How the Revenues of Princes can be raised

The Revenues of Princes depend on their riches and on the trade of their respective dominions. These depend on the constitution of the Countreys, the government, laws, and customs of the people. The Prince can only alter these with much difficulty and danger.

• Some Kings have their Crown Lands, Church lands, Customs, Tolls and Imposts on all imports and exports, Loans, Donations and Subsidies.
• Other States omit the last three and focus on the former as sales taxes and fees on the marriage money of women, licence mony upon all Victualling houses and Inkeepers, head mony, Custom upon all Corn, Wine, Oyl, Salt and the like. These oppress the people and make them poor and miserable expecially where they are laid at heavy rates at 4% to 7%.

Some States like Venice, Florence, Genoa, the Netherlands, etc. have both natural and artificial strength and rich Subjects. But their territories are small. This forces them to strengthen themselves with confederations and Leagues which may often fail them in their greatest need. And so they also mass up store of treasure and Munition for defense by themselves.

These heavy Contributions are not so hurtful because these are collected by excise. This transfers the burden onto the rich instead of the poor. The rich do not neglect their duty to pay taxes as the collapse of the country would hurt themselves.

What is all this but happiness in a Commonwealth, when vertue, plenty and arts shall thus be advance all together?

A Kingdom is always impoverished if the king gains from the loss of the people. This is because his gains can be spend for the benefit of his Subjects. The best things may be corrupted. These taxes may be abused and the Treasure can be vainly wasted by a Prince. But these disorders are seldom seen in the States aforenamed because the disposing of the publique treasure is in the power and discretion of many. Governments know that such Excesses are ruinous as they cause great want and poverty. And so it is common policy amongst Princes to prevent such mischiefs with great care and providence.

Not all states are the same. A mighty Prince can get enough ordinary revenues if his:

• dominions are great and united
• Subjects many and Loyal
• lands rich both by nature and traffique
• Victuals and war provisions plentiful and ready
• situation easy to offend others, and dificult to be invaded,
• harbours good,
• Navy strong,
• alliances powerful
• royalty is enough to support the Majesty of his State

These allow him to defend against invasion without the need for extraordinary and heavy taxes.

They can also sell their Offices & Places of Justice. But it is an act both base & wicked because it robs worthy men of their Merits, & betrays the cause of the innocent. These things should not be lawful just because they are necessary. These exactions are not used for defence but for the covetousness to add Kingdome to Kingdom.