An essay upon taxes, calculated for the present juncture of affairs in England
         Selections. 1693
         Temple, William, Sir, 1628-1699.
      
       
         
           1693
        
      
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             An essay upon taxes, calculated for the present juncture of affairs in England
             Selections. 1693
             Temple, William, Sir, 1628-1699.
          
           [2], 26 p.
           
             Printed for Tim. Goodwin ...,
             London :
             1693.
          
           
             Attributed to William Temple. Cf. BM.
             Reproduction of original in Bodleian Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Taxation -- England.
        
      
    
     
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           ADVERTISEMENT
           .
        
         
           
             Lex
             Parliamentaria
          
           :
           Or
           ,
           a
           Treatise
           of
           the
           Law
           and
           Customs
           of
           the
           Parliaments
           of
           England
           ;
           by
           
             G.
             P.
          
           
             Esq
          
           .
           With
           an
           Appendix
           of
           a
           Case
           in
           Parliament
           between
           Sir
           
             Francis
             Goodwin
          
           ,
           and
           Sir
           
             John
             Fortescue
          
           ,
           for
           the
           Knight's
           Place
           for
           the
           County
           of
           Bucks
           .
           From
           an
           Original
           French
           Manuscript
           ;
           Translated
           into
           English.
           
        
         
           Printed
           for
           
             Tim.
             Goodwin
          
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           AN
           ESSAY
           UPON
           TAXES
           ,
           Calculated
           for
           the
           Present
           Juncture
           of
           AFFAIRS
           IN
           ENGLAND
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           for
           
             Tim.
             Goodwin
          
           at
           the
           Maiden-Head
           ,
           over-against
           St.
           Dunstan's
           Church
           in
           Fleetstreet
           .
           1693.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           AN
           ESSAY
           UPON
           TAXES
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           SINCE
           it
           is
           of
           the
           last
           Consequence
           to
           every
           true
           English-man
           ,
           that
           the
           present
           War
           should
           be
           carried
           on
           for
           the
           Preservation
           of
           our
           Liberties
           and
           Religion
           ,
           against
           the
           Common
           Enemy
           of
           both
           ;
           and
           notwithstanding
           the
           false
           and
           foolish
           Insinuations
           of
           some
           Discontented
           Jacobites
           ,
           That
           a
           Peace
           with
           France
           were
           more
           necessary
           than
           a
           War
           ;
           and
           that
           it
           is
           more
           carried
           on
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           others
           ,
           than
           our selves
           ;
           and
           that
           if
           it
           were
           necessary
           ,
           it
           might
           be
           better
           carried
           on
           by
           our selves
           alone
           ,
           than
           in
           Conjunction
           with
           Confederates
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           only
           way
           to
           secure
           our
           Religion
           and
           Liberty
           ,
           obtain
           a
           safe
           and
           secure
           Peace
           ,
           and
           avoid
           the
           great
           Burthens
           we
           are
           subject
           to
           for
           the
           carrying
           on
           the
           
           War
           ,
           were
           to
           cast
           off
           the
           Present
           Government
           ,
           and
           take
           Measures
           with
           King
           James
           ,
           and
           the
           King
           of
           France
           ;
           yet
           there
           is
           nothing
           more
           clear
           than
           that
           these
           Notions
           are
           altogether
           absurd
           and
           impracticable
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           true
           meaning
           of
           it
           is
           ,
           only
           to
           give
           up
           all
           that
           is
           dear
           to
           us
           ,
           into
           the
           Hands
           of
           two
           Princes
           ,
           who
           have
           always
           preferr'd
           the
           design
           of
           Subverting
           our
           Religion
           and
           Liberties
           ,
           to
           all
           other
           Considerations
           whatsoever
           ;
           and
           that
           it
           is
           much
           better
           to
           Fight
           for
           Flanders
           than
           for
           England
           ,
           and
           in
           Conjunction
           with
           Confederates
           ,
           than
           alone
           ,
           is
           what
           will
           bear
           no
           Dispute
           .
           All
           that
           admits
           of
           a
           doubt
           is
           ,
           What
           are
           the
           best
           means
           and
           methods
           to
           carry
           on
           this
           War.
           As
           to
           the
           first
           ,
           relating
           only
           to
           the
           raising
           of
           Aids
           sufficient
           for
           this
           Undertaking
           ,
           I
           thought
           I
           could
           not
           do
           a
           more
           acceptable
           Service
           to
           my
           Country
           ,
           than
           at
           this
           time
           to
           contribute
           my
           poor
           Endeavours
           .
           As
           to
           the
           latter
           ,
           relating
           to
           the
           Military
           Designs
           ,
           and
           manner
           of
           executing
           them
           ,
           I
           must
           acknowledge
           my self
           wholly
           incompetent
           both
           by
           my
           Education
           and
           Experience
           ;
           and
           shall
           chuse
           therefore
           to
           recommend
           that
           matter
           ,
           with
           my
           good
           Wishes
           ,
           to
           those
           whose
           Province
           it
           is
           ,
           and
           especially
           to
           my
           Soveraign
           ;
           who
           I
           judge
           must
           needs
           be
           better
           informed
           in
           this
           matter
           than
           any
           other
           Prince
           or
           Person
           whatsoever
           .
        
         
           The
           Method
           I
           shall
           pursue
           to
           set
           this
           matter
           in
           a
           clear
           Light
           ,
           shall
           be
           to
           lay
           down
           some
           General
           Rules
           or
           Maxims
           by
           which
           our
           Ancestors
           have
           steer'd
           in
           the
           laying
           of
           Impositions
           ,
           which
           had
           great
           regard
           to
           the
           Constitution
           of
           the
           Government
           ,
           and
           
           Condition
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           and
           therefore
           are
           not
           easily
           to
           be
           departed
           from
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           next
           place
           ,
           I
           shall
           endavour
           to
           examine
           the
           several
           Taxes
           that
           are
           now
           in
           use
           ,
           and
           such
           Foreign
           Taxes
           and
           Projects
           as
           are
           most
           in
           Vogue
           ,
           and
           by
           some
           thought
           to
           be
           more
           eligible
           to
           be
           introduc'd
           ,
           especially
           that
           of
           a
           Home-Excise
           ,
           and
           shew
           how
           far
           they
           are
           consistent
           or
           inconsistent
           with
           the
           Government
           ,
           Ease
           ,
           and
           Liberty
           of
           the
           People
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           last
           place
           upon
           the
           whole
           ,
           offer
           my
           Opinion
           ,
           what
           are
           the
           best
           Methods
           and
           Expedients
           to
           raise
           Money
           by
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           matter
           of
           those
           Aids
           ,
           our
           Ancestors
           have
           observed
           these
           Rules
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           They
           must
           not
           consist
           of
           things
           of
           Common
           Necessity
           or
           Livelihood
           ,
           but
           rather
           Superfluity
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           They
           must
           not
           burthen
           our
           Native
           Commodities
           and
           Manufactures
           ,
           Materials
           ,
           or
           other
           things
           relating
           thereunto
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           They
           have
           always
           avoided
           to
           impose
           upon
           things
           wherein
           the
           People
           had
           no
           Benefit
           or
           Advantage
           ,
           but
           rather
           upon
           Land
           ,
           Trade
           ,
           and
           other
           gainful
           Professions
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           
           They
           have
           always
           avoided
           New
           and
           Foreign
           Taxes
           ;
           and
           when
           propos'd
           ,
           have
           declared
           they
           could
           not
           grant
           them
           without
           advising
           with
           
           those
           that
           sent
           them
           ;
           
           and
           several
           Rebellions
           have
           happened
           on
           this
           occasion
           .
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           They
           have
           had
           always
           great
           regard
           to
           the
           Condition
           of
           the
           several
           Ranks
           of
           Men
           among
           us
           ,
           to
           support
           them
           in
           the
           Condition
           they
           are
           in
           ,
           and
           consequently
           to
           preserve
           the
           Monarchy
           .
        
