A further attempt towards the reformation of the coin with expedients for preventing the stop of commerce during the re-coinage, and supplying the mint with a sufficient quantity of bullion ... / by R. Ford. Ford, R., fl. 1696. 1696 Approx. 42 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 13 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2007-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A39901 Wing F1471 ESTC R4545 12415514 ocm 12415514 61632 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A39901) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 61632) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 277:2) A further attempt towards the reformation of the coin with expedients for preventing the stop of commerce during the re-coinage, and supplying the mint with a sufficient quantity of bullion ... / by R. Ford. Ford, R., fl. 1696. 24 p. Printed for Thomas Cockerill, Sen. & Jun. ..., London : 1696. Reproduction of original in Yale University Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Money -- Great Britain. Coinage -- Great Britain. 2006-12 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-12 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2007-01 Jonathan Blaney Sampled and proofread 2007-01 Jonathan Blaney Text and markup reviewed and edited 2007-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A FURTHER ATTEMPT Towards the Reformation of the COIN . WITH Expedients for preventing the stop of Commerce during the Re-coinage . AND Supplying the Mint with a sufficient quantity of Bullion . Humbly offered to the Consideration of the King and Parliament , By R. Ford. LONDON : Printed for Thomas Cockerill Sen ' & Jun ' at the Three Leggs in the Poultry , 1696. A Further Attempt Towards the Reformation of the COIN , &c. INTRODUCTION . THough I may seem to incurr the Censure of Vanity and Ostentation , by pretending to advance any thing New , on a Theme that hath already employ'd so many able Pens : Yet on an Impartial Perusal of all that is extant on this Subject , I doubt not but there will be found such ample Scope for so many Considerable Alterations and Additions as will render this Further Attempt not only Excusable but Necessary : Great part of what hath been hitherto done of this Nature , not having been performed with that Candour and Impartiality , nor with all that Accuracy and Exactness as were to be wish'd , in an Affair of such grand Importance and Difficulty . And how Deficient soever I may be , as to the latter of these Qualifications , yet I dare assure my Readers , they shall not have any just Cause of Complaint of my Failure in the former and more Essential Point of an unbiassed Integrity . The Consciousness of which Sincerity of Intention , flatters me with some Hopes of these Endeavours meeting with a Favourable Reception ; wherein , if I should be deceived , yet should I be sensible of no other Displeasure thereat , than any Lover of his Country may be supposed to have , for the Miscarriage of a Design he conceives might conduce to the Promotion of the Publick Good. I shall not wast any Time in an unprofitable Inquiry into the several Means and Degrees whereby our Coin hath been reduced to its present ill Condition , but forthwith apply my self to the Search of the properest Methods of Restoring it unto a good one . The only effectual Expedient for which purpose , is agreed on all hands to be the Re-coining of all the old clipped and Counterfeit Coin , into good new and mill'd Money : So that there is an universal Consent , as to the Matter it self , that it is necessary to be done , but as to the Manner of performing it ; there are almost as many different Perswasions as Persons , out of which variety of Methods , to select those which seem most Rational and Practicable , is the Design and Scope of this Discourse , which shall consist of an Inquiry into the following Heads , which will comprehend all that is necessary to be said on this subject . viz. First , Whether it be most for the Interest of the Nation , to Reduce the price or value of an Ounce of Silver unto Sixty two Pence , or to advance it proportionable to the present Scarcity and Want thereof . Secondly , By whom shall the Loss that will ensue on the Re-coining the Clipp'd and Counterfeit Money be sustain'd . Thirdly , By what Means may the Mint be supplied with a sufficient Quantity of Silver Bullion , to make near as much good Money in Tale , as there is at this time of good and bad together . Fourthly , What Methods are proper to be insisted on , to prevent the stop of Commerce during the Re-coinage . The first , and indeed most material Point that offers it self to our Consideration , is the Value that ought to be fixed on the Ounce of Silver ; or whether it be more for the Publick Interest to have it reduced unto Sixty two Pence , or to have it advanced proportionable to the present Scarcity and Want thereof . The latter of which two Opinions , viz. That it is most for the Interest of the Nation to advance the Price of our Silver , seems most Rational in it self , and Beneficial to the Kingdom in its present Circumstances , and that for several Cogent , and ( if I mistake not ) unanswerable Reasons ; whereof the following are some of the principal , which when I can find satisfactorily answered , I ingage to change my Opinion ; until which be done , I hope those of the contrary Perswasion will alter theirs . These Reasons I shall dispose under two Heads . 