The interest for money is regulated by the rate of profits which
can be made by the employment of capital, 512, 513.
can be made by the employment of capital, 512, 513.
Ricardo - On The Principles of Political Economy, and Taxation
p.
122.
M.
Say has not told us what those employments are, which,
while they are the most profitable to the individual, are
not the most profitable to the state. If countries with
limited capitals, but with abundance of fertile land, do
not early engage in foreign trade, the reason is, because
it is less profitable to individuals, and therefore also
less profitable to the state.
[45] "The use of gold and silver then establishes in every
place a certain necessity for these commodities; and when
the country possesses the quantity necessary to satisfy
this want, all that is further imported, not being in
demand, is unfruitful in value, and of no use to its
owners. "--_Say_, vol. i. p. 187.
In page 196, M. Say says, that supposing a country to
require 1000 carriages, and to be possessed of 1500--all
above 1000 would be useless; and thence he infers, that if
it possesses more money than is _necessary_, the overplus
will not be employed.
[46] Whatever I say of gold coin, is equally applicable to
silver coin; but it is not necessary to mention both on
every occasion.
[47] "In the transactions of Government with individuals,
and in those of individuals between themselves, a piece of
money is never received, whatever denomination may be
given to it, but at its intrinsic value, increased by the
value of the utility which the impression it bears has
added to it. "--_Say_, vol. i. p. 327.
"Money is so little a mark of value, that if the pieces of
money lose a part of their value by friction, from use, or
by the knavery of the clippers of money, all goods rise in
price in proportion to the alteration which they have
experienced; and if Government orders a recoinage, and
restores each piece to its legal weight and fineness,
goods will fall to their former price; if they have not
been exposed to variations from other causes. "--_Say_,
vol. i. p. 346.
[48] M. Say recommends that the seignorage should vary
according to the quantity of business that the mint might
be called upon to perform.
"Government should not coin the bullion of individuals
except on payment, not only of the expenses, but also of
the profits of coining. This profit might be carried to a
considerable height, in consequence of the exclusive
privilege of coining; but it must vary according to the
circumstances of the mint, and the quantity required for
circulation. " Vol. i. p. 380.
Such a regulation would be extremely pernicious, and would
expose us to considerable and unnecessary variation in the
bullion value of the currency.
[49] If with the quantity of gold and silver which
actually exists, these metals only served for the
manufacture of utensils and ornaments, they would be
abundant, and would be much cheaper than they are at
present; in other words, in exchanging them for any other
species of goods, we should be obliged to give
proportionally a greater quantity of them. But as a large
quantity of these metals is used for money, and as this
portion is used for no other purpose, there remains less
to be employed in furniture and jewellery; now this
scarcity adds to their value. --_Say_, vol. i. p. 316. See
also note to p. 78.
[50] An Inquiry into the Nature and Origin of Public
Wealth, page 13.
[51] An Inquiry into the Nature and Progress of Rent, p.
15.
[52] See page 124, where I have endeavoured to shew, that
whatever facility or difficulty there may be in the
production of corn; wages and profits together will be of
the same value. When wages rise, it is always at the
expense of profits, and when they fall, profits always
rise.
[53] Of what increased quantity does Mr. Malthus speak?
Who is to produce it? Who can have any motive to produce
it, before any demand exists for an additional quantity?
[54] Inquiry, &c. "In all progressive countries, the
average price of corn is never higher than what is
necessary to continue the average increase of produce. "
Observations, p. 21.
"In the employment of fresh capital upon the land, to
provide for the wants of an increasing population, whether
this fresh capital is employed in bringing more land under
the plough, or improving land already in cultivation, the
main question always depends upon the expected returns of
this capital; and no part of the gross profits can be
diminished, without diminishing the motive to this mode of
employing it. Every diminution of price, not fully and
immediately balanced by a proportioned fall in all the
necessary expenses of a farm, every tax on the land, every
tax on farming stock, every tax on the necessaries of
farmers, will tell in the computation; and if, after all
these outgoings are allowed for, the price of the produce
will not leave a fair remuneration for the capital
employed, according to the general rate of profits, and a
rent at least equal to the rent of the land in its former
state, no sufficient motive can exist to undertake the
projected improvement. " Observations, p. 22.
[55] See p. 124.
[56] See p. 70, &c.
[57] It is not necessary to state on every occasion, but
it must be always understood, that the same effect will be
produced by employing different, but equal portions of
capital on the land already in cultivation, with different
results. Rent is the difference of produce obtained with
equal capitals, and with equal labour on the same, or on
different qualities of land.
[58] Observations on the Corn Laws, p. 4.
[59] Upon shewing this passage to Mr. Malthus, at the time
when these papers were going to the press, he observed,
"that in these two instances he had inadvertently used the
term _real price_, instead of _cost of production_. " It
will be seen from what I have already said, that to me it
appears, that in these two instances he has used the term
_real price_ in its true and just acceptation, and that in
the former case only it is incorrectly applied.
[60] Page 40.
[61] Manufactures, indeed, could not fall in any such
proportion, because, under the circumstances supposed,
there would be a new distribution of the precious metals
among the different countries. Our cheap commodities would
be exported in exchange for corn and gold, till the
accumulation of gold should lower its value, and raise the
money price of commodities.
[62] The Grounds of an Opinion, &c. page 36.
[63] Mr. Malthus, in another part of the same work,
supposes commodities to vary 25 or 20 per cent. when corn
varies 33-1/3.
[64] In Chap. 24. I have observed, that the real resources
of a country, and its ability to pay taxes, depend on its
net, and not on its gross income.
[65] This is on the supposition that money continued at
the same value. In the last note, I have endeavoured to
shew that money would not continue of the same
value,--that it would fall, from increased importation; a
fact which is much more favourable to my argument.
[66] Mr. M'Culloch, in an able publication, has very
strongly contended for the justice of making the dividends
on the national debt conform to the reduced value of corn.
He is in favour of a free trade in corn, but he thinks it
should be accompanied by a reduction of interest to the
national creditor.
THE END.
ERRATA.
_Page_ 190, _line_ 8, _for_ obtained, _read_ attained.
521, _line_ 20, _for_ twenty-one shillings, _read_ forty-two
shillings.
543, _last line_, _for_ give, _read_ spend.
555, _last line_, _for_ rent money, _read_ money rent.
INDEX.
A.