         
           Sixthly
           ,
           To
           charge
           Money
           and
           Personal
           Estate
           not
           employed
           in
           Trade
           ,
           double
           to
           Land
           and
           Trade
           .
        
         
           Seventhly
           ,
           Above
           all
           ,
           That
           Equality
           should
           be
           observed
           in
           the
           Imposition
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           Persons
           ,
           these
           Rules
           were
           observed
           :
           First
           ,
           The
           dignified
           Clergy
           usually
           gave
           double
           to
           the
           Laity
           ,
           considering
           that
           they
           were
           freed
           from
           all
           personal
           Services
           ,
           and
           most
           other
           Taxes
           ;
           that
           their
           Revenues
           were
           all
           upon
           old
           Rents
           not
           subject
           to
           Defalcations
           ,
           Repairs
           ,
           or
           Loss
           by
           Tenants
           ,
           or
           for
           want
           of
           them
           ,
           or
           other
           Diminution
           ;
           and
           had
           great
           Advantages
           in
           point
           of
           Fines
           by
           Renewal
           .
           And
           as
           for
           the
           other
           Clergy
           ,
           their
           Tythes
           ,
           and
           other
           Profits
           ,
           came
           into
           their
           hands
           with
           little
           Charge
           ,
           and
           that
           as
           well
           the
           Dignified
           ,
           as
           others
           ,
           were
           provided
           for
           by
           Laws
           ,
           not
           to
           come
           in
           by
           Purchase
           but
           Free-gift
           ,
           and
           are
           now
           exempted
           from
           all
           Foreign
           Payments
           to
           Rome
           ,
           and
           its
           Dependance
           ,
           to
           which
           all
           Foreign
           Popish
           Clergy
           are
           subject
           .
        
         
         
           Secondly
           ,
           As
           to
           the
           greater
           and
           lesser
           Nobility
           ,
           they
           were
           always
           treated
           Favourably
           ,
           being
           the
           chief
           Basis
           and
           support
           of
           the
           Monarchy
           ,
           and
           were
           allowed
           for
           their
           Port
           and
           necessary
           Support
           of
           their
           Dignities
           ,
           and
           did
           rarely
           exceed
           in
           the
           Payment
           of
           their
           Subsidy
           ,
           the
           Sum
           of
           20
           l.
           for
           1000
           l.
           which
           they
           called
           a
           Spareable
           Part.
           
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           As
           to
           the
           Rich
           Usurer
           or
           Tradesman
           ,
           whose
           Family
           and
           Expence
           was
           small
           ,
           and
           Gains
           great
           ,
           and
           escaped
           most
           Burthens
           ,
           as
           not
           being
           so
           visible
           as
           Lands
           ;
           and
           the
           Considerable
           Free-holder
           ,
           whose
           Estate
           is
           generally
           held
           in
           his
           own
           hands
           ,
           and
           managed
           by
           himself
           ,
           and
           consequently
           was
           less
           discovered
           than
           the
           Nobleman
           and
           Gentleman's
           that
           were
           Rented
           ,
           and
           made
           both
           the
           Profit
           of
           Landlord
           and
           Tenant
           ;
           which
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Old
           Maxim
           ,
           is
           double
           the
           Rent
           in
           Greensod
           ,
           and
           treble
           in
           Arable
           ;
           the
           Charge
           of
           the
           latter
           amounting
           to
           a
           Third
           more
           than
           Greensod
           :
           So
           that
           in
           truth
           ,
           they
           have
           all
           their
           Livelihood
           allowed
           ,
           and
           more
           in
           the
           value
           ;
           and
           none
           of
           all
           these
           being
           obliged
           by
           their
           Quality
           or
           Custom
           to
           any
           Port
           ,
           and
           are
           the
           proper
           Basis
           of
           a
           Democracy
           ,
           or
           Common-wealth
           ;
           these
           were
           generally
           Rated
           more
           strictly
           without
           any
           allowance
           ,
           to
           prevent
           the
           increase
           of
           their
           Number
           and
           Growth
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           The
           Common
           Artificer
           and
           Labourer
           having
           a
           dependance
           upon
           the
           Nobility
           and
           Gentry
           ,
           and
           not
           being
           able
           to
           subsist
           without
           them
           ,
           and
           consequently
           a
           farther
           support
           to
           the
           Monarchy
           ,
           were
           
           usually
           Exempted
           ,
           unless
           by
           reason
           of
           Money
           or
           Personal
           Estate
           they
           fell
           within
           the
           limits
           of
           the
           Subsidy
           ;
           from
           hence
           grew
           that
           Ancient
           saying
           ,
           That
           in
           Taxes
           ,
           Size-cinq
           ,
           was
           to
           be
           easie
           ,
           Quatretrois
           ,
           to
           be
           fully
           charged
           ,
           and
           
             Deaux
             ace
          
           ,
           to
           be
           exempted
           .
           Nevertheless
           ,
           in
           the
           Poll-Acts
           ,
           which
           came
           but
           rarely
           ,
           these
           Inferior
           sort
           were
           sometimes
           brought
           in
           to
           bear
           their
           part
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           As
           to
           the
           Quantum
           ,
           manner
           of
           Collection
           ,
           and
           Equality
           of
           Imposition
           ,
           these
           Rules
           were
           observed
           :
           First
           ,
           That
           it
           did
           not
           exceed
           by
           any
           means
           the
           Common
           Necessity
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           Prince
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Parliament
           ,
           should
           shew
           a
           great
           tenderness
           of
           the
           People
           in
           their
           Demands
           and
           Levies
           upon
           them
           ;
           of
           which
           we
           have
           a
           notable
           instance
           in
           
             Q.
             Elizabeth
          
           ,
           who
           released
           half
           the
           Subsidies
           granted
           her
           ,
           when
           her
           Occasions
           did
           not
           require
           it
           ;
           which
           had
           a
           mighty
           influence
           upon
           future
           Grants
           .
           And
           't
           is
           observeable
           ,
           That
           all
           those
           Princes
           who
           have
           not
           stretched
           Prerogative
           to
           Levy
           Taxes
           not
           warrantable
           by
           Law
           ,
           or
           to
           Levy
           them
           with
           too
           much
           rigor
           and
           exactness
           ,
           or
           to
           impoverish
           the
           People
           ,
           and
           have
           express'd
           a
           care
           and
           regard
           to
           their
           Ease
           ,
           Wealth
           ,
           and
           Welfare
           ,
           have
           ever
           been
           the
           most
           Fortunate
           ,
           Great
           ,
           and
           Prosperous
           ;
           contrary
           to
           the
           Maxims
           of
           the
           present
           Age.
           
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           manner
           of
           Collection
           ,
           they
           have
           taken
           great
           Care
           that
           there
           should
           be
           as
           much
           Ease
           ,
           and
           as
           little
           Charge
           to
           the
           King
           or
           People
           in
           the
           Collection
           as
           may
           be
           ,
           by
           the
           multiplication
           of
           Officers
           ,
           Penalties
           ,
           or
           Subjecting
           their
           Houses
           ,
           or
           Estates
           ,
           to
           
