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Editorial
April 13, 1782
The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Exeter, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
An essay criticizing the escalating cost of living in England due to heavy taxes, rising poor rates, and clerical tithes, which make even moderate incomes insufficient compared to France, Ireland, America, and other nations, prompting emigration.
Clipping
OCR Quality
92%
Excellent
Full Text
Essay on the Dearness of Living-
Circumstances are coming gradually upon this noble country, hitherto the first in every comfort that the world can boast, which will sink it far below many others, as the residence of everybody, but men of the largest fortunes. The enormous taxes which are every day increasing in a manner which shall alarm all good citizens, raise the price of those secondary comforts, not the immediate necessaries of life, to such a degree, that no little fortune can support it. And many absolute necessaries are carried to so high, that they must be given up; taxes, while they lessen consumption, lessen trade; and the tradesman to live, must raise the price of all his commodities, though no new tax is laid upon them; add to this rapacity in the clergy, in collecting and commuting for tithe, increasing with the poverty of the country; and take into account also, the rapidity with which poor rates are increasing, and it will soon be susceptible of calculation, that 100l. a year is a better income in France, Switzerland, Germany and Italy, than 400l. a year is in England. The difference will grow more enormous every day. Ireland is as free as England, and it is evident, from Mr. Young's tour through that country, that 100l. a year there, is as good as 200l. here: But when America is in peace, there will be no comparison between the necessaries, comforts and conveniences of life, to be procured there, upon a fifth of the income that will do in England. Every budget augments this enormous difference so, that multitudes, who, upon fortunes ample for any other country, find themselves in distress in England, must leave it, and emigrate with their fortunes to countries that are not cursed with taxes to the excess we are, that are not crushed with poor rates, nor burdened with a general rising of prices, proportioned to the sinking of incomes. The more this comparison of our own with other countries is considered, the more clearly will appear the immensity of the difference
VIATOR.
Circumstances are coming gradually upon this noble country, hitherto the first in every comfort that the world can boast, which will sink it far below many others, as the residence of everybody, but men of the largest fortunes. The enormous taxes which are every day increasing in a manner which shall alarm all good citizens, raise the price of those secondary comforts, not the immediate necessaries of life, to such a degree, that no little fortune can support it. And many absolute necessaries are carried to so high, that they must be given up; taxes, while they lessen consumption, lessen trade; and the tradesman to live, must raise the price of all his commodities, though no new tax is laid upon them; add to this rapacity in the clergy, in collecting and commuting for tithe, increasing with the poverty of the country; and take into account also, the rapidity with which poor rates are increasing, and it will soon be susceptible of calculation, that 100l. a year is a better income in France, Switzerland, Germany and Italy, than 400l. a year is in England. The difference will grow more enormous every day. Ireland is as free as England, and it is evident, from Mr. Young's tour through that country, that 100l. a year there, is as good as 200l. here: But when America is in peace, there will be no comparison between the necessaries, comforts and conveniences of life, to be procured there, upon a fifth of the income that will do in England. Every budget augments this enormous difference so, that multitudes, who, upon fortunes ample for any other country, find themselves in distress in England, must leave it, and emigrate with their fortunes to countries that are not cursed with taxes to the excess we are, that are not crushed with poor rates, nor burdened with a general rising of prices, proportioned to the sinking of incomes. The more this comparison of our own with other countries is considered, the more clearly will appear the immensity of the difference
VIATOR.
What sub-type of article is it?
Taxation
Economic Policy
Social Reform
What keywords are associated?
Dearness Of Living
Excessive Taxes
Poor Rates
Tithe Rapacity
Emigration
Income Comparison
England Economy
What entities or persons were involved?
Clergy
Mr. Young
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Dearness Of Living Due To Taxes And Economic Burdens In England
Stance / Tone
Alarmist Critique Of Excessive Taxation And Economic Decline
Key Figures
Clergy
Mr. Young
Key Arguments
Taxes Increase Prices Of Comforts And Necessaries Beyond Moderate Means
Taxes Reduce Consumption And Trade, Forcing Tradesmen To Raise Prices
Clerical Rapacity In Tithes Worsens Poverty
Rising Poor Rates Exacerbate The Burden
100l. A Year Better In France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy Than 400l. In England
100l. In Ireland Equals 200l. In England Per Mr. Young's Tour
In Peaceful America, Fifth The Income Suffices For More
Budgets Widen The Gap, Driving Emigration To Less Taxed Countries