Copy of the petition of the traders of woollen manufactures in Taunton

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Taunton Iuly 21st: 1714.

May it Please Your Lordship

We whose Names are subscribed being the principal traders in the Woollen Manufactury of this Town and Country adjacent, and drawing Bills for Vast Summs of Money for the said Manufacturers, crave leave humbly to represent to your Lordship, that Moydors for some years past have been Currant with us in all payments at 28s each and at that price never refused to take them on our Bills of Exchange from any of Her Majestys Collectors whether they be of the Taxes, Excise Customs &c. And we have promised allways to supply them with good Bills of Exchange for what Moydors they shall receive for her Majestys Revenue at the above said price. Notwithstanding which severall of the Collectors of the Taxes, Customs and Excise or Agents under them for some private Interest to themselves design'd have lately attempted and are attempting to lower the price of Moydors to 27s: 6d each, which if Effected would prove so very discouraging to the Trade in these parts that the poor could not be Employed for the Moyders would soon then be sent hence to London as the Guineas in great measure have already been, so consequently not half Money enough left in these parts to Carry on our Trade, Wherefore as we are willing for the Encouragement of trade and Employment of the poor at all times to supply the Collectors with good Bills of Exchange for what Moydors they shall receive at 28s. each, so we hope and humbly pray that your Lordship will give Orders of that the several collectors in these parts do not refuse any in the said price And if they can object against the Bills of us, or any of us the subscribers they may refuse them and the rest will supply them.