3。Thepiecesnotbeingsoround,even,andfairlyStamp’d,norMark’dontheEdges,areexpos’dtoClipping,whichmill’dMoneyisnot。
Mill’dMoneyisthereforecertainlybestforthePublique。
ButwhateverbethecauseofmeltingdownourMill’d-money,IdonotseehowraisingourMoney(astheycallit)willatallhinderitsbeingmelteddown。ForifourCrown-piecesshouldbeCoin’dOnetwentieth,lighter。Whyshouldthathinderthemfrombeingmelteddownmorethannow?TheintrinsiquevalueoftheSilverisnotalter’d,aswehaveshewnalready:Thereforethattemptationtomeltthemdownremainsthesameasbefore。
ButtheyarelighterbyOnetwentieth。Thatcannothinderthemfrombeingmelteddown。ForHalfCrownsarelighterbyhalf,andyetthatpreservesthemnot。
Buttheyareoflessweight,wnderthesamedenomination,andthereforetheywillnotbemelteddown。Thatistrue,ifanyofthesepresentCrownsthatareOnetwentiethheavier,arecurrentforCrownsatthesametime。ForthentheywillnomoremeltdownthenewlightCrowns,thantheywilltheoldClip’dones,whicharemoreworthinCoin,andTale,thaninWeightandBullion。Butitcannotbesuppos’dthatMenwillpartwiththeiroldandheavierMoney,atthesameRatethatthelighternewCoingoesat;andpavawaytheiroldCrownsfor5s。inTale,whenattheMinttheywillyieldthem5s。3d。AndthenifanoldMill’dCrowngoesfor5s。3d。andanewMill’dCrown(beingsomuchlighter)goforaCrown,WhatIpraywillbetheoddsofmeltingdowntheoneortheother?TheonehasOnetwentiethlessSilverinit,andgoesforOnetwentiethless;andsobeingweight,theyaremelteddownuponequalterms。Ifitbeaconveniencetomeltone,itwill,beasmuchaconveniencetomelttheother:Justasitisthesameconvenience,tomeltMill’dHalfCrownsasMill’dCrowns;theonehavingwithhalfthequantityofSilver,halfthevalue。WhentheMoneyisallbroughttothenewrate,i。e。tobeOnetwentiethlighter,andCommoditiesraisedastheywillbeproportionably,WhatshallhinderthemeltingdownofyourMoneythen,morethannow,Iwouldfainknow?IfitbeCoin’dthenasitisnowGratis,aCrown-piece,(letitbeofwhatweightsoever)willbeasitisnow,justworthitsownweightinBullion,ofthesamefineness。FortheCoinage,whichisthemanufacturyaboutit,andmakesallthedifference,costingnothing,whatcanmakethedifferenceofvalue?Andtherefore,whoeverwantsBullion,willascheaplymeltdownthesenewCrowns,asbuyBullionwiththem。TheraisingofyourMoneycannotthen(theActforfreeCoinagestanding)hinderitsbeingmelteddown。
Nor,inthenextplace,muchlesscanit,asitispretended,hindertheExportationofourBullion。AnydenominationorstampweshallgivetoSilverhere,willneithergiveSilverahighervalueinEngland,normakeitlessprizedabroad。SomuchSilverwillalwaysbeworth(aswehavealreadyshew’d)somuchSilvergiveninexchangeoneforanother。Norwillit,wheninyourMintalessquantityofitisraisedtoahigherdenomination(aswhenNineteentwentiethsofanOuncehasthedenominationofaCrown,whichformerlybelong’donlytothewhole20)beonejotrais’d,inrespectofanyotherCommodity。
Youhaverais’dthedenominationofyourstamp’dSilverOneWentieth,orwhichisallone5perCent。AndMenwillpresentlyraisetheirCommodities5perCent。Sothatifyesterday20
Crownswouldexchangefor20BushelsofWheat,or20YardsofacertainsortofCloth,ifyouwilltodayCoincurrentCrownsOnetwentiethlighter,andmakethemtheStandard,youwillfind20
Crownswillexchangeforbut19BushelsofWheat,or19YardsofthatCloth,whichwillbejustasmuchSilverforaBushel,asyesterday。SothatSilverbeingofnomorerealvalue,byyourchangingyourdenomination,andgivingittoalessquantity;
thiswillnomorebringin,orkeepyourBullionhere,thanifyouhaddonenothing。Ifthiswereotherwise,youwouldbebeholden(assomePeoplefoolishlyimagine)totheClippersforkeepingyourMoney。ForifkeepingtheolddenominationtoalessquantityofSilver,beraisingyourMoney(asineffectitisallthatis,orcanbedoneinitbythisprojectofmakingyourCoinlighter)theClippershavesufficientlydonethat:AndiftheirTradegoonalittlewhilelonger,attherateithasoflate,andyourMill’d-moneybemelteddownandcarriedaway,andnomoreCoin’d;yourMoneywill,withoutthechargeofnewCoinage,be,bythatsortofArtificers,raisedabove5perCent。whenallyourcurrentMoneyshallbeClipped,andmadeaboveOnewentiethlighterthantheStandard,preservingstillitsformerdenomination。
Itwillpossiblybehereobjectedtome,Thatwesee100l。
ofClip’dMoney,above5perCent。lighterthantheStandard,willbuyasmuchCorn,Cloth,orWine,as100l。inMill’d-money,whichisaboveOnetwentiethheavier:Wherebyitisevident,thatmyRulefails,andthatitisnotthequantityofSilver,thatgivesthevaluetoMoney,butitsStampandDenomination。TowhichIAnswer,ThatMenmaketheirEstimateandContractsaccordingtotheStandard,uponSuppositiontheyshallreceivegoodandlawfulMoney,whichisthatoffullWeight:Andsoineffecttheydo,whil’sttheyreceivethecurrentMoneyoftheCountry。Forsince100l。ofClip’dMoneywillpayaDebtof100
l。aswellastheweightiestmill’d-money,andanewCrownoutoftheMintwillpayfornomoreFlesh,Fruit,orCloth,thanfiveclip’dShillings;’tisevidentthattheyareequivalentastothePurchaseofanythinghereathome,whil’stnobodyscruplestotakeFiveclip’dShillingsinexchangeforaweightyMill’dCrown。ButthiswillbequiteotherwiseassoonasyouchangeyourCoin,and(toraiseitasyoucallit)makeyourMoneyOnetwentiethlighterintheMint;forthennobodywillanymoregiveanoldCrownoftheformerStandardforoneofthenew,thanhewillnowgiveyou5s。and3d。foraCrown:forsomuchthenhisoldCrownwillyieldhimattheMint。
Clip’dandunclip’dMoneywillalwaysbuyanequalquantityofanythingelse,aslongastheywillwithoutscruplechangeoneforanother。Andthismakes,thattheForeignMerchant,whocomestosellhisGoodstoyou,alwayscountsupontheValueofyourMoneybytheSilverthatisinit,andestimatesthequantityofSilverbytheStandardofyourMint;thoughperhapsbyreasonofclip’dorwornMoneyamongstit,anysumthatisordinarilyreceivedismuchlighterthantheStandard,andsohaslessSilverinitthanwhatisinalikeSumnewCoin’dintheMint。Butwhilstclip’dandweightyMoneywillequallychangeoneforanother,itisallonetohimwhetherhereceivehisMoneyinclip’dMoneyorno,soitbebutcurrent。ForifhebuyotherCommoditiesherewithhisMoney,whateverSumhecontractsfor,clip’daswellasweightyMoneyequallypaysforit。IfhewouldcarryawaythePriceofhisCommodityinreadyCash,’tiseasily。
