TotheRightHonorableSirJohnSommers,Kt。LordKeeperofthegreatSealofEngland,andoneofHisMajestiesmostHonourablePrivyCouncil。
MYLORD,THEPapersIherepresentyourLordship,areinSubstancethesamewithonewhichIdeliveredtoyou,inObediencetotheCommandsIreceivedbyyourLordship,fromtheirExcellencies,theLordsJustices;andwithanother,whichIwritinAnswertosomequestionsyourLordshipwaspleasedtoproposetomeconcerningourCoin。TheApprobationyourLordshipwaspleasedtogivethemthen,hasbeenanEncouragementtome,torevisethemnow,andputtheminanOrder。fittertocomplywiththeirDesires,whowillneedshavemeprintsomethingatthistime,onthisSubject:AndcouldanythingofthisNaturebereceivedwithIndifferencyinthisAge;theAllowancetheyhavehadfromyourLordship,whosegreatandclearJudgmentis,withgeneralConsentandApplause,acknowledgedtobethejustMeasureofRightandWrongamongstus,mightmakemehopethattheymightpassintheWorldwithoutanygreatDislike。
However,sinceyourLordshipthoughttheymightbeofusetoclearsomeDifficulties,andrectifiesomewrongNotionsthataretakenupaboutMoney,IhaveventuredthemintotheWorld,desiringnoMercytoanyerroneousPositionsorwrongReasonings,whichshallbefoundinthem。Ishallneverknowinglybeofany,butTruthsandmyCountry’sside;theformerIshallalwaysgladlyimbraceandown,whoevershewsitme:AndinthesePapers,Iamsure,IhavenootherAim,buttodowhatlittleIcan,fortheServiceofmyCountry。YourLordship’ssoevidentlypreferringthattoallotherConsiderations,doesintheEyesofallMen,sitsowelluponyou,thatmyAmbitionwillnotbeblamed;ifIinthis,proposetomyselfsogreatanExample;andinmylittlesphereammovedbythesamePrinciple。
IhavealongtimeforeseentheMischiefandRuinecominguponusbyclipp’dMoney,ifitwerenottimelystopp’d:AndhadConcernenoughforthePublick,tomakemeprintsomeThoughtstouchingourCoinsomeYearssince。ThePrinciplesItherewenton,Iseenoreasontoalter:Theyhave,ifImistakenot,theirFoundationinNature,andwillstand:TheyhavetheirFoundationinNature,andareclear;andwillbeso,inalltheTrainoftheirConsequencesthroughoutthiswhole(asitisthought)
mysteriousBusinessofMoney,toallthose,whowillbutbeattheeasieTroubleofstrippingthisSubjectofhard,obscureanddoubtfulWords,wherewithMenareoftenmisledandmisleadothers。AndnowtheDisorderiscometoExtremity,andcannolongerbeplaidwith,IwishitmayfindasuddainandeffectualCure;notaRemedyinSoundandAppearance,whichmayflatterusontoRuineintheContinuationofagrowingMischief,thatcallsforpresentHelp。
Iwishtoo,thattheRemedymaybeaseasieaspossible;andthattheCureofthisEvilbenotorderedsoastolayagreatPartoftheBurdenunequallyonthose,whohavehadnoparticularHandinit。Westminster—HallissogreataWitnessofyourLordship’sunbiassedJustice,andsteadyCaretopreservetoeveryonetheirRight;thattheWorldwillnotwonderyoushouldnotbeforsuchalesseningourCoin,aswill,withoutanyReason,deprivegreatNumbersofblamelessMenofaFifthPartoftheirEstates,beyondtheReliefofChancery。IhopethisAgewillscapesogreataBlemish。Idoubtnotbuttherearemany,who,fortheServiceoftheirCountrey,andfortheSupportoftheGovernment,wouldgladlypartwith,notonlyoneFifth,butamuchlargerPortionoftheirEstates。Butwhenitshallbetakenfromthem,onlytobebestowedonMenintheir,andthecommonOpinion,nobetterdeservingoftheirCountreythanthemselves;
(unlessgrowingexceedinglyrichbythepublickNecessities,whilsteverybodyelsefindshisFortunestreightnedbythem,beapublickMerit,thatdeservesapublickandsignalReward;)ThisLoss,ofoneFifthoftheirDebtsandIncome,willsitheavyonthem,whoshallfeelitwithouttheAlleviationofanyProfitorCredit,thatwilltherebyaccruetotheNation,bysuchalesseningofourCoin。
Ifanyoneask,howI,aretiredprivateMan,comeatthistimetomeddlewithMoneyandTrade:Fortheyareinseparable;I
reply,thatyourLordship,andtheothergreatMenthatputmeuponit,areanswerableforit:WhetherwhatIsaybetothepurposeorno,thatImyselfamanswerablefor。ThisIcananswertoalltheWorld,thatIhavenotsaidanythinghere,withoutafullPerswasionofitsTruth;norwithanyotherMotiveorPurposethantheclearingofthisartificiallyperplexed,ratherthaninitselfmysteriousSubject,asfarasmypoorTalentreaches。ThatwhichperhapsIshallnotbesowellabletoanswer,toyourLordshipandmyself,istheLibertyIhavetaken,insuchanAddressasthis,toprofessthatIam,MyLORD,YourLordshipsmosthumbleandmostObedientServantJOHNLOCKE。
THEPREFACE。
THOUGHMr。LowndesandIdifferintheWay,yetIassuremyself,ourEndisthesame;andthatwebothproposetoourselvestheServiceofourCountry。Heisamanknownsoableinthepostheisin;towhichthebusinessofmoneypeculiarlybelongs:AndhasshewedhimselfsolearnedintheRecords,andmattersofthemint;andsoexactinCalculationsandCombinationsofNumbersrelatingtoourCoin,eitheralreadyinuse,ordesignedbyhim,thatIthinkIshouldhavetroubledthePublicknomoreonthisSubject,hadnothehimselfengagedmeinit;andbroughtittothatpass,thateitherImustbethoughttorenouncemyownOpinion,ormustpublicklyopposehis。
WhilsthisTreatisewasyetamanuscript,andbeforeitwaslaidbeforethosegreatPersons,towhomitwasafterwardssubmitted,hedidmetheFavourtoshewittome;andmademetheCompliment,toaskmemyOpinionofit。ThoughwehadsomeshortDiscourseontheSubject,yetthemultiplicityofhisbusiness,whilstIstaidinTown;andmyHealth,whichsoonafterforcedmeoutofit,allowedusnotanoccasiontodebateanyonepointthroughly,andbringittoanissue。BeforeIreturnedtoTown,hisBookwasinthePress;andfinishedbeforeIhadtheopportunitytoseeMr。Lowndesagain。AndherehelaidanewObligationonme,notonlyingivingmeoneofthem;buttellingme,whenIreceiveditfromhisHands,thatitwasthefirsthehadpartedwithtoanyBody。Ithenwentitoverasecondtime,andhavingmoreleisuretoconsiderit,IfoundtherewereagreatmanyParticularsinitdrawnoutofAncientRecords,notcommonlyknown,wherewithhehadobligedtheWorld。These,whichverypleasinglyentertainedme,thoughtheyPrevail’dnotonmetobeofhisOpinioneverywhere,yetjoyn’dwiththegreatCivilitieshehadshewnme,leftmeinadispositionsolittleinclinedtoopposeanythinginit,thatIshouldratherhavechosentoacknowledgemyselfinPrint,tobehisConvert,ifhisArgumentshadconvincedme;thantohavetroubledtheWorldwiththeReasons,whyIDissentfromhim。
