Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Sidor ...
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
Doc. 168.] 471
SWEDEN’S FINANCES.
the Academy of Sciences, and one paper which purports to
be written by Swedenborg and is contained in the archives
of the family De la Gardie, in the Library at Lund,[?] beginning
his selection with a paper read by Swedenborg in 1761. We
were fortunate enough to discover some of the papers that
Swedenborg read before earlier meetings of the Swedish Diet,
and which are preserved, partly in the archives of the College
of Mines, and partly in the State Archives ( Riks-Arkivet) in
Stockholm .
DOCUMENT 168.
A MEMORIAL ON THE STATE OF THE
FINANCES OF SWEDEN.*
The chief cause of a country’s increase in wealth is the
balance of commerce : if its imports are greater than a country
can pay with its own products, it follows that it loses annually
considerable sums by leaving them in the hands of foreign
nations ; besides, it diminishes the capital, which it collected under
more favourable circumstances and which it should hand down to
posterity. As soon, also, as a country, by an imprudent course,
suddenly falls into poverty, it unavoidably sinks in the estimation
of other nations, and they refuse any longer to trade with it,
although in former times they may have enriched themselves
by its wealth, and sucked out its substance and marrow. Yea,
more serious consequences still may ensue; for unless a watchful
eye is kept on the balance of a country’s trade, a general
want may be caused thereby which makes itself felt in the
private circumstances of every one ; fortunes and possessions in
the land are diminished in value ; no means are forthcoming
for the support of the navy and army; the defence of the
country becomes weak and impotent; the public servants
must be satisfied with small salaries; Swedish manufactures
a
* The original of this memorial is preserved in the State Archives in
Stockholm ,
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
