CHAP. XXI. The Conclusion upon all that hath been said, concerning the Exportation or Importation of Treasure. (Book 21)
THE Sum of all that hath been spoken, concerning the Enriching of the King∣dom, and the Increase of our Treasure by Commerce with Strangers, is briefly thus. That it is a certain Rule in our Forein Trade in those Places where our Commodities ex∣ported, are over-ballanced in value by Forein Wares brought into this Realm, there our Mony is under-valued in Exchange; and where the contrary of this is performed, there our Mony is over-valued in Exchange; and where the contrary of this is performed, there our Mony is over-valued. But let the Mer∣chant's Exchange be at a high Rate, or at a low Rate, or at the Par pro Pari, or put down altogether; Let Forein Princes enhance their Coins, or debase their Standards, and let His Majesty do the like, or keep them constant, as they now stand; Let Forein Coins pass current here in all Payments, at higher Rates than they are worth at the Mint; Let the Statute for Employments by Stran∣gers stand in force, or be repealed; Let the meer Exchanger do his worth; Let Princes Oppress, Lawyers Extort, Userers Bite, Prodigals Wast; and lastly, Let Merchants carry out what Mony they shall have occasion to use in Traffick. Yet all these Actions can work no other Effects in the course of Trade, than is declared in this Discourse. For so much Treasure only will be brought in or carried out of a Common-wealth, as the Forein Trade doth Over or Under-ballance in value. And this must come to pass by a Necessity beyound all resistance. So that all other Courses, (which tend not to this End) howsoever they may seem to force Mony into a Kingdom for a time, yet are they (in the End) not only fruitless but also hurtful: They are like to Violent Floods which bear down their Banks, and suddenly remain dry again for want of Waters.
Behold then the true Form and Worth of Forein Trade, which is, The great Revenue of the King; The Honour of the Kingdom; The Noble Profession of the Merchant; The School of our Arts; The Supply of our Wants; The Employment of our Poor; The Improvement of our Lands; The Nursery of our Mariners; The Walls of the Kingdoms; The Means of our Treasure; The Sinews of our Wars; The Ter∣ror of out Enemies. For all which great and weighty Reasons, do so many well governed States highly countenance the Profession, and carefully cherish the Action; not only with Policy to Increase it, but also with Power to protect it from all Forein Injuries: Because they know it is a Principle in Reason of State, To Maintain and Defend that which doth Support them and their Estates.