H the
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the rcqwfite'piivikges In foreigii cwnlries^
much better than the mofl: opulent in<}ivi-
There rare^ many^T^olatidrtsin theifta^*
tute-boejc retetfu^ to. ^ the ^xpopt and im^
port off^ld aud filver^^awd, 'for'feverili
centuries after the revival* of coriimerce ky
Aeiveftcrn parts of Euwpe, every natbHs.
Wiilidcofed the ac^viffitipn of ithefecnetalq
as the ctfily proof of a. beiieflcial trader* wlti^
foreigners.. Cai^ was therefore tak^:iur
ottr/own, and ahnoft every other .oountry,^
tp encourage, the initport of buHion^.^tn^
difcaurage its ^export. .Sorr» of thejfe hws
conjtJaue in force, though faund;7byj^c^^
lience ito.be fo ibr afelefsi/ that oucoftha
countries in which the ftweft of th^e Jaws
^reicftablifliodv carries on an e^itendcdiaiiil
luci:ative cjomiwrce. ^ (.; r
: As long- as a ftate i$.deftkute of caih;:&r
circulation,, it may be .policy itOi^eacQurago
iti importi atid endeavour by penal laivsto
detain it for. public ufe.*^ Many, attempts
of 'this'kmd were imaitfc by the pafrfi^nenf
as ibon^ as. the natioaal commerce becaro^
iu)nfiderable^ Sometipes* it .wss ordered
that
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tliatr'nd money HiquIcJ be exported ; andP
afterwards, th^t'for*tverj fack of wool ex-
ported tivo marks . of ftlver . fliduld bo
brought to the king's exchange (v). ' At
other'tlnaes it was enjoined, that foreign^
raercliahts (hbuTid expe^nd one half of thd
valiie of tKeir impdrt^ on Englifli Qdmmo'-^
ditles ; aAd, afterwards, the. whole ("(JO).
As thefe meafur^s for retaining gold and^
filver Jti the nation were not attended with
fuccefs, a law was enabled, for obliging
every one, for every fack of wool, or threa
pieces of tin, exported, to bring aii ounce
of gold to the mint{r). By compelling
foreign merchants to expend the value of
their irhports on Englilh , commodities, al{
ithe advantages of aii excliange accrued to
that nation who^ goods employed the
greateft number of hands to prepare them
for life 5 and, as ,the-Ei>gll(h isxports cpn-
fift'ed chiefly /of raW materiab, 'foreigners
Were comin^pnly the greatefl gainers. And
' {v)ijE^. IIL ftautii^c. I. 14 Edw, III. c«' 2Z*
J t (i#) 14^ Rtf , IL c*. ^, 4 Hen. IV. c 1 5.
Hz every
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every effort to detain more money in i
naticHi than is required for currency, fer-^
vices of plate, or raanufadlures, will be
found fruitlef^. Without the care of the
Icgiflature* money will flow into all coun-
tries in proportion to the epctent of its com-
merce ; and fo much will be detained ^^ is
required for national currency; and th^
quantity \yi\\ always depend on thie. cir-
cumftances and conditions of the people,
^he price of labour, provifions, and lands,
and the! public impofts. It is ufual for the
Rates, which irnport bullion, to complain
of its export, as if it was a national grie-
vance^ or could be prevented : and an ad-
vanced price of lands, labour, a more
expenfive diet and cloathing of the people,
and a more eiilarged commerce carried on
by.tji^ir, own fuhjefls^ would neccflarily^
demand a greater part of what is imported;
but theaverplus would always find its way
to other countries, and ought to be con{\-
dered as much an article of traffic as any
^her commodity.. But perhaps the re-
ftrivftions againft the export of money in
tjiofe ages were deligned not^ fo much to
in-
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f lOI )
Thcreafe the national ftock of ca(h, as to*
fiipply dur princes with it in their foreign*
(Expeditions. Thefe were inceflant drains'
of our money, when bills of exchange
were rarely ufed ; and, unlefs recruited by
buUioh from abroad, muft have left the
nation deftitute of cafh for puMic currency:
And on thefe views we may apologize for
the laws of thofe times relating to the ex-
port or import of bullion.
Among the great number of foreigners
that came into England with Wilfram the
Firft, or immediately followed him, the
Jews were the beft qualified for pointing
out to the nation the benefit of commerce.
Keceffity had forced this people to traffk
in money or goods wherever they could
gain a fettlement. Driven from their own
country, and feldom permitted to purchafc
lands in any other, they were obliged tp
engage in fome petty kinds of trade, or to
lend money upon intereft ; ^ut, by proper
encouragement, tliey might have' been of
much greater fervice. By their correfpoil -
deuce with their, brethren fettled in almoil
^ ' '" '" > H 3. ^ ' •' every
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ts^tf P^rt of lEnrape, they po^e^ gtcaCef
advantages than the natives for .Qarrying.
on an a^ive commerce wkh foreigners ;
and the fame hopjes pf gain woulid havp led^
them to extend the domeftjc trade of th«
na^on, }py exqhgnging the^prpduas^pjie
country lor thofe of anotl^^r, .if th&f might
have traded with fafety*\ A few reigns
aftf r t^e Norm?n qcj^qucif^, ti^ became
fo numerous as to pHrchafe,, at yer^ Ijigh
ratp5)\ fcveral priyikges ..^nd ,immi^nltiei
from the kinga^ .who we^reVdefifpUs^to pro* .
.te£l them from t being plundered h^ !th^>'
fubj,e£ls, that they rp^ht have the^wfiojc
W^fiti-pf the^r fpoils..,; Whencvei: afiirr»
^m^vasy .was wanted U)'^ the crowfii-lbr^f
jtiew. privilege waa^ offered, or -|>artijcula|:
^criqies were laid tatbqir charge, ia ordpr tp
.exfj^pt it, ffom, th^fli,^, anfj, when, thefe
,fr^ed;*ref ourfe, w^sjhad, tOiViolence, orinv
. prili^n meiiti o^ their p^r^ns^ T^^ fcarclty
of nxoney ia. thofe timqs^ th^ cjifficult^ of
recovering^ dcbt>s,-and the;oujtr0ges.!tQ which
they, were cpDtinjually,;expp(ed, inade an
aUpwed to receive |jiioiety of the profits
of
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'C 'rfs >)
^t ttic eftat6, which they » held under i^
mortgage, till the prii^pal and kitttreft
Were difcharged (y). ^ Atid^ in general^
they feem to have though t^ that^ the lettmg
out money upon iutereft, or, as k '^as
tbsd caiied, ufury, was more profitable
-ihan the return* of trade, 0r^' if they
•mighr be tempted to carry on fome
.'branches of comraorice within the kiogt*
dom, they had (lender inducement to * traf-
fic with fcfreigners,: or even with their br©;-
thren abroad. Thefe were in the fame
-precaridbs iituatiori' in every part of Eu-
rope IS in England V ^iwl no- remittances
of mdncy or goods could have been -made
witliout the hazard of bfeing- feized at
hbme or abroadv Such ^Was the bigotry 6f
thofe ages^ that the Jew's fuffercd every
.fort of oppreflion apd violence from the
-princes or people i and thofe who looked
/Upon receiving intereft of:mon^y as unlaw**
ffoU,!yet\tboughtit na iujuftice.ta plunder
theifci Jewifti creditors. , It is not eafy to
otoc^ive hoiv they recovered themfclveSy.Qr
{y) Madox^t Hift« of |l^ EacdkC^iuH-, yo). K p. 247.
H 4 : cvem
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,tvni Tabfidadi uiiyier the vkilmi t attack!
that were oimfemoMy^ made ypeti their
.properties: but di^gadnfi of iatereft, which
coiitril>ute4 ta oiake ^ tbMci odiou$^.ai)di ith^
hopes of redb^miig ftl^nr cepcnted lo^
add erpenocis^ with*hdd thfimfrom iefddtig
A more bofpitahfe ooantry, orvif it cfould
have been ibisody armoreequkabfego^eni)-
iw»it« . Al ikngth th^ . b^saoae fe odbus
to the fob^oias^ that Edward the Firft^. ftr
It valuabie cottfiderati(ftvc^>^^^^ '^ their
bfluitflifflent{%). » . ; ;j»t
As It was imprsfkicabli^ as weU asjtot^
politic, to preKCiU* th? loan (of iitoiifejr v pen
intereft, the J«w8-were fwtsceeded J^ the
2u)mbacd atid Italian merchants^, who {'^m
lU) have been asexpect ill this.kind^ traffic
as the. other. r ^hilealEDoft every part.of
JEuropeiwas fiwik: in .igiiOfancc,lor eiig-jged
ia donieftte braiis: and jcotke^nrioos, wami^
^yQuavt^^xyi cooimeoce: begaii: t@ rmiverm
Italy :j aod thefe .introduced ^ the various
^rt 94 which are -the infdp«abie ^attendants
;On :tradiag« and ^populous cities* Book-
t («) PaiJ.^Hiff. lA !• p. 95.
i>v'^ 7 f ^ keeping,
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lE^f^ng^mfuranoe of goods and fiups, Ic^m
upon fdaJges^ and prmie as ifireU^s 'public
i>aiiks^ i^ceiired their origtn or improvensenc
iti %his cmmtry ^^ ^x»d were gradually adbpt-^
ed by crtfhier ftates in Europe, as they ad*
VaiKed an tra<fe and liavigadon* Tfac
^Itaii^i clei^ pofleffing many valuabk
living in tlie kingdom, and the popes at
the fame time levying considerable ihms
under various pretences, feme of the per-
ipns, who were fent over ixi colkA thefe
revenues, as well as Italian merchants^ be-
gan to eofploy themfelves as brdcers> and
tp lend mon^ upon intereft; but thefe
occupatioii;s were ib difagreeable to the
people that they could not be r^x^ucLLed
to them, though exercifed by Chriftians,
^d .a^Jthorized by the Pope (a). Edward
the . Third iflbed out a commiffiQu for
i^xiag their efeif^s, xipcnthe vague chaise
of ufury andeXitortioa {if). All the bank-
vcrs, however, were* not bam(^^, but
contmued to lend moiiey, as a few y^ars
(a) M. Pan p. 362, 418, jaj^ 8a 2, 8?;, 902.
{i) Pari. Hid* V. L p* ^44.
after-
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tx{vfmr(cy I Aad^OQgb .petitioQs af fthib
kind wem oMit *aiw«ja>€amplifid.'witb9tt}ie
kings QDi»t¥ntiyt<Jd[>ok ^^Manr^^ge^ of^ tli^
McfiicKx.^icb/ their i:£i]i:9bd^ cdt^taiaecl
rf. firtigiiera, i>3ij^ eiiJplojring itifio tO^lorl
mooef |from tbc lattt(^fec:fhmr<iaimtvjtoc&
orpraCedioti*' "."•» ""*i--< • .:)
: It is curioita tb .^bfelrvii^ what difierent
fiotiona ix^n have focmfed hv feviesal a^.
Of! the pmdicft ofrleDBdaii^ititoney.cipon in*-
ttveft; ^Ito TO^em^ tiffins, it wir^Wdgbt ^iiet
ceffery forJtiie ebcouragem^Dtand fu{^x>rt
tf tMde> by **h!argmg the' 'fcapitaS of " f h*^
Werchant; ahd'rt' operafei fo ^rlft fitirodi'
of commerce, *is to preveitt foi* a* tiiiie th*
^acrumulatibh of Ihn^ed' property* ^^^ ihdS^
Vid ual 3. For when' men are debarred frbni
lending- money Hjp<3u mtercft***rt 1:Kiay Bfe
jtfftly ^prefmnedv'that -they A^-e^|*ebd -it
in thc^piifchafe 6fhvvii;;in o'fdiV to <um it
to feme ^advahtflge*^-'Biit'fii^ -people- favt^
none of thefe benefits, or ^ere unable to
(f) Andcrfott't Hill. orCom; v* I. p. 204.
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rnbney and ufiirjr. ' Through ignorance or
b^try;, they may be fuppofed to cooGdeir
the receiyingxxf ifttereft as finfol ; but it is
furprifing,; that they fhould eflntn it tofbe
(Jdtritoieutal t& trade} aiwl yet it was faid
W bfe the' bane of commerce^ and'declamd
by the commons to be horrible (/). Thm
(Bondemmng a pra^ice fonnetiraeB enforced
by neceflity, they augm^ir^d the it^tereft
i>f' mpt^y by theiV caije to* fpppreft it M
Uftte^Wflll and ufuribus* All ihfeievite ofjft
wighl :have l>een prevented by liariting it
JiS*ijl modern ftatutes; dnd, i:^ legal* (ecu rky
could b(tf\re been obtai«xed krf the lendec^of
itidn^yj, the intereft woiild hai^e teen ;prp#
^rtioilfftljr dlrrtiiftifhed. ^ Oa the other
trand^,^ - by detlariiig it to be unlawful, 4
<:onfider?itibn woulJ b* dei^anded in propor^
tion^tb the rifqUe of lofMig^he capttaK ; Ai«l
it^i*^^jJtbbably aii^exoi^itS^rt iU^ekft ttwj
Jled'^'the- parnateerit-to condHili<> it astiett.-
nicious to trade. For wherever" the rkte-of
tntereJft h^ higli, the irierchan^ l^'iU ikt a
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^ater v^ue v^^ hhmmmoAkmit v^e^
tker naciye or imported, and on^iaqt^tidy:
in^ (btue meafare; idien\the ca0^tinptton*
But perhaps there mi^ht. be T^Hnc^degrt^H^f
policy; mixsfi. isviidih the:. bigotry of ''the
comooas Jet. their, a)^eciicmi»> the loa^it^
iswiiej }UpQD .iuttrefti< * As comvpAtc^* m
thofc ag^ ^wa$; chkfly carried oa by c^n^
puncs of xnerchxiitSi whptr^dedby a joint
ftock, they wer« ieWam uiid«r a nec^ffity
of borr^wving Uke.prbatsie tfadafmen. Aud,
^weye^ uffiful it m^bt be io «hc iu^mcy
of ccKTkmerce to eftabiUfi) trad&ig.cotnpanie^
\>y charter^ it fiertainly. prevented maaj
iadividiials fippi engps^kig b Awfi i^wi?
<^i€$ o£ itraffia . T'h^ were freq^i^y, wf
nble. to raife zt c^fkni (9r the ptirpofeby
the i^pbibitiom ag»ittA ufury ; aad. the ex*
(^uiive rights, grained, tp thefe chattel^
tomp^mcs^ intrpdupedmomip^^iest ai^^EOr
|K3wei-ed one payt of the J^bjqds t^p ef cjwdp
theotfi^r frofu all th^ advantages ^faiji opep
and free commerce,
:T.h^ iy]K>rtixi^n a^, paffed 'm tlie tiqde of
Edward the Firft, would have been of
great fervice to trade, by bnhguig many
'•^ lands
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lands mlo comtnerce, if its beneficial e^hSts
had not bean cheated by difpeiifatious from
the crown (e)^ or counterbalanced by
the cuflona introdxiced of entailing eftates»
As the clergy and monaftic8 comM not fuc^
ceed in obtaining a repeal of the mortmaiu
liSt, they were obliged to compound with
the crown for evei y addition made to their
cftatcs by purchafeor benefaction (/). And
whether the barons were jealous of the re-
volution in landed property, which an ex-
tended cocnmerce would neceflarily create^
or whether they meant only to perpetuate
riieir eftates in their own families^ it is.
certain they made the alienation of lands
more difficult by authorizing the proprie-
tors to limit ther fucceffion (g)» As^ the
entail of an eftate fet afide all the claims of
creditors upon it, its c^eration upon trade
was fimilar to thefendoV^merttt of the cpu*
vents and churches.; and in a. mercantile
view it is of (light confeqtietice, whether
J/i CKron. W, Thorp^ p'.Zt^u ?itL Hift. v. L p, 472.
(f) Pari. Hill. r. !• p. 107.
(^) De Doo. Qondk. , .v
.•'... i I . .. • eftaCes
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( KIO )
niify or +c5igioiii'ii6«fes: mt^m hmi(t
hf trade -was nbb attended . to h\ 'tfiHe in-
ftanoes. : The ftatute of mortmaki uhder
Ed^vard *tlie Fivft* wa^- avowedly ^naflfeft
in order *o ^trt-e tq the fuperior att* tlia
J)roflt8^flfHh>g firofh Waidfhips', relij2fft, aiid
(Mrhe^ fruitft of feudal tenures (S) : aind the
permiffion to efit^il eftates muft debar many
freeholders^ froH> engaging in any fpeciestiC
traffic, as' every tH^e, vsfio poflrefled*laridsof
the anaual >al\jii3 of fifteen pow^ds, ani^
afterwards of forty^ was called upon to be
kmghtedj or^toeornpoiind for his refufal.
ftnd th^ tai^^^^ niovekbles, wliidh wai
D?:cafi<W^il5^1md,'*#buld aS^iS the propett^r
of 'the merdhteb, ^hd* ih the Ittfancy of
commeriie ' muft give fonoe interruption .to
Its progrefe/ ' '/'
* As^ the rights lodg^ in thei mottsrfle.
rle^ weit!: ii^cefiakil-ly ;accumulatiag, uot<^
withftatidifig:. the ftstut^ T of rBortmain^
they were feixed by Edward the Firft and
ther Third (#). And, by bringing theni into
(b) J E^. r. Stat, ^. ^— - -^ ,
r (/) .fcnyghton, p. 2471, p«rK tjift. v. I, p. 106, 243,
cur^
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f;encr^l would undoubtedly find (cmoai^i^
tion made to the itaJudnal ftock, ^id re-»
tevre ;a>frAaH /cdmpcnfatioii: fotthtloQ^
ttiat trade : miglit : (uihifi:? by lixc fpeitott£lu)d
given to efltail ieftate$^*aiid by the tiilpeafi^^
ik^nsiwkli theftatutes of mortoiaOT, >
' Stit, hbwefiejr ma<;teiitive tiie te^iflal!ii»
migWt U^ in many ia^Aticcs to the bncbu*
ta^rhdnt ^df traide, ^ks iwtereft wasihatetai
tirely neglefted. If a powier Was giwn t^
ftitail eftat^s, either ftatutes were ertaft^^
whfchwerintore publicly bWiefittat, whets*
Sjr -debtors wAte €^Uged«torefiglVthc*1r£ole
or a tfiart of the profits df ihei^ eftates fi>i^
tfie we df Creid4tors(^);'^ S«oi*fte- of thefe
iiieful k^^s were profefftdly iiiada in behalf
of the meteantilc part of the tiatbii^ and
for ' the eafier recovery ' of debts. - Th^
bt*ot<g^t Hi forne. degree knded propeftj^
into circ^ilatibfii and enrtcbed tfae publid
by this additional ftock of wealth, whkfr
liy thfr feudal mftraints was in fonnemeafuie
C^) Quia empt. De Mercaf. Stat, ftap* 27 Ed. lit Sttt^
Weft. a. / . • , -'
X £b(;ur^
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( "« >
iecured from a chftti^ of poflcHbrs. And
at the fame time that they gave a oew cre«
dit to many of the land-owners^ they aflbrd
an evidence of the n^ard whicfh beg^n to
be paid to the intereft of dDnsmerce. As
imperfeft as thefe ftatntes were, they affift*
ed the trackfman in recovering bis debts,
and laid the foundation cf the a£b relative
to bankrupts, which in fucceeding times
have facilitated the fde of lands for the
payment of creditors.
Under thefe encouragements^ 6ur woollen
manufeftures were fo far improved, tbdX
an interruption of our trade Wiih the JUour
Couatriei was pot fo fei>iibly feit as ia |br-.
mer ages s nor was the impoft of ek^h.^
neceflary, as the nation wa» now enabled
to fupply itielf without the afiUbnce oi
foreigners (/)* Many, indeed, ofthepro-
hibiripns againft the import of cloth were
temporary, and made rather on aooouQt^af
ipme difagre^nent with the Flemings than
with a view to encourage the wear of out
mauufadures. They were neverthelefs fo
W 27H.VI.C I. 28H.VI-C. f.
^ ftr
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( P«3 )
ftr of puBfid fcwice, that they li^d the na-
tion tQidifcerii the utility of manufaiauring
dieir^wa wd^, which had btmi formerly,
feat abroad^ and, returned in clath. The-
number of ijiaftufadurers had now fo far
inorpaidd) tliatiheexpiD^rt of yarn was pro-
hibited, ^rid cbn&tt^ to the ufe of our own-
fabrics (iwj^. And what may* be thought
ei^naily caicuiatol' for promoting nitional
«4u&ry^ tile import of fonie petty manu-
fedureg Was: prohibited, which had beea
ttfiwliy^brodght from Itely or other coun*
Bast(;^)* Aifter the conclufion of the civil
xratfs^ a.pM^attuitiou began to be paid to
the ^natbaal commerce, and forae ufefuL
la«9?s;wt»eD c«a£led for its encouragement
un&anctfao ruigni of Edward the. Fourth,
M^ &Iohani Ithc Third, As their title to
ibe crawn wasrpreearious, and they were ob-
liged tQ rely OH, the afFedion and fidelity o^
the people,, they, were willing tp enc^urag^
duny ddign, that tended to pramote trade^
or the woolleoii iBanufadwe* Edward the
;-'-'' »'.*-■'. ' . , ;
(m) 7 Ed. IV. c. $.
(«) 3 Ed. IV. c, 4. 4 Ed. IV. c, I, X R. III. c .9.
. Vol- II. I Fourth
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( m )
Fourth is faid to have fent goods iaio Iteity
and the Levant on his own aoeoun^t (<7).
However inconfifbnt this traffic >mi|^t4aie
thought .with his ftation, it wo^]4^<^ot^
tribute to leiQ^ the contempt, with w;hick:
the gentry affeded to t;reat the. trading piurt
of the.fubjeds, and create in the:p\|bHc
i^Umatfon a rdTpe^l £6r the merc^antsf: ^ ^
.. And notwithftai^ding die inaa|r:Oppji?dPt
iionsy which the inlc^br" ranks^of^peppl*
were obliged to fiibtoit to ftom the ^th?
of fcuBg John to tbe accdffikw of H<ait3r,th<^^
Seventh, their condition. and>cijtettir^8anc^
were fofai; improved, as,to^pit>nsiie a better
dtiUivation of the lands^ ^ and greater attai«%
tion toarts,^ manufactures^ and commei^oe^
After a collation from fonetgn and domeftic
wars, which had been carrwd oii::;Witk few
mterruptions for a long pera)^ of time/ att
orders of men rauft have beens^bettor ^difn
pofed to eiMvate the arts of f)eac^,uandtb
turn; their views to- fuch objefts; ^^tendcd
ro promote^he^national welfepe, .Or if it
fhould be ' fnppofed, that no alteration had
(o) Ann. Burt. p. 5,59. Earl. Hid. v. II. jp, 366.
' ' ■ • ' ^ been
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tfeeh mdde lii the fentiments aild mantiei*3
of the nobility and gentry, the merchants
began to etacrge from obfcUrity, and aim
at wealth and independence. The ftate of
the villains and glebe-tenants feems like-
wile to have been very much improved*
Though they had made i defperate, but
fruitlefs> effort to bfeak the chains of vaf-:
falage under the reign of Richard the Se-
cond-, ytt they afterwards met with a more
humane and generous treatment from their
ilhafters, and obtained fome mitigation in
the cuftomary fervices required from them :
and," how much foever their matters might
be inclined^ to exerdfe their incient autho-
rity over thetn, the defign was found to be
ihiprailidablc. The fpirit of freedom had
{6 far pdffeffed the iiifefior order of people,
that vaffalage could ho longer be maintained
ih its ancient rigour. The fcrvants and re-
talneirs of the nobility, who chiefly confifted
of the fens of their tenants, were ftill held
In a ftate of dependence, and approached
the neareft to the condition of vaflals ; but^
preferring a life of eafe to a laborious occu-
pation, they chearfully affumed the badges
I 2 Of
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or liveriesr of their mafters. Statutes, .ju-r
<leod> yftrc enafted. under alini^ -^f ly-
reign. J^ainft- giving oTliveries or badg^.;;
but the kings were obliged^; jthxoug^. SfU-
or iiitereft^ to connive at c^Sfepders; AbA^
it* could fcarqely be^^xpe^edy that tbcf ofj^ir
lent barons would fubmit to be alpridgjfsd.of
a privilege which theyi therught e> bdtfte^
oeflary to their grandeur^ aud^ov^i to^hcdt^
fefety . An,d there i& aS: little^ reafeftrto; «f-r
ped:, that : their tenants- apd '^^pendfi^^
would foregp tha:Jnvit)4tk>a fov cafe-jand
plenty in their fervice^ ai^voIunteiilytenK
gage themfelvesin the labours b£ the icxniy.
hu{bandry, or any manual oocupatba.
Maintained chiefly, by thjeir.m»fbrs^ and
entitled to their protcfUoni thejr vvwerc; not
only ready to execul3e the t^rders^ th.ey re-*
ceived from them^ h(ut. thought themfelvea
privileged to commk a^^ls-of violence and:
outrage upon;fuch as thejjr coiafideted ta,|3fc
their enemies.; and, ^f their mafters ibme-
times Ihared in the bgoty acquired, hy
ftealth or rapine, they w^re ready to Icreen
or wreft thern^ from the hands of jullice*
Wheii difmifled from lervice, ^bey main.-.
• 4 tained
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(C i^yi ):
rkbamg to tbdricottageaand ^imilieS) waited
till ii»ne {mbiic icommQtioii drew .them
Hgdti into .fexvsce. In London, and in
-dmoft x^myri other |)opuidu8 to wn, tohhe^
Mcs vwreifo feequ«nt,' as to Johligp many
:of iHm inh^tants to go* armed in the
avening* Nor ^wete the villages entirely
re9a»hpted from their depredations. Great
xare *was ^taken to raife the hue and cry
cwhenba iobbe^j wgs committed; and an
^or(fer i^VJafeimade imderl Edward the rFrrft,
**hat tlwe .buflifts ^nd ijnderwoods, within
-two hundred feet of the high toad leading
fi«tt#otie-maMbet*town ^toatwthery fhould
"te^c^u: kidwk, :that Qrob^Msr^ might not (hel-
-ter -th^mftflves under thenv, and feijie the
-unwarkjr paffengei? Qf), It was like wife
enjcanedi-that die ^«te$ of walled towns
.flid\Udbe?^fliut 'froiw fun-fet to fan^rlfe,
andithatni>ftrangers (hould-be permitted
-*to lodge i in the fobu^bs, unlefs the hoft
.--wouldvbe jmfwerablc for them(y), . This
. liceittic«ifiiefs> of the dower rank of people
(/) 13 Ed. I.e. J,
(^) 8 Hep. VI. c. 4.
I 3 may
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mty be attributed not 0Ql]r.t(!> the d^i^cted v
retainers of the nobiHty, but to the foU
diers, when difmifled frdm iervice. No.
public provifion was made £or the latter {
and, accuftomed to idknefs, theoir were imp
willing or unable to maintain themfel^es
by their own induAry. So f^reat was the
value fet upon liveries, that ibme of the
nobility expofed them to iale, and £omxd
purchafers among the loweft and moft diif*
orderly of the people (r), Befides the
inteh-uption which fuch a licentious ciew
muft inCeflantly give to the farmer and
tradefman^ fuch a niode of life liiyerted
their attention from uf^&l wcnpaiSms^
and trained them up in idUnpfs and iajmo-
rality. The huibandmeti complmned, that
their fervants diferted, and engs^;ed them*
felves in the feryice of the iiiebility ; and
if the weavers and mechanics (etained thtir
fervants, it was by tljp aid of highpr
^ageS, and the grant of {Qtm particular pri-
vileges annexed to their calling. But if de-
pendence vras the lot of the glebe-tenants,
(0 I R. 11. c. 7. 1 H. IV. c. 7- . 7 H, ly. c. I/.
?arl. Hift, V. I. p. 368. 385.
and
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C "9 )
aiid alou^ all the. occupiers. of the lands:,
the iniu^itants of cities and boroughs, and
arln6cet^ of every kind, were gradually
breakings tiie betters of fcrvitude, and pre*
paring thonfelves for afferting that degree
of liberty which is necefiary to promote
£m\ikti(m and induftry« And though the
hxtibatidmeii were held in a ftate of fub*^
jed^ion fome time longer than the reft of
the people, yet they almoft imperceptibly
^ned a (hare in the general freedom.
It was a proof of the advances made in
arts acid civility, when the labourers. and
worknaeo became of fo much qonfequence
to the legiflature, aa to require a regula-
ticm of their wagee. The^few ar<$^: which
were acccffary to a rude and unpoli(hed
peofde, had been for loqae.ages almoft en-
tirely in the hands of flave$ or dependents
of the nobility. The: workmen now began
to let a value on thek Ikill and knowledge
in their prpfeffions.^ Almoft every tirade
was confidered asamyftsery, and the mem-
bers of it formed ii\to a company or fra-
ternity, who eftablKhed rules for the better
Regulation of their refpeftive crafts, and
I 4 fome-
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X ^^ ^
Sometimes entered iiiso conilbtt«lad0s' tot
advanctog their wages. The iirftifa^9:woe
of this4ciiid i$ to be !fotmd^mong^becai?^
-peuters^aud xnafons ; >the*l^ of whidx be^
ing extranely uumeitMss, cm iioeomitoi^thp
jnany publlobuiLditigsthen ed^eding, wwe
farhidden by Jftatutes to ailemUe i^feir'tbe
purpoie-^ Ttifmg their jfttpenda^ (x)* "The
wages of the mechanics, in ^general nmre
muchiiiglKr than thofe of the JafewM^ers in
hufhandry. The advantages wdre Ub txnwrfi
greater on their fide than thofe ^fered by
the farmers to their ferv^ntscai^ lalK^urws,
that, as before obferv^d, p^tr^nts botnpd
their children apprentices to the mechanics
and manufacturers to the grfl^tn[M)rtific«Jon
of the landtowners, who cndeavouxed in
vain to reftrain them. The barons iiad
formerly obtained a law for prev^enting the
ions of their villains froni entering into
orders without their confent(/). After-
wards they attempted to hinder their glebe-
tenants from difpoling of their efteds by
(j) 34Ec;w.IJL c. 9. 5 H. VI. CI.
(/) M. Par. p, joi.
, will:
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fwU (u) : ind tfiey xiiow labomred^to i^ain
them m ^ ftitfe of equal fcrvitude i>y i»
>faarring (hem fmmtd^pofing of thdr chil^
ailren iu aj^ontiycefhip to the snodiabiiii
after the ^stg^ of twelve years (w). Tix^ugli
•lonny df thor tenants, by tbeXmalln^fs of
(their dSarms, by their poverty, andincreafc
:pf pafturage, were j^etome rathor burdeiip-
ifmat than lifcful, ycti:hciknd-<t5wncrs were
unwilling to* lofe the iervioes to which they
.^?0Ofebo«tnd,or.refign the jurifdi£tion, which
:tliey CKercifed over them according to an*-
-cieiit cuftomt The deCay of hufbandrjr
.was pleaded as a reafon for exerting this
authority over their vaflals : and the pica
jtnight be jufl:; but it cannot be fuppofed,
that their tenants would defert their proh
per callii>gs, unlefs they had laboured uA*
der fome;great oppreflions. And the train
of fervices to which they were fubje(9:, as
well ^s the fmallnefs of their wages, might
be inducements for endeavouring to chaugs
their condition.
(») M. Paris, p. 209.
(w; 12 Kic. II, c. 5. 7 Hen, IV. c, i;,
Tha
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:( «^ )
^ Tiu^ bmt»sgb$9 wfakb bad l^aei^ i^bg
into cofifeqiience by tbe tmprovuoent \o^
^wbmerce and mamifs^ares, aflR)dbdiaa
ulyium againf): tl^ tyianiijr. tk^ iwaa
ir^^y exerci&d in the viilageSi £y tbe
^ia of William tbe 'Firft, thrfe bad a^
J0y;ed tbe privilege of giving, freedom ttt
^cb villains as ikd tbitber^ and were^not
ledauned by tb^r ntftfters witbiii. a ycari$
and tbe imnnotfm tbey oSwd, »id ^
]>articidar manufadures carii^ <3b ^thor^i
vrere coh^nt allnremeiits to freorx^pn* and
ikves to ot^ain a fettl^x^eat, and be acfe*
mitted astnembers« After tbe inii!riedio&'
in the xime-of Ricbard the Second! liiaiiy
of the infurgents tocdc refuge there, in ord^
to ehide: the purfoit of their mjdft»s(^)*
And'tboi^ a latw w«i8 made for r^lakxSing
diacn, it prwed in- a great rfte^fure iiSfii^
tuaL In former times the ihhabitS*i¥s^
tbe boroughvtowns bad- been; plated ^ft a
kyel with^ithe glebe-tenants ; and^^^^dA
after their franchifes had been enlarge,
they had been occafionally Aibjeft to tbe
(x) 9llic..n,c,». ;
arbitrary
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(: ^H ))
^biCrary «acadk>ns of die crourn;? By de#
grees they rofb iato notice and eftiipatiotH
and obtained a more ampk fecurlty of thek
lights and pro|>erty. By engaging itr trade
and manufiM^uxes, they were enabled to
oontribute in a liberal manner to thepuUk
aids* On every occafion of this kind they
were applied to, and their repfefentatives
more readily admitted to a feat in the patv
liament. . As the commerce of the nation
ihcreafed^ they advanced in opulence and
powcr^ and afibrded, by 'the regulations
which they eftabliflied in the towns nntier
their jurifdidicm, the firft iniknces of an
uH^iil police; The hofpitable Tecq^tkmi
vif^ich, for a time^ they gavcto every in*
duftrious refugee, ferved to add to the
mimber of their wc»junen ; and thefe^ia
return gatve a new and additional vigour to
Ml jbhe braiftches of coinmerce.
^ And every order of men received fome
bci^t from the improved ilate of coa^
xnerce and manufiiftures^ A body of Ar*
mers hegan to be formed, who obtained a
greater degree of confideration th^ had
been ufttal in former - ages with perfons of
their
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ifmttk griaatet ienit^^ stiiti tlie tracfe' kif)ti|(
nadon iiicmafin^ tbey rpttrtodc iOf ^iiDsfbe^
ddits* Hbe enlarged . TlHapfaq: :of ofeoi^i*
tft£lui£i36 gare «n vadditioml^:^raiu0 «> odK
thib* improvexiieut i^otkeir^ i^
mabltd tfaem to ::girda f better tettiratimx'tsD
-the fattds; As thesf iwfetieii&le'toim^is^geaa
jElai|[Qr d^uantity ^d&Hd ^sibatt the-toocidit
iglebe^Dedantey famcml Fisn^ jfa^inik ^wac
'united, and mc'€odrssd(j(!^z)6zc a(^|W%
^qitdisU to tbeoaidlibWes^andldseifi^ -^
' \ Bctanm ttie BobiMdjr ^tdiimasdi^ntsfiin
-fbrmod, ««hkh a^ifted'^m'^ectesidi^
;:33QKamtaii3^g' public Qbei:4}ragainft.-i^ei8Q*
israiichnibtits of ^bex^rewn^Qid borons. SEUs
^^onBlObd ehidb^oifiknights:Hnd e^^ras^^^^e
lafl of thefec>iBaKLib«metiyr iieta:^
r#Mtti'of: (be oyMriin xtl;ieir ifniiitaiyiiiapa-
•ASt;^, iar.diwgligod'wlw%lkitlvK(txahQife^
-lirrns. They najy^bcgah to^coiifiil of-taoQcr-^
-^uts ^bucgcflitfij .atid^^itlwnrs^vrwSK^tBB-?
r tiring from buiiiker6^>purohaied.d(latxs with
the emoluixieiits jof / Jtfaeti: ihdiiAry : aft4
though
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tboii^gh^ ufuaUy caU on.. to. iweive- the?
hcxiQur,j;<rf knighthoc^. geqeraliy cpriv;
pouivJed4>r thm^'ej^u^^^ tb^ pajipentof
a, flipuU^ed Ami of ipopey : and a», this
^^msjadtw:^s>{rp(^»t^^^ theypefir
tioned the^parli^m^nt tQ. compow^d only
quce (^)^. . A% hpjv.eyer, they,. were placed!
ampng thfi.^en.try^- the profeffion of armci
was ceniidpjred as their chief employment,
Jj^ theiime of Edward. tJ^e |.'i;'hird,,a ohsLrgft
wa&jgivpn.tathe/fl)^iSi pn^therelediiou o^
j»cs5i^i:s;of ^tj^^ ip;(^iufa W9
^ni5hts;oif efqUires, |br,ey^ry comity^exj^rj^
i»::^ts;<^ arxp?, ap4 twa,q;;i2;eAsfar,^^
crty^i ^d:twa burge%sfQr.'eyery horqi^^
who had the gr^(^;lkUl it^ iimrchandjssb^l
and ihippmg.(»^. This is .a .JHftjdcicjrigj
tion of their refpefl:ive charadlers. Trade
was at that time confidered as almoft be-
neath the attention of a gentleman ; or, if
any regard was paid to it by the knights
and efquires, it was chiefly by thofe who
had been engaged in it in the early part of
life, or on account of the export of wool^
(y) Pari. Hift, v. II. p. 146,
(») lb, y. I. p- 33S-
' * ^ m
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m wlnbh ^ey Were Immediately mtcrcffe^.
