Page 3
The renewing of a CAVEAT Entred in our Court several Years agoe against the Growth of FRANCE.
ALthough it be beyond all Dispute, that the French King (who not many years ago was very incon∣siderable both in Trade and Shipping) is now become so formidable, as to be able to make War with so great a part of Europe, insomuch that very lately he bid fair to be Emperor thereof.
And though the Matter of Fact be clear; yet it is by many made a Question, How so prodigious an Alteration should come to pass in so short a time. For notwithstan∣ding it be notorious, that that King's In∣terest was very great in the two last Reigns, and thereby he obtain'd many Ad∣vantages here, not only Moulds of our best Ships of War, but some Materials for their Building; and had it not been for a great Man now of Their Majesties most Honourable Privy-Council, much of our best Timber had been long since in France: For the Dutchess of Portsmouth having a Grant of Forty thousand Pounds, which was to be raised out of the Tim∣ber growing in the New Forrest, and that of Sherwood; his Lordship prevented that Mischief, which had it not been done with great Prudence, it would have been of a had Consequence to England. For which he was suddenly after, and for espousing the Prince of Orange's Interest, condemned in the Court of France, and brought out of Fa∣vour here, (to the Honour of that Noble Lord, let it be remembred for the Good of England, against the Designs of France.)
And although it be too true, that the said Dutchess promoted the French Inte∣rest here, by which many Advantages were procured thereby from England to France, (which may be elsewhere enlar∣ged) yet that was but as Flashes in a Ri∣ver, for a Season: But its Trade, that is the main Spring or Fountain that gives Life unto, and that doth maintain, Riches and Strength to any Nation, Kingdom, or People.
And though in Trade it self its gene∣rally reported, that France (by way of Barter) got from England upwards of a-Million of Pounds Sterling per Annum, for several Years last past, which is only known by the Entries made in our Cu∣stom Hou•••• Books; yet this (to those that know the Intrigues of that People) may not be ••ne half in value of the Goods imported from France. For that which comes in by Stealth (and of such some Persons are so fond, as to give double if not treble the worth of it only to have the name of French) may be as much in the Sum, if not more than what is tru∣ly and really entered, which for the most part are bulky Commodities.
And as our Loss in the Trade with France is about Two Millions per Annum,