d that three or four more should
be erected at the public expense, "according to the model of that at
Derby."[5]

The patent expired in 1732. The year before, Sir Thomas Lombe, who had
been by this time knighted, applied to Parliament for a prolongation of
the patent. The reasons for his appeal were principally these: that
before he could provide for the full supply of other silk proper for
his purpose (the Italians having prohibited the exportation of raw
silk), and before he could alter his engine, train up a sufficient
number of workpeople, and bring the manufacture to perfection, almost
all the fourteen years of his patent right would have expired.
"Therefore," the petition to Parliament concluded, "as he has not
hitherto received the intended benefit of the aforesaid patent, and in
consideration of the extraordinary nature of this undertaking, the very
great expense, hazard, and difficulty he has undergone, as well as the
advantage he has thereby procured to the nation at his own expense, the
said Sir Thomas Lombe humbly hopes that Parliament will grant him a
further term for the sole making and using his engines, or such other
recompense as in their wisdom shall seem meet."[6]

The petition was referred to a Committee. After consideration, they
recommended the House of Commons to grant a further term of years to
Sir Thomas Lombe. The advisers of the King, however, thought it better
that the patent should not be renewed, but that the trade in silk
should be thrown free to all. Accordingly the Chancellor of the
Exchequer acquainted the House (14th March, 1731) that "His Majesty
having been informed of the case of Sir Thomas Lombe, with respect to
his engine for making organzine silk, had commanded him to acquaint
this House, that His Majesty recommended to their consideration the
making such provision for a recompense to Sir Thomas Lombe as they
shall think proper."

The result was, that the sum of 14,000L. was voted and paid to Sir
Thomas Lombe as "a reward for his eminent services done to the nation,
in discovering with the greatest hazard and difficulty the capital
Italian engines, and introducing and bringing the same to full
perfection in this kingdom, at his own great expense."[7] The trade
was accordingly thrown open. Silk mills were erected at Stockport and
elsewhere; Hutton says that divers additional mills were erected in
Derby; and a large and thriving trade was established. In 1850, the
numbe