A fucceflidn of foreign and intefttnc wars
had obliged the nobihty and gentry to ap-
ply themfejves to the excrcife of arms#
The fpirit of chivalry had foftencd tjie fe-
rocity of their manners both • in waf and
the common intefcour(J bf life; bnt qua*
iities of this kind cbniributed Kttle to the
advancemen.f of arts and commerce. Thefe
were Aili located tipon as plebeian employ*
ments, and fit dniy for citizeris and hur-*
^fies. And though thefe frctjtietttlysftmfc^^
tfceir pdwers and frdnchifes^ ' and dimcd' at
ibrmiitg' monopolies, yet thejr afliiled in
kitroduchig order ^nd regularity ititd ifteir
ircipc'ftiVe diftrids, and in laying the fouii-
dfttwn of liberty and cptnmerce* '
> .)
\x}...'i'; . r
'\o^^.:^~
"- C H A P.
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c ti7 y
C H A P. VL
HEMARKS UPON THE HISTORY OF THB
LANDED AND COMMERCIAL POLICY OF
ENOX-AND, FROM ^^HE ACCESSION OF,
HENRY THE SEVENTH TO THE END, OF
THEREIGN OP QJJEEN ELIZABETH*
'IJ
npHOO^GH the princes: of the Tme; of
;-*•' Tudor fbmetimes afled on more 4^
fpotic principles than many of the kuigjj
from the time of iigaing the great chartce^
yet rthey imperceptibly laid.th.e fbundatipfj
of jgeneral freedom. Various caufes cout
curred to bring about fo fortunate^^an ev^nt.
Hemy the Seventh foiand, from the hiftory
of .former kinga, that.thqy h^d enjoypd.a
^ry; pr^cgriovis authority under tiie. pre-
late?, ^n4 liability, andr that tlic crown it-
felf had been frequently at their difpofnl.
In thofe ages it was no flight mortification
to the-fbvereign, that hefhoiiltl be obliged
to
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( '^8 )•
to aft in this dependent capacity, and hold
the crown and its prerogatives at the plea-
fure of a few opulent and powerful fub-
jc6ks. To one of Henry's, arbitrary difpo-
fition it was extremely mortifying. It be*
came therefore an aft of policy, for his
own eafe and the fecurity of his family, to
leffen the power or the nobles, and give
authority to tlie commons. The hft of
theft had generally been fo traftable and
fubmiffive, and fo much influenced by the
crown or nobility, that they had given
little oppofitioii to the mealut-es t£ tfie
cettft, or to the demand of parliamentary
iudsw Few of the members of the houi^
of connnoris.had been patriotic enough to
draw upon themfelves the r^ntment of
the crown by defending* the rights of th^
people^ as every* att^npt of this kind
ufually terminated in imprifoniiient or the
pa3rtneiit of a fine. It w^' vifibie^ from
pafi and recent experlfence, tl^t th« pfta^
cipal oppofition to the wilP^f thefo^terei^
w^s to be expeftcd from the^tarofts^, dM
for this reafon their power alone?*- becam*
therobjeftof hisjealoufy*
To
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( 1^9 )
^o e5e£tuat€ -the defign of deprefling
^e nobility, the ftate of things at that
period \vas peculiarly favourable. Many of
the nbblea had perifhed in the ftruggles be-
tween the houfes of York and Lancafter ;
and their power had been fo diminifted by
toutual confifcations, that it became a work
of no great difficulty tt> reduce it to a pro*
per degree of fubjedion. . The few that
remained after the accdlion of ttenry,
were attached to him through fear or inte-
ref^; and he was not of a temper that
would rcftore his enernies^ or ftrengthetx
the peerage by the revival of old titles, at;
the creation, of piany new ones. His ttii-
nifters and favourites were fo unconne^ed
wi^h the nobility as to be obliged 4o depead
upon him^ and obey his orders ; and If k
became neceffary, like an .eaftern deipot,
he could fa? rificc them to popular refent-
ment, aii^ gratify his avarice, without giv-
ing offence to the moft powerful of bis
fubjeds.
By enforcing the a(3;5 againft the giving
of liveii^i^ by permitting the cuttmg off
entails^ flli^oiijtion of the monafteides,
Vot. IL K encou-
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•crtcouragement of trade^. and "other c^&fes
co-operating with them, the hoUfe.of T#
dor gaxre a fetal blow to the power of the
nobility; and in fome. degree enabled,
though very undefignedly, the TOmmons
under a future reign to overturn the throne
:\y;itl? ahppft the fame facility as the barons
had frequently done in foriner ages*
' The great, number of . dependents re-
tained by the peers laid. the foundation of
an extenffive*. authority, and helped- to
imaintain it againft the attcicapts of the
.c^QWU or comiirons; to reduceit within fuch
•bounds as might have been ufefnl in the
fuppdrt; of liberty. On every occafipn of
*difgi^ft:giv^|i to the nobility by the king or
ihisc miuifters, they generally canxe ,armed
:to the parliameul; with their, fervants and
\retainer$,uhd^r. ft pretence of providing foi:
their fafety ; but in reality to fupport their
autliof ity . againft the powier of '. the. fove-
xeigll- An affe^lation of grandeur, as well
as policy, led them to maintain fuch a
litirnber of- attendants in a kifcd of military
iervtce."' Several a£ts had been* ixgrie, under
former. kings,- to reftraia«this.pipa<5tice, and
•- - ^i » confine
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. ( '3^ > ,
confine the giving of liveries to menial or
domeftic fervants.. But the bpufence of
the barons, and the unfettled ftate of the
nation during the con t eft between the
houfes of York and Lancalter, prevented
the execution of thefefatutary laws. They
were never duly executed till Efenry the
Seventh took' upon himfeif this care/ and
by one fevere example ftruck a' terror into
all offenders againft theni*(^).' The lower
ranks of people, thus abandoned as it
were by their fuperiors, were obliged to
exert. fome degree of induftry, and to de-
pend* on their labour for a maintenance.
And the barons, finding at the fame time
a greater advantage In receiving money
from their tenants than a perfbnal attends
ance, very willingly exchanged it for fer-
vices that were now become ufelefs or
dangerous.
The power of entailing eftates has al-
ways been a favourite obje<St of the nobility
and gentry, in every country where fr^e*
dom has been eftabli(hed, as neceflary for
(a) Bacon's Life of Henry VII. p. 630.
K 2 fup^
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fupportip^ and pcrpetuatiBg the grandetiif'
of their families*. Cte If the heif $ of fucb
eAates fonaetioies' coo^laifxed of the limif-
tatious and* reftnSiona imder which thej
held them^ np attempt was made by the
fegiflaturc tp relieve them till the reign of
Edward ti»e Fourths A flsatute of Edward
ifhe Firfl:^ which gave a power to entait
eftates^ was^ F^tty ftriftly obfewed till
that time^ when it was- rather elwded thaiv,
repealed (^)»» Laudeci ^fieffions^ held un-
dfep thefe Imiitatious^ were fimiliaK tq thofe
ef the okr^y^md operated u^n commerce
m the fkme ra^ner* Dfeibts, however
Juft, could not always be difchji«g^d,. for
want of libei^ty t© alienate eftatses^ aiid fo-
fisfy the ^mands o£ creditors ;■ nor could
tnoney be raifed on ^y exig;€nGe ox? occa-
fion,^4rhough' i* mighr fometimes have beca
hid oist for the benefit of the faqiUy iri
pofleflicm^ or for the public fervrtc. This*
W^s a grievance felt by raeiv of nao<ferata^
fortune^ and by the merchants in gena-
rai; and it became kifupportable as tl^a
«(^) De doB. co&dltloiu
satioaal
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t ^33 )
;iiational commerce was enlarged. f)£bts
<^vere Contraded through neceflity or pfd-
^igalky, which j^flice required to be paid?
.and money was £6 neceffary for the eii-
jcouragemeiit of trad^ that ijt fcecaixte
equally ufef^a.! to the creditor ^id mei--
iphant to break the entails ^f eAatcs, and
levy oaoaey :gpoa them by iale or mort-
gage. It is, neveithekfs, ^oubtftit, whe*
ther any of thefe realbas ied tte Jegiflaturc
to permit the alienation of iands by .iine
,aiid recovery. When this ^feful fiber ty
was obtained y oqr commejrce was inconfi-
^erable^ and held in fuch iow ^ftimatioa
by tfee- gentry, that the intereft of traie
can fcarcely be fuppofed to haye had any
influei3i?:e in procgfing k. It was perhaps
prioiarily defigned to weaken the powder
of the laobility, and Itffkn their Authority a-
mong the commons, by perir^ittin^ them.to^
idiffipate their fortuijes. Whatever: might be
Jthe reafoa, the pr^dice of breaking entajls^
which was begui^ under Edward the Fourti>*
. received a cd^nfirmataon Aud cncouragen^ent
from Henry the S^y^^th i^c) ; ai]d, frpm
(#) 4 Hen, VII. c. "24. Bacon's Life pf H^n, VII.
▼ Digitized by VjOOQIC
X „i34 )
. his .fiifpicious -temper and jealoufy of thjp
nobility, it may be prefumed, that he
would^give it a fanftion with a fecret in-
tention to undermine their opulence and
j^ower. And by the gradual advancement
of tra4e and acceffion of wealth, under
.the fucceeding princes, it brought many
lands into commerce which had formerly
been almoft. as unalienable as thofe belong-
ing to the ghvirch or abbies. The benefit
of this revolution in landed property ac-
crued chiefly to the merchants and tradef-
men, who were enabled by it to enlarge
the commerce of the uatj^Qn, and to reduce
the power of the nobility, which had for-
merly been fo oppreflive to the. fubjefts.
And this circulation of landed property
was haftened by the legve given under the
fame king to fuch as lerved abroad in a
military capacity to alienate their eftates.
The neceflkry expences incurred in thefe
expeditions gave occafion to this liberty,
and co-operated in reducing the fubjeds
nearer to an equahty, as well as promoting
the intereft of trade. A power was after-
' wards obtained of difpofing of fome landed
eftates
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0 m)')
•eftatesl)y will; which bad formerly been '
fubje^ to many reftriftions ; and, after
various ftrnggles for theexercife of it under
Henry the Eighthj-was in a great meafure
effedted. The power of the nobility was
thusalmoft itiiperceptibly diminiflied, arid-
a* foundation laid for raifing the fuperftruc- '
tlire of a more equal government on the
ruins of the ancient feudal eftablifhment.
If the operation of thcfe caufes affifted '
ih creating a revolution of lalided property,
the diflblutibn of the monaftcries promoted'
the fame end in a more extenfive manner.
Though^ monaftic ipftitutibns were pro-
ductive of n>any adva'^ntages in an uncul-
tivated country, they became in a courfe'
of ages detrimental to the commercial in-
tereft of tbe nation, by preventing that
circulation and divifion of landed ^ftate&
which are effential to the Encouragement
and fupport of foreign and dcrheftic trade. »
It has been already obferved, that the
monks, in the early ages of their hiftory,
were induftrioUs in improving the lands in
their neighbourhood which they had ac- ^
quired by purchafe or donation. It was
K 4 in
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Sn a grcitmcafurc oWihg to their fltill «i^
iadttftry that many Waftes aod mitincs
were brought uuder CuUiyation^ an4 ren-
dered profitabk io themfeiit€;$.an4 the pub-
lic. They weite the chief jinproy^ of
lands in thejr early ftate,i\nd fet (h^ |irflt
examples of good hufbandry, though fol*
lowed by few o£ the laity, who were more
inclined to wreft from fherti^ fhe fruits of:
their labours than to ma)^ iimilat v^-
provcments. In length of tin^e, as theii;
revenues increafed, they becai}ie as dif-
tipguKhed for their floth as they h^d for-
ix^erly Lfcen fpr-theijc iijj3uftry, and charity.'
'T\]e rnonaft^ncs ^yerei refor>tiQd ]to,,by'fra-
veliexs of every dfsnqqrui^jition, who were
cither Jpilged QX fupplied with prpvifions,
which, through ^the want of inns oT houfe^
gf .«^^^t&iiifla4it^ ^ ccpnl'd ript jeadily fee obr.
t3^ncd iu. any ^ther place.;. ;jAiid ibey were
ofKbrae i^tm^tt6^ 'theic n^hbourlaood by
Ipeiiding the gfjcafeft part of their pevetiues
thelt, whichV- after tJiieir diflbliitioa, were
conveyed to the houfes,Qf Jiie i>ew pro-
^prictorst .Nor.Hvere.tfee' mond^eri^? lefs
* i . I \'i
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ji^fal to their principal tenants and the
^hferior gentry. Thcfe Commonly held
ftiany of their' farms at very moderate and
eafy rent^ When their pofleffions i>e-
came the .property of the laity, by pbr-
chafe or the gift of the crown, their fcr-
per hqfpitality in a great meafure ceafed^
and the ancient tenants were cje<^ed, or
jtheir rints advanced. And It was probably
on thefe accounts that the monks fotmd
fo many friends and abettors among the
Jaity after the diffolution of the monaf^
teries, ^nd that the people broke out in
jriots and mfurfedions, ; No legal prpvifioa
at that tinie having been made for the pbor,
jthey W^re reduced in many places to great
difttefs by with-holdirig the afliftance and
f chef they ufed to receive from themo-
nafterles.' Neither art^ or nianufaftures
had been* io far approved '4nd encouraged
at ' that time, ^s to furnifh conftant em-
^loyment to the poor, if we (hould fup»
3ofethemJ:o have pqHefled the requifite
kill and induftry. .. After repeated trlal;^
!^3cl been niade to jeprefs vagabonds by
lever t
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( '3? )
^vere puniflunftitsy and the>VQ)uQ4aiQrf
contributions for the maintenance qf thei
poo;r had been found infufijciqit, a^ le^J.
provifipn for them becamej an aft ofnec^-,
fity!, :;/ .^ . ' : ;^;..\;; *:v • ■ )
But, whateyer partial advantages might,
accrue to the public from the monafteries, ,
many inconveniences refulted from them.
They prevepted that divifion of landed-
property which is. neceflary in a comaker-,
cial ftate, and ufeful in the fupport of U-.
berty. Civil freedom can feldom be long
maintained or fecured, ia. an - extenfive^
country, where the lands are poflefled by,
ia few, as thefe will always enjoy, an in-,
fluence In the legiflature proportioned to
their riches. A monarchy or ariftocrajCy
will take place, and the commons will be
almoft entirely excluded from that fliare
of power which is neceflarily reqiiirecj to
introduce and fpppprt the principles of 1I-"
berty. The landed pofleflions of the no-
bility, prelates, and monaftlcs, wefe fb'
large as to caft the balance , of power fo
fhuch on their fide, that they were able to
a[fl*uiibe the^ ireiilS' of government, and to
keep them almoft conflantly in their own
hands.
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i ?39 ) '
pmis. Conventual apd cbwrqh. latiiJs are
feldom fo well cultivated and improved by-
the tenants as thofe of private* property ;
and for this reafon the nition lofes th^
benefit of a full cultivatiop, which, though
not always profitable to individuals, is
beneficial to the public. And it may be
;added, that it would be of fome fervice t0
the nation, as well as to the manufacr
turers, and artifts of every denomina-
tion, to employ thofe hands in their
re{pe£tive occupations which might have
been maititaiaed in the monafteries in a
• flate of idlenefs. But our commerce was
then fo low,, that this beneficial confe-
»quence could not be rea^dily difcerned ;
and, in the eftimation of many, the mo-
nafteries might be thought of equal fervice
to the public as the great number of re-
tainers and dofneftics maintained in the
^ fame ftate of idlenefs by the nobility
and gentry who fucceeded them in their
poffoffions. It muft, neverthelefs, be ad-
vantageous to every mercantile and free
nation, to admit the commons to a pro-
per (hare of the lands, by allowing of
tlieir alienation^ and to employ as many
perfons
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Digitized b
pctictis as poflible in tnanual* labour * andf
works of iad5lftIy^ By the Mvancement
6f trade, ^lad prpgrefs of the arts, the time ^
ivas approaching .when eyery one mighf
jGnd cmjployvtkciit m ^me ;ulcful oarupa-
tiori ; and It was landoubtedly hafl:ened hf
the iieceffi.tie§ ;and d^ftreis jbrought upoa
fuch ^ nun^erous body of ppor, who had
been encouraged tq live Ju a ftgte of floth
l^y the cha/ky pf the rjjqiiaftic orders^
Whatever wa? wanting to f^litgte. the.
circulatipi^ .oF^anded property, a^d aflift
creditors Jti the raCoyery of their <Jebts,
was hi length of time a^cquj^red by jthe flar
tptes relative to banl^fwpt?; firft pbtaine4
\inder Henry , the Eighth^ and improved
under Elizabeth* Some prpvifion was alio
made for the fecurity of tenants who held
jtheir farms under a Jjcafe, by giving it a
legal confirmation iipon ^ change of land-
lords. As it might have been vacated by
a new purchafer of the eftate, the tenattt
mufl have been frequently difcouraged
from improving his lands, under an appre-
/befllion. that a new landlord might take
'- *' ' ' ' ^IvantaTO
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( HI )
«di vantage of his improvements, by ejefltli^
faim, or advancing his rent.
It coukl not b^ expeded, that the per-
miffiou given to break entails, or difpofe
of eftates by will under certain conditions^
or even the difiblutios of the mon^fterles^
could produce any material effe<9: iiv leffen-
ing the power of the nobility, tilt com-^
mcrce had brought riches into the nation,
and introduced a revolution of property.
Through the fcarcity of mouoy in former
'ages, it was not eafy to find purchafera
for exteniive trails of land. Comraerca
alone could furnilh a fupply for this pur-
jpofe; and, by the luxuries it imported,
tempt the nobility and gei^try to be mpre
cxpenfive in their mode, of living. And at -
this -period, fortunately for public liberty^
trade began to flouciih^ and moaey becam©
tnore plentiful than in preceding ag^s.^
The conmioiis were €jaabled^ by the re-t .
turns of .commerce* to pwchafe lan4^4
cftates ; and increafing in riches, as tha,
gentry advanced in luxury aiid cxpences^
brought them nearer to an equality* And
this effeft will always attend the incre^ic
of
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( 142 )
of cothmerce in every extenfive ftatc, thaf,
if the lands arc permitted to be alienated,-
toany df them will be ptiYchafed by the
ipercantile part of the nation; -and this
Kvolution pf; landed property will either
irttroduce a change bfgoverhmebt, or oblige
it to vefge towards a democracy. A ba-
. lance can be maintained only by new pa-
. tents of nobility, and increafihg the num-
bers as the commons advat\ce in riches.
The cdnfec^uences of the influx of.
wedlth, by conimerce, muft be, for^ con-
fiderable cfourfe of time, iilmoft imper-
ceptible. The progrefs of luxury is ge-
nerally flow, and the circulation^f landed
property is commonly afccording to its
'advances.' TheeflTe^s of luxury are firft
felt by the higher ranks, as the benefits of
trade are perceived by 'the lower clafs of
people. And the progref^f of Commerce
was not fo rapid as might have been ex-
pefted from the ftate of the nation. The
l>bdy of the. people, in fome meafure re-
lea (ed from the bondage and tyranny of
the nobility, could not immediately apply
Ihemktves to laborious occupations, equally
ncceflary
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< us )
tKceflary to their own intereft and thi
iBncoufagdriient of trade* ^ Brought up id
idienefs, or retained ill a ftate of depeu--
^ence on their landlords, induftry became
infupportable. Retiring to -llieir pittancfc
of land, • whicfe under a very lov/ rent had
Jbeen formierly granted in confideration of
their, perfonal attendance or fervices, they
i)dcame flothful, and chofe rather to ftarve
than exert an induftry to which they had
iiiever been accufljomed. A few of the
-moft a£Hve and enterprrfirfg might engage
:themfely€s in the \^oollen or other manu-
zfaftories; but the greater part conthiued
4*0 prefer a life of poverty and idleuefs to
^11 the emoluments of a Istboribus amploy^
inent. ^ By degrees the fpirit of induftry
tand- trade topk poffefiion of the lower rank
.of people, and helped to releafe them from
that ftate of vaflalage in . which they had
•been held for lb many ag^s. From tlie
.reign of Richard the Second, . the rigdrs
►of fervit]u3e and dependence iiad;been^ con-
^ftai^tly relaxing ; and the .villains hlid bo-
.gyn to be confidered rather a^ petty- tenants
'«'•-... 3 than
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ir ' * i
( «44 )
than as flaves* An4 the j^grcfs of frcS^
doini frbm that period, wovild". -have hecii
more confpicuous, -if it h^d not been re-
Mrded by domeftic vcrars. Thefe kept Ujpi
the dependence of the feonirftonalty ooi
their laiidlords^ and engaged them in their
fcrvice. The tenants and vaflals of every
con(iderable land -owner ilways partqok of
the good or ill fortune that attended hi^
' arms. If vi£toriouS, they joined in plun-
dering his enemies ; and, on a reverie
of fortune, they were treated in the fame
manner* They would therefore intcrefl:
themfelves in defending their mafter'a
party, and take up ai'ms for their own fe-
curlty ; and for. the fame reafon the no-
•bility would encourage this dependence of
their tenants, in order to employ thetxi' in
their defence ajjd fupport* The power of
the barons had^ neverthelefs^ gradually
declined. From the jfinall number of fol-
diers engaged atBofworth between Richard
3nd Henry, it Ihould feem as^ if the com-
pion people were not fo ready as in fornjer
time$ tQ^ bear arms at the call of their
mailers*
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inafters. tf we (hould fuppofe the com*^
monalty to have been more defirous of
liberty than they really were, yet the in^
creafe of trade was lb fmall, that they
could fcarcely procure a maintenance with-
out their ufual dependence on their land-
lords. And it was a fortunate circum-
llaiice in behalf of public liberty, that the
lower order of people almoft difcarded by the
higher, as no longer ufeful or neceflary to
fupport their grandeur, was obliged to be-
come Induftrious: and it- was equally profi-
table to the public, that commerce began
to be encouraged', and furni(hed employ-
ment for a number of people, that was
almoft reduced to beggary by the gift of.
freedom.
This alteration in the condition of the
people, and more equal diftribution of
landed property in confequence of the
feveral ways opened for alienation, muft
have had an influence on the landed and
commercial ftate of the nation, and would
necefl'arily introduce a variety of laws rela-
tive to both. The moft remarkable ftatute
relative to husbandry was enaded under the
. Vol. II. L reign
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( '46 )
relgi> of Henry the Seventh, obliging the
owner of every houfe, that then was, or
within three years laft paft had been, or
hereafter (hould be, let to farm with twenty
acres of land or naore lying in tillage, to
keep and maintain horufes and buildings on ,
the faid lands neceflary for maintaining the ,
faid tillage, under a penalty, that the king
or lord of the fee fhould yearly receive a
moiety of the profits of the lands, wbere-
ever the houfes or buildings were not fa
maintained (^. In the folknving reign it
wns ordained, that whofbever fhould con-
vert tillage-lands^ into^ pafture, fhould for-
feit t moiety of the profits of the lands to
the lord of the fee; and, if he neglefted ta
receive it within one year, if (hould become
the property of the crown till converted
into tillage again (e). In the time of Ed-
ward the Sixth, it was enjoined with fome
exceptions, that fo much land fhould be
put to tillage as was at any time in tillage,
and fo kept for four years from the firft of
Kenry the Eighth, under the penalty of
(J) 4 H. Vir. r. 19.
fe-J 6 H. Vllh c. 5. 7 H. VltL c. r. ay Hr Vllf. c. 12.
for-
Digitized by VjOOQIC ^
t t47 )
foi-feitihg five (hillings an adre (/). Under
j^he reign of Philip and Mary, the aft of
Henry the Seventh was cJonfirnied, and
coinmiffioners weire appointed to inquire
what defaults or ofFehces hkd befell com-
rrtitted againft it fince the twentieth of
llenry the Eighth (^). In the next reigir,
the foregoing ftatute^ of Edward the iSixth
and Philip and Mary were repealed ; arid
the ftatiites of Henry the Seventh and
Eighth were revived, under the penalty of
forfeiting ten {hilUngs for every acre con-
verted from tillage into pafture {&). After-
Wards it was ordained, that lands in tillage
ihould not be converted into pafture, and
that all fuch lands as had been converted
into pafture fince the firft of Elizabeth
(houldb^ again converted into tillage (/)•
The ftatute of Henry the Seventh,
which laid the foundation of the others, de-
ferves particular notice, as affording an
inftance of the interference of the legiflature
in direfting the managerrieht of lands, and
(/) 5 and 6 Ed. VI. c. j.
(g) 2 and 3 Ph. and M. c. 2»
(b) s Eliz. q. a.
(/), 39 Eliz. tv 1, a.
L z
3t
_..
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( Hi )
at til© fame Cime ferving to fliew, how tife*
kfs all regulations of this kind are found
upon trial. I|^was commended by almoftr
every diftinguifhed ftatefman during tha
rpigns of the Tudor family; and, front the
care taken to revive or improve it by the
parliaments for aboirt a century, k fhould
leem as if its utility had been generally ac-
knowledged. Sir Thomas More,inhisUtopiay
hill ts at the ufefulnefiof alawof this kind;
and lord Bacon took every occafion to re^^
Commend it in the hoiife of commons and
m his writings^ In the year I597ydiftin-'
guiflied for the high price of grain, * Mr.
Francis Bacon flood up^ and made . a mo-^
tion in the houfe of commons againft inclo-
fures, and depopulation of towns and houfes^
of hufbaiKJry and tillage. For inclofure of
grounds brings depopulation ; which brings
firft idlenefs ; fecondly, decay of tillage ;
thirdly, fubverfion af houfes, and decay
of charity and charges tathe poor; fourthly,
impoverifhing the ftate of the realm (^).
His fpeech was feconded by Sir John
Fortefcue, chancellor of the extheq^uer, who^
^) ParLHift, vol.lV, p.414,.
gave
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< H9 )
gave his ,opinion much' in the fame way
with Mr. Bacon.'
Lord Bacon afterwards, in his Life of
^enry the Seventh, expatiates upon this
ftatute, and tells us, * that it was of fin-
gular policy for the population apparently,
and, if it be thoroughly confidered, for the
Soldiery and military forces of the realm.'
Inclofures at that time began to be more
frequent, whereby arable land, which .
<:ould not be manured without families,
was turned into pafture, which was eafily
rid by a few herdfmen; and tenancies for
years, lives, and at will, whereupon much
of the yeomanry lived, were turned into de-
mefnes. This bred a decay of people, and
by confequence a decay of towns, churches,
tithes, and the like. The king like wile
knew full well, and in no wife forgot, that
there enfued withal upon this a decay and
diminution of fubfidy and taxes ; for the
more gentlemen^ ever lower the book of
fubfidies. — The ordinance was, that all
houfes of hulbandry, that were ufed witli
twenty acres of ground and upwards, fliould
h^ iDaintained and kept up for ever, together
L 3 with
d by Google
Digitized b
< ISO )
with a competent proportion of land to he^
ufed and occupied with them, and in no
wife to be fevered from fheip, as by ano-
ther ftatute n^ade afterwards in his fuc-
ceflbr*s tifpe ^yas more fully declared.-?-
By this rneans the houfes being kept up did
of neceflity enforce a dwejler, and the pro-
portion of land being kept qp did of neceflity
^nfqrce that dweller not to be a beggar or
cottager, bi(t a n^an of fome fubftance, th^t
might keep hinds and feryant?, and fet th?
plough on going (/).*
From the tin^p of ena£lir\g this ftatute tp
^he reign of Jaqies the Firft, every fcarcity
of gRia was ufually imputed by the com-
monalty to the negle£t of enforcing it 5 and
its revival was ahvays confi^ered as the
moft effe£lual means of reftoring plenty.
And thopgh the landowners had fometipies
intereft enough in the parliament to have
bills of this kind rejef^ed, yet this aft was
fo popular, or thought to be fo beneficial
or neceflary, that they were frequently
obliged to fubmlt to its revival (w),^ Ai^d
there is no doubt &ut it was agreeable to
(/) Bacon's Life of f lenry the Seventh, p. 596.
(m) Pari. Hill. voL Jli. p, 247. '
the
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( '5i )
the pfitty farmers and labourets In huf-
bandry, as it promifed to fupply them
with employment and a maintenance. The
greateft part of the landowners confidered
it in anothef iight. From the care they
took to elude or defeat it, though en-
forced and improved by fucceeding parlia*
ments, it appears to have been thought
ineonfiftent with their intereft: or, if it re*
ftrained any proprietors of lands in tillage
from incloiing them, they were chiefly the
petty freeholders.
If grain had been looked upon as an arti*
cle of commerce, and population encou*-
raged by growing it for the ufe of foreign*
ers, this a(3: might have been defended as
founded on the principles of true policy.
Confidered in any other light, it could ferve
only to debar the lajidowners from apply-
ing their eftates to the moU profitable pur-
ppfes, aad oblige tbem to maintain at their
expence a number of cottagers and petty
tenants without augmenting the public
revenue, or preventing a fcarcity of grain.
The fize of the farms here recommended
was too fmall to be beneficial to the tenant^
landlprdy or the public.
|. 4 The
d by Google
Digitized b
( 15^ ^
The firft and principal defign of the a£^
was to prevent inclofures, which, as lord
Bacon obferves, became at that time more
frequent, on account of making, as may be
juftly fuppofed, more profitable returns to
the owner, than lands in tillage. And if
we compare the value of grafs and corn*
lands, we may be enabled to account for
the frequency of inclofures in thofe ages.
For fome centuries after the fettlement
of the Normans, almoft all the fields of
arable land were undivided by fences, and
the boundaries of parifhes afcertained by
annual perambulation s. And though this
cuftom has been in a great meafure laid
afide, where the lands have be^n inclofed",
it is ftill very nfefuUy continued where
the extremities of p^rifl>es border on waftea
or common paftures.
There is no doubt but fome lands ii\
every pari(h, as foon as it began to be cul-
tivated, would be lingled out for the pur-^
pore of providing fodder for cattle in the
winter J and Tt may be juftly fuppofed,
fuch parcels would be allotted to tliis ufe
as wefe fituat^d near broods or river?, and.
Digitized
by Google
(153 )
were the moft likely to yield a propel
qyantity of hay under the dryeft feafbns.
This was therefore rather a feparation of
the grafs and arable lands than an incld-
fure. But as ibon as one perfon obtained;
by purchafe or exchange feveral parcels o§
meadow-land, which lay contiguous to
each other, he generally found it to be his
intereft to indole them, if he was not de-
barred by the other freeholders, whoclaime4
a. right to departure their cattle there after
the grafs was mown.
The fame obfervations may be made on
the commons or paftures for fheep, horfes,
cows, and oxen for the plough. As milk,
butter, and cheefe, made a principal part of
the food of the people, and the price of
wool was high, the common pail: u re was
generally much larger than' was neceffary
for the manurance of the arable lands, and
partly applied to the maintenance of cows
and (heep, And, fdr a very obvious reafon,
fuch lands would commonlyrbe affigned to
this purpofe as were (ituated at the extra*-
mities of the parifh, or at the greateft difii-
l^uce from the town, Thefe lands ar«
fcldom
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by Google
( '54 )
feldom fo well cultivated and manured as
tbcfe which lie nearer the farm-houfej
and in the time of harveft the carriage of
the grain from them is tedious and expen-
sive. And it may be added, that in coun-
tries where coals were icarce, a part of
the lands was ufually covered with buihe^
and wood for fuel.
As inclofures were few, and generally
converted into meadows or paftures, the
greateft part of the grain was raifed in the
open and undivided fields. And it was
Jcarcely poffible to apply them to any other
ufe. There were oftentimes fo many pro-
prietorf, and every one's fhare lay fo dilper*-
fed, that it was neither pradVicable for any
fuigle freeholder to inclofe his portion, nor
to perfuade the occupiers to pra6l!fe any
other mode of hiifbaiidry than that which
had been ufed from time immemorial. Un-
lels a general confeut could be obtained,
the mort Ikilful and enterpriling farmer was
debarred from m-aking any material altera-
tion in rhefucccflionof the crops, and obliged
to fubmit to the mode of hufbandry au-
thorized by cuiloo), though he might juftly
think
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by Google
< »55 >
think it capable of great improvement. la
many refpefts, therefore, the ftate of the
fields In tillage was nearly the fame as
in the time of the Anglo-Saxon govern-
ment.
In the early part of the reign of Henry
the Seventh, the lands were chiefly pof-
fefled by the nobility, clergy, and mo-
naftics, and generally divided into fuch
fmall farms, that they afforded little moro^
than a livelihood to the family of the occu-
pier^ The barons, for their own profit as
well as fecurlty, increafed the number of
their tenants and vafl'als; and ufually di-
vided their tillage lands into fmall farms,
for the fake of providing for them. Many
of thefe were fo much confined to their
fervice in works of hufbandry, that they
neither had room to exert themfelves as
freemen, nor to labour for their own bene-
fit. A part of their rent, according to an-
cient cuftom, was paid by perfonal labour,
or the fervice of the plough.
The abbey and church lands were not
under better regulations. Many of the
tenants of the biftiops and abbots dif-
charged
d by Google
Digitized b
( 156 ^)
Charged a great part of their rente -by per*
fonal fervice, like thofe. of the barons.
And as the maintenance of the poor was
chiefly left to the clergy and religious
orders, they might imagine that, the poor
would be heft provided for by the di^-
vifion of the lands into fmall farms, whidi
might be fufficient to maintain them with-
out any charitable contributions.
When fome of the obftacles to improve-
Vnents in agriculture were removed by
weakening the power of the barons towards
Jthe end of the reign of Henry the Seventh,
^nd induftry was encouraged by the diflblu-
tion of the monafteries, and the increafe of
bur manufactures and comraerce under hi«
fuccefTor, the lands gradually began to feel
the change. Landed property became more
divided among the people ; aiul many be*
ginning to labour for themfelyes fucceede4
according to their induftry* j^ut the old
habits of the huflbandmen coujd not belaid
afide immediately : nor could the petty
tenants be reduced without violence to the
ftate of labourers by uniting their fmall
parcels of land into one farm# The lands
" ii^
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( 157 )
in general ftill continued in the occupation
of a race of cottagers, whcT, probably, for a
great number of years after the power of
the barons had fenfibly declined, and the
monafteries had been diflblved, longed for
the holidays and good cheer they had oc-
cafionally enjoyed under thei^r ancient maf-^
ters.
