An Essay to the Restoring of our Decayed Trade.: Wherein is Described, the Smuglers, Lawyers, and Officers Frauds &c

In Short

This seventeenth-century treatise is a fervent call to revitalize England’s economy by prioritizing the domestic wool industry. Drawing on his background as a former clothier and customs surveyor, the writer diagnoses the decline of national wealth as a direct consequence of illegal wool exportation, smuggling, and bureaucratic corruption. He argues that by curbing the influence of foreign competitors and enforcing existing trade statutes, the government can restore the "chief wheel" of the economy, provide employment for the poor, and ensure the nation's long-term financial security and independence.

The Story

The narrative begins with a clear, patriotic premise: England possesses unique natural advantages—specifically its superior wool—that should render it the wealthiest nation on earth. The writer establishes the wool trade as the foundational "wheel" upon which all other industries turn. When this trade flourishes, it provides employment to thousands of poor citizens, sustains a vast network of merchants and sailors, and secures customs revenue for the King. However, the writer observes a tragic "decay" in these operations, noting that many clothiers have been forced to abandon their businesses, leaving the poor to suffer and the national coffers to shrink.

The core of the conflict lies in the intersection of greed and lawlessness. The writer recounts his personal journey from a thriving clothier to a man ruined by the systemic collapse of the industry. He identifies the culprits behind this decline: smugglers who export raw wool and "Fullers Earth" to foreign nations, particularly the Dutch, who then use English materials to produce competing cloth. These smugglers are aided by corrupt customs officers and lawyers who prioritize personal profit over national duty. The writer describes a harrowing landscape where honest individuals who attempt to report these crimes are labeled "informing knaves," harassed by litigious smugglers, and left without protection.

As the argument progresses, the writer digs into the legislative history of the kingdom, citing various statutes from the time of Edward III onward that were specifically designed to protect the wool trade and ensure fair dealings at the staples. He argues that these laws have been allowed to lapse or fall into neglect, leading to a state of chaos where foreign goods are illegally imported and native resources are drained. The "story" of the nation, in his view, is one of betrayal by those entrusted with maintaining the integrity of the customs houses.

The final act of the book shifts from critique to proposed resolution. The writer offers a series of "Quæries" intended for the consideration of Parliament and the King. These questions demand a radical return to order: the strict enforcement of trade laws, the harsh punishment of corrupt officials, and the protection of whistleblowers who expose smuggling rings. He concludes with a personal reflection on his own endurance through these "sad afflictions," framing his writing as a duty to the public good. The ending is not a narrative resolution but a call to political action, insisting that the restoration of England’s former glory depends entirely on the collective will to prioritize the domestic manufacture of wool and the honest execution of the law.

How It Unfolds

The promise of prosperity The text opens by asserting that England’s natural resources, particularly its wool, provide the best potential for national wealth. It establishes the clothing trade as the essential engine that drives employment and supports all social classes.

The anatomy of decay The focus shifts to the observable decline in trade, detailing how raw materials are smuggled to foreign rivals. The writer explains how this creates a cycle of poverty, causing rents to fall and forcing skilled clothiers to shutter their shops.

The corruption of the guardians The narrative turns to the customs houses, describing them as failing "locks and keys" for the kingdom. It exposes how corrupt officials and lawyers facilitate smuggling, effectively turning the law against the very people who attempt to uphold it.

The legal precedent The writer provides a detailed retrospective of historical statutes meant to protect the wool trade. He uses these laws to illustrate that the government already possesses the tools needed for recovery, provided they are properly enforced.

The path to restoration The book concludes with a series of pointed questions addressed to the nation's leaders. These proposals advocate for the protection of informers, the purging of corrupt customs officials, and a commitment to domestic production over the consumption of foreign luxuries.

The People

The central figure is the Writer himself, an experienced former clothier and customs surveyor who views the economic state of the nation through the lens of his own ruin. He is motivated by a mix of genuine patriotism and a desire for personal vindication, positioning himself as a "true friend to his country" who has suffered under the current regime of fraud. Standing in his way are the Smugglers, depicted as "caterpillars" who are "purse-proud" and wield enough influence to corrupt local magistrates. They are the antagonists of the piece, prioritizing short-term gain over the health of the kingdom. The Customs Officers appear as the tragic intermediaries; while they should be the guardians of the law, many are tempted by "golden decoys," leaving them to choose between their integrity and their livelihood. Finally, the Poor serve as the silent victims of these machinations, whose potential labor remains untapped, leading to social instability. By the end, the writer hopes to see the Parliament and the King take up the mantle of reform, transforming from passive observers into active protectors of the national interest.

In Its Own Voice

"The profit gained by working up our wooll by our own poor people, is almost unspeakable, and influential to all degrees of persons in the Kingdome."

This statement highlights the author’s conviction that domestic manufacturing is the primary driver of national wealth.

"The King’s Customehouses, ought to be so many locks and Keys to the Kingdome, to let what is warrantable and lawful to come in, and to keep out what is forbidden its entrance."

This metaphor describes the author’s ideal function for the offices he once served in, emphasizing his disappointment in their current corruption.

What It's Really About

At its heart, this work is an argument for economic nationalism. The writer posits that a nation’s strength is derived from its ability to retain its raw materials and convert them into finished products using its own labor force. He is deeply concerned with the "trickle-up" effects of the clothing trade, arguing that the success of the poorest spinner is tethered to the success of the wealthiest merchant. Beneath the technical discussion of wool and customs laws lies a moral struggle between "public-spirited" behavior and the selfish, destructive nature of unchecked greed. It is a plea for the state to act as a firm steward of its own resources in an increasingly competitive, globalizing, and often deceitful mercantile world.

Why Read It Today

Readers with an interest in the history of economic thought or the early modern period will find this a fascinating, if challenging, document. The text provides a vivid, firsthand look at the gritty realities of seventeenth-century trade, far removed from the idealized versions often found in history books. Its tone is earnest and urgent, reflecting the voice of someone who has witnessed the system collapse from the inside.

However, the reader should be prepared for significant hurdles. The language follows seventeenth-century conventions, featuring archaic spellings, erratic punctuation, and complex, winding sentence structures that require slow, deliberate reading. The author’s focus is relentlessly narrow; he is not interested in providing a broad social history, but rather in litigating specific grievances regarding wool and customs. Those who enjoy immersing themselves in the specific, technical anxieties of a past age will find the author’s "Quæries" and his descriptions of "golden decoys" and "caterpillars" both revealing and strangely relatable. It is a demanding read, but one that captures the raw, protective instincts of a society grappling with the early, often painful, shifts of international commerce. What stays with you is not just the economic argument, but the author’s defiant, personal struggle to speak truth to power in an "iron age."