TheMeanesToMakeTradeFlorish。Wherein,TheCausesoftheDecayofTradeinthisKingdome,arediscovered:
AndtheRemediesalsotoremoovethesame,arerepresented。
Propertius,nauitadeventis,detaurisnarratarator:Enumeratmilesvulnera,pastoroues。
London,PrintedbyJohnLegatt,forSimonWaterson,dwellinginPaulesChurch-yardattheSigneoftheCrowne。1622
byEdwardMisseldonTothePrince。SirYourHighnesisnolesseHappytobeetheSonneofsogreataKing,thentobetheHeireapparentofsomanyKingdomes。Intheone,rareendowmentsofMajestyandMagnanimity,areYoursbygeneration:Intheother,aRoyallMonarchybyinheritanceandsuccession。TheonedothfitYoufortheother,andYourRoyallFathersfootstepsforthemboth。InthosearePeerelesseprints:
YoucannotcastYourEie,buttheyarepresenttoYou,andrepresentedinYou。YouseeinHisReligion,Piety:inHisSacredPerson,Tranquility:inHisGovernment,Policy。Ineveryoneofthese,allthese:andallinYou。Inthatlast,HisMajestyhathcarriedaquickEie,overtheCommerceofthisKingdome:becauseithathrelationbothtotheRevenueoftheCrowne,andtheCommon-wealthofallHisKingdomes。ItissaidinExechielsVision,thatOnewheeleranwithintheother,whichhathandEmphasisinthattongue,{Hebrewphraseomitted}andsurelymattersofStateandofTrade,areinvolvedandwraptuptogether。Whichlatter,becauseitisatthistimeinagitation,andthereare,notwithoutcause,manyQuaere’sabouttheCausesofthegeneralldecaythereof;hathcausedmetoputmyselfeonthisEnquiry,tophilosophizeifIcould,intheseCausesandRemedies。NotthatIwouldseemewithPhormio,toreadeaLecturetoHannibal:No,IhaveonlymusteredandmarshalledthesemenintotheirRancksandOrder;itisYourstoCommandthem。GreatPhilipofMacedon,sufferedameanmusitionsayuntohim,Absit,uthaectumemeliusscias。Butformypart,Idarenotinanything,putsuchanabsit,toaPrincesoabsolute。EverythingmoovesitselfetoitsCenter。TheselittlelucubrationspresentthemselvestoyourHighnes,asuntotheirproperOrb。ForastheylookeuptotheKing,orastheylookedownetotheKingdome;InboththeylookeonYou,withadoubleaspect。YouaretheJoyoftheKing,andHopeofalltheseKingdomes。TheOnlySonneYourare,oftheOnlyKing:AnhappySeer,ofablessedSire:A
PrincelyConsul,ofthePrivyCouncel:Awatchman,Aworthy,ofDavidandofJacob。
TheseMeditationofmine,areverymeane:anunfitobjectforaPrincessight:unlesseasYouareaGodonEarth;inthisalsoYourrepresenttheGodofHeaven;toacceptinyourPrincelypardonandpatience,{Greekphraseomitted}。TheCauseisgreat,yourWisedom’sdeep,andmyLordtheKingisasanAngellofGod。
YourHis,HeisChrist,andChristisGods。
OhGod,bethoustilltheKingandChrist,ofthisChristourKing:EvangelizeuntothisAngel:doubletheSpiritofourEliah,onOurElisha:thatHemayflourishlikeourPalmeTree,andgrowuplikeourCedarofAlbion。GivethyJudgementstotheKing,andthyJusticetotheKingsSonne:AndletallthePeopleofferthesesweetOdourstoTheetheGodofHeaven,andprayforthelifeoftheKingandHisSonne。
Soprayeth,forHisMajestie,AndyourHighnesse,EdwardMisselden,MerchantFrommyHouseatHackneyonWhitsonEve,the8ofJuneIntheyeareofGrace,MDCXXII。AndoftheKingofPeace,XXIV。
Cap。I。
TheCausesofthewantofMoneyinEngland。
IthavingpleasedGodtogivemeemybirthandbeinginthisgoodLand,andunderthereigneofsogreataKing;whosepeaceandpiety,whoseprudenceandpolicy,whoserareendowmentsofNatureandliterature,absitomnisadulatio,doelendtotheChristioanandPaganworldsuchagloriouslustre,asthattheothergreatlightsintheSphearesthereofdoseemeeclipsed:I
couldnotbutthinkeitmyboundenduty,inallhumbleacknowledgementtoAlmightGod,anddevoutedservicetosomightyaKing,toendevourtoexpressethesame,insomepubliqueserviceforthepubliquegood。
Theratherforthatthereseem’stobeanecessitieimposeduponallmen,asmuchastheycan,toperformethisduety;
accordingtothatgnerallprecept,FeareGod,HonourtheKing:AsifamancouldnotfeareGod,unlessehehonourtheKing:norhonourtheKing,withoutthefeareofGod。
Andnomarvell,whenGodhimselfesetteththesedutiesinthefrontispiceortopofboththeTablesoftheDecalogue:TheoneExplicitinthefirstTable,ThoushaltlovetheLordthyGod:
TheotherImplicitinthesecondTable,ThoushalthonourtheKing:asifhewere{Greekphraseomitted},ALawandanotherLaw:yeathewholeLawcomprisedinthesetwo:andthesetwotermedthegreatCommandements,togiveadeepeimpressionandalivelyexpressionofsogreatadutie。
Yea,hedothhonourkingswiththisowntitle,asifheewouldpartwith,&imparttothem,someofhisownehonour。I
havesaideyeeareGods:towhichthatofthePoetmayseeme{Greekwordomitted}tohaveanelegantallusion,DivisumimperiumcumIoueCaesarhabet。
AndthisisitIconfessethathathraisedandrowsedmineaffections,toseekeoutasubject,whereinImightsetmyselfatask,&asitisintheproverb,might{Greekphraseomitted},toperformesomeacceptableservice,tosogreataKing,&sogoodakingdome。
ButwhatneedIseekethatwhichseekethallmen?ForwhatisatthistimemoreenquiredafterthentheCausesofthedecayofTrade?Andwhatcanbemorefitformymeditation,thenthatwhereinIhavehadeducation?AndwhathathmorerelationtomatterofState,thenCommerceofMerchants?ForwhenTradeflourisheth,theKingsrevenueisaugmented,LandsandRentsimproved,Navigationisencreased,thepooreemployed。ButifTradedecay,allthesedeclinewithit。NeverthelessewhenI
lookeuponthefaceofthegreatbodypolitiqueofthiswealepublique,andthereinconsiderthehighwisedomeofHissacredMajestie,astheintellectualpartofthisMicorcosme,oralterorbisasCeasarcallesit:theprudenceandprovidenceofHisNobles,astheEyesthereof;thegreatdecayofTrade,theNervesthereof:togetherwiththeparliamentationandconsultationofallthepartstogetherabouttheseCausesandRemedies:IfeareI
shallseeme{Greekphraseomitted},tolightaCandleintheSunne,tooffermyserviceinthat,aboutwhichthechoicestwitsoftheKingdomearenowinconsultation。
ButhavinghadexperienceofHisMajestiesgraciousinterpretationofsmallservicesofhissubjectsemployedforthepublique:thoughothersmuchmoresufficientaresentbefore,yetcouldInotbutexpostulatewithmyselfe,whatifIalsorunneafter,andcastinmy{Greekphraseomitted},intothisgreatTreasury。
Thereforeifherein,anyobservationsofmine,eitherForreignordomestique,mayadministeranythingworthytheinformationofthatGreatcommonandyetnotcommonSense,I
shallesteememypartmosthappilyacted,tohaveemployedmyprivatepainesforthepubliquegood。Therather,forthat,astherearemanyCausesdiscussedanddiscoursedofatthistime,ofthedecayofTrade;soalsoaretheremanyremedies:whereinifeithertheCausesbemistaken,ortheremediesillapplied;