InthisDispositionmyPenrested,frommedlinganyfartherwiththisSubjectwhilstIwasinTown。Soonafter,myownHealth,andtheDeathofaFriend,forc’dmeintotheCountry:
Andthebusinessoccasion’dthereby,andmyownprivateAffairs,tookupallnytime,atmyfirstcomingthither;andhadcontinuedontodoso,hadnotseveralrepeatedintimationsandinstancesfromLondon,notwithoutsomereproachesofmybackwardness,mademesee,thattheWorldconcern’dmeparticularlyinMr。Lowndes’sPostscript,andexpectedsomethingfrommeonthatoccasion。
ThoughpossiblyIwasnotwhollyoutofhismindwhenMr。
LowndeswritthatInvitation,yetIshallnotmakemyselftheCompliment,tothinkIaloneamconcern’dinit。Thegreatimportanceofthemattermadehimdesireeveryonetocontributewhathecouldtotheclearingofit,andsettingitinatruelight。AndImustdohimthisRight,tothink,thatheprefersthepublickGoodtohisprivateOpinion;andthereforeiswillinghisProposalsandArgumentsshouldbewithfreedomexamin’dtothebottom,thatiftherebeanymistakeinthem,nobodymaybemisledbyhisReputationandAuthority,totheprejudiceofhisCountry。ThusIunderstandhisPoscscript,andthusIshallendeavourtocomplywithit。Ishalltothebestofmyskill,examinehisArgumentswithallrespecttohim,andFidelitytoTruth,asfarasIcandiscoverit。Thefranknessofhisproceedinginparticularwithme,assuresmeheissogreataLoverofTruthandRight,thathewillnotthinkhimselfinjur’dwhenthatisdefended;andwillbegladwhenitismadeplain,bywhoseHandsoeveritbe。
ThisiswhathasmademepublishthesePapers,withoutanyderogationtoMr。Lowndes,orsomuchasasuspitionthathewilltakeitamiss。Ijudgeofhimbymyself。ForIshallthinkmyselfoblig’dtoanyone,whoshallshewme,orthePublick,anymaterialmistakeinanythingIhaveheresaid,whereonanypartoftheQuestionturns。
FURTHERCONSIDERATIONSCONCERNINGRAISINGTHEVALUEOFMONEY。
SILVERistheInstrumentandMeasureofCommerceinalltheCivilizedandTradingpartsoftheWorld。
ItistheInstrumentofCommercebyitsintrinsickvalue。
TheintrinsickvalueofSilverconsider’dasMoney,isthatestimatewhichcommonconsenthasplacedonit,wherebyitismadeEquivalenttoallotherthings,andconsequentlyistheuniversalBarterorExchangewhichMengiveandreceiveforotherthingstheywouldpurchaseorpartwithforavaluableconsideration:AndthusastheWiseMantellsus,Moneyanswersallthings。
SilveristheMeasureofCommercebyitsquantity,whichistheMeasurealsoofitsintrinsickvalue。IfonegrainofSilverhasanintrinsickvalueinit,twograinsofSilverhavedoublethatintinsickvalue,andthreegrainstreble,andsoonproportionably。ThiswehavedailyExperienceof,incommonbuyingandselling。ForifoneOunceofSilverwillbuy,i。e。isofequalvaluetooneBushelofWheat,twoOuncesofSilverwillbuytwoBushelsofthesameWheat,i。e。hasdoublethevalue。
Henceitisevident,thatanequalquantityofSilverisalwaysofequalvaluetoanequalquantityofSilver。
ThiscommonSense,aswellastheMarket,teachesus。ForSilverbeingallofthesamenatureandgoodness,havingallthesamequalities,’tisimpossiblebutitshouldinthesamequantityhavethesamevalue。ForifalessquantityofanyCommoditybeallowedtobeequalinvaluetoagreaterquantityofthesamesortofCommodity,itmustbeforsomegoodqualityithaswhichtheotherwants。ButSilvertoSilverhasnosuchdifference。
Hereitwillbeasked,isnotsomeSilverfinerthanother?
Ianswer,onemassofmixedMetalnotdiscernedbytheEyetobeanythingbutSilver,andthereforecalledSilver,mayhavealessmixtureofbaserMetalinitthananother,andsoincommonspeechissaidtobefinerSilver。SoDucatoonshavingalessmixtureofCopperinthemthanourEnglishCoinhas,aresaidtobefinerSilver。Butthetruthis,theSilverthatisineachisequallyfine,aswillappearwhenthebaserMetalisseparatefromit。And’tisofthispureorfineSilverImustbeunderstoodwhenImentionSilver;notregardingtheCopperorLeadwhichmaychancetobemixedwithit。Forexample:TakeanOunceoffineSilver,andOnefourthofanOunceofCopper,andmeltthemtogether,onemaysayofthewholemass,thatitisnotfineSilver,butitistruethereisanOunceoffineSilverinit;andthoughthismassweighingoneOunceandaquarterbenotofequalvaluetooneOunceandaquarteroffineSilver,yettheOunceoffineSilverinitis,whenseparatefromtheCopper,ofequalvaluetoanyotherOunceofSilver。
BythisMeasureofCommerce,viz。thequantityofSilver,Menmeasurethevalueofallotherthings。ThustomeasurewhatthevalueofLeadistoWheat,andofeitherofthemtoacertainfortofLinnenCloath,thequantityofSilverthateachisvaluedatorsellsfor,needsonlybeknown。ForifaYardofClothbesoldforhalfanOunceofSilver,aBushelofWheatforoneOunce,andanhundredweightofLeadfortwoOunces,anyonepresentlyseesandsaysthataBushelofWheatisdoublethevalueofaYardofthatCloth,andbuthalfthevalueofanhundredweightofLead。
