首页 >出版文学> SONS AND LOVERS>第3章

第3章

  AsthisincreaseoftheFineinthepurchaseofLandisnotanadvantagetothekingdom,soneitherisittotheLandholder,whoistheperson,thatbearingthegreatestpartoftheburthensoftheKingdom,ought,Ithink,tohavethegreatestcaretakenofhim,andenjoyasmanyPrivileges,andasmuchWealth,asthefavouroftheLawcan(withregardtothePublick-weal)conferuponhim。Butprayconsider:TheraisingthePriceofLandinSalebyincreasingthenumberofYearsPurchasetobepaidforit,givestheadvantagenottotheLandholder,buttohimthatceasestobeso。HethathasnolongertheLandhasthemoreMoney,andhewhohastheLandisthepoorer。ThetrueadvantageoftheLandholderis,thathisCorn,Flesh,andWool,sellbetter,andyieldagreaterprice;thisindeedisaprofit,thatbenefitstheowneroftheLand,andgoesalongwithit:ItisthisaloneraisestheRent,andmakesthePossessorricher:andthiscanonlybedonebyincreasingourWealth,anddrawingmoreMoneyintoEngland,whichthefallingofInterest,andthereby(ifitcouldeffectit)raisingthePurchaseofLandissofarfromdoing,thatitdoesvisiblyanddirectlyonewayhinderourincreaseofWealth,thatis,byhindringForeignerstocomehere,andbuyLand,andsettleamongstus。Wherebywehavethisdoubleloss;FirstwelosetheirPersons,increaseofPeoplebeingtheincreasebothofStrengthandRiches。SecondlywelosesomuchMoney。Fortho’whateveranEnglishmangivestoanotherforLand,thoughraisedtoFortyYearsPurchase,benotoneFarthingadvantagetothekingdom;yetwhateveraForeigner,whopurchasesLandhere,givesforit,issomucheveryFarthingcleargaintotheNation:ForthatMoneycomesclearin,withoutcarryingoutanythingforit,andiseveryFarthingofitasperfectGaintotheNationasifitdrop’ddownfromtheClouds。
  Butfarther,ifconsiderationbetobehadonlyofSellersofLand,theloweringofInteresttoFourperCent。willnotbeintheirfavour,unless,byit,youcanraiseLandtoThirtyYearsPurchase,whichisnotatalllikely:AndIthinknoBodybyfallingofInteresttoFourperCent。hopestogetChapmenfortheirLandatthatRate。Whatsoevertheyhaveless,ifLawcanregulateInterest,theyloseoftheirvalueofLand,Moneybeingthusabased。SothattheLandedmanwillscarcefindhisaccountneitherbythisLaw,whenitcomestotrial。Andatlast,I
  imagine,thiswillbetheresultofallsuchAttempts,thatExperiencewillshew,thatthepriceofThingswillnotberegulatedbyLaws,thoughtheendeavoursafteritwillbesuretoprejudiceandinconvenienceTrade,andputyourAffairsoutofOrder。
  Ifthisbeso,thatInterestcannotberegulatedbyLaw,orthatifitcould,yetthereducingofittoFourperCent。woulddomoreharmthangood:Whatthenshouldthere(willyousay)benoLawatalltoregulateInterest?Isaynotso。For,1。ItisnecessarythatthereshouldbeastatedRateofInterest,thatinDebtsandForbearances,whereContracthasnotsetleditbetweentheParties,theLawmightgiveaRule,andCourtsofJudicaturemightknowwhatDamagestoallow。Thismay,andthereforeshould,beRegulated。
  2。ThatinthepresentcurrentofrunningCash,whichnowtakesitscoursealmostalltoLondon,andisIngrossedbyaveryfewHandsinComparison,youngMen,andthoseinWant,mightnottooeasilybeexposedtoExtortionandOppression;andthedextrousandcombiningMoneyJobbersnothavetoogreatandunboundedaPower,toPreyupontheIgnoranceorNecessityofBorrowers。Therewouldnotbemuchdangerofthis,ifMoneyweremoreequallydistributedintotheseveralquartersofEngland,andintoagreaternumberofHands,accordingtotheExigencesofTrade。
  IfMoneyweretobehired,asLandis;ortobehadasCorn,orWool,fromtheOwnerhimself;andknowngoodsecuritybegivenforit,itmightthenprobablybehadattheMarket(whichisthetrue)Rate,andthatrateofInterestwouldbeaconstantgaugeofyourTradeandWealth。ButwhenakindofMonopoly,byconsent,hasputthisgeneralCommodityintoafewHands,itmayneedRegulation,thoughwhatthestatedRateofInterestshouldbeintheconstantchangeofAffairs,andfluxofMoney,ishardtodetermine。PossiblyitmaybeallowedasareasonableProposal,thatitshouldbewithinsuchBounds,asshouldnotontheonesidequiteEatuptheMerchants,andTradesman’sProfit,anddiscouragetheirIndustry;norontheotherhandsolow,asshouldhinderMenfromRisquingtheirMoneyinotherMensHands,andsoratherchusetokeepitoutofTrade,thanventureituponsosmallprofit。Whenitistoohigh,itsohinderstheMerchantsgain,thathewillnotBorrow;whentoolow,itsohinderstheMoniedMan’sprofit,thathewillnotLend;andboththesewaysitisahinderancetoTrade。
  Butthisbeingperhapstoogeneral,andlooseaRule,letmeadd,thatifonewouldconsiderMoneyandLandalone,inrelationonetoanother,perhapsitisnowatSixperCent。inasgoodaproportionasispossible,SixperCent。beingalittlehigherthanLand,atTwentyYearsPurchase,whichistheRateprettynear,thatLandhasgenerallycarriedinEngland,itneverbeingmuchovernorunder。Forsupposing100l。inMoney,andLandof5
  l。perAnnum,beofequalvalue,whichisLandatTwentyYearsPurchase:’Tisnecessaryforthemakingtheirvaluetrulyequal,thattheyshouldproduceanequalIncome,whichthe100l。at5
  l。perCent。Interestisnotlikelytodo。
  1。Becauseofthemany,andsometimeslongintervalsofBarrenness,whichhappentoMoney,morethanLand。MoneyatUse,whenreturn’dintotheHandsoftheOwner,usuallyliesdeadthere,tillhegetsanewTenantforit,andcanputitoutagain;andallthistimeitproducesnothing。ButthishappensnottoLand,thegrowingproductwhereofturnstoaccounttotheOwner,evenwhenitisinhisHands,orisallow’dforbytheTenant,antecedentlytohisentringupontheFarm。ForthoughaManthatBorrowsMoneyatMidsummer,neverbeginstopayhisInterestfromourLady-Day,oronemomentbackwards,yethewhoRentsaFarmatMidsummer,mayhaveasmuchreasontobeginhisRentfromourLady-Day,asifhehadthenentreduponit。
  2。BesidesthedeadintervalsofceasingProfit,whichhappentoMoneymorethanLand,thereisanotherReason,whytheProfitandIncomeofMoneyletout,shouldbealittlehigherthanthatofLand;andthatis,becauseMoneyoutatInterestrunsagreaterRisque,thanLanddoes。TheBorrowermaybreak,andrunawaywiththeMoney,andthennotonlytheInterestdue,butallthefutureProfit,withthePrincipal,islostforever。ButinLandaMancanlosebuttheRentdue,forwhichusuallytootheStockupontheLandissufficientsecurity:AndifaTenantrunawayinArrearofsomeRent,theLandremains,thatcannotbecarriedaway,orlost。ShouldaManPurchasegoodLandinMiddlesexof5l。perAnnum,atTwentyYearsPurchase,andotherLandinRumney-Marsh,orelsewhereofthesameYearlyvalue,butsosituated,thatitwereindangertobeswallowedoftheSea,andbeutterlylost,itwouldnotbeunreasonable,thatheshouldexpecttohaveitunderTwentyYearsPurchase;supposeSixteenandanhalf。ThisistobringittojustthecaseofLandatTwentyYearsPurchase,andMoneyatSixperCent。wheretheuncertaintyofsecuringonesMoneymaywellbeallowedthatadvantageofgreaterProfit;andthereforeperhapsthelegalInterestnowinEnglandatSixperCent。isasreasonableandconvenientaRateascanwellbesetbyastandingRule,especiallyifweconsiderthattheLawrequiresnotaMantopaySixperCent。buttiesuptheLenderfromtakingmore。Sothatifeveritfallsofitself,theMonied-manissuretofindit,andhisInterestwillbebroughtdowntoit。