changedintoweightyMoney。AndthenhehasnotonlytheSumintale,thathecontractedfor,butthequantityofSilverheexpectedforhisCommodities,accordingtotheStandardofourMint。Ifthequantityofyourclip’dMoneybeoncegrownsogreat,thattheForeignMerchantcannot(ifhehasamindtoit)
easilygetWeightyMoneyforit,buthavingsoldhisMerchandise,andreceivedClip’dMoneyfindsadifficultytoprocurewhatisweightforit;hewill,insellinghisGoods,eithercontracttobepaidinweightyMoney,orelseraisethePriceofhisCommodities,accordingtothediminish’dquantityofSilverinyourCurrentCoin。
InHolland,(DucatoonsbeingthebestMoneyoftheCountry,aswellasthelargestCoin)MeninPayments,receivedandpaidthoseindifferently,withtheotherMoneyoftheCountry,tilloflatetheCoiningofotherSpeciesofMoney,ofbaserAlloy,andingreaterquantities,havingmadetheDucatoons,eitherbymeltingdown,orExportation,scarcerthanformerly,itbecamedifficulttochangethebaserMoneyintoDucatoons;andsincethat,nobodywillpayaDebtinDucatoons,unlesshebeallowedHalfperCent。ormore,abovethevaluetheywereCoin’dfor。
Tounderstandthis,wemusttakenotice,ThatGuildersisthedenomination,thatinHollandtheyusuallycomputeby,andmaketheirContractsin。ADucatoonformerlypassedatThreeGuilders,andThreeStuyvers,orSixty-threeStuyvers。Therewerethen(someYearssince)begantobeCoin’danotherPiece,whichwascall’daThreeGuildersPiece,andwasorder’dtopassforThreeGuildersorSixtyStuyvers。But21ThreeGuildersPieces,whichweretopassfor63Guilders,nothavingsomuchSilverinthemas20Ducatoons,whichpassedforthesameSumof63Guilders;
theDucatoonswereeithermelteddownintheirMints,(forthemakingoftheseThreeGuilderPieces,oryetbaserMoney,withProfit)orwerecarriedawaybyForeignMerchants;whowhentheycarriedbacktheProductoftheirSaleinMoney,wouldbesuretoreceivetheirPaymentofthenumberofGuilderstheycontractedforinDucatoons,orchangetheMoneytheyreceived,intoDucatoons:WherebytheycarriedhomemoreSilver,thaniftheyhadtakentheirPaymentinThreeGuilderPieces,oranyotherSpecies。ThusDucatoonsbecamescarce。SothatnowhethatwillbepaidinDucatoonsmustallowHalfperCent。forthem。AndthereforetheMerchants,whentheySellanythingnow,eithermaketheirBargaintobepaidinDucatoons,oriftheycontractforGuildersingeneral,(whichwillbesuretobepaidtheminthebaserMoneyoftheCountry,)theyraisethePriceoftheirCommoditiesaccordingly。
BythisexampleinaNeighbourCountrywemaysee,howournewMill’dMoneygoesaway。WhenForeignTradeImportsmorethanourCommoditieswillpayfor,’tiscertain,wemustcontractDebtsbeyondSea,andthosemustbepaidwithMoney,wheneitherwecannotfurnish,ortheywillnottakeourGoodstodischargethem。TohaveMoneybeyondSeatopayourDebts,whenourCommoditiesdonotraiseit,thereisnootherwaybuttosenditthither。AndsinceaweightyCrowncostsnomoreherethanalightone;andourCoinbeyondSea,isvaluednootherwisethanaccordingtothequantityofSilverithasinit,whetherwesenditinSpecie,orwhetherwvemeltitdownhere,tosenditinBullion(whichisthesafestwayasbeingnotProhibited)theweightiestissuretogo。ButwhensogreataquantityofyourMoneyisClip’d,orsogreatapartofyourweightyMoneyiscarriedaway,thattheForeignMerchant,orhisFactorherecannothavehisPricepaidinweightyMoney,orsuchaswilleasilybechangedintoit,theneveryonewillsee,(whenMenwillnolongertakeFiveclip’dShillingsforaMill’dorweightyCrown)thatitisthequantityofSilverthatbuysCommoditiesandPaysDebts,andnottheStampandDenominationwhichisputuponit。Andthentooitwillbeseen,whataRobberyiscommittedonthePublickbyClipping,EveryGraindiminishedfromthejustweightofourMoney,issomuchlosstotheNation;
whichwill,onetimeorother,besensiblyfelt:Andwhich,ifitbenottakencareof,andspeedilystoptwill,inthatenormouscourseitisnowin,quickly,Ifear,breakoutintoopenilleffects;andatoneblow,depriveusofagreatpart,(perhaps,nearOnefourth)ofourMoney。Forthatwillbereallythecase,whentheincreaseofClip’dMoneymakesithardtogetweighty;
whenMenbegintoputadifferenceofvaluebetweenthatwhichisweighty,andlightMoney;andwillnotSelltheirCommodities,butforMonythatisWeight;andwillmaketheirBargainsaccordingly。
LettheCountryGentleman,whenitcomestothatpass,consider,whatthedecayofhisEstatewillbe,whenreceivinghisRentintheTaleofClip’dShillings,accordingtohisBargain,hecannotgetthemtopassatMarketformorethantheirWeight。AndhethatSellshimSaltorSilk,willbargainfor5s。
suchaquantity,ifhepayshiminfairweightyCoin,butinClip’dMoneyhewillnottakeunder5s。3d。HereyouseeyouhaveyourMoneywithoutthisnewtrickofCoinage,raised5perCent。ButwhethertoanyadvantageoftheKingdom,Ileaveeveryonetojudge。
HithertowehaveonlyconsideredtheraisingofSilverCoin,andthathasbeenonlybyCoiningitwithlessSilverinit,underthesameDenomination。ThereisanotherwayyetofraisingMoney,whichhassomethingmoreofreality,thoughaslittlegoodastheformerinit。Thistoo,nowthatweareupontheChapterofRaisingofMoney,itmaynotbeunseasonabletoopenalittle。
TheraisingImeanis,wheneitherofthetworicherMetals,(whichMoneyisusuallymadeof)isbyLawraisedaboveitsnaturalvalue,inrespectoftheother。GoldandSilver,have,inalmostallAges,andpartsoftheWorld(whereMoneywasused)
generallybeenthoughtthefittestMaterialstomakeitof。ButtherebeingagreatdisproportioninthePlentyoftheseMetalsintheWorld,onehasalwaysbeenvaluedmuchhigherthantheother;sothatoneOunceofGoldhasexchangedforseveralOuncesofSilver:Asatpresent,ourGuineapassingfor21s。6d。inSilver,GoldisnowaboutFifteenandanhalftimesmoreworththanSilver;therebeingaboutFifteenandanhalftimesmoreSilverin21s。6d。thanthereisGoldinaGuinea。ThisbeingnowtheMarketRateofGoldtoSilver;ifbyanestablishedLawtheRateofGuinea’sshouldbesethigher,(asto22s。6d。)
theywouldberaisedindeed,buttothelossoftheKingdom。ForbythisLawGoldbeingrais’d5perCent。aboveitsnaturaltruevalue,ForeignerswouldfinditworthwhiletosendtheirGoldhither,andsofetchawayourSilverat5perCent。profit,andsomuchlosstous。ForwhensomuchGoldaswouldpurchasebut100OuncesofSilveranywhereelse,willinEnglandpurchasetheMerchant105Ounces,whatshallhinderhimfrombringinghisGoldtosogoodaMarket;AndeitherSellingitattheMint,whereitwillyieldsomuch,orhavingitCoin’dintoGuinea’s:Andthen(goingtoMarketwithhisGuinea’s)hemaybuyourCommoditiesattheadvantageof5perCent。intheverysortofhisMoney;orchangethemintoSilver,andcarrythatawaywithhim?
