A Discourse on Trade, and Other Matters Relative to it

The work surveys domestic and foreign commerce and offers practical proposals to strengthen industry, improve the balance of trade, and restore public credit. It examines agriculture, fisheries, minerals, coinage, and a wide range of manufactures—wool, linen, cotton, silk, glass, paper, distilling and others—assessing profitable markets and unprofitable ones. Reforms include a parliamentary trade committee, measures to train and employ the poor, a register to prevent raw wool export, encouragement of a distinct linen manufacture, support for fisheries and joint-stock enterprises, and establishment of substantial national credit or bank to manage public debt and foster industry.