Page:William Petty - Economic Writings (1899) vol 1.djvu/112

12 That the number of unnecessary Merchants and Retailers be retrenched.

The careful Maintenance and Education of exposed Children, and concealing their names and Families, is a matter of great consequence.

A Proposal of several Employments, for Beggars, and such as have now no Work.

Great Works of Labour though in themselves unnecessary, are nevertheless of advantage to the Publick.

The mending of Highwayes, building Bridges and Causeys, and the making of Rivers Navigable in England, would make English Horses an exportable Commodity, and help to vend the Commodities of Ireland.

The Causes of unquiet bearing of Taxes, viz.

First, That the Sovereign exacts too much.

Secondly, That Assessments are unequally laid.

Thirdly, That the Moneys levied are vainly expended.

Fourthly, Or given to Favourites.

Fifthly, Ignorance of the Number, Trade, and Wealth of the People.

Sixthly, Obscurity about the right of imposing.

Seventhly, Fewness of People.

Eighthly, Scarcity of Money, and confusion of Coins.

Ninthly, That scarce an hundredth part of the Riches of this Nation is Coined Bullion.

Tenthly, The non-acceptance of Some Commodities in specie in discharge of Taxes.

The Consequences of a Tax too heavy if there be too much Money in the Nation, which may be; or if there be too little, and that either in a State well or ill governed.

The first way of providing for the Publick Charge, is the excinding or setting apart of a proportion of the Territory, in the nature of Crown-Lands.

The second is taking away the same proportion of the Rents of all || Lands.

The Nation is happy where either of the said two wayes is practised ab antiquo, and upon original agreement, and not exacted as a sudden contingent Surcharge upon the People.

The Owners of settled Rents bear the burthen of a Land-Tax, or Assessment, others probably gaining thereby.

A Land-Tax upon free Estates resolves into an Excize upon Consumptions.

Assessment upon Housing more uncertain then that of Land, Housing being of a double nature, viz. either an instrument of gain, or way of expence.