SomeareofopinionthatthismeasureofCommerce,likeallothermeasures,isArbitrary,andmayatpleasurebevaried,byputtingmoreorfewerGrainsofSilverinpiecesofaknowndenomination,v。g。bymakingaPennyoraShillinglighterorheavier,inSilver,inaCountrywheretheseareknowndenominationsofpiecesofsilverMoney。Buttheywillbeofanothermind,whentheyconsiderthatSilverisameasureofanaturequitedifferentfromallother。TheYardorQuartMenmeasureby,mayrestindifferentlyinthebuyersorsellers,orathirdPerson’shands,itmattersnotwhoseitis。ButitisnotsoinSilver。Itisthethingbargain’dfor,aswellasthemeasureofthebargain;andinCommercepassesfromthebuyertotheseller,asbeinginsuchaquantityequivalenttothethingsold:AndsoitnotonlymeasuresthevalueoftheCommodityitisapply’dto,butisgiveninExchangeforit,asofequalvalue。Butthisitdoes,(asisvisible)onlybyitsquantity,andnothingelse。Foritmustberemenbred,thatSilveristheInstrumentaswellasMeasureofCommerce,andisgiveninexchangeforthethingsTradedfor:AndeveryonedesiringtogetasmuchashecanofitforanyCommodityhesells,’tisbythequantityofSilverhegetsforitinExchange,andbynothingelse,thathemeasuresthevalueoftheCommodityhesells。
TheCoiningofSilver,ormakingMoneyofit,istheascertainingofitsquantitybyapublickmark,thebettertofititforCommerce。
InCoin’dSilverorMoneytherearethesethreeThings,whicharewantinginotherSilver。1。Piecesofexactlythesameweightandfineness。2。AStampsetonthosepiecesbythepublickAuthorityofthatCountry。3。AknowndenominationgiventothesepiecesbythesameAuthority。
TheStampisamark,andasitwereapublickvoucherthatapieceofsuchadenominationisofsuchaweight,andsuchafineness,i。e。hassomuchSilverinit。
Thatpreciseweightandfineness,byLawappropriatedtothepiecesofeachdenomination,iscalledtheStandard。
FineSilverisSilverwithoutthemixtureofanybaserMetal。
AllayisbaserMetalmixedwithit。
TheFinenessofanyMetalappearingtobeSilver,andsocalled,istheproportionofSilverisinit,comparedwithwhatthereisinitofbaserMetals。
TheFinenessofStandardSilverinEnglandiselevenpartsSilver,andonepartCopper,near:Ortospeakmoreexactly,theproportionofSilvertoCopperisasanhundredandeleventonine。WhateverpieceormasshasinitofbaserMetalabovetheproportionof9to111,isworseorcourserthanStandard。
WhatevermassofMetalhasalessproportionthan9to111,ofbaserMetalinit,isbetterorfinerthanStandard。
SinceSilveristhethingsought,andwouldbetterserveforthemeasureofCommerceifitwereunmixt,itwillpossiblybeaskedwhyanymixtureofbaserMetalisallowedinMoney,andwhatusethereisofsuchAllay,whichservestomakethequantityofSilverlessknownintheseveralCoinsofdifferentCountries?
PerhapsitwouldhavebeenbetterforCommerceingeneral,andmoreconvenientforalltheirSubjects,ifthePrinceseverywhere,oratleastinthispartoftheWorld,wouldatfirsthaveagreedonthefinenessoftheStandardtohavebeenjustOnetwelfthAllay,inroundnumbers;withoutthoseminuterFractionswhicharetobefoundintheAllayofmostoftheCoinintheseveraldistinctDominionsofthispartoftheWorld。WhichbrokenproportionofbaserMetaltoSilver,intheStandardoftheseveralMints,seemstohavebeenintroducedbytheSkillofMenimploy’dinCoining,tokeepthatArt(asallTradesarecall’d)aMystery;ratherthanforanyuseornecessitytherewasofsuchbrokennumbers。Butbethatasitwill,theStandardinourMintbeingnowsettledbyAuthority,andestablishedbyCustom,knownathomeandabroad,andtherulesandmethodsofEssayingsuitedtoit;andallthewroughtPlateaswellasCoinofEnglandbeingmadebythatmeasure;itisofgreatconcernmentthatitshouldremainunvariable。
Buttothequestion;WhatneedisthereofanymixtureofbaserMetalwithSilverinMoneyorPlate?Ianswer,thereisgreatreasonforit。For,1。CoppermixtwithSilvermakesitharder,andsowearsandwasteslessinusethanifitwerefineSilver。2。Itmeltseasier。3。SilverasitisdrawnandmeltedfromtheMine,beingseldomperfectlyfine,itwouldbeagreatchargebyrefining,toseparateallthebaserMetalsfromit,andreduceittoperfectlyunmixtSilver。
TheuseofCoin’dSilverorMoneyis,thateveryManintheCountrywhereitiscurrentbypublickAuthority,may,withoutthetroubleofrefining,essayingorweighing,beassuredwhatquantityofSilverhegives,receives,orcontractsfor,undersuchandsuchdenominations。
IfthisSecuritygoesnotalongwiththepublickStamp,Coiningislabourtonopurpose,andputsnodifferencebetweencoin’dMoneyanduncoin’dBullionThisissoobvious,thatI
thinknoGovernment,whereMoneyiscoin’d,everoverlooksit。
AndthereforetheLawseverywhere,whenthequantityofSilverhasbeenlessen’dinanypiececarryingthepublickStamp,byClipping,Washing,Rounding,&c。havetakenofftheAuthorityofthepublickStamp,anddeclar’ditnottobelawfulMoney。ThisisknowntobesoinEngland,andeveryonemaynotonlyrefuseanyMoneybearingthepublickStamp,ifitbeclip’d,oranywaysrob’dofthedueweightofitsSilver;buthethatoffersitinpaymentisliabletoIndictment,FineandImprisonment。Fromwhencewemaysee,thattheuseandendofthepublickStampisonlytobeaguardandvoucherofthequantityofSilverwhichMencontractfor。AndtheinjurydonetothepublickFaith,inthispoint,isthatwhichinClippingandfalseCoininghightenstheRobberyintoTreason。
Menintheirbargainscontractnotfordenominationsorsounds,butfortheintrinsickvalue;whichisthequantityofSilverbypublickAuthoritywarrantedtobeinpiecesofsuchdenominations。And’tisbyhavingagreaterquantityofSilver,thatMenthriveandgrowricher,andnotbyhavingagreaternumberofdenominations;WhichwhentheycometohaveneedoftheirMoneywillprovebutemptysounds,iftheydonotcarrywiththemtherealquantityofSilverisexpected。
TheStandardoncesettledbypublickAuthority,thequantityofSilverestablish’dundertheseveraldenominations,(Ihumblyconceive)shouldnotbealtred,tilltherewereanabsolutenecessityshewnofsuchachange,whichIthinkcanneverbe。
Thereasonwhyitshouldnotbechangedisthis;becausethepublickAuthorityisGuaranteefortheperformanceofalllegalContracts。ButMenareabsolvedfromtheperformanceoftheirlegalcontracts,ifthequantityofSilver,undersetledandlegaldenominationsbealtred:Asisevident,ifborrowing100l。