thepresentsicknesseoftheTrade,maybebroughtfromadiseaseinfieritoanhabituatedandinfacto,asthePhisitiansSchoolehathit。
Tofindthecauseofthings,isaworkeofPhilosophy,andmuchfelicitie:tofindeoutafitremedy,isofhigheminency:
Buttoapplytheremedy,isamatterofStateandPolicy。AndthisleadethmeetotheMethodofmydiscourse:whichpartsitselfeintwaine:viz。IntoadoubleQuaere,oftheDeformationandReformationofTrade。Intheformermaybeconsidered,theCausesandEffectsthereof。IntheCauses,thematterofformeofTrade。ThemasterofTrade,iseitherNaturallorArtificial。TheNaturalmatterofCommerceisMerchandize:whichMerchantsfromtheendofTradehavestiledCommodities。TheArtificialmatterofCommerceisMoney,whichhathobtainedthetitlesinewsofwarreandofState。
OldJacobblessinghisGrandchildren,crosthishands;andlaidehisrighthandontheyonger,andhislefthandontheelder:AndMoney,thoughitbeinnatureandtimeafterMerchandize,yetforasmuchasitisnowinusebecomethechiefe,IwilltakeleaveofMethod,tohandleitinthefirstplace。
FirstthereforeforthewantofMoneyinthisKingdome,manyreasonsmaybeeassign’d。WhereofsomeareImmediate,somemediateorremote。TheImmediatereasonsofthewantofmoney,areeithersuchashindertheImportation;ofsuchascausetheexportationthereof。Andboththerseareoccasionedbytheunder-valueationofhisMajestiesCaoine,tothatofourNeighbourCountries。ForwhowilprocurelicenceinSpainetobringReallesintoEngland,tosellthemhereatteninthehundredgaine,whichislessethentheExchangefromthencewillyeeld;whenheemayhaveforthesamefiveandtwentyinthehundredinHolland?HerefiveRealsofeight,whichmaketwentyshillingssterling,willcommonlyyeeldtwoandtwentyshillingsorthereabouts:andthesameinHollandwillyeeldfortytwoshillings&sixepenceFlemish,whichisfiveandtwentyshillingssterling。AndhowcanwechoosebutwantmoneyinEngland,whentheJacobuspieces,areCurrantatsohigharateinHolland?Fortheretheygoeattwelveguilderseightstiversthepiece,whichisoneandfortieshillingsandfourpenceFlemish,whichisfourandtwentieshillings&ninepencesterling。AndafterthisrateHisMajestiesotherCoinesofgold&silverarethereofrespectivevalue。ForalthoughbythePlaccaetsorProclamationsofthoseparts,theJacobuspieces,andotherspeciesofgoldandsilver,aretheresetatindifferentratesanswerabletotheirvaluationherewithusrespectively,whichtheytherecallpermissiegelt,Proclamationmoney:yettheyhaveotherdevicestoraisemoney,anddrawitawayattheirpleasures。AseitherbytheirBanckes,whentheBanckierswillfortheiroccasionsgiveagreaterpriceformonythentheProclamationsuffereth,&thenitiscalledBanckgelt:
orelsebyslackepaymasters,thatfortheirowneadvantageintheraisingofmoney,willpretendnottomakepresentpaymentoftheirdebts,unlesseyoutaketheirmoneyatahigherrate,theneithertheProclamation,ortheBanckmoney。Whichbeingpaidandreceived,producethathirdkinde,whichtheycallCurrantgelt。
AndsobytheConnivenceoftheMagistrate,thesamegoethfrommantoman,andatlastbecommethcurrantatanexcessivevalue。
SotheyhavePermissionorProclamationMoney,andBanckMoney,andCurrantMoney,andalltodrawdrytheCurrantofHisMajestiesCoine。
AndthustheHepatitisofthisgreatBodyofourbeingopened,&suchprofusionofthelifebloodletout;andtheliverorfountaineobstructed,andweakened,whichshouldsuccourthesame;needesmustthisgreatBodylanguish,andatlengthfallintoaMarasmum。
IamnotignorantthattherehathbeenegreatabuseinthecullingofHisMajestiesCoyne,hereathome,andinmeltingtheheavymoneyintoplate:AndthatthereisagreatsuperfluitieofPlategenerallyinprivatemenshandsmorethenisnecessary,andfarrebeyondanyexampleofformertimes,whichmustneedesalsocausescarcitieofmoney:yetontheothersideIcannotdeny,butthatitisbettertohavethesameinPlate,asatreasureoftheKingdome;thenturnedintoCoine,&soturnedoutoftheKingdome,bytheunder-valuethereof。
NowtheMediatorremotereasonsofthewantofmoneyinEngland,areeitherDomestiqueorForreine。TheDomestiquearegenerall,orspecial。Thegeneralremotecauseofourwantofmoney,isthegreatexcesseofthisKingdom,inconsumingtheCommoditiesofForreineCountries,whichprovetousdiscommodities,inhinderingusofsomuchtreasure,whichotherwisewouldbeebroughtin,inlieuofthosetoyes。Fornowadayesmostmenliveabovetheircallings,andpromiscouslystepforthViceversa,intooneanothersRankes。TheCountreymansEieisupontheCitizen:theCitizenupontheGentleman:theGentlemanupontheNobleman。Andbythismeanesweedrawuntous,andconsumeamongstus,thatgreatabundanceoftheWinesofSpaine,ofFrance,oftheRhene,oftheLevant,theLawnesandCambricksofHannaultandtheNetherlands,theSilkesofItalie,theSugars&TobacooftheWestIndies,theSpicesoftheEastIndies:Allwhichareofnonecessitieuntous,&yetareboughtwithreadymony,whichotherwisewouldbebroughtoverintreasureifthesewerenot。ACommon-wealthislikeuntoafamily,thefatherormasterwhereofoughttosellmorethenhebuyethaccordingtooldCatoe’scounsell,Patremfamiliasvendacemnonemacemesseoportet。Otherwisehisexpencebeinggreaterthenhisrevenue,hemustneedscomebehindehand。EvensoaCommon-wealththatexcessivelyspendeththeforreineCommoditiesdeere,andunttereththenativefewerandcheape,shalenrichotherCommon-wealths,butbeggaritselfe。Whereonthecontrary,ifitventedfeweroftheforreine,andmoreoftheNative,theresiduemustneedsreturneintreasure。
Thespeciallremotecauseofourwantofmoney,isthegreatwantofourEast-Indiastockehereathome。Whichisamatterofverygreatconsequence,andcauseththebodyofthisCommon-wealthtobewoundedsore,throughthesidesofmanyparticularmembersthereof。ForthestockeoftheEastIndiaCompanybeingofgreatvalue,andcollectedandcontractedfromalltheotherparticularTradesoftheCommon-wealth;andagreatpartthereofhavingbeeneEmbarguedanddetainednowformorethenfiveyeereslastpast;andthatnotbyaprofestEnemie,againstwhomwemighthavebeenwarn’dandarm’d,butbyafriend,aneighbour,anextneighbour,oneobligedtoourKingandNationmorethentoalltheKingsonearth:thislosseIsay,isnotonleythusunkind,butisthemoreintollerable,inthattheCommon-wealthhathlosttheuseandemploymentoftheStockeitselfe,andalltheencreaseofTradewhichthesamemighthaveproduced,intheseverallTradesoftheSubjects,wherebyabundanceoftreasuremighthavebeenebroughtintothislandinallthistime。
