An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations

Adam Smith · 1776 (composed/publication period); modern imprint not specified beyond a 1852 reprint primary

passage 784 of 803 · BOOK I. > L.21,333,333 : 6 : 8. In the course of the second Punic war, the As was still further reduced, first, from two ounces of copper to one ounce, and afterwards from one ounce to half an ounce; that is, to the twenty-fourth part of its original value. By combining the three Roman operations into one, a debt of a hundred and twenty-eight millions of our present money, might in this manner be reduced all at once to a debt of L.5,333,333 : 6 : 8. Even the enormous debt of Great Britain might in this manner soon be paid. (37/56)

in brief

Contains only the continuation of an index entry (consequences of fixing interest rates, taxation) alongside more index items (e.g., Ireland, Justice, Kalm), with no continuous argument.

Consequences of its being fixed too high or too low, ib., 147. The market rate of, regulates the price of land, ib. Whether a proper object of taxation, 357.

Ireland, why never likely to furnish cattle to the prejudice of Great Britain, 186. The proposed absentee tax there considered, 379. Ought in justice to contribute towards the discharge of the public debt of Great Britain, 402. Expediency of an union with Great Britain, ib.

Isocrates, the handsome income he made by teaching, 56.

Italy, the only great country in Europe which has been cultivated and improved in every part by means of its foreign commerce, 172. Was originally colonized by the Dorians, 227.

Jurisdictions, territorial, did not originate in the feudal law, 168.

Justice, the administration of, a duty of the sovereign, 297. In early times a source of revenue to him, 299. The making justice subservient to the revenue a source of great abuses, ib. Is never administered gratis, 300. The whole administration of, but an inconsiderable part of the expense of government, ib. How the whole expense of justice might be defrayed from the fees of court, ib. The interference of the jurisdictions of the several English courts of law accounted for, 301. Law language, how corrupted, 302. The judicial and executive power, why divided, ib. By whom the expense of administration of, ought to be borne, 342.

Kalm, the Swedish traveller, his account of the husbandry of the British colonies in North America, 94.

Kelp, a rent demanded for the rocks on which it grows, 61.

King, Mr. his account of the average price of wheat, 83.

King, under feudal institutions, no more than the greatest baron in the nation, 168. Was unable to restrain the violence of his barons, 169. Treasure-trove an important branch of revenue to, 385, 386. His situation, how favourable for the accumulating treasure, ib. In a commercial country, naturally spends his revenue in luxuries, ib. Is hence driven to call upon his subjects for extraordinary aids, ib.

Kings and their ministers the greatest spendthrifts in a country, 149.

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topics: public finance and debt · taxation, tribute, and revenue

An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations · Adam Smith · 1776