Excerpt from The Path to Riches, Vol. 1: An Inquiry Into the Origin and Use of Money; And Into the Principles of Stocks Banks, to Which Are Subjoined, Some Thoughts Respecting a Bank for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
The liberties of a country, depend upon the light and information possessed by the people.
Where the established forms of worship are wrapt in mystery, there can be no freedom of conscience. Where the principles of government are dark and intricate, there can be no civil liberty. When attention to business, fair dealing, and upright conduct, arc not considered as the only reputable means for acquiring estates, there can be no proper and steady incitement to industry, no solid happiness in the possession of wealth, or true enjoyment of a competency.
There happens to be a rage in the present day, for acquiring property by accident. Some men are supposed to have made large fortunes by speculations in the stocks and banks: And they who have not been thus fortunate, can discover no reason, why their neighbours should be thus favourably distinguished from them. - And too many are ready to lay aside their ordinary, business, to pursue chance as the only goddess worthy of human adoration.
If the following inquiries can have a tendency to cure the evils arising from this source, the Writer will be fully compensated for Ids trouble.
To understand the principles of stocks and banks, it is necessary to understand the nature and use of money; I have therefore, selected a number of thoughts from the best writers on that subject.
The history of the Bank of England, I have taken from acts of the British Parliament respecting it. That of Paris from Voltaire's works. And the hints respecting the other European Banks, are taken from good writers. The whole is attempted with a plain conciseness.
Where the measures of any government are criticized upon, it is done with a decent respect, but with the confidence of a free Citizen.
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