1. I shall Enumerate some of the grand Inconveniencies that will attend the Non-advancement of Silver . 2. I shall represent some of the Advantages that will accrue to the Nation by raising the Price thereof . And To begin with an Enumeration of the Evil Consequences that will attend the low Valuation of Silver , some of the principal whereof are , 1. The Want of a sufficient Quantity of Money for Payment of the Taxes and Rents , and carrying on of the Trade of the Nation . Now if I can but prove , that such an Excessive Want and Scarcity of Money will be the certain and fatal Consequence of fixing so low a Rate on Silver . I think this single Consideration were sufficient to disswade the Practice of it . For certainly such a Method of regulating the Coin , as carries with it such fatal and pernicious Consequences , as the occasioning so great a Scarcity of Money , as to render us incapable of paying our Taxes and Rents , and Management of our Trades ; and that will Impoverish the Nation to that Degree , as to Incapacitate us for the Continuance of the War ; and thereby oblige us , and consequently the rest of Europe , to truckle to the Ambition and Power of France . I say , such a Method , that draws with it such Consequences as these , must be acknowledged of all hands , to be very unfit to be pursued . Now that the low Valuation of Silver would cause so great a Scarcity of Money , as would in a great measure produce such fatal Effects , may I conceive be evinced from the ensuing Considerations . 1. That the fixing a low Rate on Silver , will produce such an Excessive Scarcity of Money , may partly be evinced , if we consider , That what Silver shall be Recoin'd , together with what mill'd and unclipp'd Money is still remaining , will not go so far by near a Million of Pounds Sterling , if it be Re-coin'd at a low Rate , as it will if the Value be augmented ; which will be evident , if we compare what quantity of Money in Tale , may be Recoin'd out of the Clipp'd Money , reckoning the Silver at 62 Pence per Ounce , with the Quantity that may be made out of the same Silver , reckoned at a fourth part more , viz. at 6 s. 5 d. ½ per Ounce . There may be ( as is computed by the Judicious Mr. Lowndes ) about 5600000 l. of Sterling Money left in the Kingdom , whereof he supposes about 1600000 l. may be in mill'd and unclipp'd Money , and the other Four Millions in clipp'd Money ; which one with another ( as appears by several Bags weigh'd at the Exchequer ) is diminished full one half of its weight . So that the said four Millions , Re-coin'd according to the present Establishment , will not make above two Millions of mill'd Money , which , with the 1600000 l. supposed to be remaining in mill'd and unclipp'd Money , and making in all 3600000 l. will be all the Silver Money we are like to have in the Kingdom , in lieu of about eight Millions of good and bad Silver together , which are supposed to be now therein . Now he that can inform me , how we may be capable of paying every Year between five or six Millions of Pounds for defraying the Charge of the War , a great part of which Sum must also be transported for the use of the Land-Forces ; and how at the same time we may pay our Rents , and manage our Domestick and Forreign Trades , on account of which latter also there must be great Sums yearly transported , to make good the Ballance of what the Goods we Export fall short of those we Import . I say , He that can propose the means of performing all this out of 3600000 l. of Silver , and our small quantity of Gold Coin ( which by the way will be very inconsiderable , when it is fallen to the Rate these Gentlemen would have Silver fixed at , ) — erit mihi Magnus Apollo , I 'll erect Altars to his Praise , and Sacrifice to his Memory . But on the other hand , if Silver be advanced a fourth part , viz. from 5 s. 2 d. unto 6 s. 5 d. ½ per Ounce ( as it ought to be in proportion to the present Scarcity thereof , of which more in the sequel of this Discourse ) then the same quantity of Silver will furnish us with a fourth part more Money than it would if it were coin'd at the rate of the present Establishment . So that instead of but 3600000 l. we shall by this proposed Advancement of Silver , have 4500000 l. in the Nation , which is Nine hundred thousand Pounds more , and is no inconsiderable Addition to our Coin at such a Juncture as this . And besides this Augmentation of our Silver Coin , the Advancement of our Silver will raise our Gold proportionally full a fourth part : So that supposing there