ItissaidofBelisariusthatGreatandfamousCommanderoftheRomanes,thatevenRomeitselfeowedtohimtwiceherlife:
andyetatlastwassounkindetoBelisariusastoputoutbothhiseyes,andexposedhimtobeginalittleCotagebuiltwithoutthegates,whereheeoftenrepeatedthissentencetothosethatpassedby,DateobolumBelisario,queminuidia,nonculpcaecauit。AndcertainelyourNationmaychallengeasmuchormoreoftheseunkindefriends,theBelisariuseverdidorcouldofRome:andtheyshewthemselvesnolesseunkinde,todepriveusofthelightandlifeofthisTradeofours,andsufferthisNationtousesomucimportunitiefortheirowne。
HomerreportsofPatroclus,thathewouldneedsputonAchillesarmour,andrideonAchilleshorse,butAchillesspeareheedurstnottouch,andtherebywasknownetoHector,withwhomhefought,nottobeAchilles,andsolosthislife。Thesefriendsofourshavesometimesputon,sometimesputoff,Ihadalmostsaid,putouttheKingscolours:TheyhavesayledinHissubjectsshippes,butthatHistamfideitheyhavenotused,orabusedrather;wherebytheyhavebeenediscoveredtotheIndians,nottobethesubjectsofthefaith’sDefender,assometimestheywouldhavefaigned,thoughtoanevillpurpose。
TheRomaneswerewonttoweepe,atthesightofCaesarsbloodkeptinanhandkercher。Caesarssubjectsbloodiskept,notinhandkerchiefesbutinsheetes,writtenwithinandwithout,thememorywhereofmakeththepeoplemourne。Thecrythereofisgoneup:theKingwillrememberit,theKingofKingswillavengeit。
ConstantinustheGreat,thefatherofConstantius,waswontoftentoprotest,thathemademoreaccountofoneChristianthenofallhisCoffersfilledwithtreasure。AndtheComfortofthisNationis,tobeethesubjectsofsuchaSovertainge,whoasconstantlyaseverdidConstantinus,hathagaineandagaineprofest,Nottoaccounthimselfemorerichorhappie,thenintheprosperitieofhissubjects。
ThusmuchoftheDomestiqueremotecausesofthewantofmoneyinEngland:theforreinecausesfollow。Whichareeitherinrespectofthewarresinchristendome,ortheTradesoutofChristendome。ThewarresinChristendomeareforreineremotecausesofthewantofmoney,eitherbycausingtheexportation,asthewarresofChristians:orhinderingtheimportationthereof,asthewarresofPirates。IwilltakethewarresofGermanieforanurgentinstanceoftheformer:whichhaveraisedtheRiecksdallerfromtwoMarkesLubish,totwentiemarkesLubish,inmanyplaceofGermany:wherebyabundanceofmoneyisdrawneuntotheMintesofthoseCountries,fromalltheotherMinesandpartsofChristendome。
Andforthelatter,IwillinstancethewarresofthePiratsofArgierandTunis,whichhathrobbedthisCommon-wealthofaninfinitevalue:thecrueltiewhereofmanyfeelewithgriefe,othershearewithpittie,butthegrivanceremaine’s。NeedsmustChristendome,andinitEngland,feelethewantofmoney,wheneitheritisviolentlyinterceptedbyTurkishPirats,theEnimiesofGodandman;ortheinstrumentssurprised,asmen,ships,andmerchandize,whicharethechannelstoconveyittous。Andheathenishpolicieitis,orhellishrather,putuponthePrincesandpeopleofChristendomebytheGrandSeignour,toholdwiththemanoutwardformetoamitie,andinthemeanetimebyhisvassals,useacunningandcoverthostilitie。
Theotherforreineremotecauseofthewantofmoney,aretheTradesmaintainedoutofChristendometoTurky,PersiaandtheEastIndies。Whichtradesaremaintainedforthemostpartwithreadymoney,yetinadifferentmannerfromthetradesofChristendomewithinitselfe。ForalthoughthetradeswithinChristendomearedivenwithreadymonies,yetthosemoniesarestillcontainedandcontinuedwithintheboundsofChristendome。
Thereisindeedeafluxusandrefluxus,afloodandebbeofthemoniesofChristendometradedwithinitselfe:forsometimesthereismoreinonepartofChristendome,sometimesthereislesseinanother,asonecountreywanteth,andanotheraboundeth:
Itcommethandgoeth,andwhirlethabouttheCircleofChristendome,butisstillcontainedwiththecompassethereof。
butthemoneythatistradedoutofChristendomeintothepartsaforesaid,iscontinuallyissuedoutandneverreturnethagaine。
Itistrue,thosetradestendtoanadmirableencreaseofthestockeofChristendomeinwares:whichiftheywerepurchasedwiththewaresofChristendome,accordingtothetruenatureofCommerce,thebenefitwerefarremoreexcellent。ForCommerciumisquasiCommutatiomercium,achangeofwaresforwares,notmoneyforwares。AnditisLiberacommeandifacultas,abiisquimercesultrocitroqueconuehunt。
OriftheCommon-wealthofChristendomewereliketothatofUtopia,wheregoldandsilverareoflesseesteemthenIron,itwereabraveexchangetolosemoneytogetwares。Fortherichesofformeragesdidnotconsistrepecuniariabutpecuaria。Whencepecunia,asPlinieaffirmeth,wassocalledapecude,quiapecussuitpecuniaefundamentum,&antiquituspecuniapecudiseffigiesignabatur。ButwhenImmooveableandImmutablethingscamealsotobeinCommerceamongstmen,aswellasthosethingswhichweremooveableandfitforchange,thencamemoneyinuse,astheruleandsquarewherebythingsmightreceiveestimation&value。
ThereforetheCiviliansaffirmethatNumusest{Greekphraseomitted}dictus,quodinstiutumsitCivile。AccordingtothatofAristotle。{Greekphraseomitted}Numusnonestanaturasedalege。Andthenceitisthatmoneyinourtongueisderivedofmoneta,quasinuminota。
OriftherewereanecessitietoChristendome,tousethoseforreinewares:orthatthemeaneswherebytheyaretobeprocured,werewithoutthelosseoftreasure:orlastlythatthesametendedtotheencreaseofthetreasurethereoftheexchagewereexcellent。Butfirstthereisnosuchnecessitie:forthat’snecessarietodoeathingwithoutwhichitcannotbedone:Andthat’snecessarietothebeingofaCommon-wealth,withoutwhichitcannotsubsist。ButthankestoGod,Christendomeisrichlyfurnishedwithinitselfe,withallthingsfitforlifeandmaintenance:whetherwerespectvitalluse,asfoodeandraiment:
orphysicall,asvegetablesandmineral:orpoliticall,asgold,silver,andinfinitevarietieofmerchandize。Norarethosewaresprocuredwithoutthelosseoftreasure,nonorwithlessetreasure。Forasthosewareshavecostlesseinprice,sincesomelatediscoveries;soaretheyencreasedintheirquantities,bytheampletradeofallpartsofChristendomethither,morethenbefore:andthenwhoknowthnotthatalessequantitiedeare,andagreaterquantitiecheape,isalloneinrespectofthevalue。
Noristhetreasurelessenedbychangingthecourseoftradeintothoseparts。Forthenewtradesfoundout,arefurnishedwithanewsupplyofmoney,andtheoldneverthelessissueoutasmuchtreasureasbefore:byreasonthatthesameareenlargedandbecomenowasgreat,apart,asheretoforetheywere,together,whenthenewtradeswereincludedintheold。SothatnowsomuchmoreofthetreasureofChristendomeiswasted,asthoseoldandnewtradesareencreased,whichistoaninfinitevalue。