_Accumulation_ of capital, effects of, on the relative value of
commodities, 16-42.
And on profits and interest, 398-416.
_Agriculture_, effects of improvements in, on rents, 70-76.
Is affected by the distress proceeding from sudden revulsions
of trade, 368-372.
Agricultural improvements, no cause of the increase of rent,
570, 571.
B.
_Banks_, establishment of, affects the sole power of the state
in coining money, 502.
Consequence of the Bank of England issuing too great a quantity
of paper, 503-506.
The assistance given by the Bank of England to commerce, accounted
for, 513, 514. --See _Paper Currency_.
_Bounties_, on the exportation of corn, lower its price to the foreign
consumer, 417-427.
Effects of a bounty in raising the price of corn, illustrated, 428.
Though such bounty may cause a partial degradation in the value
of money, yet such degradation cannot be permanent, 432-434.
Bounties on the exportation of manufactures raise their _market_ but
not their _natural_ price, 436-438.
The sole effect of bounty is to divert a portion of capital to an
employment which it would not naturally seek, 438.
Evils of such a system, 439-445.
A bounty on the production of corn, will produce no real effect on
the annual produce of the land and labour of the country, though
it would make corn relatively cheap, and manufactures relatively
dear, 449-455.
But the effect of a tax on corn, in order to afford a fund for a
bounty on the production of commodities, would be to enhance the
price of corn, and render commodities cheap, 456, 457.
_Buchanan_ (Mr. ), observations of, on Adam Smith's doctrine of
productive and unproductive labour, 64-66, _note_.
Remarks on his opinions respecting bounties on exportation, 440-442.
C.
_Capital_, nature of, effects of the accumulation of, on the relative
value of commodities investigated, 16.
Effects of, in a savage or infant state of society, 17, 18, 23, 24.
And in a more advanced state of society, 19-21.
The relative values of _circulating_ and _fixed_ capitals
considered, 22, 23.
The distinction between circulating and fixed capitals difficult
to be strictly defined, 186, 187.
Considerations on the different modes of employing it, 83-88.
The increase of capital in quantity and value, productive of a
rise in the natural price of wages, 94, 95.
Increase of capital in quantity only, productive of a rise in
the market price of wages, _ibid. _
Effects of the accumulation of capital on profits and interest,
398-416.
The sole effect of bounties on exportation, upon capital, is to
divert a portion of it to an employment which it would not
naturally seek, 438. Remarks on such effect, 439-445.
The profits, made by the employment of capital, regulate the rate
of interest for money, 512, 513.
_Carrying trade_, observations on, 407.
_Circulation_ of money can never overflow, and why, 500, 501.
Circulation of Paper, see _Paper Currency_.
_Colonial Trade_, observations on, 476, 477.
Proofs, that trade with a colony may be so regulated as to be less
beneficial to the colony, and more beneficial to the mother
country, than a perfectly free trade, 477-486.
Benefits of a colonial trade, 487-490.
_Commodities_, gold and silver an insufficient medium for determining
the varying value of, 7, 8.
Corn, an inadequate standard of the value of, 9-12.
The effects of an accumulation of capital on the relative value of
commodities, considered, 16-42.
Effects of a rise in wages on their value, 43, 44, and of the
payment of rent, 45, 46.
Their exchangeable value regulated by the greater quantity of labour
bestowed on their production by those who labour under the most
unfavourable circumstances, 59, 60.
The prices of commodities not necessarily increased by a rise in the
price of labour, 109, 110.
The cost of production regulates the price of commodities, 542, 567,
568, 572, 573.
_Corn_, a variable standard for determining the varying value of
things, 7-12.
Effects of the price of, on rent, 67-70.
Corn-rents materially affected by tithes, 227.
Advantage resulting from the relatively low price of corn, 373.
Bounties on the exportation of it, lower its price to the foreign
consumer, 417-427.
Effects of a bounty in raising the price of corn, 428.
A bounty on the production of, productive of no real effect on the
annual produce of the land and labour of the country, 449-455.
The price of corn enhanced by a tax on it, in order to afford a fund
for a bounty on the production of commodities, 456, 457.
Benefit of a high price of corn to landlords, 474, 475.
Investigation of the comparative value of corn, gold, and labour, in
rich and in poor countries, 527-537.
The production of corn encouraged by alteration in its market price,
574, 575.
A fall in the value of corn beneficial to the stockholder, 586.
_Cultivation_, not discouraged by a tax on land and its produce, 238.
_Currency_. See _Gold_ and _Silver_, _Paper Currency_.
D.
_Demand_ and supply, influence of, on prices, considered, 542.
Opinion of M. Say on this subject, 544.
And of the Earl of Lauderdale, 545-547.
Observations thereon, 547, 548.
E.
_Economy_ in labour, reduces the relative value of commodities, 21.
Illustration of this principle, 22-42.
_Exchange_, no criterion of the increased value of money, 178.
To be ascertained by estimating the value of the currency in
the currency of another country, 181,
and also by comparing it with some standard common to both
countries, 181-184.
Effects of paper currency on exchange, 310-314.
_Exportation_ of corn, bounties on, lower its price to the foreign
consumer, 417-427.
Effects of, in raising the price of corn, illustrated, 428.
Bounties on the exportation of manufactures raise the market,
but not the natural, price of these, 436-438.
F.
_Farmers_ pay more poor-rate than the manufacturers, 359-362.
_Foreign Trade_, effects of an extension of, 146, 147.
Proofs that the profits of the favoured trade will speedily subside
to the general level, 148-154.
_Funded Property_, the price of, no steady criterion by which to
judge of the rate of interest, 413-415.
G.
_Gold_, and Silver, an insufficient medium for determining
the _variable_ value of commodities, 7, 8.
But, upon the whole, the least inconvenient standard
for money, 80, 81.
On whom a tax upon gold would ultimately fall, 249, 250.
The value of gold ultimately regulated by the comparative
facility or difficulty of producing it, 251.
Effects of a tax upon gold, 252-261.
Evils of prohibiting a free trade in the precious metals,
when the prices of commodities are raised, 309.
The value of gold and silver proportioned to the quantity
of labour necessary to produce them and bring them to
market, 499.
Remarks on the employment of these metals in currency, 516.
Their relative values at different periods, accounted for,
516-526.
Investigation of the comparative value of gold, corn,
and labour, in rich and in poor countries, 527-537.