or400OuncesofSilvertorepaythesamequantityofSilver(forthatisunderstoodbythesamesum,andsotheLawwarrantsit)
ortakingaLeaseofLandforyearstocome,atthelikeRentof100l。theyshallpayboththeoneandtheotherinMoneyCoin’dunderthesamedenominationswithOnefifthlessSilverinit,thanatthetimeofthebargain。TheLandlordhereandCreditorareeachdefraudedof20perCent。ofwhattheycontractedfor,andistheirdue。AndIask,HowmuchjusteritwouldbethustodissolvetheContractstheyhadmade;thantomakeaLaw,thatfromhenceforthallLandlordsandCreditorsshouldbepaidtheirpastDebtsandtheRentsforLeasesalreadymade,inclip’dMoney,twentyperCent。lighterthanitshouldbe?BothwaystheylosetwentyperCent。oftheirdue,andwithequalJustice。
Thecasewouldbethesame,andlegalContractsbevoided,iftheStandardshouldbealtredontheotherside,andeachspeciesofourCoinbemadeOnefifthheavier。Forthenhethathadborrow’dorcontractedforanySum,couldnotbedischargedbypayingthequantityheagreedfor,butbeliabletobeforcedtopay20perCent。morethanhebargainedfor,thatis,morethanheought。
Ontheotherside;WhethertheCreditorbeforcedtoreceiveless,ortheDebtorforcedtopaymorethanhisContract,thedamageandinjuryisthesame,wheneveraManisdefraudedofhisdue。AndwhetherthiswillnotbeapublickfailureofJustice,thusarbitrarilytogiveoneMan’sRightandPossessiontoanother,withoutanyfaultonthesufferingMan’sside,andwithoutanytheleastadvantagetothepublick,Ishallleavetobeconsidered。
RaisingofCoinisbutaspeciouswordtodeceivetheunwary。
ItonlygivestheusualdenominationofagreaterquantityofSilvertoaless,(v。g。callingFourGrainsofSilveraPennytoday,whenFiveGrainsofSilvermadeaPennyyesterday)butaddsnoworthorrealvaluetotheSilverCoin,tomakeamendsforitswantofSilver。Thatisimpossibletobedone。ForitisonlythequantityoftheSilverinitthatis,andeternallywillbe,themeasureofitsvalue。AndtoconvinceanyoneofthisIask,whetherhethatisforcedtoreceivebut320OuncesofSilverunderthedenominationof100l。(for400OuncesofSilverwhichhelentunderthelikedenominarionof100l。)willthinkthese320OuncesofSilver,howeverdenominated,worththose400Ounceshelent?Ifanyonecanbesupposedsosilly,heneedbutgotothenextMarketorShoptobeconvinced,thatMenvaluenotMoneybythedenomination,butbythequantityofSilverthatisinit。
OnemayasrationallyhopetolengthenafootbydividingitintoFifteenparts,insteadofTwelve;andcallingtheminches;astoincreasethevalueoftheSilverthatisinaShilling,bydividingitintoFifteenpartsinsteadofTwelve,andcallingthemPence。ThisisallthatisdonewhenaShillingisraisedfromTwelvetoFifteenPence。
ClippingofMoneyisraisingitwithoutpublickAuthority;
thesamedenominationremainingtothepiece,thathathnowlessSilverinit,thanithadbefore。
AlteringtheStandard,byCoiningpiecesunderthesamedenominationwithlessSilverinthemthantheyformerlyhad,isdoingthesamethingbypublickAuthority。Theonlyoddsis,thatbyClippingthelossisnotforcedonanyone(fornobodyisobligedtoreceiveClip’dMoney;)ByalteringtheStandarditis。
AlteringtheStandard,byraisingtheMoney,willnotgettothePublickorbringtotheMinttobeCoin’doneOunceofSilver:ButwilldefraudtheKing,theChurch,theUniversitiesandHospitals,&c。ofsomuchoftheirsetledRevenue,astheMoneyisraised,v。g。20perCent。iftheMoney(asispropos’d)
beraisedOnefifth。Itwillweaken,ifnottotallydestroythepublickFaith,whenallthathavetrustedthePublick,andassistedourpresentnecessities,uponActsofParliament,intheMillionLottery,BankAct,andotherLoans,shallbedefraudedof20perCent。ofwhatthoseActsofParliamentweresecurityfor。
Andtoconclude,thisraisingourMoneywilldefraudallprivateMenof20perCent。inalltheirDebtsandsetledRevenues。
ClippingbyEnglishMenisrobbingthehonestManwhoreceivesclip’dMoney,andtransferringtheSilver,i。e。thevalue{which}isparedofffromitintotheClipperspocket。
ClippingbyForeignersisrobbingEnglanditself。AndthustheSpaniardslatelyrob’dPortugalofagreatpartofitsTreasureorCommodities(whichisthesamething)byimportinguponthemclip’dMoneyofthePortugalstamp。
Clipping,andclip’dMoney,havebesidesthisrobberyofthePublickothergreatinconveniencies:AsthedisorderingofTrade,raisingForeignExchange,andageneraldisturbancewhicheveryonefeelstherebyinhisprivateAffairs。
Clippingissogainful,andsosecretaRobbery,thatpenaltiescannotrestrainit,asweseebyexperience。
Nothing,Ihumblyconceive,canputastoptoClipping,nowitisgrownsouniversal,andMenbecomesoskilfulinit,butmakingitunprofitable。
NothingcanmakeClippingunprofitable,butmakingalllightMoneygoonlyforitsweight。ThisstopsClippinginamoment,bringsoutallthemill’dandweightyMoney,deprivesusnotofanypartofourclip’dMoneyfortheuseofTrade。Andbringsitorderly,andbydegrees,andwithoutforceintotheMinttoberecoin’d。
Ifclip’dMoneybecall’dinallatonce,andstop’dfrompassingbyweight,IfearitwillstopTrade,putourAffairsallatastand,andintroduceconfusion。Whereas,ifitbepermittedtopassbyitsweight,tillitcanbydegreesbeCoin’d,(thestampsecuringitsfinenessaswellthenasnow,andtheScalesdeterminingitsweight)itwillserveforthepayingofgreatSumsascommodiouslyalmostasweightyMoney,andtheweightyMoneybeingthenbroughtoutwillservefortheMarketTrade,andlessPayments,andalsotoweightheclip’dMoneyby。
Ontheotherside;Ifclip’dMoneybeallowedtopasscurrentbytale,tillitbeallrecoin’d,oneofthesetwoeffectswillapparentlyfollow:EitherthatweshallwantMoneyforTrade,astheclip’dMoneydecreasesbybeingCoin’dintoweighty;(forveryfew,ifanybody,whogetweightyMoneyintotheirhands,willpartwithit,whilstclip’dMoney,notofhalfthevalueiscurrent)Oriftheydo,theCoinersandClipperswillpickitup,andnewCoinandClipit;wherebyclip’dMoneywillbeincreased。