Ontheotherside,ifbyaLawyouwouldraiseyourSilverMoneyandmake4Crownsor20s。inSilver,equaltoaGuinea,atwhichrateIsupposeitwasfirstCoin’d;sothatbyyourLawaGuineashouldpassbutfor20s。thesameinconveniencywouldfollow。ForthenstrangerswouldbringinSilver,andcarryawayyourGold,whichwastobehadhereatalowerratethananywhereelse。
Ifyousay,thatthisinconvenienceisnottobefear’d;forthatassoonasPeoplefound,thatGoldbegantogrowscarce,orthatitwasmoreworththantheLawsetuponit,theywouldnotthenpartwithitattheStatute-rate;aswesee,thebroadpiecesthatwereCoinedinK。JamesI。timefor20s。nobodywillnowpartwithunder23s。ormore,accordingtotheMarketvalue。ThisIgrantistrue;anditdoesplainlyconfessthefoolishnessofmakingaLaw,whichcannotproducetheeffect,itismadefor:Asindeeditwillnot,whenyouwouldraisethepriceofSilverinrespectofGold,aboveitsnaturalMarketvalue:Forthen,asweseeinourGold,thepriceofitwillraiseitself。Butontheotherside,ifyoushouldbyaLawsetthevalueofGoldaboveitsPar,thenPeoplewouldbeboundtoreceiveitatthathighrate,andsopartwiththeirSilveratanundervalue。ButsupposingthathavingamindtoraiseyourSilverinrespectofGold,youmakeaLawtodoit;whatcomesofthat?IfyourLawprevail,onlythis;thatasmuchasyouraiseSilver,youdebaseGold(fortheyareintheconditionoftwothingsputinoppositeScales,asmuchastheonerisestheotherfalls)andthenyourGoldwillbecarriedaway,withsomuchclearlosstothekingdomasyouraiseSilveranddebaseGoldbyyourLaw,belowtheirnaturalvalue。IfyouraiseGoldinproportiontoSilverthesameeffectfollows。
Isay,RaiseSilverinrespectofGold;andGoldinproportiontoSilver。ForwhenyouwouldraisethevalueofMoney,phansiewhatyouwill,’tisbutinrespectofsomethingyouwouldchangeitfor,andisdoneonlywhenyoucanmakealessquantityoftheMetal,whichyourMoneyismadeof,changeforagreaterquantityofthatthingwhichyouwouldraiseitto。
TheeffectindeedandillconsequenceofraisingeitherofthesetwoMetals,inrespectoftheotherismoreeasilyobservedandsoonerfoundinraisingGoldthanSilverCoin:Becauseyouraccountsbeingkept,andyourreckoningsallmadeinPounds,Shillings,andPence,whicharedenominationsofSilverCoins,ornumbersofthem;ifGoldbemadecurrentatarateabovethefreeandMarketvalueofthosetwoMetals,everyonewilleasilyperceivetheinconvenience。ButtherebeingaLawforit,youcannotrefusetheGoldinPaymentforsomuch。AndalltheMoneyorBullionPeoplewillcarrybeyondSeafromyou,willbeinSilver,andtheMoneyorBullionbroughtin,willbeinGold。AndthesamejustwillhappenwhenyourSilverisraisedandGolddebasedinrespectofoneanother,beyondtheirtrueandnaturalproportion:(NaturalproportionorvalueIcallthatrespectiveratetheyfindanywherewithouttheprescriptionofLaw)ForthenSilverwillbethatwhichisbroughtin,andGoldwillbecarriedout;andthatstillwithlosstothekingdom,answerabletotheover-value,setbytheLaw。Onlyassoonasthemischiefisfelt,peoplewill(dowhatyoucan)raisetheirGoldtoitsnaturalvalue。ForyouraccountsandbargainsbeingmadeinthedenominationofSilver-money;if,whenGoldisraisedaboveitsproportion,bytheLaw,youcannotrefuseitinPayment(asiftheLawshouldmakeaGuineacurrentat22s。and6d。)youareboundtotakeitatthatrateinPayment。ButiftheLawshouldmakeGuineascurrentat20s。hethathasthemisnotboundtoPaythemawayatthatrate,butmaykeepthemifhepleases,orgetmoreforthemifhecan:YetfromsuchaLaw,oneofthesethreethingswillfollow。Either1st,theLawforcesthemtogoat20s。andthenbeingfoundpassingatthatrate,Foreignersmaketheiradvantageofit:Or2dly,Peoplekeepthemupandwillnotpartwiththematthelegalrate,understandingthemreallytobeworthmore,andthenallyourGoldliesdead,andisofnomoreusetoTrade,thanifitwereallgoneoutofthekingdom:
Or3dly,ItpassesformorethantheLawallows,andthenyourLawsignifiesnothing,andhadbeenbetterletalone。Whichwayeveritsucceedsitproveseitherprejudicialorineffectual。IfthedesignofyourLawtakeplace,thekingdomlosesbyit:Iftheinconveniencebefeltandavoided,yourLawiseluded。
MoneyisthemeasureofCommerce,andoftherateofeverything,andthereforeoughttobekept(asallothermeasures)assteadyandinvariableasmaybe。Butthiscannotbe,ifyourMoneybemadeoftwoMetals,whoseproportion,andconsequentlywhoseprice,constantlyvariesinrespectofoneanother。Silver,formanyReasons,isthefittestofallmetalstobethismeasure,andthereforegenerallymadeuseofforMoney。Butthenitisveryunfitandinconvenient,thatGold,oranyotherMetal,shouldbemadecurrentLegalMoney,atastandingsettledRate。
ThisistosetaRateuponthevaryingvalueofThingsbyLaw,whichjustlycannotbedone;andis,asIhaveshewed,asfarasitprevails,aconstantdamageandprejudicetotheCountry,whereitispractised。SupposeFifteentoonebenowtheexactParbeweenGoldandSilver。WhatLawcanmakeitlasting;andestablishitso,thatnextYear,orwentyYearshence,thisshallbethejustvalueofGoldtoSilver,andthatoneOunceofGoldshallbejustworthfifteenOuncesofSilver,neithermorenorless?’Tispossible,theEast-IndiaTradesweepingawaygreatSumsofGold,maymakeitscarcerinEurope。PerhapstheGuineaTrade,andMinesofPeru,affordingitingreaterabundance,maymakeitmoreplentiful;andsoitsvalueinrespectofSilver,comeontheonesidetobeassixteen,orontheotherasfourteentoone。AndcananyLawyoushallmakealterthisproportionhere,whenitissoeverywhereelseroundaboutyou?
