A New Discourse of Trade, wherein is Recommended several weighty Points relating to Companies of Merchants. The Act of Navigation. Naturalization of Strangers. And our Woolen Manufactures. The Balance of Trade. An the Nature of Plantations and their Consequences in Relation to the Kingdom, are seriously Discussed. Methods of the Employment and Maintenance of the Poor and Proposed. The Reduction of Interest of Money to 4l, per centum is Recommended and some Proposals for erecting a Court of Merchants for determining Controversies, relating to Maritime Affairs, and for a Law of Transference of Bills of Debts, are humbly Offered by CHILD, Sir Josiah - 1698

London. Printed and Sold by T. Sowle, next Door to the meeting house in White-Hart-Court. 1698, 1698. Hardcover. 16mo. 16.5cm, [xlvi],238p., in early full calf, blind decorations borders on the boards, rebacked, raised bands, gilt titles, boards very worn at the edges, upper hinge cracked, somewhat foxed, but a very good sound copy, rare (cgc) 'Dea 77. A recommendation that Newfoundland remain unplanted with pertinent remarks on the fisheries. First edition 1668; 2nd 1694. See Sabin 12708 for other editions. Goldsmith 3486; Kress 2070; Wing C3862. A classic work first appearing in 1668 under a different title and as a pamphlet (reprinted in 1689); this was expanded for the 1690 edition which was reprinted in 1693 and 1694. (and at that time re-titled for the first time as it is here). Child was one of the most influential English mercantile authors of the seventeenth century. His preoccupation with Dutch expansionism naturally leads him into a detailed examination of the commercial battles between Britain, Holland and America as well as the East Indies. Here he argues that a high rate of interest hinders the growth of trade and discourages navigation, industry, arts and invention. He urges the abolition of technical regulation of the cloth industry, and is concerned with strengthening the competitive power of English merchants. 'The argument in the New Discourse to show that colonies do not depopulate the mother country, is as conclusive as if it had proceeded from the pen of Mr Malthus; and the reasoning in defence of the naturalization of the Jews discovers a mind greatly superior to existing prejudices.' McCulloch, p.42.