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wealbk04-第62章

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degrading; in some degree; the fabric of the cloth。

     It has been shown in the foregoing part of this work that

the effect of these regulations has been to depress the price of

English wool; not only below what it naturally would be in the

present times; but very much below what it actually was in the

time of Edward III。 The price of Scots wool; when in consequence

of the union it became subject to the same regulations; is said

to have fallen about one half。 It is observed by the very

accurate and intelligent author of the Memoirs of Wool; the

Reverend Mr。 John Smith; that the price of the best English wool

in England is generally below what wool of a very inferior

quality commonly sells for in the market of Amsterdam。 To depress

the price of this commodity below what may be called its natural

and proper price was the avowed purpose of those regulations; and

there seems to be no doubt of their having produced the effect

that was expected from them。

     This reduction of price; it may perhaps be thought; by

discouraging the growing of wool; must have reduced very much the

annual produce of that commodity; though not below what it

formerly was; yet below what; in the present state of things; it

probably would have been; had it; in consequence of an open and

free market; been allowed to rise to the natural and proper

price。 I am; however; disposed to believe that the quantity of

the annual produce cannot have been much; though it may perhaps

have been a little; affected by these regulations。 The growing of

wool is not the chief purpose for which the sheep farmer employs

his industry and stock。 He expects his profit not so much from

the price of the fleece as from that of the carcass; and the

average or ordinary price of the latter must even; in many cases;

make up to him whatever deficiency there may be in the average or

ordinary price of the former。 It has been observed in the

foregoing part of this work that; 〃Whatever regulations tend to

sink the price; either of wool or of raw hides; below what it

naturally would be; must; in an improved and cultivated country;

have some tendency to raise the price of butcher's meat。 The

price both of the great and small cattle which are fed on

improved and cultivated land must be sufficient to pay the rent

which the landlord; and the profit which the farmer has reason to

expect from improved and cultivated land。 If it is not; they will

soon cease to feed them。 Whatever part of this price; therefore;

is not paid by the wool and the hide must be paid by the carcass。

The less there is paid for the one; the more must be paid for the

other。 In what manner this price is to be divided upon the

different parts of the beast is indifferent to the landlords and

farmers; provided it is all paid to them。 In an improved and

cultivated country; therefore; their interest as landlords and

farmers cannot be much affected by such regulations; though their

interest as consumers may by the rise in the price of

provisions。〃 According to this reasoning; therefore; this

degradation in the price of wool is not likely; in an improved

and cultivated country; to occasion any diminution in the annual

produce of that commodity; except so far as; by raising the price

of mutton; it may somewhat diminish the demand for; and

consequently the production of; that particular species of

butcher's meat。 Its effect; however; even in this way; it is

probable; is not very considerable。

     But though its effect upon the quantity of the annual

produce may not have been very considerable; its effect upon the

quality; it may perhaps be thought; must necessarily have been

very great。 The degradation in the quality of English wool; if

not below what it was in former times; yet below what it

naturally would have been in the present state of improvement and

cultivation; must have been; it may perhaps be supposed; very

nearly in proportion to the degradation of price。 As the quality

depends upon the breed; upon the pasture; and upon the management

and cleanliness of the sheep; during the whole progress of the

growth of the fleece; the attention to these circumstances; it

may naturally enough be imagined; can never be greater than in

proportion to the recompense which the price of the fleece is

likely to make for the labour and expense which that attention

requires。 It happens; however; that the goodness of the fleece

depends; in a great measure; upon the health; growth; and bulk of

the animal; the same attention which is necessary for the

improvement of the carcase is; in some respects; sufficient for

that of the fleece。 Notwithstanding the degradation of price;

English wool is said to have been improved considerably during

the course even of the present century。 The improvement might

perhaps have been greater if the price had been better; but the

lowness of price; though it may have obstructed; yet certainly it

has not altogether prevented that improvement。

     The violence of these regulations; therefore; seems to have

affected neither the quantity nor the quality of the annual

produce of wool so much as it might have been expected to do

(though I think it probable that it may have affected the latter

a good deal more than the former); and the interest of the

growers of wool; though it must have been hurt in some degree;

seems; upon the whole; to have been much less hurt than could

well have been imagined。

     These considerations; however; will not justify the absolute

prohibition of the exportation of wool。 But they will fully

justify the imposition of a considerable tax upon that

exportation。

     To hurt in any degree the interest of any one order of

citizens; for no other purpose but to promote that of some other;

is evidently contrary to that justice and equality of treatment

which the sovereign owes to all the different orders of his

subjects。 But the prohibition certainly hurts; in some degree;

the interest of the growers of wool; for no other purpose but to

promote that of the manufacturers。

     Every different order of citizens is bound to contribute to

the support of the sovereign or commonwealth。 A tax of five; or

even of ten shillings upon the exportation of every ton of wool

would produce a very considerable revenue to the sovereign。 It

would hurt the interest of the growers somewhat less than the

prohibition; because it would not probably lower the price of

wool quite so much。 It would afford a sufficient advantage to the

manufacturer; because; though he might not buy his wool

altogether so cheap as under the prohibition; he would still buy

it; at least; five or ten shillings cheaper than any foreign

manufacturer could buy it; besides saving the freight and

insurance; which the other would be obliged to pay。 It is scarce

possible to devise a tax which could produce any considerable

revenue to the sovereign; and at the same time occasion so little

inconveniency to anybody。

     The prohibition; notwithstanding all the penalties which

guard it; does not prevent the exportation of wool。 It is

exported; it is well known; in great quantities。 The great

difference between the price in the home and that in the foreign

market presents such a temptation to smuggling that all the

rigour of the law cannot prevent it。 This illegal exportation is

advantageous to nobody but the smuggler。 A legal exportation

subject to a tax; by affording a revenue to the sovereign; and

thereby saving the imposition of some other; perhaps; more

burdensome and inconvenient taxes might prove advantageous to all

the different subjects of the state。

     The exportation of fuller's earth or fuller's clay; supposed

to be necessary for preparing and cleansing the woolen

manufactures; has been subjected to nearly the same penalties as

the exportation of wool。 Even tobacco…pipe clay; though

acknowledged to be different from fuller's clay; yet; on account

of their resemblance; and because fuller's clay might sometimes

be exported as tobacco…pipe clay; has been laid under the same

prohibitions and penalties。

     By the 13th and 14th of Charles II; c。 7; the exportation;

not only of raw hides; but of tanned leather; except in the shape

of boots; shoes; or slippers; was prohibited; and the law gave a

monopoly to our bootmakers and shoemakers; not only against our

graziers; but against our tanners。 By subsequent statutes our

tanners have got themselves exempted from this monopoly upon

paying a small tax of only one shilling on the hundred…weight of

tanned leather; weighing one hundred and twelve pounds。 They have

obtained likewise the drawback of two…thirds of the excise duties

imposed upon their commodity even when exported without further

manufacture。 All manufactures of leather may be exported duty

free; and the exporter is besides entitled to the drawback of the

whole duties of excise。 Our graziers still continue subject to

the old monopoly。 Graziers separated from one another; and

dispersed through all the different corners of the country;

cannot; without great difficulty; co
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