may be about two Millions of Pounds Sterling in all sorts of Gold Coins in the Nation ; which if Silver be raised to the proposed Value , will pass for a full fourth part , or 500000 l. more than they otherwise would : Which advance of the Gold , added to that of the Silver , demonstrates there will be 1400000 l. more in tale in the Kingdom , by the fixing a higher Rate on Silver , than there would be by setting a lower Valuation thereon . But before I can pass to the next Reason , to prove that such an excessive and fatal Want of Money , will be a consequence of reducing Silver to a low Value , I must obviate one grand Objection , which I foresee will be urged against what I have already advanced , and which is this . Object . That though it be granted , that the same quantity of Silver or Gold , will make more Money in Tale , by advancing the Value of the Bullion , than it will if debased to a lower value ; yet though the Money coin'd at such a low rate will not go so far in Tale , yet it will purchase as much Goods as if it did . The Real and Intrinsick , not the Nominal and Imaginary Value being that which is regarded by those who sell their Commodities . — To which I answer , That though it be in some measure true , that the Price of Goods bears some proportion to the Goodness or Badness of the Coin wherewith they are purchased . Yet is not this proportion so exact as fully to ballance them : For I dare undertake to purchase more Goods with a Coin in quantity of Silver coin'd into Money set at a pretty high rate , than with the same weight of Silver coin'd into Money , and fixed at a lower rate . For though indeed the Real and Intrinsick Value is principally regarded , yet not so , as totally to exclude all Consideration of the Extrinsick Value and Denomination that is put upon it ; to which also all Persons , especially the Subjects of the Prince , whose Money it is , bear some respect unto , and will accept it in Payment for something more than the bare Intrinsick Value : As will be further evident , if we consider , That though I think it s granted , that our Coin is , if taken altogether full 50 per Cent. or one half less worth at this time , than the first Intrinsick Value . And therefore that according to the rule of Goods rising or falling fully so much as to ballance the several degrees of the Goodness of Money , all our Inland and Foreign Commodities should have advanc'd full one half above their former Price , and the exchange for our Money have fallen one half from its former Rate . Neither of which we find to have happen'd , not even when our Money was reduc'd to its worst estate , and e're it was certain whether it would be reform'd or not . For if we examine the Price-current of all Commodities , 't will be found they are not advanc'd near 50 per Cent. one with another ; and so much as they are risen , is not only on account of the Badness of our Coin , but is in great measure occasioned by the extraordinary Demand there is for many of them both here and beyond-Sea ; and by the great difficulty and hazard of Importing them during the War. And then as to the course of Exchange , that also never fell so much from its former Rate , as our Money is from its former Intrinsick Value . For I think , when our Coin was in its perfection of Weight and Purity , the course of Exchange at Roterdam , Amsterdam , &c. seldom exceeded 37 Dutch Shillings for a Pound sterling . And when our Coin was debas'd to its worst estate , the Exchange at the same places was seldom lower than 26 or 27 of the same Shillings for a Pound sterling , which is not above 30 per Cent. difference from what it was when our Coin was in its best condition ; though ( as I said before ) our Money is become generally 50 per Cent. worse than its first Intrinsick Value . So that I think it 's evident , that neither do Goods advance , nor the Exchange sink so , as fully to ballance the Baseness and Lightness of our Coin. Whence it follows , that the same weight of Gold and Silver valu'd at a higher rate , will go further in purchasing Commodities , as well as in Tale , than the same weight , if a lower Value be fixed ; since our Clipt and Counterfeit Money buyes more Commodities of any sort in proportion to its real and intrinsick Value , than our Money , when in its best estate , ever did in proportion to the real and intrinsick Value thereof at that time . And therefore our quantity of Silver valued at 4500000 Pound , will go something farther in the purchase of even foreign Commodities , as well as in Tale , than the same quantity valued at but 3600000 Pound will do ; which was the Point I designed to prove . And if this hold in some measure even as to our Foreign Traffick , it 's much more certain , that with relation to our In-land Trade , the Advancement of the Price of Money will not only make it go further in Tale , but also in Purchase , and furnish us with a larger Stock to traffick with among our selves ; the extrinsick Value and Denomination of our Coin