CAP. XXXVI.
An Act for the better establishing a Manufactory of Cambricks and Lawns, or Goods of the Kind usually known under those Denominations, now carrying on at Winchelsea, in the County of Sussex; and for improving, regulating and extending the Manufacture of Cambricks and Lawns, or Goods of the Kind usually known under those Denominations, in that Part of Great Britain called England.
WHEREAS the establishing a Manufacture of Linens in England, of the Kind usually known under the Denomination of Cambricks and French Lawns, will be of great Utility to this Kingdom, as well by the Employment of a great Number of Poor, as by preventing the illegal Importation of foreign Cambricks and French Lawns : And whereas a Manufctory of Cambricks and Lawns hath been already set up at Winchelsea in the County of Sussex, and large Quantities of such Goods have been made there, and may be made in other Parts of this Kingdom, equal, if not superior, in Quality to those made in foreign Parts ; and many Persons are desirous of subscribing large Sums towards the Support and Extension of the said Manufactory (for the effectual carrying on of which a large Fund will be necessary) but are apprehensive that Difficulties may arise, as well in recovering Debts which may grow due to the Proprietors of the said Manufactury, as in defending Suits or Actions which may be brought or commenced against them for any Matter or Thing relative thereto, as by Law, all the several Proprietors or Subscribers to the said Manufactury must, in such Cases, both sue and be sued, implead and be impleaded, by their several and distinct Names and Descriptions ; and therefore, for the more easily carrying on the Manufacture, and avoiding the Difficulties aforesaid, are desirous of being incorporated, and having a common Seal and Name by which they may sue and be sued ; and many Persons are desirous of subscribing large Sums thereto, but are deterred from so doing, lest they may thereby become liable, in case the said Manufactury should not be successful, to pay large Sums of Money over and above the Sums by them subscribed, to make good the Debts to be incurred therefrom; and many Persons who are not now liable to become Bankrupts, within the Intent and Meaning of any of the Laws now in Force concerning Bankrupts, are likewise fearful of subscribing Money to carry on the said Manufacture, as, by becoming Subscribers to and Part-Owners thereof, they may be liable to have Commissions of Bankrupt issued against them as Traders : And whereas some Doubts have arisen, whether such Cambricks and Lawns, so made and fabricated in England, can, consistent with the Laws now in being relating to Cambricks and French Lawns, be legally sold, disposed of and used in Great Britain ; May it therefore please your Majesty that it may be enacted ; and be it enacted by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same, That Any Person may make and sell Cambricks and Lawns in this Kingdom. it shall and may be lawful to and for any Person or Persons whomsoever, to make and vend, or cause to be made and vended, all such Linen and sell Cambricks and Goods called Cambricks or Lawns, or Goods of the Kind usually known under either of those Denominations, as shall be made in this Kingdom, and stamped in the Manner herein after directed ; and that such Lawns or Cambricks, or other such like Goods so made and stamped, may be exposed to Sale, and worn by any Person or Persons in this Kingdom; any Law, Usage or Custom, to the contrary notwithstanding.
II. And whereas the sole Right and Prerogative of granting Charters of Incorporation (not being such as are repugnant to any Law or Statute of this Kingdom) doth belong to your Majesty; Be it therefore enacted by the Authority aforesaid,The King may incorporate the Persons herein named (the present Subscribers) That it shall and may be lawful to and for his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, by one Charter, Indenture or Letters Patent, under the Great Seal of Great Britain, to declare and Grant, That the Right Honourable the Earl Verney in the Kingdom of Ireland, the Right Honourable Charles Townshend, Sir George Colebrooke Baronet, Sir Lawrence Dundas Baronet, Arnold Nesbitt Esquire, Peregrine Cust, Esquire, George Prescott Esquire, Barlow Trecothick Esquire, Gilbert Heathcote Esquire, Moses Franks Esquire, Master Edward Briden, Master Benjamin Barnett, Master William Grace, Master Thomas Bidwell, and every other Person or Persons who shall hereafter, either in their own Right, or as Executors, Administrators, Successors or Assigns, in Right of any other Person or Persons, become Proprietors of, or interested in, any Part or Share of the Joint Capital or Stock or Fund herein after mentioned,by the Name of the English Linen Company, shall be one distinct and separate Body Politick and Corporate, in Deed and in Name, by the Name and Stile of the English Linen Company, or such other Name as his Majesty shall think proper;with such power of revocation as to his Majesty shall seem meet: and that such Corporation shall have perpetual Succession, subject to such Power of Revocation as to his Majesty shall seem meet;They may chose Directors, &c. and that such Corporation shall have Power, from Time to Time, to chose Directors, and all proper Officers and Servants, for the better Management of the Affairs of the said Corporation, in such Manner, and under such Restrictions and Qualifications, as are herein after directed, or such as shall be prescribed in that Behalf in and by such Charter ; nevertheless the first Directors of the said Corporation shall and may be appointed by his Majesty in and by the same Charter ; and that the said first Directors shall continue in their respective Offices from the Time of their Appointment by his Majesty, until the first Wednesday in March next after such Appointment; and all subsequent Directors shall continue in their respective Offices for one Year