  HighInterestisthoughtbysomeaPrejudicetoTrade:Butifwelookback,weshallfind,thatEnglandneverthrovesowell,norwasthereeverbroughtintoEnglandsogreatanincreaseofWealthsince,asinQueenElizabeth’sandKingJamesI。andKingCharlesI。time,whenMoneywasatTenandEightperCent。IwillnotsayhighInterestwasthecauseofit。ForIratherthinkthatourthrivingTradewastheCauseofhighInterest,everyonecravingMoneytoemployinaprofitableCommerce。ButthisI
  thinkImayreasonablyinferfromit,ThatloweringofInterestisnotasurewaytoimproveeitherourTradeorWealth。
  TothisIhearsomesay,ThattheDutch,SkilfulinallArtsofpromotingTrade,toout-dousinthis,aswellasallotherAdvancementsofit,haveobservedthisRule,viz,ThatwhenwefellInterestinEnglandfromTentoEight,theypresentlysunkInterestinHollandtoFourperCent。andagain,whenwelower’dittoSixtheyfellittoThreeperCent。therebytokeeptheAdvantagewhichthelownessofInterestgivestoTrade。FromwhencetheseMenreadilyconclude,ThatthefallingofInterestwilladvanceTradeinEngland。TowhichIanswer,1。ThatthislookslikeanArgument,rathermadeforthepresentOccasion,tomisleadthosewhoarecredulousenoughtoswallowit,thanarisingfromtrueReason,andmatterofFact。
  ForifloweringofInterestweresoadvantageoustoTrade,whydidtheDutchsoconstancytaketheirmeasuresonlybyus,andnotaswellbysomeotheroftheirNeighbours,withwhomtheyhaveasgreatorgreaterCommercethanwithus?Thisisenoughatfirstsighttomakeonesuspectthis,tobeDustonlyraised,tothrowinPeopleseyes,andaSuggestionmadetoserveaPurpose。
  For,2。Itwillnotbefoundtrue,ThatwhenweabatedInteresthereinEnglandtoEight,theDutchsunkitinHollandtoFourperCent。byLaw;orthattherewasanyLawmadeinHollandtolimittheRateofInteresttoThreeperCent。whenwereduceditinEnglandtoSix。Itistrue,JohndeWitt,whenhemanagedtheAffairsofHolland,settinghimselftolessenthepublickDebt,andhavingactuallypaidsome,andgettingMoneyinareadinesstoPayothers,sentnoticetoalltheCreditors,ThatthosewhowouldnottakeFourperCent。shouldcomeandreceivetheirMoney。TheCreditorsfindinghiminearnest,andknowingnothowotherWisetoemploytheirMoney,acceptedhisTerms,andchangedtheirObligationsintoFourperCent。whereasbeforetheywereatFive,andso(thegreatLoansoftheCountrybeingtotheState)
  itmightbesaidinthissense,ThattheRateofInterestwasreducedloweratthattime:ButthatitwasdonebyaLaw,forbiddingtotakehigherInterestthanFourperCent。thatI
  deny,andrequireanyonetoshew。IndeedupongoodSecurityonemightlatelyhaveborrowedMoneyinHollandatThree,andThreeandanhalfperCent。butnotbyvertueofanyLaw,butthenaturalRateofInterest。AndIappealtotheMenlearnedintheLawofHolland,whetherlastYear(andIdoubtnotbutitissostill)aManmightnotlawfullylendhisMoneyforwhatInteresthecouldget,andwhetherintheCourtsheshouldnotrecovertheInteresthecontractedfor,ifitwereTenperCent。SothatifMoneybetobeborrowedbyhonestandresponsibleMen,atThree,orThreeandanhalfperCent。itisnotbytheforceofStatutesandEdicts;butbythenaturalCourseofthings,whichwillalwaysbringInterestupongoodSecuritylow,wherethereisagreatdealofMoneytobelent,andlittlegoodSecurity,inproportion,tobehad。HollandisaCountrywheretheLandmakesaverylittlepartoftheStockoftheCountry。TradeistheirgreatFund;andtheirEstatesliegenerallyinMoney:Sothatall,whoarenotTraders,generallyspeaking,areLenders:OfwhichtherearesomanywhoseIncomedependsuponInterest,thatiftheStateswerenotmightilyinDebt,butpaideveryonetheirPrincipal,insteadoftheFourperCent。Use,whichtheygive,therewouldbesomuchmoreMoneythancouldbeused,orwouldbeventuredinTrade,thatMoneytherewouldbeatTwoperCent。orunder,unlesstheyfoundawaytoputitoutinForeignCountries。
  Interest,IgranttheseMen,islowinHolland:ButitissonotasaneffectofLaw,orthepolitickContrivanceoftheGovernment,topromoteTrade;butastheConsequenceofgreatPlentyofreadyMoney,whentheirInterestfirstfell。Isaywhenitfirstfell:Forbeingoncebroughtlow,andthePublickhavingborrowedagreatpartofprivateMensMoney,andcontinuinginDebt,itmustcontinuesothoughthePlentyofMoney,whichfirstbroughtInterestlow,wereverymuchdecay’d,andagreatpartoftheirWealthwerereallygone。FortheDebtoftheStateaffordingtotheCreditorsaconstantYearlyIncome,thatislook’donasasafeRevenue,andaccountedasvaluableasifitwereinLand;andaccordinglytheybuyitoneofanother;andwhethertherebeanyMoneyinthepublickCoffersorno,he,whohastothevalueofTenthousandpoundsowinghimfromtheStates,mayselliteverydayintheWeek,andhavereadyMoneyforit。ThisCreditissogreatanadvantagetoprivateMen,whoknownotelsewhattodowiththeirStocks,thatweretheStatesnowinaconditiontobegintopaytheirDebts,theCreditors,ratherthantaketheirMoneyouttoliedeadbythem,wouldletitstayin,atlowerInterest,astheydidsomeYearssince,whentheywerecall’dontocomeandreceivetheirMoney。ThisisthestateofInterestinHolland:TheirplentyofMoney,andpayingtheirpubliqueDebts,sometimesinceloweredtheirInterest。ButitwasnotdonebythecommandandlimitationofaLaw,norinconsequenceofourreducingitherebyLawtoSixperCent。ForI
  deny,thatthereisanyLawthereyet,toforbidlendingofMoneyforaboveThree,orSix,orTenperCent。Whateversomeheresuggest,everyonetheremayhireouthisMoneyasfreelyashedoesanythingelse,forwhatratehecanget;andtheBargainbeingmade,theLawwillinforcetheBorrowertopayit。
  IgrantlowInterest,whereallMenconsenttoit,isanadvantagetoTrade,ifMerchantswillregulatetheirGainsaccordingly,andMenbeperswadedtolendtothem:Butcanitbeexpected,whenthePubliquegivesSeven,orEight,orTenperCent。thatprivateMen,whoseSecurityiscertainlynobetter,shallhaveitforFour?Andcantherebeanythingstranger,thanthatthesameMenwholookon,andthereforeallowhighUseasanencouragementtolendingtotheChequer,shouldthinklowUseshouldbringMoneyintoTrade?TheStatesofHollandsomefewYearssince,paidbutFourperCent。fortheMoneytheyowed:
  Ifyouproposethemforanexample,andInterestbetoberegulatedbyaLaw,trywhetheryoucandosohere,andbringMentolendittothePubliqueatthatRate。Thiswouldbeabenefittothekingdom,andabateagreatpartofourpubliqueCharge。Ifyoucannotdothat,confess,that’tisnottheLawinHollandhasbroughttheInteresttheresolow,butsomethingelse,andthatwhichwillmaketheStates,oranybodyelsepaydearernow,ifeithertheirCreditbeless,orMoneytherescarcer。
  AninfalliblesignofyourdecayofWealthisthefallingofRents,andtheraisingofthemwouldbeworththeNationsCare:
  Forinthat,andnotinthefallingofInterestliesthetrueadvantageoftheLandedman,andwithhimofthePublick。Itmaybethereforenotbesidesourpresentbusiness,toenquireintothecauseofthefallingofRentsinEngland。
  1。EithertheLandisgrownBarrener,andsotheProductisless,andconsequentlytheMoneytobereceivedforthatProductisless。ForitisevidentthathewhoseLandwaswonttoproduce100BushelsofWheatcommunibusannis,ifbylongTillage,andbadHusbandryitwillnowproducebut50Bushels,theRentwillbeabatedhalf。Butthiscannotbesuppos’dgeneral。
  2。OrtheRentofthatLandislessen’d。1。BecausetheuseoftheCommodityceases:AstheRentsmustfallinVirginia,weretakingofTobaccoforbidinEngland。2。OrbecausesomethingelsesuppliestheroomofthatProduct:AstherateofCopis-landswillfalluponthediscoveryofCoalMines。3。Or,becausetheMarketsaresuppliedwiththesameCommodity,cheaperfromanotherplace。AsthebreedingCountriesofEnglandmustneedsfalltheirRents,bytheimportationofIrishCattle。4。Or,becauseaTaxlaidonyourNativeCommodities,makeswhattheFarmersells,cheaper;andLabour,andwhathebuysdearer。
  3。Or,theMoneyintheCountryisless。FortheexigenciesandusesofMoneynotlesseningwithitsquantity,anditbeinginthesameproportiontobeimploy’danddistributedstillinallthepartsofitscirculation,somuchasitsquantityislessen’d,somuchmusttheshareofeveryone,thathasarighttothisMoney,betheless;whetherhebeLandholder,forhisGoods;orLabourer,forhisHire;orMerchant,forhisBrokage。
  ThoughtheLandholderusuallyfindsitfirst。BecauseMoneyfailing,andfallingshort,PeoplehavenotsomuchMoneyasformerlytolayout,andsolessMoneyisbroughttoMarket,bywhichthepriceofthingsmustnecessarilyfall。TheLabourerfeelsitnext。ForwhentheLandholder’sRentfalls,hemusteitherbatetheLabourer’sWages,ornotimploy,ornotpayhim;
  whicheitherwaymakeshimfeelthewantofMoney。TheMerchantfeelsitlast。Forthoughhesellless,andatalowerrate,hebuysalsoourNativeCommodities,whichheExports,atalowerratetoo:andwillbesuretoleaveourNativeCommoditiesunbought,upontheHandsoftheFarmer,orManufacturer,ratherthanExportthemtoaMarket,whichwillnotaffordhimReturnswithProfit。
  IfoneThirdoftheMoneyimployedinTradewerelock’dup,orgoneoutofEngland,mustnottheLandholdersnecessarilyreceiveoneThirdlessfortheirGoods,andconsequentlyRentsfall;AlessquantityofMoneybyoneThirdbeingtobedistributedamongstanequalnumberofReceivers?lndeed,PeoplenotperceivingtheMoneytobegone,areapttobejealousoneofanother;andeachsuspectinganothersinequalityofGaintorobhimofhisshare,everyonewillbeimployinghisskill,andpower,thebesthecan,toretrieveitagain,andtobringMoneyintohisPocketinthesameplentyasformerly。Butthisisbutscramblingamongstourselves,andhelpsnomoreagainstourwant,thanthepullingofashortCoverletwill,amongstChildren,thatlyetogether,preservethemallfromtheCold。
  Somewillstarve,unlesstheFatheroftheFamilyprovidebetter,andenlargethescantyCovering。ThispullingandcontestisusuallybetweentheLanded-manandtheMerchant。FortheLabourer’sshare,beingseldommorethanabaresubsistence,neverallowsthatbodyofMentimeoropportunitytoraisetheirThoughtsabovethat,orstrugglewiththeRicherfortheirs,(asonecommonInterest,)unlesswhensomecommonandgreatDistress,unitingtheminoneuniversalFerment,makesthemforgetRespect,andemboldensthemtocarvetotheirWantswitharmedforce:AndthensometimestheybreakinupontheRich,andsweepalllikeadeluge。Butthisrarelyhappensbutinthemal-administrationofneglectedormis-manag’dGovernment。
  Theusualstruggleandcontest,asIsaidbefore,inthedecaysofWealthandRiches,isbetweentheLandedManandtheMerchant,withwhomImayherejointheMoniedMan。TheLandedManfindshimselfaggrieved,bythefallingofhisRents,andthestreightningofhisFortune;whilsttheMoniedMankeepsuphisGain,andtheMerchantthrivesandgrowsrichbyTrade。ThesehethinksstealhisIncomeintotheirPockets,buildtheirFortunesuponhisRuin,andIngrossmoreoftheRichesoftheNationthancomestotheirshare。Hethereforeendeavours,byLaws,tokeepupthevalueofLands,whichhesuspectslessenedbytheothersexcessofProfit:Butallinvain。Thecauseismistaken,andtheremedytoo。’TisnottheMerchantsnorMoniedMan’sGainsthatmakesLandfall:ButthewantofMoneyandlesseningofourTreasurewastedbyextravagantExpences,andamis-manag’dTrade,whichtheLandalwaysfirstfeels。IftheLandedGentlemanwillhave,andbyhisexamplemakeitfashionabletohave,moreClaret,Spice,Silk,andotherForeignConsumableWares,thanourExportationofCommoditiesdoesexchangefor。MoneymustunavoidablyfollowtoballancetheAccount,andpaytheDebt。AndthereforeIfearthatanotherProposal,Iheartalkedof,tohindertheExportationofMoneyandBullion,willshewmoreourneedofcaretokeepourMoneyfromgoingfromus,thanawayandmethod,howtopreserveithere。
  ’TisDeathinSpaintoexportMoney。Andyetthey,whofurnishalltheWorldwithGoldandSilver,haveleastofitamongstthemselves。TradefetchesitawayfromthatlazyandindigentPeople,notwithstandingalltheirartificialandforcedcontrivancestokeepitthere。ItfollowsTradeagainsttherigouroftheirLaws;andtheirwantofForeignCommoditiesmakesitopenlybecarriedoutatNoon-Day。NaturehasbestowedMinesonseveralpartsoftheWorld:ButtheirRichesareonlyfortheIndustriousandFrugal。Whomeverelsetheyvisit,’tiswiththeDiligentandSoberonlytheystay。AndiftheVertue,andprovidentwayofLivingofourAncestors(contentwithourNativeconveniencesofLife,withoutthecostlyItchaftertheMaterialsofPrideandLuxuryfromabroad)werebroughtinfashionandcountenanceagainamongstus;thisalonewoulddomoretokeep,andincreaseourWealth,andinrichourLand,thanallourPaperhelpsaboutInterest,Money,Bullion,&c。whichhowevereagerlywemaycatchat,willnot,Ifear,withoutbetterHusbandry,keepusfromsinking,whatevercontrivanceswemayhaverecourseto。
  ’TiswithaKingdom,aswithaFamily。Spendinglessthanourown。Commoditieswillpayfor,isthesureandonlywayfortheNationtogrowRich。Andwhenthatbeginsonceseriouslytobeconsider’d,andourfacesandstepsareinearnestturn’dthatway,wemayhopetohaveourRentsrise,andthepublickStockthriveagain。Tillthen,weinvain,Ifear,endeavourwithnoise,andweaponsofLaw,todrivetheWolffromourown,tooneanothersDoors:TheBreedoughttobeextirpatedoutoftheIsland。ForWant,broughtinbyillmanagement,andnursedupbyexpensiveVanity,willmaketheNationPoor,andsparenobody。
