Part 3

I shall further suppose, that it should evidently result also, that in the Administration of the finances of any country, there is not, there has not been a single principle, nay, not a single idea worthy of the name: What is this to the Ministers who now hold that department?—Can they command what is past? And is it not the redressing of abuses, when discovered, that constitutes the true glory of a Ministry?

To crown the whole, I shall even suppose, that thence also should result, to a very insignificant individual of America, a little sprig of that European shrub called Bay-tree:—What would that signify to all the Ministers, all the People, and all the Princes in Europe?—Will America consume less European goods, or will she produce less gold and silver, for having produced an idea?

ERRATA.

Page 149, last line, for 1581, read 1551. 158, l. 3, for extravagance, read examination. 194, l. 24, for 20 millions, read 27 millions. 198, l. 10, for 46s. read 46s. 8d. 308, l. 13, for will content, read will NOT content.

Transcriber’s Note: The errata have been corrected, along with a few minor typographical errors.

CONTENTS.

Page

Thoughts on the Mechanism of Societies. 1

A general View of the present State of Great Britain. 3

A more particular View of the same Subject. 12

Clear Savings of the Manufactories, Trade, and other Branches of Industry. 17

Thoughts on Impost and Reimbursements. The Accumulation of public Treasure considered as the Means of preventing Taxation. 27

On the grievous, but necessary Part of the Impost. 36

Of the Part of the Impost which is more useful than grievous. 41

Objections of another Kind against paying off the national Debt. 51

In what Manner the Interest of the national Debt will be probably paid off. 59

Reflexions on the two foregoing Articles. 76

A Thought substituted to that of a Reimbursement. 83

General Balance of Trade in ~England~. 93

Reflexions on some private Balances of ~England~, both of the favourable and unfavourable Kind. 111

Balance between ~England~ and ~Holland~. 116

⸺ between ~England~ and ~France~. 123

Further Reasons why all Ideas of a favourable Balance different from that which I have supposed should be rejected. 126

Equilibrium necessary in all Things. Of the surest Means of establishing it. 130

Various Causes of the Alterations in the Prices. 137

On the Influences of the national Prices on the Sales in foreign Markets. 151

A necessary Principle of Trade considered both as direct and in competition. 159

Reflexion on a Letter from ~Philadelphia~ inserted in the ~English~ News-papers. 170