Notlastly,isthetreasureofChristendomeencreasedbythoseforreinetrades,forthemorethestockofChristendomeistherebyencreasedinwares,themoreitdecreasethintreasure:
whichthepartsofChristendomemustneedsfeelebySympathyandcompassion。
Andthis,thatprudentandpolitiqueEmperourCharlesthefifthperceivedinhistime,whouponaquestionbetwixttheSpaniardsandPortugallesaboutthismatter,theEmperourusedwordstothiseffect:YouPortugallesforasuretie,areEnemiestoallChristendome;foryoucarrynothingoutofitbutcoine,whichishurttoallCountries。
Cap。II。
TheCausesofthedecayofTrade,intheMerchandizeofEnglandSucharethecausesofthematteroftradeconsideredinthewantofmoney,themerchandizefolloweth。MerchandizeisthatnaturallmatterofCommerce,wherebymenbusiethemselvesinbuyingandselling,choppingandchanging,totheencreaseofArtes,andenrichingofCommon-wealths:accordingtothatofthePoet{Greekphraseomitted},Bonalismortalibushaecest。
AndtotheendthereshouldbeaCommerceamongstmen,ithathpleasedGodtoinviteasitwere,oneCountreytotraffiquewithanother,bythevarietyofthingswhichtheonehath,andtheotherhathnot:thatsothatwhichiswantingtotheone,mightbesuppliedbytheother,thatallmighthavesufficient。
Whichthingtheverywindesandseasproclaime,ingivingpassagetoallnations:thewindesblowingsometimestowardsoneCountry,sometimestowardanother;thatsobythisdivinejustice,everyonemightbesupplyedinthingsnecessaryforlifeandmaintenance。
Andthis,Senecathoughttobeaprincipallbenefitofnature,Quod&ventogenteslocisdisipatasmiscuit,&suaomniainregionesitadescripsit,utnecessariummortalibusessetinteripsosCommercium。Naturebythebenefitofthewind,hathsomixedpeople,dispersedindiversplaces,andsodistributedhergiftsindiversCountries,thatthereshouldbeanecessityofCommerceamongstmen。WhichagreethwiththatofAristotle,Esttranslatiorerumomniumcaeptaabinitio,abeoquodestsecudumnaturam,cumhomineshaberentpluraquamsufficerent,partimetiampauciora,negotiationesuppleriidquodnaturadeest,quocommodeomnibussufficiat。
AndthatwedoenotgoeoutoftheChristianworldforanexamplehereof,letusconsiderthestateoftheNetherlands,inwhatamiserablecasethosepeoplewere,iftheyreceivednotsupplyfromallotherNations。Theyhavenothingoftheirowne,andyettheyseemetopossesseallthingsinthesupplytheyreceivefromalltheworld。
AndsurelyifanyKingdomeundertheSunnecansubsistofitselfe,nonehathmorecausetoblesseGod,thenthisIlandofours,whichAlmightyGodhathrichlyadorn’dwithvarietyofallthingsnecessaryformanslifeandwelfare。AswithCorne,andourWine:Cattle,Wooll,Cloth,Tynne,Iron,Lead,Saffran,Waxe,Hoppes,Hydes,Tallow,Flaxe,Fowle,Fish,andmanyothres:
whereby,thanksbeetoGod,thepeopleofthisLand,havenotonelysufficientfortheirownemainenance,butdoeabundantlysupplythewantsofallotherNations。
NowtheTradeandCommerceofthisKingdomewithinitselfe,andwithForreineNations,consistingofsomanyrichCommodities;letusconsiderthemalljoyntly,andthensomeprincipallofthemapart。
Jointlyconsidered,thecausesofthedecayofTradeinthem,maybesaideithertobeDeficientorEfficient。Deficient,eitherinthegenerallwantofmoneyintheKingdome;ortheparticularwantoftheEastIndiastocke。Ishewedbefore,whatwerethecausesofthewantofmoney:&thatthedisasterupontheEastIndiaTradeisaremotecausethereof:butthesearebothcausesofthedecayoftrade。Formoneyisthevitallspiritoftrade,andifthespiritsfaile,needsmustthebodyfaint。
Andasthebodyoftradeseemethtobedeadwithoutthelifeofmoney:sodoealsothemembersoftheCommon-wealth,withouttheirmeansoftrade。Wesay,thatanArtizanorworkeman,cannotworkewithouttoolesorinstruments:nomorecanaMerchanttradewithoutmoneyormeanes。Andinthewantofsogreatastocke,asisthatoftheEastIndiaCompany,theBodyofthisCommon-wealthhathlosttheuseofmanyofitprincipallmembers;bywhoseindustry,art,andactiontheCommercethereofmightwonderfullyhavebeenencrea’st。Thelossewhereof,tohimthatisnotwilfullyblinde,isapparentlysensibleintheDraperyofthekingdome,wherebythepoorearesetonworke:andinalltheothertradesofthekingdome,wherebythesubjectsareemployed:
andhathbegotthatgreatandgeneralldampeanddeadnesseinallthetradesofthekingdome,whichweunhappilyfeeleatthisday。
TheEfficientcausesofthedecayoftradejointlyconsidered,areeitherUsuary,orunnecessarysuitsinlaw。IntheformerIamprevented,andmylabourspared,byhimthatwrotealittletreatiseagainstusury:whichitseeme’sformodestyherefusethtoowe:thoughIcouldwish,thatthosethatdeserveofthepubliquewereknownetothepublique:leasttheybeservedassometimesBatillusservedVirgil,andsobeforc’dtoolatetoproclaime,Hosegoversiculosfeci,tulitalterHonores。
IhaveawordonelytoaddetohisUsury,thatitisnotanUsuryofteninthehundredonly,thatwringeththisCommon-wealth,butanextorsionalsoof20-30-40,nayofCentoperCentoperAnno,astheItaliansspeake,givenandtakenonpledgesandpawnes,andthatonpoorepeopleslabours,inLondonespecially:whichisabitingUsuryindeed,andafearefullcryingsinnebeforeGod。
UnnecessarysuitesofLawarealsoEfficientcausesofthedecayoftrade。WhereincertainelythisKingdomeexceedethallotherkingdomesintheworld。AstheJusticeofthiskingdomistheDiademoftheKing,anddothstabilireRegisthronum,andtribuerecuiquesuum:wherebymenmayfiveCaesarCaesar’s,andmeumandtuumonetoanother:soistheJusticeoftheKing,inthesacredpersonofHisMajestie,amongstotherHisRoyallVertues,andEmblemeandrepresationofhighestMajesty:anditisanincomparablehappinesseofthiskingdome,tohavesuchaMalchizedec,aKingofJustice,aKingofPeace。
NeithermayIforgetthatRoyalltestimonyhereof,whichisworthytobewritteninlettersofgold,andthankefullytoberememberedofeverytongueandpen;whereofamongstothersmoreworthy,itwasalsomyhappinessetobeoculatusandauritustestis:whenHisMajestyinaStar-chamberassembly,liftingHiseyetowardheaven,andlayingHishandonHisSonneshead,madesuchasolemneprotestationofHissincerityinJustice,asmayserveforamatterofadmirationandimitation,toalltheKingsonearth。Thosethatwentbefore,andtheythatfollowedafter:
Thosethathearditthen,andtheythatheardofitsince;saiditwas{Greekphraseomitted}Necvoxhominemsonat,oDeuscerte!