  IfThreeMillionswerenecessaryforthecarryingontheTradeofEngland,whereofOneMillionwerefortheLandholder,tomaintainhim;andanotherwereforthepaymentoftheLabourerandHandicraftsman;andtheThirdweretheshareoftheBrokers,comingtothemfortheircareandpainsindistributing;IfOneMillionofthisMoneyweregoneoutoftheKingdom,mustnottherebeOneThirdlesstobesharedamongstthemfortheproductoftheirLand,theirLabourandtheirDistribution?Idonotsaytheywillfeelitatthesametime。ButtheLandholderhavingnothing,butwhattheProductofhisLandwillyield;andtheBuyeraccordingtothePlentyorScarcityofMoneyhehas,alwayssettingthePriceuponwhatisofferedtoSale;TheLandholdermustbecontenttotaketheMarket-Rate,forwhathebringsthither,whichalwaysfollowingthescarcityorplentyofMoney,ifanypartofourMoneybegone,heissurefirsttofinditinthepriceofhisCommodities。FortheBrokerandMerchant,thoughheSellcheaper,yetheBuyscheapertoo:AndhewillbesuretogetbyhisReturns,orletaloneaCommodity,whichwillnotproducehimGain:Andwhatsoeverissoletalone,andleftuponhands,alwaysturnstotheLandholdersloss。
  SupposingthatofourWoollenManufacture,ForeignMarketstookoffonehalf,andtheotherhalfwereconsumedamongstourselves:Ifasensiblepart,(asOneThird)ofourCoinweregone,andsoMenhadequallyOneThirdlessMoneythantheyhad(for,’tiscertain,itmustbetantamount,andwhatI’scapeofOneThirdless,anothermustmakeup)itwouldfollow,ThattheywouldhavelesstolayoutinCloaths,aswellasotherthings,andsowouldeitherwearthemlonger,orpaylessforthem。IfaClothierfindsawantofVent,hemusteitherSellcheaperornotatall:IfheSellscheaper,hemustalsopayless,bothforWoolandLabour:AndiftheLabourerhathlessWages,hemustalsopaylessforCorn,Butter,Cheese,Flesh,orelseforbearsomeofthesequite。Inallwhichcases,thePriceofWool,Corn,Flesh,andtheotherProductsofLandarebroughtdown,andtheLandbearsthegreatestpartoftheloss。Forwhere-evertheConsumptionorVentofanyCommodityisstopt,theretheStopcontinuesontillitcomestotheLandholder。Andwhere-everthePriceofanyCommoditybeginstofall,howmanyHandssoevertherebebetweenthatandtheLandholder,theyalltakereprisalsoneuponanother,tillatlastitcomestotheLandholder;andtheretheabatementofPrice,ofanyofhisCommodities,lessenshisIncome,andisaclearloss。TheOwnerofLand,whichproducestheCommodity,andthelastBuyer,whoconsumesit,arethetwoextreamsinCommerce。AndthoughthefallingofanysortofCommodityintheLandholder’sHand,doesnotprovesotothelastconsumer,theArtsofinterveningBrokersandIngrosserskeepingupthePricetotheirownadvantage:YetwheneverwantofMoney,orwantofdesireintheconsumer,makethePricelow,thatimmediatelyreachesthefirstProducer:NobodybetweenhavinganyInteresttokeepitup。
  Now,astothetwofirstcausesoffallingofRents,fallingofInteresthasnoInfluenceatall。Inthelatter,ithasagreatpart:BecauseitmakestheMoneyofEnglandless,bymakingbothEnglish-MenandForeignerswithdraworwith-holdtheirMoney。ForthatwhichisnotletlooseintoTrade,isallonewhil’stHoardedup,asifitwerenotinBeing。
  Ihavehearditbroughtforareason,whyInterestshouldbereducedtoFourperCent。ThattherebytheLandholder,whobearstheburthenofthePublickCharge,maybe,insomedegreeeasedbyfallingofInterest。
  ThisArgumentwillbeputright,ifyousayitwilleasetheBorrower,andlaythelossontheLender:ButitconcernsnottheLandingeneral,unlessyouwillsupposeallLandholdersinDebt。
  ButIhope,wemayyetthinkthatMeninEngland,whohaveLand,haveMoneytoo;andthatLandedMen,aswellasothers,bytheirprovidenceandgoodHusbandry,accommodatingtheirExpencestotheirIncome,keepthemselvesfromgoingbackwardsintheWorld。
  Thatwhichisurged,asmostdeservingconsiderationandremedyinthecase,is,Thatitishardandunreasonable,thatone,whohasMortgagedhalfhisLand,shouldyetpayTaxesforthewhole,whil’sttheMortgageegoesawaywiththeclearprofitofanhighInterest。TothisIanswer,1。ThatifanyManhasrunhimselfinDebt,fortheServiceofhisCountry,’tisfitthePublickshouldreimbursehim,andsethimfree。Thisisacare,thatbecomesthePublickJustice;
  ThatMen,iftheyreceivenoRewards,should,atleast,bekeptfromSuffering,inhavingServedtheirCountry。ButIdonotrememberthePolityofanyNation,whoalteredtheirConstitution,infavourofthose,whosemismanagementhadbroughtthembehind-hand;possiblyasthinkingthePublicklittlebeholdingtothose,whohadmisemployedtheStockoftheirCountry,intheexcessoftheirprivateExpences,and,bytheirExample,spreadafashionthatcarriesruinwithit。MenspayingTaxesofMortgagedLands,isapunishmentforill-husbandry,whichoughttobediscouraged:ButitconcernsverylittletheFrugalandtheThrifty。
  2。Anotherthingtobesaidinreplytothis,is,ThatitiswithGentlemenintheCountry,aswithTradesmenintheCity。IftheywillownTitlestogreaterEstatesthanreallytheyhave,itistheirownfaults,andthereisnowaylefttohelpthemfromPayingforthem。TheRemedyisintheirownhands,todischargethemselveswhentheyplease。AndwhentheyhaveonceSoldtheirLand,andpaidtheirDebts,theywillnolongerpayTaxes,forwhattheyown,withoutbeingreallytheirs。Thereisanotherwayalso,wherebytheymayberelieved,aswellasagreatmanyotherinconvenienciesremedied;andthatisbyaRegistry:ForifMortgageswereRegistred,LandTaxesmightreachthem,andordertheLendertopayhisproportion。
  IhavemetwithPatronsofFourperCent。who(amongstmanyotherfinethingstheytellusof)affirm,ThatifInterestwerereducedtoFourperCent。thensomeMenwouldborrowMoneyatthislowRate,andpaytheirDebts;Otherswouldborrowmorethantheynowdo,andimprovetheirLand;OtherswouldborrOwmore,andimployitinTradeandManufacture。Gildedwordsindeed,werethereanythingsubstantialinthem!TheseMentalk,asiftheymeanttoshewus,notonlytheWisdom,butRichesofSolomon,andwouldmakeGoldandSilverascommon,astheStonesintheStreet:Butatlast,Ifear,’willbebutWitwithoutMoney;and,Iwishitamounttothat。’Tiswithoutquestion,ThatcouldtheCountryman,andtheTradesmantakeupMoneycheaper,thannowtheydo,everyManwouldbeforwardtoBorrow,anddesire,thathemighthaveotherMensMoneytoimploytohisadvantage。I
  confess,thosewhocontendforFourperCent。havefoundoutaway,tosetMensMouthsawateringforMoneyatthatRate,andtoincreasethenumberoftheBorrowersinEngland;ifanybodycanimagineitwouldbeanadvantagetoincreasethem。ButtoansweralltheirfineProjects,Ihavebutthisoneshortquestiontoaskthem:WillFourperCent。increasethenumberoftheLenders?
