CHAP. XVI. How the Revenues and Incoms of Princes may justly be raised. (Book 16)
NOw that we have set down the true Course by which a Kingdom may be enriched with Treasure; In the next Place, we will endeavour to shew the Ways and Means by which a King may justly share there∣in, without the Hurt or Oppression of his Subjects. The Revenues of Princes as they differ much in quantity, according to the Greatness, Riches and Trade of their respe∣ctive Dominons; so likewise is there great diversity used in procuring the same, accord∣ing to the Constitution of the Countries, the Government, Laws and Customs of the People, which no Prince can alter, but with much difficulty and Danger. Some Kings have their Crown-Lands, the first Fruits upon Ecclesiastical Livings, Customs, Tolls and Imposts, upon all Trade to and from Forein Countries; Loans, Donations and Subsidies, upon all necessary occasions. Other Princes and States leaving the three last, do add unto the rest, a Custom upon all new Wares transported from one City, to be used in any other City or Place of their own Dominions, Customs upon every alienation or sale of live Cattel, Lands, Houses, and the Portions or Marriage Mony of Women, Licence-mony upon all Victualing-Houses and Innkeepers, Head-mony, Custom upon all the Corn, Wine, Oyl, Salt, and the like, which Grown and are Consumed in their own Dominions, &c. All which seem to be a Rabble of Oppressions, serving to enrich those Princes which exact them, and to make the People Poor and Miserable which endure them; especially in those Countries where these Burdens are laid at heavy rates, as 4, 5, 6, and 7, per Cent. But when all the Circum∣stance and Distinction of Places are duly con∣sidered, they will be found not only necessary, and therefore lawful to be used in some States, but also in divers respects very profitable to the Common-wealth.
First there are some States, as namely Ve∣nice, Florence, Genoua, the Ʋnited Provinces of the Low-Countries, and others, which are singular for Beauty, and excellent both for Natural and Artificial Strength, having like∣wise rich Subjects: yet being of no very great Extent, nor enjoying such Wealth by ordi∣nary Revenues, as might support them a∣gainst the sudden and powerful invasions of those mighty Princes which do inviron them; they are therefore enforced to strengthen themselves, not only with Confederates and Leagues, (which may often fail them in their greatest need) but also by massing up store of Treasure and Munition by those extraordina∣ry courses before-written, which cannot de∣ceive them, but will ever be ready to make a good Defence, and to offend or divert their Enemies.
Neither are these heavy Contributions so hurtful to the Happiness of the People, as they are commonly esteemed: For as the Food and Rayment of the Poor is made dear by Excise, so doth the Price of their labour rise in pro∣portion; whereby the Burden (if any be) is still upon the Rick, who are either idle, or at least work not in this kind, yet have they the Use, and are the great Consumers of the Poors Labour: Neither do the Rich neglect in their several Places and Callings to advance their Endeavours, according to those times which do exhaust their Means and Revenues; wherein, if they should peradventure fail, and therefore be forced to abate their sinful Excess and idle retainers; what is all this but happi∣ness in a Common wealth, when Virtue, Plenty and Arts, shall thus be advanced all together? Nor can it be truly said, that a Kingdom is impoverished, where Loss of the People is the Gain of the King, from whom also such yearly Incoms have their annual issue to the Benefit of his Subjects; except only that part of the Treasure which is laid up for the Publick Good; wherein likewise they who suffer have their safety, and therefore such contributions are both Just and Profitable.
Yet here we must confess, that as the best things may be corrupted, so these taxes may be abused, and the Common wealth notori∣ously wronged when they are vainly Wasted and Consumed by a Prince, either upon un∣worthy