           the
           Inquiries
           ,
           or
           Informations
           of
           Officers
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           Equality
           of
           Imposition
           ;
           this
           has
           been
           strictly
           observed
           ,
           being
           always
           the
           same
           Rate
           in
           the
           Pound
           .
           Nevertheless
           ,
           with
           such
           Qualifications
           ,
           and
           Exceptions
           ,
           as
           made
           it
           rather
           a
           Moral
           Equality
           ,
           than
           a
           Mathematical
           one
           ,
           having
           respect
           to
           the
           condition
           of
           the
           Persons
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           before
           shewed
           .
           Limiting
           the
           Sums
           both
           for
           Real
           and
           Personal
           Estates
           ,
           below
           which
           they
           should
           not
           be
           Charged
           ,
           viz.
           Allowing
           Defalcations
           for
           Debts
           to
           be
           assertain'd
           by
           the
           Oaths
           of
           the
           Parties
           Charg'd
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           Decay
           of
           Cities
           and
           Towns
           in
           Tenths
           and
           Fifteenths
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           In
           all
           Cases
           the
           King
           appointed
           the
           Commissioners
           generally
           of
           Persons
           unconcern'd
           in
           the
           Places
           where
           they
           acted
           ,
           and
           at
           his
           own
           Charge
           ,
           that
           it
           might
           be
           done
           with
           the
           more
           Indifference
           and
           Equality
           ,
           to
           whom
           ,
           in
           truth
           ,
           by
           the
           Constitution
           ,
           the
           appointing
           of
           all
           Officers
           for
           the
           execution
           of
           the
           Laws
           does
           belong
           ;
           and
           once
           at
           least
           in
           every
           Age
           ,
           as
           I
           could
           easily
           shew
           ,
           the
           Parliament
           had
           granted
           that
           the
           Commissioners
           and
           Assessors
           should
           be
           Sworn
           ,
           and
           have
           liberty
           to
           examine
           all
           Persons
           ,
           not
           exempting
           the
           Parties
           themselves
           ,
           upon
           Oath
           .
           For
           the
           better
           discovery
           of
           their
           Real
           and
           Personal
           Estates
           ,
           that
           length
           of
           time
           might
           not
           produce
           too
           great
           an
           Inequality
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           Aids
           might
           be
           improved
           in
           some
           proportion
           to
           the
           value
           of
           things
           ,
           of
           Labour
           ,
           and
           of
           Service
           ,
           and
           the
           Improvement
           of
           the
           Wealth
           of
           the
           People
           .
        
         
         
           As
           to
           the
           Second
           Point
           concerning
           the
           Taxes
           now
           in
           being
           ,
           or
           in
           Vogue
           :
           And
           First
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Land-Tax
           ,
           or
           Monthly
           Assessment
           ,
           being
           nothing
           but
           a
           Military
           Contribution
           taken
           up
           in
           the
           Civil
           War
           ,
           and
           proportion
           to
           the
           Condition
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           as
           it
           then
           stood
           Forty
           Years
           ago
           ;
           the
           inequality
           is
           so
           exorbitant
           ,
           both
           between
           County
           and
           County
           ,
           Division
           and
           Division
           ,
           Parish
           and
           Parish
           ,
           and
           impossible
           to
           be
           rectified
           without
           a
           punctual
           Survey
           of
           the
           whole
           ,
           and
           lying
           wholly
           upon
           the
           Landlord
           ,
           where
           Estates
           are
           not
           upon
           Lives
           or
           Fines
           ;
           wherein
           the
           Dignified
           Clergy
           pay
           not
           one
           Groat
           ,
           nor
           Money
           ,
           nor
           Personal
           Estate
           come
           in
           to
           the
           Aid
           ;
           and
           which
           lies
           so
           heavy
           upon
           the
           Nobility
           and
           Gentry
           above
           all
           others
           ,
           to
           the
           weakning
           and
           diminishing
           their
           Estates
           ,
           who
           are
           the
           chief
           Support
           of
           the
           Monarchy
           :
           I
           take
           it
           to
           be
           the
           most
           Impolitick
           and
           Unreasonable
           method
           of
           Raising
           great
           Sums
           by
           ,
           that
           ever
           was
           introduced
           in
           any
           Nation
           ,
           and
           impossible
           to
           be
           long
           born
           and
           continued
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           As
           to
           the
           double
           Excise
           ;
           though
           this
           has
           some
           influence
           upon
           our
           Barley
           and
           Malt
           ,
           and
           lies
           hardest
           upon
           our
           Inn-keepers
           and
           Ale-house
           keepers
           ,
           by
           the
           discouragement
           of
           the
           Vent
           ;
           yet
           were
           the
           Armies
           well
           paid
           ,
           
             which
             is
             their
             greater
             hardship
          
           ,
           I
           see
           no
           great
           inconveniency
           in
           the
           continuance
           of
           it
           ,
           during
           this
           occasion
           of
           the
           War
           ,
           especially
           since
           it
           introduces
           no
           new
           Charge
           in
           the
           Collection
           ,
           nor
           subjects
           any
           new
           Persons
           to
           Penalties
           or
           Officers
           .
        
         
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           As
           to
           the
           new
           Impositions
           upon
           the
           Customs
           ,
           during
           this
           War
           at
           least
           ,
           they
           may
           be
           born
           ,
           though
           that
           of
           Sugars
           ,
           which
           began
           before
           the
           War
           ,
           may
           require
           some
           relief
           ,
           at
           least
           when
           the
           War
           is
           ended
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           The
           Poll-Tax
           ,
           as
           it
           now
           stands
           ,
           is
           grievous
           to
           the
           meaner
           sort
           ,
           as
           to
           their
           Children
           ,
           and
           deserves
           to
           be
           better
           considered
           ;
           and
           tho
           much
           exclaimed
           against
           ,
           yet
           is
           an
           Ancient
           Way
           of
           Taxing
           upon
           extraordinary
           occasions
           ;
           and
           in
           all
           other
           things
           far
           more
           equal
           than
           the
           former
           were
           ,
           which
           tax'd
           Titles
           and
           Professions
           alike
           :
           And
           tho
           it
           be
           objected
           ,
           That
           all
           Noblemen
           and
           Gentlemen
           pay
           alike
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           difference
           of
           Estates
           ;
           yet
           considering
           that
           the
           Lands
           are
           all
           under
           a
           double
           Tax
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           multiply
           that
           Tax
           according
           to
           the
           Horses
           that
           they
           find
           in
           the
           Militia
           ,
           I
           think
           they
           are
           sufficiently
           charg'd
           ,
           and
           much
           more
           equal
           than
           in
           former
           methods
           :
           And
           that
           this
           Tax
           is
           not
           wholly
           to
           be
           laid
           aside
           ,
           but
           may
           be
           easily
           rectified
           and
           made
           useful
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           New
           Projects
           that
           have
           been
           much
           discours'd
           of
           ,
           I
           shall
           reduce
           them
           to
           Two
           Heads
           .
           First
           ,
           Things
           of
           large
           Credit
           ,
           upon
           some
           Perpetual
           Funds
           .
           And
           secondly
           ,
           The
           Home-Excises
           .
           As
           to
           the
           first
           ,
           There
           are
           two
           Difficulties
           to
           be
           overcome
           ,
           to
           make
           these
           practicable
           ;
           first
           ,
           To
           find
           out
           such
           a
           Fund
           ;
           which
           if
           upon
           the
           present
           Revenue
           ,
           will
           be
           a
           lessening
           of
           it
           ;
           if
           upon
           any
           Fund
           being
           perpetual
           ,
           may
           meet
           with
           some
           Difficulties
           in
           the
           Grant
           ;
           and
           in
           