Sothat,bythisway,eitherMoneywillbewantingtotrade,orclip’dMoneycontinued。Ifclip’dMoneybestop’dallatonce,thereisimmediatelyastopofTrade。Ifitbepermittedtopassintale,asifitwerelawfulweightyMoneywhilstitisrecoining,andtillallberecoin’d,thatwayalsotherewillbeanendofTrade,ornoendofclip’dMoney。Butifitbemadetopassforitsweighttillitbeallrecoin’d,boththeseevilsareavoided,andtheweightyMoneywhichwewantwillbebroughtouttoboot。
MoneyisnecessarytothecarryingonofTrade。ForwhereMoneyfails,Mencannotbuy,andTradestops。
Creditwillsupplythedefectofittosomesmalldegreeforalittlewhile。ButCreditbeingnothingbuttheexpectationofMoneywithinsomelimitedtime,MoneymustbehadorCreditwillfail。
Moneyalsoisnecessarytous,inacertainproportiontotheplentyofitamongstourNeighbours。ForifanyofourNeighbourshaveitinamuchgreaterabundancethanwe,wearemanywaysobnoxioustothem。1。Theycanmaintainagreaterforce。2。TheycantemptawayourPeople,bygreaterwages,toservethembyLandorSea,orinanyLabour。3。TheycancommandtheMarkets,andtherebybreakourTrade,andmakeuspoor。4。TheycanonanyoccasioningrossNavalandWarlikeStores,andtherebyendangerus。
InCountieswhereDomestickMinesdonotsupplyit,nothingcanbringinSilverbutTributeorTrade。TributeistheeffectofConquest:Trade,ofSkillandIndustry。
ByCommerceSilverisbroughtinonlybyanover—ballanceofTrade。
AnOver—ballanceofTrade,iswhenthequantityofCommoditieswhichwesendtoanyCountrydomorethanpayforthosewebringfromthence:ForthentheoverplusisbroughthomeinBullion。
BullionisSilverwhoseworkmanshiphasnovalue。AndthusForeignCoinhathnovaluehereforitsstamp,andourCoinisBullioninForeignDominions。
’Tisuselessandlabourinvain,toCoinSilverImportedintoanyCountrywhereitisnottostay。
SilverImportedcannotstayinanyCountryinwhich,byanoverballanceoftheirwholeTrade,itisnotmadetheirs,anddothnotbecomearealincreaseoftheirWealth。
IfbyageneralBalanceofitsTrade,EnglandyearlysendsoutCommoditiestothevalueoffourhundredthousandOuncesofSilvermorethantheCommoditieswebringhomefromabroadcostus;thereisOnehundredthousandPoundeveryyearcleargain:
WhichwillcomehomeinMoney,bearealincreaseofourWealth,andwillstayhere。
Ontheotherside,ifuponageneralbalanceofourwholeTrade,weyearlyimportCommoditiesfromotherpartstothevalueofanhundredthousandPoundmorethanourCommoditiesexportedpayfor,weeveryYeargrowanhundredthousandPoundpoorer。Andif,besidesthat,weshouldalsoimportaMillioninBullionfromSpaineveryyear,yetitisnotours;itisnoincreasetoourWealth,norcanitstayhere;butmustbeExportedagaineverygrainofitwithanhundredthousandPoundofourownMoneytoboot。
Ihavehearditpropos’dasawaytokeepourMoneyhere,thatweshouldpayourDebtscontractedbeyondSeas,byBillsofExchange。
TheIdlenessofsuchaPropositionwillappear,whenthenatureofExchangeisalittleconsider’d。
ForeignExchangeisthepayingofMoneyinoneCountry,toreceiveitinanother。
TheExchangeisHigh,whenaManpaysforBillsofExchangeabovethePar。ItisLowwhenhepayslessthanthePar。
TheParisacertainnumberofpiecesoftheCoinofoneCountry,containinginthemanequalquantityofSilvertothatinanothernumberofpiecesoftheCoinofanotherCountry:v。g。
supposing36ShillingsofHollandtohavejustasmuchSilverinthemas20EnglishShillings。BillsofExchangedrawnfromEnglandtoHollandattherateof36ShillingsDutchforeachpoundSterling,isaccordingtothePar。HethatpaystheMoneyhere,andreceivesitthere,neithergetsnorlosesbytheExchange;butreceivesjustthesamequantityofSilverintheoneplace,thathepartswithintheother。ButifhepaysonepoundSterlingtoreceivebut30ShillingsinHolland,hepaysonesixthmorethanthePar,andsopaysonesixthmoreSilverfortheExchange,lettheSumbewhatitwill。
ThereasonofHighExchange,isthebuyingmuchCommoditiesinanyForeignCountry,beyondthevalueofwhatthatCountrytakesofours。ThismakesEnglishMenhaveneedofgreatSumsthere,andthisraisestheExchangeorPriceofBills。Forwhatgrowsmoreintodemand,increasespresentlyinprice。
ReturningMoneybyExchangeintoForeignparts,keepsnotoneFarthingfromgoingout:ItonlypreventsthemoretroublesomeandhazardouswayofsendingMoneyinspecieforwardsandbackwards。BillsofExchangemorecommodiously,byScripsofPaper,eventheAccountsbetweenparticularDebtorsandCreditorsindifferentCountries,asfarastheCommercebetweenthosetwoPlacesisequivalent:Butwheretheover—ballance,oneitherside,demandsPayment,thereBillsofExchangecandonothing;
butBullion,orMoneyinspeciemustbesent。ForinaCountrywhereweoweMoney,andhavenoDebts,owingtous,BillswillnotfindCredit;butforashorttime,tillMoneycanbesenttoreimbursethosethatpaidthem;unlesswecanthinkMenbeyondSeawillpartwiththeirMoneyfornothing。IftheTradersofEnglandowetheirCorrespondentsofHollandahundredthousandPound,theirAccountswithalltherestoftheWorldstandingequal,andremainingso,oneFarthingofthishundredthousandPoundcannotbepaidbyBillsofExchange。Forexample,IoweathousandPoundsofit;Andtopaythat,buyaBillofN。here,drawnonJohndeWitofAmsterdam,topayP。vanLoremyCorrespondentthere。TheMoneyispaidaccordingly,andtherebyI
amoutofVanLoresDebt;butoneFarthingoftheDebtofEnglandtoHollandisnottherebypaid;forN。ofwhomIboughttheBillofExchange,isnowasmuchindebtedtoJohndeWit,asIwasbeforetoP。vanLore。ParticularDebtorsandCreditorsareonlychangedbyBillsofExchange;buttheDebtowingfromoneCountrytotheother,cannotbepaidwithoutrealEffectssentthithertothatvalue,eitherinCommodities,orMoney。WheretheballanceofTradebarelypaysforCommoditieswithCommodities,thereMoneymustbesent,orelsetheDebtcannotbepaid。
