though a People but of Yesterday, in Comparifon with the Pretenfions of other Nations, to Antiquity, are as much averfe to Foreigners, as ever were the antient Britons. These three Nations, the French, Spaniards, and English, however different in their prefent Difpofitions, fprung originally from the fame Country, and were noted for an Uniformity of Customs, Laws, and Manners. Y IT would be difficult, and perhaps impoffible, to trace the Caufes of this Difference in the Tempers of Mankind, removed to different Situations. But fome Time may be ufe fully employed in examining, whether due Care hath been taken to cultivate, regulate, and improve the good Qualities of any People, and to restrain the bad ones by wholefome Laws and Discipline. The Subject I am now upon leads me to this Enquiry, as far as relates to the Reception which Foreigners, even Merchants, Tradesmen, and Manufacturers, have ufually met with in this Kingdom. FROM the Conqueft, till upwards of two hundred Years afterwards, it doth not appear, that Strangers were permitted to refide in England, on Account of Commerce, beyond a limited Time, but by a special Warrant. For they were confidered only as Sojourners, coming to a Fair or Market, and were obliged to employ employ their Landlords as Brokers, to buy and fell their Commodities. And we find, that one Stranger was often arrested for the Debt, or punished for the Mifdemeanor of another: as if all Strangers were to be looked upon as a People with whom the English were in a State of perpetual War; and therefore, might make Reprisals on the first they could lay Hands on. This is fo glaring an Injustice, and a Treatment fo impolitic, as well as cruel to fair Dealers, that it would feem incredible, if there were not fuch authentic Vouchers for it in the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Volumes of Rymer's Fædera, in Lord Coke's Second Inftitute, Page 204. and in the StatuteBook itfelf:-As will farther appear in the Courfe of this Narrative. BUT the Merchants of the Low Countries, of Florence and Sienna, having at different Times lent confiderable Sums to the Kings of England, and the great Men of the Kingdom, the Prelates and Barons; they were at last permitted to hire Houses of their own, and to difpofe of their Goods themselves to the best Advantage. This mighty Privilege was first obtained about the Year 1284. and the 12th of Edward I. But great were the Clamours raised on that Occafion. And Fabian (as quoted in the Memoirs of Wool, Page 17. Vol. I.) who places this Affair two Years later, viz. in B 2 1286. though a People but of Yesterday, in Comparifon with the Pretenfions of other Nations, to Antiquity, are as much averfe to Foreigners, as ever were the antient Britons. These three Nations, the French, Spaniards, and English, however different in their prefent Difpofitions, fprung originally from the fame Country, and were noted for an Uniformity of Customs, Laws, and Manners. Y It would be difficult, and perhaps impoffible, to trace the Caufes of this Difference in the Tempers of Mankind, removed to different Situations. But fome Time may be ufe fully employed in examining, whether due Care hath been taken to cultivate, regulate, and improve the good Qualities of any People, and to restrain the bad ones by wholesome Laws and Discipline. The Subject I am now upon leads me to this Enquiry, as far as relates to the Reception which Foreigners, even Merchants, Tradesmen, and Manufacturers, have ufually met with in this Kingdom. FROM the Conqueft, till upwards of two hundred Years afterwards, it doth not appear, that Strangers were permitted to refide in England, on Account of Commerce, beyond a limited Time, but by a special Warrant. For they were confidered only as Sojourners, coming to a Fair or Market, and were obliged to employ employ their Landlords as Brokers, to buy and fell their Commodities. And we find, that one Stranger was often arrefted for the Debt, or punished for the Mifdemeanor of another: as if all Strangers were to be looked upon as a People with whom the English were in a State of perpetual War; and therefore, might make Reprifals on the first they could lay Hands on. This is fo glaring an Injustice, and a Treatment fo impolitic, as well as cruel to fair Dealers, that it would feem incredible, if there were not fuch authentic Vouchers for it in the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Volumes of Rymer's Fœdera, in Lord Coke's Second Inftitute, Page 204. and in the StatuteBook itfelf:-As will farther appear in the Course of this Narrative. BUT the Merchants of the Low Countries, of Florence and Sienna, having at different Times lent confiderable Sums to the Kings of England, and the great Men of the Kingdom, the Prelates and Barons; they were at last permitted to hire Houses of their own, and to difpofe of their Goods themselves to the best Advantage. This mighty Privilege was first obtained about the Year 1284. and the 12th of Edward I. But great were the Clamours raised on that Occafion. And Fabian (as quoted in the Memoirs of Wool, Page 17. Vol. I.) who places this Affair two Years later, viz. in B 2 1286. c 1286. pofitively tells us, that this Conceffion was to the greate Hurt of the hole Realm "of England." And Rapin obferves, "That "the Commons granted the King a Subfidy of "the Fiftieth Part of their Moveables, to ex"pel the Kingdom all fuch Foreigners, as "were a Burden to the Nation." The Burden was, as explained by Fabian, That thefe Strangers, by becoming fettled Inhabitants, had greater Opportunities of adulterating their Wares, and ufing falfe Weights and Measures: So eafy is it to find a Pretence, when we have an Inclination to do it. As if these People had no Opportunity of adulterating their Wares in their own Country, or that the English Landlord would not have connived at the Fraud, provided He might share in the Profit; or, as if there was greater Security for their Honefty, when they were only Lodgers and tranfient Guests, than after they became fettled in known Abodes. However, these Clamours prevailed, and their Privileges were taken from them, under a Colour that they were detected in fuch base Practices. And this was judged a fufficient Reason for levying a large Fine upon them, after they had fuffered "by a Seafon barde, and vyle Pryfonement." BUT in a very few Years, the King, and the great Men, fo fenfibly felt the evil Confequences of expelling the Merchants Strangers, that |