           the
           next
           place
           ,
           the
           Novelty
           of
           the
           thing
           ,
           the
           loss
           of
           a
           Principal
           for
           a
           Perpetual
           Interest
           ,
           or
           the
           long
           distance
           of
           time
           if
           it
           be
           repaid
           ;
           upon
           which
           Calculation
           all
           these
           Projects
           are
           founded
           ;
           the
           Breach
           of
           the
           Exchequer-Credit
           by
           King
           Charles
           ,
           and
           ever
           since
           ,
           and
           the
           frequent
           breaking
           of
           the
           Bankers
           ,
           will
           make
           men
           very
           shy
           of
           parting
           with
           their
           Money
           upon
           new
           Projects
           at
           a
           distance
           .
           Nevertheless
           if
           it
           were
           tried
           for
           a
           small
           Sum
           at
           the
           beginning
           ,
           it
           having
           been
           experienced
           to
           be
           so
           useful
           ,
           beneficial
           ,
           and
           practicable
           by
           our
           Neighbours
           the
           Dutch
           ,
           and
           is
           in
           it self
           very
           reasonable
           ,
           it
           might
           gain
           some
           Place
           and
           Credit
           here
           ,
           and
           would
           supply
           the
           Want
           of
           Money
           in
           Specie
           ;
           which
           ,
           for
           want
           of
           bringing
           our
           Coin
           down
           to
           the
           value
           of
           Silver
           and
           Gold
           ,
           the
           Obstruction
           and
           Balance
           of
           Trade
           ,
           and
           the
           occasions
           for
           Money
           abroad
           to
           our
           Armies
           and
           Confederates
           ,
           is
           so
           much
           lessen'd
           ,
           that
           it
           does
           very
           much
           require
           some
           Expedient
           ;
           especially
           when
           Publick
           Taxes
           are
           so
           great
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           next
           place
           ,
           I
           shall
           proceed
           to
           consider
           of
           that
           of
           raising
           Moneys
           by
           Excise
           upon
           our
           Home-Commodities
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           A
           General
           Excise
           upon
           Home
           Commodities
           is
           a
           Real
           Land-Tax
           ,
           and
           will
           have
           the
           same
           Influence
           upon
           the
           Value
           of
           Lands
           and
           Rents
           ,
           as
           that
           we
           call
           a
           Land
           Tax
           ,
           or
           Monthly-Assessment
           ,
           hath
           ;
           and
           will
           raise
           at
           least
           Seven
           ,
           if
           not
           Ten
           times
           as
           much
           ,
           and
           consequently
           be
           as
           bad
           as
           a
           Land-Tax
           so
           many
           times
           double
           .
           Which
           I
           thus
           prove
           :
           The
           difference
           must
           be
           either
           in
           the
           Matter
           ,
           or
           the
           Manner
           .
        
         
         
           As
           to
           the
           Matter
           first
           ;
           A
           General
           Excise
           upon
           Home
           Commodities
           ,
           and
           a
           Land
           Tax
           ,
           or
           Monthly
           Contribution
           ,
           differ
           not
           essentially
           ,
           since
           both
           are
           a
           Duty
           upon
           the
           same
           Commodities
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           Product
           of
           Land
           ;
           only
           in
           this
           their
           main
           difference
           consists
           ,
           That
           a
           Monthly
           Contribution
           is
           a
           Composition
           in
           gross
           
             per
             Mensem
          
           ,
           for
           all
           the
           Commodities
           the
           Land
           produceth
           ;
           and
           a
           General
           Excise
           is
           by
           Retail
           upon
           every
           Particular
           and
           Parcel
           thereof
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           Manner
           ,
           their
           main
           difference
           consists
           in
           Three
           things
           :
           First
           ,
           As
           to
           the
           Persons
           that
           pay
           it
           .
           2dly
           ,
           As
           to
           the
           Time
           of
           Payment
           .
           3dly
           ,
           As
           to
           the
           Equality
           of
           the
           Imposition
           .
           All
           which
           shall
           be
           considered
           in
           this
           Second
           Head.
           
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           That
           it
           will
           have
           the
           same
           influence
           as
           a
           Monthly
           Contribution
           so
           many
           times
           double
           ,
           and
           not
           prove
           an
           insensible
           Tax
           ,
           as
           is
           commonly
           alledg'd
           ,
           will
           easily
           appear
           by
           considering
           two
           things
           :
           First
           ,
           Whether
           it
           will
           chiefly
           lye
           upon
           the
           Buyer
           or
           the
           Seller
           ,
           and
           consequently
           cause
           a
           Rise
           or
           Fall
           upon
           Commodities
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           Whether
           it
           be
           likely
           in
           point
           of
           Time
           and
           Equality
           ,
           to
           afford
           any
           considerable
           Advantage
           to
           the
           Seller
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           first
           ,
           It
           must
           be
           measured
           by
           the
           Necessity
           of
           the
           Buyer
           or
           Seller
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           an
           undoubted
           Truth
           ,
           That
           if
           the
           Necessity
           of
           the
           Buyer
           be
           greater
           than
           the
           Seller
           ,
           the
           Market
           will
           rise
           ;
           but
           if
           that
           of
           the
           Seller
           be
           greater
           than
           the
           Buyer
           ,
           the
           Price
           of
           Commodities
           must
           fall
           ;
           and
           any
           Duty
           laid
           
           upon
           Commodities
           will
           lye
           upon
           either
           accordingly
           .
           But
           as
           to
           the
           present
           Case
           in
           England
           ,
           I
           think
           there
           is
           nothing
           more
           apparent
           ,
           than
           the
           Plenty
           of
           Home-Commodities
           ,
           and
           the
           want
           of
           People
           to
           cousume
           them
           ,
           which
           is
           in
           truth
           the
           principal
           Cause
           of
           the
           present
           Fall
           of
           Rents
           ,
           and
           the
           Price
           of
           Commodities
           ;
           the
           consequence
           of
           which
           necessarily
           will
           be
           ,
           That
           whatever
           Duty
           is
           impos'd
           upon
           the
           Commodity
           ,
           the
           Buyer
           will
           have
           it
           so
           much
           the
           cheaper
           ,
           since
           it
           is
           in
           his
           choice
           of
           whom
           to
           buy
           ,
           and
           indeed
           who
           shall
           sell
           ,
           and
           who
           not
           .
           As
           to
           Time
           and
           Equality
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           allowed
           that
           the
           Excise
           hath
           some
           advantage
           of
           the
           Land
           Tax
           ,
           since
           the
           time
           of
           Payment
           is
           not
           until
           Sale
           ,
           and
           all
           men
           seem
           to
           pay
           alike
           for
           the
           same
           thing
           ;
           yet
           when
           it
           shall
           be
           considered
           ,
           that
           most
           of
           the
           Trade
           of
           this
           kind
           is
           upon
           Credit
           ,
           and
           not
           for
           Ready-Money
           ,
           and
           that
           when
           Ready-Money
           is
           paid
           ,
           a
           great
           Abatement
           of
           the
           Price
           is
           expected
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           Commodity
           doth
           vastly
           differ
           in
           Price
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           and
           yet
           shall
           pay
           all
           alike
           ,
           as
           Beef
           ,
           Mutton
           ,
           and
           Corn
           ,
           &c.
           and
           above
           all
           ,
           that
           the
           Commodity
           will
           be
           burthen'd
           above
           seven
           fold
           by
           this
           Payment
           in
           parcels
           ;
           it
           will
           be
           found
           these
           Advantages
           will
           be
           much
           over-ballanced
           ;
           to
           which
           I
           may
           add
           the
           vast
           charge
           ,
           trouble
           and
           slavery
           in
           the
           Collection
           ,
           which
           draw
           forth
           from
           the
           Subject
           twice
           as
           much
           as
           will
           come
           to
           the
           King's
           Coffers
           ,
           and
           beget
           an
           Army
           of
           Officers
           ,
           and
           a
           further
           Army
           of
           Souldiers
           to
           second
           them
           ;
           a
           Consideration
           of
           importance
           ,
           more
           than
           all
           the
           rest
           ,
           and
           renders
           it
           of
           all
           Practices
           the
           worst
           .
        