IhavespokeofSilverCoinalone,becausethatmakestheMoneyofAccount,andmeasureofTrade,allthroughtheWorld。
ForallContractsare,Ithink,everywheremade,andAccountskeptinSilverCoin。
IamsuretheyaresoinEngland,andtheneighbouringCountries。
Silvertherefore,andSilveralone,istheMeasureofCommerce。TwoMetals,asGoldandSilver,cannotbetheMeasureofCommercebothtogether,inanyCountry:BecausetheMeasureofCommercemustbeperpetuallythesame,invariable,andkeepingthesameproportionofvalueinallitsparts。ButsoonlyoneMetaldoes,orcandotoitself:SoSilveristoSilver,andGoldtoGold。AnOunceofSilverisalwaysofequalvaluetoanOunceofSilver,andanOunceofGoldtoanOunceofGold;andtwoOuncesoftheone,ortheother,ofdoublethevaluetoanOunceofthesame。ButGoldandSilverchangetheirvalueonetoanother:Forsupposingthemtobeinvalueassixteentoonenow;
perhapsthenextMonththeymaybeasfifteenandthreequarters,or15andseveneighthstoone。Andonemayaswellmakeameasure,v。g。aYard,whosepartslengthenandshrink,asaMeasureofTradeofMaterials,thathavenotalwaysasetledunvariablevaluetooneanother。
OneMetalthereforealonecanbetheMoneyofAccountandContract,andtheMeasureofCommerceinanyCountry。Thefittestforthisuse,ofallother,isSilver,formanyreasons,whichneednotherebemention’d。ItisenoughthattheWorldhasagreedinit,andmadeittheircommonMoney;andastheIndiansrightlycallit,Measure。AllotherMetals,Gold,aswellasLead,arebutCommodities。
CommoditiesareMoveables,valuablebyMoney,thecommonmeasure。
Gold,tho’nottheMoneyoftheWorld,andtheMeasureofCommerce,norfittobeso,yetmay,andoughttobecoined,toascertainitsWeightandFineness;AndsuchCoinmaysafelyhaveaPriceaswellasaStampsetuponitbypublickAuthority;sothevaluesetbeundertheMarketprice。ForthensuchpiecesCoin’d,willbeaCommodityaspassableasSilverMoney,verylittlevaryingintheirprice:AsGuineaswhichwereCoin’datthevalueof20s。butpassedusuallyforbetween21or22
shillings,accordingtothecurrentrate;ButnothavingsohighavalueputuponthembytheLaw,nobodycouldbeforcedtotakethemtotheirLossat21s。6d。ifthepriceofGoldshouldhappenatanytimetobecheaper。
Fromwhathasbeensaid,Ithinkitappears:
1。ThatSilveristhatwhichmankindhaveagreedontotake,andgiveinExchangeforallotherCommodities,asanEquivalent。
2。That’tisbythequantityofSilvertheygiveortake,orcontractfor,thattheyestimatethevalueofotherthings,andsatisfieforthem;andthusbyitsquantitySilverbecomestheMeasureofCommerce。
3。Henceitnecessarilyfollows,thatagreaterquantityofSilverhasagreatervalue;alessquantityofSilverhasalessvalue;andanequalquantityanequalvalue。
4。ThatMoneydiffersfromuncoin’dSilveronlyinthis,thatthequantityofSilverineachpieceofMoney,isascertain’dbytheStampitbears;whichissettheretobeapublickVoucherofitsweightandfineness。
5。ThatGoldisTreasureaswellasSilver,becauseitdecaysnotinkeeping,andneversinksmuchinitsvalue。
6。ThatGoldisfittobeCoin’daswellasSilver,toascertainitsquantitytothosewhohaveamindtoTraffickinit;butnotfittobejoyn’dwithSilver,asaMeasureofCommerce。
7。ThatJewelstooareTreasure,becausetheykeepwithoutdecay;andhaveconstantlyagreatvalue,inproportiontotheirBulk:ButcannotbeusedforMoney,becausetheirvalueisnotmeasur’dbytheirquantity;norcanthey,asGoldandSilver,bedivided,andkeeptheirvalue。
8。TheotherMetalsarenotTreasure,becausetheydecayinkeeping,andbecauseoftheirplenty;whichmakestheirvaluelittleinagreatbulk;andsounfitforMoney,Commerce,andCarriage。
9。ThattheonlywaytobringTreasureintoEngland,isthewellorderingourTrade。
10。ThattheonlywaytobringSilverandGoldtotheMint,fortheincreaseofourStockofMoneyandTreasure,whichshallstayhere,isanover—balanceofourwholeTrade。AllotherwaystoincreaseourMoneyandRiches,arebutProjectsthatwillfailus。
Thesethingspremised,IshallnowproceedtoshewwhereinI
differfromMr。Lowndes,anduponwhatgroundsIdoso。
Mr。Lowndesproposes,thatourMoneyshouldberaised(asitiscalled)onefifth:thatis,ThatallourpresentdenominationsofMoney,asPenny,Shilling,Half—crown,Crown,&c。shouldeachhaveOnefifthlessSilverinit,orbeansweredwithCoinofOnefifthlessvalue。HowheproposestohaveitdoneIshallconsiderhereafter。IshallatpresentonlyexaminetheReasonshegivesforit。
Hisfirstreason,p。68。hegivesusinthesewords,ThevalueoftheSilverintheCoinoughttoberaisedtothefootofSixShillingsthreePenceineveryCrown;becausethepriceofStandardSilverinBullionisrisentoSixShillingsfivepenceanOunce。
Thisreasonseemstometolabourunderseveralgreatmistakes,as1。ThatStandardSilvercanriseinrespectofitself。
2。ThatStandardBullionisnow,oreverwasworth,orsoldtotheTradersinitfor6s。5d。theOunce,oflawfulMoneyofEngland。Forifthatmatteroffactholdsnottobeso,thatanOunceofSterlingBullionisworth6s。5d。ofourmill’dweightyMoney,thisreasonceases;AndourweightyCrownpiecesoughtnottoberaisedto6s。3d;becauseourlightclip’dMoneywillnotpurchaseanOunceofStandardBullion,undertherateof6s。5d。
ofthatlightMoney。Andletmeaddhere,norforthatrateneither。IfthereforetheAuthormeanshere,thatanOunceofStandardSilverisrisento6s。5d。ofourclip’dMoney,Igrantithim,andhighertoo。ButthenthathasnothingtodowiththeraisingourLawfulCoin,whichremainsunclip’d;unlesshewillsaytoo,thatStandardBullionissorisen,astobeworth,andactuallytosellfor6s。5d。theOunceofourweightymill’dMoney。ThisInotonlydeny,butfartheradd,thatitisimpossibletobeso。Forsixshillingsandfivepenceofmill’dMoney,weighsanOunceandaquarternear。Canitthereforebepossible,thatoneOunceofanyCommodity,shouldbeworthanOunceandquarteroftheself—sameCommodity,andofexactlythesamegoodness?ForsoisStandardSilvertoStandardSilver。
