The Wealth of Nations mentions ridiculous protectionist laws against wool exports (or even having it near the coast), how true are these?

by piercebirk

In the book Adam Smith mentions it being illegal to transport wool in the direction of the coast without proper certification. Is there any evidence of it really happening?

frugilegus

To help others, the question appears to be a reference to Book IV, Chapter XIII - CONCLUSION OF THE MERCANTILE SYSTEM.

But in the particular counties of Kent and Sussex, the restrictions are still more troublesome. Every owner of wool within ten miles of the sea coast must give an account in writing, three days after shearing, to the next officer of the customs, of the number of his fleeces, and of the places where they are lodged. And before he removes any part of them, he must give the like notice of the number and weight of the fleeces, and of the name and abode of the person to whom they are sold, and of the place to which it is intended they should be carried. No person within fifteen miles of the sea, in the said counties, can buy any wool, before he enters into bond to the king, that no part of the wool which he shall so buy shall be sold by him to any other person within fifteen miles of the sea. If any wool is found carrying towards the sea side in the said counties, unless it has been entered and security given as aforesaid, it is forfeited, and the offender also forfeits 3s. for every pound weight, if any person lay any wool, not entered as aforesaid, within fifteen miles of the sea, it must be seized and forfeited; and if, after such seizure, any person shall claim the same, he must give security to the exchequer, that if he is cast upon trial he shall pay treble costs, besides all other penalties.

Smith gives citations for the acts he's discussing that will be available here. Specifically William III, 1697-8: An Act for the Explanation and better Execution of former Acts made against Transportation of Wool Fullers Earth and Scouring Clay.

Persons residing within 15 Miles of the Sea in the said Counties buying Wool before Bond given, or Wool found removing before entered, forfeited, and Penalty.

And whereas it is a common Practice in the said Marsh for divers Persons not resident upon the Place to buy upp great Quantities of Wooll and transport or cause the same to be transported out of this Kingdom For preventing such Practices for the future be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid That no Person or Persons residing within Fifteen Miles of the Sea in the Counties of Kent and Sussex shall presume to buy any Wooll before they do enter into Bond to the Kings Majesty His Heirs or Successors with Sureties That all the Wooll they buy shall not be sold by them to any Person or Persons within Fifteen Miles of the Sea And in case Wooll be found carryed towards the Sea Side in the Counties aforesaid unless such Wooll be first entred and Security given the same shall be forfeited and the Person or Persons offending therein shall also forfeit Three Shillings for every Pound Weight of all such Wooll.

I'd guess that the OP may be asking whether these acts were ever enforced, not whether they existed, a question Smith raises : "For the honour of the national humanity, it is to be hoped that neither of these statutes was ever executed."