IfsuchthenbetheJusticeoftheKingandthekingdome,howisitthenthatTradeishinderedbysuitsofLaw。HereinColumellae’scounsellisremarquable,Principiprovidendumest,nelegibusfundatacivitas,legibusevertatur。TherecannotbetoomuchJustice,thermaybetoomuchLaw。FortheuseofJusticeisexcellent,inconteiningmenwithinthebondsofcivilityandhonesty:inpreservingmenfrominjurie:andinmaintainingeverymansright&propriety。ButtheabusethereofisamostpernitiousanddangeroussurfeitinthebodyofeveryCommon-wealth。
AndthisisourcaseinthisWeale-publike;noKingdomehathbetterLawes;nokingdomesofullfraughtwithtedious,needlesse,endlesse,suitsofLaw。FornowthisLitigandi{Greekwordomitted},andwaxethsofast,andgrowethsogreat,thatsuitesofLawdoeseemimmortall:timedothincreasethem,andlenghtoftimewouldnotdeterminethem,ifthewisedomeofthoseGraveFathersoftheLaw,didnotputanendtothemaliceoftheLitigants:asisnow,worthilyobservedinChancery,tohishonourandmemoriethathathsohappilybegunthesame。
Bythegrowethandgreatnesseofwhichsuites,Isay,agreatnumberofHisMajestiesgoodandlovingsubjectsarevexed,imprisoned,impoverishedandoverthrowne:andwhilsttheLitigantsstrivetogether,anothertakethawaythefish,andasitisintheApologue,leavethtoeitherofthemanemptyshell。
AndthusmenstimeandmeanesbeingspentinLaw,whichshouldbeemployedinTrade,tradeisneglected,andtheCommon-wealthdeprived,ofthebenefitthatmightbepurchasedandprocuredthereby。
AmdthusmuchforthedecayofTradeconsideredjoyntly。Itfollowethnowtoconsiderthemapart,insomeprincipallpartsthereof。Whichmaybereduced,tosuchastendtotheFortificationoftheKingdome,orMaintenanceofTrade。TheformerareOrdinanceandMunition:thetoo-toocommonexportationwhereof,hathtaughtuswofullexperienceofaninvaluableinconveniencethereby,whicheverymanissensibleof:andthereforeIneedenotpresseit:Iwishitdidnotoppresseus。
Thelatter,Iwillreferretothingsessentiall,forthepreservationofmanslife,asVictusandVestitus:yetsuchofthemalsoasdoeafordwondrousvarietyofTrade,andmaybetermedtheNourceriesthereof,astheFishingandClothingofthisKingdome。Foronthesetwo,allsortsofTradesandTradesmen,havesomedependance。
Theinconvenienceinthisformer,isthatEncroachingofStrangers,inFishinguponourCoasts:wherebynotonelythebreadistakenoutofthesubjectsmouth,butthatinfinitewealth,whichGodhathmadeproperandpeculiaruntoUs,isbecomecommonuntothem。Wherebyalso,theirNavigationiswonderfullyencrea’sttheirMarinersaremultiplied,andexceedinggreatTradesmaintainedintoallpartsoftheChristianworld。Andvictualscommonlyyeeldingreadymoney,andtollerationofexportationthereof,thesamehathredoundedtoaninfiniteenrichingoftheirCountrieswithTreasure,exhaustedoutoftheseMinesofour’s。
Iamnotignorantthatalearnedmanofthatside,pressinghardinaTreatiseentituledMareliberum,theCommunityandFreedomeoftheSeaagainstthePortugallTradeintotheEastIndies:dothcunninglyandobliquely,underthecoverttermsofPopuliRomanilittus,defendandmaintaine,inthefifthchapterthereof,theirfishinguponourCoasts。Forthusheeconcludeth,NemoigiturpotestapopuloRomanoadlittusmariusaccedereprohiberi,&retiasiccare,&aliafacere,quaesemelonmeshominibusinperpetuumsibilicerevoluerunt。Andagain,Exterisiuspiscandi,ubiqueimmuneessedebet。
TopartofwhichTreatise,thereisananswereentituled,DeDominioMaris,towhichIreferrethosethatdesirefurthersatisfactioninthismatter。Butinmyjudgement,whichIsubmittobetterjudgement,theAuthorofMareliberum,thoughotherwiseverylearned,straynethhisArgumentsforthatpurposebeyondtheirstrength。ForJusissaidtobescriptum,orNonscriptum。
Andbyboththese,theproprietiesoftheSeasmaybeproved,tobelongtothosePrincesandCountries,towhichtheyarenextadjacent。
ForCustome,theexamplesofourNeighbourCountriesroundaboutusarefrequent。AsofCoeldine,Groeneland,Norway,andFrisland,undertheKingofDenmark。TunnyfishingundertheDukeofMedina。TheGulfeofVenicethatSeignory。AndmanyothersI
mightinstance:Inallwhichthereisnolibertyoffishing,butbyspeciallpriviledgehadfromthosePrincestowhomthesamebelongeth。WhichbeingsowemaywelconcludewiththePoet,Cumventumadverumest,sensusmoresquerepugnant。
FortheLawitselfe,itisnothardtoproducesomeofhisowneAuthorsagainsthimselfe。AstheEmperourLeo:ofwhomehethusspeaketh,Voluit{Greekwordomitted},hocest,vestibulamaritimaeorumessepropria,quioramhabitarent;ibiqueeosiuspiscandihabere。
AlsoRodericusSuarius,whosetestimonybecausehewasaSpaniard,heproducethagainstthePortugalsintheendofhisfifthChapter;whom,ifheehadpleased,heemightalsohavecitedthusspeaking:Reddituspiscariarumconsueti,utestgabella,seualiudtributumsoluiconseuetum,dehisquaeinmaripiscatoresfaciunt,seuamercantoribusdehiswuaeemuntautvendunt,Principibusconceduntur。
TowhichIwillonelyaddethatofBartolus,whomtheCivilianscallJurisLucernam,thusspeaking:UtInsulaeinmariproximeadiacenties,sic&mareipsumadCentumusquemilliariaproterritoriodistrictuqueilliusregioniscuiproximeappropinquat,assignatur。
TherestthattheAuthorofMareliberumenforceth,oftheCommunityandfreedomeoftheSeatoallNations,heunderstandethofmattersinquestion,betweenethePortugalsandthoseofhisNation,concerningtheirEastIndiaTrade,andnotoftheirfishinguponourCoasts。WhichQuestioninmyjudgement,beingoutofquestion,werebetterdeterminedbyactionthendisputation:ItbeingaRoyaltyoftheKing,andaRegallpriviledgeofthisKingdome,assignedbyAlmightyGod。
FromtheFishingcomeweetotheClothingorDraperyofthisKingdome:theconsiderationwherofisofveryhighconsequence,andconcernethboththeSoveraigneandtheSubject,NobleandIgnoble;evenallsorts,andcallingandconditionsofmeninthisCommon-wealth。ForthisissaidtobeeaFloweroftheKingsCrowne,theDowryoftheKingdome,thechiefeRevenueoftheKing。Thisisaboundtofortifie,andabondtoknitthesubjectstogetherintheirseverallsocieties。ThisistheGoldofourOphir,theMilke&HonyofourCanaan,theIndiesofEngland:andthereforedesire’sanddeserve’stobehadinaneverlastingremembrance。