         
         
           Secondly
           ,
           A
           general
           Home-Excise
           will
           destroy
           Trade
           ,
           which
           will
           appear
           thus
           :
           Whether
           the
           Fund
           of
           Trade
           in
           England
           be
           Money
           ,
           or
           Home-Commodities
           ;
           now
           there
           is
           nothing
           more
           evident
           ,
           than
           that
           the
           main
           Trade
           of
           England
           is
           in
           the
           return
           of
           our
           Home-Commodities
           ,
           and
           not
           that
           of
           Money
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           main
           that
           the
           Dutch
           Trade
           is
           driven
           withall
           ,
           they
           having
           few
           Commodities
           of
           their
           own
           Countries
           to
           export
           ,
           nor
           indeed
           enough
           to
           support
           the
           20th
           part
           of
           their
           own
           people
           ,
           which
           renders
           this
           kind
           of
           Tax
           most
           proper
           there
           ,
           though
           very
           destructive
           here
           ,
           all
           Impositions
           still
           discouraging
           the
           Vent
           of
           the
           Commodities
           on
           which
           they
           are
           impos'd
           ,
           as
           the
           Experience
           of
           all
           former
           times
           and
           places
           doth
           abundantly
           prove
           ;
           besides
           the
           great
           consumption
           of
           all
           Foreign
           Commodities
           here
           ,
           is
           by
           such
           as
           have
           dependance
           on
           the
           product
           of
           their
           Countrey
           ,
           and
           not
           upon
           Trade
           ,
           as
           they
           all
           do
           in
           Holland
           ;
           the
           Vent
           of
           which
           ,
           if
           discourag'd
           or
           lessen'd
           ,
           abates
           the
           Foreign
           Trade
           likewise
           ,
           and
           the
           Commodities
           impos'd
           upon
           there
           ,
           are
           most
           Foreign
           ,
           but
           here
           Native
           ;
           and
           Estates
           there
           personal
           ,
           but
           here
           real
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           This
           will
           overthrow
           the
           substance
           of
           all
           the
           Nobility
           and
           Gentry
           of
           England
           by
           the
           fall
           of
           the
           Value
           of
           their
           Lands
           and
           Rents
           ;
           for
           if
           the
           present
           Land-Tax
           hath
           produced
           an
           Effect
           to
           such
           a
           degree
           already
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           experience
           we
           find
           the
           Land
           Tax
           draws
           more
           Money
           out
           of
           the
           Countrey
           than
           what
           it
           can
           bear
           ,
           disabling
           the
           Tenant
           to
           pay
           his
           Rent
           ,
           or
           carry
           on
           the
           Trade
           
           in
           the
           Countrey
           ,
           otherwise
           than
           upon
           Credit
           ;
           what
           must
           the
           Case
           be
           when
           7
           ,
           or
           10
           times
           as
           much
           will
           be
           rais'd
           upon
           the
           same
           thing
           by
           this
           New
           way
           ?
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           A
           General
           Excise
           puts
           an
           end
           to
           the
           use
           of
           Parliaments
           ,
           and
           quite
           changes
           the
           present
           Constitution
           of
           the
           Government
           ;
           for
           having
           already
           given
           duties
           in
           all
           Foreign
           Commodities
           ,
           should
           they
           admit
           of
           this
           upon
           Native
           ,
           there
           were
           no
           more
           to
           be
           given
           ,
           nor
           could
           it
           be
           carried
           on
           without
           a
           Military
           Power
           to
           second
           it
           ,
           and
           might
           possibly
           hazard
           the
           Government
           it self
           ,
           if
           the
           people
           should
           not
           swallow
           it
           ;
           and
           if
           once
           got
           up
           ,
           will
           never
           be
           laid
           down
           .
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           It
           can
           be
           of
           no
           use
           to
           a
           present
           Supply
           ,
           since
           it
           will
           ask
           a
           long
           time
           to
           settle
           it
           ;
           and
           neither
           afford
           much
           Money
           ,
           or
           Credit
           ,
           till
           it
           be
           so
           setled
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           Experiment
           be
           try'd
           ,
           whether
           it
           can
           ,
           or
           will
           be
           born
           ,
           which
           this
           Town
           ,
           under
           the
           Oppression
           of
           a
           War
           and
           Power
           of
           an
           Army
           ,
           would
           not
           yield
           to
           .
        
         
           
             If
             it
             be
             objected
          
           ,
           That
           the
           Dutch
           raise
           greater
           Sums
           thereby
           ,
           than
           we
           can
           any
           other
           way
           ,
           and
           by
           that
           are
           enabled
           to
           make
           War
           more
           powerfully
           than
           We.
           
        
         
           This
           is
           a
           perfect
           mistake
           ;
           for
           their
           Excise
           is
           not
           able
           to
           answer
           the
           ordinary
           Charge
           of
           the
           Government
           ,
           and
           is
           in
           truth
           their
           ordinary
           Revenue
           ;
           and
           their
           War
           is
           maintain'd
           by
           their
           200
           ,
           
           and
           100
           Penny-Tax
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           our
           Subsidy
           upon
           Personal
           Estate
           .
        
         
           Sixthly
           ,
           That
           this
           will
           raise
           near
           thrice
           as
           much
           as
           will
           come
           to
           the
           King
           ,
           will
           thus
           appear
           ;
           In
           the
           Vent
           of
           all
           our
           Home-Commodities
           ,
           especially
           in
           any
           considerable
           Quantities
           ,
           there
           is
           one
           at
           least
           that
           goes
           between
           the
           Grower
           and
           first
           Seller
           ,
           and
           the
           Consumer
           ;
           as
           the
           Malster
           ,
           and
           Brewer
           ,
           or
           Alehouse-keeper
           ,
           between
           the
           Barley
           ,
           and
           the
           Drink
           ;
           the
           Engrosser
           ,
           Meal-man
           or
           Baker
           ,
           between
           our
           Wheat
           and
           our
           Bread
           ;
           the
           Butchers
           between
           our
           Meat
           ;
           and
           the
           Butcher
           and
           Tallow-Chandler
           ,
           between
           our
           Suet
           and
           Candles
           ;
           the
           Higler
           ,
           Carrier
           ,
           or
           Polterer
           ,
           between
           our
           Poltrey
           and
           Wild-fowl
           ;
           Iron
           ,
           Lead
           ,
           Wool
           ,
           Tin
           ,
           Leather
           and
           Salt
           ,
           between
           the
           first
           Founder
           and
           Maker
           ,
           their
           Retailers
           ,
           and
           other
           Trades
           that
           are
           employ'd
           in
           the
           Manufactures
           that
           are
           made
           of
           them
           .
           Now
           it
           cannot
           reasonably
           be
           suppos'd
           ,
           That
           whoever
           is
           the
           first
           Buyer
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           that
           goes
           between
           the
           Buyer
           and
           the
           Consumer
           ,
           will
           pay
           the
           full
           Price
           to
           the
           Grower
           ,
           and
           pay
           the
           Duty
           of
           Excise
           out
           of
           his
           own
           Purse
           ,
           which
           will
           require
           a
           greater
           Stock
           ;
           and
           gather
           it
           in
           again
           of
           the
           Consumer
           ,
           without
           Interest
           ,
           or
           Profit
           ,
           much
           of
           which
           Trade
           will
           be
           upon
           Credit
           ,
           some
           of
           it
           comes
           short
           home
           ,
           especially
           since
           it
           is
           in
           his
           power
           to
           abate
           it
           in
           the
           Price
           from
           the
           first
           Grower
           .
        
         
           Nevertheless
           ,
           he
           will
           certainly
           raise
           it
           in
           the
           Price
           to
           the
           Consumer
           again
           ;
           and
           so
           the
           Penny
           
           will
           be
           doubled
           ,
           and
           probably
           raise
           the
           Price
           more
           than
           the
           Duty
           ,
           upon
           supposition
           that
           he
           pays
           the
           Duty
           ,
           and
           may
           come
           to
           be
           a
           loser
           by
           it
           ;
           and
           this
           being
           disperst
           all
           the
           Kingdom
           over
           ,
           must
           needs
           create
           a
           vast
           number
           of
           Officers
           and
           charge
           in
           the
           Collection
           to
           the
           King
           ;
           to
           which
           I
           may
           add
           ,
           the
           great
           Penalties
           with
           which
           it
           must
           be
           supported
           ,
           and
           attended
           ;
           and
           the
           keenness
           of
           the
           Officers
           to
           exact
           them
           ,
           and
           the
           great
           discouragement
           all
           this
           will
           bring
           upon
           the
           Consumption
           ,
           with
           the
           great
           disturbance
           and
           slavery
           that
           it
           will
           bring
           upon
           the
           people
           ,
           to
           have
           their
           Houses
           subjected
           to
           the
           Searches
           of
           Officers
           ,
           and
           their
           Persons
           and
           Estates
           to
           Entries
           of
           Goods
           ,
           and
           to
           Penalties
           upon
           that
           account
           .
           Now
           the
           Case
           is
           not
           the
           same
           in
           Holland
           as
           to
           any
           of
           the
           particulars
           before-mentioned
           ,
           as
           will
           appear
           by
           these
           following
           :
        
         
           First
           ,
           For
           that
           it
           is
           their
           interest
           to
           discourage
           the
           Consumption
           ,
           and
           to
           occasion
           Parcimony
           ,
           most
           of
           the
           Commodities
           being
           Foreign
           ;
           and
           to
           encourage
           the
           Export
           of
           them
           ,
           upon
           which
           their
           whole
           Trade
           and
           Livelihood
           depends
           ,
           but
           ours
           the
           quite
           contrary
           .
        