being regarded , as well as the real and intrinsick one in our Dealings one with another : so that the encrease of the Extrinsick Value or Denomination of our Money will cause it to go further in Payments , and purchase more Goods than it would otherwise do . And in every regulation of the Coin , there ought to be had an equal , if not superior regard to the Interests of our Domestick , as well as Foreign Commerce . For the service of which former , Money seems to have been principally intended , as being designed to answer such things as could not be easily reckon'd , or equally divided , and made to answer one another . But a due consideration of the Interest of our In-land Traffick in the Regulation of our Money , seems to be wholly neglected by the great Sticklers for a low Valuation of our Money , whose measures seem chiefly calculated for the Meridian of Forreign Trade , and their own particular Interests ; insomuch as I hope it will be judged no breach of Charity to conjecture , that the true Motive by which some of that Party are acted in this Affair , is , that many of them being Foreigners , and trading in Commodities coming from Holland , the Sound , Streights , &c. may , instead of making their Returns in Goods , remit our Money thither in Specie , by the extraordinary goodness whereof they propose to gain 20 or 25 per Cent. in the exchange ; which they know cannot be done , if our Money be fix'd at a pretty high rate . But tho' this may be true as to some of them , yet I doubt not but there are many Persons of the same opinion , whose Intentions are undoubtedly generous and honest , but have been wheedled by some designing self-interested Persons , to think and act otherwise in this Affair , than they would have done , if left to have pursu'd the Dictates of their own better and more impartial Judgments . Having , as I hope , sufficiently enervated the force of this grand Objection , in which I have been the more prolix , because it is one of the most plausible the Cause will afford ; I proceed to the mention of a Second Reason , to prove , That an excessive Scarcity of Money , will be a consequence of the Non-advancement of Silver : Which is , 2. That the Reduction of Silver to so low a Rate ; will not only prevent its going so far in Tale and Purchase , as it otherwise would ; but will also be such a great discouragement to the Importation of Gold and Silver into the Kingdom , and carrying of it into the Mint , as will thereby cut off all hopes of procuring Bullion to increase the Coin. I need not prove that Increase of our Money at a Juncture , when by Melting , Clipping , and other indirect means it is reduced to so small a Quantity , must be concluded to be for the Publick Good ; and consequently any Proposal that tends to deprive the Nation of such an Advantage , as the augmentation of our Coin is universally acknowledged to be , must necessarily be judged Repugnant to the publick Interest . And that a low Valuation of Silver tends to prevent the Increase of our Money , will be evident , if we consider , that no Persons will carry any Silver into the Mint at 5 s. 2 d. per Ounce , when besides that , it is likely they gave considerably more for it themselves . It will yield a better Price elsewhere . So that the fixing so low a state on Gold and Silver would be as effectual a Prohibition of the Importation of it into the Kingdom , and carrying of it unto the Mint , as any Law that could be Enacted for that purpose . A Third Reason to evince that such an excessive want of Money will ensue on the non advancement of Gold and Silver , is , That fixing so low a Value on Silver , will not only so discourage the Importation of it into the Kingdom , and carrying of it into the Mint , as will cut off all hopes of increasing the Quantity of our Coin , but also will be such a Temptation to persons to melt and Transport it , as will render it impossible for us to preserve even the little we shall have left , from being conveyed out of the Nation . So that supposing the Government should impose the hard terms of carrying in our Plate to be coined , at 1 s. or 1 s. 6 d. per Ounce less than it cost , and thereby the quantity of our Money should be for the present augmented . Nay , imagining we had double the Quantity of money that is possible for us to have : Yet if the Value were setled at the Rate of the present Establishment , or 5 s. 2 d. per Ounce , in the process of a few Years it would be insensibly melted and Transported , until there would not remain a sufficient Quantity for the supplying our most urgent Occasions , but the Nation would be involved in a greater Exigency and Distress than it ever did ( or I hope ever will ) Experience . Now , that what I have here urged is not a meer Scare-Crow to Terrifie Children and Fools withal , I Appeal to our own sad Experience , which never spake clearer in any Case than it doth in this . Doth not this Inform us in General , that though there should be Enacted the Severest Laws , back'd with