IfyourLawsetitatfifteen,whenitisatthefreeMarketRate,intheNeighbouringCountries,assixteentoone;WilltheynotsendhithertheirSilvertofetchawayyourGoldatOnesixteenlosstoyou?OrifyouwillkeepitsRatetoSilver,asfifteentoone,wheninHolland,France,andSpain,itsMarketvalueisbutfourteen;WilltheynotsendhithertheirGold,andfetchawayyourSilveratOnefifteenlosstoyou?Thisisunavoidable,ifyouwillmakeMoneyofbothGoldandSilveratthesametime,andsetRatesuponthembyLawinrespectofoneanother。
Whatthen?(Willyoubereadytosay)wouldyouhaveGoldkeptoutofEngland?Orbeinghere,wouldyouhaveituselesstoTrade;andmusttherebenoMoneymadeofit?Ianswer,Quitethecontrary,’TisfitthekingdomshouldmakeuseoftheTreasureithas。’TisnecessaryyourGoldshouldbeCoin’d,andhavetheking’sStampuponittosecureMen,inreceivingit,thatthereissomuchGoldineachpiece。But’tisnotnecessarythatitshouldhaveafixedvaluesetonitbypublickAuthority:’Tisnotconvenientthatitshouldinitsvaryingproportionhaveasettledprice。LetGoldasotherCommodities,finditsownRate。
Andwhen,bytheking’sImageandInscription,itcarrieswithitapublickAssuranceofitsweightandfineness;theGoldMoneysoCoin’dwillneverfailtopass,attheknownMarketRate,asreadily,asanyotherSpeciesofyourMoney。TwentyGuineas,thoughdesignedatfirstfor20l。gonowascurrentfor21l。10
s。asanyotherMoney,andsometimesformore,astheRatevaries。Thevalueorpriceofanything,beingonlytherespectiveestimateitbearstosomeother,whichitcomesinCompetitionwith,canonlybeknownbythequantityoftheone,whichwillexchangeforacertainquantityoftheother。TherebeingnotwothingsinNature,whoseproportion,andusedoesnotvary,’tisimpossibletosetastandingregularpricebetweenthem。ThegrowingplentyorscarcityofeitherintheMarket;
(wherebyImeantheordinaryplaces,wheretheyaretobehadinTraffick)ortherealUse,orchangingfashionoftheplacebringingeitherofthemmoreintodemandthanformerly,presencyvariestherespectivevalueofanytwoThings。YouwillasfruiCeslyendeavourtokeeptwodifferentThingssteadilyatthesamepriceonewithanother,astokeeptwoThingsinanAEquilibrium,wheretheirvaryingweights,dependondifferentCauses。PutapieceofSpungeinoneScale,andanexactcounterpoiseofSilverintheother,youwillbemightilymistakenifyouimagine,thatbecausetheyaretodayequal,theyshallalwaysremainso。TheweightoftheSpungevaryingwitheverychangeofmoisture。intheAir,theSilverintheoppositeScalewillsometimesRiseandsometimesFall。ThisisjusttheStateofSilverandGoldinregardoftheirmutualvalue。Theirproportion,oruse,may,nayconstancydoesvary,andwithittheirprice。ForbeingestimatedoneinReferencetotheother,theyareasitwereputinoppositeScales,andastheonerisestheotherfalls,andsoonthecontrary。
FarthingsmadeofabaserMetal,mayonthisaccounttoodeserveyourConsideration。ForwhatsoeverCoinyoumakecurrent,abovetheIntrinsickvalue,willalwaysbedammagetothePublick,whoevergetbyit。ButofthisIshallnotatpresententerintoamoreparticularEnquiry。OnlythisIwillconfidentlyaffirm,ThatitistheInterestofeveryCountry,thatallthecurrentMoneyofitshouldbeofoneandthesameMetal;
ThattheseveralSpeciesshouldbeallofthesameAlloy,andnoneofabasermixture:AndthattheStandardoncethussettled,shouldbeInviolablyandImmutablykepttoperpetuity。Forwheneverthatisalter’d,uponwhatpretencesoever,thePublickwilllosebyit。
SincethenitwillneitherbringusinmoreMoney,Bullion,norTrade;norkeepthatwehavehere;norhinderourweightyMoney,ofwhatDenominationsoever,frombeingmelted,towhatpurposeshouldthekingdombeatthechargeofCoiningallourMoneya-new?ForIdonotsupposeanyBodycanpropose,thatweshouldhavetwosortsofMoneyatthesametime,oneheavier,andtheotherlighter,asitcomesfromtheMint。Thatisveryabsurdtoimagine。SothatifallyouroldMoneymustbeCoin’doveragain,itwillindeedbesomeadvantage,andthataveryconsiderableone,totheOfficersoftheMint。Fortheybeingallow’dSixteenpencehalf-pennyfortheCoinageofeveryPoundTroy,whichisverynearFiveandanhalfperCent。IfourMoneybeSixMillions,andmustbeCoin’dalloveragain,itwillcosttheNationtotheMintOnehundredthirtythousandpounds。Iftheclip’dMoneymustscape,becauseitisalreadyaslightasyournewStandard;doyounotownthatthisdesignofnewCoinageisjustoftheNatureofClipping?