_Gross Revenue_, advantages of, over-rated by Adam Smith, 491.
And by M. Say, 492, _note_.
Examination of this doctrine, 492-498.
A diminution of gross income, no diminution of net income, 579-583.
H.
_Holland_, low rate of interest in, accounted for, 400, note.
_Houses_, rents of, distinguished into two parts, 263.
Difference between rent of houses and that of land, 264.
Taxes on houses by whom ultimately borne, 266.
I.
_Importation_ of corn, effects of a prohibition of, considered,
437, 438.
_Interest_, low rate of, in Holland, accounted for, 400, _note_.
Effects of accumulation on profits and interest, 398-410.
Observations on the rates of interest, 412-416.
The interest for money is regulated by the rate of profits which
can be made by the employment of capital, 512, 513.
L.
_Labour_, the quantity of, requisite to obtain commodities,
the _principal_ source of their exchangeable value, 4, 5.
Effects of machinery on, considered, 9-11.
Economy in labour reduces the relative value of a commodity,
21, 22.
Illustrations of this principle, 22-42.
Adam Smith's theory of productive and unproductive labour,
considered, 64-66, _notes_.
Natural price of, explained, 90, 91.
Market price of, what, 92.
Its influence on the happiness of the labourer, 92, 93.
Investigation of the comparative value of labour, gold, and corn,
in rich and in poor countries, 527-537.
_Land_, the division of the whole produce of, between landlords,
capitalists, and labourers, is the criterion of rent, profits,
and wages, 44-48.
Its different productive qualities, a cause of rent, 54-58.
Effects of increasing its productive powers by agricultural
improvements, 70-76.
_Landlords_, tithes injurious to, 229, 230.
Benefit of a high price of corn to them, 474, 475.
_Land-Tax_, virtually a tax on rent, 232.
Effects of an equal land-tax, imposed indiscriminately on all land
cultivated, 234, 235.
Error of Dr. Adam Smith, on the inequality of land and all other
taxes, accounted for, 236-238.
Tax on land and its produce, no bar to cultivation, 238, 239.
Operation of the land-tax of Great Britain, considered, 239, 240.
Mistake of M. Say, corrected, 241, 242-246.
_Lauderdale_ (Earl of), opinion of, on the influence of demand and
supply on prices, 545-547.
Remarks thereon, 547, 548.
_Luxuries_, observations on the taxing of, 314.
Advantages and disadvantages of taxing them, considered, 327-329.
M.
_Machinery_, effects of, in fixing the relative values of commodities,
34-41.
_Malthus_ (Mr. ), examination of the opinions of, on rent, 549-566.
The real cost of production regulates the price of commodities, 567,
568, 572, 573.
Increase of population no cause of the rise of rent, 569;
nor agricultural improvements, 570, 571.
His supposition, that net income is diminished, in proportion to a
diminution of gross income, disproved, 579-583.
Loss of rent, the effect of a low price of corn, 587, 588.
_Manufactures_, improvement of, in any country, tends to alter the
distribution of the precious metals among the nations of the world,
157-170.
Manufacturers pay less poor rate than farmers, 359-362.
The market price of manufactures, but not their natural price,
raised by bounties on their exportation, 436-438.
_Mines_, distinguished by their fertility or barrenness, 77-79.
Effect of discovering the rich mines of America on the price of the
precious metals, 80.
Observations on the rent of mines, 462-467.
_Money_, effects of the rise of, in value, on the price
of commodities, 43, 44.
The rate of profit not affected by variations in the value of
money, 46-48.
Different value of money in different countries, accounted for,
170-173.
The value of money, _generally_, diminished by improvements in
the facility of working the mines of the precious metals, 178.
The demand for, regulated by its value, and its value by its
quantity, 250, 251.
Low value of, in Spain, prejudicial to the commerce and manufactures
of that country, 307.
Observations on the rates of interest for money, 412-416, 512, 513.
The value of, though partially degraded by a bounty on corn, yet not
permanently degraded, 432-434.
The quantity of, employed in a country, dependant upon its value,
500.
Effects of the state charging a seignorage on coining money, 501,
524, 525.
_Monopoly-price_, observations on, 340-345.
N.
_National Debt_, observations on, 340.
_Net Revenue_, advantages of, unduly estimated by Adam Smith, 491,
and by M. Say, 492, _note_.
Examination of their doctrines, 492-498.
Is not diminished by a proportionate diminution of gross revenue,
579-583.
P.
_Paper Currency_, circulation of, explained, 501.
Paper-money not necessarily payable in specie, to secure its value,
502.
But the quantity issued must be regulated according to the value
of the standard metal, _ibid. _ 503.
The Bank of England, why liable to be drained of specie for its
paper currency, 504-506.
Compelling the issuers of paper money to pay their notes either
in gold coin or bullion, is the only control upon their abusing
their power of issuing such money, 507.
Provided there were perfect security against such abuse, it is
immaterial by whom paper money is issued, 509.
Illustration of this point, 510-516.
_Poor-Laws_, pernicious tendency of, as they now exist, 111, 112, 115.
Remedies for, 113, 114.
_Poor-Rates_, nature of, 355.
How levied, 356-358.
More falls on the farmer than on the manufacturer, in proportion
to their respective profits, 359-362.
_Population_, increase of, no cause of the rise of rent, 569.
_Price_ (real), of things, distinguished, 4.
Natural and market prices distinguished, and how governed, 82-89.
The prices of commodities not necessarily raised by a rise in the
price of labour, 109, 110.
Rise of price on raw produce, the only means by which the cultivator
can pay the tax imposed thereon, 195.
The market, but not the natural price of manufactures, raised by
bounties on their exportation, 436-438.
The influence of demand and supply on prices, considered, 542-548,
567, 568, 572, 573.
Alteration in the market price of corn encourages its production,
574, 575.
_Produce_ of land, and labour of the country, must be divided between
capitalists, landlords, and labourers, to afford a criterion of
rent, profits, and wages, 44-48.
Effect of taxes on raw produce, 194.
Tax on raw produce raises the price of wages, 199.
Objections against taxing the produce of land, considered, 201-224.
Remarks on the inconveniences supposed to result from the payment
of taxes by the producer, 538-541.
_Production_, difficulty of, benefits the landlord, 76.
The cost of production, the regulator of the price of commodities,
542, 567, 568, 572, 573.
