THE points of the PETITION touching the transportation of the Raw Hides of Ireland.

The suggestion.--That the raw hides are bought by the merchants, before they are brought to the markets, and so transported into foreign countries, paying small or no custom for the same, which breeds three mischiefs:--

This suggestion is true.

1. The impoverishing of the tanners in particular.

2. Raising the price of the leather to all the subjects of Ireland in general.

3. The defrauding of his Majesty's customs.

These are known mischiefs and are fit to be restrained by proclamation, until a law may be made for reformation thereof.

The Petition:

To reform these mischiefs the petitioner would be pleased by proclamation.

(1.) To command the bringing of all raw hides to the markets to be bought there by the tanners before they are sold to the merchants or any other upon pain of forfeiture of the hides sold out of the market.

(1.) This commandment agrees with the common law which punishes forestallers of markets, but it is to be noted that in some parts of Ireland there are no markets, and in some parts of Conaght the markets are not frequented.

(2.) To inhibit the transportation of all raw hides until the markets are fully served upon pain of forfeiture, and if the markets being fully served there remain any surplusage.

(2.) This inhibition his Majesty may justly make for the benefit of his people, if it appear when the markets are fully served and when not, which will be a very doubtful point and can hardly be reduced to a certainty.

(3.) To give liberty to the merchants to transport the same, paying his Majesty 5s. for every dicker that shall be transported.

Hereupon the petitioner desires two things for herself: a grant of the imposition of 5s. and of the forfeitures for 31 years, a license to transport 40,000 hides yearly during the same term, for which grant and license his Majesty shall receive 50l. rent per annum, and a poundage for the hides transported.

(3.) This surplusage will be very uncertain, and it is to be considered who shall judge whether the markets are fully served and whether there remains a surplusage or not; perhaps indifferent commissioners in every county by their certificates may reduce it to a certainty.

The imposition of 5s. a dicker, which is 6d. upon a hide, is too much at this time; 3d. upon a hide is enough, considering that the merchant is to pay poundage and great custom besides.

Endorsed.