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The CASE of the Company of Merchants Trading into FRANCE.
THat upon Encouragement of His Majesties Declaration the 22 of March last, whereby Licence was granted for Trading, they did Export considerable quantities of our English Manufactures into several Ports of the French Kings Dominions, and upon apprehension of their Condition in point of the Warre, in order to draw off the proceed of the said Goods, did in the Moneths of September and October last freight several Free Ships at extraordinary Rates, which were all laden, and the most part of them come to Sea before his Majesties late Proclamation; but by bad Weather, and con∣trary Winds, they could not make their Ports before the said Proclamation tooke Place, which they could neither fore∣see nor prevent the proceedings of the said Ships, all which being many Dayes past arrived into several of His Majesties Ports in England, and lying at excessive Charge, leak••dge and d••mourage as also being remidiless; where else to send them for disposall, both as Goods improper for another Market, together with the evident danger of falling into the Hands of our Enemies; the said Merchants do therefore most humbly implore the Favour of this Honourable House of Parliament, that they would please to interceed with His Majesty on their Behalfe, That His Majesty would please to give them leave to Land their said Effects; By which their Honours will not only prevent the utter Ruine of so many of His Majesties Faithful Subjects: But shall also bring near 20000 l Benefit to His Majesties in His Customs, and if otherwise, they should be forced to transport their said Effects for another Market, and thereby suffer a total Loss; Neither the French King, or any of his Subjects would suffer the least Detriment or Prejudice by the same.