_Profits_ of stock difficult to ascertain, 410.
The quantity of labour necessary to obtain the produce of land,
is the criterion by which to estimate the rate of profit, wages,
and rent, 44-48.
A rise in the price of corn, productive of a diminution in the
money value of the farmer's profits, 117-122.
A rise in the price of raw produce, if accompanied by a rise of
wages, lowers the agricultural and manufacturing profits, 125-130.
Proofs, that profits depend on the quantity of labour requisite to
provide necessaries for labourers, on that land, or with that
capital which yields no rent, 131-144.
Effects of an extension of foreign trade on profits, 146, 147.
Proofs, that the profits of the favoured trade will speedily
subside to the general level, 148-154.
And so with respect to home trade, 155-157.
Further proofs that profits depend on real wages, 173-175.
Tax on necessaries virtually a tax on profits, 269, 270.
Effects of a taxation of profits, considered, 270-284.
The profits of stock diminished by a tax on wages, 285.
Effects of accumulation on profits and interest, 398-416.
_Prohibition_ of importation of corn, effects of, considered, 437,
438.
_Provisions_, causes of the high prices of, 203.
First, a deficient supply, _ibid. _--204.
Secondly, a gradually increasing demand, ultimately attended with
an increased cost of production, 205.
Thirdly, a fall in the value of money, 209.
Fourthly, a tax on necessaries, 210.
R.
_Rent_, nature of, 49, 50, 52, 362, _note_.
Adam Smith's doctrine of rents, considered, 50, 51.
The different productive qualities of land and increase of
population, the cause of rents, 54-58.
Rise of, the _effect_ of the increasing wealth of a country,
65, 66.
Influence of the prices of corn on rent, 67-69.
Effects of agricultural improvements on rent, 70-76.
Observations on the rent of mines, 77-81.
Tax on rent falls wholly on the landlords, 220-224.
Corn-rents materially affected by tithes, 227.
Examination of Dr. Adam Smith's doctrine concerning the rent of
land, 458-475.
And of Mr. Malthus's opinions on rent, 549-566.
Increase of population is no cause of the rise of rent, 569.
Neither are agricultural improvements, 570, 571.
Loss of rent, the effect of low price of corn, 587, 588.
_Riches_, defined, 377.
Difference between value and riches, 377-386.
Means of increasing the riches of a country, 386-388.
Erroneous views of M. Say on this subject considered, 388-397.
S.
_Say_ (M. ), erroneous views of, concerning the principles of the
land-tax in Great Britain, corrected, 241-244.
Examination of some of his principles of taxation, 319-324, 330,
331, _notes_.
Remarks on his mistaken view of value and riches, 388-397.
Examination of his doctrine concerning bounties on exportation,
443-448.
And on gross and net revenue, 492-498.
Danger resulting from his recommendation respecting the charging
of seignorage for coining money, 525, 526, _notes_.
Observations on his statement of the inconveniences resulting
from payment of taxes by the producer, 538-540.
His opinion on the influence of demand and supply on prices,
considered, 544, 545.
_Scarcity_, a source of exchangeable value, 2.
_Seignorage_, effects of, on the value of money, 501, 524, 525.
_Simonde_ (M. ), remarks on the opinion of, concerning the
inconveniences resulting from the payment of taxes by the producer,
540, 541.
_Silver. _ See _Gold_ and _Silver_.
_Sinking fund_, in England, merely nominal, 340.
How conducted, 510.
_Smith_ (Dr. Adam), on the meaning of the term value, 1.
His doctrine that corn is a proper medium for fixing the varying
value of other things, examined, 7-9.
Strictures on his doctrine relative to labour being the _sole_
ultimate standard of the exchangeable value of commodities, 10,
11, 575, 576.
And on his definitions of rent, 49, 50.
His theory of productive and unproductive labour considered,
64-66, _notes_.
Correction of his erroneous view of the inequality of taxes on
land, and all other taxes, 236-238.
His opinion on the taxes upon the wages of labour, 286.
Examination thereof by Mr. Buchanan, 287-292.
Observations thereon by the author of this work, 293-306.
Correction of his mistaken view of taxes upon luxuries, 314-319.
Remarks on his doctrine concerning bounties on exportation,
420, 422-439.
Examination of his doctrine concerning the rent of land, 458-475.
And on gross and net revenue, 492-498.
Strictures on his principles of paper-currency, 503-508.
His statement respecting the advantages of the Scottish mode of
affording accommodation to trade, disproved, 515, 516-523.
Remarks on his doctrine relative to the comparative value of
gold, corn, and labour, in rich and in poor countries, 529-537.
_Spain_, commerce and manufactures of, injured by the low value of
money there, 307.
_Stamp-duty_, weight of, a bar to the transfer of landed property,
267, 268.
T.
_Taxes_, nature of, explained, 186.
Impolicy of taxes on capital, 190.
Taxes upon the transfer of property, 191.
On whom the several kinds of taxes principally fall, 192.
Objections to taxes on the transference of property, 192, 193.
Effect of taxes on raw produce, 194.
A rise of price in raw produce the only means by which
the cultivator can pay the tax, 195.
Such tax in fact paid by the consumer, 196-198.
Tax on raw produce and on the necessaries of the labourer,
raises the price of wages, 199.
Objections against the taxation of the produce of land,
considered and refuted, 201-224.
Tithes, an equal tax, 225.
Difference between them and a tax on raw produce, 226.
Objections to them, 227-231.
Tax on land, virtually a tax on rent, 232.
They ought to be clear and certain, 233, 234.
Effects of taxes on gold, considered, 247-261.
Ground rents, not a fair subject of taxation, 267. Taxes
on houses by whom ultimately borne, 266.
Taxes on necessaries, virtually a tax on profits, 269, 270.
Effects of taxation of profits considered, 270-284.
Taxes upon luxuries, 314.
Advantages and disadvantages of, 327-329.
Supposed absurdities in taxation, explained and obviated,
315-317.
Proper objects of taxation, 326.
Observations on the taxation of other commodities than raw
produce, 330.
Effect of taxes to defray the interest of loans, 332-334.
Remarks on the tax upon malt, and every other tax on raw
produce, 346-353.
Nature and operation of the poor-rate, 355-362.
Examination of the inconveniences supposed to be sustained
by the payment of taxes by the producer, 538-541.