         
           Secendly
           ,
           They
           can
           certainly
           raise
           the
           Price
           upon
           the
           first
           Buyer
           ,
           because
           of
           the
           Scarcity
           of
           the
           Commodity
           ;
           and
           that
           besides
           that
           little
           which
           the
           Countrey
           affords
           ,
           't
           is
           all
           in
           the
           hands
           of
           some
           few
           Merchants
           or
           Engrossers
           ;
           and
           the
           Necessity
           of
           the
           Buyer
           is
           far
           greater
           than
           that
           of
           the
           Seller
           ,
           through
           the
           Multitude
           of
           Inhabitants
           ,
           and
           the
           
           Smalness
           of
           the
           Product
           for
           Necessaries
           for
           Life
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           Their
           Collection
           is
           very
           easy
           and
           cheap
           ;
           for
           the
           Merchant
           secures
           the
           Excise
           upon
           his
           first
           Entry
           at
           the
           Custom-House
           ;
           and
           for
           the
           rest
           ,
           they
           have
           no
           Market
           but
           in
           Wall'd
           and
           Populous
           Towns
           ;
           so
           that
           it
           is
           all
           collected
           there
           with
           few
           hands
           ,
           and
           little
           Trouble
           to
           the
           People
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           All
           the
           Excises
           of
           Holland
           ,
           both
           upon
           Foreign
           Commodities
           and
           Home
           ,
           though
           multiplied
           and
           advanced
           to
           the
           last
           degree
           ,
           together
           with
           the
           other
           Revenues
           that
           belong
           to
           the
           Crown
           of
           Spain
           ,
           and
           the
           Church
           ,
           have
           been
           computed
           but
           at
           Two
           Millions
           a
           Year
           ,
           Monasteries
           and
           Tythes
           included
           ,
           and
           are
           anticipated
           by
           Debts
           for
           several
           Years
           ;
           and
           but
           sufficient
           to
           pay
           the
           Interest
           ;
           and
           't
           is
           the
           200
           Penny
           ,
           and
           100
           Penny
           upon
           Personal
           Estates
           ;
           that
           is
           the
           thing
           that
           supports
           their
           Wars
           upon
           extraordinary
           Occasions
           ;
           and
           therefore
           probably
           ,
           the
           Excises
           here
           will
           not
           raise
           such
           Sums
           as
           we
           imagine
           ,
           especially
           upon
           some
           few
           things
           ;
           and
           yet
           the
           Charge
           ,
           Slavery
           ,
           and
           the
           Inconveniencies
           before
           mentioned
           ,
           will
           be
           equal
           ;
           and
           the
           hazard
           the
           Government
           will
           run
           in
           rendring
           it
           odious
           and
           disgustful
           to
           the
           People
           ,
           are
           so
           great
           ;
           and
           above
           all
           it
           can
           turn
           to
           no
           account
           but
           for
           a
           continuance
           of
           time
           ;
           and
           that
           it
           is
           a
           foundation
           for
           any
           Government
           ,
           or
           Ambitious
           
           Prince
           that
           would
           subvert
           the
           Constitution
           ,
           and
           enslave
           the
           People
           ,
           to
           support
           an
           Army
           ,
           and
           carry
           on
           his
           designs
           if
           once
           introduced
           ,
           by
           the
           continuance
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           therefore
           I
           think
           no
           English
           man
           will
           be
           willing
           to
           make
           the
           experiment
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           last
           Particular
           I
           undertook
           ,
           which
           was
           to
           give
           my
           Opinion
           what
           methods
           were
           the
           most
           eligible
           to
           raise
           Money
           by
           ;
           having
           in
           some
           measure
           prevented
           it
           by
           passing
           my
           Censure
           upon
           those
           that
           are
           now
           in
           practice
           and
           vogue
           ;
           I
           shall
           conclude
           all
           with
           proposing
           that
           of
           the
           Ancient
           way
           of
           Subsidy
           upon
           a
           true
           Pound
           Rate
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Wisdom
           and
           constant
           practice
           of
           our
           Ancestors
           ,
           as
           the
           most
           equal
           ,
           most
           reasonable
           ,
           and
           most
           suitable
           to
           our
           Constitution
           ;
           and
           therefore
           most
           eligible
           above
           all
           others
           :
           Which
           I
           shall
           endeavour
           to
           prove
           by
           these
           Arguments
           following
           ,
           and
           by
           Answering
           those
           Objections
           that
           are
           usually
           made
           against
           it
           .
        
         
           But
           before
           I
           come
           to
           these
           particulars
           ,
           I
           think
           it
           necessary
           to
           give
           some
           general
           Account
           of
           the
           Ancient
           Form
           and
           Method
           of
           Subsidies
           ,
           Tenths
           and
           Fifteenths
           ;
           the
           Two
           latter
           having
           been
           totally
           disused
           ,
           and
           the
           former
           but
           rarely
           ,
           and
           not
           pursuant
           to
           the
           old
           Method
           ,
           since
           the
           beginning
           of
           the
           Civil
           War
           ;
           
           a
           Subsidy
           before
           the
           War
           did
           usually
           amount
           to
           70,000
           Pound
           ,
           the
           last
           Subsidy-Book
           being
           the
           Rule
           by
           which
           
           the
           future
           were
           given
           ;
           wherein
           every
           man's
           Land
           was
           valued
           at
           a
           certain
           Rate
           beyond
           Reprises
           ;
           and
           this
           was
           not
           altered
           but
           once
           in
           an
           Age
           ,
           when
           there
           was
           an
           Act
           made
           on
           purpose
           to
           make
           a
           review
           by
           the
           Oaths
           of
           the
           Commissioners
           ,
           Assessors
           ,
           and
           examination
           of
           the
           Parties
           themselves
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           person
           knowing
           therein
           ;
           and
           all
           the
           variation
           otherwise
           in
           the
           Subsidies
           ,
           was
           in
           the
           Personal
           Estate
           and
           Money
           ,
           and
           the
           allowance
           for
           Debts
           ,
           and
           a
           great
           number
           of
           Children
           ,
           to
           which
           they
           had
           regard
           upon
           application
           made
           by
           the
           Parties
           ,
           pursuant
           to
           the
           Provision
           in
           those
           Acts
           ;
           all
           Persons
           under
           Five
           pound
           in
           Personal
           ,
           and
           Three
           Pound
           in
           Real
           ,
           as
           formerly
           Rated
           in
           the
           King's
           Books
           above
           Reprises
           ,
           were
           excep●ed
           ;
           and
           all
           Goods
           and
           Stock
           in
           Trade
           and
           Houshold-stuff
           ,
           except
           wearing
           Apparel
           ,
           were
           included
           :
           And
           a
           Subsidy
           was
           Four
           Shillings
           in
           the
           Pound
           upon
           Real
           Estate
           ,
           and
           Two
           Shillings
           Eight-pence
           upon
           Personal
           ,
           payable
           by
           Two
           Payments
           .
           And
           Although
           Two
           Shillings
           Eight-pence
           may
           seem
           to
           be
           less
           upon
           Goods
           ,
           than
           Four
           Shillings
           upon
           Lands
           ;
           yet
           when
           it
           is
           considered
           ,
           that
           Lands
           are
           Rated
           according
           to
           the
           Annual
           Profits
           ;
           and
           not
           their
           intrinsick
           Value
           of
           Purchase
           ;
           and
           that
           this
           is
           almost
           treble
           the
           profit
           of
           Money
           at
           Five
           
             per
             Cent.
          
           and
           that
           all
           other
           Goods
           have
           no
           Profit
           or
           Interest
           to
           attend
           them
           ,
           Personal
           Estate
           is
           more
           than
           doubly
           Charged
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           before
           Asserted
           .
        