  Ifitwillnot,asanyManattheveryfirsthearing,willshrewdlysuspectitwillnot,thenalltheplentyofMoneytheseConjurersbestowuponus,forImnprovementofLand,PayingofDebts,andAdvancementofTrade,isbutliketheGoldandSilver,whichOldWomenbelieve,otherConjurersbestowsometimes,bywholeLapfuls,onpoorcredulousGirls,which,whentheybringtothelight,isfoundtobenothingbutwither’dLeaves;andthePossessorsofitarestillasmuchinwantofMoneyasever。
  IndeedIgrantitwouldbewellforEngland,andIwishitwereso,thattheplentyofMoneyweresogreatamongstus,thateveryMancouldborrowasmuchashecoulduseinTrade,forFourperCent。nay,thatMencouldborrowasmuchastheycouldimployforSixperCent。ButevenatthatRate,theBorrowersalreadyarefarmorethantheLenders。WhyelsedoththeMerchantuponoccasion,paySixperCent。andoftenabovethatrateforBrokage?AndwhydoththeCountryGentlemanofOnethousandpoundsperAnnumfinditsodifficult,withallthesecurityhecanbring,totakeupaThousandpound?AllwhichproceedsfromthescarcityofMoney,andbadSecurity;twoCauses,whichwillnotbelesspowerfultohinderBorrowing,aftertheloweringofInterest:andIdonotsee,howanyonecanimaginethatreducingUsetoFourPerCent。shouldabatetheirforce;orhowlesseningtheRewardoftheLender,withoutdiminishinghisRisque,shouldmakehimmoreforwardandreadytoLend。SothattheseMen,whilsttheytalk,thatatFourperCent。Menwouldtakeup,andimploymoreMoneytothePublickadvantage,dobutpretendtomultiplythenumberofBorrowersamongus,ofwhichitiscertainwehavetoomanyalready。WhilsttheythussetMenalongingfortheGoldendaysofFourperCent。methinkstheyusethepoorindigentDebtor,andneedyTradesman,asIhaveseenpratlingJack-Dawsdosometimestheiryoung,whokawingandflutteringabouttheNest,setalltheiryoungonesagaping,buthavingnothingintheiremptyMouthsbutNoiseandAir,leavethemashungryasbefore。
  ’TistruetheseMenhavefoundoutbyacunningproject,how,bytherestraintofLaw,tomakethepriceofMoneyOneThirdcheaper,andthentheytellJohnaNokes,thatheshallhaveTenthousandpoundsofittoemployinMerchandise,orCloathing;andJohnaStilesshallhaveTwentythousandpoundsmoretopayhisDebts;andsodistributethisMoneyasfreelyasDegodidhisLegacies,whichtheyaretohave,evenwheretheycangetit。ButtilltheseMencaninstructtheforwardBorrowerswheretheyshallbefurnished,theyhaveperhapsdonesomethingtoincreaseMensdesire,butnotmadeMoneyonejoteasiertocomeby。Andtilltheydothat,allthissweetginglingofMoneyintheirDiscoursesgoesjusttotheTuneof,IfalltheWorldwereOatmeal。MethinkstheseUndertakers,whil’sttheyhaveputMeninhopesofBorrowingmoreplentifullyateasierRates,forthesupplyoftheirWantsandTrades,haddonebettertohavebethoughtthemselvesofaway,howMenneednotBorrowuponUseatall:Forthiswouldbemuchmoreadvantageous,andaltogetherasFeisible。ItisaseasietodistributeTwentypairofShooesamongstThirtyMen,iftheypaynothingforthematall,asiftheypaid4s。apair。Tenofthem(notwithstandingtheStatuteRateshouldbereducedfrom6s。to4s。apair)willbenecessitatedtositstillBarefoot,asmuch,asiftheyweretopaynothingforShooesatall。JustsoitisinaCountry,thatwantsMoneyinproportiontoTrade。ItisaseasietocontrivehoweveryManshallbesuppliedwithwhatMoneyheneeds(i。e。
  canimployinimprovementsofLand,payinghisDebts,andReturnsofhisTrade)fornothing,asforFourperCent。EitherwehavealreadymoreMoneythantheOwnerswillLend,orwehavenot。IfpartoftheMoneywhichisnowinEngland,willnotbeLentattherateInterestisatpresentat,willMenbemorereadytoLend,andBorrowersbefurnishedforallthosebravePurposesmoreplentifully,whenMoneyisbroughttoFourperCent?IfPeopledoalreadylendalltheMoneytheyhave,abovetheirownoccasions,whencearethose,whowillborrowmoreatFourperCent。tobesupplied?OristheresuchplentyofMoney,andscarcityofBorrowers,thatthereneedsthereducingofInteresttoFourperCent。tobringMentotakeit?
  AlltheimaginablewaysofincreasingMoneyinanyCountry,arethesetwo:EithertodigitinMinesofourown,orgetitfromourNeighbours。ThatFourperCent。isnotofthenatureoftheDeusing-rod,orVirgulaDivina,abletodiscoverMinesofGoldandSilver,Ibelievewilleasilybegrantedme。ThewayofgettingfromForeigners,iseitherbyforce,borrowing,ortrade。
  Andwhateverwaysbesidesthese,Menmayfansie,orpropose,forincreasingofMoney,(excepttheyintendtosetupforthePhilosophersStone)wouldbemuchthesamewithaDistractedMan’sdevicethatIknew,who,inthebeginningofhisDistemperfirstdiscover’dhimselftobeoutofhisWits,bygettingtogether,andboilingagreatnumberofGroats,withadesign,ashesaid,tomakethemplim,i。e。growthicker。ThatFourperCent。willRaiseArmies,DisciplineSoldiers,andmakeMenValiant,andfittertoconquerCountries,andinrichthemselveswiththeSpoils,Ithinkwasneverpretended。AndthatitwillnotbringinmoreofourNeighboursMoneyuponLoan,thanwehaveatpresentamongus,issovisibleinitsself,thatitwillnotneedanyProof;thecontendersforFourperCent。lookinguponitasanundeniableTruth,andmakinguseofitasanArgumenttoshewtheadvantageitwillbetotheNation,bylesseningtheUsepaidtoForeigners,whouponfallingofUsewilltakehometheirMoney。Andforthelastwayofincreasingour。Money,bypromotingofTrade,howmuchloweringofInterestisthewaytothat,Ihave,Isuppose,shew’dyoualready。
  HavinglatelymetwithalittleTract,IntituledALettertoaFriendconcerningUsury。Printedthispresentyear1690;whichgivesinshort,theArgumentsofsomeTreatisesPrintedmanyyearssince,forthelowereingofInterest;Itmaynotbeamiss,brieflytoconsiderthem。
  1。AHighInterestdecaysTrade。TheadvantagefromInterestisgreaterthantheProfitfromTrade,whichmakestherichMerchantsgiveover,andputouttheirStocktoInterest,andthelesserMerchantsBreak。
  Answ。ThiswasPrintedin1621,whenInterestwasat10perCent。AndwhetherEnglandhadeveramoreflourishingTrade,thanatthattime,mustbelefttothejudgmentofthose,whohaveconsider’dthegrowingStrengthandRichesofthisKingdominQ。E。andKingJ。the1stReigns。NotthatIimputeittohighInterest,buttootherCausesIhavemention’d,whereinUsuryhadnothingtodo。ButifthisbethoughtanArgumentnowin1690,whenthelegalInterestis6perCent。Idesirethose,whothinkfittomakeuseofit,tonamethoserichMerchants,whohavegivenoverandputouttheirStockstoInterest。
  2。Interestbeingat10perCent。andinHollandat6;ourNeighbourMerchantsunderselus。
  Answ。ThelegalInterestbeingherenowat6perCent。andinHollandnotlimitedbyLaw,ourNeighbourMerchantsunderselus,becausetheylivemorefrugally,andarecontentwithlessprofit。
  3。InterestbeinglowerinHollandthaninEngland,theirContributionstoWar,worksofPiety,andallChargesoftheState,arecheapertothemthantous。
  Answ。ThisneedsalittleExplication。Contributionsgreaterorless,Iunderstand:butContributionscheaperordearer,I
  confessIdonot。IftheymanagetheirWarsandChargescheaperthanwe,theblameisnottobelaidonhigh,orlowInterest。
  4。Interestbeingsohigh,preventsthebuildingofShipping,whichisthestrengthandsafetyofourIsland,mostMerchantShipsbeingbuiltinHolland。