_Tithes_, nature of, 225.
Are an equal tax, _ibid. _
Difference between tithes and a tax on raw produce, 226.
Say has not told us what those employments are, which,
while they are the most profitable to the individual, are
not the most profitable to the state. If countries with
limited capitals, but with abundance of fertile land, do
not early engage in foreign trade, the reason is, because
it is less profitable to individuals, and therefore also
less profitable to the state.
[45] "The use of gold and silver then establishes in every
place a certain necessity for these commodities; and when
the country possesses the quantity necessary to satisfy
this want, all that is further imported, not being in
demand, is unfruitful in value, and of no use to its
owners. "--_Say_, vol. i. p. 187.
In page 196, M. Say says, that supposing a country to
require 1000 carriages, and to be possessed of 1500--all
above 1000 would be useless; and thence he infers, that if
it possesses more money than is _necessary_, the overplus
will not be employed.
[46] Whatever I say of gold coin, is equally applicable to
silver coin; but it is not necessary to mention both on
every occasion.
[47] "In the transactions of Government with individuals,
and in those of individuals between themselves, a piece of
money is never received, whatever denomination may be
given to it, but at its intrinsic value, increased by the
value of the utility which the impression it bears has
added to it. "--_Say_, vol. i. p. 327.
"Money is so little a mark of value, that if the pieces of
money lose a part of their value by friction, from use, or
by the knavery of the clippers of money, all goods rise in
price in proportion to the alteration which they have
experienced; and if Government orders a recoinage, and
restores each piece to its legal weight and fineness,
goods will fall to their former price; if they have not
been exposed to variations from other causes. "--_Say_,
vol. i. p. 346.
[48] M. Say recommends that the seignorage should vary
according to the quantity of business that the mint might
be called upon to perform.
"Government should not coin the bullion of individuals
except on payment, not only of the expenses, but also of
the profits of coining. This profit might be carried to a
considerable height, in consequence of the exclusive
privilege of coining; but it must vary according to the
circumstances of the mint, and the quantity required for
circulation. " Vol. i. p. 380.
Such a regulation would be extremely pernicious, and would
expose us to considerable and unnecessary variation in the
bullion value of the currency.
[49] If with the quantity of gold and silver which
actually exists, these metals only served for the
manufacture of utensils and ornaments, they would be
abundant, and would be much cheaper than they are at
present; in other words, in exchanging them for any other
species of goods, we should be obliged to give
proportionally a greater quantity of them. But as a large
quantity of these metals is used for money, and as this
portion is used for no other purpose, there remains less
to be employed in furniture and jewellery; now this
scarcity adds to their value. --_Say_, vol. i. p. 316. See
also note to p. 78.
[50] An Inquiry into the Nature and Origin of Public
Wealth, page 13.
[51] An Inquiry into the Nature and Progress of Rent, p.
15.
[52] See page 124, where I have endeavoured to shew, that
whatever facility or difficulty there may be in the
production of corn; wages and profits together will be of
the same value. When wages rise, it is always at the
expense of profits, and when they fall, profits always
rise.
[53] Of what increased quantity does Mr. Malthus speak?
Who is to produce it? Who can have any motive to produce
it, before any demand exists for an additional quantity?
[54] Inquiry, &c. "In all progressive countries, the
average price of corn is never higher than what is
necessary to continue the average increase of produce. "
Observations, p. 21.
"In the employment of fresh capital upon the land, to
provide for the wants of an increasing population, whether
this fresh capital is employed in bringing more land under
the plough, or improving land already in cultivation, the
main question always depends upon the expected returns of
this capital; and no part of the gross profits can be
diminished, without diminishing the motive to this mode of
employing it. Every diminution of price, not fully and
immediately balanced by a proportioned fall in all the
necessary expenses of a farm, every tax on the land, every
tax on farming stock, every tax on the necessaries of
farmers, will tell in the computation; and if, after all
these outgoings are allowed for, the price of the produce
will not leave a fair remuneration for the capital
employed, according to the general rate of profits, and a
rent at least equal to the rent of the land in its former
state, no sufficient motive can exist to undertake the
projected improvement. " Observations, p. 22.
[55] See p. 124.
[56] See p. 70, &c.
[57] It is not necessary to state on every occasion, but
it must be always understood, that the same effect will be
produced by employing different, but equal portions of
capital on the land already in cultivation, with different
results. Rent is the difference of produce obtained with
equal capitals, and with equal labour on the same, or on
different qualities of land.
[58] Observations on the Corn Laws, p. 4.
[59] Upon shewing this passage to Mr. Malthus, at the time
when these papers were going to the press, he observed,
"that in these two instances he had inadvertently used the
term _real price_, instead of _cost of production_. " It
will be seen from what I have already said, that to me it
appears, that in these two instances he has used the term
_real price_ in its true and just acceptation, and that in
the former case only it is incorrectly applied.
[60] Page 40.
[61] Manufactures, indeed, could not fall in any such
proportion, because, under the circumstances supposed,
there would be a new distribution of the precious metals
among the different countries. Our cheap commodities would
be exported in exchange for corn and gold, till the
accumulation of gold should lower its value, and raise the
money price of commodities.
[62] The Grounds of an Opinion, &c. page 36.
[63] Mr. Malthus, in another part of the same work,
supposes commodities to vary 25 or 20 per cent. when corn
varies 33-1/3.
[64] In Chap. 24. I have observed, that the real resources
of a country, and its ability to pay taxes, depend on its
net, and not on its gross income.
[65] This is on the supposition that money continued at
the same value. In the last note, I have endeavoured to
shew that money would not continue of the same
value,--that it would fall, from increased importation; a
fact which is much more favourable to my argument.
[66] Mr. M'Culloch, in an able publication, has very
strongly contended for the justice of making the dividends
on the national debt conform to the reduced value of corn.
He is in favour of a free trade in corn, but he thinks it
should be accompanied by a reduction of interest to the
national creditor.
THE END.
ERRATA.
_Page_ 190, _line_ 8, _for_ obtained, _read_ attained.
521, _line_ 20, _for_ twenty-one shillings, _read_ forty-two
shillings.
543, _last line_, _for_ give, _read_ spend.
555, _last line_, _for_ rent money, _read_ money rent.
INDEX.
A.
_Accumulation_ of capital, effects of, on the relative value of
commodities, 16-42.
And on profits and interest, 398-416.
