Edmund Heming's Proposal, Humbly Offered for Raising Eight Millions of Money, making Good the Qualifications mentioned in his Printed Papers delivered to the Members of this Honourable House.  
IN ENGLAND, according to the most Exact Computation, being an actual Survey in the Year 1690. the Number of Houses were 1319215 From 1690. to the Year 1695. is computed to be new built more 10000 Houses Built in all 1329215 Deduct for Houses empty, and inhabited by Poor uncapable of Paying 529215 There Remains Houses capable of Paying Duties 800000  
The Duty for Raising the beforementioned Sum of Eight Millions, is Proposed to be laid upon one of the most General, Substantial, Useful, and Necessary Commodities in England, Exempting none from the Duty but the Poor, viz. Upon BEDS.  
 l. s. d. There may modestly be computed Five Beds to each of the 800000 Houses, at 2 d. per Week each Bed, will amount to in one Year 1733333 6 8 This Duty laid for Four Years and a half, Raiseth 7800000 0 0 The Computation for Quality may be easily laid so as in Four Years and a half may amount to more 200000 0 0 Which added together, makes 8000000 0 0  

The Qualifications of this DUTY made Good.  That the Poor pay nothing to this Duty appears thus: They are to be Excepted from the Duty, there being 529215 Houses Excused for that purpose. That the Lands are all clear of this Duty, Is Obvious. That this Duty will neither raise nor fall the Price of any Commodity, appears thus: The Beds are not Chargeable in the Tradesmens Hands, but in the Possession of the Buyer: So that this cannot injure the Seller, neither Raise nor Fall the Price of the Commodity. That this Duty will yearly increase, and grow greater, appears thus: By the increase of Families, new Buildings, by Marriages, and Tradesmen setting up in their Callings, the yearly Increase may go near to discharge the Expense in Collecting. That this Duty will bring no Tradesman with Complaints to the door of this Honourable House, appears thus: No Seller of the Commodity being chargeable with any Duty, more than for what Beds he makes use of in his own Family. That the King cannot be Wronged of the Duty, nor the Subject overcharged, appears thus; The Numbering of the Beds in each Family is so easy, that it's almost impossible to make any Mistake, to the Prejudice of the King or Subject. That this Duty may be Collected without multiplying of Officers, appears thus; The Officers that are employed in receiving the Duty for Births and Burials may Collect this, or those employed in the Land Tax. Objection, The Numbering of the Beds will occasion Officers to come into our Houses; that will not be endured. Answer, It is not intended, but the Assessors shall go from House to House, and the Persons to be charged shall give an account of the Number of their Beds, and make a true Entry: And if any Person shall make a false Entry, he shall Forfeit, etc. Obj. It will be too heavy upon Innkeepers, that lie under Hardships in Quartering Soldiers, etc. Answ. They shall be charged for no more Beds than their own Families use.  
If Two Pence per Week each Bed shall be thought too much, Charge each Bed at One Penny per Week, which will amount to Four Millions; or laid but for Two Years, comes to near Two Millions.