  Answ。ThoughthisArgumentbenowgone,suchShipsbeingProhibitedbyaLaw,IwillhelptheAuthortooneasgood。TheDutchbuyourRape-seed,makeitintoOil,bringitbacktous,andsellitwithadvantage。ThismaybeaswellsaidtobefromhighInteresthere,andlowthere。ButtheTruthis,thelndustryandFrugalityofthatPeople,makesthemcontenttoworkcheaper,andsellatlessprofitthantheirNeighbours,andsogettheTradefromthem。
  5。ThehighRateofUsurymakesLandsellsocheap,beingnotworthmorethan14or15YearsPurchase;whereasinHolland,whereInterestisat6,itisworthabove25。SothatalowInterestraisesthePriceofLand。WhereMoneyisdearLandischeap。
  Answ。ThisArgumentplainlyconfesses,ThatthereissomethingelseregulatesthePriceofLand,besidestheRateofInterest。elsewhenMoneywasat10PerCent。here,Landshouldhavebeenat10YearsPurchase,whereasheconfessesitthentohavebeenat14or15。Onemaysuppose,tofavourhisHypothesis,hewasnotforwardtospeakthemostofit。AndInterest,ashesays,beingat6PerCent。inHolland,LandthereshouldhaveSoldbythatRuleforSixteenandanhalfYearsPurchase,whereashesaysitwasworthaboveTwentyfive。AndMr。Manlysays,(p。
  33)ThatMoneyinFrancebeingat7perCent。NobleLandsellsfor34and35YearsPurchase,andordinaryLandfor25。SothatthetrueConclusionfromhenceis,notwhatourAuthormakes,butthis;That’tisnotthelegalInterest,butsomethingelse,thatgovernstheRateofLand。IgranthisPosition,ThatwhereMoneyisdear,Landischeap,andvicevers?Butitmustbesobythenatural,notlegalInterest。ForwhereMoneywillbelentongoodSecurityat4or5perCent。’tisaDemonstration,thatthereismorethanwillbeventuredonordinaryCreditinTrade。AndwhenthisPlentybecomesgeneral,’tisasign,thereismoreMoney,thancanbeEmployedinTrade;whichcannotbutputmanyuponseekingPurchases,tolayitoutinLand,andsoraisethePriceofLand,bymakingmoreBuyers,thanSellers。
  6。’TisnotprobableLenderswillcallintheirMoney,whentheycannotmakegreaterInterestanywhere。Besides,theirSecurityuponLandwillbebetter。
  Answ。SomeunskilfulandtimorousMenwillcallintheirMoney;othersputitintotheBanker’sHands。ButtheBankersandSkilfulwillkeepitup,andnotlendit,butatthenaturalUse,aswehaveshewn。ButhowSecuritieswillbemendedbyloweringofInterest,is,Iconfess,beyondmyComprehension。
  OfRaisingourCoin。
  BEINGnowupontheConsiderationofInterestandMoney,givemeleavetosayoneWordmoreonthisoccasion,whichmaynotbewhollyunseasonableatthistime。IhearaTalkupanddownofraisingourMoney,asameanstoretainourWealth,andkeepourMoneyfrombeingcarriedaway。IwishthosethatusethePhraseofraisingourMoney,hadsomeclearNotionannexedtoit;andthatthentheywouldexamine,Whether,thatbeingtrue,itwouldatallservetothoseEnds,forwhichispropos’d。
  TheraisingofMoneythensignifiesoneofthesetwothings;
  eitherraisingtheValueofourMoney,orraisingtheDenominationofourCoin。
  TheraisingoftheValueofMoney,oranythingelse,isnothing,butthemakingalessquantityofitexchangeforanyotherthing,thanwouldhavebeentakenforitbefore。v。g。If5
  s。willexchangefor,or,(aswecallit)buyaBushelofWheat;
  ifyoucanmake4s。buyanotherBushelofthesameWheat,itisplaintheValueofyourMoneyisraised,inrespectofWheatOneFifth。ButthusnothingcanraiseorfallthevalueofyourMoney,buttheproportionofitsPlenty,orScarcity,inproportiontothePlenty,Scarcity,orVentofanyotherCommodity,withwhichyoucompareit,orforwhichyouwouldexchangeit。AndthusSilver,whichmakestheIntrinsickValueofMoney,compar’dwithitself,underanyStamporDenominationofthesameordifferentCountries,cannotberaised。ForanOunceofSilver,whetherinPence,Groats,orCrownPieces,StiversorDucatoons,orinBullion,isandalwayseternallywillbeofequalValuetoanyotherOunceofSilver,underwhatStamporDenominationsoever;unlessitcanbeshewnthatanyStampcanaddanynewandbetterqualitiestooneparcelofSilver,whichanotherparcelofSilverwants。
  SilverthereforebeingalwaysofequalValuetoSilver,thevalueofCoin,compar’dwithCoin,isgreater,less,orequal,onlyasithasmore,lessorequalSilverinit:Andinthisrespect,youcanbynomannerofwayraiseorfallyourMoney。
  IndeedmostoftheSilveroftheWorld,bothinMoneyandVesselsbeingalloy’d,(i。e。mixedwithsomebaserMetals)fineSilver(i。e。SilverseparatedfromallAlloy)isusuallydearerthansomuchSilveralloy’d,ormixedwithbaserMetals。Because,besidestheWeightoftheSilver,thosewhohaveneedoffine(i。e。
  unmix’d)Silver;asGilders,Wyre-drawers,&c。mustaccordingtotheirneed,besidesanequalWeightofSilvermixedwithotherMetals,giveanOverplustorewardtheRefiner’sSkillandPains。
  AndinthisCase,fineSilver,andalloy’dormixedSilverareconsideredastwodistinctCommodities。ButnoMoneybeingCoin’dofpurefineSilver,thisconcernsnottheValueofMoneyatall;
  whereinanequalquantityofSilverisalwaysofthesameValuewithanequalquantityofSilver,lettheStamp,orDenominationbewhatitwill。
  AllthenthatcanbedoneinthisgreatmysteryofRaisingMoney,isonlytoaltertheDenomination,andcallthataCrownnow,whichbeforebytheLawwasbutapartofaCrown。ForExample:Supposing,accordingtotheStandardofourLaw,5s。oraCrown,weretoweighanOunce,(asitdoesnow,wantingabout16Grains)whereofonetwelfthwereCopper,andeleventwelfthsSilver,(forthere-aboutsitis)’tisplainhere’tisthequantityofSilvergivestheValuetoit。ForletanotherPiecebeCoin’dofthesameWeight,whereinhalftheSilveristakenout,andCopperorotherAlloyputintotheplace,everyoneknowsitwillbeworthbuthalfasmuch。FortheValueoftheAlloyissoinconsiderableasnottobereckoned。ThisCrownnowmustberais’d,andfromhenceforthourCrownPiecesCoin’doneTwentiethlighter;whichisnothingbutchangingtheDenomination,callingthataCrownnow,whichyesterdaywasbutapart,viz。NineteentwentiethsofaCrown;wherebyyouhaveonlyraised19partstotheDenominationformerlygivento20。ForI
  thinknobodycanbesosenseless,astoimagine,that19GrainsorOuncesofSilvercanberaisedtotheValueof20;orthat19
  GrainsorOuncesofSilvershallatthesametimeexchangefor,orbuyasmuchCorn,Oyl,orWine,as20;whichistoraiseittotheValueof20。Forif19OuncesofSilvercanbeworth20
  OuncesofSilver,orpayforasmuchofanyotherCommodity,then18,10,or1Ouncemaydothesame。ForiftheabatingOneWentiethofthequantityoftheSilverofanyCoin,doesnotlessenitsValue,theabatingNineteentwentiethsofthequantityoftheSilverofanyCoin,willnotabateitsValue。AndsoasingleThreepence,orasinglePenny,beingcall’daCrown,willbuyasmuchSpice,orSilk,oranyotherCommodity,asaCrown-piece,whichcontains20or60timesasmuchSilver;whichisanAbsurditysogreat,ThatIthinknobodywillwantEyestosee,andSensetodisown。
  Now,thisraisingyourMoney,orgivingalessquantityofSilvertheStampandDenominationofagreater,maybedonetwoways。
  1。ByraisingoneSpeciesofyourMoney。
  2。ByraisingallyourSilverCoinatonce,proportionably;
  whichisthethingIsuppos’d,nowpropos’d。
  1。TheraisingofoneSpeciesofyourCoin,beyonditsintrinsickValue,isdonebyCoininganyoneSpecies,(whichinaccountbearssuchaproportiontotheotherSpeciesofyourCoin)withlessSilverinit,thanisrequiredbythatvalueitbearsinyourMoney。