ThisbusinessofMoneyandCoinageisbysomeMen,andamongstthemsomeveryIngeniousPersons,thoughtagreatMystery,andveryhardtobeunderstood。Notthattrulyinitselfitisso:ButbecauseinteressedPeoplethattreatofit,wrapuptheSecrettheymakeadvantageofinmystical,obscure,andunintelligiblewaysofTalking;WhichMen,fromapreconceiv’dopinionofthedifficultyofthesubject,takingforSense,inamatternoteasietobepenetrated,butbytheMenofArt,letpassforCurrentwithoutExamination。Whereas,wouldtheylookintothoseDiscourses,enquirewhatmeaningtheirWordshave,theywouldfind,forthemostpart,eithertheirPositionstobefalse;theirDeductionstobewrong;or(whichoftenhappens)theirwordstohavenodistinctmeaningatall。Wherenoneofthesebe,theretheirplain,true,honestSense,wouldproveveryeasieandintelligible,ifexpress’dinordinaryanddirectLanguage。
Thatthisisso,Ishallshew,byexaminingaPrintedSheetonthisSubject,Intituled,RemarksonaPapergivenintotheLords,&c。
Remarks。’Tiscertain,ThatwhatplacesoeverwillgivemostforSilverbyweight,itwillthitherbecarriedandSold:AndifoftheMoneywhichnowpassesinEngland,therecanbe5s。5d。
theOunce,givenforStandardSilverattheMint;whenbut5s。4
d。oftheverysameMoneycanbegivenelsewhereforit,itwillbecertainlybroughttotheMint;andwhenCoin’d,cannotbeSold,(havingonePennyover-valuesetuponitbytheOunce)forthesamethatotherPlatemaybeboughtfor,sowillbeleftunmelted;atleast,’twillbetheInterestofanyExporters,tobuyPlatetosendout,beforeMoney;whereasnow’tishisInteresttobuyMoneytosendoutbeforePlate。
Answ。TheAuthorwoulddowelltomakeitintelligible,how,oftheMoneythatnowpassesinEngland,attheMintcanbegiven5s。5d。theOunce,forStandardSilver,whenbut5s。4d。ofthesameMoneycanbegivenelsewhereforit。Next,HowithasonePennyover-valuesetwponitbytheOunce;Sothat,WhenCoin’ditcannotbeSold?This,toanordinaryReader,looksveryMysterious;and,Ifear,isso,aseithersignifyingnothingatall,ornothingthatwillhold。For;
1。IaskwhoisitattheMint,thatcangive5s。5d。perOunce,forStandardSilver,whennobodyelsecangiveabove5s。
4d。?Isittheking,orisittheMasterWorker,oranyoftheOfficers?Fortogive5s。5d。forwhatwillyieldbut5s4d。
toanybodyelse,istogiveOnesixtyfifthpartmorethanitisworth。Forsomucheverythingisworth,asitwillyield。AndI
donotseehowthiscanturntoaccounttotheking,orbebornbyanybodyelse。
2。Iask,HowaPennyover-valuecanbesetuponitbytheOunce;sothatitcannotbesold?ThisissoMysteriousthatI
thinkitnearimpossible。ForanequalquantityofStandardSilverwillalwaysbejustworthanequalquantityofStandardSilver。Anditisutterlyimpossibletomake64partsofStandardSilverequalto,orworth65partsofthesameStandardSilver;
whichismeantbysettingaPennyover-valueuponitbytheOunce,ifthathasanymeaningatall。Indeed,bytheWorkmanshipofit,64OuncesofStandardSilvermaybemadenotonlyworth65
Ounces,but70or80。ButtheCoinage,whichisalltheWorkmanshiphere,beingpaidforbyaTax,Idonotseehowthatcanbereckon’datall:Orifitbe,itmustraiseevery5s。and4d。Coin’d,toabove5s。5d。IfIcarry64OuncesofStandardSilverinBulliontotheMint,tobeCoin’d;shallInothavejust64OuncesbackagainforitinCoin?Andifso,Canthese64
OuncesofCoin’dStandardSilver,bepossiblymadeworth65
OuncesofthesameStandardSilveruncoin’d;whentheycostmenomore,andIcan,forbarelygoingtotheMint,have64OuncesofStandardSilverinBullionturnedintoCoin?CheapnessofCoinageinEngland,whereitcostsnothing,will,indeed,makeMoneybesoonerbroughttotheMint,thananywhereelse:becausethereI
havetheconvenienceofhavingitmadeintoMoneyfornothing。
ButthiswillnomorekeepitinEngland,thanifitwereperfectBullion。Norwillithinderitfrombeingmelteddown;becauseitcostnomoreinCointhaninBullion:Andthisequally,whetheryourPieces,ofthesameDenomination,belighter,heavier,orjustastheywerebefore。Thisbeingexplain’d,’willbeeasietosee,whethertheotherthings,saidinthesameParagraph,betrueorfalse;andparticularly,whether’twillbetheInterestofeveryExporter,tobuyPlatetosendoutbeforeMoney。
Remark。’Tisonlybarelyasserted,ThatifSilverberaisedattheMint,That’twillriseelsewhereaboveit;butcanneverbeknowntillitbetried。
Answ。TheAuthortellsusinthelastParagraph,ThatSilverthatisworthbut5s。2d。perOunceattheMint,isworth5s。
4d。elsewhere。This,howtrue,orwhatinconvenienceithath,I
willnothereexamine。ButbetheInconvenienceofitwhatitwill,thisraisingtheMoneyheproposesasaRemedy:Andtothosewhosay,uponraisingourMoneySilverwillrisetoo,hemakesthisAnswer,Thatitcanneverbeknown,whetheritwillOrno,tillitbetried。TowhichIreply,Thatitmaybeknownascertainly,withoutTrial,asitcan,ThattwoPiecesofSilver,thatweighedequallyyesterday,willweighequallyagaintomorrowinthesameScales。
ThereisSilver(saysourAuthor)whereofanOunce(i。e。480
Grains)willchangefor5s。4d。(i。e。496Grains)ofourStandardSilverCoin’d。TomorrowyouCoinyourMoneylighter;sothatthen5s。4d。willhavebut472GrainsofCoin’dStandardSilverinit。Canitnotthenbeknown,withoutTrial,whetherthatOunceofSilver,whichtodaywillchangefor496GrainsofStandardSilverCoin’d,willchangetomorrowbutfor472GrainsofthesameStandardSilverCoin’d?Orcananyoneimaginethat480GrainsofthesameSilverwhichtodayareworth496GrainsofourCoin’dSilver,willtomorrowbeworthbut472GrainsofthesameSilver,alittledifferentlyCoin’d?HethatcanhaveaDoubtaboutthistillitbetried,mayaswelldemandaTrialtobemade,toprove,Thatthesamethingisequiponderant,orequivalenttoitself。ForIthinkitisasclear,That472
