132

HISTORY OF

hops and cyder come yearly into these countries, and far beyond theminto Cheshire ; the whole of which might be conveyed by this canal,and thereby seven shillings per ton saved out of every ten shillings nowpaid for land carriage.

“ Large quantities of pot ware from Burfiem are carried on horses’backs in large crates to Bewdley and Bridgenorth, which might beentirely conveyed this way, and which may be computed yearly at ahundred tons, at two shillings and ten-pcnce per ton, from Burstem toBewdley, whence they are sent to Bristol for exportation.

" I must not forget the number of pack horses, about one hundredand fifty, that go weekly with woollen cloth, and various other kindsof merchandise, for exportation, from Manchester, through Stafford toBewdley and Bridgenorth, computed yearly at three hundred andtwelve tons of carriage, which might be conveyed above one half of theway by water, from Manchester to Northwich by land carriage, andfrom Northwich by water to Bewdley or Bridgenorth, which would benearly one hundred miles by water ; by which easy carriage the mer-chants at Bristol would be able to export their merchandise muchcheaper, and undersell any other merchants at a foreign market: themanufacturer would also reap his share of a profitable voyage, and by.a quick return from the merchant would enliven his poor workmen,not only with prompt payment, but with future hopes of employment,by having his market as it were at hand.

“ There is a great trade carried on at Shrewsbury in coarse clothsand flannels, which come out of Wales, and supply a great part of Staf-fordshire and Shropshire bordering on the canal. These might thenbe conveyed by this canal to Liverpool to be exported, and may becomputed yearly at one thousand tons, pasting three score miles on it.

“ I cannot omit the great trade of fait that is carried on at North-wich.