Nor w^s the divifion of the open fields
into fmall parcels the only impediment to
improvements in hulbandry. Though the
price of grain was generally low, wool was
a profitable article, and brought in a great
part of the money, which circulated In
the kingdom. For thisreafon, a large por-
tion of almoft every parifli was converted
into a common pafture for (heep and milch
cows. And by thus increafing the breed of
iheep for the fake of the wool, the floth of
thefe cottagers was in forrife degree encou-
raged. The attendance they required was
much more agreeable than the labour
and expcnce of a plough.
The open and undivided fields continued
in 'this wild flate, with a few exceptions in
particular places, till a number of cottages,
5 and
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( ^58 )
and the few acres belonging to them, gra^
dually became the property of one perfbnj
who eredted a decent farm-houfe^ and an-
nexed an adequate quantity of land. And
from this time we may date the rife of im-
provements in hufbandry. Thefe new te-
nants, being now pofleffed of farms of a pro-
per fixe to find conftant employment for a
plough and yoke of oxen, raifed a greater
quantity of grain than when the lands were
divided into fmall parcels. Other reafons
may be affigned for the removal of the cot-r
tagers from thefe fmall farms. As foon as
the roads began to be repaired, and fome of
the rivers were made navigable, the carriage
of goods, which they had formerly in a
great meafure engrofled, was diverted into
other hands. The moft induftrious of thefe
cottagers were the higleps, badgers, and
jcarriers of thofa times, who trafficked in all
thofe petty articles, which then began to be
conveyed to the market by the firft owners,
or were difpofed of in a different manner*
And this lofs, with the increafed expence
of l\ying, obliged them to refign their pit-
tance of land, and work 4s labourers^
It
.^' Digitized by VjOOQIC
( 1^9 ) •
It is not, however, to be fuppofed, that
all the lands in tillage were divided into
fmall farms, and occupied by cottagers, in
any period of our hiftory. There were un-
doubtedly hides of land in the occupation
of 'one perfon before the reign of Henry the
Seventh ; but they were few when com-
pared with the prefent number of farms of
this extent. The union of the cottage-lands
into one farm began about his time, and
the cuftom has continued to the prefent, in
which we find fewer farmers, and more
labourers, than in former ages. On this
account, it is imagined that the number of
families in the villages has been gradually
reduced, and the cottages deftroyed, when
their l^nds were taken from them. An^d
undoubtedly there is fome truth in the ob-.
{ervation. But it may be remarked, on tlxe
other hand, that the fame lands required
oearly an equal number of peopleto culti-
vate them as long as they continued in
tillage, though fome of the ancient occu-
piers might be reduced to the capacity of
labourers. Suppofing neverihelefs the n um-
ber to be leflened by the union of fmall
farms.
Digitized
by Google
( '6o )
farms, the public received the advantage by
the greater plenty of grain and provilions.
From the bad hu{bandry, and the general
(loth and poverty of the cottagers, a great
part of their fcanty produce muft be con-
fumed in their own families; and if our
lands in tillage were again divided into
fmall farms, inftead of exporting grain, we
Ihould frequently be obliged to import it*
from foreign countries..
By thus uniting many fmall farms, fuch
a number of flieep oftentimes became the
property of one man as to admit of their
being folded for the benefit of the manure*
And this was no flight improvement in
hulbandry. The (heep belonging to each
cottager were commonly too few for this
purpofc, unlefs they agreed to unite their
fmall flocks, which,'however ufeful, was not
eafily effefted, except where they were ob-
liged by ancient cufl:om to fold them on the
demefnes of their landlord.
It neVerthelefs- appears, from many in-
ftances, as if the legiflature thought fmall
farms to be the moft advantageous to the
public ; or; at kaft, that they were the befl:
calculated
Digitized by CjOOQIC
( ■«■ )■ .
calculated for reducing the price of grain,
and other produfts of the lands, and pre^
venting monopolies. In the Ifle of Wight
lands in tillage being frequently converted
into paftures, and feveral fmali farms united,
it was enabled, that no farmer ftiould oc-
cupy any farms, whofe yearly rent alto-
gether exceeded ten marks (n). As grain
was probably of little value there, the
landowners were defirous to unite their
fmall farms, and convert them into paf-
tures, as the fureft methods of advancing
their rents. The produce of ihe^ in Cattle
or wool might be conveyed ta London or
other markets at a much lefs eixpence than
corn, and would make a more profitable
return. The wool of this ifland wa^ dif-
tinguiflied for its finenefs ; and, as that wa3
always a beneficial article, it might he ex-
pected, that attempts would be made to
augment the quantity. At the fame time,
the fmallnefe of the farms might induce
the landowners to unite them, even if they
had been inclined to keep them in tillage.
Very fmall farms afforded little more than
(v) 4H. VII. c. i6.
VoL.JI. M a
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( ,6z )
a (lender maintenance to the occupiers; ycU
when many of them were united, the reiit
might have been confiderably advanced, to
the emolument of the public, landlord,
and tenant, A fimiJar ftatute was cuaded
in the time of Henry the Eighth, by which
every farmer, with fpme few exceptions,
was prohibited from fceqplng above two
thoufand fheep, or occupying more than
two farms ; and thc^e were to lie in the
town or parifli where he refided (<?)• Vari*
ous reafons are ^gned in the preamble of
this ftatute for enadlii^g it. Divers ^id
fun dry perfons, we are toldt Qoci^pied
feveral farms, and converted them into jpaf-
tures, and not to tillage; that they en-
hanced the rents of lands, and the prices of
corn, cattle, wool, hogs^ ai>d poultry; that
the labourers were dlftrefled for want of
employment ; tliat tliey rented large par-
cels of land on account of the liberty al-
lowed of Tceeping an unlitpited nuriiber of
ilieepV and that they adv^ahced'the price of
jfheep -for vi(Jluat as well asf wool very mubh^
beyond their anqient rates. It is ealy t^
ioacei«e, JtHat, when lands in tilkjge Were
CbnVfertcd "
d by Google
Digitized b
i i6^ )
converted Into paftures for the maintenance
of (heep and cattle, the quantity of corn
would be diminilhed, and confequently its
price enhanced ; and, at the fame time,
many of the labourers in hufbandry would
lofe their ufual employment, and bedifcard**
cd as ufelefs. But it is not eafy to conceive,
what detriment could accrue to the public
from an advanced rent of lands, or how the
great number of (heep complained of in the
aft fhould be the means of enhancing the^
price of mutton or wool. As it was not
allowed to export (heep, it might have been
expefled, that, by increafing their nember,
mutton would have become more plcntifwil
and cheap, and the danger of a monopoly
of wool prev*cnted. But there v^ uo ju(t
reafon to complain of the price 6f woel as
ftated in the aft, A ftone of cloathing
wool, it is faid, that in fome (hires of the
realm was accuftomed to be fold for eigh-
teen or twenty pence, is now fold for
four (hillings, or three (hillings and four
pence at the leaft; and in fome coun-
tries, where it hath been fold for two
ihillings and four-pence, or two (hillings
and eight-pence, or three (hillings at the
M 2 moft-,
d by Google
Digitized b
( »64 )
inoft, is now foid for five (hilHi^y or four
ihillings and eight pence at the leafL
Cloathing wool is of a very anabjguofus edi-
fication and value^ and at a particular time
it might have been fold at thcfe prices : but,
allowing for the ftate of the coin at that
time, th^ were more moderate than th^
had ufually been during the three preceding
centuries. Nor is it eafy to ^(ccrn the utility
0f limiting the number of farms to two,
which each perfon was allowed ixy occupy,
iinlefs we fliould fuppofe, that fhiall farms
yielded a greater produce, tlmn larger, or
that a monopoly of grai^ ^pd wooivWOuld
take place by enlarging farn^, airfiutreaf-
ing the, number of iheep. JBut this wa3 a
very improbable event. The truth is, as
the lands had formerly been almoft entirely
in. the occupation. of petty tenants, when-
ever the price qf {hcimbl^*s nKiat, y^octU or
grain,, w^s advanced; by. uppropitiou? feafons,
or debafement of tbe^qoiii, the g^pf^ wgs
icnputed by the populace, to theaugnawitatiou
of farms, ai:id the conv^rfion of tiU»ge-
lands into paftures. And it appears to hajre
Weil the policy of thofe times to encourage
the
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< 165 )
the; cottagers, and prevent the union <sf
farms, as if plenty and cheapnefs of all
the produ£iis of the lands depended on the
fmallnefs of farms.
It Ihould feem, by an ad of Queen Eliza-
beth, as if a very fmall quantity of land was
thought fufficient for the maintenance of
a family. Every perfon, with fome ex-
ceptions, who ere<9:ed a cottage, was re-
quired to annex four acres of land to it (/>).
This, law muft in fome meafur^ difcourag?
both manufadures and hulhandry. An
extenfive man ufaftory could not be carried
on in many pariihes, for want of a proper
number of howfes for the workmen, if the
builders W(Sj?e obliged to annex fouj acres
x>f land to each hou(e. In thofe days of
frugality, this quantity of l^nd might be
fufficient to place the tenants above abfolutc
want, and prevent them from becoming
jchargeable to thye parifh ; by t it was fcarce*
ly poffible for the rooft induftrious tp beftow
^ proper culture on fuch ^ fmall quantity
of l?fnd in the open and undivided fields ;
;Mid the more opulent and cnterprifing
M 3 farmers
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
^
( i«6 )
"^xamt cmild hot improve a kl-gcr {Portion,
but etery Cdttagcr would in many cafes par-
take of^ ti^ benefit. The only end thi^
ftatute feems to have anfwered, was ttt re*
duce the number of cottagers, or, as
ftyled by lord Bacon, houfed beggars, and
irt fome degree to diminifli population.
It may be difficult to determine the e5^a^
li'ie 6f farms in order to bedome the moft
beneficial to the puWk; Faf-ms of a mo<W^
tate frze afe generally Wtteh better dultl-
vated than very fmall ones, and' for^fhfe
leafon muft produce a greater quantity of
grain j and how plenty of this or any othfe*
|)rodu<9:s 6f the lan^ds Ihould oecafioli an iA^
vsnced price is not eafy to ctittceiVe.
When particular commodities ileceflkry td
^the artificer or tnanufaAurer fall Into the
tiahds of one perfon or a few, a monopoly
iiiay take place; but -that the farmers *!a
gra7:iers in every -p^rt of the kingdotA
Should ebilfibine infiiirigtheprfteof grtih',
Jharhble's meat; or Wool, may be * juftly
thought impradicable. If the merchant or
rnant^^uter,'byextendbg hisbu!ittefJ;t)r
ilealing more largely, jQhpuld advance the
price
iO,^^^ Digitized by VjOOQIC
( »<57 )
price of his goods or merchandize, it may
theii be thought advifeable to limit by-
public authority his tradii^ ftock, and at
the fame time prefcribe the number of
acres and (heep to the fiarmer and grazier.
As the power of the barons declined
under the reigns of Henry the Seventh
and his fucceflbrs, and rents in money
were preferred to the fervioes or perfonal
attendance of their tenants and dependents,
the. petty farmers and cottagers began to
be looked upon as burthenfome or ufclefs*
And the landowners in general few the ad*
vantage of letting their lands in coniider*
able parcels, and of maintaining no greater
humber of tenants than was necei^ry to
cultivate, and not to con fume, the produce
of their farpis in the maintsepaace of their
families. Thus baniihing a race of cot^
takers, that could fubfift only upon tillage*-
farms, they converted many of their lands
into iheepwalks and paftures, as requiring
•a lefs number of haiids to reap tlieir pro-
duce.
And, unfortunately for the cottagers and
•petty farmers, wool inftead of grain yielded
M 4 the
Digitized
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the greateft profit fo the landowners. Thc^
price of torn W4S generally fo low, and the
export of it fo fmall and unqertain, efpc-
dally from the interior counties, that it
fell fliort of the profits arifing from cattle
s^nd wool. The lando^fters therefore
turned off maqy of their petty tenants, an4
iij^itiqg their fxhjill farms, frecjuently perr
mitted them to be converted into iheep-
walks. Butter, leather, and chcefe, ^^re
alfo exported in fpch quantities, as to ad-
vance the rent of grafs lands, and might
induce the landowners to convert fome of
their tillage*lands into pafture^, in order tq
fupply tl^e markets abroad. .
And the improved ftate of the lowef
rank of people contributed, infome degree,
to the fame putpoie by increafibg the de-r
mand for (hamble's meat. The com-
monalty, now releafed from the tyranny of
the barons, and receiving higher wages, be-
came more cxpenfive in their mode of liv-
ing. The focn^en, cottagers, and villains,
,who conftituted the greateft part of the
people in ancient times, lived chiefly on
^he coarfeft fare; bregdj^ cheefe, and paill^,
wer^
Digitized
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( i69 )
were their ufual food. And, as long as this
Ifind of diet prevailed, there was flender en*
courageroent to enlarge the quantity of
grafs land, and fatten cattle for the mar-
Ifets. The confumption of flelh-nieat never*
thelefs increafed with the number of
raanufa6turers; and, though it fell (hortof
the demand for it in modern times, it was
at that time large enough to require ^
greater fupply than could be derived frora
the ancient inclofures. The landowners
were therefore ready to increafe their paf-
^re-grounds, though at the expence of
their plough-lands, to anfwer this new de-
mand. This fpecies of luxury, if it may
be fo called, has been continually increaf-
ingfor feveral centuries, and has now reached
all ranks of people; and the fame meafures
have been.purfued in modern times, to yield
^n adequate fupply. The quantity of corn-
lands has be^n leflened in the fame propor-
tion, as inclofures have increafed ; but, by
the introduftion of a better hulbandry, the
quantity of corn has not been very fenfibly
(Jjminiflied. ]
Before
Digitized by^VjOOQlC
( 170 )
Before our commerce became conCh^r-
able, and the manufafturers lived difperftd
in diflfercnt parts of the kingdom^ there
were few fliamblcs of confequenoe, except
in particular cities and boroughs; and evea
thefe might be fupplied from the adjacent
pariflies. But when trade began toflouriih^
and the capital and many manufa(SlurMg
towns became more populous, ftambJes wei*
creftedjthat required a greater fupply tl>aa
could be drawn from the neighbourhood.
In thefe places the demand for flefh-meat
continually increafed. The manufa^urers
and artifans, generally earning more than
ihc country-labourers, could indulge more
in this article of provifion, which of confer
^uence required a greater quantity of
grafs-land to furnifh a fupply.
In thofe times the difference between
the prices of grain, ^nd provifion? m^ ppp^*
lous towns and the ' country was much
greater than at prefent It wa^ fcarcely
pja£licable to convey them to a diftant
market in the winter unlefs at a greatey ex*
pence. And though few market-towns
were then as populous as at prefent, yet
fome
Digitized
by Google
( 171 )
ibmie t>f "tliefm required fuch an extent of
country, tb fupply them, that th^ expence
of carriage, enhanced the price of almoft
ev'ery article much more than in modern
tlnWs, If London had been at that time ^
as populous, and the confumptron of pro*
vifions as great as at prefent, they would
have been extremely dear. The Lon-
doners were frequently fupplied with grain
from Normandy and other parts of France;
and in thofe ages it might have been
l^tocured from thence at a lefs expcncd
than from many of the inland counties.
Thefe are fome of the reafons ibr con- /
verting tillage-lands into paftures under
the reigns of the Tudor-line, though the
principal inducement was the low value of
grain, and the high price and free export
of wool. ' This made a more profitable re-
turn than corn or any other produft of the
lands ; and it may be prefumed, on this ac-
count, that many of the lapdowners would
continue the ufe of the plough no longer
than they were obliged by the laws enaded
at that time for maintaining tillage.
la
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
^ III former ngcs, when the *en^t<rf land
was low, twenty acres might be thought
fiifficient to maintahi a family; and the oc-
ipupiers, by higliiig, occafionally carrying
goods to a jdiftaiice for hire, andpiougliing
the dcmefues of their landlords, might find
employment for a team of horfes, or yoke of
joxen. And fuch a fmall form would un-
doubtedly enforce theneceffity of keeping it
in tillage. At prefent farms of this fize
are too fmall to be p^rofitable to the ttnant,
except in the neighbourhood of populous
towns, where he may meet with employ^
ment for his carriages during the interval
of work in the field. Farms, indeed, of
this (ize are ftill to be found in many coun-
tries; and the occupiers are in the fame
ftate as their labourers, frequently more
induftrious, and equal in poverty.' And it
IS fcarcelypoflible, without lome other em-
ployment, to cultivate fo fmall a quantity
of land with benefit' to thcmfelves and the
public. The produce, may fupport an In-
duftrtous femily, but thd rent liiuft be
*fmalK And the landowners, from the time
of Henry the Seventh, to the'prtfent^ have
I been
Digitized
by Google
( 173 )
been more inclined to enlarge their farm^,
and increafe their rents, than the number
of their tenants.
It is certain, as lord Bacon and other
writers have obferved, that the fons of fub-
ftantial yeomen and ploughmen afford the
beft recruits to the army (y), and that fub-
ftantial farmers contributed moft in pro-
portion .t;o their fortunes to the fubiidies
and taxes. And it is undoubtedly true po-
licy in every nation to encourage tillage 3s
far as it can be encouraged confiftently
with tjie demand for other articles. Xhis
application of the Unds is much more profi-
table to the public than when they are con-
verted into (heep-walks. But unlefs a
market can be fpund for.thegr^in ^f horee
or abroad, every attempt to ^pfqrce tillage
can anfwer no other purpofe th^n tq ife*
. prefs the value of the lands, ai>d introduce
a flothful hufb^dry^ • / . »
In order tp encourage tillage with fuc-
cefs, all the produfts of the lands ought to
be, ;?s ffir as poffihle, kept uppn alevelin
point of \;ialue» Reflfaints in one article
(f) C^ro deReRuil:. c^ z. Plia.Hifi. L xviiu c. i. Cokab
de Re Riift. Li. c. i«
force
< Digitized by VjOOQIC
( 1/4 )
force the knd-holders to a^t^-smothcr as
iboa as it appears to be pfxifitabkw The
xnoft effedual way of prev^iting the con*
'^riioD of tiUage-bmds into paftures^ .would
have, beea, to have advaaiced the price of
grain by permitting its export, till the val\ie
of grafs md arable lands had bdsn reduced
nearly to an equality, or to have totally
prohibited the export' of wool, butter,
chcefe, and leather. No other meafures
could be fuccefeful ; and yet very oppofite
methods were purfued. Encouragement
was giuca to difpofe of a great part of the
produce of grafs-lands to foreigners ; and at
the fame time the export of grain was pro-
hibited, unlefs the price was extremely low,
, and there was no profpeift of confuming it
at home. It was the policy of thofe times
to keep the price of corn as low as poffible,
and to take the utmofl care to enhance the >
valup of wool, as it was purcfcfafed chiefly
of foreigners. The^ pri(;e of wheat ^was
thought fo high as not to admit of expor-
tation, when k amounted to fi% fhUHngs
•and eight pence a quartet. *It 13 nowujKin
au average about four time* J* high, and
3 «bO
Digitized
by Google
( ^1S )
the price of wool has continued nearly the;
fame. And it was the advanced price of
^ain, that firft eiFedually encouraged til-
lage, and removed the evil complained of
in 'the ad of Henry the Sevenths The re-
vival of this ftatute under the four fucceed-
ing reigns may ferve to convince tis, that^
in the eftimation of the landowners the
lands might have been employed to more
profitable ufes than the growth of grain.
And every law will be always confidered as
oppreffive, or its intention defeated, that
prefcribes any other mode of hufbandry
than what is beneficial to the landlord. It
is extremely difficult to eliablifh any regu-
lations of this kfind by public authority,
that will be generally ufeful. What may
be the moft advantageous application of the
lands in one county may be the reverie in
another, though the foil may be nearly the
fame. And the choice of converting lands
into pailures or tilkge ought to be left to
the owner, who is commonly the bell
judge of his own 4ntereft;,and whatever
mode of hufl:>andi;y makes the moft: profi-
table return will generally be found to be
the
Digitized
by Google
the mod advantageous to the public. All
the efforts of the kgiflature to preveot in**
clofures were ineffeftual, till the advanced
price of grain towards the end of. the^ reign
<jf Elizabeth gave encouragement to tilla^^.
Until her time wheat was allowed to be
exported only when the price was under fix
IhiHings and eight pence a quarter, and other
Ibrts of grain in proportion, hi the early part •
of her reign the export was permitted, whdtt '
wheat was under ten (hillings a quarter, and
afterwards when it was under twenty fhiU
lings (r). The crown neverthelefs af-
fumed a power in tbofe times of granting -
iommiffions to export corn, even whert'«
exceeded thofe prices, and frequently made
ufe of it. So that, in the latter end of h6r
reign, by uokind feafons and exceffive tranf- »
portation, it amounted {o high as to prevent
the landowners from converting tillage-
lands into pafturds more effcftually than all:
the ftatutes that had been dcvifed for this
purpofe. This was the propemft method
that could be taken for promoting tiUagCt*
by bringing the value of arable and graft
{r) 5 Eliz. *c. 5. 13 Eliz. c. 15.
lands
Digitized
by Google
C ^n )
lands nearer to an equality, and feems to
have been fuccefsfuL Complaints, indeed,
againft inclofures and negk£t of tillage
continued to be made in the inland
coimties, as the permiffion to export grain
could be of flight fervice there to the corn-
grower. The expence of carriage to the
neareft ports prevented its exportation in
fuch quantities as to influence its price.
And whatever objections might be made
againft the converfion of tillage-lands into
paftures, it was certainly more beneficial
to the public to give this liberty to the
interior counties,* than oblige the farmer to
grovj^ corn fo much to his detriment.
If the large expert of com towards the
end of Elizabeth's reign encouraged tillage,
it muft undoubtedly advance its price.
And as this is generally confidered as the
confcquence of exportation, many writers
have exclaimed againft it, as detrimental to
the public by enhancing the price of pro-
vifions. And, it muft be acknowledged,
fhis will be fometimes .the event, though
updn art average of 'years a' general per-
miffion to export grain may be the means
VoL-lL. N of
Digitized
by Google
( t7.8 },
^jF reducing its price, and the* moft pini^euJ!
naeafure tUat can be t^eu for pro^iptiag
tpillage. And it muft be jthe ipjtereft q£
every ftate to eiicour^ge the -Giiltiv:fiitiQn..Q£
its laxidSt and to k^p in tillage ^ mmj ta^t
are proper for that piH;pofe, and coaft^eoc
with the inimberof cattle and othpic^ir
cks^ it rpay require for. ^^qjfftif \^p, Ttfte
benefitsqf this ^if^fui^c.^e toofipj^^ m ff^
quire any prppf., A?aWe la^ m^d^.
employ a greater nunabjjr i^ fpifoni t^?«iE
pafture-groundsj, vbirt; the q\»aiidty i>( thein
groduf e lisi. f(^ooi^ ^^^ret deS6rfiifi\€a tfae>
rajtq of pub^r proyifjpna^ 'EW^foiljo^'^v^
country prppcfr far cultivation » prodfiQd^
that kind of wealth, which xirciifet^rtjf>re
equally among the pe<>pk than the richer
acquired frpip mines of gold or ^ver.
yV|^iwlture^ indeed,: dpcm^ t?o [pQ^& ftU
tlie adyanb^es of the. krgeft ^man^fa^wy**
As far as any. manuf^iSory depends oi> , the
demand of foreigners for its fuj;^rt,,.it
muft be liable to pnany reftraiuts, ,vNpr
is it poftible to preveiit thef? interrupt
tions in trade, which for a tirpe reduce
the workmen to diftrefs. On the €>ther
hand, arable lands require nearly the fame
uumber
d by Google
Digitized b
( m ) ,.
liumber of* lat)Ourers tTnoughout the year,
except HI the tune of harveft; and as
file employment is rieithei* precarious, nor
flependeht oli foreign dema,nd, it is at all
ftmes nearly equal. And wherever con-
ftartt'emproymcnt is to be founrf,, inhabi-
tants will increase in the" fame proportion.
Tile populoufiiefs therefore of every ex-
feiHiVe country will in fbme 'nieafu re ^ de-
pend on the quantity of its lands in tilkge ;
and if foreigners ^re fuppKea ,with its
grain; fh^ number of- Inhabitdnts will be
{>rt)p<Wtionally augmented. 'And ii6 juft
f^offtan be^^lven, why corn '(hould not
be dodfidefed as a fpecies of merchandize,
and srh article of CofnmerGe. It is ratfed,
inde^cJ^ fof cjdit^e/^ic ufe, but capable of
being exported Uke dtiy other Commodity
6f ^^ti€r$ir iCdnfuitlJ)ribri. 'In a political
^iew, ntt othef diftitiftioli ■ can" be made
beftweetitlid corn -grow^K and ^anufa^^Urer
thati what a;rires frorti tfie iiuiiibef ' of
hands they^mployin piTparihg their* re-
fp€(5ive' dortimoditi^s .'for fale. Both^ are
' the fruits of liabour, afra^the furplus of the
annual confumptibn may be exported to
1^ 2, natioqal
Digitized
by Google
( i8o )
national advantage, wherever a marked
can be found. It cannot be thought (de-
trimental to the public, if com of the fanie
value as * the annual export of our nrianii-
faftures (houM be fent abroad. Fewer ,
hands may perhaps be employed in railing
fuch a quantity of corn than in manufac-
tures oP that value : but if the number of
veffels and ieamen, which each t^mpjoy^^
fhould be taken into the account, thte
difference will not be very confiderabk..-
As pafturage employs a fmall uumbef
of, hands, greater benefits may accrue-
from it to individuals than the' public. Oil
the contrary, grain, requiring the afliftapce
of many hands to raife, it anfwers in every
refpe£l to a naanufadory^ whole utility
arifes from the number of hands it cm-
ploys. And as an addition to the beiiefita
accruing from tillage, they are fpread a-
mong a grpat number. The chief jwofit,
of many of our exports .i^ confined to a
few I while the gains of the corn-trade are
received by every landowner or his tenant
throughout the kingdom.
7 The
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by Google
The export of corn ought to be confi-
^ered not as.defigned merely to relieve fo-
reigners and diftrefs ourfelves, but as the
moft eflfedlual raeans of enlarging the
-Quantity, And, if it prevents all the dan -
^ers of a famine, every individual receives
the b^efit. ,, In the time of a fcarcity,
our grain m^iy be confined at home, and
ih^ fur^plus only of what we .are not al)le
to confume may be^ exported. And it
jDofleffes this peculiar advantage, as an ar-
ticle of commerce,, that at particular times
it^ export may be prohibited without in*
jury .to the growers,^ A fimilar eijnbargo,
Ijiid upoq th,e goods of the naanufa^turer,
.would .inMaediatcly reduce him to. great
inconyeniences. His, demand ovfght to be
^as conftant^i and fubjefl: to as^fevv iuterrup-
JtionSji^as.-pQffi'^le, that he.npj^y %d a daily
.cnqployjnpi^ fipr his.workfpen^ But, when
^r^in. bears *a high price, the export may
h? reftrj^ipes^,. ^pd . np room left for the
farmer to. cqmplain. , The advanced price, .
.in the tino^e of. a fcarcity, equally encou-
jTjijges hinX' ?o cultivate hi? lands, as tlie
i^ipiffion to export his corn after a plen-
N 3 tiful
d by Google
Digitized b
X 10^ )
tiful harvcO, The public therefore reqeivcs
the benefit of the lands that are cult\vateii
"for the life of foreigners when grain is plen-
tiful ; a^d it reaps it at the rpoft fcalbijiable
tin\e, when it is wanted ^t home.. An4
this may be confidered as^ o^e reafon for
allowing exportation, and the b^ft prowik^
fion the k^iflature can make fqr ^nf4Vollr?
able feafoqs, * / :,' ' >
Every country in Europe is QCc^ionklly
fubje»ft to plenty or fcardity; ,of:*^l^iu,
And the moft efFeftual method bf greatiii\g
plenty* feetn^s tO" be, to encourage th^
growth of a greater quantity tHajl i§ aJWj?-
'lutely nccefiqry for idoihcftic- ufe; ia jhat
•under every feifon' it 'may be eiiabled to
fupply itfelf wiifiout fSrergh' afliflrance. It
is not pqffible to adjuft the quantity of
grain t|i^t i? raifcd to thje annual cronfump-
tion. :: Th^ iante quantity' of land, that in
favourable leafojTS prpdqfes a crop large
enough to admit of e^pqttation, at particu-
lar times will not yields fyflSciericy fdr
doaieftic ufe. .On fuch pcpafiotisf we muft
"fupply our fejvesx^om: .abroad, to^he feene*
fit of foreigners,^ unkfs t?e ^toVlde* a^ajj^ft
Digitized
by Google
( »8? )
fhim by raifing a greater quantity than is
i>c<:eflary for our own confumptibb.
r And the permiffioti to export gfatn \i
thfe nnoft iadvifeable meafure that can .Ge
l^urfued fot keHepnhg its price nearjy oii an
Equality. And this is not lefs an acK^an-
tage to the ferniet tfian the labourer's tri
«Veiy occupcltion. The one may dej^'eiid
on a rcaTonable price for his grain, and the
other may work accbrding to Ancient rates,
•without varying their wages according to
the prices of provrfions. And it is ob-
fcrv^e, that, After the import of "/oreigft
corn bad-been pVaperly regulated, and the
expbrt of our own encouraged by ' tjfie ' tni-
liiftty of queen Elizabeth, its price became
"neither To variable, nor at any time {o ex-
t:ei15veiy high, as in former ages/ The
''i^fm.er6;''it'1may1)e preftmed'i -alilrays en-
deavmi^fedtotaile a quantity fufBcjeiit fbir
the ufuil demand i : but, as the 'feafous
were npt uiVder their controul, the price
was as xmcertain as the' annual crop. An^
Yhis tvas ^ forti^tinties fo fcanty, that tlip
pc6pt6 fufTer^d all the ext'reniities of want.
" ' N 4' The
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Thie abfurd laws zgsmA oigtcdSers, tbo
general poverty of t|ie fai^^^derfe, aud tb^
iy*nt, pf a free export in pkutif«ri years,
xnigb( ppotribute to iu bi^ price;, on a
faUufe of the crop. Rjt, after the. reiga
pf Elizabeth, by the encouragement given
to export grain, its price becaoie fidore
egual, thoi^h fubjeS: to yariacioUiS *froin
tjio irregularity of t^ie feaf^eysj butiit.^e^?
v,er amounted lb higtt isr to reduce ^ the
people to? the diftrefles of a famine. And
t^s is a calamity we h^y<^t^O; reafon to
^^ju:, i;ill we bripg it on ourfelyes by kn-
Pf9Pf r regulatious oC the corn-tft de^' . u'
. Jt is fonpQtimes taken for granted, ithal;,^
if, the expprt of corn was totally prohi^
hited^, its price, would^ in a feiw years; be
very mjjch reduced, if the;, <:rop$ .jvvere
jtle^^fi^l,: 'I'his wopld iM^uhtedfyihelii:^
qyiei^f, if the f^? qwntity: ipf jla«d. feouW
be kepi: in tillage, and prpperJyi Quitivated>
But, if jhi^ meafyir^ (hould^he, adopled,
thequantityf wou|<i.;Ue gradually .du^"^*
ed, .,|t is:.f^e,h^{^,of ^mMl^ mwbet fw
Sj? gjriniat^.hpme f^f ^^a4>r|hat fiifXiH*
Vfiges the farmer, ^ai^ ftyimlates ihirtj tb
raife
Digitized
by Google
C 1^5 ) -
raife the greateft quantity his lands will
permit. If any reftraiiits were put upon
him, it is doubtful whether he would grow
any more than would be rcqulfite to create
a fcafcity, aixd of confequence an high
priced. Arid it is hot lefs a fubjeft of
doubt, whether the farmers iii general are
MOt lofers l^the permiffion to export grain.
16 Vi'Msi quantity <hbuld be raifel, the
price of it would ' adv^nde, arid, like the
flu^rers in a naonc^oly, they wodld fell a
imall quantity at^he fame rate as a greatferl
If it fhoold be fuppofed, that, by pro^^
hibiting the estport of grain, the opftti
fifeld^ of Arable land would ftill continue in
tillage, as applicable to no othw purpofe,
and doat the occupiers would be . equally
induftriouSj yet thefe alone wbuld not
yield a fupply foi the annual confuraption*
Ifc varidue iparts^of the k inborn, a confi*
dertide qtfantity is raifedan the !ncl<!)fotes;
and, if^e4eaft difiouragement ^as given
to tillage, mariy of thefte would be cor-
yertfcdiirtto paftures;. In ^^few^ years,- there-
forev the*t|Uaatity idf g*aih would be <b fzv
dtminifliedi' thtft, after the mofl: favoura-
ble
Digitized
by Google
(( 1* )
9ll«r two or *fcrc^ ibaatf harv^s fuccoed^
iDg-€wh Qih^f tbe drtad of a deartb would
& f9f pieyfiSI^ {tktt it- would be ncceii^ry.
tt> giver a bouo^lbroom imported.
Nor we the fmri ^ Wfleoiiig the i^imt*
^y of latidif 10^ tHlage aitogctfaei' .^roui^
lef$. Tfee reiit lof grai^ 40ftds io anicH ex^
cceds tb^t of arabk-^tidi^ ^jnoft^^rtg 6{
^ king4oa3t, that k is;freqiiemly ikceffit}!
0}<tefi .wbkh t>b£ge?*/*t^ occupier: of tfas
kttcf toikeepthem iiijdUdge* i£tbe)r soil
proper fc^fion verting into pacCtures^ tt ttiud
ht .the- ititex^fk of evei^t f (mfideMbjie 2£roi4
fiwner, iin almeft all paksof cbe^kingdote;
except' "jvfewHj, grwn is ufuaUj r;dear^ fo i^
'jl^y..t^m>i\toihh purpofe^ He: wiift; -fiom
iKihlf:ikipm\^ im nea£v ^iid aiTore^^e^
J^weijhm^^i&om^tbio lehai^ tbj^^ttti^
&imB of atrable land ire i»>fiftaq%^^fa^9
; ' if we difcKarigielthe.expemisdtrf^xsitt^^
iiig ouK ^rain abroadgr.oUp fa(iU£i.|x^>cttb^
beetf fit } atidy^ tbo iC^fno lime jmt^g^ners
pa}^ for a waojoodit^ W£t. caniiot^.^n'fitane;
Wet think it oi^r mi^eft 4d ^ «loft*b I^WaM ;
aoidweMhinik kltht^beil^j&^ritj&.ioriifibe
per*
Digitized
by Google
< .«7 ) ■
permanence of oiix^ tradie, yf^^ W« cfi»
cjoath tl;iem on cheapef tern^^ t^D thsy
ean na^nufaiJiurje the fatpe f9rt of ^pQ(}s*
And is it not equally adyantagOJ^ys to. tbp
public to iup^ly ^Ixcm ^j|^ cffp» «s -;vsi^i
anypther cjotnm^dity tjiigt ypqulre^^fi^oijf
to. prepare it Ipr^ ufe ? \V)heufiVftr ^^^ en?
porr any gpoo^s of ogr q^\\ wpn^ip^^l^)^
we ^re taught toco^i^er ^ }^^^^
employed ' fpr thi^s purpofe 3s j i^[)f^aji^
by foreigners. , And w^W v^'^^^i^c^
re'afori hold good wl^en applje^ to^e;p^
tivation of the lan^s ? If a^ part or their
produd is. exported^' ' foreign^^ JXK%J hs^
^uftly fuppofed to pay th^ ; expetjqp, ,«f
ruling it to the landlord pr his tenapt.^ 4
If we compare ^he i:pnt;s pf Ij^d?, 4s ^jf-
titiguiftied 111 to grafs'and corn-lands, ^^
(hall be ^ble tp ^fligu onerea^i for jtHp
fpinl? of i'ndlofiag boi^i ia-fuiciejjit and mp-
^dern times. Th*^ y^lue of laijds in til-
lage'dep'dnd^, \\\ a gPeat 0;ieafurc, on tnejr
dtftdnc6 froiti'the matket^cfr place where
tbcit produc6 5^ coriifbmed/or exported^ if
311 acr^ of arkbl« Jandls te^ in one qoiinty
Digitized
by Google
X i8« )
tkt fiiteen ihillings, and in another at ten,
and both 6f cqbrtl goodnefs, and equally
jcultivated ; ' the firft of thefe niuft be fo
intich nearer the place of confumption than
tbd'otfier,^ th^tllie expence of the carriage
of their prodUt^ls/WiH reduce tlieir value to
'^ equity. Whoever ivill take the |iains
*o enquire iflto t;he rents of corn -lands ip
difi^Wflt paitsf of the kingdom, will firici
this toibcfnearly the cafel' Ikt particulajr
times thfe f\ilc may feem to b? erroneous.