GrainsofSilverareequiponderantto496GrainsofSilver,asthatanOunceofSilver,thatistodayworth496GrainsofStandardSilver,shouldtomorrowbeworthbut472GrainsofthesameStandardSilver,allCircumstancesremainingthesame,butthedifferentWeightofthePiecesstamp’d:whichisthatourAuthorasserts,whenhesavs,That’tisonlybarelyasserted,&c。
Whathasbeensaidtothis,mayservealsoforanAnswertothenextParagraph。OnlyIdesireitmaybetakennoticeof,ThattheAuthorseemstoinsinuatethatSilvergoesnotinEngland,asinForeignParts,byWeight:WhichisaverydangerousaswellasfalsePosition;andwhich,ifallowed,mayletintoourMintwhatCorruptionandDebasingofourMoneyonepleases。
Remark。ThatOurTradehathheretoforefurnisheduswithanOverplus,broughthomeinGoldandSilver,istrue;ButthatwebringhomefromanyplacemoreGoodsthanwenowExporttoit,I
donotconceivetobeso。AndmoreGoodsmightbesenttothoseparts;butbyreasonofthegreatvalueofSilverinthispartoftheWorld,moreMoneyistobegotbyExportingSilver,thanbyanyotherthingthatcanbesent;andthatisthereasonofit。
Andforitsbeingmelteddown,andsentout,becauseitissoheavy,isnotbytheirPaperdenied。
Answ。ThatwebringhomefromanyplacemoreGoodsthanwenowexport,(TheAuthortellsus)hedothnotconceive。
WouldhehadtoldusaReasonforhisConceit。ButsincetheMoneyofanyCountryisnotpresentlytobechanged,uponanyprivateMan’sgroundlessConceit,IsupposethisArgumentwillnotbeofmuchwveightwithmanyMen。ImakeboldtocallitagroundlessConceit:ForiftheAuthorpleasetorememberthegreatSumsofMoneyarecarriedeveryYeartotheEast-Indies,forwhichwebringhomeconsumableCommodities;(thoughImustownthatitpaysusagainwithadvantage。)Orifhewillexamine,howmuchonlytwoCommodities,whollyconsum’dhere,costusyearlyinMoney,(ImeanCanaryWineandCurrants)morethanwepayforwithGoodsExportedtotheCanariesandZant;besidestheOver-ballanceofTradeuponusinseveralotherplaces,hewillhavelittlereasontosay,hedothnotconceivewebringhomefromanyplacemoreGoodsthanwenowExporttoit。
AstowhathesaysconcerningthemeltingdownandExportingourMoney,becauseitisheavy。Ifbyheavy,hemeans,becauseourCrown-pieces(andtherestofourspeciesofMoneyinproportion)are23or24GrainsheavierthanhewouldhavethemCoin’d:This,whoevergrantsit,Idenyupongrounds,whichI
suppose,whenexamined,willbefoundclearandevident。
IndeedwhenyourDebtsbeyondSea,toanswertheOver-ballanceofForeignImportations,callforyourMoney,’tiscertaintheheavyMoney,whichhasthefullStandardWeight,willbemelteddownandcarriedaway:becauseForeignersvaluenotyourStamporDenomination,butyourSilver。
HewoulddowelltotelluswhathemeansbythegreatvalueofSilverinthispartoftheWorld。ForhespeaksofitasaCause,thatdrawsawayourMoneymorenowthanformerly;orelseitmightaswellhavebeenomittedasmentionedinthisplace:
Andifhemean,bythispartoftheWorld,England;’tisscarceSensetosay,ThatthegreatValueofSilverinEnglandshoulddrawSilveroutofEngland。IfhemeanstheNeighbouringCountriestoEngland,heshouldhavesaidit,andnotdoubtfullythispartoftheWorld。Butlethim,bythispartoftheWorld,meanwhathewill,Idaresayeveryonewillagree,ThatSilverisnotmorevalu’dinthis,thananyotherpartoftheWorld;norinthisAge,morethaninourGrandfathersDays。
Iamsorryifitbetrue,whathetellsus,ThatmoreMoneyistobegotbyExportationofSilver,thanbyanyotherthingthatcanbesent。ThisisanEvidence,thatwebringhomemoreGoodsthanweExport。Fortillthathappens,andhasbroughtusinDebtbeyondSea,SilverwillnotbeExported;buttheOverplusofPeoplesGain,beinggenerallylaidupinSilver,itwillbebroughthomeinSilver;andsoourPeoplewillvalueitasmuchasanyother,inthispartoftheWorld。
TheTruthoftheCaseinshortisthis。Wheneverwe,byalosingTrade,contractDebtswithourNeighbours;theywillputagreatValueonourSilver,andmoreMoneywillbegotbytransportingSilverthananythingcanbesent:Whichcomesaboutthus。SupposethatbyanOverballanceoftheirTrade(whetherbyaSaleofPepper,Spices,andotherEast-IndiaCommodities,itmattersnot)wehavereceivedgreatquantitiesofGoods,withinthesetwoorthreeMonths,fromHolland,andsentbutlittlethither;sothattheaccountsballancedbetweentheInhabitantsofEnglandandtheUnitedProvinces,weofEnglandwereaMillionintheirDebt:Whatwouldfollowfromhence?This:ThattheseDutchCreditors,desiringtohavewhatisduetothem,giveOrdertotheirFactorsandCorrespondentshere,toreturnittothem。
Forenquiring,aswedo,whataretheeffectsofanover-ballanceofTrade,wemustnotsuppose,theyinvesttheirDebtsinCommodities,andreturntheirEffectsthatway。AMillionthenbeingtobereturnedfromEnglandtoHollandinMoney,everyoneseeksBillsofExchange:butEnglishmennothavingDebtsinHollandtoanswerthisMillion,oranytheleastpartofit,Billsarenottobegot。ThispresentlymakestheExchangeveryhigh;uponwhichtheBankers,&c。whohavethecommandofgreatquantitiesofMoneyandBullion,sendthatawaytoHollandinSpecie,andsotakeMoneyheretopayitagainthere,upontheirBills,atsucharateofExchange,asgivesthemfive,ten,fifteen,&c。perCent。profit:Andthussometimesa5s。Pieceofourmill’dMoneymaytrulybesaidtobeworth5s。3d。4d。6
d。9dinHolland。AndifthisbethegreatvalueofSilverinthispartoftheWorld,Ieasilygrantithim。Butthisgreatvalueistoberemedied,notbythealterationofourMint,butbytheRegulationandBallanceofourTrade。ForbeyourCoinwhatitwill,ourNeighbours,iftheyover-ballanceusinTrade,willnotonlyhaveagreatvalueforourSilver,butgetittoo;
andtherewillbemoretobegotbyExportingSilvertothem,thanbyanyotherThingcanbesent。
Remarks。ThealterationoftheCoinsinSpainandPortugalarenowayatalllikethis。Fortheretheyalter’dinDenominationnearhalf,todeceivethosetheypaid,withpayingthosetowhomtheyowedoneOunceofSilver,buthalfanOunceforit。Butinthealterationheredesigned,towhoeveranOunceofSilverwasowing,anOuncewillbepaidinthisMoney;itbeinghereonlydesigned,thatanOunceofMoneyshouldequalanOunceofSilverinvalue,athome,aswellasabroad,whichnowitdoesnot。
