[clxii. 3]

1820 July 24

Emancipation Spanish

Summary

I Creoles willing

The only sources from which any such supply can be looked for are - taxation at large, Mine-rents or Mine-taxes - duties and restraints on production and trade.

1. To Taxation at large, for such a purpose, voluntary submission could not long, on any tolerably assured grounds, be expected. It was by the opposite determination that the yoke of England was cast off by the American United States.

2. Payment of money to Spain by the occupiers of mines in Spanish America, whether under the name of rents or taxes would be considered as submission to taxation: if levied at all the contributions thus levied uopon the fruits of the land and labour of the people in Spanish America ought to be applied (they would think) in easement of the taxes borne by the people of the province or state in which the mines are situated, and not to the enrichment of strangers at so vast a distance. (a)

3. By restraints in production and trade imposed on the subject many by the ruling few, no net advntage in a pecuniary shape is derivable by any body: by those by whom, or those for the sake of whom, they are imposed. In so far as taxes on trade are imposed, correspondent restraints upon trade are indeed among the inseperable consequences: but from this net advantage is received or is now so expected, beyond the mere produce of the tax. (b)

4. Money which by Spaniards sent from Spain might be received in the shape of official emolument attached to official situations in Spanish America. From this source no relief in respect diminution of taxes would be experienced by the subject many in Spain: the benefit would be engrossed by the ruling few in that country.

Note (a) According to Townsend Journey through Spain II 413. 2d.

Edition King's utmost-exigible mine rent, on silver no more than 10 per cent; on gold, than 5 per Cent.

Note (b) In England this has of late been publickly recognized by persons of all descriptions. Merchants, Ministers, Members of the House of Lords Members of the House of Commons - not a dissenting voice. In Debates of both Houses in July 1820.