Silk invention

Petition from Richard Wilder, silk manufacturer, about his invention, to Lord Newcastle, 17 July 1730 (SP 36/19/f.177-178)

Wilder wanted a patent for a spinning machine that made silk yarn, which could then be woven into cloth.

Transcript

To the King’s most excellent Majesty

The Humble Petition of Richard Wilder of London, silk thrower [spinner of silk yarn/thread]

Sheweth

That notwithstanding the present Imports laid on Foreign Thrown Silks were intended for the Encouragement of the silk throwing trade of this Kingdom, yet great Quantities of the Same are yearly Imported, the Throwing of them here being in a manner Neglected by reason of the Imperfection of our Engines (in present use) to perform the Work.

That your petitioner (being a Member of the Silk Throwers Company and observing with concern the general want of Employment) hath with much Labour study and at a great Expense found out and brought to Perfection his several new inventions hereafter mentioned for Improving the Art of Throwing of raw silk viz. The first of which Inventions is by supplying the place of the hand in winding and the want of the Load in Throwing of Raw Silks by the pressure of two Smooth surfaces also two machines for Doubling and yielding together three threads of raw silk, and another machine (with bobbins fitted thereto) to double Raw silk on the spindle as the same moves round in Throwing and likewise a Frame and bobbin to put on the spindle for the more Expeditious Throwing of single and double Raw Silk, and also a new and invented Foot Wheel for the more even and perfect Drawing of Single raw Silk. By the use of which— said. New Inventions the Trade of Throwing Silk may be much increased, a greater Number of the Poor employed, the manufactured silks of this kingdom rendered cheaper and thereby great sums of money will be saved to this Nation, that are now Annually paid to Foreigners for throwing the Same.

That in regard your Petitioner is the first and only Inventor of the said several new machines and methods for working and throwing of Raw silk and the great benefit and advantage the same will be to your majesty’s subjects in General, and that Your Petitioner is—willing to communicate the same (upon reasonable Terms) to all others concerned in the silk Throwing Trade.

Your Petitioner therefore most Humbly prays That Your Majesty will be Graciously Pleased to grant him your Royal Letters Patents for the sole making, using and vending [selling] the said several new machines for the Term of fourteen years pursuant to the statute in such case made and Provided.

And your Petitioner shall ever pray &c

[The following note was added by Lord Newcastle]

Windsor Castle July 17th 1730

His Majesty is graciously pleased to refer this Petition to Mr. Attorney or Mr Solicitor General to consider thereof and report his opinion what His Majesty may fitly do therein, where upon His Majesty will declare His further Pleasure.

Holles Newcastle

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