'6t'aitf^(iiaj;^1)e deari for a time^ in coun-
tries Where it'was ufually cheap j but this
vari&tiota of price is Teldoni- of long coh-
tinUariCe. If anr exact account of the pnceS
of grain was kept in every rnarket ^n the
Tctrigdom., ifwilftieYound,^ that, jn^a courfe
'of VearV, there would be no, otter difterenee
Bfetw^eri the deareA &nd cheapeft mark^ets*
tlian . what anfcs,,/fr6m Itht expence ..or
freight or carnage, y^yd^ othe^ coutiiigent
charges. For^this re^|bp^^ the rent of lands
in tillage, in (^v,e?y .pp;5^!of ijhe khigdom,'is
to be eftimated by the expei^ce of convey-
ing their prod'uce to the deafeft market.
"- And
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Ai>d ii) former times, whej\. ^Wirnvei^j
were navigable, and the road^s in tnMVfi
CQuntrries almoft jmpalTable in the winter,
the difFerenqe of the valwe of corn-laudp^
in places dlftant frorn each ot^her^ wast
much greater than at prefent. , V
In eftinpating the rent of grafs-J^nda,
other qonfiderations are to bq, taken inta
^he account. .. Though their produce, iiv
general* is not ec^^ual-in vakie to ,that of land^t
in till age, yet it Is neither fb expepfive inr
the conveyance to the proper market, noc
does it require fb great an expence to ob-;
<tain it. The greaf , charge^ of the corn-s
grower ii? cultiyaripg the. laud?«^ and.con^
veying the crop to the place of fale,, re-^
quire an abatement to be made in the rent*.
In feme, countries which abound with
grain, the arable lands in ply? cpmflTton..
fields are let' at little more, than one half
g{ the rent ^of the inclofed gf:afgjla|iids.ia
the fame parifhj. , The^reafpn; of which;
rouft, beattributec^, in a great degree, to the
different expellees of the former, jaftd gra*
zien,^ It m|y ]^e,^therefo|-ej,' inferred from
. ' ' ' the
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■C i^ ■) ....
fiiC'f&ccKttg'of ckt'fle; that^ iff ecjtial iH gob^-
He(Vv fli^ tvill be.nearfy of tbfe fame valu^
k) aJtttoft cvdrjr pait'o^ fiiigltuidj or, al
leaft, tliey are not ifo uftreqqai in the vjilue
as knds in tillage, * The prbd^uJ^T'of afl'
tcre of coWi-Iaticf j iti thdny places> cahnoC
fee conveyed to Ihe ddai-eft mafkef ' i^er
iti cxpencJe of ten or tvv^^fe fl>illia^$ j anl
rtie yearly pTbdudl, dfafr acre of gr?fs;«^
landi in the fame parlfh, to^y he frequently
iJotiveyed to the' |dace df*^ fate at a very
triflirig charge, and the Vhole profit reape^
at a very moderate eipdnce. For tHele
ftdHni it may be takpa for granted, where*
ev6r the rfe.hts' of grafs ahd^ corn^lands ap-
proach ri^dirly to each other, grain is uf^^
dly deair in tHat country t and,, on the
contrary; where th? difference , tetweeji
their rehtsis Very con (iderahle, corn is ge-
nerally ^dieiji, a;nd rajfed^upibh "lands thai
^an be applied to no other purpofe,
Thefe o1)ferVations on ihe value of lauds
r^ate ofily to their chief prbdui3i$i corn
»hd cattfe. There are m^ny othir articles
which
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( ^9^ y^
wfikh yi€ld>a great profit, bot^^cdnfttidi
«a particuhr places. The rent? 6f hd{H
grounds is commonly high ; andfhd {WiaH'
iticlofurefe in the neighbotrrhood*^ of poptH
ious to\vn8 are generally let at a rent vi^rjP
Hiuch above their intrinfic vulue, If th^
were occupied by farmers or graziers. It
is always fuppofed that thefe itlcloi^s ant
tented for cdnveniencc ; and their rents
ought to be no rule for fixings the generil
value of lands.
Ff reftraints had not been put on the
f^rir of inclolrng^ under the reign^ of the'
Houfe of Tudor, It is' not ttnlikety bot
many waftes and commons, as well «
fome of the open and undi^nded fields of
arable land, would have been graduaify
improved, and everyone's" property in thein
diftin<9:ly fet' out. Atiii no 'doubt can" be
entertained of the utility refulting to* the
public by improving wafteand uncultivated-
ground. This is an undertaking generalljc
commended, and feldbm executed. The.
beft excufe that can be made for this neg-
hdt is the difficulty of bringing the feveral
pro-
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( ^9^' ):
proprietors to utiite in making the iliclo^
fure. Though fuch a divifion miglit te
cq\)41y> fi^rviccable to them and the public^
yet, cither through a fpirit of opppfitbny
or the fear of lofing foroe trifling conv^-
encei or for other interefted and private,
teafons, many attempts of this kind have
been defeated*
. In fame parts of the kingdom, the com-
mon people ftill retain fo much of the fa^
vage as to look upon extenfive and defolate
tradts of land with plcafure, and are gene-
rally re^dy to oppofe every attempt to
bring about an inclofure. But in ^his, as
in many other inftances, they muft be in-
fenfiblc of their own intereft. By dividing
and cultivating wafte lands, the labourers
would ^nd conftant employment for a
great number of years ; and the parcel of
ground allotted to the fmadl freeholders, ill
proportion to their eftates in the parifh,
would be much more profitable than the
flender advantages they receive from them
in their prefent condition. In many places,
the principaj btnefiis of wafte grounds,
that
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( 'P3 )
that ate cbnimcm to a pftrifh, ^te alnioft
entirely engroiTed'by the rich farmers, whp
take Oaf e to proportion their flock of cat-
tk*^ddlli«ep*to the paftur^ge. When tha '
herbage' is plentiful, they increafe' the
ntimbcr; and leflen it, whdn it grbws
fcaroe. Bat this is feldorh in the power
of the cottagers. They are obliged t6 de:«
pefld intifety on the feafon ; • and, as this Is
alwiays precarious, the ' Ibfles they fome-
ticaes fuftaiu are .not raltviys fujfici^nt to
counterbalance their |irofi'ts.
But let US: fupipofer.tbe proprietors io
reap «o profit feom the inclofure of wdftes, '
when alii the''.0Kpences ate taken* into the'
account,- the piiblic will nevertheleft re-
ceive .gneat benefits; the. nunrfber of ih-
hsdbitanti5.,.v^ill be increafed c and the Lmds,
wl;ien |iroperJ^. oiAtWateii^ moft ;.r«iake?p#o- .
vifionk irtorp , plentiful;;: \ Sonit^v* iiideid^-of
thofctsafts of land,:.ttfcliich: p'<\($, unjlejr tfce
hanne of. 'wafies^-^fe frequoi^tly looked upon
as top barren to dcfiray ther^pertocsto^rl^n
inclofure. An^d thia may 'be the cftfe ofra
few ; but there are others^ \Thich> in . a
Vol. II. O ,Jcw
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f ^9* )
few years, would defray all the charges of
divifion and culture.
Many perfbns, ready to Condemn parti-
cular pieces of ground as abfolutely^ fteiil,
will not always refleift, that ibmeofthe
cultivated lands in their Neighbourhood
were probably in the fiiroe ttatc a few ^:eii-
turies ago, a*id reputed to be bftrren, tili,
by repeated culture, they put off their
wild natufe, aild became ufefuL It is cer-
tain, that, in many countries, vn&9
grounds inclofed only for a ifewyears have
' been ^ vahiaWe ac^uifetiditi to tfce^ jrtiblic
and proprietors ; and there is no xKxafion
to dduBt, but a proper cuItiv&tioEn would
make many ethers eqxialiy prdfitable^ Ma-
ture has been fo various and liboalk) her
gifts, thit it is frequently tonjuflr to xjon-
demh any foil ^ abfefcitetf qfclefs. 'So
great is the variety of tiSces, ^f&i^ 'jmd
grain, that fome will be ictmvA ^Mbipted to
eve^^ jfoilJ We ^p^^caiptxsXIy: wdebtwl to
the hartd «f ^wjture &r ihe* grcateft -pirt t>f
the^dods hi EnglaitdJ fcKlu^ryihte'hecn
exerted rather in <el*aring the<lM^, than
ptenting them fc»r ufe. And' h is 'pro-
bable^
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bable, that many tra^Sts of land, hqw xef-
puted to be barren, were foxmerly covered
with woods. The tr.uuks of trees^ after
^bg buried for many centuries, are fpme-
times dug up in particular places, which
without fuch evidence could never have
b^n fuppofgd to have grown there. Withr
oyt i^quiruig in*<3 the caufes of thefe
cixan^^^s pjn the fprfece of the earth, whicJh
ha^pep in a courfe of ages, it may be ob-
ferved^ that there ar,e .few pieces .of ground
of fo injraftable a natqre^ but, if they be-
came private property, W|9^uld be made Jfer*-
ii^iceabie to ra^d^id*
. £e&dea ;the inqlofure of waftes, many
)ands in tiilage^ that ^re h^ld by feveral pm-
pi^tors, 43fiight have heis^i improved by thp
4ai^ n^jan^ It is fcarceiy jjoflibje, jis be-
^^fQTfi^.f^l^ik^v^ i^^ *he prgipnt. irlate of the
-.©peflif pdwidiyided fiplds,;to cultivate them
l|itthe,i>^ lEI^ntKjr^ ?uid eiaipipy th^ip ux
(fi^ ,purpp^ ^ jaare moGt ;benei[j^:iial to tl>e
4ai(^oi4 ^ttd thc,jp|uhUc. A part of tb|50?i.
; thj^9J^^f.?P^ f^^^^yJ^^
.^fhe S^k^;f?W^^ tbeai;^fth|(;kyer^ or
,^afe jTeeds, cannot yield fo profitable a pro-
O a duc^
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. . . ( '96 )
duce as inclofed lands ; and other parts, laid
out ill common paftures for cattle and flicep,
are permitted to continue in their original
ftate. Bad hulbandry Is common toalnioft
all the undivide<i fields throughout the king-
dom ; and one reafon is, lio 6ne can exert
himfelf, and depart frond theufual rotation
of crops, but others will partake of the uti-
provtment. Induftry in agriculture, as in
every other toccupation, is ^\^akenet! and
fpurred on, when its gains are immediately
confined to rtfelf, and not thrown, as it wefd,
into the common ftock. '
But let us carry bur views farther, -^ansj
coniider what effeft^ a general inclofupe of
the lands throughout the kingdom ^wk>uW
have produced, if proper encoturageflMnt
had been given for this purpofe by th* le-
giflature under the I'me df Tudor and the
fuccedihg rergns. The firft xoniiquehee
of fuch a meafure would have been, -that
the rents of the lands in many cioiinties
would h^Ve been afmoft 'entirely' cteteN
ifiined by the 'nature of the foBj*' &rtd
no .diftinftibn made bfetWfeen'' '^ralft and
tillage-
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( '97 )
tiUj^-laods on any other account than
as being mo^ proper for either of thefe pur-
pofes. At prcfent, the value or rent of lands
<tepends on a variety of circumftances, be-
fides the. quality of the foiL Before any
judgement can be formed on this head, it
ought td fee^ia-quired, without coniideriag
the nature of the foil, whether they are
arable or grafs-lands, antient pafture-
grounds^ at what diftance they lie from the
place, where their produce is ufually con-
fumid or fold, and the general price of pro*
viiions there. Let me be underftood to
fpeak hete of fuch lands as are occupied by
farmers or graziers, and not; thofe which
Be in the neighbourhood of populous
towwsi. Now, if we (hould fuppofe all the
lands to be inclofed, many of the above iu'*
^quiries would be needlefs ; and tHe moft ne-
ceffary one would be, whether as corn or
grafs-lauds they would yield the greateft
profit to the pccupiers. In this cafe the in-
tereft- of. the landowner and the public
would'^lways coincide ;. and thje huibandry,
be ^ .aA^pted to the nature of the foiU and
i - • O 3 . the
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( ^9» I
t^e iem^tid^ of tb« nerighbrarbood^ wottU:
be invariably followed. The iiuift ptofitasr^
ble return from tinage cfr {>sAtn« Woutd be
calculated ; and the applicadon of tbraa. tcr
cither of tliefe ufes, that yielded the greawft
gain, would be the moft beneficial to tlto
public. As kmg as the lands i^etntin un^
diridedv it b not poffible tx) employ therb
ki thia mairaer, Corn-iands^ whether pro*
per for the purj)ofe or not^ touft coatiaw
as fucb; and the commons and gtafs-laids
muft remain as they hate dditc for Onsffi
centuries. It requires, however^ no-gr^Jd^
ftill in agriculture to ^iftem, that wbe^^
ever it is deiigiied to improve aAy lantcte,
and apply thena to the moft profital^e
ufcs, the quality of the foi}^ and the "de^
maeids^ of the n^hbouk^hood^ bought tt) be
firft ccmfult^ ,
; Tho ueeeffity of keepii^ the opeii ^
mMJbvifled ii^lds iil coi^ftatu tiilagd ffifi^
moiTly db%(a$ the ow^ersf of gi^TlwUk in
the fame pariih to ircftrain tbeit tcftw^te
igmn plomghing therd. ;. and ia mto^ parts
of the kingdom the reftraiat is of eij^^l^ ad-
vantage to both parties; but, if a general in^
3 clofure
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cfeAiire tadc fi»»$ tbofe^ reflrididi^s would
be in a gpeat; meafure n^edlefs, Grafa-
feiidsi being ipode moire common, and their
rerriis jfcdttced to an, equality with the old
con>-Ui>ds naw fupppifed to be iiiclofed,
«v«jf Uiftdlord would be obliged to permit
hi$ tenant to apply ^i^ lands to. fuch ufes,as
.woidd yield bim the greateft profit, and to'
-pu^fuCia WodeofhAiibaudry l;ieft adapted tp
;thc nature of thefoih This is far from be-
-ing the caie at prefent. It frequently bap-
peas, that corn-lands, for want of inclofing,
.cai>|]iot' receive a proper culture; nor can
ISbeir produce in fome countries be conv^yjed
tJO'the h^ft caarket, ijnlefs at an extraordl-
ia»iy cxpeioce. And in each cafe the land-
owner is obliged to fufta^n the lofs^
A fecond confeqiience of a general in-
clofure would be, that the inli^id cou!nttes
would abound with pafturage, and the
counties upon the coafts would confift
chiefly of corn-lands. The grain that is
raifed in the interior Counties muft be con-
fumed there, and the quai;rflty propor-
tioned, as far as it can be, to the de^mftnd,
O 4 Bur
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( lOO )
•Btitfls this is not pnj<Slicable/ when 'the
feafoii is- favourable, it will be pfentifal aftd
cheap; and, as* it generally falls out in fuch
caies, if the following years are iinfcind,
a fcarcity cnfues^, and of confequetice an
advaiKred price/ And it is chiefly owing
to this irregufeir price of grain, that thft
land-ownerscinthe interior counties willeiY-
deavour to 'convert^' their ^ corn lands ttim
paftures, as the value of* their ^o&iiSt
is rn'uch more certain - than that of th$
'other. * -
' The truth of thefeobfervations leems tb
b^ confirmed^ by experience* In the iniorid
'counties grafs-lands are iiiorefrequcnt thaa
"lands in tillage; and the greater part of the
a<Sts ofparliament for inclofihg'haS' been ob-
taitied with a, view of converting arable
}au4d ii^*o pafturefc The cxtraordinaiy
charge of carrying grain to.fihe iea-port^^in
plentiful .yearSt Mod the moderate expeuce
of <onyeyi»g'.the pr.odwefeof grdfs*lands to
LQod4>u .or QtbQr flix^fcst^, are the chief
.ffi^us, why. ipaft ur^g^ abouadfir fo much b
tiai^ M^tpiy4>r/ cwaticsin And vfori.thd iame
leafoiH if a general md^ure took place^ the
greatcft
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^ncateft quantity of grain would AUl be
r?ifed in the counties that border on the
fea. The farmers there have the ^van*
.rage of fuppljdng foreign markets, and
ibme remote places in the kingdom, an the
^heapeft tcrttas, and with the raoft expedi«
^ion» A general inclofure would therefore
oialy increafe the irregularity of the/price iof
grain in the inland counties, Matiyt lands,
notv kept in tillage, and applicable tci ti&
^her ufe in their prefent ftate, would be
converted into paftures ; and the quantity of
arable lands would be farther diminifhed.'
Corii, indeed, would ftill be raifed, oii'acJ-
coiint of the conftant demand for it, and'^
beft adapted to the nature of particular ftyife;
or as moft profitable to tlie occupiers. ' Btft
the quantity would probably be leflfetfed^
*aud its prioe very much augtaettC^d, ufEider
unpropitious feaibns* - - : ^ :
A third coiifequence therefore of a getter
* ral inclofure would be a diminution of tbrh^
' lands, and an increafe of cattlfe and wy!)bl.
"The land-owners, being it'Kberty M^i^y
their lands to fuch ufes *9 theyteoked Ujf-
oh to be the nxoft profitable^ to thecftfelv<-4 or
• ' their
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their tenants, would andoubtedy m ixmjr
jAstceSy through views of intereft^ micowage
pa&urage^ . And tibough Zi h£s qqaatity of
ground ihouid be empfeyedi for raofing gtaia^
'3ret the bifida by mdofure^ wo«ild eu^^ib
the oocupicf to cultivate^ it in thebeft m^r^
fier^ tod cora might continue tQ be neady
wm plentiful a» i^«al. Such l^i<k a$ wece
jfi tJtlla^ in t}^ nf^bboarhood ^f poputjbMfs
toi^ros would remain fo ; and tb<^ only
"Vtould be eonverted mXo paftore^ whicb
lay at the greatiefi diftance from the market*
^ and might b^ the mod: adva^tagepiufly ;s^
^cd to this ufe. A|id, if the quantky jof
,grafs«laad fliould be kycccaied^ wpol inuft
i^cxHifequence become mo^e plentiful, 4s
Awep are generally a profitable part of tke
jpotMers ftock.
, A: fourth qonfequfin^e of a ^i^aji \^¥^
fure would be, that, if a 1^ quantify of
.grain &)wAA be raiicd, \t would be confumed
.fl* hoine* and Jt^tile left for exportation, ex*
C^t ij> very pleittiful ypars^ At the fame
«0^^ t;be proprietors of fome ant\ent gr^s-
grounds would be obliged to make an abate-
ment of their retot^, as they would be r^
duced
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C «C5 >
jtoced nearly to an equality ki their value t«
If ftich a general irK:lorure is not likei^
tc^ ta^ place, and it ihould be ^ugbt
needkis or impolitk to diteSL the hfid^
owners by pub^ick authority in ^rhat mamitf
lo employ their lan<l&, or confkie them t»
ft pirtfctilar mode of hulfeandry ; i^itixHt
poffiMe lo fecure plenty of gfam, by tre&ing
public Tiiagizines, and l}tlii>g them kk pkstip
tiftil years ? In th^ aflJ agaiivft fbreftallefi^
regrators*, and engroifers, permiffiott is givcsi
tb e\^y one to engrofs an4 keep in hi**
houfb, or granary, any quantity of com^
when the price is^ lew (j). And as indivi*-
dxials dan feldom take adrailtage of this li*
^feerty, piiblic granaries have beeti fC€oii4^
rneiwled as ufeful in reducing the pffC&of
' corn in years of fcarcky. Thi^'feheme mi»-
tetftres with no one*s liberty, but penaks
'^the land-holder to purfue his own niod&of
cuWvation, and to employ his lands to fueh
pnrpofes as he conceives to be thetmfdpttir
fitable to himfelf. And, at thefamc tinie as
(s) 5 and 6 Ed, VI. c. 14^^
,. a pro*
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C ^04 )
lUT>roVifidh is rijbi» mafc^agtiiiift rthe dread
of a famine, may not the cort>- grower ^aixih
himfelf (AUged to theft piri>Uc granaries,
which are filled with hk grgin, wbeft ethe
price is low, ai>d he can fcar^ely find a par*-
chafer? In tihjes of great plenty, it may
be juftly fuppofed^ that they will rather
aogrpenft thaii dkiiintfti the - pf ice ;- aad,
whatever detriment the farmer may^a^O
wards recmve from l;hem, they afford hfen
jhe moft Kkely meaiis of yielding at fuch
timesa confiderable advai^age,.f TJvs nie-
*thbd ofptovidiagiagaiftft»th?4^iigerof.a feb*
piine has been pradHi^ m Italy^siidibme
jSETts o£ Switzerland ;; and it may tiierefisre
h^ concluded, that experience has cpnfiirmed
its iitility, and in fbme- meafure^ recoax^*
jEnended it ' to general : imitation » jSti t . xho
Oi&^^ofgralDairiratn^^b^fbund^jQn mqmcyi,^
rpMuliariy adapted to the CKi^ncics of t;heie:
' Jftaflfe^ aB?A^ m*ny inconveniences may f*^
itehdthehi^ih odicr' countrifes^as t<> difoou-
-fagp their- (fftafoliflw-nent. -v r.
' ^ >hi^the Et^efiaftifeal^at?^ thetora-^w^r
i^ obliged to deiivfer vt fcertairt quantity of'
corn into fhb p0f)6*s' gf^riaries at a fixcd^
* ' ^ ^ price,
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( 205 )
price, which his officers difpoie of to the
bakers at an advanced rate. And the fame
practice is followed in fome other Italian
ftates with a flight variation. Now, on the
firft Yiew of this plan, there is little in It
that deferves: imitation. It can be confi*
dered only as a mode of oppreflion, that
may; keep in awe an indigent populace, but
muft create and maint^iin an univerfal po*-
verty among ;t4ie farmers. And, what is
eq\ially to- be, lamented, itfeldom anfwers.
tfefe purpbfe for w4iich it is pretended to be
•defigncd, the preventidnof a dearth. There «
muA Therefore be fome defeat in the inftitiN-
tion; or abufes:committcd inlfhe management
of thefe granaries; andother caufes probably
-concur to xceatte- the ^frequent fcarcity- of
grain m fome parts of IvaAy. One^realbh
lies obvioirs, thfe general poverty of the -fa?^
mers, which equally ' difables them liroiii
'keepiiig a flock in- hand after a plentiful ■
barvcft, ahdfrom cultivating their lands
"in the beft rrtahtier. 'And in every coun*
try, w|>ei-e the occUpiers^ of the lands are
poor^-or are jiot allowed tx> keep any part
af their grain in their hands, on the prof-
"^ pea
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< ap6 )
pft^iof«l>ettorpri(e4 and^t the fai^ne^lme
wJbfire the x9turu$iof $ tr^ with fore^j^ers
are tnfliog ; in tb^f^ xrircumflaiiccs it imy
iie ^imittedg tb^ public graaaric$ w>4er
jprc^ter regulatioas may be ufefut "iThej
ipaf afibrd tha£ relief in the tIme<of a icar^
cil^f which the i^rmers are not able to £^£r
ply by the referve they have nwdeiaj^eB^
ij^ljreais^ and which noindividuals^^ufoiJl^fs
^mid^ized by the ilate^ c^u ta^ uppifi
.them todob without ea^ployiagii fer th^
jwpofe Jo£ a n»)iiopoly. Whercv^^x th^
4amb ai^^ iu£[igi^i9t.bja prx^per cujitivatiQa
to .maiutaia the inhabitants, public jggrana-
tjiesinay be coniidexed as iudicatioua q^^aii
,fjgj«iefl3y^jgo«ernroent oj-^of badhwibajad^.
^tidthej ai^e liable vtoib tD^y^h^&St, j^iat
4i: «4y he ju{Uy efteemed a^ h^pfJipfif^ to
.th)e.j«fe[Uck» 4^ *hey were no| -ere^d in
JEr^land two pr threi^ centuries, ^jp, wl^en
theiiberty oftbe l^ubjefts was naore pceca-
idous Jth^ at f^cfepJt^ Tijey w:ou}(l pro-
habjy have bqen cotxverted to the ^\xr-
jpoie of oppreffion^ and have. bj?ac;q^ njpsc
hurtheinfome tifau any ojF ^he jpubli? im-
•pqJEts^
^ It
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t ao; )
!tm«ft be confefled, that tlie *{c «f
public granaries at Geoeva Aands <dear of
thefe objedlioiis and of many others 1»
which they are liable tinder arbitrary govCTti*-
\ments. But alltbe inftitutioiis of afircc
ilate are not to be haftily adopted by
another, that is equally free. The pubHc
^eafores and regulations of a ftafte mayand
^ught t^ be adapted to the ttature o( tkf^
country, and the Utuation of the inhabi-
tants ; atKl ^f this kind we may -conlider
the nfc of granaries at Genera. This ft«e
poffefliiig only a fcaMy territory, tbe
|)rodu<5fc3 of the lands may beeafily brought
under regulations, without doing atiy mz^
tcriai inJOTy to the ^rmers. And, fcefides
this 'fmall extent of torrittuy, )tbe genoal
barreoiniers off the iandft, <T)dbi»fe vdantds tie
nncertain, aa^d fbldorn adnnrit of any "Wtffte^
recoauuends iht utility tof public grate*
a:ie8.
Nm ace the maiiims €(^t this meafure Ms
coni^iaacifag, if we wftcdt on its 4t3iiattoii
i?dth iielpeclto the b(i>rflering ft^jttcs; it tuay
maintain ks independence as fong as 4t
is ^ble toJ^ppfyitfelf x>ut 4)f its^wn^Fes.
If
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If it ihould be fo far deftitute of bread and
proviiions, as conftantly or even frequently
to depend on the affiftancc of its neighbours,
they would foon take advantage of its
neceflity, and reduce it to their own terms.
Where then all circumftances are the
fame, let the fame meafures be purfued;
but, where they are widely different, it
muft be imprudent to adopt them. And
the landed and commercial intcreft of
Britain, its fituation, fertility, and flour-
ifhing ftate, are fo unlike thofe of Ge-
neva, or any of the Swifs Cantons, that the
ufefulnefs of granaries there can be nO
proof of their utility in England.
Publick granaries are more ncceflary uit-
dcr fome climates than others, on account
of the uncertainty of the crops. The hail-
ftorm and hurricane, fo much complained
of by the old Roman writers, are almoft pe-
culiar to the warm climates, and deftroy in
a few hours all the promHes of a plentiful
barveft. Accidents of this kind are fre-
quent in Italy, and the fouthern parts of
France, and fometimes reach as far as Swit-
zerland; and the iravages aind deKaftatiojis
they
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fiifcy make are not to be repaired without
the ufe of large granaries;
After this dedtiftion of the ufe of grana-
ties in foreign countries, let us confitler ho^^
far they might be ferviceable inf England,
^rid what* effects they fnighr prodlicei
Siippbffing ttem td be under publick ma-
hagemtnt,' th* oppreffivc ufe that is made
cf them in Italy, and t6 which they"&f6
always Kable, can fcarcely be thought ^
propdr recommendation df them among a
fred people. Biit, fuppofing them to be
hianagfed Mth all the honefty aiul frugality
they tvill admit of, and kept' free from
every oppreffive purpofe, what is their uti*
iity? It will be faid, In the time of »
&arcityt6 reduce the price of graim And
1^ tins' be aKfmitted, as it is the profiKflfed
ei^ of their 6tt&ti6ni but let it bfc^tthe
ftfme thWeobferved, that the- price of grain
almdft eiitirdy depelids on the quantity of
tnecrop: and, if this isth^ cafe, \^ill not
^hefe public granaties at particular times b$
ttfeful oiily as fai* as the^ are detrlnienfal td
the com-grower, tfnd become' beneficial at
his tixpetitc} If they ibould tx the? price
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'( 210 )
of grab in a year of fjparcity atfalojy 3
rate, that the farmer cauuot witliout lofe
fell Jiis fcanty crop on the lame terms, nauft
not the landlord bear a, part of the lofs^ and
be obliged to make an abatement hi hi?
rent? In,fliort, if thefe granaries fliould
be eredked in every .county, the, farmer
would live in the conftant fear of an unfa-
vourable fealbn, andfcarcely rejoice amidft
a plentiful harveft.
Granaries can hpt, be ereded, ,and. kept in
order, under the moft frugal management,
but the proprietors* will probably find them?
felves lofers in the end. They cannot be
built, filled, and managed, unlefs at a great
expence. AncJ this, with tjiQ dangers from
vermin, infeds, and accidents, to whic|j
they are always expofcd, and the conftant
care in Icreening and ftirring the grain, h^ve
almoft difcou raged their ufe among fuch
perfons as have already built • thejqa ^ for
conveniency. or the profpeft of gain,, In
fame years of great plenty a 'moderate ftock
has been laid up; and a icarcity fucceeding
in the following year, great profit has been
made, Jf it was poiTible to forefee a fcar-
: city^
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Cily, ttiis would undoubtedly be an advife*
abfe^'meafure; but the profped is in general
too uncertain, and the hazard too great, to
build too much upon theiti.
The beft proviQon again ft years of* fcar-
clty is, niade by the formers whofe circum-
ftanctfS enable them to keep their corn in
their hands in hopes of an advanced price.
Wheat is better preferved in the ftraw than
in the beft regulated granary. And the
owners o£ old wheat-Iiovels and ricks of
^orn ought to be confidered as benefactors
to the public, by providing againft the dan-
gers of want, though they are fometimes
treated by a thoughtlefs and licentious
rabble as the pefts of fociety.
Without trying experiments that may
not anfwer the expences, or enforcing re*
gulations. that may be ufelefsor pernicious
to the farming bufinefs, the kgiflature has
always in its power* the means of regulating
the price of grain by prohibiting or permit-
ting its export. Our lands in general are
fertile, and fubjed to as few accidents from
hail-ftorms and irregular feafons as any in
Europe. And by a due encouragement
P 2 given
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given to hufbandry, a fiifficlent quantity of
grain will always be raifed, and fold at a
moderate price, when the exportation is
properly regulated.
It feldom happens in the time of a fear-
city of grain but the grievance is in part
afcribed to the badgers and other deakrs in
corn ; all of whom, in the eftimation of the,
populace, unite to advance the price of prxy*
vifions, and take advantage of their necet^
iity. In their rage againft thefe they art
apt to forget the general caufe of a fcarcity,
an unfavourable feafon, and fometimes per*
mit even the farmer himfelf to efcape with-
out cenfure. And it was probably owing
to unpropitious feafons, and the debafement,
of the coin, that the ftatute was enaftedfor
regulating higlers and badgers, and fup-
prefBng foreftallers and regrators, Thefe
petty dealers, if unreftrained, might con-
tribute to enhance the price of provifionsj
aud for this reafon It was thought pro*
per to put them under fome reftric-
tions (/).
(/) 5 aod 6 Ed VL c. 14.
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< ^'3 )
Higters, badgers, and fuch as occafionally
carry goods for hire, are to be found in al-
moft every part of the kingdom, and in
former times were much more numerous
than at prefent : but the petty dealers in
corn are peculiar to thofe populous coun-
tries which are unable to fupply the in-
habitants with a fufficient quantity of grain
of their own growth. Their circumftanccs
are commonly too low to enable them to
pnrchafe a great quantity at a diftance, and
for this reafon they generally lay out their
fmall ftock of money in buying a few quar-
ters in one market, and vending them in
another. They are therefore fo far fervice-
able as to reduce the price of grain in all
the markets in the neighbourhood nearly to
^n equality. And their gain is feldom fp
great as to be an objed of envy, it fome-
times amounts to little more, than the pro--
fits of labour and carriage. In fome places,
where the loudeft clamour has been raifed
> againft them, the people have ftood in- .
debted to a few in opulent circumftances
for the grcateil part of the corn that has
fupplied the markets. And it would have
P 3 beeii
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been much more advifeable to have in-
creafed the number of badgers, than to ha^p
Icflened it by improper regulations. For if
any one received a coniiderable profit by
this kind of traffic, others would have im-
mediately engaged in it, if they had not
been reftrained by the ftatute, and prevented
all the dangers of a monopoly. But the
circumftances of thefc men are generally fp
mean, that, as they can fubfiil only by a
ready lale, this danger is ^ only imagi-
nary.
In former times, when many of the mar-
kets were little frequented, the principal
fupplies of provifions were brought in by
the higlers and badgers; but the produSs
of the lands are now difpofed of in fo dif-
ferent a manner, as to rendeF their affiftancc
in a great meafure ufelefs. The farmer is
unwilling to lofe the profit that is made
by the badger^, and for this reafon he at-
tends upon the market, and expofes to fale
almoft every commodity rnifed frpm his
lands. The badgers, however, are in par-
ticular countries fuch ufeful and neceflary
drudges, that in general they deferve the
thanks.
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i: 215 5
thanks, rather thart the'indigiiatiptt of the
populace. And fb ulelefs was the law re-
lati^ to them, that the clerks oiF'the peace
received a greater benefit frotn itthan the
jmblicv - ^ '1 * *^ '- ' ;'V .