the Execution of the most Rigorous Penalties , against the Commission of a Crime , by which there is a prospect of certain Gain , yet that there will never be wanting Persons who for the sake thereof will hazard the enduring the greatest Punishments . And doth not Experience further teach us in general , that few Laws are obeyed , the Violation whereof is more gainful than the Observation , and where the Profit of breaking them is great and certain , but the Penalty dubious , or easily avoidable ? But doth not even our own present Experience furnish us with pregnant Instances in relation to this particular Subject of the Coin , since of above Fifteen Millions of Silver Money , which as appears by the Register of the Mint , have been coined since the time of King Henry the Eighth , not above one Third part are computed to be remaining in Specie , but all the rest either melted down , or Transported ? So that we may rationally judge of the future by what is already past . Nay , rather we may conclude that Silver and Gold being scarcer and dearer now on many Accounts than for several Years past , should they be setled at so low a Rate , the Encouragement to melt and Transport it being greater than ever , their Industry therein would consequently be more than ordinary ; for we have no reason to imagine that when the Reason and Temptation of doing it will be so much augmented , that their Diligence will be lessened . For if Persons will not stick at the commission of a Crime for the obtaining of a less Advantage , they will not scruple it for the procuring of a greater . And this Reason will appear yet more unanswerable , if besides the Clandestine and Illegal conveying the Silver out of the Land , which I have proved will be an inevitable Consequence of the Scarcity and Goodness of our Money , there will also thereby ensue this further Inconvenience , viz. That our Neighbours supplying us with more Goods than we do them , we thereby become their Debtors , and consequently must pay what we owe them in such as they will please to accept ; and we may be certain they will choose to have their Returns in that whereby they shall gain most . So that if our Silver be reduced to a low value , they will choose to have their Returns in as much of it as they can , whereby we shall be at length so drain'd of our Money , as to be reduced to such a Scarcity and want of Money , as I affirmed ▪ and I think , have proved , will be the consequence of the non-advancement of Silver , and the cause of such a Poverty as will disable us to pay our Taxes and Rents , and manage our Trades . Which though it be but a single Instance of the Mischievous Effects of setting a low Valuation on Silver , yet is one of so black and extensive a Nature , and draws such a Numerous and Dismal Train of Ill Consequences along with it , as will spare me the Labour of adding much more to prove the Disadvantage of such a Practice . However I shall mention a second grand Inconvenience that will attend the non-advancement of Silver , viz. That the making our Money of a great Weight and a low Value , will mightily obstruct the Sale of our Manufactures and In-land Commodities , both to our Neighbours abroad , and amongst our selves at home . For as to our Neighbours , if our Money be made of so extraordinary Goodness , they will ( as I said before ) choose to have their Returns made in that , and in as few of our Goods as possible . Which will cause our Commodities to fall very much on our hands for want of Buyers . In the mean time our Neighbours taking as much Money , and as few Goods from us as possible , will thereby ( together with the concurrence of some other causes mentioned in the foregoing Head ) occasion such a want of Money , as will mightily obstruct the Vent of our In-land Commodities , even among our selves , and so very much prejudice our Domestick as well as Foreign Commerce . For a great scarcity of Money will oblige Persons to retrench their usual Expences , and employ their Money in such things only as are of pure Necessity . So that most of the Trades that subsist by furnishing things for the Pleasure and Ornament of Humane Life ( of which kind the Greater part of the Trades of the Nations subsist ) must necessarily droop and decline ; for Persons not having Money sufficient to gratifie both their Necessities and their Pleasures , will be obliged to baulk the latter to serve the former , or at least to disappoint one of the two ; and then amongst other Commodities , that will fall so much by reason of the Scarcity of Money . We may be certain that Corn , Cattel , and the other Products of Land will bear a Proportion ; And if a Tenant cannot make so much of the Product of his Farm , as he used to do , then it will be impossible for him to pay his Landlord the usual Rent : So that all the Lands and Tenements must of necessity sink , considerably below their present yearly Rents : Which will not be the only Diskindness that this hopeful Project , of Reducing the Silver to