书城外语The Querist
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第27章

169 Whether, in case the wisdom of the nation shall think fit to alter our coin, without erecting a national bank, the rule for lessening or avoiding present inconvenience should not be so to order matters, by raising the silver and depressing the gold, as that the total sum of coined cash within the kingdom shall, in denomination, remain the same, or amount to the same nominal value, after the change that it did before?

170 Whether all inconvenience ought not to be lessened as much as may be; but after, whether it would be prudent, for the sake of a small inconvenience, to obstruct a much greater good? And whether it may not sometimes happen that an inconvenience which in fancy and general discourse seems great shall, when accurately inspected and cast up, appear inconsiderable?

171 Whether in public councils the sum of things, here and there, present and future, ought not to be regarded?

176 Money being a ticket which entitles to power and records the title, whether such power avails otherWise than as it is exerted into act?

180 Whether beside that value of money which is rated by weight, there be not also another value consisting in its aptness to circulate?

204 Whether there be any woollen manufacture in Birmingham?

205 Whether bad management may not be worse than slavery? And whether any part of Christendom be in a more languishing condition than this kingdom?

212 Whether it be not true, that within the compass of one year there flowed from the South Sea, when that commerce was open, into the single town of St. Malo's, a sum in gold and silver equal to four times the whole specie of this kingdom? And whether that same part of France doth not at present draw from Cadiz, upwards of two hundred thousand pounds per annum?

214 Whether it be true that the Dutch make ten millions of livres, every return of the flota and galleons, by their sales at the Indies and at Cadiz?

215 Whether it be true that England makes at least one hundred thousand pounds per annum by the single article of hats sold in Spain?

217 Whether the toys of Thiers do not employ five thousand families?

218 Whether there be not a small town Or two in France which supply all Spain with cards?

222 Whether, about twenty-five years ago, they did not first attempt to make porcelain in France; and whether, in a few years, they did not make it so well, as to rival that which comes from China?

226 Whether part of the profits of the bank should not be employed in erecting manufactures of several kinds, which are not likely to be set on foot and carried on to perfection without great stock, public encouragement, general regulations, and the concurrence of many hands?

230 Whether it were not to be wished that our people shewed their descent from Spain, rather by their honour and honesty than their pride, and if so, whether they might not easily insinuate themselves into a larger share of the Spanish trade?

235 Whether we may not, with common industry and common honesty, undersell any nation in Europe?

242 Whether they are not the Swiss that make hay and gather in the harvest throughout Alsatia?

269 Whether commissioners of trade or other proper persons should not be appointed to draw up plans of our commerce both foreign and domestic, and lay them at the beginning of every session before the Parliament?

270 Whether registers of industry should not be kept, and the pubic from time to time acquainted what new manufactures are introduced, what increase or decrease of old ones?

286 Whether therefore Mississippi, South Sea, and such like schemes were not calculated for pubic ruin?

289 Whether all such princes and statesmen are not greatly deceived who imagine that gold and silver, any way got, will enrich a country?

292 Whether the effect is not to be considered more than the kind or quantity of money?

299 Whether those who have the interests of this kingdom at heart, and are concerned in the councils thereof, ought not to make the most humble and earnest representations to his Majesty, that he may vouchsafe to grant us that favour, the want of which is ruinous to our domestic industry, and the having of which would interfere with no interest of our fellow-subjects?

301 Whether his most gracious Majesty hath ever been addressed on this head in a proper manner, and had the case fairly stated for his royal consideration, and if not, whether we may not blame ourselves?

302 If his Majesty would be pleased to grant us a mint, whether the consequences thereof may not prove a valuable consideration to the crown?

311 Whether every kind of employment or business, as it implies more skill and exercise of the higher powers, be not more valued?

316 Whether private endeavours without assistance from the public are likely to advance our manufactures and commerce to any great degree? But whether, as bills uttered from a national bank upon private mortgages would facilitate the purchases and projects of private men, even so the same bills uttered on the public security alone may not answer pubic ends in promoting new works and manufactures throughout the kingdom?

323 Whether as many as wish well to their country ought not to aim at increasing its momentum?

The End