Editing Calico (section)

===Politics of cotton in the British Empire===
In the 18th century, England was famous for its [[woollen]] and [[worsted|worsted cloth]]. That industry, centered in the east and south in towns such as [[Norwich]], jealously protected their product. Cotton processing was tiny: in 1701, only {{convert|1,985,868|lb|kg|order=flip}} of cottonwool was imported into England, and by 1730 this had fallen to {{convert|1,545,472|lb|kg|order=flip|abbr=on}}. This was due to commercial legislation to protect the woollen industry.<ref name=E296>{{Harvnb|Espinasse|1874|p=296}}</ref> Cheap [[Chintz|calico prints]], imported by the [[East India Company]] from [[Hindustan|Hindustān (India)]], had become popular. In 1700 the first of the [[Calico Acts]]<!--Act 11 William III--> was passed to prevent the import of dyed or printed calicoes from India, China or Persia. This caused demand to switch to imported [[Greige goods|grey cloth]] instead — calico that had not been finished-dyed or printed. These were printed with popular patterns in southern England.{{who|date=June 2016}} Also, [[Lancashire]] businessmen produced grey cloth with linen warp and cotton weft, known as [[fustian]], which they sent to London for finishing.<ref name=E296/> Cottonwool imports recovered though, and by 1720 were almost back to their 1701 levels. [[Coventry]] woollen manufacturers claimed that the imports were taking jobs away from their workers.<ref>{{Harvnb|Espinasse|1874|p=298}}</ref> The [[Woollen, etc., Manufactures Act 1720]] was passed, enacting fines against anyone caught wearing printed or stained calico muslins, but neckcloths and fustians were exempted. The Lancashire manufacturers exploited this exemption; coloured cotton [[weft]] with [[linen]] warp were specifically permitted by the [[Manchester Act 1736|1736 Manchester Act]].

In 1764, {{convert|3,870,392|lb|kg|order=flip|abbr=on}} of cottonwool was imported.<ref>{{Harvnb|Espinasse|1874|p=299}}</ref>