Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Utopian advice to Mr Darling

Raise the value of specie when the king's debts are large, and lower it when his revenues come in, that so he might both pay much with a little, and in a little receive a great deal

Prohibit many things under severe penalties, especially such as are against the interest of the people, and then dispense with these prohibitions, upon great compositions, to those who might find their advantage in breaking them. This would serve two ends, both of them acceptable to many; for as those whose avarice led them to transgress would be severely fined, so the selling licences dear would look as if a prince were tender of his people, and would not easily allow anything that might be against the public good.