Indeedonehasamarkuponit,whichtheotherhasnot:Butitisamarkthatmakesitrathermore,thanlessvaluable:Orifthemark,byhindringitsExportation,makesitlessvaluableforthatpurpose,theMelting—potcaneasilytakeitoff。
ThecomplaintmadeofmeltingdownourweightyMoney,answersthisreasonevidently。Forcanitbesuppos’d,thataGoldsmithwillgiveoneOunceandaquarterofCoin’dSilver,foroneOunceofBullion;whenbyputtingitintohisMelting—pot,hecanforlessthanaPennychargemakeitBullion?(For’tisalwaystoberemembred,whatIthinkismadeclear,thatthevalueofSilver,consideredasitisMoney,andthemeasureofCommerce,isnothingbutitsquantity。)Andthusamill’dShilling,whichhasdoubletheweightofSilverinittoacurrentShilling,whereofhalftheSilverisclip’daway,hasdoublethevalue。Andtoshewthatthisisso,Iwillundertake,thatanyMerchant,whohasBulliontosell,shallsellitforagreatdeallessnumberofShillingsintale,toanyone,whowillcontracttopayhiminmill’dMoney,thanifhebepaidinthecurrentclip’dMoney。
ThosewhosayBullionisRisen,Idesiretotellme;WhattheymeanbyRisen?AnyCommodity,Ithink,isproperlysaidtobeRisen,whenthesamequantitywillexchangeforagreaterquantityofanotherthing;butmoreparticularlyofthatthingwhichisthemeasureofCommerceintheCountry。AndthusCornissaidtobeRisenamongsttheEnglishinVirginia,whenaBushelofitwillsell,orexchangeformorepoundsofTobacco;AmongsttheIndians,whenitwillsellformoreyardsofWampompeak,whichistheirMoney;AndamongsttheEnglishhere,whenitwillexchangeforagreaterquantityofSilver,thanitwouldbefore。
RisingandfallingofCommoditiesisalwaysbetweenseveralCommoditiesofdistinctworths。ButnobodycansaythatTobacco(ofthesamegoodness)isriseninrespectofitself。OnePoundofthesamegoodnesswillneverexchangeforaPoundandaQuarterofthesamegoodness。AndsoitisinSilver:AnOunceofSilverwillalwaysbeofequalvaluetoanOunceofSilver;norcaniteverriseorfallinrespectofitself:AnOunceofStandardSilvercanneverbeworthanOunceandaQuarterofStandardSilver;noroneOunceofuncoin’dSilver,exchangeforoneOunceandaQuarterofCoin’dSilver:TheStampcannotsomuchdebaseitsvalue。Indeedthestamphindringitsfreeexportation,maymaketheGoldsmith(whoprofitsbythereturnofMoney)giveonehundredandtwentieth,oronesixtiethorperhapssometimesonethirtiethmore(thatis5s。twoPenceHalf—penny,5s。3d。or5s。4d。theOunce)ofcoin’dSilverforuncoin’d,whenthereisneedofsendingSilverbeyondSeas;astherealwaysiswhenthebalanceofTradewillnotsupplyourwants,andpayourdebtsthere。Butmuchbeyondthis,theGoldsmithwillnevergiveforBullion;sincehecanmakeitoutofCoin’dMoneyatacheaperrate。
’TissaidBullionisrisento6s。5d。theOunce,i。e。thatanOunceofuncoin’dSilverwillexchangeforanOunceandaQuarterofCoin’dSilver。Ifanyonecanbelievethis,IwillputthisshortCasetohim。HehasofBullionorStandarduncoin’dSilver,tworoundplates,eachoftheexactsizeandweightofaCrownpiece:Hehasbesides,ofthesameBullion,aroundplateoftheweightandsizeofaShilling,andanotheryetless,oftheexactweightandsizeofaThree—pence。ThetwogreatPlatesbeingofequalweight,andfineness,Isupposehewillallowtobeofequalvalue,andthatthetwoless,joyn’dtoeitherofthem,makeitonefifthmoreworththantheotherisbyitself,theyhavingallthreetogetheronefifthmoreSilverinthem。Letussupposethen,oneofthegreater,andthetwolessplatestohavereceivedthenextmoment,(byMiracle,orbytheMill,itmattersnothow)themarkorstampofourCrown,ourShilling,andourThree—pence:Cananybodysay,thatnowtheyhavegotthestampofourMintuponthem,theyaresofalleninvalue,ortheotherunstamp’dpiecesoRisen,thatthatunstamp’dpiecewhichamomentbeforewasworthonlyoneoftheotherpieces,isnowworththemallthree?Whichistosay,thatanOunceofuncoin’dSilverisworthanOunceandaquarterofcoin’d。Thisiswhatmenwouldpersuadeus,whentheysay,thatBullionisraisedto6s。5d。[oflawfulMoney]theOunce,whichIsayisutterlyimpossible。Letusconsiderthisalittlefartherinanotherinstance。ThepresentMill’dCrownpiece,saythey,willnotexchangeforanOunceofBullion,withouttheadditionofaShillingandaThree—penceofweightyCoinaddedtoit。CoinbutthatCrownpieceinto6s。and3d。andthentheysayitwillbuyanOunceofBullion,orelsetheygiveuptheirreasonandmeasureofraisingtheMoney。Dothatwhichisallow’dtobeequivalenttoCoiningofapresentMill’dCrownpieceinto6s。
3d。(viz。)callit75Pence,andthenalsoitmustbythisRuleofraisingbuyanOunceofBullion。Ifthisbeso,theself—samemill’dCrownpiecewillandwillnotexchangeforanOunceofBullion。Callit60pence,anditwillnot:Theverynextmomentcallit75pence,anditwill。Iamafraidnobodycanthinkchangeofdenominationhassuchapower。
Mr。Lowndessupportsthishisfirstreasonwiththesewords,p。68。Thisreason,whichIhumblyconceivewillappearirrefragable,isgroundeduPonaTruthsoApparent,thatitmaywellbecomparedtoanAxiom,eveninMathematicalreasoning;towit,thatWhensoevertheintrinsickvalueofSilverintheCoin,hathbeen,orshallbelessthanthepriceofSilverinBullion,theCoinhathandwillbemelteddown。