As to- thbfe deafers in graiih, ^Vho are
kiiowii by the' name of corn-faftors, and
r^fide In countries vvhofe principal com-
itipHtty^ is ^rain; they ought to be confi-
d6t6d inn diflfererit light. They are gene-
mlly eftipley^d tb buy corn by comrhifiion,
feither'foi*4:hepurpo{e'of exporting it to a
ftr^^ fearkct, ^r'doiivcyiag^ it to a diftant
market -ia the kingdom. And if it is
wian'tSdAn any particular country/ that is
tiiiabfe*tb fupply itfelf, it feems to be the
ii^dft advifeable'meafure to employ them as
agents or fa<5tor«/^'unlefs it can be fu'ppofed
to be the intereft of every dealer in grain
to attend lipon the market in perfon, though
it may lie at the diilance of fifty or an hun-
dred miles from his abode. To omit the
inconvenience and expence of fuch an at-
tendance, it is well known, that corn is
always bought on cheaper ternis by a re-
P 4 fidcn;
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^dcQt f^jStotf thap. k can be hf p^^^h^
occafioi^allx attends the nparjcet*
And here it may not be improper to
takp notice of the abfurdity of GfiiUp^ng
the formers, in particular places, £)n}efinie9
Jq fejl t)ievr;srfia i^^ thefnciarfeft,c^nd not
permitting the'm to dxfjpq(fe of it; by f?u3a^
pies. Where the cooijiu^ity o^ a fQountry
confifts chiefly in grain^ and ijc ^s bought
for exportaticffij or (ome diflt^t , parf of the
k;ngdQ]ppi> Bf r/?ftxai(it of this l^ind i&oltm.ui
th^ Jijghej(l degree imipolilic. It aiifww*
no othiefjend than to. j^ the |wi3j«fs :t»
the needlefs expence of carrying it to .th«
market, and fometimes of bringing it b^sh
again in order to deliver it pt the pl^90 £^
pointed by the buy?r. TS^p^pf^cp Im
often (hew4i th? futility, of tl>is ijc^qn? %
reducing the price of grain ; but ex;pei^nic?
is commonly forgotten in a few ye^rs^ and
muft be repeated for tlw convi^oR of %h^
jpopulac^. After theie oifd^j-fi h^yft be«n
iflued in f articular n^ark?Js, %\^ fyxm^m
ufu^Uy take care to fupp^y ?hi§m in iinall
quantities ; and, as fai; as; obfervatii^i can be
. . \. depended
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("7 )
l^{)!^dQd!*n> thl^y have mwr failed to ad*
If qortt is piif €b^d 1*^ one part of the
^tgdoiii lit order to be fold in another, it
i^y be tsalwn fiir grantciJ that it is wanted
jffl[ th^ iMrk^t to which it is. conveyed, and
f^}${^ b& fo fn? fertlceabk as to reduce the
pric^ i^lgjraift rgifed iii that heighbourhoo4.
J?]or.,th!P4T«rfi: f«ftQefsMt»*W3. of making a
^ptQfnodity c?he5i|s i^; to introduce plenty*
Is^QP is *hiWea{i?y /danger of a napnppply, wur
i^s ^^ftipwld 1^ imagined, that no grain is
fown ifi that^ojUflj^ryjprrth^ it i$ imported
only by one person. The firfl: of thefe fup^
ppfition^: is apt true in any part ,of England ;
af>d tJ^i^ otljer \^an^ probability. \ It fre-
quently happens, that grain is expofpd tp
^le.in the fanpae market, .which was growqi.
in counties at a great diftance from each
pther. And how it fhould fell out, that
the faifm<ers at fuch a diftance frpm each
Other^ or the feyeral importers of grain^,
ihould combine in fixing the price, muft be
explained bythofe who believe it to be pof-
iiblet The truth is, the price of grain in
^very country, that is not able to fupply it-
felf,
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< ( ti8 /)
iclf, wlin)e regulated rteaiiy bjTtHc ptic0 it
bears in a cheaper market, with; tH4 ad4i^
tioiialeSpencc offreigKtorcarfid^elJiAslllwa
as com fallsfo low iti its price ia caifc mat-
ket :as .to' defray* the €x:{>^ce ^iA)iW^eying
it to ^imther^ atul alioi^ w f^fdllail^ ^tof^ti
*he corh-^adlor isimm^diatefy^filployed td
|»rchafeiti And, ifi fit advaficSfe the J>rice
iiriiis own nurk^t, he muil^ reduce -it in
another by fending a fy^y; For thefe
-reafons* lits price in 'the feveVal paints ^f the
fiifjgdom differs -chie^ <Jh afcit)UHt-df the
Charges bf cbtiVeyattCc^ and ?)^fer ^tfohfih^
gent expences* ! ' .
I The populace of every country is always
inclined, in the time of a fcartity,'td confine
the produce of their' laiids immediately tb
themfelves. And at thefe feaibns we may
pity their difti^efs, though we cannot always
approve of theifdifcretion. When the corn
raifed in any county cannot be confumed
there, it muft either be exported into fon
reign countries, or conveyed to a diftant
market at home, in order toerfablethefer*
mer to pay his rent, and maiirtain his fe»-
... * mily
3
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mily and fervants. And by what other
means can thofe parts of the kingdom be
fupplied, that feldom grow a fufficient
quantity for their own confumption ? It
would be as reafonable t6 confine the inha-
bitants of Nottingham and Witney to fell
their ftockings and blankets in their own
counties, as to oblige the farmer to difpofc
of his grain in his own neighbourhood.
Each will undoubtedly feek for the beft
market; and that will be always beft,
where their goods are moft wanted.
Andit is obfervable, that, whenever there
is a fcarcity of grain, the price of all other
provifions is proportionally advanced. It
might be fome relief to the poor, when
corn is dear, if they could have recourfe
to the (hambles, and fupply themfelves fo
plentifully from thence as to have occafion
for a fmall quantity of bread. But this re-
lief is feldom in their power. An inftancc
fcarcely occurs, when corn is dear, . and
other provifions are cheap. Their prices
generally rife or fall together, though in
fbme refpefts they feem to be entirely inde-
pendent on each other. For feafons un-
fa-
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/^vourable t© the growth of corn arc not al-
ways fo to grafs ; and yet it Is found, by
experience, that the grazier advances the
price of fat cattk, when the farmer advan-
ces the price of grain* And the rates of
provifions may be juftly thought to be in-
dependent on the price of corn, for this ob*
tIous reafon, that, whenever grain is dear,
a greater quantity is always confumed.
For, however dear bread may be, it is the
clieapeft of all provifions to the poor. They
will therefore confine themfeives to the
cl»apeft diet, and difpanfe with their ufual
quantity of fhambles meat, which for this
tealbn ought to become more plentiful and
cheap. But this is feldom the cafe. Grain,
indeed, from the greater confumption, may
become dearer; but, as the confumption of
fliamblcs meat is leflened in the fame pro-
fsortion, its price ought to be reduced. And
yety whether its confumption is greater or
Jcfe, it is always found to be dear, when
the price of grain is high. Itfhould feem,
therefore, as if the price of fhambles meat
was not always regulated by the plenty or
fcarcity of grafs, but by the price of grain;
and;
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and, on the other hand^ that the price <tf
grain is always determined by its plenty or
fcarcenefs*
To defeat, as it were, all the efibrts^
that were made under the reigns of t\»
Tudor- family, for preventing iheconirerfioa
of tillage-lands int^ pailures, laws w^rc.
ena^ed for increafing the breed of neat caC'^
tie, which of confequence acquired grafShr
lands for their maintenance. It was or-
d^ed by a ftatute, that no butcher fhoulil
kiQ any calf to fell, which had been calved
between the firft day of January and the
firft of May, in every year^ under the penalty
of forfeiting fix fliiUings and eight pence («).
This aft was frequently revived und«r the
reigns of Henry the Eighth, and Elizabeth ;
but it was of too general a nature to be use-
ful to the public. In particular places^ i%
was more beneficial to the land-holders to
deftroy the calves than to rear them ; and, if
we except the countries, in which calvet
had been ufually reared, the law muft have
been very inconvenient to the farmers In
I ^general*
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( 422 )
general. They therefore, as might be elt-
J)cfted, endeavoured to elude jor defeat its
intention by felling their calves to the
butchers und^ ifhe narhe of weanlings. To
preveiyt thfe evafion, an aft wis made pro*
hibitihg the -butchers from killing wean-
lings under the age of two years (^). This
again> inftead of increafmg the breed of
neat cattle, would induce the people to de*
ilroy their calves iu every place where it
was inconvenient to rear them, and could
anfwer no other end than to > deprive the
public of a quantity of veal^ that might
have been brought to the market, if thefc
ftatutes had never been enafted. To re-
duce the price of (hambles meat, it was or-^
dered, that no perfon.fhould take above an
halfpenny for a pound of beef or porkj or
above three farthings for a pound of mut-
ton or veal, -and lefs in thofc countries
where they had been ufually fold for
lefs (x). As this fktute would probably
not anfwer the purpofe, another was en-
aded the following year, whereby the go-
(-.u) 34 H. VIII. c. 9,
(a) Ibid, €.3*
vernors
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pernors of cities abdmailcet^towns, upon a
complaint made of any butcher refufing to
fell v^idUal by weight as above, Were em-
powered to fell, or caufeto be fold, at thefe
rate5, all fuclj vidual for ready money, to be
delivered to tbc owner ; and, to enforce the
fftatute, it was ordained, that, if any graziers
or owners of fat cattle refiafed to fell them
upon fuch reafonable pria^, as that the but-
cher might retail them at the prices above^
meiitionecj, the jufticesof the peace, mayors,
i)r governors of cities, might cailfe indifFe^
rent perfpijs to fet prices upon thenv, wliich
if the owners refufcd to accept, they might
bind them to appear the next term in the
ftar-chamber, to be punifhed as the king*$
<x)unfej ftioijld think good (7). As no en-
couragement was given to fatten cattle, it
cannot be imagined, that any other but
inch as were lean, and could be fold on the
jioweil terms, would be expofed to fale.
.Aft;er a trial of two or three years , the aSt
was in 4 great oieafyre fet afide, and after-
wards repealed (z). At the fame time that
ly) 25 H. Vni. C. I.
^z) zj H. VIII. c. 9. 33 H. Vlir. c. XI.
thefe
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was giron to fntttkukr perfbns^ naopbefi ia
anotho&afl;, to ict and ta^x redbiiable prk;el
on cbcefe^ bnttef, and otbier riduals net
cei&ry for mao's iiiftenaiiGe^ upon every
comprint made of any «nh«iHieliig of pri-^
ccsof fuch vilftuals (tf)*:. The attempts for
increafing the breed xxf neat ciattle not iuc-*
cecding fo far as might be expefted, an ^£t,
was made ordaining^ that two cows ftiould
be kept for eVery fix Icore (heep^ and one
calf reared, and two cows for ev^ry twenty
beaAs, ^id one calf reared {^iy This ftatute
feems to have been enabled ia confeguence
of a plan formed by one of the pfoje^ors of
thofe times for reducing the price of fliaih*
bles meat. ** One John Hales in the timEe
"of Edward the Sixth, who had been in a
** commiilion to enquire into inclofures, de*
** vifed three bills to be put into parlia*
^* ment, the third of which kt forth an4
^* tended to this end, that every niaft, tlidt
•* kept iv\ fevcral paftures beafts or Cheep',
^* (hould keep for every hundred Iheep tha*
(a) 25 H. VIII. c. 2.
{i} 2 and J P. and Mk c 3.
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( 225 )
•^ he had above fix fcore, two kinc; and, for
** every of thefe two kine, fbould rear one
*• calf; and, for every two kine that hi
*^ kept befide more than ten, he fhould rear
" one calf The faid Hales had fuch an
*^ opinion of this bill, that he durft have laid
" his life on It, that if it had proceeded, there
** would have been within five years, after
" the, execution thereof, fuch plenty of vie*
tuals as good and cheap as never was in Eng*
land (t:)." The laws too againfl: converting
tillage-lands into paftures were put in exe*
cution, and yet, from the increafing num»
ber of neat cattle, more grafs-landswerene-
ceflarily required. And, to encourage fifh-
ermen, and leffen the confumption of flelh-
viftual, Weducfday and many other days
were appointed to be kept as fi(h-days, and
no flefli-meat allowed to be eaten on thofe
days under a penalty of three pounds,
which was afterwards reduced to one (d)^
(c)Ecc\tC. Mem, vol. II. p. 134. ParU Hlft. vol. Ilf.
p. 347.
fj) $ and 6, £dw# Vf. c 3. 5 EK;^ c« j* $j Eliz. c. ii»
- " Q, Theft
, Digitized by VjOOQIC
< ^ )
Thefe laws afford a proof of the iouti*
lity of all attetxvpCs of the legiflature to
4ire£t the managrraent . of the Upd$*
The frequent revival and amendments; qf
them fufficiently iiidicate, that thpy hiiqd
in producing -the d^fired efFeft, andjbr that
reaibn muft have been more burdenlbnie to
the land-holder, than beneficial .to thf
. A fimilar attempt was njade for imptQ^?^n45;
the number and breed of horfes, and with
the like fuccefs. Complaints having be^
4)siade of . their fcar^ity, the exportation of
l^m fo foreign countries lyas in a; gr^at
fifieafure prohibited^ as the moft e&6(u^l
way of augmenting their numben This
.was the ufual method purfued in tliole times
fqt reducing the price of any exportable
cpr^mpflity ; and for a time it might fuc-
4j^d, by detaining for domeftic ufe y^h^t
wasintended for the ufe of foreigners*, TThc
permi^ODy indeed, to export horfes was iliU
<xmtinuod, but under fuch limitations as
amounted almoft to a prohibition. For no
horfes or mares j of three years of age, above
the value of fix (hillings and eight pent*,
^ were
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Were allowed to fee exported, Unlefs by fpe-
tial licence (e) ; and horfes Under this-
tiAHe c<iuld fcarcely be in requeft abroad.
The demand for theni Ui ft)reigil cbtfntries
Might prbbably indiic^fonle of the land*
holders to flock their e^teiifivfe Commons
and Waftes with brood mafes ahd (heep, as
long as the exportation of hoi'fe and wool
Wtfs permitted* But * the reft rain t in this
irtftdiide, as in vtiMiy others,' was fit from
prddiicrtig the intended' tfftd:. Various
-methdds were employed to defeat the in-^
teAtioh of the aft* Though the export of
liorlesabove aceftaih value was prohibited,
yet^vas libtgrty vtas ^ycn to ewry one to
tafce with him Abroad as many as were
hecefl^ry for his owit ufe^ he conveyed them
away under that daufe, and then fold
them{/y. And at the fame titne it became
Bec^flkry' to mftrain tli^ Sobt^ from, pur-
ciyafiag BotgUfti lioffes, as fhey probably ex-
ported- fuch as were not required for their
OWH uibv A ft^tute was therefore made
Q^a fox
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£or prohibiting the iale or conveyanGe C|£
horfes iuto Scotland (^g).
Befides thcfe ads relative to horfes, thei«
arc many others in the ftatute-book; which
deferve notice, on account of thmr ^qgub^
rity. By one aft the owners of every part
ftocked with deer, qoutaining oue mile in
circumference, were obliged to keep two
brood mares,. thirteen hands high at the
Jeaft, under a penalty of forfeiting forty
(hilHngs a month, for negleft; and the
owners of parks, four miles in compafs, were
enjoined to keep four brood mares under the
fame penalty,^ Andby theiameftatute, icwas
required, that mares flhould be c^veried by
horfes fourteen hands high at the Icaft, un-
der the like penalty, with an exception of
fome of the northern counties (A) . And to
encourage the breed of good and ftronghorfes,
Aiv aft was afterwards mado, to oblige the
owners of horfes feeding upon waik^,
chafes, and commons, to keep only fuch ^
were above fourteen hands high at the age
r^; 23Hen.VIILc, i6. 3* Hen. Vm, c.6. i Eliz,
c. 7.
rZ.; 27 Hen. VIII. ۥ 6^ .
I of
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( 2^9 )
rtjf two years. The forefts and waftes were
alfb ordered to be driven; and every mare or
filly, not djle, or not like to be able, to bear
I foals of a reafonable ftature, was ordered to
'be killed (/). In a fubfequent aft, every
archbifcop and duke were required to keep
feven ftoned trotting horfes for the (addk;
' and a martjuis, carl^ and bifhop of a^thou-
fand pounds a year, iive ftoned horfes; dthcr
bilhops and barons three horfes, and fonae
other perfons fpecified in the aO:, two Or
. one, B<:cording to their eftates (k)* And it
was enjoined in the following year, that the
hiifband of every woman weariog filk or
velvet Ihoujid keep one ftoncd trottiug
horfe(/).
The legiflature in thofetitfies might have
i'jeafon for this qarc to iucr^afe th/Stfize and
V namberpf . hpjrfes, ,a^ neccflgry ;^r. |hi^4^-
feacc of the realm againil the Sc«ts,, /9C;«)r
military q^pedition s abroad. Bat ^ev^y ?f-
^foft of this ^nd by public authority^ wj>«re
0) 52HeD^. VlftLc. 13/^'' ' ^ •; '" *•'' '
(0 34 Hen. VUL c. 5* _. .' r: ^ : • ^
0^3 the
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;( ^3^ )
the inteirft'of individmils'is not confukcd,
will always be found uafticxefs&iL To-
wards the.eiid df the reign of qi^en Eliza-
birth j wheit it might have been expeft^
that all thefe a£ls wonid hlaye p<^o5iic6d
their full effeft, complaints continued id be
; niade againft the fc^rcity of horfes for the
- puUic fcrvioe. There ' might be ''^' 'k^' 6f
-.value hi the hmidsof the hpbiiiQr atid^^feff-
- fry; but the knd-holders in general fempfcjr-
ing oxen for the plough and draught paid
^ little regard to the iize or ftrengtlioF* their
' libffes; 'And if may be jifftly preliumed^ tifat
**'the'k)w price of hoVfes coiltri^bted^tb^def(^it
\ every effort or the legiflature' to imprbye f Ke
breed, or increafe the number. The Jattd§
' in general will be employed by the pccu-
* piers to fueh purpofis^as yiel^ the grcatef^
' jyrbfitraii3,'iFi gi^ater gain' eiaii^be ttij^
- theAi^by-anyothehia]f)ph than %eii'd'-
• hig of^Worifes, • it will be readily ptrrfued.
In «very publk dire^ion for the* mdriage-
inent of Jands, the immedi^^e int^rqft pf the
occupier mtaft cotc^er^te to;gfiydut fuc^ef^
{iorfpsr ^iiay in ibme i^fpefts be'tdin^re^
^ t'^ tq
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to maQy produftions of the lands, which
are equally advantageous to a nation, whe-
ther made ufe of at home, or exported.
:An<l it will fcarc^ly b^ thought good policy,
•in almoft 9ny inftance, to prohibit the ex-
portation of any article railed from the
lands, that is not neceflary to ourfelves.
The free export of any conuxiodity is the
beft encouragement to increafe the quantity ;
and there is perhaps not a fingle iaftance,
except that of wool, where the prohibition
to export it has been the means of ced u c
iiijg its price. The quantity will com-
monly be proportioned to the demand,
whether foreign or ddimelHc ; and- the
value will be regulated by the fcarcityor
plenty.
The improvement in the fize and
Arepgth of horfes, owing rather to an,^-
vanced price than the care of the. legifl^une,
gradually brought oxen into difuib . both
for the plough, and roads* Their difuie in
moft countries is a proof of the greater pfo-
fit or «^\^antages of horfes in the farming
^bufiads 3 for- there is fcarcely a fingle ibr
0,4 jiance.
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ibnoe, where a profitable branch ia th^s @f «
cn^tm has been ^itirely loft or ac|^leded«
la ^Htnc r ticoe^f there were maoy^B^re mr
ior^ fiur tthis uic of oxen iu work^ o£ hwr-
baoidty: than at preient. Many of the no-
biihy andcouotry-'gentlemen kept a part of
^dieir eftates in their own hands, for the pur«
pofe of Supplying their faimilies wkh provi-^
fions without having reconrfe to the msir-
. he^i The oxen u&d for the plough were
at a proper age. fattened, and ilaiughtered
for immediate ufe, or the winter-provifion
of the family* The fame cuftom prevaiiod
, among the farmers, till the markets became
ib well ftcjcked with provifions as to fupj^
them on cheaper and eaiier terms than
they could be furnifhed with from tb^r
- own ftorcs. This might be one realon for
theidifufe of oxen both by the gentry attd
.farmers ; and it was haAened by the im*
provemcnt of the roads. Oxen were tm-
doubtedly of great fervice by their ftrengtli
in plowing heavy foi|s, or travelling in
xJcep roads, and w iopie r^ipeds jTuperiorto
horfes, Thefe being ufu^ljy bred Ppopi the
waftes and commons, where little care wa§
taken
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X m )
takea of the fize of the ftallion or mare^
were generally fmall and weak,, and unfit
£or the draught under the ilate of the roads
in thofe ages. Asvthe horfes improved in
fize and ftrengtb, they were in moft places
found preferable to oxen for the plough^
and the carriage of goods. They were
more expeditious in both indances. As
^n as the roads were repaired, and a com«
munication opened with diftant markets,
the farmers were enabled, by the greater ex-
pedition of their horfes, to attend them with
.gyain more eafily than by ufing oxen in
their carriages. And this advantage alone
will in moft countries difcourage the ufe of
oxen. And it may be added, that the inj-
.provement of the ro^ds in fome me^ure
prevents their vfe apaoug the farm^r$ in
general* . They might travel with as much
eafe and expedition as horfes m - the ro^ds
of former times, but ace now fi> unfit for
fhe draught .vipon many rpads, jthat at
will be fQ;^rcely pojaShi^ : by any :eaco^-
ragpmeiu tq hring tJj^Bi .^ftiti is to gene-
ral ufe,
Wc
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Wc have another infhnce of rfic incffi-
cacy of a pariiamentaiy attempt to eocouragc
the growth of flax and hemp* In the time
of Henry the Eighth a law was ena&ed^
obliging the occupiers of fixty acres of land
in tillage to low one rood with tbeie arti-
cles; and, under the reign of^ Elizabeth^ it
was extended to one acre(iw). The inten^
tion of thefe a<fts was to fupply the, navy
with failcloth and cordage, without haidfig[
recotirfe to foreigners ; and at the fame tioie
the farmers, who ufually employed their
itmale fervants, during a refpite fronj oth^r
bufinefs, in fpiniiing fax and hemp ibr the
ufe of their families, were fornifhed with
thefe articles frotn their own lands* And,
if the culture of them had been rightly ua-
derflood, and a choice made c^a^peoper ibi],
a fufficient quantity might have beea^raifed
at that time for theie purpofos, , Bull ti>is
could not be^expedcd in every part, of the
kingdom. The. farmers in gene^muft
have been fo un&illed. in this branch of
buibandry, that their attempts to cultivate
thefe articles would be atten4?d only.;!)^^
(m) 2JL Hw, Vm* €, 4. 5 Elh. c. c.
lofs
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lofs ef labour, and a fmall quantity of land.
As the natum of the iinl, in thellb and all
Other produflions of the lands, ought to be
#rit confuited, it was intiprud^nt to enforce
f he cultivation of them in all places with-
putd}ftin£Hon. For this reafon no general
law can be of public fervice in recomniend-
ing a particular grain or feed to the land-
h6lders. This is heft promoted at firft by
premiums, and afterwards by intereft. The
Jaw was therefore amended under the reign
i[jf Elizabeth ; and the choice of the coun-
ties, where flax jmdbemp might be culti-
vated to the greateft advantage, left to be
(ettled by proclamation, to the great relief
pf the farmers in general, who could not
be fuppofed to underftand their proper cul-
ture, or expeft to receive a profit adequate
to *thfei# labour («)•
If public utility might be pleaded in <le-
ferice of the law enjoining the growth of
; flax add h^fpp? the fame plea cannot be
urged in favour pf queen Elizabeth^s pro-
clamation to prohibit the grPWth of woad
Within eight miles of ^ny of her houfes,
(»; 35 Eliz. c. 7,
or
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^r withih foor miles of cities, nlarket-
townf, and aU other tiowiis, where ciotlnDg
was uftd (py This article was of ^reat'nie
-to the dyers ; but the ffnell of it* was ol^«
five to the queen, and (he was de6ttQOs to
difcowage its growth. She neverthclefe
granted patents to two pcrfons^lo ibw &
hundred acres each with wdad(^). And
when the proclamation was revoked at the
requeft of the parliament, fccretary Gecil
told the Houfe of Conunons, with feme
- degree of pleaiaotry, * the que^i jcmljr jfray-
eth thus much, that, 'when flie edmctk on
progrefs to fee you in your countries, (he
may not be driven out of your towfts by
fufferipg it to infe^ the mx too *Mar
'them(f).' t . . :
The ftatufes f^r draining imarflie^ and
watery grounds, if they h^ beeb'dtdy exe-
ccuted, might- have been^iktreme^^ufeftil
fotfiefiibKc. Art ad had formerly been
liiade for draining Pluttiftea4flial'flfc(^ ^ ahd
UKj . .7
//J P' Ewes's Joorn. p, '650. , . ' ^
(^ir> ParL Hi^. vol. IV. >. 4^ii ' > I ..
Cr; 22 Hen. VIIK c. 3-
at-
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attempts #f this kind had undoubtedly be©*
made by many proprietors of fenny*
grounds ; but the low value of land, or the
want of proper powers to carry defigns of
this nature into execution, difcouraged, or
ttitirely defeated, theif intention. As thd
huids bc^n to receive an additional valuo
by the advanced price of grain and provi*
fioiis, encouragement was given to draia
the grounds on the eaftern coafts of the
ifland, which were conftantly or occafio*'
nally overflowed with water, either throUgii
negligence, or the low iituation of the cpun*
try. It muft, therefore, be thought an ufeful
liQjdoctaking to drain the^,and therel^y ^\ig^
ment the quantity of corn and proMifion*
It was, as it were, mdgtiig in addition la
the kingdom, and number of inhabitants^
by rendering : unprofitable lands ialubriom
^nd ufeful.- Towards the endef tfee.rrfga
of' Elizabeth, it was propofed to m±fi7tft
xnany hm^redthoufai&d acres of nxarlHe^ ta
divers countries; and thixigh it could nQt be
expedled that fuci^fs would immediately alK
tend this attempt, there is no doubt but
feveral parcels of wafteand raarflby laiiii
f ■ " '■ , would
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Would hflire been recov»cd, anc} m^ pf6^
filable to the proprietors and the public (s)i
• A8 beneficial as this ftatute promUed to
be. to iudividoals and. the nation^ it was
xhA obtaitted without difiiculty. < When
this^ aud another bill of th0 fame kiixd^ were
depeoding in the boufe :of . oommesis about
fhree years heforey the ^aefsai {ant a meO*
fage to the houfe^ that, tiie laid .two bills
concGining the draining; si( taarfh and
Ibnny grounds (hould not be any. oaore read
Hi the boufe (/). And it appears from CaxiH
den^ that undertakings of this ibrt Were
not generally approvted of i» his tinted ♦* I
f» IhaU fay nothing, ^ he -tells n^^ c^^-the
^ ibund and wholefoaie ^vice concefmt^
*f f he draining of the fens in Cambridgeshire
?f and the adjacent comities, which yet was^
** perhaps, nothing but a fpecious pretence el^
*♦ doing good to the public f<5r priy&fe ejidr^
^ that has been fo often cohfidercd aftd dSe-^
*♦ bated in parliamdut* It is to be feared, Aey
** would foon return to their old ftatc, as the
^ Pontine marihes in Italy have often dc»i
(s), 43 Elu. c. !!• '
(^tj D* Ewes's Joani* p. 594^ * « .
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«* fince their draining. So that fome think i*
<* the fafeft way to follow the oracle's advice
^* m the like cafe, not to venture toa far
" where Heaven has put a flop («)-" Thb
remark of Camden is the naore furprifing^
as coniidei*able trzGts of land in the Low
Countries had been recovered from the fea
before his tirae, by draining or embanking }
and there was equal feafon to expe<fi, that
the fame fuccefs might attend a fimilar
Undertaking in England. If the plea here
urged fliould be admitted, no attempt ought
to be made to unite two rivei^ for the pur-
pofe of making them navigable, nor even
to improve fuch wafte and fenny grounds
^s had been for many ages in a ftate of bar*
r(^)nefs. But it is as much the pgrt q£ hu*
man induftry to render defolate tra£tsof
lauds profitable, ,£^s to improve the jougb
n[>9tteri*Jis, whicli Providence has bei^lq wed J
in order t9 fit them for our uf^, *
J The prefervation of the woods again en»
gaged the attention of the legiflature,. on
a(fCQUint of the fcarc}ty Qf timber, fofjthe
ufe of the navy, buildings, and fuel, which
(u) Camd. &it, yoU I, p. 490.
forihcr
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( A40 )
fimner ads had not been able t^fwvttit
Tke woodsi which aucieotly ma^ 9 part of
ttbe royal feweft^j and affi^ded cover to ^ the
j^nie^ wcrq fufl&eien« ^ f^pfJly-the .44-
»atiid^ of the ineighb^urbood for buildings
and I fuelr'= the chief ufes to whie^/tl^
hftd bee^.fer a lof>g xiwe. 2fp\k4^ : As ^hfi
f^flion for the ch*ce (UbfrJ^jjcith^f th«$Wgb
A^%nQc^ or <ioni^vaii«e^;grwc waftfr.Wfas
Mfimtxnttedy Of proper oaue wa^.-fiot 1 t^fcen
to fence godprcferve them* Tfce wJoda<|f
the fufcg^sin many countries, on accqt^
of.thoJow price of timber, pr titiG4zi^\wSffi
ibe. freeholders. in.<th€-.par^ ^cjl^ftffiff
t|^^ cattie there at certain iJKij^-Wfaf
equally fiegle^d^ ; or fuiFered- 1^; <^ajf,i
But the ^eateft -d^ftr^ioftf c^- the woods
Ka^ made by th6 iron nfiilb and forg^
jifljich ; in9J?5afed in nun)bw , as »th^ r tr J|4f
^^rP^y.rOirtlu!^ fofyofk were,/augi3fie^^?4t
la cpapy p^t^Fee tb^principal profit .c^ wood*
lafi(4® ardie-frQpfi tlie confomption of theic
j|ro44iAs inith^ngigbbourmgforges.j' and|
^ ^ri^^yiltft juJft^.i^fj^ Vf(^ •
be ereified for the convenience of difpofing
of their goods as near as pbffilble f6 navi^a-
• Me
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( H' )
t3e thrert, !ca*j)orts, and dotk-y^fls, where
th)5^reatcft quantity df timber and iron was
reqtrirefl. The want of iiiel might have
been fuppliefl by coak; hut lixey were
trroti^t to Londoti in toofmafl quantities,
or woofl was thought preferable, and ^
that rime {>r6b^ly was ^uaSly cfheap. Tt>
remove thefe roraplaints ctf tfie fcarcity trf
tittibet awd ivttU tiie leglflaturc judged it
fiecdHkrf to tiicouwge the growth mid pre*
fervatron of woods, to -prevent the ere<9ioii
of forges in improper places, and the con-
futtiption of timber thett by convertmg it
fnt6t^^ fdr making iron (w). Many ^e*
iful regUjalions were therefore made, ani
aireStipns given in the ftatutes for thefe j)ui>
pdfes. And though fome xfcgree off com-^
pulfion might be nisteffary in tbofe times
£Dr putting them in execution, the advai^ce^
price of timber now affords, in moft cjifcs,
a f\lfl5cient motive to obferve thiem. It was,
heverthelefs, cff advantage to the pubKt,
that before thefe ^s were made, many
woods liad been deftroyed in difierinft ports
WohAt, K of
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( t24^ ,)
of thekingdom by fupglying theforgescreft-
ed intheir neighbourhood, and the lands con-
verted into tillage or pafture^ which other-
wife might have remained wafte, and al-
moft ufelefs to the proprictoi^s. . The pro^
|its arifing from the raofl: ordinary wood-
lands, by the demand of the forges, had
•enabled the owners to improve or prepare
them for more profitable produ£^s, corn or
grafs, which alteration is, in fome degree,
prohibited by a claufe in one of thpfe fla-
tutes.. • , ; • .
. As the connexion between the landed
and commercial interefls of the nation, and
the influence they had upon each other, pow
hjscame.more vlfible, an^d require^d the at-
tention of the leglflature moret}ian in for-
jnerages,- it.iTi^y be pif* lafe to make a few
general reflections on this ifubje6^.
On fome occadons it is. no * qa|y tafk
to xeconciie : the interefl: of the merchant
and land-owner,, and allow to. each th^t
pfoportion 9f.gam which will give fatif-
fjA3:iot\.to;bcJth.^ f^Vhen .a oatic^n depends
on tlie products of its lands, and induftry
of.the pcople,-ahd*hoids^no inttrcodrfe with
V i' . f(?reigncrs,
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• • ( ^43 ) . . .^
ibreigners, as there is no landed or trading
intereft to maintain, the pomt may be
eafiiy adjufted ; nor is it poflible, where the
fubjedts are free, that thefe fhould ever
interfered . If. the. price of grain and provi-
fions fliould be fixed by a law, the manufac-
turer, artizan, and labourer, will be obliged
to conform to it in the prices of their goods
"and labour. A reduflion or ^advance on
one fide will create the fame on the other*
Suppofing a redudlion to take place, and
that all the produfts of the lands (hould be
fixed at a low rate, the price of labour and
all the public imports muft be proportion-
ally low, and the quantity of gold and filver
in circulation will be diminiflied in the
■fame degree. If the produfts of the lands
for a great number of years fliould be fold
at a price exceeding the paft, the landowner
will advance the rents of his tenants ; and
thefe will be obliged to make an addition
tothe wages of their fervants, labourers, and
Workmen, and to give an higher price for
the goods of the manufa<l^urer, and for all
Ihenecef&ries of life, that require labour to
*^repar^ them for ufe. The gain therefore
' . R z on
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( ^44 )
on fuch an advance would be only imagiBaty
hi tlie hand6 of the landlord and teiwioti
if the latter received more for the ^ rodofit$
of the land^ m his occupation, he ai»^jji^;!i
an advan?ced rent, higher waiges to bia afe
fiftants^ ?n^ A greater price for his ^9tel#
and aUnoft all other neceffaries, ^A^la tKi§
would In fbme fl:>eafure be tlie <^fe piF th*
landlord* Upon this viev^^ there|brf:,4be
Swblic woul^ rcnaain . nearly iki tbie^^afldc
:ate under every change in ihe priqa pi
{jfovifions ; and foe this reafon it cfLifi he i^
ittje moment with reipeift to the interna}
peconon^y of any iiatioia, debarred froBjji
foreign trade, at what f xic^ .fthe p«3rfu£U
of the lands^ and coniequently of labour
and (all 'Other ^eceflaries, »ie rated^ ^ ihegr
will ahvaQ^^ rogulate each o^er without tht
aid^4fh€ legiflatui^. *m :<
R^t a^ioth^r vi^w .prefeilte4tldlf,.^iwiwtt
if^Q tak^ ^ the ^ontidieration of ^ tt^de^Midi
Jfbreignejrs, The B^e^^^arits andi»am>6c^
^urersiiave ^Imdft unaninH>ufly<^^^edifth«(t
txo fgeiteral wtick oi ^oaamf^ eiia'be kH
on any Other *ceitfn^ i» tlxeL^CMJlfe^iibrMKi
4han asibeing th)e chM$^fi;« ^TJoio prk^s.-af
ipjovifions, therefore?, ^hich regulates the
-price
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pnce of labour,, muft be ypo?. aa equa^itjt
with tbat; amongft fareiguer?, ki pfcjfir tcv
Enable the merchants |o en tei; ii^tQ GOtppi?-*
titiou with them in the fate of any ijiajiu^c-
turc abroad. Or if th^ price of labour isi
higher, a balance muft be made by the
cheapnefs of the materials, and carri^ige,
th^ ufe of engines an4machtncs^ or the lu-
l^cri^r indoU^y,^ dblliHesi^ and fi;ugality ojf
the work-fiptw. Where therefore the vjji^
of the goods h rnQve, owipg to the pMteria^
tb.att tQ Ubpxir,^ thaX iiaf ioa,^ where? ^he x^n
texblis chcgpeft^ wUlRxeet with the rei^id^
fale for them ia thj? ma^rkets ?ibroad; by^
where the v^lii^ of the goods arifes, ?:UWflty
from the hbour b^ftow^d upon tb^ro^ tk^
patiori^ wlte^ the workmen receive the
loweft wagQS^ will tlie mod i^eadily ^i^oi^
o^them anjoRgft foreigners. In (horf^, it
fo^tns, tp bd the general teafpoing pf t)^
-merchant, that as the wages of his worf?*
meii- muft advange ip propprtiou to tl^e ^^
peuee of the iieceflaries of life, {q he n^uft
adwnce the pifice of his gcpds in the^ fartt»
pacftporttMi, ^d ^ tbi? f ea^jtf uudcr a very
bi|^ price of provifions he will be in dan-
- R3 ger
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C 246 >
ger of lofing his trade with foreigners. Ac-
cording to this mode of reafoning, it muft be
the intereft of every commercial ftate to
keep down the price of provifions, and
make the produdts of the lauds as fubfervi-
cnt to foreign trade as to the profit of the
owners.