_Agriculture_, effects of improvements in, on rents, 70-76.
Is affected by the distress proceeding from sudden revulsions
of trade, 368-372.
Agricultural improvements, no cause of the increase of rent,
570, 571.
B.
_Banks_, establishment of, affects the sole power of the state
in coining money, 502.
Consequence of the Bank of England issuing too great a quantity
of paper, 503-506.
The assistance given by the Bank of England to commerce, accounted
for, 513, 514. --See _Paper Currency_.
_Bounties_, on the exportation of corn, lower its price to the foreign
consumer, 417-427.
Effects of a bounty in raising the price of corn, illustrated, 428.
Though such bounty may cause a partial degradation in the value
of money, yet such degradation cannot be permanent, 432-434.
Bounties on the exportation of manufactures raise their _market_ but
not their _natural_ price, 436-438.
The sole effect of bounty is to divert a portion of capital to an
employment which it would not naturally seek, 438.
Evils of such a system, 439-445.
A bounty on the production of corn, will produce no real effect on
the annual produce of the land and labour of the country, though
it would make corn relatively cheap, and manufactures relatively
dear, 449-455.
But the effect of a tax on corn, in order to afford a fund for a
bounty on the production of commodities, would be to enhance the
price of corn, and render commodities cheap, 456, 457.
_Buchanan_ (Mr. ), observations of, on Adam Smith's doctrine of
productive and unproductive labour, 64-66, _note_.
Remarks on his opinions respecting bounties on exportation, 440-442.
C.
_Capital_, nature of, effects of the accumulation of, on the relative
value of commodities investigated, 16.
Effects of, in a savage or infant state of society, 17, 18, 23, 24.
And in a more advanced state of society, 19-21.
The relative values of _circulating_ and _fixed_ capitals
considered, 22, 23.
The distinction between circulating and fixed capitals difficult
to be strictly defined, 186, 187.
Considerations on the different modes of employing it, 83-88.
The increase of capital in quantity and value, productive of a
rise in the natural price of wages, 94, 95.
Increase of capital in quantity only, productive of a rise in
the market price of wages, _ibid. _
Effects of the accumulation of capital on profits and interest,
398-416.
The sole effect of bounties on exportation, upon capital, is to
divert a portion of it to an employment which it would not
naturally seek, 438. Remarks on such effect, 439-445.
The profits, made by the employment of capital, regulate the rate
of interest for money, 512, 513.
_Carrying trade_, observations on, 407.
_Circulation_ of money can never overflow, and why, 500, 501.
Circulation of Paper, see _Paper Currency_.
_Colonial Trade_, observations on, 476, 477.
Proofs, that trade with a colony may be so regulated as to be less
beneficial to the colony, and more beneficial to the mother
country, than a perfectly free trade, 477-486.
Benefits of a colonial trade, 487-490.
_Commodities_, gold and silver an insufficient medium for determining
the varying value of, 7, 8.
Corn, an inadequate standard of the value of, 9-12.
The effects of an accumulation of capital on the relative value of
commodities, considered, 16-42.
Effects of a rise in wages on their value, 43, 44, and of the
payment of rent, 45, 46.
Their exchangeable value regulated by the greater quantity of labour
bestowed on their production by those who labour under the most
unfavourable circumstances, 59, 60.
The prices of commodities not necessarily increased by a rise in the
price of labour, 109, 110.
The cost of production regulates the price of commodities, 542, 567,
568, 572, 573.
_Corn_, a variable standard for determining the varying value of
things, 7-12.
Effects of the price of, on rent, 67-70.
Corn-rents materially affected by tithes, 227.
Advantage resulting from the relatively low price of corn, 373.
Bounties on the exportation of it, lower its price to the foreign
consumer, 417-427.
Effects of a bounty in raising the price of corn, 428.
A bounty on the production of, productive of no real effect on the
annual produce of the land and labour of the country, 449-455.
The price of corn enhanced by a tax on it, in order to afford a fund
for a bounty on the production of commodities, 456, 457.
Benefit of a high price of corn to landlords, 474, 475.
Investigation of the comparative value of corn, gold, and labour, in
rich and in poor countries, 527-537.
The production of corn encouraged by alteration in its market price,
574, 575.
A fall in the value of corn beneficial to the stockholder, 586.
_Cultivation_, not discouraged by a tax on land and its produce, 238.
_Currency_. See _Gold_ and _Silver_, _Paper Currency_.
D.
_Demand_ and supply, influence of, on prices, considered, 542.
Opinion of M. Say on this subject, 544.
And of the Earl of Lauderdale, 545-547.
Observations thereon, 547, 548.
E.
_Economy_ in labour, reduces the relative value of commodities, 21.
Illustration of this principle, 22-42.
_Exchange_, no criterion of the increased value of money, 178.
To be ascertained by estimating the value of the currency in
the currency of another country, 181,
and also by comparing it with some standard common to both
countries, 181-184.
Effects of paper currency on exchange, 310-314.
_Exportation_ of corn, bounties on, lower its price to the foreign
consumer, 417-427.
Effects of, in raising the price of corn, illustrated, 428.
Bounties on the exportation of manufactures raise the market,
but not the natural, price of these, 436-438.
F.
_Farmers_ pay more poor-rate than the manufacturers, 359-362.
_Foreign Trade_, effects of an extension of, 146, 147.
Proofs that the profits of the favoured trade will speedily subside
to the general level, 148-154.
_Funded Property_, the price of, no steady criterion by which to
judge of the rate of interest, 413-415.
G.
_Gold_, and Silver, an insufficient medium for determining
the _variable_ value of commodities, 7, 8.
But, upon the whole, the least inconvenient standard
for money, 80, 81.
On whom a tax upon gold would ultimately fall, 249, 250.
The value of gold ultimately regulated by the comparative
facility or difficulty of producing it, 251.
Effects of a tax upon gold, 252-261.
Evils of prohibiting a free trade in the precious metals,
when the prices of commodities are raised, 309.
The value of gold and silver proportioned to the quantity
of labour necessary to produce them and bring them to
market, 499.
Remarks on the employment of these metals in currency, 516.
Their relative values at different periods, accounted for,
516-526.
Investigation of the comparative value of gold, corn,
and labour, in rich and in poor countries, 527-537.
_Gross Revenue_, advantages of, over-rated by Adam Smith, 491.