  ForExample,ACrownwithusgoesfor60Pence,aShillingfor12Pence,aTesterfor6Pence,andaGroatfor4Pence:Andaccordingly,theproportionofSilverineachofthem,oughttobeat60。12。6。and4。Now,ifintheMintthereshouldbeCoin’dGroats,orTesters,thatbeingofthesameAlloywithourotherMoney,hadbutTwothirdsoftheWeight,thatthoseSpeciesareCoin’datnow;orelse,beingofthesameWeight,weresoalloy’dastohaveOnethirdoftheSilverrequiredbythepresentStandardchang’dintoCopper;andshouldthus,byLaw,bemadeCurrent;(therestofyourSilverMoneybeingkepttothepresentStandardinWeightandFineness)’tisplain,thoseSpecieswouldberaisedOnethirdpart;thatpassingfor6dwhichhadbuttheSilverof4dinit;andwouldbealloneasifaGroatshouldbyLawbemadeCurrentfor6d;andevery6dinpaymentpassfor9d。ThisistrulyraisingtheseSpecies:Butisnomoreineffect,thaniftheMintshouldCoinclip’dMoney。Andhas,besidestheCheatthatisput,bysuchbaseorlightMoney,oneveryparticularMan,thatreceivesit,thathewantsOnethirdofthatrealvaluewhichthePublickoughttosecurehim,intheMoney,itobligeshimtoreceiveasLawfulandCurrent;Ithas,Isay,thisgreatandunavoidableinconveniencetothePublick,That,besidestheopportunitiesitgivestoDomestickCoinerstoCheatyouwithlawfulMoney,itputsitintotheHandsofForeignerstofetchawayyourMoneywithoutanyCommoditiesforit。ForiftheyfindthatTwo-PennyweightofSilver,markedwithacertainImpression,shallhereinEnglandbeequivalentto3dweightmark’dwithanotherImpression;theywillnotfailtostampPiecesofthatFashion;andsoImportingthatbaseandlowCoin,will,hereinEngland,receive3d。for2d。,andquicklycarryawayyourSilverinexchangeforCopper,orbarelythechargeofCoynage。
  ThisisunavoidableinallCountrieswhereanyoneSpeciesoftheirMoneyisdisproportionateinitsintrinsickValue,(i。e。initsdueproportionofSilvertotherestoftheMoneyofthatCountry)aninconveniencesocertainlyattendingtheallowanceofanybaseSpeciesofMoneytobeCurrent,thattheKingofFrancecouldnotavoidit,withallhiswatchfulness。Forthough,byEdict,hemadehis4SolsPieces,(whereof15weretopassforaFrenchCrown,though20ofthemhadnotsomuchSilverinthem,aswasinaFrenchCrownPiece)passintheInlandpartsofhiskingdom,15foraCrowninallPayments;yethedurstnotmakethemCurrentinhisSea-portTowns,forfear,thatshouldgiveanopportunitytotheirImportation。ButyetthisCautionservednottheturn。TheywerestillImported;and,bythismeans,agreatlossanddamagebroughtuponhisCountry。Sothathewasforcedtocrythemdown,andsinkthemtoneartheirintrinsickValue。
  WherebyagreatmanyparticularMen,whohadquantitiesofthatSpeciesintheirHands,lostagreatpartoftheirEstates;andeveryonethathadany,lostproportionablybyit。
  IfwehadGroatsorSix-PencesCurrentbyLaw,amongstus,thatwantedOnethirdoftheSilverwhichtheynowhavebytheStandard,tomakethemofequalValuetoourotherSpeciesofMoney;whocanimagine,thatourNeigbourswouldnotpresentlypourinquantitiesofsuchMoneyuponus,tothegreatlossandprejudiceofthekingdom?ThequantityofSilverthatisineachPieceorSpeciesofCoin,beingthat,whichmakesitsrealandintrinsickValue,thedueproportionsofSilveroughttobekeptineachSpecies,accordingtotherespectiveRatesetoneachofthembyLaw。Andwhenthisisevervariedfrom,itisbutaTricktoservesomepresentoccasion;butisalwayswithlosstotheCountrywheretheTrickisplay’d。
  2。TheotherwayofraisingMoneyisbyraisingallyourSilverCoinatonce,theproportionofaCrown,aShilling,andaPenny,inreferencetooneanother,beingstillkept,(viz。ThataShillingshallweighOnefifthofaCrownPiece,andaPennyweighOnetwelfthofaShilling,inStandardSilver)Butoutofeveryoneofthese,youabateOnetwentiethoftheSilver,theywerewonttohaveinthem。
  IfalltheSpeciesofMoney,be,as’tiscall’draisedbymakingeachofthemtohaveOnetwentiethlessofSilverinthemthanformerly;andsoyourwholeMoneybelighterthanitwas:
  Thesefollowingwillbesomeoftheconsequencesofit。
  1。ItwillroballCreditorsofOnetwentieth(or5perCent。)oftheirDebts,andallLandlordsOnewentiethoftheirquitRentsforever;andinallotherRentsasfarastheirformerContractsreach,of5perCent。oftheiryearlyIncome;
  andthiswithoutanyadvantagetotheDebtor,orFarmer。ForhereceivingnomorepoundsSterlingforhisLandorCommodities,inthisnewlighterCoin,thanheshouldhavedoneofyouroldandweightierMoney,getsnothingbyit。Ifyousayyes,hewillreceivemoreCrown,Half-Crown,andShillingPieces,forwhathenowSellsfornewMoney,thanheshouldhavedoneiftheMoneyoftheoldStandardhadcontinued;youconfessyourMoneyisnotraisedinValue,butinDenomination;sincewhatyournewPieceswantinWeight,mustnowbemadeupintheirnumber。Butwhichwaysoeverthisfalls,’tiscertain,thePublick(whichmostMenthink,oughttobetheonlyreasonofchangingasettledLaw,anddisturbingthecommoncurrentcourseofthings)receivesnottheleastProfitbyit:Nay,asweshallseebyandby,itwillbeagreatChargeandLosstothekingdom。Butthis,atfirstsight,isvisible;ThatinallPaymentstobereceiveduponprecedentContracts,ifyourMoneybeineffectraised,theReceiverwilllose5perCent。ForMoneyhavingbeenLent,andLeasesandotherBargainsmade,whenMoneywasofthesameWeightandFinenessthatitisnow,uponConfidencethatunderthesamenamesofPounds,ShillingsandPence,theyshouldreceivethesamevalue,(i。e。thesameqiantityofSilver)bygivingthedenominationnowtolessquantitiesofSilverbyOnetwentieth,youtakefromthem5perCent。oftheirdue。
  WhenMengotoMarkettobuyanyotherCommoditieswiththeirnew,butlighterMoney,theywillfind20s。oftheirnewMoneywillbuynomoreofanyCommoditythan19wouldbefore。ForitnotbeingthedenominationbutthequantityofSilver,thatgivesthevaluetoanyCoin,19GrainsorpartsofSilver,howeverdenominatedormarked,willnomorebeworth,orpassfor,orbuysomuchofanyotherCommodityas20GrainsofSilverwill,than19s。willpassfor20s:IfanyonethinksaShillingoraCrowninnamehasitsvaluefromthedenomination,andnotfromthequantityofSilverinit,letitbetried;andhereafterletaPennybecalledaShilling,oraShillingbecalledaCrown。I
  believenobodywouldbecontenttoreceivehisDebtsorRentsinsuchMoney:WhichthoughtheLawshouldraisethus,yetheforeseesheshouldloseEleventwelfthsbytheone,andbytheotherFourfifthsofthevaluehereceived;andwouldfindhisnewShilling,whichhadnomoreSilverinitthanOnetwelfthofwhataShillinghadbefore,wouldbuyhimofCorn,Cloth,orWinebutOnewelfthofwhatanoldShillingwould。Thisisasplainlysointheraising,asyoucallit,yourCrownto5s。and3d。or(whichisthesamething)makingyourCrownOnetwentiethlighterinSilver。Theonlydifferenceis,thatinonethelossissogreat,(itbeingEleventwelfths)thateverybodysees,andabhorsitatfirstproposal;butintheother(itbeingbutOnetwentieth,andcoveredwiththedeceitfulnameofraisingourMoney)Peopledonotsoreadilyobserveit。lfitbegoodtoraisetheCrownPiecethiswayOnetwentieththisWeek,IsupposeitwillbeasgoodandprofitabletoraiseitasmuchagainthenextWeek。Forthereisnoreason,whyitwillnotbeasgoodtoraiseitagainanotherOnetwentieththenextWeek,andsoon;
  wherein,ifyouproceedbut10Weekssuccessively,youwillbyNew-Years-DaynexthaveeveryHalf-CrownraisedtoaCrown,tothelossofonehalfofPeoplesDebtsandRents,andtheKing’sRevenue,besidestheConfusionofallyouraffairs:AndifyoupleasetogooninthisbeneficialwayofraisingyourMoney,youmaybythesameArtbringaPenny-weightofSilvertobeaCrown。