How far this reafoning ought to be ad-
mitted depends in fome meafure on the
nature of trade, which may be confidered
in three different lights; as arifing from the
freight or carriage of merchandife from one
nation to another, from the confumption
of home-made manufactures, andthepro-
duftions of the lands, or from an exchange
of fuch commodities w:ith foreigners as are
defigned for domefllc ufe.
We learn from the earlieft accounts of
maritime commerce, that the richeft and
rhoft populous nations were not always the
moft powerful at fea, or reaped the benefits
Arifing from the conveyance of merchan-
dift from one country to another. This
was- generally in all ages, as far as hiftory
will enable us to trace it, the lot of free
ftates, excepting the city ' of Alexandria
. . and
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• ( 247 ) . .
and a few other places, whofe landed inte-;
reft was inconfiderable, and th6 foir of
their country not remarkable for its ferti-
lity. Several cities on the coafts of the
Mediterranean, by a kind of fucceffion, had
carried on this fpecies of traffic above two
thoufand years before /it fettled in the wef-
tern parts of Europq. On the declenfion
of the Hanfe towns, the Hollanders ob-
tained it; and, without pofTcffing all the ad-
vantages' which their predeceflbrs in this
branch of commerce enjoyed, they are equal
to any of them in opulence and ppwer^
It is little more than three centuries ago
lirice the greateft part of the European
ftates appUed themfelves to foreign urade.;
and before that time there were few tarifs,
or navigation-a£ts^, which are always ia^-
jurious to the interefts of thefet maritiiiQip
carriers. Under the pref^nt^ conjiaiercial
regulations eftablKhed in ahuoii ever^
country in Europe, the trade pf thefe ftates
cannot be fo fuccefsfuUy. carried on as^ it
was in former ages. Nor would ijf have
been in the power of the Hollanders to have
iupporjed their commerce under fo many
R 4 re-
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( m )•
T9(lii6ti«iu asr^M now pyLup^ thcf
hzd BQt made th^i^eives' amends l^ tb»:
iUhams* Coo£i}edtaariaalItf:a£tQf lm;i4*
chat is unable td fupply the . idbiinbujM
with prov^us^ they enlarged^ 33 it. ikoki
thdr tnriitor^ by making the pioduco^oftba
fsa as benefkial ae thct exops, of a ticb ai34
extenfive countcy* And wen^y aicribe^jEbc
fiouiiOuttg date of HbUanxi lathor to. ifii
fiibeiio^, and ^ profits of its dii]bot ^°Jtte^
xn^uts» than to the cultivation of its. buidat
or manufactories. And as this zud alaioi^
'all former ftatesofthe famei kjnd h»YP
generally been unaHe tcx fiipply th^iir inkAr
l»tants.with provifions of th^r own gjrd*th,
|r cannot be expeded^ that tjhe landqvti^Mr
ihould obtain any exclufive right in difpo-
'fing of bis corn and other produ^s of the
f^l^;Or than his lauded property fhouid he
f cpniyered ia ai^y other fight thaur as r^U-
tive to the fupport of commerce, la
thefe ftates grain and provifions. will always
' }[)t fold pa the fam^ ternja, addipg t^he ex-
p^ci^s af Jtf^ghf^ and '(*he.r jacceflary
tha^t »& iilLtheqlisapeft cOuolrjpii^ ^
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( *4r9 )
^ thag^odtt^of (Wf osMft)^ la^ mmA ka
Mg^aJ^^d bjf t;kc p:m tb^y ^mut. i^ otkbtr
coi>Qtr|esi„ There caa. Ixs tberefvane imi
ciaJ. ftatcs,; tlksil^. Aibftft. cl^kfty by the c»f-
jTiagir of iwSEci^aB^Jiw ; noF will t« ei^r Vr
MKi^ l^uUii^ JfQ^«Jb^iWw This gmittfart
4^, the- ii:rhi^itM^ d^rrcid from ag^kuli^
tuije^, wi^l ^Ppi5^ febtto&i^s txr trade or ni0>»
nnfeftures, and purchafe or rent laiids»Qftly
'f&rfitiwymnmn car laieeeffil^*
^ • Hmt wH thm <lidMsftte toiiiampiaA: ^
tj»m mmmf^tSlitnsn^ or |>fiodxt£b: of thok
Iftn^s,. bi thidtig^ of momeni in tb<yfa ft<ai^,
aa maktttg <m]^ a^ &xiaffl^ panrt o#the mt^Mil
«ic&td^ The nt^mbw <2rf^inbabttatit&W^
©etaU^r to^ fraaJi^ tiuJ thew frugality md
iKc»QCpya«<po?gggaty to^givepropeiveiitdi-
ta^^eEit t» an; internai^ tra4^. It id «rily
ifli as pi^mk)w aiud eoet^alive coxmptf^ t^t
v'thls can ^mmifhy vrktwkw
ptef»nwmA ti0 f te^ f r0dbia» d€ i^l^s,
tQ4 thd ioiluiiry ^d (uccumibuices of the
people.
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^ ( 25^ )
people. The value of thefe will circulate
in every ftate, though a trade with fb*
reigners (hould be entirely prohibited; arid
on this view we may eftimate the internal
wealth of every nation. Among the nu-
merous and rich inhabitants of a fertile and
extenfive country, the domeftic confump-
tion of the manufactures and produfts of
the lands will far Exceed the returns of fo-
reign commerce ; or, in other words, the
value of its t>wn goods confumed at home
will far furpafs the value of its exports or
imports.
But though it lies in the power of every
ilate to encourage and regulate its domeftic
trade, jhe extent of it will always depend
.on the general circumftances of the inha-
bitants. It has already been piore than
once obferved, that where the wants of the
people are few, and they are chiefly fup-
plied by the fpontancous produftsof the
earth, it is impoffible that trade (hould
flouriih. In moft parts of Europe it is ne-
ceffary for the fupport of commerce^ that
the property of the lands- or a confiderable
ihare of the national ^riches, fliould be, ia
: fongie
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( 25' )
fome meafure, divided among the people;
An oppreffed and indigent commonalty caa:
neither confume a due quaxitity of its own,
manufadures, nor of the commodities im-.
ported in exchange for its own, to give,
proper encouragement to trade. Necefla-
ries alone will be required by fuch lubjeiSls;
and when the imports of a nation, or its
domeftic confumption, are confined to thele,
its trade will be always inconfiderable. la
a free ftate, where the people are in eafy
circumftances, the domeftic confumptioa
of the manufactures and produftionsof the
lands will be the greateft ; where the no-
bles are numerous, and the property of the
lands is chiefly vefted in them, the internal
trade will be proportionally diminiftied;
and where the government is defpotic,. as
the provilion of mere neceflaries will be
the principal care of the fubje6ts,lnduftry
and labour, which lay the foundation' of
commerce, will be exerted no farther thaa
to attain them, in every civilized country^
it may be laid down as a maxim, that the
accumulation of landed property by parti-
cular pcrfons, or that very high rents, which
keep
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C ^5^ )
keep tie occupiers- of the lawfe and their
Ukbourem m a ftatc ofJpqverty, eqaaHy tjecuf
fb the cKminUtibn «f fotdgn antf dotaeflSc'
tttfdfe* The weaith of the nqbiKty exipead-
cd* ui mere l*uxtn:ie§ m^lies a lefs additbtt-
t^ the public revenoes, anot the cdnfump-
tioth of mamrf^fihires, than if It vrns di-
vided iittongft {lich a number as woiili^
fhcc them in a flrate of rmfep^ndenoe. aodl
#frfe. And aK the efforts that cmi he macfit
tto encourage con[imercc in any natioa^ whofe
noblteare numeroas, and cocnmonarty poor^
wiM bef ibtmd froklefs upon triali , Ic ifi JKJt
6s^ to cafculate how much -more Ikig^il^
feniin> an^ their a^ftaflts coQt!:ii?rti*€,:tQ:
^ pu^e iwenuejt manuft^r^s^ lad
land owners, than an equal number of Fb-
K^i, Ruifian, hsKail, or French peafents
andtebourer$. There is no Other rufefcir
d^tc^naining this point, thaA by eotoparjiig
thc/dfet, Cloathijig, and* expencfes, of an
equal nuijjheriu each nation* The fiirplu?
t^ fbch a coQQparilon is paid, to the revenue^
laijdiHOWiifcrirriianufiaftuxets and merchants*
la^^ry ftate, »b befijre ttmaited, trherc
no tradd" is carried on with foreiguerst
. there
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( «5S )
fhere caft t>e no K)ppo{iti0n ^jetHwen >tJjft
laaded add coaimcrcial iii^reft; %\i% i$
no vielelKje is u&d, -they will always wga^
kfee eech dther. fiut if foreign tmdc ts^o^
cou^ageii in a Tidh and ext£!iKfi;re iCOTintrj^;
ti landed iatoisii iwM be created;; md m
every ifuec ^&te a '^o^fta^it jeal®ufy>i^l rte
mhifQtoirnefl b^w©en the knij-^ot'^ner awi
i»eirciant. Every ci vilitfed ccnwaflry adtoit*
ttfftSrradewith ^foreigners;; txttt the €*lai*f
't£ It, l&c domefkic trado^ wiU-dq^^id, m
feme degree, ou tke rgeneral ?ftate 'and mH
cajmftmtoes of the pecfpfe. tf Itfttded
propeifty is veiled in fe^ hands, -aiid rf>e[
(fatoftKjns 'are v^flals te* the latid-cn^ner^^
trade w'dl ceaifift cluefly in ^he k^pojft ^
Itncbries; and *hefe wiH naa^e ii^lknder
Edition to tfee laationdl riches or ifeve»i)te*
And>it ds obfbrvaWe, ^that in ^v^^fy .ftftte,
viheM 4hc /lands aa^^lherpioperlgrcf ft fe»f,-
the impels oh luxuries are mode^ca^a!^
tbc^^afowafiJ-laDlds e^^enfivc; a«d *^^% a^ ?i^
hkmtf and •conMcferi:^ ggiift ^nJuad, Urn
^pM^qt lare \^iiicjnedib4 su^ the^dttor dkni*
tii^ed> /{n«fomier^»|^ihe y.fiS^^af £i]|g«r
it^w^ and ahnoft every other Euroj^ean
7 (late,
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( 254 )
ftatCr and in modern times Poland, and
ibme other kingdoms in the North, afford
us inftances of this kind. AmidfV the
enormous wealth and luxury of a few, and
the poverty of the greateft part of the peo-
ple, it is almoft impoffible, that foreign or
doraeftic trade (hould be carried on with vi*
gour. The lower rank of people muft be
teleafed from a ftate of valfalage, and in
|>roportion to their lituation. in life placed
in eafy circumftances, and the produce of
the lands and national riches mull: be more
equally divided, before this event can be
expe<5led. An indigent and oppreflcd com-
monalty can add little more tothe publick
ftock of wealth and revenue than an equal
tiiinlberof favages. A mote expeofive cTiet,
tjetter cloathing, and a more equal diftribu*
tion of prope-rty among the landholders,
mahufadurers, and labourers, are tequlfite
ip encourage domeftlc tradean eifery coun-
try; ^nd its foreign trade will be always
Indre cbnfiderable, as long as th^ grater
part of the people has an overplus Jeft^
nfter providing neceflaries, -to 'ex]peiidi on
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( ^S5 )
goods impprted iii exchange for th^
own.
When any article of commerce is peculiar
to. one country, and neceflary to another^
an advantage may be made of this ncccf-'
fity, and a trade in fome mcafure forced.
But. articles of this kind are extremely rare;
There is fcarcely a comnoodity of confe*
que^ice in commerce, which is fb peculiar
to one country or neceflary to another, but
the want of it may be difpenfed with, or
fomething elfe fubftituted in its place. In
every other article, it is not always the
cheapnefs of goods, that encourages a* traf-
fic in them, or determines the nature and
quantity of the imports or exports of a nation^
Fbr conlmerce may be confi^ered asccaififling
chiefly in an exchange of commodities, ber
'tween two nations, for the benefit of each
other. This is the p relent regulation^ of
trade throughout every .civilized part of
Europe; aijd its utility is ib well Mmdcr*-
flood, that rio nation is wilUog, fiar any
liength of time, to traffic with another oa any
other terms^.. , Whatever nation wHl: take
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( »f« )
k tkdobgt idve fecutiar frtiipib Of '#«
lands mr manufactures of another m-jehc
^Bomgfk tflaatat^ if »o jaonftctdw teolMn
monme^ wiU .iuf<« -die 4tftiik«iio|4li:ifp
iraiKta. -^ daMiVbc' dMi|niM)(«'«i^^0dtb
i& 3WC a)«n9« tihe xioty vccMniMnitotaoA 4if
to cnake the xnofl: 4Ei^a]ktagiiQ<i6>«>&r «fllf
^MMb mdiD dbtoe nataons^ ^•tus^didiaflB
9t %bt»rikAi at tkea.mmnifiifimtix^xac fapc
i<Uc$ii^>io MC^ige. . We^oi m tfuOTtpnof
idftatK^ -of )(hrt9 lund .ia 9ril:ttn9 saoad ik*
4aft9f M^ (fnoolfiiiic tfaiC' 'Vieari ■of-aemf
PauttAxf ibalkn, and;iiK)baig;<iatb( > saAit
m Mbt od ]«)ooQtti9f>tiii»nda0ttBrd^ibtit<af
. Jaiftiwaar drne^tdfbfifrJtbe:pnnei{de»«f
'me&-M$ dvtvpxttv^asfjm^ic'wasiiftc^aiif
•faiBiatnttMlBtam d>athii(t4i0me4i»d sdntnid)
ton m fmibm tbe nuaBiifiiAuflss <otf? «n<
4sas4| in its .power to make a piropec. fpi
'cl^uige.
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( m )
chaise. The praftice of prohibiting the
import of particular goods is ufed in almoft
every ftate. .Our coarfe woollen cloths are,
perhaps^ cheaper hi proportion to their qua^-
Jky, than any other that are manufactured
in the northern parts of Europe ; but to re-
ceive them in other ftates in too great quanti-
ties would, probably, difcourage their own
OTiaiixifeiftures; or, what is asiikely, the goods
iQid nKfchandize, that muft beimported in
i«turn, are either ufelefs to us, or would
be detrimental to ibme of our fabrics. And
no commerce can long fubfift between tw6
nations, if the goods exported to'the opci
anid «ccived by the other, are not in fi>me
meafure beneficial to both. The advanr
tage will lie on the fide of that nation,
wlw>fe commodities require the greatefl:
Rumbfr. of hands to raife or mauufafftire
thcoa. Tbfe cheapnefs of goods cannot^
theircfwe, be the only requiiite to encourage
a trade with foreigners ; as, in fome cales;
it is the intereft of a nation not to* admit
theilli on any terms j and, in others, k mary
Hap^» tliatprbper merchandize ia want^
ing to vas^ an cbtchange, or that it \^uld
VoiL.lL S be
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be inconvenient to receive it. bullion,
indeed, where its exportation is permitted,
may encourage a traffic between two na-
tions ; but this is a mere article of com-
merce, and poffefled of no other advan-
tages beyond others, except that its irripor-
tation is no where prohibited.
But let us fuppole, that foreign- goods are
imported "in return fbV our own, ^ arid Fn-
tended for horhe confumpfion, anil cdn-
Kder how far this traffic afFeflrs the ihtei-eft
of th«' land-owner. The people, as well
as the land-owners, derive a great part of
their fhaintenari'ce froiii the prodo^S -of
the lands, and they corifume^ mbft of .^le
"articles that are imported, in exchange for
bur own. Reduce then the r^nts of die
lands, or the value of their produce, and
the confumption of foreign gqods will be
'leffened in the fame proportion^' an^'of
confequence trade 'muft decline. The mer-
chant can have no inducement, to injport
commodities * of ^ny kind, unlefe defigueti
for ej^portatibn, vVh.enever pttrchafer^.are
.wanting at home. If tb?e renti of ;the
^ ^ ' ^^ "ladds,
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C ^59 )
landS) -or tKi value^f their fytodufls^iJiDuld
ho reduced tf) all half of their prefeut va-
lue, and/€<MifeqAjeiuly an eijual ahatemei^t
.jnaade uxthc price of every ajrticle cjependent
.iipon labour ; would the icoivfunaption of
*Our xnaiiufaftures, or. of foreign goods
i::eceived in exohange, be inCreafed i We
ihoijld certainly be enabled, by thij.reduo
tion, to uftderfell foreigners in the markets
abroad, where no prohibiiion lies againift
the admiflion of ovtr goods ; but ho\y (hajl
the merchant' dilpofe of the commodities
he imports in return ^ In ord^r to njake a
balanpe, he muft fell them at an k^U of
their former value^ or import only hajf
the quantity, and at the fame time the
taxes, duties, atad Cfuftoms, muft he prppoi:-
tionally diminished*
r It is ^OTterally imagined, that fotjeig^,
like, domeflic trade, i^ carried cm :to tl^e
greatefl: advi^ntage by buying cheap, ai^d
i^ing dear ; and, without doubr^ this as
.prcffitable to indin4uajs; but H is iiot al-
ways cqiiaUy pfofkaWe to a- iiatio^, Fbod
and cloathing muft be ^^v^ded .by the ia-
iiabitfmts <>f Qvery county i jf^ijdthe r?-
S 2 maindef
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( i6o )
mainder of their gams maybe laid out in
the purchafe of luxuries, in the «mfump-
tlon of foreign geoda, and k' payiftgi the
public levies ; and the greatet this temain^
dcr is, and the greater the number of per*
Ions \yho poflefs it, fo much niore'exteii!^
five will be the foreign trade of that douft^
try/ and {o much hightir thfc^valtie df ^thft
public hnpofts ;'for,*ekreptlii^ltieg4irft^
is piadeby the freight of jgoods, the^ foreign
trade of every nation in Burope, lindet its
pr^lent regulations, can never exceed tf^e
furplys of the rept^, pro^utSts of the latods,
^nd the usages of induftry attd lat^tii^,
which remains after the purchafe of thefr
own native commodities. So f^r every na-
tion has it ill its power to adtnit the goo<fe
of foreigners, and no farther. Bankrufafcy
muft be the confcquence of a mtore eiteridaS
pomiiicrce, unlefs the deficfihcjr^ ?i' -feicfe
up by the gains of freight. In fho'rt, 'the
foreign traffic of every nation, excepting
that which depends on maritimfc Cafri^,
will amount to no fiidh than thif lii'f^lus
^boVemchtioned ; that is, what i^^iibrexr
pended pii the neccflaries of ihilr own
' growtl^
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( a6' )
gtdWtIi and manufafture, may be laid out
in the purchafe of goods inntported.
How far trade depends on the general
conditiea and circuniftances of the people
may be oolkfted from its ftate in France^
Though it is ppflfefled of all the advantage?
of cliilwte, fitxiation, induftry^ and number
of lahabitaiits. Great Britain carries on as
great, a trade witji foreigners. If the rents
of the lands in France^ or the value of their
produce, may be fuppofed to exceed oiars,
as from the extent of the country may be
juftly imagined, yet the niore equal diftrr-
bution of property, and the more eafy cir-
cumftances of the people, give a fuperiority
to our trade And wherever the people are
held in a ftate of poverty, it is not in their
power to pay even moderate taxes, or to
«mfume, a great quantity of their own ma-
nufia£tures» .or the commodities imported^
in return for their own. We are t;old, by
a writer in the ^ntiih Merchant, " that
** the price of meat and wheat doth little
*• concern the poor manufadurer&f of
** France. As they generally drink no*
.<* thing but water, or at teft a fort of be-
S 3 ' *' verage,
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*• veragc, which is ^ater prf:flM thfiEmgfc
" the huflts. of grapcs^ aftojt the wine ie
'«^ drawn off, they fevc agte^t deal o»'^at
" account; jfor it Is wellfctio/vi^n, that our
.** people fpend half df thbit moijey i^
«^ driuk (at).** In anolJidr f¥iit ctf the iawfe
*wori< we are told^ ^^ there ^e three ptor
" vinces in France full ctf Jargeforeftfe ^
** chefnut trees, arid ab^qo^dlrtg fo much
'^' m that kind of fruity ifia* the coiriii^
♦* people have iio other fead all the year
-** round, and no other drinK W? water. If
^* chefhuts, and fuch like prOdu<9:ions ctf
•** the earth, for which we ere chiefty^be*-
'** holden to nature, very* Iktie to the Ja-
•** hour of man, are the greateft'part-of cte
** fubfiftence of the people emplbyed in tlfe
^** paper manufadlure of France, there ean
•*« be little doubt of their Kraig at lefsT^agea
*« than our Englifh labouring pe^le yeven
> my adversary w^uJd li^'havi the confi-
'** dencetaaflert, that a b^ilyHfuUof chefnute^
>^ which grow without the labour of iaan>
*« fhall coft fo much asa belly- full of bread,
** whick
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( »63 >
^f wjuch pays fo much to \h? ploughman,*
*^ the fejBdf|i>au, the i*eiap^r, tt^e threfher, the
V o^ijle/, the bakfr, and ymi^merable other
*' labourers, ,who hcvve beftowed Ibme wqrjc
^.^ upon every loaf that wSs ever eaten fy)^^*
A-later writ^i^ than th^ farmer defcribes the
(French peafajUs as equally poor. It is in the
cjQuntry, he tells ps, that y^e can heft dlfcera
tl^ dif^ereupe between France and Englaad
The E^ngli^ pe^apt is rich, $nd enjoys in
plepty all ,the conyenipncies of Ijfe^ If he
labo^\*^ £iH; the mergh^t,- he participate^,
like other. Englilhmen, of the advantages
of coipniEerce. A ftate, wherein the peafant
lives at his e^ft, ?annpt. be otherwife than
rich ; and th^ laiKis will be always culti-»
yated in proportion to the riches of the oc-
cupier. The frui^ of his labour is not only
fuflSicicini tfi (upply his wants, but place?
fe^ai iu. A.ftate pf procuring that kind ot
fuperflluity, which raakes life comfortabK
lii JSiigl^d, ?s well as Holland, the vil-
i^g^istgrp Jitter U.ij[ilt than in France. Every
thing (hews the riches of the inhabitants*
{^) Brit. Mercl?/ ifd. II. p..a6r.
* . S 4 * I have
Digitized
by Google
C z64^ )
I h^e fbund th*m to be well doadiedin
ercty place. After tbk defcriptUm of the
Bngiiih farmers, he mibrais us, he l^wvr'
provinces hi France, where the pesfent^
drank nothing but watei* («)• Undet^ tiie
prefent regulations of trade ' in every part
of Europe, the ftate of commerce m\*ft be
Ibw in any country where th6 farthers,^
manufafturers, and labourersi are ft fchcSp*-
ly and coarfdy fed , ^nd live in' fdch a ftati '
of poverty. As they are able fo purehife
6nly a few of their own commodities or pixv
dnfts, that require labour to prepare them^br
urfe, it caftnot be fuppdfed, thj* they ThdaH^'
promote a trade with fbreignel^ feycon^-
fuming their goods. It would be more ad- '
vanr^geous to France and its trade, both at.
home and abroad, if the inhabitants of the
J)rovinces, where' chefnuts are lb rf^itiftrf,'
liv^ed on bread and fhambles me^, inflfitfd'
of chefnuts, and encouraged thfe '^riik^'
and other workmen, who in return ^*buW
atigment the public revenue and nalicmid
riches. - • : ' ^^^ ' -'--^ -^ ■'
(%) Lett. ac fc^Ki&Hr, vc*rHi.v» «4. -^ • t^ -
From
Digitized
by Google
( ^65 )
From the aoceflSkm of Henry the fib*-
venth^ to the end of queen BUzabethV
ra^n^ though the ckcumftances of ths peo-
ple fe«t» to have been too low and mean
to encourage the import of formgn com-
modities, yet our exports were very confi*
derable, and confequently our imports nwft
have be^ proportionally great,^ in order to
make a balance. And the reafbn of this
extent of oiar foreign trade wa$, that many
articles of general ufe^ which are now fuppli-
ed by ourfelves, were at that time imported
from abroad* Velveta, filks, linen, and
divers odier goods, wer? then received in
excbaoge for 0ur native commodities, and,
fuppqrted our trade. And when the im-
port of niany articles was prohibited, new
kinds of foreign commodities fuppjied their
pla«, a|id prevented the declenlion of ojut-
traffic*, xhe exteaxt of our commerce in
thofe iges may therefore, in fome degre<^,
be attjributed to the import of tfxzxiy . arti-
chsj which J though now prohibited, were
fo ncceflary, that the people were obliged
to purchafe them, and by that means our
merchants .were ei^bled to maintain and
"-'^* - even
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by Google
And durkg riie ^e^s.of tiije T«ior fe^,
our G(»»me«^ im^ 9 iripafcr pfq|f^
tji^a it had doQe fxanx the P^cm^.
CQoqweft to the, ^wefiicw qi that, fa-.
wily* ,r. ' .
; Undpr th«i re^ns.oftheft^|)Oi^(fes,,;^jH-
K5)e feenxs to haye aiW^keii^ Jfrpm t^C: li-
thargy with which it ha4iab!owpe<^ |fOm
the time of the Cruiade?. Thg . difcQvpry
of the Eaft aud Weft Indies MWi^fd. a fpi*.
tit of eaterpiize Jn alwoft §y?ry .iiujroiie^a
ftalioiVj and led theip to exteijd Jthek: cjonix*
roerce.aipong their neighbours, gpd Jo fbrtr^
clofer coRnedlotiis with each other, Th^
riches irppoijted frqmjth^i>ev(ly cji^coye^ef^
go^ptries pxqited aja a£Uvity iu tho^ 'n^-:
^ion$, v^{ho were not al]p\yed 'iiji]^mediately
to part^e of their fgoils.and products, and
/engaged them in any undertaking that
opened a prpfpeft cxf gain ^t ^lon^e^^abroad.
„The returns 9f donieftip ^nduftry ^n.d ni4-
.Quffi£lures were )oo]^ed upQn, bv the ^paiH-
ards ^id Porti^gMi^fe, as too flow and m-
confideraJt)le to',Hi^|:it the attention ihdv
deferved; and, in feeding the richeii of fo-
reign countries, they neglected the interiill
wealth
I
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byGoogte
X ^7 )
\itfealth atifmg fiH>m i^d^ftty «^ fOfHi^
tiodi, whkh is iiw^e d<icabjb md fiiiaftftntiftL
Sf^ia fufFered its hqftiax^ry and maiwlw-
ttites to fail into decay, in return for tte
•trcafo^es bmugbt frotn America, >A!^fixk.
of emigratioa and avidity p6flefled:,tke
iriinds of its inhabitants ; but few returned
loaded with a greatfer (hare of wealth than
might have been more honourably acquired
at home by agriculture, manufodures, or
•cbrntee^c^: ' FortUn^fdly !fe> the '^Eitglflh,
they wera '€xc^de<t frooj' tiicefef ^^odotrfes
,in Ameficai^ wh^rJ^Uh^ chifel' |jf 6fit6 ' Wofe
{Vom mines of g^lB or filvier* art* bythts
^^ifappolntIhent they we«^ lefe at iibbrty tb
> Gtikivate Vdommerciril 'iroft3^p(|ddd|ic^ < With
ithq heighbbui?mg^nm:bas;^i»i:a^jtjiyithera^
ielves to the /imprxwenrtemt^ofljitheiif owa
country. And this opportunity feem-s not
. to have been uegle<9:ed. While, the Spani-
-ards and Portuguefe 'wcre'ibiifyiki tti^khfg
fettlemeats abroad, .and li^bourtng t6 e4*
.T^kide every other patios firomiharingiti
. the. fpoils or profits of the tm^ io the
- countries they claimed in rigbrdf^diibavery,
-the Englilh. were employ^^k^ iiipifeving
'-^ their
Digitized
by Google
( ^ )
iiiatr manufafturesj tolkrgiog thfeir t*3^
and forming; a naval power oii th^ bafii^
natiotMtl tnduftry and cotmnerce. A i€^
quantity of wool was e^^isMd^l Aidl^EB
number of our cloths' prbporrionaHy^okifa
creaied. Almoft every branch of trade was
refcued out of the hands of foreigiftrs, J*?b5
weiema longer indulged with privibegeiidis-^
tiimmtri tQ ourfelv€«. The ifenfo''CTiM&*
chants: wore not peitmittedyhasi mifbriiier
timeSy to i;nonof>olize the northern tc^e.
Their charter was revoked by Edward^ the
Sixth i snd, though they :Were<!onni*6d*r<
ot for a time prot^fted u^A^t^tie^c^*!^*
ing seign, the company i^isvtt iaft tritiMi^
difiblvdd by the reiblution of !Elt»ftbetB*
The Northern States were- the beft adapted
for. the fale of our wooUch tnanufii^feJr,
and tnade the itaoft profitable retoriW^bdroti^
t^di^'Vi4li^other countries was nbt^egle^Wdt
our rti*f«hant-fhtps vifited thecoifts^the
M^dkerraiiean, ' atid the wdftern pibtts of
^Afifea. A ttftde was opened wkhMufcxrvjr,
^It^v aiid^the Eaft Indies, arid a^'fewAipS
^ffr'^^f tbJfiffit>h^thebanks of l^foi^
*ih^. Tb*ilgh iU theifebrautibw (jfxo&i
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
( z(59 )
m0ree wei^ not of equal advanta^ to idw
Mtioo, they encouraged a ipirit of enters
prise ill oitr fioerchants and ^iloi^ and
made:&tchi act addition to our navy^ as tor
bQ(?o(9e moi^ formtdabie ^ the latter end of
Eikabeth^a reign than in former ages. But
^ thejfe cnef oantUe plaii^ wece chiefly fona»*
j^in 1%^ tim^t: ! and . ^cot^id : not ioi mediately
^Todiuoe th^ir hpnefictal e&^s^ tA\t ooo&«
^^atipiiEpf-th^m Wongs to a later pe«
. Ovir ;ft).rfign j|nd domeijie tf ade, which
hjjjdffeea^^ enpQvif fig^ qn<^^ the re^npf £4»
|;iDns^Ulthe tiro^^HearytheSevrenthitbiiti
.;t Jijade yery floW;, advances. The .waj$t
l^hich a^oit in^e^^ fjucceed^d e^h
pth^r, divf^te^ ^e.3tt^tion of the peopje ti^
pthcr. Axlye^s r k}^t m tiii^pf pulp^lift f CftH-
/i»M^f|[pfii|(W^./ie<i iptP;(;(?»fid8«iii<m hy
$}?f p^li^meiit, and laws .were ensiSed ^
i^ppprting ^4 epcour^ing it hq^h^ hpiRp
2^ ^]m-o?i4, A^}^ pf th^fe iiif^ff^ i|idf»di: m
^;^J^6|4 %f/fh^ PRrpafe,,a# fifiHft;4^^
h^thfj^eafeon tjhe ^^hihi^mt:^^fPS^}m
ti5^e,^4^introdyj<^if^ or yg^pfOveiR^Upt
if 4)^i^u^ures. ExperLisnds is the heft
d by Google
Digitized b
( *?o )
tMta 1 1# difcovsr thei otilky- or ipmdva*
Jniftiigeofffuyic regtilarwwn on ibfOOMpfr-
«bted aftibje<5b. ; The fepiratt itttoiefis.of
th^ prince an<I pftn^ple, aivi'thc ii^hi^ice ^
Ifetei^ftdO^ and merchant^ ferv^ to pel-
fkrKi k; Wiutt might ha?e bfteif ^idiirahidh
*«iilaitfo rtve poblk; revfenu4> -an4iPl i*ras
fi0t «lUraj% e^y C6 obtain a repeal dfhwe,
that were profitable to the prhice. Nb-
4hmg cdijW^iiEiorelmpdliti^ tfewth to tax
'tA!tf tltoAhsy when ftrtt' ateoad/ 6«ecAtife'a
^dtrtr was pipfA on the ex*port of 'wd^ly and
•'yrttt was along finiefeefbrc the^blic in*
♦tereft 'was fo firr ^regarded tsto bbbin this
'txehi|rtTon. - It ti^otfld -ft^ve; been more- be-
"fidSeial x^ the {JubBc, as w^^as tfeo'- ract^
litg cloaith%a»>addki«pt)a44ii!^4>iKi4)^
'Wf)^^ wool exporied, 4n ^doT t^ «Mit»S:e -iHs
■I*w*i'tkbric5; *uf^ tf *ht |3*ined4i^ tecii
*^Tr*rig;t^ dOTfipljT, rtie;kti^a^MVl&fe!%*#w^
'l^rofebiy have oppofed fo h^Mnl a ^neafafe.
^Th«yderiveAaco!i{ideraMepfofit^fk>tot1w^
-|H>i:t eriv(56l,^f*d^bdkefl^upofi*eyefy
" 3 aad
Digitized
by Google
( 2^1 )
add aMtion^l Qntj upon k as detrimental
td thidir ititereft, a6d cjlle^lated to fdrm a
monopoly by our toanufa^rers* The be-
nefit of confining our wool at hotnfe, for the
tlfe of our fabrics,-^as not confidered in a
national lights bitt ^nly as a means of rt-
ducihg its valw at thfe «Kp«icc of the land-
owners. The ittt?eJr6n: too of foreign mier-*
thanti, with; whom \te were colincft^i
frequently interfered iii deliberations on this
fM>je6t, and macte it dilficuk to reconcild
the national intereft wkh the privilegfei
they hid long^ eAj^ed> and tht reventi*
fehey brought aoto the exchequer* And
the rhanagement of&At fowign ttf^de had
been lb long iri'their' hawds^ tbatit<:oul<l
not tie- violently^ tirrbfl-ed frbm Xhettii widh^
out injury td ottrifelves. Tb« dSft^er»tai
townsf in ' the north were 'filw^ys f eady t^
ttifetit every iniiovari6n in- -^he acfcuiftctoiea
mode of traffic, and t6 intetrtipt ^*hfe
fale of 0urrrt6h:hatTdi±li ifa'ei^ery .ddilfitry
, wWethey hadidny ihfl%etrce.i^^mt^m|Jlb
were frequently made to abridge their pri*
vjleges } bu( ' the defign was nev-er com-
pletely
Digitized
byGopgle
( a;! )
yletely ^ecuted ^ thettigQ «f JSUaabedi,
when the natkm was prepared .^r. it by*
tho improvomdnt of our a^a»i4il^iifc% aad
theincreaTeof aw iliippiag«, r .ii :.. \,'
The avarice of He»ry tfee ^ScaraUth. hd;
him to 'encourage trade {n order to Mug^
mon^ into his <ttchec}uer^ as miifili «9 ^
emish hi& fubjc^s. Ou fi>rp« occa^Qoas Jba
ieems to ba^e beeu whoUjogusd^ by»t})A>
tbu^liiitereft^ .and at ^a pam«j4btr,jWnfo4i;
iasd toiuve lifted the me^{:j^nis pu(}.^
hk owQ treasure (a)^ To^ enlarge ^^ ^y§9||*
ber of our (hips, a former ftatute \f^ fl§l^^
edi^tvherei& k was enaded, t)|jfitiiGgf«<¥gue
^iwfieftiMid Toulottfc woid . Ibon^vb^i^iM^,
jilted: tmiy iaour owrtt^jflfek^^^di^h^.
aii £nglt(h eommadities ihmh^ b^ !«9^pp^
10 o^c &ii^9 if they coijld; bp met ^4^ (-^-
Cw p^to0rva%t8fee», in th^ift^mniie^^ t;^
ty: witb(Ffe«Ope^ t;b^ :^^, Ei?gli(h j^^
ibp^W eipont i«ool thither ip t^r j9wn
ihip8(^).; And, ip:after-tiipfi6,,.5fii^^
tr9jde:With|^u^ was op^^ed,^^ ,^;^^
(a) Anderfbn'^ Hift. of Cora. yol. t p. 337* .
