62 CERTIFICATE RELATING TO THE MINT. 



diately by the Dutch : and for the silver exported 

 to the Levant, it was thought to be no great matter. 

 As for other exportation, we saw no remedy but the 

 execution of the laws, specially those of employment 

 being by some mitigation made agreeable to the 

 times. And these three remedies are of that nature, 

 as they serve to remove the causes of this scarcity. 

 There were other propositions of policies and means, 

 directly to draw silver to the Mint. 



The fourth point thereof was this : It is agreed 

 that the silver which hath heretofore fed the Mint, 

 principally hath been Spanish money. This now 

 comes into the realm plentifully, but not into 

 the Mint. It was propounded in imitation of some 

 precedent in France, that his majesty would by pro 

 clamation restrain the coming in of this money 

 &quot; sub modo,&quot; that is, that either it be brought to the 

 Mint, or otherwise to be cut and defaced, because 

 that now it passeth in payments in a kind of cur 

 rency. To which it was colourably objected, that 

 this would be the way to have none brought in at 

 all, because the gain ceasing, the importation would 

 cease ; but this objection was well answered, that it 

 is not gain altogether, but a necessity of speedy 

 payment, that causeth the merchant to bring in 

 silver to keep his credit, and to drive his trade : so 

 that if the king keep his fourteen days payment at 

 the Mint, as he always hath done, and have like 

 wise his exchangers for those moneys in some prin 

 cipal parts, it is supposed that all Spanish moneys, 

 which is the bulk of silver brought into this realm, 