TheDraperiesofthisKingdomearetermedOldandNew。BytheOld;areunderstoodBroadClothes,BayesandKersies:BytheNew;
Perpetuanoes,Serges,Sayes,andotherManufacturesofwooll。
ThecausesthenofthedecayoftradeintheseDraperies,areeitherDomestiqueorForreine。TheDomestiquecauses,aresomePast,somePresent。ThosePast,areapparentinthelatedisturbanceoftheCloth-Trade,whichissoobvioustoeveryman,thatIhadratherpassebyit,thenpresseuponit,becauseitispast:andIwouldtoGodthatsoweretheeffectsofitalso。Incharitiewemaythinkeitwasgoodinthepurpose,thoughitproovedillinthepractice。FortherebytheDraperiesofthisKingdome,aremuchdiminished,andtheforreineadvancedandadvantaged。Thequantititesofwhichlast,wereformerlyfewornone,butnowtheyexceedeourhighestnumbersissuedoutoftheland:asbyacollectionthereof,whichmyselfemadeinthoseparts,byHisMajestiesspeciallparts,byHisMajestiesspeciallycommand,inthetimeofSecretaryWinwoodsservice,mayappeare。
Thesepresent,maybediscern’dintheCloth-trade,eitherundertheClothier,orundertheMerchant。UndertheClothier,eitherbyillmakingorfalsesealingtheCloth。
ForthemakingofgoodandtrueCloth,manyexcellentlaweshavebininvented&enactedbythewisdomeoftheParliamentsofthisland,fromtimetotime。AndtheStatuteof4oftheKingCap。2dothseemetobeeanEpitomeorCompendiaryofalltheformerStatutesinthiskinde。InthisStatureisprescribed,thetruebreadth,andlength,andwaight,thatmayconducetothemakingofatrueandperfectCloth,KersieorManufacture。IfaClothiermakeaClothoflessewaight,thenissetdowneinthesaidStatute,heoffendethinQuantitie:Ifoflessebreadth,orlength,orofforbiddenkindesofwooll,heeoffendethinQualitie。IfaClothieroffendinneitherofthesebyhisowneact,yethemayoffendinboth,byhisinstrumentsorworkemen:
EitherbytheWeavers,innotputtinginthestuffeatthemaking;orbytheTuckersinpullingoutthestuffeafterthemakingthereof。
AClothalsomaybewellmade,&yetfalsesealed。AClothmaybesaidtobelawfullymade,whenitistrulysealed。ForalthoughitmaybeimpossibletomakesomeClothes,justofthosequantitiesandquanlitiesprescribedbytheStatute;astheClothierstermeis,Amancannotcastaclothinamould:yetI
hope,theywillgivemeleavetosay,thatitispossiblethataClothmaybeetruesealed,thoughfalsemade。AndthenaClothillmade,andtruesealed,wherebythebuyermayseewhathehathforhismoney,maybeesaidtobeeagoodorlawfullClothaccordingtotheStatute。
NowtheexecutionoftheStatuteforSearchingandSealingofClothes,seemethtobereferredtotwosortsofmen:whichareeithertheAulnagerorSeacher。theformermayseemeoriginallytohavebeeneanOfficerappointedforthatpurpose,aswellasbytheNotationofthename,asbysomeAncientStatutes。ForAulne,andAulnage,andAulnagier,areallFrenchwords,takenfromthemeasuringofCloth。Andthenceitis,thatinthattonguetheyarewonttosayAunerdrapstomeasureClothes,byaTropetakenfromtheInstrumentbywhichtheyaremeasured。
ButbecausethecareoftheAulnageiscommittedtosoNobleandHonourableaPersonage,thatwillnotsufferanyabuseintheexecutionofthatoffice:andthesaidStatuteof4Jacobi,andtheformerStatutesof39and43Elizabethae,doereferretheSearchingandSealingofClothes,tocertaineOverseersorSearchers,socalledbythesaidStatutes,Iwillproceedeuntothem。
AndforasmuchasExecutionisthelifeofthelaw,asHisMajestieinhishighwisedomeadmonisheth:andthePrudenceandprovidenceoftheState,havebeeneverygreatindevisingandenactingsuchgoodlawesfromtimetotime,asmighttendtotheencreaeandadvancementoftheDraperyofthisKingdome:Ifthereforenowanythinkbeeamissetherein,itmustneedscomethroughthewantofexecutionofthoselawes。Hincillaelachrymae!ThisBonumaccordingtoHisMajestiesRegallrule,isnotBene。FortheseOverseersandSearchersbeeingsillyCountreymen,andgenerallynotexpertinthemysteryofmakingofCloth:intheSearchwhereof,thereisasmuchneedeofskillasinthemaking:forhowshouldtheyfindethefault,thatknownothowitiscommitted?TheseSearchersIsay,thusbeingignorantandunskilfullintheiroffices,andnegligentalso,(inwhichlast,ithathbeenagaineandagaineconfest,thattheyhavesetthesealesoftheiroffice,toClothestheyneversearch’tnorsaw)needsmusttherebeagreatabuse,intheexecutionofthosegoodlawes。
NayIwouldIcouldnotsay,howmuchourNationhathbeeneupbraidedbythepeopleofforreinepartswiththisabuse,thattheSearchersSealesofEnglandareboughtandsoldasinamarket,andputontheClothesbytheTuckers,andothertheservantsoftheClothiers,asifthesamehadbeenelawfullySearchedandSealedaccordingtotheStatute;whenastheSearchersEyeneversomuchasbeheldtheClothes。
WhereinthepeopleoftheNetherlandsaresoexact,thatyoushallneverfindanyoftheirCountreyClothesfalsesearch’torsealed。ForyousahllnaveaSealesetupontheClothwhenitcommethfromtheWeavers:anothewhenitcommethfromtheTuckers:
anotherwhenitcommethfromtheDyers:andthatbymenofgoodquality,appointedforthapurposeineveryCityandTownewhereClothismade,termedCuremasters:socalledfromtheCaretheyought,anddoeperforme,intheexecutionoftheiroffice:
whereinindeedtheyaresostrict,thatyoushallneverfindeanyofthesealesaforesaid,settoanymanneroffalseordefectiveCloth。
ForindeedtheSearcherbeingasworneOfficer,oughttobeaswitneswithoutexceptionbetwixtmanandman:thatwhenamanseeththeSearcherssealesetupontheCloth,itshouldserveasatrueCertificatofthetruemakingthereof。ItisagreatimpietybeforeGodandMan,tobeafalsewitnesseinanycase:
buttheseSearchersarefalsewitnesseipsofacto,whentheydoetestifietotheworldbytheirseales,thatthoseClothesaregoodandtrue,whichindeedeareutterlyfalse。Andwhichaggravateththematteryetmore,thattheKingsSealeofArmes,whichistestisomniexceptionemajor,shouldalsobesettoClothesthusfalselysearchedandsealed;wherebynotonlytheKingssubjects,butthestrangersalsoinforreinepartsaredeceived,isaverygrosseandgrievousabuse。