(*) 5 R. 11. ft! I, c. 3, 4 H. VH. c. i«. /
(i*) And^rfon's Hift. of Com. vol. I. p. 509.
than
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by Google
C ^a >
i^fli|> 'Ma^sQx ^^1^ '■ y^re allowed u^
be*P5>Ioyed4niti (4)' Tla«^ <iefign$, how-
fi>r ^»$aMng;ti)fi.u>Q9i^bM pf our .fhifn
IOflin)ap»)ffi$» -^tt^ length of time might
fi9al4e'|is.«omrd(y ,00. the, oapoual co^p.
llWf^rlvsttioyit (h^ aQfiUpq^ of £M«igOftrs.
8iMi(%(rk b^^thft ci;pw|>, urhtcb ia fome tie-
gl«dj*$«p*4/?i^*n|psUion of pK|JMti|jg.ofu?
gBodlriniEogUd* vg^ilsuj but tM^)¥f9f!^
aiimittei out cUhIm; 4k» the <})i(iatit^ ^
titejfe w^9 tiblftftDtl^f increaiing^ «he«x:;pk>rlif
QUi: '^dMneiir wbao dicdurdged t<»ent4r into
cdthjititiri^ytHl^l^ Fltemia^ ist the E^s-
rt)p«4tf 'ibari&fetfjHxs'Blhey w&t&udidfia'Mi
(r) Andeiibn's Hifl. of CoiU.VoT. I. p, 40^^.
r*; 6 R. n. c. 8. 4H<n. V#. &. to. •z'yHeai fUl.
c, 7. • i"i ••'.' ■ •• ' '' ■ ■
^jOL.II. T defign
Digitized
by Google
(my
defign by the Umtr j»f4oe of thd toilea)ri£tf|
ted probabfy bjr tt]frdieat>ii6fs -^ lalAMfi
11te» duly Km kvooI, thoaj^ iiiod»ii|«r^ mcI
tilt -ex^ote of'Jfiieighl^ /fin<teQblfid^>ilfi^
haiioe4 it»' price ttt ^ftf^x ctMfiftatH^i^««l
the Wftge« o# our* aMhofiffiftM^ nKpj^''%B
jtiftly ittppofea ti:^ hai^ be<iti IdMrer^lMI
tthofeoftheFleBiriifgs, lnfii<n^ -i;v%*6m'llfift
'^ilitiBCtotf tb« pride bTallttie dMdfliaieMf
mb* ^In <xie 0f 0ti¥cbiHiti^ «ibr msiNifiMS*
tateii i»tfe aUtboHzed b^r the ^G^Umitte
JA f<Mne' ddgree to '£h6ilop^^?^h« wmL
«tt(»Wed td> b&^porc^ (/). :In 'tti««ub«^
^f - fikitls^ °ti)ragttef8' Vfttt'ptetiiittABdi^otti
bu^g 'th^3«W»l gr«wa thcrevficBl^ tNe
tithe" idf eiiBptng the <he^ i^tbUCidlilfe-
And it maf be JMafaD^jrfn^qRIi^ t^dar
.^iimuAiCtiann mmM'^tak^ii^.k^^ of
tUsi-indi^Igeooe) -and pascbxib'Wool.'oQ
(/)6H.\*llf.ifcl't. ' ^ . - • .
({)4H.VU.c.»i. azjf,vm.ci»
-', ■ -•■ •' • ' krtvcr
Digitized
by Google
C VI )
txm^a^pic jMv&ittm» gmdually pi^arei
*?jf>«^«fia»>iiwopj.;;^:3ffh«'-i«j«orpft.of iiir
J*»Jhftyft«Mic4iItyr{pa^Wi9,%,jhfk j^tfier.
mt/mumfsf^ obltg^ to fay tfae.. iao»e<4ufjr
.tMik/tnitg«Bft9Jr,.ti0.,fevi»e (»i ^^rnoMN* lan^
^f»^&»g\^&^. .gooda ttMTSoooey ri«^^Ke9»ye4
JJprtB^ (0* A« goJ4;ap4 ii,l»!W ^tt;.t|« JS>
.tjblawwft^QbijCeryedi the? lAliutf^ f^;r«»-
change .was: veiaifitd for bw. uiqu - - . ■ />.
0 T<ycaicourag»>botb.fiareiga zvJilibiifn^
tradoy'ievefal laws iinre noMk^gaini^ mo-
(*) 1 1 H. VIL c. 14, 31 H.,VUI.R.«/ ii ,. . ,
C,) jH. VII. c.«., - .. . 1. . , y^
T 2 nopolies^
Digitized
by Google
fiopoUes, and •fbf j^ridgirtg the righfe di
powers ! claimed 'by 'cot|)drfttions and chtr*
tered compaiiies of mercfitnirs. TheLon-
A)hers, fti viirttie of a by-la'^,'ha'd '^barrttJ
the citizens from ■ cdrryiirg their goods to
ihfe fairs held in dSfiferent parts of tee kbg-
A)m (*). And' the cofhpahy of merfch^iiti
h'aaiftv W ^fahibUr^hanaoffier ^rti'df tfie
toorfh', 'cXcWd^dAIf dthef mefthatft^"fi^
ti»iffitHn^ to-thet)Iates'ttaaudett'lh"ifh^
fch{#t(JH""tin1efs''th^ paW a CMi'fiderSajk
fine' fer' their' adtttittJatti^rf into the'^^Dtft*
p^nyif)! fhtft by.Iam,«s S^elFk'^t^H^
eftablilhed in the Borotrgfi's, wtt^^tiMHSht
fo dkrlnifental tdthe puMic,'th'ar'a jpitttl
kW -y^ks'ihiSk Ibir difabling every 'ebrpoH-
tfoft -|[l(^ mdkhi^ bf-hWs 'fti difterttiatocfe
6f dfifnlnil'tiSTi "of 'the kings 'preiri^ative^f^
^6 6ttttinftoA']^rolit iof thfe- ^eopl'ei wltK8ht
heihg'fejfabihed Iha ippi'ciVea bf^H &Mi'
cellor. or otftef • peflbns %ci5fe(f*ftl 'the
aa(«»).'^ Oppi%ffib^'(Jf'tK^ lahd'ifel'fed
M' ' redt^; as ■ iriju^irt^ ■ i;o' ftadei ■ the
0i»H. vn.c.6.
princes.
Digitized
by Google
(^77 )
princes, howevQr^ ftill cacrtia\i«d to grai^t
nKwopolies toparticjaiar^perfous, far.ar/va-
luable cpofidf^ation ; at^d the prju^ce\Kas
4M)t entirety* fupprefled till after (1^ xeiga.^f
{Elizabeth.
It is diffioylt to diibem the ^fefuli^fe of
-the batiste for limiting. the piices ol ,Ql<)|tlif
:jj»ugh Iprd B^Qu fp^kfii^f ikp wifem(>-
^l of the': a£!U. uat. pr^jfot-i^^igp^jcep^ bpt
^lliprtiug the.nwiiufa(£Jurer,ii9t tp (:wecd a
jcertaixa price, ^k\t theclothier might lirape
• ifiMxqi'&ngly as he might affojxl, j^cgcyil*
iuQg tojihc^g^l, fcaftU* cloth wa^ iwt to ea*
^ceed fixteeii iiaiUifigs a yard, aad .a»iy.otb.er
4:olowred cloth was liipited tp ^ieve^i. (hil-
lings in)r A law 0^. this fcind muft effep-
. |:ualiy fx^yeijt all iixiptiWPW«nt§ n\ inakiug
. £nfi draperies, .ai>d ciw be defended oii^y
.gm t^ p^ua^plioa that wfi^h^ UPt vvtqoI
jOf,our :qvyi> growth pwper- for^thp py«*pofe,
or that , it wwld not he 34yantag^ous ito
jwapoitiit, 9rf . thp dying ii)at^1al%^fiD8>, ^a-
.hfoad^ Xh^jG^i iw>K«vi?^ ^e«>P^.Ji^^dOslli^P
been the reafons for enaSing thc.ftatjjfe.
Jt n)uft at all times barinapolitic tajliujit
(«) Life of Henry the Seventh, p. 597. 4 H. VII. r. 8.
T '•^ the
Digitized
by Google
(1^8 ')
the price of mj woolkn mtffi»liiaftflft,i4f
improrenMiMs in it cm bd^fo^&dvm&te
the grater mMnlDtoi^^f ha94& it^ftwlipn^bi^
toy elht>tb^ ;4lKrtbe))#ketof ijtm; aaasf
^flM^C. T^equa»<irri^c4lla*M96£)a^^
i^Mndi and!; as Ic^ng snthib contimid^jjibe
mantiiaAiuie will be- catriedjOUf -«iijl«pn»n
tkuprdvedby the 'dexterity, mhkdkltkt m^-
4kum acqmre by piraiSace.^ uWhoi i^lhjfid^
'6» appLy thecaitlTO s^ toJxtbh x^^bee bAi)9b4s
<if ibufiaefe : at :dre iti roqueft* ll4K»ii|r) All
f apparel) aaci tl^ .\Miar o£ fttpf dteeoclilfay
though* of OOP avm fSMnuhSbxn^nwtm^
iDdeedj <kil thofe agn .cdn^trfedjaj^lcblii*
' del 'olF^xtravagaiice, it is> {2ei^p»|,:j|fce
inoftt beaefickivto the nitiofli^ ib^ ttei^imt
naM^.^effaaaobk employs ^ammfs^Biatt
iu The houfe of commons was fb fenfible
of the natiot^al hd,^ 'im^^^
derate degree of luxury,, ft5 .tfiJrejffft 4^ bill
> ibr
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( 379 )
m^myioS «l^.antclas,were impacted fri^m
iie& nmft be ui^ful to the tradsihuin a^
fiwaacrii % 5ifl»r4Higjta Ijptfa, w wif^P*"
<!*& loindj ! tas- t^iperao} ^ ;of haf b» capty ^ ^<1
bettp^ wasii&ttied iiy the' partutsoent (^).
31wfe«ftlfltttCb$ieea^ in<^ be tujutdous J».1^
aJpUli^s • iofl ^efe \»ticles, i as : tlijBjr wouM
I«||ii^ii^ adi^Jto: etaated<'thB i dMzated) pao^. ;
■ikitlfoaiitlll ndcbein the leaft degree banefi*
,<ilalto-tftKi public* Th«ad, ^ichjsnfbToed
•jt iatmitroaei^ and raqnirefil that ouf, ckjth
-iStoiald bfebatbod^.ran^foand ihor0>iMtferre
' ^atf ' <^ «|th» (;). -^ TbJB: >wsis calouiated
''fei^pddbi^'tQ thenuQxbec ofecar md-ktectn,
' soid^'^feiQano^i Xo^^fKit^^s^ .tholiRs^iaa&bs,
..iLlii.'j.-. • J r .7/ St'Oi-an'oa :c jivori 3riT .J;
^•■- tti rH.^V»;c.V». >.v ■-' '■•■■ V- . ■• : ' ■ ^.' ■- ••
:.'t T 4 which
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rvhiich foreignets aerivci3 •fro«*llll (jiKiid|
<^bu(in6l^ fts efftet in a l^S^rt&greer wn
Umihttothaj: clfe^rtmg thu^vmcM^lis,^^
Atad of the t^ nl^t^rialsti^aiij'ti^
Thotrgh Edward thb ^h^i^d^ aiidiitt|)e
df hrs fucxeflbrsvhtidbcitAflorii^fir'gi^
conragenrtent to die Ffeii'^ift Wtapmv^^i^^
rdbrt^ hither, aii^ we'ftoottitl Anadrdbi*
gree hvdebt<fd to them ^ fqr theintfwtoaiM
(Sf forte ni5w raantifeftore, or imprm&maA
of the ^M, yet they fmqumitl3rifiet.^««^
rtrcf* treatment from thfe fopohtfe ai*4«* .
habitants df the bdmcigfes. FowcigaJ-^lilit
'Wrshad feen prohit»ttfd frt»n ^Iiei6l^
their bnfinefs ^n Euglaft^, \ihdeMi»>rBigtt
'ofRrchartJ the 'T^hird (r): b^ftfftte^i^
Seventh ' invjtea 'W^^tn- fr0m^W1ml^^^
Edward the'Stxth-'^vo «iw>urigeiiie«
forefgn^f oteftants to-i^'tle^f e attd^BHt^
l^eth-'htcd ^h ppppttqmty^ % «he't*'ocibte»
in 'tTie t6\ir^Gotiiftt!e5,>^t>f *daiiS(|:«fi«h«lr
litittifBer !Jy^tnafcifi^^H<» d«n^|»^
lum for the refugees from thefe States. It
may be reafoji^tJjr Jfip^§4^ /fHeir
(r) I IJ. HI. C.^
" ' longer
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f ki^, 't^t they would ^ccell our natiVB
Workn|eD:iia''fkiU and d»terfty, and import
§Mipimptaftirmkt$^ that Jsiad been madbki
their ovm «omitry by a larger experience^
than wecicmld bo«ftoC And thdr^tuatkm as
famigntt^ xmvikd undoubtedly oblige than
Ibra xktM to be «wfft iaiduftriouft and de«
^ndeott' thdifi our own weiikmen. ila
^fi^th of titne'they became ib numeroos^
JC8%o crtsate the enyyoir je^\afy of thefta^-
tim^/wJio ^biiquently laboured m ^pttik
i^nkf e^ to put thena -utader inconvienittit
wftff^itMfis in their it^pe^\fe profeifions.
An a^^trasimade, widdr *the rciph, ef Henry
fttti^'eigtfthi' ^piillHbiting 'feneig^ers fram
4*^ld5^itt^ klore than tviro jtfurti^y^r^ or
Wi^fg ^^tifpttmk6^,' ttnlefs ttoey.wefb
H^mt^. The inidtftriiAiniite' admiffidn
^^Iterelgiiftfs-lhay'be'fhbtight ail imptfli^
T^i^^(^'%% rf*ri«ffcaift^iT8l^ in 6rddr ^fo
^^iitmuW'^fm!^^^ Iw thcin-
M'j [n
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ternt or every g|MWtuiniWfttit toeiiMttvittMBii
faragoen ;a« paflefe the. reqmfiteflgifcteiar
Araft tbe natives ia thoft braowbttictfi^i^
fioeft. • ]» all otfacit ttfptObp^riae jbfaiidBtUif
» yoeiaL Baturaliarion aie-aoM^if' imofwr
aurjr. . Tradablot miuAHOttStbv^ utM,
in thns firft jUlmiffiantllieji'SK pAofenEft
•tbtbeiui^ire wockmawa^^KtU ast&pnnr
ki tlKir ftiil. AOe^alongii^dnf^iiM^
lofe evefy advanta^ tiyey- pofit^'«v)tt9 llfb
nativ««, and contract the faqiKiiWHm»i -By
the additional number of fc»ttd$,'nmii
wouKlfae thetMmibquiMliie of Il'^eai6rtl>«h
turaKzation, the ^^agiM <:^ W^MikcAeiPiiPffab
fame manufiauiresiwbttM^^'a'^gliftmM-
dttced. Aiid this is fHAithiy t^'fliMe
benefit that ocftild be expefkoi ^^AtS^^faiiAi
a mpafure; *at 'Whct€ver'»nilui,iifiiiftdiy
iseftabUfKed, i^ is'WeU ktioW^j l^at-Wddti-
men'ard feildotti Wliftftig^^ettti^'' oa'^isbU'
66a of ibnK ekerd»r#«lt3p4fenittnidiK'«M,
from the-' grftdtnl it}ct«a& «f 4^<fail»al»-
aifbBckm'^ppLy of bands 'cAs^ be^olwiiys
rrf dfelpbtic ftates, Of fe' i)<5|^6U9f tlljtt,
where
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police is feveie, ilo MCOixvem«>
tmce^csa aiife from the iiitradodba of io^
tm^ri9aiikxis$^ Thej will add totbotiiitti'*
lber:?cf (tile |idoplb and l^ength of the g^
^^WAtvA^nt; lAit^ free a^tid exteafive SMttt
. ^le^iame advantag^s^re uotto be expe^od
""^Itie-ttiktiiifiDn^ Imwnirw^. bf foreign work*
inorihto England^ in xlSioic agis wttoi
'In modei% iitfm it would be thought
.ftiiiH»ge .pi9li£^» that: «be maim&durers and
IQf<ii^!)^^^ io'^^y frofeiiiojH whether usr
^C}9iqr«^k^# fto^ld4>f almoft ^debarrad
4iiomrfE^ng;a^reaJ;|p^,^^^ ^volou^
r|>r0len<|e^ offj^^gi^ing the hands whifh
An^ul^i^^^ef^plpjted m worlds of huiba(idr|r«
,h^f^i$^,j»Afjj^^ piii^k 4t^reA formed CO
lfiQWrft:r|^aliv4»e ;ifR»pft lib(?r<|r Oj^W be
9U9W9dtOrfh»4X^ ;iO(<y4K;Oti
,^fiC^t|t^«of <{pl;ug^ ol^ l^r
j^i90(kn)f^* i*tid'the. qpaplstjfraf dieir goods,
-bl^.irf <»ifft«fi^ng itl?e cofti»ir»ptio|i pf the
sfKWt0<^Qi^.«hei4Mlds/i. TWpOMj^lQyWhQ
.s«?«fe/l^«nl^5!?(4h?^itii iwmerwis families,
;W«r« iq iome^ ^meafiure d^arred from pro-
^V) viding
7
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mbok Others were p(«Sefled/9^vm^^.
-itngs a year m (mt.QViiim^ti»4r0Stm>mfik
fvicfa iirfi (^%kiQ4 ail: pxev^tkm tSxv^
sAna law., «a4 : ftftprway^s ?lhf wic^ «!iWlr
none- were il\owf4ri9tm9kli;'i^§tfk::f¥f^^
yeai»(w)i %^Q»gh fkum % m ^^sfilff^^t
the whole ^.t iriiglit j^am-iim ^^IW »>»5i
much le6 tio?iEv Th\fi„Mwimm»M^^4mi^
degree, for a time repealed under the .¥fii||F^
oi queen 'M&rf, m^ n^^immiiki i^wW^uiir
■cfer £imbeth.<4rV ThMfi^vS^^iiit
'bv6ne&,i a(ri ::2U3i!yid^g(»46 itofx^cdtlfclu
■ ■ ■-- •■.>,'.•' ■'•• .:''i ■;..;..■.,.,■'■ *; -ST. '-i -•.
. ^M 7 H. IV. c. 17. 5 Eliz. c. 4.
•(%^ S8t^BI«».VI.c8. i ■••I"' .Mr;'. iJi. ■:..!:
5 Eliz. c. 4,
■■•■•■■ ' " ■ ••■ '- - •'* *• ■ if
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( »»5 )
if i^iH^'Vfoi^sme^ would mA 2iwigf9^a»^
g^e< the greatfKl5 hiimber of cu^omerst
Tbis Jjotot trtaybe fafely left ta the dete?^
fttift«iolt H3^f the ftofelic, whidh will always
g'tre^ tht pf efeftnce t4) the ^bleft workmen^
withoirt itegSrding the time of lfh4¥ dfr*
prcntieeftript The maifcers ^could bav« n*
dfej6^ion 1f* this law, as it '^mzlAed^ th^tA
16 ^cteC^tttek-^lM-entices* t6nger ki theilr
Ifeff^e^iiftd pre^dAtcd tficm from ifiterfer*
ing*m thdr owh oijHapatien. It feemtrf^
likew^9 t^ give a v^lue to thdt <calt, ^ab
i#b prc^r de^ee of flcill could not^td ai*-
tefeffd^iriioul ferving a Idng appreufioe-
mp. :; i - ' . , ■•^' •
M "^^^imm time that the depopuktion
tiif yUi^»XMl$^ix>inpIaitied of, by convi^ll-
itlg eilkgc^lattd« irito^ pa^i^res, cotnpiaitts
-kef^tetfrifts* K 3:he: f)ttrlkimeiit^ fodqeently
graRted^^cmifid^rabie ' fums ^&fr febmldbg
or repakitig them ; but no reafm>s are af-
iigaed for their^decay till the reigii of Phi-
.lip arid Mary, w^en the caufo is afoi ibed
to the country tradefmen bringing their
goods to fell there, to the detriment of
perfons
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fm6m^mth9 fktmhvUm^ yfkfummm
deoayed (;«)& i-^own^^ it»fie%t»)HMlMt
htiao JtaditalDQii plaei}«9U|ill^i«r JJIi^ «n^
and vittageti trkec dl«riniMii^rbAr (»f^
gcrvattiipettx ^iSieKw aMshOMdMlU)^
tilUigd-kMids iottiinAiMret^iM^hi^iitfobc^
%etnie{ and tint nianyraiM»sltt€Aimit|i|^
joerty dtftiogtMOwl .^^jtlMtn^iKa^lili^
to haikfnu iThe6rcimil&9mma>/kt\ml^mf
«oable
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dlkfikS'^^lffoiii ' W- porcktik ^ grcjitfef! tfatn*
iSfy 'bf ikiihnt^tes'fdt thtir 0#q trfif
tfeatt'fe-" IbHner ages, and . our -fereigti'
maimti^^ ^%Td th<^ aflbM a prefui^
f^^^ld^n^ of t^ie iner«ft(ing fnoflibetf
^ihfe»lilaiit$ throtighottt th<e kiKgtktto;
il^^q^ ^bta^ii^e titiii corpOFMe .^tomm
Had' ^^inm^ die ^feac^ctf^Mde sndiaa^
lftineHMI^'"dl|d ctijioy«d i^rticiiUi- prho*
16^^^ talffj^fig>>ifbem'«a with focoeft,
tlid;^ iycMRtfijMljpt^cMi* vml lAlKUlfilil^
W^-yA'tkim htHA ^in' tthem, and ith*
iKB^bboit^iidki %«« «ftifld|3K Ai]^ied :«iii)
iiitbliMMSleytiaffiwere'tiot expokdta fale^it
lt^<«li(riigMnadKii}oQnt]D7. As thelilr
i«%t|8tMMb4iif:^Hie ikxtkni ara-^a&d^ nas^
^'thit^'iMckitti towtos wdw ^iid kieeiif
't^^Akittt >fb#''«U9yik*g! ie oil>i;tD(adeaaiM
«id -eAtt0si^ttsn>si^tsdt to .t\aa,p^l^p9^
^>Ai!i^>y '^i4lf»iediito^ thdn exaaionis «ma
<ifi^p|)re^l(MM^''^iv#eh)j dtovc^kfaay ■«£ the
workmen into the coontiy or other towns,
where they mi^ car^fy jott ih^br lAifin«ii»
r \, with
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«»».])
canity wem» a<a».fflH^>iiilMMhli»iflMnn»
voabk to. Xvpiily, tlafliruadwihyi^i^jH^aJt
than
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( 2«9 y
Aan the labours of huftahdry. Under
£&rmcr reigns the villains and labourers
in agricukUre fled to the manufaftaring
towds ^d borooghs, on account of obtain-
ing higher wagfes, and avoiding the tyranny
0^theland*owners ; and many fruitlefs at-
teiHpts^ere made to ; retain them in the
couiittty ^eadeavows, equatly ufelefs, were
*eMr>^^fid to retain tbo inhabitants ia
Ae^of<>tighs and cities, by laying airfuchf
ab^ wci*e- not freemen under inconveni-
e»cf $ inrtbe iale of their goods, dr confining
l|(e^it)itlung oif cloth unto fuch as had
forced 'a9.a|)prfeitticeihip of ieven ye or
had-i V^eiv enaployted in it for fo long a
tiro© ^). This r<a3[K)Val ,of the manufac
turers'into tjae villages fcems to Ifave been
a mcafure pir^rly calculated for the be-
iie6t of trade,, as proviiions werfe ufuafly
dbeapcryan^jthe rents of tioufes more rao-
^e^te^, than in potMilous towns, fiutk was
BOtrcoiifi49redin-tbis. light by the inhabit*
t^^t^ of the4}9raughs# S'key foliei^ for
^ exciufive rigfet -of toadying or vending
paiticdkr n&*iUftiftiir«s,' Wider ^' pnetence
(a) 4& jP.3^m/c. 6.
Vol, II, U of
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( ^ ))
af examining the goods^^ wbreher they vn^
pfoperly macle, as wtelkas of rcAoting tfadi
towns to cbdr priAmei floimfliifig ikaus;
Norwich obtained ao afil ^for making Im^r
Bridport for making r 6(«9, Shreiwimiy for
cheiii]>$: Welch ck^hs, ^diYcftk}i»^a&lkf'
k^ coverlerd tor the whi>kr cMmTfr (^). Boi
ib many iticodveniencM . t^efet^ - Ibwid - Mr
frife^in thc(Ce eaesAvAn i^tiTs, ^kuff ktm
ftw years tincy fell iUD <tifisiev *otntm»
revoked; ;aiift the msmtfti6txi9fP^ nfttett ifr
lowed to iiith wbenevfe^ th^ liMnd it 'W
be the moft con^^xyieM^ fciflejtilithe^
Iks and maorket ^wnr mig^ gaiH'a^ttlii^
yoraiy advantage by Adb grtlnts ;^btK they
were unaUe t^ maihtaki or recovd^tb^
former ftatc of weattk ihfd pcpnfcitifttt by
the o{)eT3tioili^ of f^h Vlt^teftt inesdRires;
^fenuiiadcenes will generally ber^ fettkift
where they can be tarri^l orf ^ith 'tile
greateit advantage to th^^ merehftiit Itttd
workmen ; and every effortj to eftferoe ttildt
totitinutfiioe fti^ ^particnlfer ^^a8^, wiff^e
found
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( ^» >
i^utkA ke^yittal as foon a§ tbej becociM'
iaconrenieot to the workmen. The ty-
FtfiByexeroifediu the boroughs drove away
the menu&K^fcuirearai and the biurge0e6> who
hsid form^ly complained of the opprcdiions
of thocr<Mfrii or barms, were in their turns
(Dt^alt)!^ opprcffive and tyrannical over all
the workmen who lived withia their ju*
jriidi^^n. Convenienct» and a proper de-
^greo^ of liberty, will«ot only introduce, but
aftabliih, roanufa^l^ries in partioctkr places ;
and the towns, whicli are chofen to be
lA\e refidenoe of the merchants, will reap
tbehene&t of thomanufafkories carried on
in the neighbourhood, without the aid of
ftatutes Xo enforce the refidence of the
worikmen in particular places.
As^ the number of our woollen manufac-
turers w^ conAantly increafing, new regu-
HtiQrt5'apd.4ire^ons were required in mak-
ing cloths; and^the ftatute-book abounds
with maay of this kind. The procefs in
almoft every branch of the manufaflure is
diftinftly preifcribed to guard, as far as pof-
(ible, againft'frimds and impofitions; but
thefe were fy various, that fucceeding ads
U 2 were
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( a9^ )
were neoeffitry to zmextd or inprave the*
former^ or to provide i^^akift fc^oie n^«r»
fpecies df fraud, which bad hem vmi^^
feen or negkded. One general oh&fi^t^ii^
wMy be made on all theft ftatuk^ ihaltM
dimdioos are fofn^ime^ more i)wijate l:h^i>
Heceffiuy, and ip ibme iuAaacqsiil^y^^e^i
the dothoidc^r tp i(i^Gonv^ienic^.t^itJi^i%
any ^in • to , the puUif* tpPhe p^e^c^jii^t^
will always hayet con^ingnfl ov^^^be yrq^
men with whom be: tr^^rksj^ j^ul. oblige
them to comply with.his orders**; Aqdf ;^
may be juftly expefted^ he wiUttaJ^tJ^fft
advantages tO:'hin:^ielf whi^cji l^^^^e^e^.^tpj
the maaufhifturer, ^4 p|i|)bimrnf)f}^ jpp^
ny reftraiuts, while he hirofelf is.lefe,atlvj
berty. One benefit nevcftbelefs; ajtteiif^
thefe aflcs, that the manwfcuStur^r^.j^rpdi?
reded tp'the beft nKKieof.pi^ii^;<4^ti^^
and drf>arrqd firom. fV^u^s^ ;|^;f;^i^QuljJ
have bfi^nflqually detrimenjl;?d, ta the; ppttUjj
and their own interefL -^ r. . •. j
If the woollen manufaflurera were per-
mitted to fettle the wages of their fervants
and' Workmen by a:voluntary.ngfieement,
the fame liberty, was not grapteji to thpfe
. ' ' : who
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( ^93 )
who were engaged in fome other occwpftip
tiofts. Various attempts were again nuide
td^ertakithe wages of artificers, fervaat*^
arid*laboui*i% ift htiibabdry, a»ajto fix the
hours of w6rking in the different feafiws
of the year (c). \f thefe ftatutes ihould
be thought of ufe in confining laboiarers
tb their 'worfc a deterrtiinate time, smd af-
<?6itaimrig what the jfervant and mafter
ftilght demand of each other, they i^ere
hot of equal fervice in exciting emulation
and induftry. As all the workmen were
placed on the fame level by the equality of
fiieir^wa^s, the flothful and induihrious
-^ere cmifouhdcd together, and flendcr en-
cduragcmcht' -giveit to excel each other in
afpplication and diligence. The artificers
Wouldrtbrftibmit to the regulation; ariafi
\^a^''th6fseforfe mad^ to ind^nify the maf^
tfer§'!brglViffg higher wdges thatl were ap-
fbinted iy the ftatute(i). U may hi
prafticable to fix the wages 'of Workmen- itt
* particular towns and occupations, an^'iio
■ ^ .ii. ' /« - ■ - ■ ■ *' ' '■-J* ;j : . ■* J / ■
^,n(4ctj^.yii* cw 2JL. i2,H.yiLs^.tHif^if^w^i}.
'^p* u z and 3 JE. VI# c. 1 5. 5 Eliz, c, 4.
\ U3
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( ^^ )
ilKXHivmietice oMy enfue; but ^vi^ <«*
tvfme^ dUfii^t to adjufl: t}iem I37 a lawi4«
evpiy part, qf tUe kiflg^wa*. A^^^Mm^
i^ ebe pric^ of provij^ot^; ao4iif^bfiriQ^
ceflaries . reqiiij-es a.diffei^fm:^ hi i^i»g^;
and* for thn r^afoo^i tipofe may b&coaitdeiiod
iiSe bigh ia^<ji>e ^?QUiity» which tmy Jsp
thcFftght too law:^^:aiv]^h^r«j 4|t^rwp»|^
f]ruip4eri attbmp^ to^j^^^Ll^ ^yli^xf^^i^
adia^it of :an unji^er/a} ^^^^fi^^tk^ tl^ . juf-
tlceS;of the.pe^ce were au^oriz^ tQ^et^
th« W3®^ of workinep.iand.iahliWeiSiJB
their rfipe^ve coyastWft >(<> ^«4 :i»
IpQgdfe!^;^; tm^^ t3m, jp^iQcs,tio(j«*e6%»^
.theyjweift; feft to beJfe|l4Mi>ljrtfefe:^[^^
: of the com^ry^ apd .tljft.,<iifiiy-^ii.#xrf>r^
fuaft^r^ wjpfoi ^ wpqld endRay:<«ir j^q. .pfifmH
itiQii, tbemtp the AUU^n^' 4!iH*«« -o^^?
jwprkj^ne^irmi^.fpmetkTf^ tp \h«?^^?«»70f
.tjiicii; iieqf^itj^, If a GQa>hiiwitfon jc^fWi^T
meftjje ^^aiwe th^r wyg^^jcfa^^ f^i^mj^r
,44f'^ ^^Ull^ needlefs t<>iftf(^|ai|i*thiTO ly
,j[lat?u^» £iat it is feldoiniti the.|]^4»r.^^^
artificers pr labourers in any occapalioti tq
eH{ef ii^^hefe oomlwiatidn* ihrilh apy
prof^_
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( ns ^
fjrofj^ «f ^fuceeftt^ When a parttculat
Ka^iorrocc^Ij^ion Is ia thdfeinds of a Few,
a* CiSmbiflation may fbi*^ a time fiKTcecd, but
n»'4?h« Hud k will defeat itfelf* For wheii
tte-^*rtrgt»'«rfe high 4n any 'branch ^of bufi*
ii«rfs;:<b ttiatty Ate ttoipted to cngtig^e in it,
that iti a ^Wy«zn k kfo much overftocked
t^to bVirtg about a i-eduftion; ' Where all
iferei^H tra^iflsAibSnvjd, an* the price of
proyifiontfaad pthftt Wec^ll&ries remains die
^fltfe^^ Jihe Wa^$ of workinen may be
i6a$\Q&>\hf,t^ v/iU always
Jfodattfmur to adjttl^*<th^in fo 4S to yieM a
|lii^i)49nmicdifo tko indoftfious. In 4hofe
iO^es^graot alneratidn^ xmie ii^Cdfikn tly t^ing
^^ace 'in ev*ry ; f)aif of the kingdom.! 1^
^girbimil fteteoftradefiailti^^Atoufeauttei,
-AlbiacwiSicAf of IWdlth ' by induftry and
HOrtiamevfte, a wor^ lexpenfive mod^blPI?*^-
aDg^«i*6ng th€ iqwer I'ank of people, an ald-
•^a»C0((i,p4»ice'^f |^rqvifions,^nd the debafe-
amtei«iofthetoin, neceffarily required fome
•fjddjtidji to be ' made tq ancient wages,
'whibh the ^ftatutes endeavoured m-v'ain to
prevent. Nor was the additiifin wholly
loft to the public. It was paid to the land-
U 4 owner.