         
         
           As
           to
           the
           Tenths
           and
           Fifteenths
           ,
           they
           were
           a
           certain
           Rate
           impos'd
           on
           Cities
           ,
           Towns
           ,
           and
           Boroughs
           ,
           in
           respect
           of
           their
           Moveable
           Goods
           ,
           and
           did
           amount
           to
           about
           20,000
           Pound
           ;
           but
           there
           was
           usually
           a
           Clause
           ,
           to
           reserve
           a
           Sum
           for
           such
           Cities
           and
           Towns
           as
           were
           decayed
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           Arguments
           for
           the
           Subsidy
           or
           Pound-Rate
           ,
           having
           said
           so
           much
           already
           ,
           I
           shall
           reduce
           them
           to
           very
           few
           Heads
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           equal
           in
           the
           Imposition
           ,
           no
           body
           can
           deny
           ;
           nor
           that
           none
           can
           pay
           more
           than
           he
           is
           rated
           ,
           by
           any
           body
           's
           being
           undervalued
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           made
           more
           equal
           and
           reasonable
           ,
           by
           the
           allowance
           of
           Debts
           ,
           empty
           Houses
           ,
           drown'd
           or
           unprofitable
           Lands
           :
           But
           as
           for
           Lands
           ,
           Let
           or
           Unlet
           ,
           since
           the
           Profits
           may
           be
           made
           in
           hand
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           otherwise
           ,
           there
           was
           never
           any
           Allowance
           ;
           the
           Reasons
           not
           being
           the
           same
           with
           Houses
           ,
           which
           are
           a
           burthen
           ,
           and
           yield
           no
           Profit
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           Here
           the
           Clergy
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           have
           Estates
           upon
           old
           Rents
           ,
           and
           Personal
           Estates
           in
           Money
           ,
           Goods
           ,
           &c.
           shall
           pay
           ;
           though
           the
           Assessments
           brought
           in
           the
           full
           Value
           ,
           yet
           the
           Commissioners
           did
           make
           an
           Allowance
           for
           
           the
           Port
           of
           the
           Person
           ,
           according
           to
           his
           Quality
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           come
           now
           to
           those
           Objections
           which
           are
           usually
           made
           against
           it
           ;
           viz.
           
        
         
           First
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           impracticable
           ,
           as
           late
           Experience
           hath
           proved
           .
        
         
           And
           Secondly
           ,
           That
           it
           will
           not
           raise
           such
           Sums
           as
           are
           requisite
           for
           the
           present
           Juncture
           .
        
         
           To
           the
           first
           of
           these
           I
           answer
           ,
           That
           the
           Experience
           of
           all
           former
           Ages
           is
           a
           sufficient
           Evidence
           ;
           and
           the
           Reasons
           of
           the
           late
           Failure
           have
           been
           two
           visible
           ones
           :
        
         
           First
           ,
           The
           Countenance
           that
           the
           Monthly
           Assessment
           hath
           met
           with
           from
           the
           Court
           ;
           and
           the
           Discountenance
           this
           hath
           found
           ,
           when
           the
           Parliament
           granted
           the
           first
           12d
           .
           Aid
           ,
           and
           the
           King
           to
           name
           Commissioners
           ,
           that
           they
           put
           in
           all
           the
           same
           again
           which
           were
           in
           the
           Monthly
           Assessment
           ;
           which
           as
           it
           was
           the
           highest
           Disservice
           imaginable
           to
           the
           Crown
           ,
           in
           favour
           of
           their
           particular
           Countries
           ;
           so
           it
           is
           like
           to
           prove
           the
           most
           fatal
           to
           the
           Nation
           ,
           disabling
           it
           to
           raise
           any
           great
           Sums
           from
           the
           great
           inequality
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           inclining
           the
           Party
           oppress'd
           to
           embrace
           any
           New
           Project
           that
           may
           hazard
           the
           present
           Government
           ,
           or
           prove
           destructive
           to
           the
           Nation
           .
        
         
         
           Secondly
           ,
           The
           zealous
           Endeavours
           of
           the
           Western
           and
           Northern
           Members
           to
           continue
           the
           Monthly
           Assessment
           ,
           which
           is
           so
           favourable
           to
           them
           ;
           which
           when
           they
           consider
           the
           Consequences
           before-mentioned
           ,
           I
           hope
           will
           be
           no
           longer
           insisted
           on
           ,
           at
           such
           a
           time
           as
           this
           ,
           when
           all
           that
           's
           dear
           to
           them
           is
           at
           stake
           .
           But
           to
           shew
           that
           this
           is
           easily
           practicable
           ,
           if
           the
           Parli●ment
           will
           follow
           the
           Methods
           heretofore
           used
           by
           their
           Ancestors
           ,
           I
           shall
           refer
           you
           to
           the
           Quotations
           in
           the
           Margin
           *
           ,
           and
           to
           those
           Acts
           ,
           which
           you
           will
           find
           in
           the
           Statutes
           at
           large
           ,
           
           where
           the
           Assessors
           were
           upon
           Oath
           ,
           
           and
           the
           Commissioners
           named
           by
           the
           King
           with
           power
           to
           examine
           all
           Persons
           upon
           Oath
           .
           
           But
           if
           these
           Methods
           be
           thought
           too
           rigorous
           ,
           
           I
           propose
           that
           the
           Commissioners
           may
           only
           be
           of
           his
           Nomination
           ,
           
           according
           to
           the
           Right
           of
           the
           Crown
           ,
           
           and
           the
           Practice
           of
           all
           Ages
           ,
           whose
           only
           Power
           is
           to
           see
           the
           Assessors
           do
           their
           duty
           to
           put
           the
           law
           in
           just
           Execution
           ;
           and
           that
           every
           man
           may
           be
           bound
           to
           deliver
           into
           the
           Assessor
           the
           true
           Value
           of
           the
           Lands
           in
           the
           place
           where
           it
           lies
           ,
           according
           as
           it
           is
           rented
           ;
           and
           if
           in
           their
           Hands
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           highest
           value
           that
           it
           pays
           in
           Parish-Taxes
           ,
           with
           any
           thing
           that
           is
           Rented
           ,
           under
           pain
           to
           Forfeit
           a
           Year's
           Value
           for
           every
           concealment
           of
           all
           that
           he
           hath
           in
           that
           
           Place
           .
           And
           that
           the
           Commissioners
           have
           Power
           to
           examine
           any
           other
           but
           the
           Person
           himself
           concerning
           the
           Value
           of
           the
           Lands
           ,
           and
           the
           Parish-Taxes
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           an
           equal
           Pound
           Rate
           ,
           and
           to
           Levy
           the
           Penalties
           upon
           concealments
           .
           And
           if
           it
           shall
           be
           thought
           reasonable
           to
           allow
           any
           thing
           for
           the
           Port
           of
           the
           person
           ,
           that
           it
           be
           ascertain'd
           by
           a
           tenth
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           part
           to
           be
           deducted
           to
           the
           Commissioners
           from
           Persons
           above
           a
           Certain
           Quality
           ,
           but
           to
           lose
           that
           benefit
           upon
           any
           Concealment
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           not
           raising
           a
           Considerable
           Sum
           ,
           there
           can
           by
           no
           way
           be
           so
           much
           rais'd
           ,
           as
           by
           this
           ;
           for
           we
           find
           by
           Experience
           ,
           that
           the
           Monthly
           Assessment
           ,
           though
           now
           screwed
           up
           higher
           than
           ever
           ,
           does
           not
           raise
           above
           1651702
           
             l.
             18
             s.
          