Amongstotherabusesofthiskinde,oneprecedentcome’stomyminde,oftenClothesboughtnotlongsincebyaMerchant,ofaClothierofWiltshire。WhichClotheswereallSealedbytheSearchersofthatplace,forgood&true,accordingtotheStatute。butbeingtriedbytheMerchantBuyer,andafterwardsbytheSwornemeasureroftheCitieofLondon,werefoundsodefectiveinlength,breadthandwaight,thatwherethesetenClothescostbut60lib。orthereabouts,thefaultsinthesetenClothescametoneere20libwhichwsonethirdpartofthevalueoftheCloth。Anditbeinganotablecomtemptofthelaw,theLordsofHisMajestiesmostHonourablePrivieCouncellwereinformedthereof;whowerepleasedtosenddownaMessengerintothatCounty,andfetch’tupboththeClothierandSearchers,whoworthilyunder-wenttheCondigneCensureoftheLords。
UndertheMerchantalsotheCloth-tradesufferethbothatHomeandAbroad。AtHome,byExportingtheMaterials,eitherofWoollesorWool-selsfromtheSea-coastsofEngland,andtheKingdomeofIreland:orbyOver-ladingtheCloth-trade,eitherwithanygenerallorspeciallcharge。
ThelatterIcannotpretermit:forasthechiefewaightoftheCloth-tradelyethontheMerchants-Adventures;soalsoistheburthenofchargemostfeltunderthattrade。FortheImpositionsandImprestmoneybythemlaidupontheCloth,fordefrayingthechargeoftheirGovernment,andpaymentoftheirDebts;hathdrivenmanygoodMerchantsoutofthetrade,andgiventheClothiersoccasiontocomplaineofwantofBuyers,andthrustthetradeitselfemoreandmoreintotheStrangershands。
Andabroad,bytheunfitplaceofResidence,whichtheMerchants-AdventurersarefallenuponinHolland。WhithertheygoewithgreatperillofShippeandGoods:Andwheretheycomefarreshortofthattheyhopedfor;andofthatquickeandampleventoftheirCloththeyfoundinZeeland。TheAgitationofwhichremoove;isvehementlysuspectedtohavemovedtheMerchantsofHolland,toprocurePriviledgesoftheStatesGeneralltoIncorporatethemselves,andkeepCourts,toconfronttheMerchants-Adventurers;whichtheyneverdidbefore:TohavedrawnetheTaringofClothintoHolland,wheretheBuyersareinsomesort,Judges&Parties;whichbeforewasintheMart-towne,wheretheSellerwaspresent:AndlastlytohavehastnedthegreatImpositioninHolland。Allwhicharemattersofmoment,andconcernetheCloth-tradeverymuch,andwhereoftheEnglishFactorsthereresidingdoegenerallycomplaine:YetTheseI
ratherinstancethenurge:leavingthefurtherOverturethereoftotheirownrelation。
NowtheforreinecausesofthedecayoftheDraperyofEngland:areeithergenerall,asthewarresinGermany:orspeciallasthegreatImpositionlatelylaideuponourClothinHolland。
Bytheformer,theCourseofTradeisstoptandhindered,thatMerchantscannotpassewithoutperillfromplacetoplace:
andthemoniesbecomesovariable,thatwhenaMerchanthathsoldhisCloth,andhopethtohavegainedsomethingthereby;bythattimethatthetermeforpaymentisexpired,hereceivethlesseinvaluethentheClothescost,bytheraisingandrisingofthemonies。
Bythelatter,theMerchantsoftheNetherlandsarediscouraged,wherbymanyofthemhavegivenovertheirtrades,whichheretoforetheyfollowedinamplemanner,untoMuscovy,theEast-Countriesandotherplaces,inourEnglishClothesboughtoftheMerchants-Adventurersfromtimetotime。
Cap。III。
OfgovernedTrade,andthereinofMonopoly。
HithertotheMatterofTradehathbeeneconsideredinMoneyandMerchandize:theFormefolloweth,andthateitherinrespectofGovernment,orwantofGovernmentintrade。GovernmentisarepresentationoftheMajestieandAuthoritieoftheKing。ThesubjectthatishonouredwithGovernment,isinvestedwithpartoftheKingsHonour。TheTradesofthisKingdomewhichbyHisMajestiesespeciallGraceandFavourarereducedunderOrderandGovernmentintoCorporations,Companies,andSocieties,doecertainlymuchAdvanceandAdvantagetheCommerceofthisCommon-wealth,andfarreexcellthetradesofanyotherforreineMerchantsintheirungovernedtrades。
ButastheUseofGovernmentisexcellentfortherestraintofunskilfullanddisorderlytrade:sotheAbusethereofisasinconvient,ifatanytimethesamebetoostrict,andcomewithinthecompasseofaMonopoly。AndbecausethenameandnatureofMonopoly,ismoretalk’tof,thenwellunderstoodofmany;andsomethinkethatthereducingoftradeintoOrderandGovernment,isakindeofMonopolizingandrestraintoftrade:I
havethoughtitnotunseasonabletobestowsomespecaillpainesinthediligentinvestigationthereof。NotthatIwouldhavethetradeoftheKingdome,socircumscribedorappropriatedtoany,thatothersofHisMajestiessubjectsshouldbedeprivedofthelibertiethereof;butthatuponequallandreasonabletermes,tradingunderOrderandGovernment,withoutthatilltinctureofMonopoly,theKingshighwayoftradeshouldbeopeneduntoall。
ThenamethereforofMonopolyinourEnglishtongue,isderived,asthelearnedknow,oftheGreekeword{Greekwordomitted}:whencealsotheLatinewordMonopoliumisborrowed。
Somederiveitof{Greekwordomitted}Solus,&{Greekwordomitted}Versor,toconversealone。Othersof{Greekwordomitted}Solus,and,{Greekwordomitted}Civitas,quasiunicanegotiatioinCivitate。Butalltheseagreeinonemeaningoftheword,thatisSingularisNegotiatio,adivertingofCommercefromthenaturallcourseandusethereof,intothehandsofsomefew,totheirbenefite,andothersprojudice。IalsofindmanydefinitionofMonopolies:andagreatquestionamongtheCivilans,whetheraMonopolymaybeeexercisedofonealone;andwhetheritconsistaswellinLocatioConductio,astheyspeak,asinEmptioVenditio。Whichlastisoutofquestionwithall。AndoftheformerIfindaninstanceinArtistotleofThalesMilesiushisMonopoly:whobyhisknowledgeinAstrology,foreseeingoneyeareinthewinter,thattherewouldbegreatplentieofoilesthenextyeare,hiredbeforehandalltheplacesandenginesformakingofoilethroughboththeIlandsofMelazo&Chius,andafterwardsletoutthesameagaineatthisowneplacehemakethalsomentionofanother,whoboughtupalltheIroninSicilia,whichafterwardshesoldagaine,andmadeonehundredtalentsofthatwhichcosthimbutfiftie。AmongstothersIwilltakethedefinitionofAlthusiusforalltherest。Monopolium,saithhe,EstCommerciumemendi,vendendi,permutadiue,apancisvelunoetiamusurpatum,reliquisciutbuspreceptum,quopretiaaugeturcumlucronegotiantis,&reliquorumdamno。ThatisMonopolyisakindeofCommerce,inbuying,selling,changingorbartering,usurpedbyafew,andsometimesbutbyoneperson,andfore-stalledfromallothers,totheGaineoftheMonopolist,andtotheDetrimentofothermen。
