PARLIAMENTARY COLBERTISM 
4D.1689 them better able to compete with the Dutch in foreign trades 
oe 2, 2d to hold their own in English undertakings as well. The 
as had Bank would “furnish factors in England with credit to pay 
been antict- 
vated, to custom and charges of a great cargo of goods, which may 
bo of Groat on a sudden be consigned to them; for many times such 
English factors may be of a good estate and credit, yet 
have not always a great cash lying by them for such uses 
(though the Dutch are seldom without it) therefore may 
often times be forced to strain their credit, to take up money 
at interest or sell all, or part with such goods at under-rate 
for want thereof, which may be a great prejudice to them- 
selves, and loss to their principals; and is believed, causeth 
many such great commissions to be carried from the English 
and consigners to the Dutch residing in England, to their 
great benefit and advantage, and loss and prejudice of the 
English Nation * * * *. They will furnish many young 
men with Stock, that have, by their industry and well spent 
time and travels in their apprenticeships gained good ex- 
perience in foreign traffic, but when they are come to be for 
themselves, wanting stock, friends or credit to begin to trade 
with (being commonly younger brothers)? are thereby much 
discouraged, and thinking to drive away such discontent, do 
often-times fall into bad company and take ill courses, to the 
atter ruine of their hopes and fortunes, which otherwise 
might have made good Commonwealths-Men, which is the 
greatest reason why so few young men, out of so many 
entertained, do come to good. - 
“They will preserve many good men from failing and 
losing their credit; for instead of losing by trade they will 
A 
furtherance of trade, by holding correspondence with each other, that which I do 
sot apprehend or know any way better to equal the Dutch in trade, both at home 
and abroad, in buying and selling all sorts of commodities, and making quick 
returns, and also so much exceed them, as by far this land lies more convenient 
tor trade than theirs doth, and will also suddenly inrich the people, and increase 
and maintain the maritime power and strength thereof.” 8. Lambe. Seasonable 
Observations, in Somers Tracts, VI. 457. 
i Lambe, Somers Tracts, Vi. p. 456. 
2 Dutch tradesmen were in the habit of dividing their money equally among 
their children so as to give all a start in life; while an English tradesman was 
likely to give ‘mean portions” to his younger sons and make the eldest 
« possessor of the greatest part of his estate, who addicts himself often-times to 
the pleasures of Hunting, Hawking and such like pastimes, betaking himself 
wholly to a Country Life,’”’ Ib. p. 453.