And by M. Say, 492, _note_.
Examination of this doctrine, 492-498.
A diminution of gross income, no diminution of net income, 579-583.
H.
_Holland_, low rate of interest in, accounted for, 400, note.
_Houses_, rents of, distinguished into two parts, 263.
Difference between rent of houses and that of land, 264.
Taxes on houses by whom ultimately borne, 266.
I.
_Importation_ of corn, effects of a prohibition of, considered,
437, 438.
_Interest_, low rate of, in Holland, accounted for, 400, _note_.
Effects of accumulation on profits and interest, 398-410.
Observations on the rates of interest, 412-416.
The interest for money is regulated by the rate of profits which
can be made by the employment of capital, 512, 513.
L.
_Labour_, the quantity of, requisite to obtain commodities,
the _principal_ source of their exchangeable value, 4, 5.
Effects of machinery on, considered, 9-11.
Economy in labour reduces the relative value of a commodity,
21, 22.
Illustrations of this principle, 22-42.
Adam Smith's theory of productive and unproductive labour,
considered, 64-66, _notes_.
Natural price of, explained, 90, 91.
Market price of, what, 92.
Its influence on the happiness of the labourer, 92, 93.
Investigation of the comparative value of labour, gold, and corn,
in rich and in poor countries, 527-537.
_Land_, the division of the whole produce of, between landlords,
capitalists, and labourers, is the criterion of rent, profits,
and wages, 44-48.
Its different productive qualities, a cause of rent, 54-58.
Effects of increasing its productive powers by agricultural
improvements, 70-76.
_Landlords_, tithes injurious to, 229, 230.
Benefit of a high price of corn to them, 474, 475.
_Land-Tax_, virtually a tax on rent, 232.
Effects of an equal land-tax, imposed indiscriminately on all land
cultivated, 234, 235.
Error of Dr. Adam Smith, on the inequality of land and all other
taxes, accounted for, 236-238.
Tax on land and its produce, no bar to cultivation, 238, 239.
Operation of the land-tax of Great Britain, considered, 239, 240.
Mistake of M. Say, corrected, 241, 242-246.
_Lauderdale_ (Earl of), opinion of, on the influence of demand and
supply on prices, 545-547.
Remarks thereon, 547, 548.
_Luxuries_, observations on the taxing of, 314.
Advantages and disadvantages of taxing them, considered, 327-329.
M.
_Machinery_, effects of, in fixing the relative values of commodities,
34-41.
_Malthus_ (Mr. ), examination of the opinions of, on rent, 549-566.
The real cost of production regulates the price of commodities, 567,
568, 572, 573.
Increase of population no cause of the rise of rent, 569;
nor agricultural improvements, 570, 571.
His supposition, that net income is diminished, in proportion to a
diminution of gross income, disproved, 579-583.
Loss of rent, the effect of a low price of corn, 587, 588.
_Manufactures_, improvement of, in any country, tends to alter the
distribution of the precious metals among the nations of the world,
157-170.
Manufacturers pay less poor rate than farmers, 359-362.
The market price of manufactures, but not their natural price,
raised by bounties on their exportation, 436-438.
_Mines_, distinguished by their fertility or barrenness, 77-79.
Effect of discovering the rich mines of America on the price of the
precious metals, 80.
Observations on the rent of mines, 462-467.
_Money_, effects of the rise of, in value, on the price
of commodities, 43, 44.
The rate of profit not affected by variations in the value of
money, 46-48.
Different value of money in different countries, accounted for,
170-173.
The value of money, _generally_, diminished by improvements in
the facility of working the mines of the precious metals, 178.
The demand for, regulated by its value, and its value by its
quantity, 250, 251.
Low value of, in Spain, prejudicial to the commerce and manufactures
of that country, 307.
Observations on the rates of interest for money, 412-416, 512, 513.
The value of, though partially degraded by a bounty on corn, yet not
permanently degraded, 432-434.
The quantity of, employed in a country, dependant upon its value,
500.
Effects of the state charging a seignorage on coining money, 501,
524, 525.
_Monopoly-price_, observations on, 340-345.
N.
_National Debt_, observations on, 340.
_Net Revenue_, advantages of, unduly estimated by Adam Smith, 491,
and by M. Say, 492, _note_.
Examination of their doctrines, 492-498.
Is not diminished by a proportionate diminution of gross revenue,
579-583.
P.
_Paper Currency_, circulation of, explained, 501.
Paper-money not necessarily payable in specie, to secure its value,
502.
But the quantity issued must be regulated according to the value
of the standard metal, _ibid. _ 503.
The Bank of England, why liable to be drained of specie for its
paper currency, 504-506.
Compelling the issuers of paper money to pay their notes either
in gold coin or bullion, is the only control upon their abusing
their power of issuing such money, 507.
Provided there were perfect security against such abuse, it is
immaterial by whom paper money is issued, 509.
Illustration of this point, 510-516.
_Poor-Laws_, pernicious tendency of, as they now exist, 111, 112, 115.
Remedies for, 113, 114.
_Poor-Rates_, nature of, 355.
How levied, 356-358.
More falls on the farmer than on the manufacturer, in proportion
to their respective profits, 359-362.
_Population_, increase of, no cause of the rise of rent, 569.
_Price_ (real), of things, distinguished, 4.
Natural and market prices distinguished, and how governed, 82-89.
The prices of commodities not necessarily raised by a rise in the
price of labour, 109, 110.
Rise of price on raw produce, the only means by which the cultivator
can pay the tax imposed thereon, 195.
The market, but not the natural price of manufactures, raised by
bounties on their exportation, 436-438.
The influence of demand and supply on prices, considered, 542-548,
567, 568, 572, 573.
Alteration in the market price of corn encourages its production,
574, 575.
_Produce_ of land, and labour of the country, must be divided between
capitalists, landlords, and labourers, to afford a criterion of
rent, profits, and wages, 44-48.
Effect of taxes on raw produce, 194.
Tax on raw produce raises the price of wages, 199.
Objections against taxing the produce of land, considered, 201-224.
Remarks on the inconveniences supposed to result from the payment
of taxes by the producer, 538-541.
_Production_, difficulty of, benefits the landlord, 76.
The cost of production, the regulator of the price of commodities,
542, 567, 568, 572, 573.
_Profits_ of stock difficult to ascertain, 410.
