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Proposal for "An office to bee erected and called the Generall Exchaunge for moneyes throughout the kingdom", c. 16th-17th century

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MS. St. Amand 70
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Proposal for " An office to bee erected and called the Generall Exchaunge for moneyes throughout the kingdom," with a "discourse of reason why an office of generall exchange for moneyes should bee erected in this kingdome, and of the formall institution, right use and benefitt of the same, with answeares to the obiections made against yt." Dedicated to K. James I, and apparently the presentation copy, the royal arms being stamped upon the vellum cover.

The tract proposes the establishment of a general Bank, with branches in all large towns under the Mayors and Corporations, which, for the purpose of putting an end to the extortion of usurers in demanding ten per cent., shall receive money on deposit at five per cent., and lend it out again on security at seven per cent. The writer acknowledges that he is partly indebted for the idea to two French works, the one published in 1581 and entitled La secret des finances de France, and the other in 1582 by N. D., and entitled Le cabinet du Roy de France.

Dates

  • c. 16th-17th century

Extent

25 Leaves

Language of Materials

  • Latin

Shelfmark

MS. St. Amand 70

Former reference:

MS. Rawl. C. 925