Читать книгу An Essay on the State of England. In Relation to Its Trade, Its Poor, and Its Taxes, for Carrying on the Present War Against France онлайн

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There are two things which seem to be of great Importance to this Nation, and very necessary to be look'd into.

First, The better securing our Plantation Trade, so as it may more absolutely depend on this Kingdom than it hath hitherto done; this will not only encourage our Navigation, when all theirProduct shall be imported hither, but also much advance Your Majesty's Revenues, when suchquantities of Tobacco shall not be carried thence directly to foreign Markets; to prevent which,and secure Your Majesty's Duties when Imported, plain and practicable Methods may beproposed; and the Consequence thereof would be, that this Kingdom being the Mistress of thatCommodity, Your Majesty's Coffers would be filled, not only from its Home Expence, but alsoby a Tribute raised from Foreign Nations, where it would very much lie in Your Majesty'sPower to set its Price; I do not think new Imposts upon the Importer will so much advance YourMajesty's Revenue as they will discourage the Merchant, 'twould be better to take away thosealready laid, and instead thereof to raise a far greater Summ on the Consumer, which may bedone without the Clog or Oppression of Officers, in such a manner, that it shall scarce be felt,either by the Retailer or Spender.