The quantity of labour necessary to obtain the produce of land,
is the criterion by which to estimate the rate of profit, wages,
and rent, 44-48.
A rise in the price of corn, productive of a diminution in the
money value of the farmer's profits, 117-122.
A rise in the price of raw produce, if accompanied by a rise of
wages, lowers the agricultural and manufacturing profits, 125-130.
Proofs, that profits depend on the quantity of labour requisite to
provide necessaries for labourers, on that land, or with that
capital which yields no rent, 131-144.
Effects of an extension of foreign trade on profits, 146, 147.
Proofs, that the profits of the favoured trade will speedily
subside to the general level, 148-154.
And so with respect to home trade, 155-157.
Further proofs that profits depend on real wages, 173-175.
Tax on necessaries virtually a tax on profits, 269, 270.
Effects of a taxation of profits, considered, 270-284.
The profits of stock diminished by a tax on wages, 285.
Effects of accumulation on profits and interest, 398-416.
_Prohibition_ of importation of corn, effects of, considered, 437,
438.
_Provisions_, causes of the high prices of, 203.
First, a deficient supply, _ibid. _--204.
Secondly, a gradually increasing demand, ultimately attended with
an increased cost of production, 205.
Thirdly, a fall in the value of money, 209.
Fourthly, a tax on necessaries, 210.
R.
_Rent_, nature of, 49, 50, 52, 362, _note_.
Adam Smith's doctrine of rents, considered, 50, 51.
The different productive qualities of land and increase of
population, the cause of rents, 54-58.
Rise of, the _effect_ of the increasing wealth of a country,
65, 66.
Influence of the prices of corn on rent, 67-69.
Effects of agricultural improvements on rent, 70-76.
Observations on the rent of mines, 77-81.
Tax on rent falls wholly on the landlords, 220-224.
Corn-rents materially affected by tithes, 227.
Examination of Dr. Adam Smith's doctrine concerning the rent of
land, 458-475.
And of Mr. Malthus's opinions on rent, 549-566.
Increase of population is no cause of the rise of rent, 569.
Neither are agricultural improvements, 570, 571.
Loss of rent, the effect of low price of corn, 587, 588.
_Riches_, defined, 377.
Difference between value and riches, 377-386.
Means of increasing the riches of a country, 386-388.
Erroneous views of M. Say on this subject considered, 388-397.
S.
_Say_ (M. ), erroneous views of, concerning the principles of the
land-tax in Great Britain, corrected, 241-244.
Examination of some of his principles of taxation, 319-324, 330,
331, _notes_.
Remarks on his mistaken view of value and riches, 388-397.
Examination of his doctrine concerning bounties on exportation,
443-448.
And on gross and net revenue, 492-498.
Danger resulting from his recommendation respecting the charging
of seignorage for coining money, 525, 526, _notes_.
Observations on his statement of the inconveniences resulting
from payment of taxes by the producer, 538-540.
His opinion on the influence of demand and supply on prices,
considered, 544, 545.
_Scarcity_, a source of exchangeable value, 2.
_Seignorage_, effects of, on the value of money, 501, 524, 525.
_Simonde_ (M. ), remarks on the opinion of, concerning the
inconveniences resulting from the payment of taxes by the producer,
540, 541.
_Silver. _ See _Gold_ and _Silver_.
_Sinking fund_, in England, merely nominal, 340.
How conducted, 510.
_Smith_ (Dr. Adam), on the meaning of the term value, 1.
His doctrine that corn is a proper medium for fixing the varying
value of other things, examined, 7-9.
Strictures on his doctrine relative to labour being the _sole_
ultimate standard of the exchangeable value of commodities, 10,
11, 575, 576.
And on his definitions of rent, 49, 50.
His theory of productive and unproductive labour considered,
64-66, _notes_.
Correction of his erroneous view of the inequality of taxes on
land, and all other taxes, 236-238.
His opinion on the taxes upon the wages of labour, 286.
Examination thereof by Mr. Buchanan, 287-292.
Observations thereon by the author of this work, 293-306.
Correction of his mistaken view of taxes upon luxuries, 314-319.
Remarks on his doctrine concerning bounties on exportation,
420, 422-439.
Examination of his doctrine concerning the rent of land, 458-475.
And on gross and net revenue, 492-498.
Strictures on his principles of paper-currency, 503-508.
His statement respecting the advantages of the Scottish mode of
affording accommodation to trade, disproved, 515, 516-523.
Remarks on his doctrine relative to the comparative value of
gold, corn, and labour, in rich and in poor countries, 529-537.
_Spain_, commerce and manufactures of, injured by the low value of
money there, 307.
_Stamp-duty_, weight of, a bar to the transfer of landed property,
267, 268.
T.
_Taxes_, nature of, explained, 186.
Impolicy of taxes on capital, 190.
Taxes upon the transfer of property, 191.
On whom the several kinds of taxes principally fall, 192.
Objections to taxes on the transference of property, 192, 193.
Effect of taxes on raw produce, 194.
A rise of price in raw produce the only means by which
the cultivator can pay the tax, 195.
Such tax in fact paid by the consumer, 196-198.
Tax on raw produce and on the necessaries of the labourer,
raises the price of wages, 199.
Objections against the taxation of the produce of land,
considered and refuted, 201-224.
Tithes, an equal tax, 225.
Difference between them and a tax on raw produce, 226.
Objections to them, 227-231.
Tax on land, virtually a tax on rent, 232.
They ought to be clear and certain, 233, 234.
Effects of taxes on gold, considered, 247-261.
Ground rents, not a fair subject of taxation, 267. Taxes
on houses by whom ultimately borne, 266.
Taxes on necessaries, virtually a tax on profits, 269, 270.
Effects of taxation of profits considered, 270-284.
Taxes upon luxuries, 314.
Advantages and disadvantages of, 327-329.
Supposed absurdities in taxation, explained and obviated,
315-317.
Proper objects of taxation, 326.
Observations on the taxation of other commodities than raw
produce, 330.
Effect of taxes to defray the interest of loans, 332-334.
Remarks on the tax upon malt, and every other tax on raw
produce, 346-353.
Nature and operation of the poor-rate, 355-362.
Examination of the inconveniences supposed to be sustained
by the payment of taxes by the producer, 538-541.
_Tithes_, nature of, 225.
Are an equal tax, _ibid. _
Difference between tithes and a tax on raw produce, 226.
