Page:William Petty - Economic Writings (1899) vol 1.djvu/295

Rh Houses and Gardens, Orchards, Groves, Inns, Mills, Churches, Bridges, High Ways, Causeys; as also Furniture for Houses, Coaches, &c. In which kind I guess the Improvement of Ireland has since the Year 1652. 1673. advanced |91| from one to four, and I think to a better state than before 1641. that is, than perhaps ever it yet was.

The Foreign Trade, if you will believe the Accompts of Customs, Ann. 1657. and now, hath been advanced from one to seven, but in reality, I think, from one to two: For the Customs yielded Ann. 1656. clear under 12,000l. but were within a year or two, let for above three times the sum, but are now at about 80,000 intrinsecally.

But to speak more clearly and Authentically upon this Subject, I shall insert the following Tables of exported and imported Commodities, and from them make the subnexed Observations, viz.

HAT the Customs, managed by the States-Officers, yielded Anno 1657. under 12,000l. but was farm'd Ann. 1658. for above thrice that Sum.

2. That the Stock which drives the Foreign Trade of Ireland, doth near half |92| of it belong to those who live out of Ireland.

3. That Ann. 1664. before the Cattel-Statute, ¾ of the Ireland Foreign Trade was with England, but now not ¼ part of the same.

4. That the Manufacture bestowed upon a years Exportation out of Ireland, is not worth above 8000l.

5. That because more eatables were exported Anno 1664. than 1641. And more Manufactures 1641. than Ann. 1664.