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t ^ )
the t^fCB and ^#ip(^:0f tbq -SbO^^, bn J^
the W9ges pf workflow, ba^smrooo tx:c«pak
ivherc cpsi^>in|i|j^$»^{(y ^.i^^^
.y^uce thea^ ajijl ^:f«g^a|»|j(^
jwd the ^xpei}ce. p£: li^li^f .¥i^^y« tbeJaM
. If it ftH»»l^r|^ /tl»¥^
Jfettlc the ^^ag^af w^l?nKtt^ it iJ^
juftly confidefed. ^s i(toii¥>i;?r<il>ffic«lt t^fk^
;iiont the expe«^^o£<faftffeiwd'a^}fiatf^ ifii
ICQpiineeyenf <mQ jirtiwfllfigitajttis.ratijbkrij^
iOMutitipn to thQ;w<^* o£f>atticdtr/d6Ai|Sf;
indyet this wa«. tiitmiptcd4)y; ^vii«^ ft^^
40t»8 (/)v - -Irt Jhistii^aHce the fubge<5s
might have .been: ir>dujged with the liberty
Kxf expending th^r; toofley without detd-
ixient^tothe puhlic. A fmall degree of Jux-
'lii-y in the article D^ drefs would have been
of fcrvice to the.manufadurgrs in promot-
ing the confumption of their goods, aiid at
the fame time would have elicojargged Ja-
-<§«ftry, in order to fupply th^s idditiofcal
(/) 1 H. Vm. c. 14. ^'6 tt Vm. c. I. 4 ri, V4I£
c i3» !' ■ "
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(.2^ )^
Mpenat-of oloathiug. Atld die ltorsii(h«
Bi^Aate oEtrade towards the end c^vq^igen
^rabethv's^ ragn>miy^ be 'M {(ktie O^kCurc
attobuted tb the improvefd' ftate of thepeo*
pk, bdtk in thdr drcfs mA mode of living*
kt their IbrmerlftflEte of va^age, as bafore
obfeeredy thajTvwere eqi^lyufiable to pur^^
chafe the gpvids of mir mbAuiSa^urdriv 6i
tkoftcjoffiHasqe^neraTeoeivead in dxchahge fbr
4>ur pwn.f Ta^ <^oa>noa people, aawearu^
i^lf > jpfipKe in . cc^aiequence of their freedom
M^ ^:k^^^9^ of the natiocial trade, v^rt
j^§yf4^ Jpejipeftd, wore ia thciri apptrcl
aiid other articles. And the gentry, proud
cdf .their rank and family, were willing to
^eep up a diOindlon between themfelves
and the vulgar even in their drefs. .Vi
And;i. fortunately for the commonalty and
tne inte^eft of. trade, vaflalage had gradu-
aUy fallen into^cfifufe, though a few might
T)e retained in a ftate of fervitude upon fome
d^f the rojal demefnes. The difiblution of
the monafteries gave freedom to many of
the villains fettled upon their eftates; and
'Henry the Eighth and Elizabeth emanci-
pated fome others, who- were confined on
' the
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( M )
19 0>$Hllciin4it to -ACcmmt tiw die hAiJ±
tiieir own profit, -they will be more thduf-
trioDs and attentive to the tmfinefs in
♦which they are e4igaged, Tl^r fubfif-
iteiice depends chiefly on the pofleffion of
tthefe qualities, while tine forced fervice and
-labour of the other produce only flothfu^i
nefs and difcon tent. / '^
Though tlie legifl^tu^re'^gave the utmoft
encouragement to trade, both' at liome
-and abroad, by complying with the pc^^
titions of the rperchants and manufac-
'hirers in almoli every inflance where any
tndonTenience or obrtrudion was- defired
^d" bte removed, or improvement made in
(^') Aiiltirfribn*t Hift. «^ Cori». voL t. p. 544. 415^
the
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X ^99 )
t^eioas wefe fomettoies dented by the
l^lrpwn. Ji ^ipGoGng power h^ been oo-
im4 the l^rictcei of the lifte of Tiid0i3, m»c4e&
.iMpotic ill their j^indples anil<ro«idu£t, f»jr
:i|aeBtly affume^ it> to thch4dtrimeBt of tiade
-|ttdthegeiiaraltttfldrefidft;h£fiibj^^
-granted 'patent^, aaomiipo^s^ and chartets
%o tsorpotations and tra^g compini^y
wJbich iKirrowed the foundation of oasn-
Itteircfey and gatve to individn^tko^s |>tt-
vileges in particular branch^ of ^whcftic
Crasfej i«rhichxiught toiiave beeakid open
rttKfldl the peopte; EKlufive rights to t^wl-
feg compaiiiies on thsir firfl iliftitution may
be fometimes ufefbl^ and even ineceiTary
:#dr^ tlne^ iappovt^; bmt tbey xequire/ £re«
4^ent sevrcws. v Tl^a^inconveqieBDes trah
.^(c^dom ibe di^vj&red iTi^itkout firial^ ftnd
t^.^odiit of imon^poJy, Mriuoh they nftmlly
introduce, leads thb imsmb^stof thefe di^ar-^
T.tsrcd cons^nies tt>)attdod nwre no thdr
Q\m .iiiMAediatej,g^n itiim the idatereft.pf
the public. The merchants commonly
paid a large fum for th&fe trdipaffes on the
laws.
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( 3^ )
ait by the indulgMttJor ooDnivttioe 6(^^
down^ and imieiifii^ei tbemiblves^ 1^ tb^
export or impoM of 'pro)iibk?ed'g€K>^
ctnces of this kioftl wefe^fre^uently ^r^fh
edi aiul they fXMfk hwt had la p^^lcji^iii
kifluetice both^^M "^ foreigir an^^ dom«i^
trader. . Andjnct, by aJmige4»3: oicsbint^
;plai&ncd9> the pMHadm»it:^awip«rmifilqti
,tDi Uenini/: thc^ Eightii, daring y&Hfe^t5 di^
penie wkh 6r revise the ftatutet ^ d^tpiME^
ing the comniodities of tb6 Walm, ot^brifij^
Big tiT of fiweign m«chaikltee»^6)/i/
i tifo iima^diate ^ ibocdlfeirfii^ ttvoiigk^ Hfiii^
ported by the iame audiofiej^ :t»btaiioDvtigr:
-arflbniaed the fike power." l^^ariiac^oB^
<m the tinaeof Philip and' Mary attcanip^d
id: vaia ta capcel the iicenoea :gmtAed'r4tx
jnayortipg: piefaibittdi gooda ;^ and it3^>w)is
ie^aUytiiufiiot^sMafn:aim(Mte §rfDaraiinU^
iiddtilated .' tOKfinak^ totdialbducbiixi^iii^^
lies aau-s^tefiBigcanted by ^^ qoeed, uhec
;te9thar,::Hfid fistther^^^ I^*j(|qe^i Elizae
^bet^^wooldLiiMr ia ^q^ly ^^ctoiytiteaaacB^ui
, . -, - , >,v. . ,
(^) 36 H. Vai. c^6w ' * -^^ ^ ^
;:(4 Farl.'H«l. vbl.IlL p. J4C,
' mfraigc*
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iaffkigccneat c^ tbe ilatutes, ihe wm yttp
Ub^al io grantipg patents and monopolkr$^
uUj by the repeated remonftcances of the^
p^liament, (be^ had ttee ^ood fenfe, ind ce-^
g^rdfocr tbsi fubrjedl^ as to recall or fu^
psitid t|ie greatcft p^Mft, aod^ maintain only
i^ch as :wexepu£b&L Many of theie ^tt
tQ$itis. are ectuinefataed jby ^ parllamehl:^
£bme of ^is^ichafied^ the whole l^ix^gddm^
and necei&nlj jenhanced the price of thofa
ai«i?i(e8 which the patentees wem foiely
aiM^hoiri?ed to fell d^)^
5 Our foreign teade Jdbfo>met with &tm mr
terciif»cioi)8^r ,whiph were not ib. eafy.to<TW
9fibve« /The Eogiifiji trade to tbe.NitheiM
lands, in tho^b ages^ was of greater yaloe
than to any other ccmntry V and yeC it ?wa«
£3metiines fnfp£9:kdcd by the wars 4>r dif^
agreements which ocxraiionally hroke ^nb
.between thi^ tw)Qtnatians« 'Henry the^Sp^
venth^ di^ufted at/the Flemings^ !;bani&fi4
Ibr a tima tho& who. were jfettled in.Lioa'^
douy and prohibited all intescourie witfa!
theis:; countrymen alM^ad ; andi.ia iDefitn^
(k) D' Ewes^f Jou^^• p>;64?t:$s'' i'
...... ,: ,; .. they
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t 3*» )
i^^e^ «xpellad om teefehaotts* But tW
ifiMreft of both eftuBtri^ was ib rnueb
injured by thek vraknt procetcSngs^ tlrat^
k reecmcttiatiotv fben ^ook piMe; Andtliks
wafS the mbre.tralily cfle^l^d^ ad d» itlCe^^
fuptbo in tmle waa Ihore ftv'osel jr lell* 1^
tbn FlemingB ttmn the Eng^litb. Oor inei^
tbants contHHied to pwchi^die^o(»b'e#
thcmanisfadtirers» ami byliial: t^^ Hip*
|K>rCedthetn in th^ tefuaf^ ocooprtSoiw (/^i
Under the reign of hb fticc^flbr , aIlr:eom«
mercial intercourfe wa$ ibmettmes fufpen^
ed by h» engagecn^ftlswitll^Fmnfe^igiinft
Spain. And art. a particiiUr tifne, t^hen
hc^ilities had cominencedy <^ oierchmita
were not fo ccm^^ifantf though threats
eii^ by chekwg's^lnin^ler^-as tQ buy ODm<#
modules, as they told b^iD» which they
jknew pot how to utter {m). iji^the inf%n?f
fy£ a manufadory^ thefe intepf ^tioos tptoK
be ieniibly fei% by the w^rkmet^ as t^t
circymftances feldom enabto them to eariy
on their^ bufinefs without a rf ady fale of
their goods. But^ whea ^ jxianjiftt^^oty
f/; Bacon *tTf« of Henry tfcc Seventh/ p*6u.
\ i^^; Hcrbcri*« Life of Henry the Eigtith, pr i^o^
has
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( P3 J
W been loiig eftablifhedj thefe mtefrtip-'
tKMis are a kind of neceflary evila. They
teable the mafters to jM-event an advance-*
iftient of the wages erf their wdrkm<*n, whd
eommonly attempt to raife tivem v^tn
there fe a conftant and unintermiJted de-
mand for tbeif woti. Arid the flow ad-^
tanceft of tke wages of manuifeftntefs and
i«tificcrrare more owing tat*is caufethan
to the eflforts of the legiflature, or the eari^
*f Tthdir mifters io keep them 6n an eq\ia-
fitjr. '".' '^ '^ '' '
^ The cdltoieaiott ^ith Spain, by .tbd
ftat/iage of queen Mary, might have beeni
df gireat fervice to ouf trade^ by Maintaining
it goo4 tortefpondence witK the ^i^ether-
lahders, arid ot:her fubjefis of "the Spanifli
3omimoiiSj if it had been properly Imr
jbroved : but the ftatioii fecms to have re-
ceived no commercial advantage' from this
ifnion of the fwo crowns. The export of
cidth to the Netherlands was' fbf a time
prdhibitfcd ; artd 'a* fcofifiderabl^'* loan-^ was
^jttorted from our mefchanta fettled at
Antwerp, by layipg^ an ^;ml^r^o qa the
(hips prepare^ to «mVey it thitbeirv' And
'-'''"'^ 2 after*
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( 3H )
aftemards the ifn^en o^aiiiej'fMia f|)0»^
SDcrdiant adventurers in JUmdoa. the fym
of ififtj tbouiand pounds^ for leave to iaf\
port clotty which (btwiA have Wn ieufit
abroad by the Italiaq uKrchants (n^ Theict
«rl^tnuy:exeitions,of p9\^f€r muft und<wbCr.
t^y intin^date our iperchan^t; apd ^i^pfi/
^u^ coufidence in the aid of gpvonifa^
which is ib efiential to their prqtf^^ioiv^pidk
(upport. - ;:- 1 .,h :^'
Tho^h.theqofinedi^ Fiti)^.%#t|i^^^
wedcened by the dea^h of queen Mary, 2$]^
Elizabeth ^d Pl^ipeithtf lived injt ftatc
9f boftUityt or wcr^e i^ceflantly i^<?}** i?C
ea^* pth^r'9 vjlcws an4 dcfi^s^/yet.eW^
interi;uptioi)[^of tr^^c, tp the l^w Cojjotrie^ .
was ifo d^rimental to t^fi rfi^fejej^s pf^botlj
priuces, that their, minivers were alwaya
defirous to l^rinc: about an acconitnodation*
According to lorije^ \y nters, two piuidrcd
thqufand pieces of cloth wejiej^an^ially ex-
ported %o the Nether^jJ/bY the.Tw^
lifli(o). ^ A^n^i acc^rdiiiig to, Cafl^
trade hetwecox theai amounted y6arlr to
twelve
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... .. C i^i- > .
jfwelv'c n^liiiolis of ilucats (p). ~'-Rfet\vlfhi
Handing tlmuhlon of Int'ereft, itwasimipbf-
fiBle'to maintain a cordial agreeiiient be-
tweeii two rival jowers, that nevel' co'ttta
be brbualit to' place > coniidienWin featH
ijtHer. •' A"je^lduf/'ali^a^^''f6bMe(fi- ktl
afts '^f* vIolfeWcfe Wdi^e 'corrilihitted art t^acH
otIiei:*s'iftibie£ts before i pvfblic dechtrafibtl
of vrar; Wheht the gctods of ottr thercfianfi
in' the ' Netherlands tc^re fetzed by thi ot^
^VofPhm^, felitabetH fepaired flielrldlfes
hf'ho'hii(6Mig -tlre'eilf&ifts'bf his^ filbjeifts
ftb'd pefldeS iri En^ran'd' (y). But' after thts
<?apitulation o/Ant^verp, and the difperifioii
of^ many .'-of t^e ' plef Ch^n ts Who Were &^
tle)d''djiere,' a; ' cbtiiilitfifdar' cHffelT^d'hdehce
e'ecat^ lefs^ necerfarV/ Tfce lofs. rtrliaiife?!
By oUr' riiefchaiits 'wkV foon repaircd'by thfe
conhedibtls they f6rmfed with'oAer coun-
tries. * The ibfs to the Spaniards' was lir-
reparat)i(^. '*Many'*(51f theil: merchants and
^^{if^allr'e/s ?fetM);^xf ftittf^ Btfiet (i^m
fvl^lt^^^^^^^^ allSwed, *i4^^
pliea'*memfelves" with * equal induftry t6
• : (^ Hpn. of Qgcea tliizi p. 395;
- Ai) w.p.44^. ^
Vol; 11. X theic
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( 306, >
their fenner occup^ioos. AloMfi all . ^
tK^bem parts of Eucope xeceived k lietteiit
from the removal of the inhabitants of the
Low Countries The^ ihftnided the na^
tires iti mmiy x^hfr brdfiehes of mkm^
Cadure, aiid opened or enlarge a c&its^
Tnercial intercourfc between tti&fty^kl li^
tioDS of Europe. Tlioi^gh thiq? J^glii^ hsA
larger dealmgswitri the^obje^ jctffSpaff in
the Lew Countries th^na^
jret, after the firft lhodc;of fo g^t«^^ivwi-
hidon^ they fuffered th^' leirflfrGto a totd
interruption of commerce* - "So/chahy atW
ifimrces of trade wfeife ik><*^ op0^ |nJ4iincift
•every ^artdf the^wortd^- thai thq?>iiMiijd?ia
jditf ht: their cloths, aj^d every otbar cpnj-
taeridfal prodtjA of the kijpigdpi^vir • Ruffia^
Wamburgh, and o^rnotlh^rn coQn^deb>
Supplied a market ^r IfHe -clothsf > whioh
4iad ^forrrierly been difp^fed of - to Tthe iuEh
jefts of Sjiii; { No |\iift^^^i^^
^xti^ic ''of' tb^- 4ec^^!. ^|»|^'o^.«i^'^pq^
^biaiitt^arpries. Th^ if^^fi?, r*th^^
%5to mqfeaiteg dttriiig'tb* xifkuAeot^f^
•^" • / ^ : . qDa[Btity
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(- 3^7^ )
qu(intky;o£ doth exported was pechaps a$
Ltrg^iAs la modem tknics. A greater quaa^
tiif :kz^obahly jnadhufadured at prefeut^
but a&oii£.dQm$llic confumption \f^ e^hyg^i
by tfec greater number of pegpl^ «^d higher
cacp^ces; ill the article of clothing, it may ^
I^; doubted whether t^e quantity exported
tw$ Ijeen augmented, ^ ; .
; Th^S^^ps^c fginQ\plc$ p^-iiice$ cf
,tfe^. .Tufior-fafnily have been juftjy com-
^WiQd of as^ incoufiftent in many w^ .
ftaticcs with the national inteveft and free^
di^m of the iubjeds. They were ncver-
ithMtCs productive of iqnie beneficial po^-
fequeucc^. The tprbialaiKe of,the borons;,
4Uid the ' preceding, civil wars, hadkuro-
,duccd fuch a fpirit of liqen^ufnels and
difotder among all ranks, that the laws
were/ only dccafiopally obfcrved. , Suc;h ^
ftffte of lice»tipjLj{ii?fB m^, vichat it wjk
ever a?ake, a tyrant in fome meafurc necdf-
faryi Th^e .former king«t eifipr through
fear of irritating their encmieS;^ or through
fovjojjt to , thpir friend? ^ and , abettors, b?d
-bbert^cifteni reg^ife in th« e^ecytion of the
; 1 iw, X 2 moil
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( 3o8 )
mod Ctloti^y law/s. TheifobHity, long tid^
bitiiated td arms, cither it home or abroad^
wereunwillhig.to fobmit to thofc reftraintf.
which yyzte iiectflary to the tranq.oi']&itjr,j
aftd Improretnetit of the kingdom. At-
tended hy their yaffal$ aii?d depe]idant;^s, t^ey',
were formidable to the xrowii, andf ready
to break, out inter aflsf ojF*violence aiid hoPn
tHky oil ?yery occ^fion of di(guft oroSence^;
And the licentioufiiel^ of t^eir CQudui6J Ij^d ;
iufe^ed the inferrol- oi'der of geo^Ie. Ma-,^
ny of thefe had bpn trained up in h^Bits^
of idle;iefs, and were uncjualified fqr ex^rtT^
iiVg that i;iduflry \ybich "the fupport aiiid(.*
advancement of trade iand htxibandty re*,
auirea. * And[ it became* liepcffary, jTor thcf
ptifcljc good', ,to br.eak tjio -Cofintiftion . be-
tWefen tjie mobility and their vai&ls, an^;
^aduall^ ^litrbduee a mode of goyefnm^nf; i
which might promote And main tai?>, the in*' •
teteflTofatl the' fubje<l&; anx3 redt;^e*th6t^
tt5 an eqiiaf €ubrfiiffion tothe hii^r. TTitr*
r^^ferha'atioiv wfa^ begun by Ueprj*' the Sfe^'
\^ei>jEl>| ahdjearrfed on by the four pi-iticesj,
of his' fateilywho fu,cj3ee^d jhimi, ^rTkff-:
p6<ver of the nobility ^waa jmpearceptibly-
weak-
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f^reakene^, attd by theadvanceqneiit-oC.'th?
comrnqn? reduced to th^t (tate of obedience
to the laws, nnd infl licence lu th« goven>
poeitt, .which the welfni^ of the natibn
fenied to require. The imperk)us ^n4
iarbitrary • difpofitbn of the pripces in thite
jifftance becanie ufeful to the fubjeflsia
^lieral, '^by feli^vitrg th^tn f^iA the^^cf
tiort^ and opprfeflions t6 which they had
been long fubje^ted'by -the fe^rbui. Th6
avirice of Hfenry the Sevenfth, mitA tb6 J>td-
ijigality of his immediate fucccflcr, eontri^
buted in fbme dfegree' to the fupport of li-
t>*¥ty, and the national welfare. The'firft
•gave encburagement to trade and nricinnftc>
*tures, to enable the firtycfts tb pay the fubfi-
dies and taxes,- and by' thi ihfltience of theft
"H^^akh acquit-ed^from cbnitiiefceto cobnter^-
bifence the power of the artftofrraeyl ^ And
the^minifters of-his avarice, * ftoWever ftan-
d^Tous and (cverein rAsfnyfaf fheit ^roceecf-
ingi, enfti'wd^ii dbedieiVce to tht laws,
^hfch h^ad'becirpafti^fiyexetJtTted
deij^effdft,'afiaetnired theftrBjeS^ to regula:-
ri!^ ' and order. * Henty ' ffcr* Ei^h, not -
^ 'i^ ' X 2 trade
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( Bio })
trade and itaanufa5:ures as his fotllerv fey
his profufion became dejiehd^lrt^feh 4He
pariiamei>t for gridtirtg fup^ieis^ bf>itttihe54
Whkh ncGeflarity gave it uk addiri^liat.^
Ihaetice in the ^niiniinxaffion' of public '9^>*
£urs. And, however tyranAtcaft; in liisiifi£»
pofidoD, and ibknetia9e& difgiiAaL^vca^:^^
^rUament, h^ . nvas grudrally d^od§:lx>
-5>btaiaitsfan)i9:kit):tdhiS)ipe0ru6^ A^ottyr
frsagal prince n%htbwB?matAta|ifi€^biirt(IiJlf
a great jjumberofyqairs^jr th^ fp^%iA^:Shfi
mouafteries, wkhoiaj ap|>lyif>g,fpr t|;\a jp^ji-
niarydi^offhepprWamfiftt., n^:5:^T^»W|-
. I3enc^ 9f c«cunfiftaw{^p^ J fei^i|J%pfifl«9sft(^^
poittknc bec^nae h^ue^i^. «^ rfb*5 p^bfe;,
,aad led him to bdag about >re?vplutiftW;i«
the ftate, which a iftope ca^tjqu§;^ ^riftf e
mighjt.bave d^liofl^r- J^i? pjfpfofiqH,:!^
hisi IbidEdwaf 4 4e|>CD^i|j[c»jrtlb*fee^ *i5i^ifte
iOf: the-p|«ii*0)ip|o TrAft^-ilhPSftht^S^iViMS
: effor!*, W^^tmde,;by,r£|)w^fj4.debaf^^
of the cq^ ,t9 .reVi^ye;tJie fubjfi^ fij^
. larg^contfibiitte, ^hey wer^Jjunj^ vff^
tl<is> ikii^(!feiriiT»ye()ii»qWri©ftP^^
.the national levies3|,>yh^n rai^din theufual
manner
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( J»» ) .
fanner by the authority of the |)afrKimcBir
Tbe adv^ided prke of grain and provilionfc
by.;th5efe deI>afen>oi>ts of the coiii^ thoughi
jotKrly- ft^nihk^lly ilb, irritated the irtf4&r$qr
•ckls of p^ople^ and M th^m to break o*
iti-xidts and infun-c^ions* ^- The fcitig^srhl-
uiftersy aiming at popularity, Toothed them
cwith ^i wycfa^wre. inefii(<9;aal to thneir
:iieifef/ They mpe^lid t the aifc foi* fettling
il^ Vaf€ of the iuteteft la^' money i they
tegiriated the badger*; foVeftnllers, and re-^
gmtbfsj feftfoi'ceii the ia€t§ dgaiuft inctofures,
-"fe^ ft' price <^n c6rn arid prbvifiotW, an4 il-
"Affcft ext^fted'ttie prbAa^'^ of tfee Isnds t^t
.^^'the hkndi o^ the ttecuprfers; * Meafures
^<^fthiS'kin^^ll be ^w^j^s Agreeable to the
pc^tilaee, ^tfd tipOft triat^i Will bfe - fouiid
'^ther uffekfs dfileti^ental to thfe pil^
^A^pfdffe^qSidch6d^ ^s'^t feft taikiitf :^r ire-
c wJwMng tfee difcdiiteht of th0f]iiopjc, clififlrig
liffefti ^the r^duteij vikre ^f thfe^cc^tt kftd
t!i^.h%h' price df com, by"in^>brtin^ grtim
WM^ abttiftd. This addltlbhrin^^s^tiiy
i A*S(fld1tt fdortj^d^^fe coki4b«tf?Jto icd^te
x^ttfcJpWJ^ar hOnitf/^thdut^terttbl^i Wreftteg
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It ont of tlip Ji^ds of.oMr :^tt^^f^)f
The ftatutes relalive to the rocking, of^cloti^
^cre fxtrApo^ljr iifcful,..aud. witk a few
^iwndm^wtis ; pQjilinjied Af\ #rcc. a gr^f
uumber of yea/s. . i .. .....:
IJiMlef the ;f€jgn pf M^vy^ W^ lucceffoTj^
^Ji? jfeafoos were yukind,. ^^?^ 5!^^ P^pl^?r
95 yfu^j, 4ifQopt«ute4 with thel^fv-rat^t)^
prpjripons. . A"4 j:hFipj|ifi:antW|tjjiras g^-
^uVc4 \>y ber-^ violent proceedings i» tbl
a|fiairs.pf rel^i9n.;/The{Q eȤ;s^ t|>eat^
tfAtk)n^ of t^e; p^pblic'fb /^wch> 9 J to ^iyfitit
|t,' ^n.^PSf <lsgree^ frpo^ J^e 'coQfi4<^;aii9i<
pf .otbe^ fijbje£ts* . % b^! OQnii«^lion wij^
Spaixu-.the tr^de jtq the X^^hcf|a»ds ipiglt|
have Hf^. eaUf&e^t,; iptuaf^|5;jfty^ |pR^^*f^
trjxe. qdpofa^f^.f^hqr^v^^
fd'tbc iuhjflM^.Sisfetgp^
pui} yet^h^^haxft^d. ft^^ofhfi^
obliged 4^4a.?nfirt \4i% :^i4^<?;^^ .l;j§
j)3^rltaiii^ii|:^;;»f^h :<?^fl^e^;ic^^;-:-^"^
|a?«0 5el;iti^%v|he:.^^9c4|ci\^a^
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C 3/B[. %
,. ^^Kzabeth, in every pcrio4 of her relgn^'
had.xiwi^ difficulties to contepd with,
^fhich ab%ed |ieF,ihoweyer reluftantly, tQ.
^pj^jr for the pecuniary afliftanqe of her.
fubje£ls^ and the fanftion of the parlianienC.
!t,<jL^fier ^^t^fyxcf, Bhe Wras^ neye-rthelefs^,
^r jealqus of her prerogativ^e, that ihe ai-,
Ipwed it ,.pply a very limited authority.-
:^H?;;de|j><4rti(pi ]kep!t ^the people ii> fub3^.q^;,
pi^iv;. aj^d t^ fu^cef^.of her uncjartakiqg^
ilreagtheiie4j the authority fh? .^ffuipedf
'phe.pprppt:. and regul^ e^ecufiqi^ of juf-.
Klpe- created . a refpo^ , , for ,ths Jaws? and
promoted -order and induftry. The pow^r.
p{: the ariftdcraqy was, now no li»4g4r. for-
^(hhk^ xq t^e foy^reign ,,ifM: th^ futjcft^Spl";
\]f^^.car|3. anfJ^aftentiof} ^ Jtbe coinnftofiii
ww'^.^iTxployed, as.<fana^ tjiey^ Cfluld, ta
gpfrd ^gaupiLfhe defpatijfo of the crown,
gn^ to paaintain^jthe rights to which they;
ImK^ mii^ted l>y ^^hq.jppi^ituticm. .. U^
^i^gality ^|i4 ) peqp^xcproy . wipre Aifidoobjeflljr
r^iBiwu^^Ufttt^hijt^he.pjLethods taken, tqi
rflieve^t]^ fubjc^sfrom^puWIipaids'^ feeni
not to deferve equal applaufe. Excepting
^vha^accrutd^f5Qi4^*<^4^^^ of the
crowivqp
iy'>
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( 3^4 >
er(>wn»-knds, cufbotns^ and daties, -znd <>t\
catfional gtants of the pariiament^ bcrrr^w'
venue vvas raifcd fkan t&e diftrlbiition; of
{intents^ ^monofldlie^, chartors^'akdi dti^n-
fatiowfi of ttie lawst And thefe t^^erc iiHjrc'
borthenfome and vexatious to the people
thdn th^ moA Hbefral OQnlHbutbae woolii
ha^e been, wbeii levied By; the brdecdfths
parKament (i)* By opening t»n^;;foui)(rcs
<yf trade in foreign countries, aixdtjacoini'f*-
ir(g the export of our grain' and manufac-;
tui-es, (he laid the fouiidatlcm ;of a mvm
pdwer" btf^tK* national 4ct)tnmerde,; upon
Which aioQe it^n'^be maintained amd ftlp^
porte^- Thjib ijppoinjtrpciitof fefts iind :&kt
days^ fbt* thie' ehcoifcfege'm^it.t>f fi(httr^
fn^bt nialcfe k fthali aiddition to th^ tium*
bcr of fbllors;^ hH.J^ itWrine cap -peitlfgf
be formed i^<^ hi^ntei*«d i^vitboMtl ian-^*-
tcndcd c6minei^^£ MAt^thef^iaSie tinHfir^ihe
ittiffitove^rtei^, of '^tjup mauufe^liures^ . . ^n4
Jbe addition^- riilmber of "Wrqrj^n^^a ^e^
'^as of ;tb$^.^s^iattdiiEhfc;,pePiti^c^
export
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( vs )
export ]grain at higher prices than m . fbr-
racr ages more effedVually promoted tiW^a
than all the laws agamft iliclofures# -. - •
^ 57hfr ikolrility V ^ow frcfed from the- fe«4f
and contefts which had formerly engaged
them^ begatr to expend their money ori
ibroptuous buildings, and thofe ufeful and
oinamerital :articlea which ^e birth and
^ncootagencient to genwii and induftry (f).
The politicat connfeftions formed, by evet-y
prince of the Tucfor-lin^ with many of the
ttates of Europe, obliged the fubjeds t6
^ifit foreign countries, and introduced a
tpffte for travelling. Italy was vilited by
many of the gentry, as weli ori account of
curiofity as of bulinefs, where the polite
arts and the refinements of life had nxade
§, greater progrefs th^n in any other courf-
try^'^ai^ ff-om' whence they brought budc
''ii tafte for btjilding, and more ekgant. ad-
'commodafions. And this was aided by the
Influx of wealth frorii the returns of cotii*-
rfterce; the improved rents of ,tho kncis,
' th* ptttus; it^^' from the S^nia^^^ al>^
^ ';-^-- the
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thffvplouder of their American fettlemcnts*
Xicmung .tpo, thpogh chbfly engag^ w
r^i^ious controverfies^ ^egan to^ be am^
ildered not only as an elegant an&ufement,
|)Ut as nectary to the accomplifliment of
^ gentleman. Travelliijg, an 4 the mercan*-
file and political conn^£Uons formed abroad^
iatrodyced jaiore coprtepus mannbrs among
the geqtiy^ tnd enable4 them to ftiiike 6^
tl»t.bigotted afltachment to the cuftoms o('
their own counJ^ry which- > often prevents
fhc adroiffion pf thoie inventions and
iraprqwnJpnts, which, miy \^ ^^adop6^4
fro^ foreigners^ . /^ . \ . .
The enlarged ftate of corn mecce gfv^
an influence ^o the me^cantjile part of the
natidn* r Envied, l^y the; .profit^ of their
traffip abroad, to affift ihecrown wifh mor
ney^ilj^jjip^ times of bpblic ^exigtticfc, iKey .
m^t ^with. that epcourag^meiit frbm'tfta
foy^eign, and re(p^<i fjpm the p^rliame^it^ ■
v?liieiji/wjfl always , be attfaidant on wealth ^
Aj^4.jhy^jt|ifi^ •i'^q. p©W)5^
^iniuenjg? jii^ i^?.ii%itoueti!;p>d'rfhoug^
th^'n^re not ^Iveays guijded bj^.^^irbKcim;^
tfreft, yp^ tfeftM^Wtedft*)/^^
^ f . applying
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(3^7 f
applying the prc^reft meafurcs for main-
tainiDg and enlarging the commerce of the .
nation. The charters of the bttrotighs and.
Corporate towfis, and naonopoHesin ibmo
branches of trade, granted by the crown,
impeded for a tin^e the progrcfs of Com-
merce, both at home and abroad ; but the
influence, of the corporations was fo great,,
and exduiiv^e charteifs to.trading companier
were thought foxrfeful or rtfecdflary, that
they mti with Kttle oppofitibn froni the far-*-
iiament.V When many paterlt^ arid mo-
nopolies were fuppfefled by Elizabeth, the
chartered powers of corporations and^ditig
companies,* though at that titrie ' almoft
equally oppteffive, paflfed limioticid ; or, i^
abufes w^^ complained of, they wefeiiefir'
fedrefiedv Trade, neverthelefs, tinder alt •
ihefeireftfi6tions, kept gradiKilly Incfeafing^
and ftiakiiifg an addition to the Weafth- antf^
ntimbfei^ of the ]^eop4e; So rtkn;^'^W ttfti^
heftiong *rfei«' ibr bfed by otli* mert!hani§ itf
forei^ 'countries, th« an iiiterrtfptSon-of''
trade iii ohe plaee wab regained by its pro* -
grefs iii anothei^V While S|)ain%tts^gleaa^'
i«g its^m*lyefe^u*&^l^ *#i^tt¥fe, a«*
' '^' relying
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of its AKnerica,n mines^ England' Wib la^i^kig
the fotiodation of a^nlom durabte^power^im
Its commerce^^ iiafvy,' aiid hidaftpyioofrjih
|>e^ple. '' ''-':'- • ^f- -'^^ 2ai>fi.i*iof>
And the lah^owusr^ felt tlie * iljUtt^lKje
of an extended cdminerce^-aiuJ bf tli^fe>»
tjiroved circumftincea otjrhe mfei4or*^l£nk
olf fubjeas. Tb^ewfefe^ fidtv c*Wife!^^%5f^
the {imfits 6ftktii feHmlr'ti^ ^JfeftSe^^fflS
pVoduds of the lands and the trbrfv^i^cB
of life at higher rates, ^u<l Xd live in a ittbtt
icomfbrtable manner^ thaii in preCeding^SL
The luyhihty znd gentry:^ m^A^^^^
longer occafion for t^^i&vSde' 6i?thHr'te^
Hants and vaflals, augmdritfefd their^fetitV,
and enfbtced an indtrftry to wliich^ tfc^
hnd not been accuftonied. - Anfi the^higk
price of grain, b^ P^^^!^^^S^^^^^i^
^Vablcd them tt> difthal^^^Hii^adyin^^
iWir reht«. Inrteadofth^ viU^Siaf^^^^^
tagers, a body of^yeonten^b^gafii (<?t|^ fefrt-
td, whofe circumftanc^ ^etitortt^fd tbd^ t6
pccupy larger iarras,^ tolcfultivile^hfeni^kii k
^^n^0n€o^ ike ^ti§p^^^kiHcirr'^i}ki.
-V A bare
7
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< B^9 )
A l^T^ fofe^ftemrei. ha4 been the>>t of air
ipofl.all the apqxcnt occupiQfs. Their
farpas w^re. too fiuall la afford more^ ' and
their circuOT/lances were too xxmn fox. lair
dertaking the management of a larg^
<|vi3M^)tity of land^ that might- have yielded
a, ipqre comfortable maintenance. ^ , ^ ^
^ yhe improving ft^e of our trade^ i^ja--
^ijif^K^jfQ^ ^»n4bnlbandrj^ impejrceptibly
f ipagjcipated^ the 4efcendent§ Qi the ancient
ylllains or* ferfs, who, . although free^ as to
their perfons, were ftUl confidcred irt fome
places as annexed to the manor* There
;iffprj^/x^w i^o many ways of obtaining their
liberty ij by en^^ig in the nayy,^ manufac-
5pri^y and e*ber occupations, that t!kcy
jpowld not. be held any longer in confine-
iaeat*. , The bproughs, though at that
tjin;iethe ;feaj9^of nxpnop^^ and oppref-
^(ionji^prjas lord Baa^ ftyks them, fraterr
nitie$ in ^vil,. h^d Jong reqpived; the ^ugi-
tjiyes fronit. the biwis and tyranny of the
^^rons, and by a^yearV refidcnqe ie^uced
jfbeir. liberty, ^^jij} the free and ^n^provpd
;^j:firof th§ Ipw^i: ,cla%,^f ^heI,pepp^e,^4
themiflo indiiftrjj^^B^ ^jh^o*np;pdi»9!^
} ^ regu-*
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regularity and ordeh 'fha ft'i feAii . feeni^d
to be rouzed from its former ina^taivity," ana
ready to engage in any trndertafemg that
fromiled . an improvement iii its ,ftate^
^hd the c6mmond| who had fotmetly beeri
deprelfed ty tfee^riftocfacy, were nbW ena-
tied by their wealth td accjuire jCb mucK
lufiuence in the legiflature, as to contfoul
the exorbitant power and prerogative of the
crown, wh(chY:. if* unreftraih^d,- ' niigph.f
have l>een fatal tp liberty and t^e puBlic
weliar
irc.
. < * . i i \ *t ^f *.iti 1*4
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