At all events, whether these Plans for reforming this enormous evil, are or are not superior to others which have been devised, it is clear to demonstration, that the present System is founded on a principle not less erroneous than mischievous; and, therefore, it cannot too soon be abandoned; especially since it would appear that the Revenue it produces might be preserved, with the incalculable advantage to the nation of preserving, at the same time, the morals of the people, and turning into a course of industry and usefulness the labour of many thousand individuals, who, instead of being, as at present, pests in Society, might be rendered useful members of the State.
CHAP. VII.
The Frauds arising from the manufacture and circulation of base Money:—The Causes of its enormous increase of late years.—The different kinds of false Coin detailed:—The Process in fabricating each species explained:—The immense Profits arising therefrom:—The extensive Trade in sending base Coin to the Country.—Its universal Circulation in the Metropolis.—The great Grievance arising from it to Brewers, Distillers, Grocers, and Retail Dealers, in particular, as well as the Labouring Poor in general.—The principal Channels through which it is uttered in the Country and in the Metropolis.—Counterfeit foreign Money extremely productive to the dealers.—A summary View of the Causes of the mischief.—The Defects in the present Laws explained:—And a Detail of the Remedies proposed to be provided by the Legislature.
THE frauds committed by the fabrication of base Money, and by the nefarious practices, in the introduction of almost every species of Counterfeit Coin into the circulation of the Country, are next to be discussed.
The great outlines of this enormous evil having been stated in the [first Chapter], it now remains to elucidate that part of the subject which is connected with specific detail.
One of the greatest sources of these multiplied and increasing frauds is to be traced to the various ingenious improvements which have taken place of late years, at Birmingham, and other manufacturing towns, in mixing metals, and in stamping and colouring ornamental buttons.