90

HISTORY OF ENGLAND.

CHAP.

IV.

1685 .

Though the Commons were unanimous in their resolutionto grant a further supply to the crown, they were by no meansagreed as to the sources from which that supply should hedrawn. It was speedily determined that part of the sum whichwas required should be raised by laying an additional impost,for a term of eight years, on wine and vinegar: but some-thing more than this was needed. Several absurd schemeswere suggested. Many country gentlemen were disposed toput a heavy tax on all new buildings in the capital. Such atax, it was hoped, would check the growth of a city which hadlong been regarded with jealousy and aversion by the ruralaristocracy'. Dudley North’s plan was that additional dutiesshould be imposed, for a term of eight y T ears, on sugar andtobacco. A great clamour was raised. Colonial merchants,grocers, sugar bakers and tobacconists, petitioned the Houseand besieged the public offices. The people of Bristol, whowere deeply interested in the trade with Virginia and Jamaica,sent up a deputation which was heard at the bar of the Com-mons. Rochester was for a moment staggered; but North’sready wit and perfect knowledge of trade prevailed, both inthe Treasury' and in the Parliament, against all opposition.The old members were amazed at seeing a man who had notbeen a fortnight in the House, and whose life had been chieflypassed in foreign countries, assume with confidence, and dis-charge with ability, all the functions of a Chancellor of theExchequer.*

His plan was adopted; and thus the crown was in pos-session of a clear income of about nineteen hundred thousandpounds, derived from England alone. Such an income wasthen more than sufficient for the support of the government intime of peace.**

* Life of Dudley North, 116.; Lonsdale’s Memoirs; Van Cillers,June 51- 1685.

** Commons’ Journals, March 1.1689.