ThepartsthenofaMonopolyaretwaine。TherestraintofthelibertyofCommercetosomeoneorfew:andthesettingofthepriceatthepleasureoftheMonopoliantohisprivatebenefit,andtheprejudiceofthepublique。UponwhichtwohingeseveryMonopolyturneth。AndthesetwopartsarerespectivelyrepugnanttothetwofundamentalrequisitesofallgoodLawes:towith,EquityandUtility。ForitagainstEquity,thatonememberofaCommon-wealthshouldbemorefree,thenanotherofequallrankeandcondition。AndwhatcanbemorecontrarytoPubliqueUtility,thenthatsomeoneorfewpersons,shouldswaythepriceofanythingusefulltotheCommon-wealthtotheirowneenriching,andthecommonlosseofothermen?Andhereitistobeewellobserved,thatunlessethesetwopartsconcurreinaMonopoly:itcannottruelyandproperlybesocalled,noroughtitsotobeeaccounted。AndthereforeAlthusiusfollowingDecianus,saithwellofthatrestraintofthecommonliberty,whichwecallSuitofMill:whichcompellethmentousethisorthatMilltogrindecorne,andnoneother:thatitdothonlySapereMonopolium,SavourofMonopoly:butthatitisnottruelyandproperlyaMonopoly。ForthatcaseofSuitofMill,unlessetherebeagreatertolleorrecompenceexactedforgrinding,thenatotherMilles,itfallethonelywithinthefirstpartofaMonopoly,towit,oftherestraintofthepublickeliberty;butnotwithincompasseoftheotherpart,thesettingoftheprice。butforthisrestraintofthepubliquelibertyofCommerce,itmaybesoorderedbythewisedomeoftheState,thatitmaybebothLawfullandBeneficialltotheCommon-wealth。Whichassertion,becauseitmayseemestrangetosome,IwillmakeevidentbygoodAuthorityandExamples。PeterMartyrthatfamouslightoftheChurchesoftheGospell,defendeththerestraintofSolomon,thatnonesholdbuyHorsesofEgyptwithouthislicence,tobeLawfull。AndofthiskindeisthePreemptionofTinnehereinEngland,grantedbyHisMajestiesgraciouslettersPatentsdosomefew,withrestraintofallothers:whichIdareboldlyaffirmeisnotonelyLawfull,butveryBeneficiallalsotothisCommonwealth。FortherebyourThriceNoblePrincereceivethagoodrevenue,andtheTinneofthisLandissoldformanythousandpoundsayearemoreinForreinparts,thenotherwiseitwould,tothegreatincreaseoftheCommonstockeofthisKingdome。AlsotheLawofthisRealmealloweth,thatifanymaninventanewArt,beneficialltotheCommonwealth,hemayhaveaPatenttousethatArtesoley,withrestraintofallothersforsevenyears:aswellinrecompenceofhisindustry,asfortheincouragementofothers,tostudyandinventthingsprofitableforthepubliquesymbiosis。TheStatuesoftheKingdomerestrainefromtheexerciseofsundryCrafts,allsuchashavenotservedanapprentishooduntotheartwhichtheywouldexercise:totheendethatthoseartesmightbebroughttobetterperfection,andthethingsmade,mightbegoodandserviceableforthosethatbuyandusethem。
TherestraintofthePubliqueLiberty,issometimesexercisedbyPrivateAuthority:sometimesbyPublique。WhichdistinctionismadebytheEmperourZeno。Iubemusnequisprosuaauthoritate,velsacroelicitorescripto,etc。Monopoliumaudeatexercere。
Theformer,ispractisedwhenanyoneormore,havebytheirowneprivatecontracts,gottenanyCommoditieormatterofCommerce,whollyintotheirownehands。OfthiskindearetheexamplesabovecitedoutofAristotle。
Thelatter,iswhenbyPubliqueAuthority,thelibertyofthesubjectisrestrained:whichisdone,sometimesbythePrerogativeoftheKing:sometimesbyActofParliament。
Theformer,bydispensingwithagenerallLawinsomepoint,andapplyingthedispensationtosomeoneorfewe,withrestraintofothers。Thelatter,byprohibitingall,butsomeoneorfewpersonstousethebenefitoftheLawinsomepointorother。
FordispensingwiththeLawes,itiswithoutquestion,thattheKinghathpowertodispencewithaPenallLaw,whenitprohibiteththatwhichisnotMaluminse。FortheParliamenthavingmadeaStatutewithintentofthePubliquegood:yetthesamebyreasonofsomethingnotforeseenatthemakingoftheLaw,mayproveveryprejudiciallintheExecution。AndthentheMalumprohibitum,astheLawyersspeake,maybedispencedwithbytheKing。ThustheParliamenthavingprohibitedtheexportationofwhiteClothesundre’stabovethepriceoffourpoundtheCloth:theobservationofthatStatutewasfoundbyexperiencetobeveryprejudicialltotheTrade,andfreeventoftheClothinforreineparts。WhereuponQ。Elizabeth,grantedaSpeciallLicencetotheFellowshipoftheMerchantAdventurers,totransportallsortsofwhiteClothesundre’st,withaNonobstantetothatStatute。AndalthoughallothermenstoodlyabletotheStatutestil,andwererestrained,yettheUtilitythatherebyarosetotheCommon-wealth,didfarreexceedtherestraintofthePubliqueLiberty。ForwithinfewyearesafterthegrantingofthisLicence,theventofClothinforreinepartsincreasedtotwiceasmuch,asformerlyitwasduringthestrictobservationoftheStatute。OtherlikedispensationsofStatutes,Imightinstance:asthatofthe28H。8。concerningtheretailingofGasgoigneWinesattwopenceaquart:whichisdispencedwith,byalicencetotheCompanyoftheVintners:butthesemaysufficeforeverymansunderstandingofthiskindeofrestraint。
ForProhibitionbyActofParliament:suchistheActwherebyallthesubjectsofthisRealme,exceptingsuchasareoftheCorporationoftheMuscovyCompany,areforbiddentotradeintoanypartofRussia。Alsothatof3JacobconcerningArtizanSkinnes,wherebyallbuttheCompany,areforbiddentobuyandretailsomesortsofSkinnes。Intheseandthelike,theParliamentmakethrestraintoftheCommonlibertyofCommerce,andthesamerestraintisagainereleased,notuntoall,buttosomepersonsorCorporationsbySpeciallexceptionandprovisooftheActofParliament。
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