           but
           every
           12
           d.
           in
           the
           Pound
           will
           raise
           a
           Million
           ,
           and
           the
           Four
           Shillings
           that
           were
           given
           by
           way
           of
           12
           d.
           Aid
           the
           first
           year
           ,
           would
           have
           rais'd
           Four
           Millions
           ,
           which
           I
           prove
           thus
           :
           The
           Monthly
           Assessment
           at
           70,000
           
             l.
             per
             mensem
          
           ,
           raises
           840,000
           
             l.
             per
             annum
             ▪
          
           and
           of
           this
           I
           am
           sure
           not
           near
           a
           third
           part
           of
           England
           pays
           above
           12
           d.
           in
           the
           Pound
           ,
           and
           some
           not
           above
           Three
           pence
           ,
           and
           so
           upward
           to
           a
           Shilling
           :
           Now
           if
           these
           two
           thirds
           were
           brought
           to
           pay
           a
           Shilling
           ,
           and
           the
           others
           reduc'd
           ,
           I
           leave
           it
           to
           any
           reasonable
           man
           to
           judge
           ,
           Whether
           the
           remaining
           160,000
           l.
           would
           not
           have
           been
           rais'd
           ,
           especially
           if
           Money
           and
           Personal
           Estate
           are
           call'd
           in
           to
           aid
           ;
           and
           this
           I
           shall
           observe
           to
           you
           ,
           
           That
           all
           the
           Home-Excise
           of
           the
           Province
           of
           Holland
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           been
           credibly
           informed
           ,
           do
           not
           raise
           above
           a
           Million
           ,
           and
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Provinces
           not
           above
           half
           a
           one
           ,
           tho
           multiplied
           and
           extended
           to
           the
           utmost
           :
           And
           therefore
           if
           laid
           only
           upon
           some
           few
           things
           here
           ,
           would
           not
           raise
           such
           Sums
           as
           are
           imagin'd
           ;
           and
           for
           that
           reason
           also
           not
           worth
           the
           Experiment
           ,
           to
           change
           the
           Ancient
           Methods
           of
           our
           Ancestors
           ,
           which
           will
           be
           found
           in
           the
           Conclusion
           the
           most
           Equal
           and
           Reasonable
           of
           all
           others
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           POSTSCRIPT
           .
        
         
           THis
           Paper
           being
           writ
           and
           calculated
           for
           the
           Year
           1692.
           before
           the
           Parliament
           Sat
           ,
           and
           had
           adjusted
           their
           Aids
           ,
           a
           full
           and
           successful
           Experiment
           has
           been
           made
           for
           a
           Million
           upon
           a
           perpetual
           Fund
           ,
           and
           probably
           might
           bear
           half
           a
           Million
           more
           ,
           if
           the
           time
           for
           Subscription
           and
           Fund
           were
           enlarged
           ;
           there
           has
           also
           been
           tryal
           of
           another
           4
           s.
           Pound-Rate
           ,
           which
           by
           reason
           all
           Oaths
           were
           waved
           ,
           and
           very
           small
           Penalties
           put
           upon
           the
           Concealment
           ,
           and
           the
           Commissioners
           not
           of
           the
           King's
           Nomination
           ,
           as
           I
           am
           informed
           ,
           hath
           fallen
           short
           of
           the
           Two
           Millions
           that
           were
           expected
           from
           it
           ;
           so
           that
           other
           Methods
           must
           be
           taken
           ,
           as
           are
           herein
           before
           proposed
           ,
           if
           you
           would
           make
           it
           any
           thing
           equal
           or
           effectual
           .
           There
           has
           also
           been
           new
           Impositions
           laid
           on
           several
           Commodities
           ,
           which
           by
           the
           Neglect
           and
           Miscarriage
           of
           Convoys
           ,
           and
           want
           of
           Station-Ships
           and
           Cruizers
           to
           clear
           the
           Channel
           from
           Privateers
           ,
           as
           to
           Trade
           in
           General
           ,
           but
           more
           Particularly
           to
           the
           
             Mediterranean
             ,
             
             Turky
          
           ,
           and
           West-India
           Trade
           ,
           have
           produced
           but
           very
           little
           ;
           also
           the
           Duties
           upon
           Sugar
           have
           been
           wholly
           taken
           off
           ,
           which
           might
           have
           been
           born
           during
           the
           War.
           These
           things
           I
           thought
           necessary
           to
           observe
           ,
           since
           they
           have
           made
           Alterations
           in
           some
           Matters
           contained
           in
           this
           Essay
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           ADVERTISEMENTS
           .
        
         
           TRavels
           into
           divers
           Parts
           of
           Europe
           and
           Asia
           ,
           undertaken
           by
           the
           French
           King's
           Order
           ,
           to
           discover
           a
           New
           Way
           by
           Land
           into
           China
           ;
           containing
           many
           curious
           Remarks
           in
           Natural
           Philosophy
           ,
           Geography
           ,
           Hydrography
           ,
           and
           History
           .
           Together
           with
           a
           Description
           of
           
             Great
             Tartary
          
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           different
           People
           who
           Inhabit
           there
           .
           By
           Father
           Avril
           of
           the
           Order
           of
           the
           Jesuits
           ▪
           
             Done
             out
             of
          
           French.
           To
           which
           is
           added
           a
           Supplement
           ,
           extracted
           from
           Hakluyt
           and
           Purchas
           ,
           giving
           an
           Account
           of
           several
           Journeys
           over
           Land
           from
           
             Russia
             ,
             Persia
          
           ,
           and
           the
           
           Mogul's
           Country
           to
           China
           :
           Together
           with
           the
           Roads
           and
           Distances
           of
           Places
           .
        
         
           
             Politica
             Sacra
             &
             Civilis
          
           :
           Or
           a
           Model
           of
           Civil
           and
           Ecclesiastical
           Government
           ;
           wherein
           ,
           besides
           the
           Positive
           Doctrine
           ,
           the
           State
           and
           Church
           in
           General
           ,
           are
           debated
           the
           Principal
           Controversies
           of
           the
           Times
           ,
           concerning
           the
           Constitution
           of
           the
           State
           and
           Church
           of
           
             England
             .
             By
             George
             Lawson
          
           ,
           Rector
           of
           Moore
           in
           Salop.
           
        
         
           
             Both
             Printed
             for
          
           Tim.
           Goodwin
           .
        
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A64306-e240
           
             Rot.
             Parliam
             .
             9
             
               Edw.
               3d.
            
             nu
             .
             5.
             
          
           
             Vide
             Co.
             Instit.
             4
             Parl.
             fol.
             34.
             
          
           
             Vide
             L.
             Coke's
             Instit.
             4.
             
               pa.
               33
               ,
               &
            
             34.
             
          
           
             *
             32
             Hen.
             8.
             
             Ca.
             50
             p.
             715.
             the
             Assessors
             and
             Parties
             paying
             upon
             Oath
             .
          
           
             34
             Hen.
             8.
             
             Ca.
             28.
             p.
             833.
             the
             same
             .
          
           
             37
             Hen.
             8.
             
             Ca.
             25.
             p.
             893.
             the
             same
             .
          
           
             2
             
               &
               3
               Edw.
            
             the
             6th
             .
             Ca.
             36.
             p.
             970
             ,
             &
             971.
             the
             same
             .
          
           
             3
             
               &
               4
               Edw.
            
             the
             6th
             .
             Ca.
             23.
             p.
             1004
             ,
             1005.
             the
             same
             .
          
           
             7
             Edward
             the
             6th
             Ca.
             12.
             p.
             1052
             ,
             1053.
             the
             same
             .
          
           
             4
             
               &
               5
               Phil.
               &
               Mar.
            
             Ca.
             13.
             p.
             1158
             ,
             &
             1159.
             the
             same
             .