so low a Rate as 5 s. 2 d. per Ounce , ( if it succeed ) will procure to the Gentlemens and Landlords Estates in England . For this low Rate of Silver causing a Scarcity of Money , and this Scarcity of Money naturally causing the Advancement of the Interest thereof , to perhaps double the present Rate , and the Advancement of the Interest of Money will certainly lower the Purchase of Lands by several Years ; for that when the Increase of Money was high , Lands yielded but a few Years Purchase . But on the contrary , When the Interest of Money was lowest , then Lands sold for the most Years Purchase ; as will be evident , if we compare the Purchase of Lands in King Henry the Eighth's Time , when Interest of Money was at 12 or 14 l. per Cent. per Annum , with the Purchase of the same Lands now , when Interest is not above a third part of what it was at that time : It being always observed , That as the Price of Money was advanced , and thereby the Species increased , that the Interest thereof fell and grew less ; and according as the Interest of Money fell , so Land advanced several years Purchase ; as will be manifest , if we observe how much the Land of England hath been improved since the aforesaid time of King Henry the Eighth , when Interest of Money was so very high . So that upon the whole , we may see how much the Gentlemen and Landlords of England are obliged to these Persons , for proposing such a Method of Regulating the Coin , that will not only , by introducing a Scarcity of Money , cause all the Products , and consequently the yearly Rents of Lands , to fall considerably ; but also advance the Interest of Money , and thereby lower the Purchase of Lands by several years . And I conceive I have by this time so throughly represented the fatal Consequences that will ensue on the fixing Silver at a low Rate , that the Impartial Reader by this time cannot but be sensible , how destructive that course would be to the Publick Good. I should now ( as I proposed ) enforce my Reasons for advancing the Price of Silver , by representing the Advantages that would accrue to the Nation by doing thereof . But these being in some measure handled under the former Head , when I enumerated the ill Consequences of the contrary course . And these Advantages of raising Silver , being but , as it were , the Reverse of , and directly opposite unto the Disadvantages of fixing a low Value thereon . The good Effects of the one , are best seen by opposing them to the bad ones of the other Method , which I shall do very briefly , if the setting a low Valuation on Silver will cause , that it will pass but a little way in Payments , the contrary method will make it go as far as possible . If the former be such a Discouragement to the bringing in of Silver to be coin'd , as cuts off all hopes of increasing the Quantity of our Money , the latter affords all imaginable Incouragement both to the Importation of it into the Kingdom , and to the carrying it into the Mint to be coin'd : By which means we may hope to have as great a Plenty of good Money , as ever was yet in the Nation . Again , If the setting too low a Valuation on Silver , be a Temptation to convey it out of the Kingdom , the fixing a high Rate thereon , will be a means of preserving the Coin intire and unmelted : And if the low Rate of Silver will obstruct the Exportation of our Commodities , because our Neighbours will choose our Money before our Goods : On the contrary , The advancing Silver to a pretty high Rate , will induce them to choose our Commodities rather than our Money , and thereby incourage our Trade and Manufactures , and preserve our Money in the Kingdom to manage our Inland Trade . In short , If the low Rate of Silver will cause such a Scarcity of Money , as will oblige Persons to retrench their usual pleasurable Expences , and thereby occasion the Decay of a great many Trades depending thereon ; but the setting a high Price on Silver , thereby causing a Plenty thereof in the Nation , will enable Persons to spend freely to the Advantage of Trade . Again , If the one will produce such a Scarcity of Silver , as will cause all Commodities , and among the rest , all the Products of Land to fall considerably , and consequently all Lands to sink something in their yearly Rent . The other , on the contrary , by advancing Silver , would keep Commodities up at such a tolerable Price , as would preserve the present yearly Rent of Land. Finally , If fixing Silver at a low Rate , will cause such a Scarcity , as must of necessity advance the Interest of Money , and thereby cause Land to fall several years Purchase . On the contrary , The Advancement of Silver , causing , as I have proved , a Plenty of Money , which Plenty must consequently lower the Interest thereof . And the Lessening of the Interest of Money , will , as Experience evinces , advance Land several years Purchase . Having , as I Hope , sufficiently evinced the Necessity and Advantage of raising the Price of Silver , I come now to fix