ThisIthink,tho’itbeallowedMr。LowndesforasApparentaTruth,andascertainaMaximashecouldwish,yetservesnotatalltohispurposeoflesseningtheCoin。ForwhentheCoin,isasitshouldbe,accordingtotheStandard(lettheStandardbewhatitwill)weightyandunclip’d,itisimpossiblethatthevalueofCoin’dSilvershouldbelessthanthevalueorpriceofUncoin’d;Because,asIhaveshewn,thevalueandquantityofSilverarethesame:Andwherethequantitiesareequal,thevaluesareequal;exceptingonlytheoddsthatmaybebetweenBullionthatmaybefreelyexported,andCoin’dSilverthatmaynot;Theoddswhereofscarceeveramountstoabove2d。PerOunce,andrarelytoaboveapennyoranhalf—penny。Andthisodds(whateveritbe)willequallybelongtohisraisedmill’dMoney,whichcannotbeexported,asitwilltoourpresentmill’dMoney,whichcannotbeExported;AsIshallhaveoccasiontoshewmoreparticularlyhereafter。Allthisdisorder,andathousandothers,comesfromlightandunlawfulMoneybeingcurrent。ForthenitisnowonderthatBullionshouldbekeptuptothevalueofyourclip’dMoney;thatis,thatBullionshouldnotbesoldbytheOunceforlessthan6s。5d。whenthat6s。5d。clip’dMoneypaidforit,doesnotWeighaboveanOunce。ThisinstancethereforeofthepresentpriceofBullion,provesnothingbutthatthequantityofSilverinMoneygovernsthevalueofit,andnotthedenomination;asappearswhenclip’dMoneyisbroughttobuyBullion。ThisisafairTryal:SilverissetagainstSilver,andbythatisseenwhetherclip’dMoneybeofthesamevaluewithweightyofthesamedenomination,orwhetheritbenotthequantityofSilverinitthatregulatesitsvalue。
IcannotbutwonderthatMr。Lowndes,aMansowellskill’dintheLaw,especiallyoftheMint,theExchequer,andofourMoney,shouldallalonginthisArgumentspeakofclip’dMoney,asifitwerethelawfulMoneyofEngland;andshouldproposebythat(whichisineffectbytheClippersSheers)toregulateanewsortofCointobeintroducedintoEngland。Andifhewillstandtothatmeasure,andlessenthenewCointotherateofBullionsoldinexchangeforpresentcurrentclip’dMoney,topreventitsbeingmelteddown;hemustmakeityetmuchlighterthanheproposes,sothatraisingit,ortogiveititsduename,thatlesseningofitonefifthwillnotservetheturn:ForI
willbeboldtosay,thatBullionnowinEnglandisnowheretobeboughtbytheOuncefor6s。5d。ofourpresentcurrentclip’dMoney。SothatifhisRulebetrue,andnothingcansavetheweightyCoinfrommeltingdown,butreducingittotheweightthatclip’dMoneyisbroughtto,hemustlessentheMoneyinhisnewCoinmuchmorethanonefifth;foranOunceofStandardBullionwillalwaysbeworthanOunceofclip’dMoney,whetherthatintaleamountto6s。5d。6s。6d。TenShillings,oranyothernumberofShillingsorPenceofthenick—namedclip’dMoney。ForapieceofSilverthatwasCoin’dforaShilling,buthashalftheSilverclip’doff,intheLawandinProprietyofspeechisnomoreaShillingthanapieceofWood,whichwasonceasealedYard,isstillaYardwhenonehalfofitisbrokeoff。
LetusconsiderthisMaximalittlefurther;whichoutofthelanguageoftheMintinplainEnglish,Ithink,amountstothusmuch,viz。ThatwhenanOunceofStandardBullioncostsagreaternumberofPenceintale,thananOunceofthatBullioncanbeCoin’dintobytheStandardoftheMint,theCoinwillbemelteddown。Igrantit,ifBullionshouldriseto15PencetheOunceabove5s。2d。asisnowpretended;whichistosay,thatanOunceofBullioncannotbeboughtforlessthananOunceandaquarterofthelikeSilverCoin’d。Butthat,asIhaveshew’d,isimpossibletobe:Andeveryonewouldbeconvincedofthecontrary,ifwehadnonenowbutlawfulMoneycurrent。But’tisnowonderifthepriceandvalueofthingsbeconfoundedanduncertain,whentheMeasureitselfislost。ForwehavenownolawfulSilverMoneycurrentamongus:Andthereforecannottalknorjudgeright,byourpresentuncertainclip’dMoney,ofthevalueandpriceofthings,inreferencetoourlawfulregularCoin,adjustedandkepttotheunvaryingStandardoftheMint。
ThepriceofSilverinBullionabovethevalueofSilverinCoin,whenClippinghasnotdefac’dourcurrentCash(forthentheoddsisveryrarelyaboveaPennyortwoPencetheOunce)issofarfrombeingacauseofmeltingdownourCoin,thatthispricegivenabovethevalueoftheSilverinourCoin,isgivenonlytopreserveourCoinfrombeingmelteddown:FornobodybuysBullionatabove5s。2d。theOunce,(whichisjustthevalue)foranyotherreason,buttoavoidthecrimeandhazardofmeltingdownourCoin。
Ithinkitwillbeagreedonallhands,thatnobodywillmeltdownourMoney,butforprofit。NowprofitcanbemadebymeltingdownourMoney,butonlyintwocases。
First,WhenthecurrentPiecesofthesamedenominationareunequal,andofdifferentWeights;someheavier,somelighter:
ForthentheTradersinMoney,cullouttheheavier,andmeltthemdownwithprofit。ThisistheordinaryfaultofCoiningbytheHammer;whereinitusuallysufficed,ThataBarofSilverwascutintoasmanyHalfcrowns,orShillings,asanswer’ditswholeweight;withoutbeingveryexactinmakingeachparticularpieceofitsdueweight;wherebysomepiecescametobeheavier,andsomelighter,thanbytheStandardtheyshould。Andthentheheavierpieceswerecull’dout,andtherewasprofittobemade(asoneeasilyperceives)inmeltingthemdown。ButthiscauseofmeltingdownourMoneyiseasilyprevented,bytheexacterwayofCoiningbytheMill,inwhicheachsinglepieceisbroughttoitsjustweight。Thisinequalityofpiecesofthesamedenomination,istobefoundinourMoney,morethanever,sinceClippinghasbeeninfashion:Andtherefore’tisnowonder,thatinthisirregularStateofourMoney,onecomplaintis,thattheheavyMoneyismelteddown。Butthisalsothemakingclip’dMoneygoatpresentforitsWeight,(whichisasuddainreducingittotheStandard)andthen,bydegrees,recoiningitintomill’dMoney(whichistheultimateandmorecompleatreducingittotheStandard)perfectlycures。
TheothercasewhereinourMoneycomestobemelteddown,isalosingTrade;Or,whichisthesamethinginotherwords,anover—greatConsumptionofForeignCommodities。Whenevertheover—ballanceofForeignTrademakesitdifficultforourMerchantstogetBillsofExchange,theExchangepresentlyrises,andtheReturnsofMoneyraisetheminproportiontothewantofMoneyEnglishmenhaveinanypartsbeyondSeas。TheywhothusfurnishthemwithBills,notbeingabletosatisfietheirCorrespondentsonwhomthoseBillsaredrawn,withtheproductofourCommoditiesthere,mustsendSilverfromhencetoreimbursethem,andrepaytheMoneytheyhavedrawnoutoftheirhands。