第26章

134 Whether it be not agreed on all hands that our coin is on very bad foot, and calls for some present remedy?

135 Whether the want of silver hath not introduced a sort of traffic for change, which is purchased at no inconsiderable discount to the great obstruction of our domestic commerce?

136 Whether, though it be evident silver is wanted, it be yet so evident which is the best way of providing for this want? Whether by lowering the gold, or raising the silver, or partly one, partly the other?

137 Whether a partial raising of one species be not, in truth, wanting a premium to our bankers for importing such species? And what that species is which deserves most to be encouraged?

138 Whether it be not just that all gold should be alike rated according to its weight and fineness?

139 Whether this may be best done by lowering some certain species of gold, or by raising others, or by joining both methods together?

141 Whether the North and the South have not, in truth, one and the same interest in this matter?

143 But, whether a pubic benefit ought to be obtained by unjust methods, and therefore, whether any reduction of coin should be thought of which may hurt the properties of private men?

144 Whether those parts of the kingdom where commerce doth most abound would not be the greatest gainers by having our coin placed on a right foot?

145 Whether, in case a reduction of coin be thought expedient, the uttering of bank bills at the same time may not prevent the inconveniencies of such a reduction?

146 But, whether any pubic expediency could countervail a real pressure on those who are least able to bear it, tenants and debtors?

147 Whether, nevertheless, the political body, as well as the natural, must not sometimes be worse in order to be better?

150 What if our other gold were raised to a par with Portugal gold, and the value of silver in general raised with regard to that of gold?

151 Whether the pubic ends may or may not be better answered by such augmentation, than by a reduction of our coin?

152 Provided silver is multiplied, be it by raising or diminishing the value of our coin, whether the great end is not answered?

154 Whether, if a reduction be thought necessary, the obvious means to prevent all hardships and injustice be not a national bank?

155 Upon supposition that the cash of this kingdom was five hundred thousand pounds, and by lowering the various species each one-fifth of its value the whole sum was reduced to four hundred thousand pounds, whether the difficulty of getting money, and consequently of paying rents, would not be increased in the proportion of five to four?

156 Whether such difficulty would not be a great and unmerited distress on all the tenants in the nation? But if at the same time with the aforesaid reduction there were uttered one hundred thousand pounds additional to the former current stock, whether such difficulty or inconvenience would then be felt?

158 Whether in any foreign market, twopence advance in a kilderkin of corn could greatly affect our trade?

159 Whether in regard of the far greater changes and fluctuations of prices from the difference of seasons and other accidents, that small rise should seem considerable?

162 Whether, setting aside the assistance of a national bank, it will be easy to reduce or lower our coin without some hardship (at least for the present) on a great number of particular persons?

163 Whether, nevertheless, the scheme of a national bank doth not entirely stand clear of this question; and whether such bank may not completely subsist and answer its ends, although there should be no alteration at all made in the value of our coin?

164 Whether, if the ill state of our coin be not redressed, that scheme would not be still more necessary, inasmuch as a national bank, by putting new life and vigour into our commerce, may prevent our feeling the ill effects of the want of such redress?

165 Whether men united by interest are not often divided by opinion; and whether such difference in opinion be not an effect of misapprehension?

166 Whether two things are not manifest, first, that some alteration in the value of our coin is highly expedient, secondly, that whatever alteration is made, the tenderest care should be had of the properties of the people, and even a regard paid to their prejudices?

167 Whether our taking the coin of another nation for more than it is worth be not, in reality and in event, a cheat upon ourselves?

168 Whether a particular coin over-rated will not be sure to flow in upon us from other countries beside that where it is coined?