Answer。InthisParagraphtheAuthorConfessesthealterationoftheCoininSpainandPoitugalwasacheat;butthealterationheredesign’d,hesays,isnot:ButtheReasonhegivesforitisadmirable:viz。Becausetheytherealter’dinDenominationnearhalf,andheretheDenominationisalter’dbut5perCent;forsoinTruthitis,whateverbedesigned。Asif50perCent。wereaCheat,but5perCent。werenot;becauseperhapslessperceiveable。ForthetwoThingsthatarepretendedtobedoneherebythisnewCoinage,Ifearwillbothfail,viz。1。ThattowhomsoeveranOunceofSilverisowing,anOunceofSilvershallbepaidinthisMoney。ForwhenanOunceofSilverisCoin’d,asisproposed,into5s。5d。(whichistomakeourMoney5perCent。lighterthanitisnow)Ithatamtoreceivean100l。perAnnum,FeeFarmRent;shallIinthisnewMoneyreceive105l。orbarely100l。?ThefirstIthinkwillnotbesaid。ForifbyLawyouhavemadeit100l。’tiscertaintheTenantwillpaymenomore。lfyoudonotmeanthat400Crowns,or2000ShillingsofyournewCoinshallbean100l。buttheremustbe5perCent。intale,addedtoevery100,youareatthechargeofnewCoinagetonootherpurposebuttobreedConfusion。IfImustreceive100l。
bytale,ofthisnewMoneyformyFeeFarmRent,’tisdemonstrationthatIlosefiveOuncesperCent。oftheSilverwasduetome。ThisalittlelowerheconfessesintheseWords,ThatwhereaManhasaRent-SEC,thatcanneverbemore,thismaysomewhataffectit,butsoverylittle,thatitwillscarceeveratallbeperceived。Thisverylittleis5perCent。AndifaManbecheatedofthat,soheperceivesitnot,itgoesfornothing。
ButthislosswillnotaffectonlysuchRents,ascanneverbemore,butallPaymentswhatsoever,thatarecontractedforbeforethisalterationofourMoney。
2。Ifitbetrue,whatheaffirms,ThatanOunceofMoneydothequalanOunceofSilverinvalueabroad,butnotathome;
thenthispartoftheUndertakingwillalsofail。ForIdenythattheStamponourMoneydoesanymoredebaseithereathomethanabroad,ormaketheSilverinourMoneynotequalinvaluetothesameweightofSilvereverywhere。TheAuthorwouldhavedonewelltohavemadeitout,andnotleftsogreataParadoxonlytothecreditofasingleAssertion。
Remarks。AndforwhatissaidinthisBilltopreventExportation,relatesonlytothekeepinginourownCoin,andBullion,andleavesallForeigntobeExportedstill。
Awswer。WhattheAuthormeansbyourownandForeignBullion,willneedsomeExplication。
Remarks。ThereisnownosuchthingasPaymentsmadeinweightyandMill’dMoney。
Answer。IbelievethereareveryfewinTown,whodonotveryoftenreceiveamill’dCrownfor5s。andamill’dhalfCrownfor2s。6d。ButhemeansIsupposeingreatandentireSumsofmill’dMoney。ButIask,ifalltheclip’dMoneywerecalledin,whetherthenallthePaymentswouldnotbeinweightyMoney;。andthatnotbeingcall’din,whetherifitbelighterthanyournewmill’dMoney,thenewmill’dMoneywillnotbemelteddownasmuchastheold?WhichIthinktheAuthorthereconfesses,orelseIunderstandhimnot。
Remark。NorwillthisanywayinterruptTrade;forTradewillfinditsowncourse;theDenominationofMoneyinanyCountrynowayconcerningthat。
Awswer。TheDenominationtoacertainWeightofMoney,inallCountries,concernsTrade;andthealterationofthatnecessarilybringsdisturbancetoit。
Remark。ForifsobeitoccasionstheCoiningmoreMoney。
Answer。HetalksasifitwouldbetheoccasionofCoiningmoreMoney。Outofwhat?OutofMoneyalreadyCoin’d,oroutofBullion?ForIwouldbegladtoknowwhereitis。
Remarks。ItmaybesomegaintothosethatwillventuretomeltdowntheCoin,butverysmallloss(ifany)tothosethatshallbepaidintheNew:’Tisnottobedenied,butthatwhereanyManhasaRent-SEC,thatcanneverbemore,thismaysomewhataffectit;butsoverylittle,’twillscarceeveratallbeperceived。
Answer。AsmuchasitwillbegaintomeltdowntheirCoin,somuchlosswillitbetothosewhoarepaidinthenew。Viz。5
PerCent。whichIsuppose,ismorethantheAuthorwouldbewillingtolose,unlesshegetbyitanotherway。
Rem。AndifthealterationdesignedshouldhavetheeffectofmakingourNativeCommoditiesanywaydearer。
Answ。HeretheAuthorconfesses,thatproportionablyasyourMoneyisraised,thePriceofotherthingswillberaisedtoo。
Buttomakeamends,hesays,Rem。ItdoesatthesametimemaketheLandwhichproducesthem,ofmorethansomuchmoreinvalue。
Answ。Thismorethansomuchmoreinvalue,ismorethanourAuthor,oranybodyelseforhim,willeverbeabletomakeout。
ThePriceofThingswillalwaysbeestimatedbythequantityofSilverisgiveninexchangeforthem。AndifyoumakeyourMoneylessinWeight,itmustbemadeupinTale。ThisisallthisgreatmysteryofraisingMoney,andraisingLand。ForExample,TheMannorofBlackacrewouldyesterdayhaveyieldedOnehundredthousandCrowns,whichCrown-pieces,letussupposenumerorotundo,toweigheachofthemanOunceofStandardSilver。TodayyournewCoincomesinplay,whichis5PerCentlighter。There’syourMoneyraised:TheLandnowatSaleyieldsOnehundredandfivethousandCrowns,whichisjustthesameOnehundredthousandOuncesofStandardSilver。There’stheLandraised。AndisnotthisanadmirableInvention,forwhichthePublickoughttobeataboveOnehundredthousandpoundsChargefornewCoinage,andallyourCommerceputindisorder?AndthentorecommendthisInvention,youaretold,asagreatSecret,That,HadnotMoney,fromtimetotime,beenraisedinitsDenomination,Landshadnotsorisentoo……whichistosay,HadnotyourMoneybeenmadelighter,fewerPiecesofitwouldhaveboughtasmuchLandasagreaternumberdoesnow。
Rem。ThelossofPaymentstherespokenof,will,innosort,besogreatasifthePartiestowhomtheseDebtsareowing,werenowboundtoreceivethemintheMoneynowPasses,andthentomeltthesamedown;soatthistheywillhavenocausetocomplain。
