6 An Inquhy into the Principles of Taxation. 



cruel expulfion of the Moors from Spain, by which 

 that kingdom was deprived of more than half a 

 million of induftrious inhabitants, new contribu- 

 tions were impofed on the poor and indolent na- 

 tives, to fupply the unavoidable, though unex- 

 pefted deficiency of the royal revenue, refulting 

 from that impolitic meafure. This fertile country 

 has indeed been defolated by the oppreflive laws, 

 and rapacious exaftions of its government. The 

 number of the people has been reduced, within 

 the fpace of a few centuries, from twenty to feven 

 millions ; and the produce of corn, formerly fur- 

 nifliing, not only a full fupply for internal confump- 

 tion, but alfo a large exportation to other parts of 

 Europe, is now infufficient for its own diminilhed 

 population. Every manufafture, and even ne- 

 ceflfary of life, is charged with an impoft of 

 fourteen per cent, on the firft, which is repeated 

 on each fublequent, fale.* Philip II. attempted 

 to lay the fame burthenfome duty on his fubjefts 

 in the Netherlands -, and the attempt, it is well 

 known, was one principal caufe of the glorious 

 revolution, which freed the United Provinces from 

 his tyranny. 



Protection may be very unduly or unequally 

 difpenfed ; and the ordinary benefits of the focial 

 union not participated, in any reafonable degree, 

 by the bulk of the community. Great lords may 



* Lord Kaims. 



be 