the particular Rate , to which I humbly conceive it is requisite to be advanced , which , with the Judicious Mr. Lowndes ( who seems to have understood this matter better than most who have treated of it besides ) I judge to be one fourth part above the present Establishment ; so that the Ounce of Silver must consequently be raised from 5 s. 2 d. unto 6 s. 5 d. ½ per Ounce , which may be done two ways , either by Retaining of the same Weight and Fineness as before , with the addition of a fourth part of Extrinsick Value ; and so every mill'd Crown must be ordered to pass at 6 s. 3 d. and the other pieces proportionable . The other Method of advancing the Silver , is by Coining it of a less weight than before , but still affixing the same Value ; by which Regulation , the Standard of one of the new Crown pieces to pass at 5 s. will consist of 15 penny-weights and an half within an inconsiderable Fraction , and the other Pieces proportionable . Both which methods come to one and the same effect ; only if it shall be thought fit to make use of the latter method of diminishing the weight , but retaining the extrinsick value . Then the better to make the New Crowns answer to such as shall be left of the old Establishment , it will be requisite that besides Half Crowns , there should be also Coined Quarter Crowns , or pieces of 15 d. one whereof added to a New Crown , will make it exactly answer the Old Mill'd Crown pieces that shall remain of the former Standard . This Rate setled on our Silver Coins , will soon reduce our Gold to the same proportion , according to which a Guinea is worth 25 s. at which rate I humbly conceive it is for the Publick Interest to have them fix'd by Authority . And moreover to prevent the extraordinary Loss that will fall so heavy on some particular persons by their falling 5 s. per piece , viz. from 30 s. unto 25 s. at one instant , as they are like to do if left to take their course ; I judge it would prevent that Inconvenience , if the Loss that will ensue upon them , be equally born by the Nation , which may be effected by Ordering them to fall 6 d per piece ever month for the first six months next ensuing the date of an Order to be publish'd for that effect ; and to fall 4 d. per piece every month for the next six months , to commence from the Expiration of the first six months ; and all Persons shall be commanded to take them at the Rates they shall be currant in each respective month , under the Penalty of forfeiting the value of the money they shall so refuse : And all other Gold Coins to fall by the same proportion . Whereby in 12 months time we should have our Gold Coin reduced to their true value , with a Trouble and Loss , that being thus divided among the Nation in general , would be very inconsiderable , and almost insensible . But were it to be born by each particular person , would very much impoverish some Families , whilst the rest escape Scot-free ; for all persons that shall be thus obliged to take Guinea's for their Goods , would reimburse themselves in some measure by making a better price of their Commodities , and be likewise in hopes of paying their Guinea's away again before a month is expired : So as I am perswaded that such an Ordinance would be received with almost an Universal Satisfaction . Thus have I gone through the First and indeed Principal Point I intended in this Discourse , and therefore shall be more brief in what remains . The Second General Head I proposed to enquire into , is , By whom shall the Loss that will ensue on the Re-coining the Clipt and Counterfeit Money be sustained ? Unto that part of the Query that relates to the Clipt Silver Money , the Resolution of Parliament , That the Loss thereof shall be made good by the Publick , is a sufficient Reply . But it being yet undetermined , By whom the Loss occasion'd by the Counterseit Money should be sustained ; I hope I may be permitted to communicate my Opinion : Which is , That the Loss thereof be born , one part by the Publick , and the other by the several Proprietors , in the sollowing Proportion , viz. That for all such Counterfeit-Money as hath any Mixture or Incorporation of Silver in it , and is not intirely Brass , Copper , Iron , or some such Metal , the Owner shall , upon their carrying it into the Mint , be allowed for so much as the said Money shall weigh , after the rate of 5 s. per Ounce , Troy-weight , to be paid them , partly out of such Silver as shall be found in the said Money that is Carried in , after the Melting and Separation thereof , and the residue out of such a Tax as the Parliament shall think fit to lay for that purpose . Until which Money can be rais'd , they shall have Notes given them , entitling themselves or the Bearers thereof unto so much Sterling Money as the said Counterfeit-Money they carried in amounted unto by weight , at 5 s. per Ounce , to be paid as before , and to have an Allowance of 5 per Cent. per Ann. for the said Value of their Counterfeit-Money , until the time of Payment . By which Method the Poorer sort of People , in whose hands great part of the Bad Money is lodg'd , would be extremely eas'd , and with no great burden to the Nation . For supposing there should be about 2500000 l. Bad Money in the Kingdom , whereof we may suppose at least 500000 l. entirely Brass , Copper , &c. which Loss is to fall wholly on the Proprietors . And the Two Millions that may be suppos'd to be Mix'd Metal , would hardly weigh One Million ; the Bad Money being generally less and lighter than the Clipp'd Silver . So that the Loss of another Million at least will by the lightness of the Money fall also on the Proprietor . So that the Publick will only have the Loss of about a Million of Pounds Sterling in weight , or about Four Millions of Ounces of mix'd and course Silver to make good : which said Metal may one with another be worth about 3 s. an Ounce , according to the advanc'd Price of Silver . So that the Loss on the part of the Publick would not exceed 4 or 500000 l. which yet would be a great Ease to the Poor , who must otherwise be oblig'd to dispose of their Bad Money at unreasonable low rates to the Goldsmiths , or others that will buy it of them . And I think there can be hardly be any good reason given wherefore the Publick should sustain the loss of the Clipt Silver : which will not be of equal force to prove that the Nation is as much obliged to sustain at least some part of the loss of the Counterfeit Money . Which shall suffice for an Answer to the Second General Enquiry , By whom the loss of the Clipt and Counterfeit Money ought to be sustain'd . The Third Head I propos'd to enquire into , is , By what means may the Mint be supplied with a sufficient quantity of Bullion , to make near as much good Money in Tale , as there is at this time of Good and Bad together ? To which I answer briefly in general , That the only effectual means of accomplishing this , is what I have already so strongly urg'd , viz. the Advancement of the Price of Silver , which will be the only Encouragement to the Importation of Silver into the Kingdom , and carrying of it into the Mint . But to propose some more particular Means of effecting this , I would humbly advize , That all the Gold and Silver Plate throughout the Kingdom ( excepting such Quantities and sorts of each as shall be judg'd fit to be reserved according to Persons several Degrees and Estates , be order'd to be brought into the Mint , and coin'd into Money at the rate of 6 s. 5 d. ½ . per Ounce , answerable to the other Silver ; whereby , notwithstanding the Reservation of such a certain Quantity as should be judg'd fit , there would be near Two Millions of good Sterling Mnney added to the Coin of the Nation , without oppressing any particular Persons , who can have no cause of Complaint , when they are allow'd so good a Price for their Plate : Which will be more beneficial to the Owners , as well as the Publick , after it is coin'd into Money , than it was before , when it serv'd more for Ostentation , than for Use . I am come at length to the Fourth and Last General Head of Enquiry , viz. What Methods are proper to be made use of to prevent the stop of Commerce , during the Re-coinage ? To which I will make as brief and satisfactory an Answer as I can in the following Particulars . 1. That it will be requisite that all the Mill'd and Unclipt Money that is remaining , be immediately order'd to pass , the Crown-piece at 6 s. 3 d. and the other Pieces proportionably , the propos'd Advancement of Silver one fourth part above the present Value . 2. That the Price of Guinea's ought to be fix'd , and they ordered to fall gradually so much per Mensem , as was before proposed , that Persons may not , by the uncertainty of their Price , be deterred from accepting them in Payment . 3. That the clipp'd Silver shall be carried in to be Recoined ; There shall be Notes , given out , intituling the Bearer , to the Value of so much clipp'd Silver as he carried in , to be paid in mill'd Money as soon as coin'd , with Interest at 5 per Cent. per Annum , until the respective Bills shall come to their course of being paid . And these Notes shall be order'd to pass in Payments as Money , and made transferrable from one Person to another , the Bearer being entituled to the Receipt of the Money when it ' comes due . And these Notes , by reason of the 5 per Cent. annex'd to them , will be judg'd preferable to any Goldsmith's or Bank Bills ; which , together with the remainder of the mill'd and unclipt Money , which upon the Advancement of the Value would presently come abroad ; and will with the assistance of the Gold , so well supply the place of our Clipt and Counterfeit Money , that we need not apprehend any considerable Stop of Commerce during the Re-coinage . Thus have I , with what Brevity and Perspicuity I could , communicated my Thoughts on these Four Important Points , which , I think , do include all that is most material to be said in relation to the Reformation of the Coin. FINIS .