Answ。AverygoodArgument!TheClippershaverob’dthePublickofagoodpartoftheirMoney(whichMenwill,sometimeorother,findinthePaymentstheyreceive)and’tisdesiredtheMintmayhavealibertytobebefore-handwiththosetowhomDebtsareowing。TheyaretoldtheywillhavenoreasontoComplainofit,whosufferthisloss;becauseitisnotsogreatastheother。ThedamageisalreadydonetothePublick,byClipping。Whereatlastitwilllight,Icannottell。ButMenwhoreceiveClip’dMoney,notbeingforcedtomeltitdown,donotyetreceiveanylossbyit。WhenClip’dMoneywillnolongerchangeforweighty,thenthosewhohaveClip’dMoneyintheirhands,willfindthelossofit。
Rem。’TwillmaketheCustomsbetterpaid,becausetherewillbemoreMoney。
Ans。ThattherewillbemoreMoneyinTale,’tispossible:
ThattherewillbemoreMoneyinWeightandWorththeAuthoroughttoshew。Andthen,whateverbecomesoftheCustoms,(whichIdonothearareunpaidnow)thekingwillloseintheExciseaboveThirtythousandpoundsperAnnum。ForinallTaxeswheresomanyPounds,Shillings,orPencearedeterminedbytheLawtobepaid,therethekingwilllose5PerCent。TheAuthorhereasinotherplaces,givesagoodreasonforit。For,HisMajestybeingtopayawaythisMoneybyTale,ashereceivedit,itwillbetohimnolossatall。
AsifmyreceivingmyRentsinfullTale,butinMoneyofundervalue5PerCent。werenotsomuchlosstome,becauseIwastopayitawayagainbyTale。Tryitat50PerCent。Theoddsonlyis,Thatonebeinggreaterthantheother,wouldmakemorenoise。ButourAuthor’sgreatrefugeinthisis,Thatitwillnotbeperceiv’d。
Remark。IfallForeignCommodities,weretobePurchasedwiththisnewSpeciesofMoneysentout;weagree,Thatwith100l。ofittherecouldnotbesomuchSilverorotherCommoditiesbought,aswith100l。inCrownPiecesasnowCoined;becausetheywouldbeheavier;AndallCoininanyKingdom,butwhere’tisCoined,onlygoesbyWeight;andforthesameweightofSilver,thesameeverywherestillwillbebought;andsotherewill,withthesamequantityofGoods。AndifthoseGoodsshouldcost5perCent。morehereinEnglandthanheretofore,andyieldbutthesameMoney(wemeanbytheOunceabroad)thesameMoneybroughthomeandCoin’d,willyieldtheImporter5perCent。moreattheMintthanitheretoforecoulddo,andsonodamagetotheTraderatall。
Answ。HereTruthforcesfromtheAuthoraconfessionofTwoThings,whichdemonstratethevanityanduselesnessoftheProject。
1。ThatuponthischangeofyourCoin,ForeignGoodswillberais’d。
2。YourownGoodswillcostmore5perCent。SothatGoodsofallkindsbeingthereuponraised;whereinconsiststheraisingofyourMoney,whenanOunceofStandardSilver,howeverminc’d,stamp’d,ordenominated,willbuynomoreCommoditiesthanitdidbefore?ThisconfessionalsoshewstheFalshoodofthatdangeroussupposition,ThatMoney,intheKingdomwhereitisCoin’d,goesnotbyweight,i。e。isnotvaluedbyitsWeight。
Rem。’Tistrue,TheOwnersofSilverwillfindagoodMarketforif,andnootherswillbedamaged;but,onthecontrary,themakingPlentyofMoneywillbeanadvantagetoall。
Answ。Igrantittrue,ThatifyourMoneywerereallyraised,5perCent。theOwnersofSilverwouldgetsomuchbyit,bybringingittotheMinttobeCoin’d。Butsince,asisconfessed,Commoditieswill(uponthisraisingyourMoney)beraisedtoo5
perCent。thisalterationwillbeanadvantagetonobodybuttheOfficersoftheMint,andHoardersofMoney。
Rem。WhenStandardSilverwaslastraisedattheMint,(whichitwas,from5s。to5s。and2d。theOunce,inthe43d。ofEliz。)and,foraboveFortyYearsafter,Silveruncoin’dwasnotworthabove4s。10d。theOunce,whichoccasion’dmuchCoining;
andofMoney,noneinthosedayswasExported:WhereasSilvernowisworthbuttheverysame5s。and2d。theOuncestillattheMint,andisworth5s。4d。elsewhere。SothatifthisBillnowwiththeLordsdoesnothappentoPass,therecanneveranySilverbeevermoreCoin’dattheMint;andallthemill’dMoneywillinaverylittletimemorebedestroyed。
Ans。ThereasonofsomuchMoneyCoin’dinQueenElizabeth’sTime,andafterwards,wasnotthelesseningyourCrownPiecesfrom480to462Grains,andsoproportionablyalltherestofyourMoney,(whichisthattheAuthorcalls,raisingStandardSilverfrom5s。to5s。2d。theOunce)butfromtheover-ballanceofyourTrade,bringingtheninPlentyofBullion,andkeepingithere。
HowStandardSilver(foriftheAuthorspeaksofotherSilver,itisafallacy)shouldbeworthitsownWeightinStandardSilverattheMint,(i。e。5s。2d。theOunce)andbeworthmorethanitsownWeightinStandardSilver,(i。e。5s。4
d。theOunce)inLombard-street,isaParadoxthatnobody,I
think,willbeabletocomprehend,tillitbebetterExplain’d。
ItistimetogiveoffCoining,ifthevalueofStandardSilverbelessenedbyit;asreallyitis,ifanOunceofCoin’dStandardSilverwillnotexchangeforanOunceofuncoin’dStandardSilverunlessyouadd15or16Grainsoverplustoit:
WhichiswhattheAuthorwouldhavetakenuponhisword,whenhesays,SilverisworthFiveShillingsFourPenceelsewhere。
FiveShillingsFourPenceofMoneyCoin’dattheMint,theAuthormustallowtobeatleast495Grains。AnOunceisbut480
Grains。HowthenanOunceofuncoin’dStandardSilvercanbeworthFiveShillingsFourPence,(i。e。How480Grainsofuncoin’dStandardSilvercanbeworth495GrainsofthesameStandardSilver,Coin’dintoMoney)isunintelligible;unlesstheCoinageofourMintlessenstheValueofStandardSilver。
SIR,COINandInterestareTwoThingsofsogreatmomenttothePublick,andofsogreatconcernmentinTrade,thattheyought,veryaccuratelytobeexamin’dinto,andverynicelyweigh’d,uponanyProposalofanalterationtobemadeinthem。IpretendnottohaveTreatedofthemhereasthydeserve。ThatmustbetheworkofanablerHand。IhavesaidsomethingontheseSubjects,becauseyourequir’dit。And,Ihope,thereadinessofmyObediencewillexcuse,toYou,theFaultsIhavecommitted,andassureYouthatIam,SIR,YourmosthumbleServant。
JohnLock。
第4章