  Silver,i。e。thequantityofpureSilverseparablefromtheAlloy,makestherealvalueofMoney。Ifitdoesnot,CoinCopperwiththesameStampanddenomination,andseewhetheritwillbeofthesamevalue。IsuspectyourStampwillmakeitofnomoreworth,thantheCopper-MoneyofIrelandis,whichisitsweightinCopper,andnomore。ThatMoneylostsomuchtoIreland,asitpassedforabovetherateofCopper。ButyetIthinknobodysufferedsomuchbyitashe,bywhoseAuthorityitwasmadecurrent。
  IfSilvergivethevalue,youwillsaywhatneedistherethenofthechargeofCoinage?MaynotMenExchangeSilverbyWeight,forotherthings;maketheirBargains,andkeeptheirAccountsinSilverbyweight?Thismightbedone,butithastheseinconveniencies。
  1。TheweighingofSilvertoeveryonewehadoccasiontopayitto,wouldbeverytroublesome,foreveryonemustcarryaboutScalesinhisPocket。
  2。Scaleswouldnotdothebusiness。For,inthenextplace,everyonecannotdistinguishbetweenfineandmix’dSilver:Sothatthoughhereceivedthefullweight,hewasnotsurehereceivedthefullweightofSilver;sincetheremightbeamixtureofsomeofthebaserMetals,whichhewasnotabletodiscern。Thosewhohavehadthecare,andgovernmentofPolitickSocieties,introducedCoinage,asaremedytothosetwoinconveniencies。TheStampwasaWarrantyofthepublick,thatundersuchadenominationtheyshouldreceiveapieceofsuchaweight,andsuchafineness;thatis,theyshouldreceivesomuchSilver。AndthisisthereasonwhythecounterfeitingtheStampismadethehighestCrime,andhastheweightofTreasonlaiduponit:BecausetheStampisthepublickvoucheroftheintrinsickvalue。TheRoyalAuthoritygivesthestamp;theLawallowsandconfirmsthedenomination:Andbothtogethergive,asitwere,thepublickfaith,asasecurity,thatSumsofMoneycontractedforundersuchdenominations,shallbeofsuchavalue,thatis,shallhaveinthemsomuchSilver。For’tisSilverandnotNamesthatpayDebtsandpurchaseCommodities。IfthereforeIhavecontractedforTwentyCrowns,andtheLawthenhasrequired,thateachofthoseCrownsshouldhaveanOunceofSilver;’tiscertainmyBargainisnotmadegood,Iamdefrauded(andwhetherthepublickfaithbenotbrokenwithme,Ileavetobeconsidered)if,payingmeTwentyCrowns,theLawallowsthemtobesuchashavebutNineteentwentiethsoftheSilver,theyoughttohave,andreallyhadinthem,whenImademyContract。
  2。ItdiminishesalltheKing’sRevenue5perCent。ForthoughthesamenumberofPounds,Shillings,andPencearepaidintotheExchequeraswerewont,yettheseNamesbeinggiventoCointhathaveeachofthemOnetwentiethlessofSilverinthem;
  andthatbeingnotasecretconcealedfromStrangers,nomorethanfromhisownSubjects,theywillsellthekingnomorePitch,Tarr,orHemp,for20Shillings,aftertheraisingyourMoney,thantheywouldbeforefor19:or,tospeakintheordinaryphrase,theywillraisetheirCommodities5perCent。asyouhaverais’dyourMoney5perCent:And’tiswelliftheystopthere。Forusuallyinsuchchanges,anout-crybeingmadeofyourlesseningyourCoin,thosewhohavetodealwithyou,takingtheadvantageoftheallarm,tosecurethemselvesfromanylossbyyournewTrick,raisetheirpriceevenbeyondtheParofyourlesseningyourCoin。
  Ihearoftwoinconvenienciescomplainedof,which’tisproposedbythisprojecttoRemedy。
  Theoneis,ThemeltingdownofourCoin:Theother,ThecarryingawayofourBullion。Thesearebothinconveniencieswhich,Ifear,welieunder:ButneitherofthemwillbeintheleastremovedorpreventedbytheproposedalterationofourMoney。
  1。ItispastdoubtthatourMoneyiswelteddown。TheReasonwhereofisevidentlythecheapnessofCoinage。ForaTaxonWinepayingtheCoinage,theparticularOwnerspaynothingforit。Sothat100OuncesofSilverCoin’d,comestotheOwneratthesameRate,as100OuncesofStandardSilverinBillion。FordeliveringintotheMinthisSilverinBars,hehasthesamequantityofSilverdeliveredouttohimagaininCoin,withoutanyChargestohim。Whereby,ifatanytimehehasoccasionforBullion,’tisthesamethingtomeltdownourmill’dMoney,astobuyBillionfromabroad,ortakeitinExchangeforotherCommodities。ThusourMinttotheonlyadvantageofourOfficers,butatthepublickcost,LaboursinVain,aswillbefound。ButyetthismakesyounothaveonejotlessMoneyinEngland,thanyouwouldhaveotherwise;butonlymakesyouCointhat,whichotherwisewouldnothavebeenCoin’d,norperhapsbeenbroughthither:Andbeingnotbroughthitherbyanover-ballanceofyourExportation,cannotstaywhenitishere。ItisnotanysortofCoinage,does,orcankeepyourMoneyhere:ThatwhollyandonlydependsupontheBallanceofyourTrade。AndhadalltheMoneyinkingCharlestheII。andKingJamestheII。time,beenMintedaccordingtothisnewproposal,thisrais’dMoneywouldhavebeengoneaswellastheother,andtheremainderbeennomore,nornolessthanitisnow。ThoughIdoubtnotbuttheMintwouldhaveCoin’dasmuchofitasithasofourpresentmill’dMoney。Theshortisthis。
  Anover-ballanceofTradewithSpainbringsyouinBullion;cheapCoinage,whenitishere,carriesitintotheMint,andMoneyismadeofit;butifyourExportationwillnotBallanceyourImportationintheotherpartsofyourTrade,awaymustyourSilvergoagain,whetherMoniedornotMonied。ForwhereGoodsdonot,SilvermustpayfortheCommoditiesyouspend。
  ThatthisissowillappearbytheBooksoftheMint,wheremaybeseenhowmuchmill’dMoneyhasbeenCoin’dinthetwolastReigns。AndinaPaperIhavenowinmyHands,(supposedwrittenbyaMannotwhollyignorantintheMint)’tisconfessed,ThatwhereasOnethirdoftheCurrentPaymentsweresometimesinceofmill’dMoney,thereisnotnowOnetwentieth。Gonethenitis。
  Butletnotanyonemistakeandthinkitgone,becauseinourpresentCoinage,anOuncewantingabout16GrainsisdenominatedaCrown:Orthat(asisnowproposed)anOuncewantingabout40
  Grains,beingCoin’dinonepiece,anddenominatedaCrown,wouldhavestop’dit,orwill(ifourMoneybesoalter’d)forthefuturefixithere。CoinwhatquantityofSilveryouplease,inonepiece,andgiveitthedenominationofaCrown;whenyourMoneyistogo,topayyourForeignDebts,(orelseitwillnotgooutatall)yourheavyMoney,(i。e。thatwhichisweightaccordingtoitsDenomination,bytheStandardoftheMint)willbethat,whichwillbemelteddown,orcarriedawayinCoinbytheExporter,whetherthepiecesofeachSpeciesbebytheLawbiggerorless。ForwhilstCoinageiswhollypaidforbyaTax,whateveryoursizeofMoneybe,hethathasneedofBulliontosendbeyondSea,orofSilvertomakePlate,needbuttakemill’dMoney,andmeltitdown,andhehasitascheap,asifitwereinpiecesofEight,orotherSilvercomingfromabroad;theStamp,whichsowellsecurestheweightandfinenessofthemill’dMoney,costingnothingatall。
  Tothisperhapswillbesaid,Thatifthisbetheeffectofmill’dMoney,thatitissoapttobemelteddown,itwerebettertoreturntotheoldwayofCoiningbytheHammer。TowhichI
  answerbynomeans。For,1。CoinagebytheHammerlesssecuresyoufromhavingagreatpartofyourMoneymelteddown。ForinthatwaytherebeingagreaterinequalityintheweightofthePieces,somebeingtooheavy,andsometoolight,thosewhoknowhowtomaketheiradvantageofit,cullouttheheavypieces,meltthemdown,andmakeabenefitoftheover-weight。
  2。CoinagebytheHammerexposesyoumuchmoretothedangeroffalseCoin。BecausetheToolsareeasilymadeandconcealed,andtheworkcarriedonwithfewerHands,andlessnoisethanaMill;wherebyfalseCoinersarelessliabletodiscovery。