I don’t mean by sending Us over such a Counterfeit as shall be of Less intrinsick Value than our Own; but they can Afford all the Charge of Curious Coinage, and Pure Silver, and Full Weight, and Hazard of Importing it contrary to all Laws that We can Make; If any more considerable Sum, than Twenty per Cent. could be Gain’d by such Importation: But no body can afford all the Charge and Hazard, if the Profit be no Greater, and the Punishment Capital.
Corol. II.
Nevertheless, provision may be Made, that all Counterfeit Money shall be Confiscated by a Summary Process, to be Tryed by a Jury of Moneyers, for every Sum above Five Pounds; and for Less Sums, able and substantial Goldsmiths shall be Commissioned and Authorised to end Disputes, Cutting it Asunder before the Owners Face; and Charging themselves in a Book kept for that purpose, as Debters to the King for the same individual pieces, which at the General Quarter Sessions they shall deliver for the KING’s Use.
Some such Method as This, would make people more Cautious in taking Counterfeit Money; whereas now they Take what they themselves Know to be so, which hath given great Encouragement to Counterfeiters.
And if I may be Well Heard, I don’t at all Question, but to shew a Way; how all Counterfeit Money may be easily Known; let it be Wash’d, Plated; of mixt Metal, or pure Silver; Which is the next piece of Service of this Nature, that I designe my Country, GOD continuing my Life and Health.
Corol. III.
I humbly Propound to the Disquisition of Better Judgments; Whether the New Coin ought not alwayes to be of the same continued Weight, notwithstanding any Variations in the Price of Bullion; and that not the Weight of Coin, but the Aforementioned Interest be Varied from Year to Year according to the Price of Bullion.
The Advantages and Conveniences of what I have Proposed, is, I hope, by this time, somewhat Evident; but before I Reckon ’em up, it may perhaps be Expected that I should Faithfully and Candidly let down all those Objections which have Occurr’d to me whilst I have been Writing these Papers.
The most Material I will: And they are These.