An Essay on the State of England In Relation to Its Trade, Its Poor, and Its Taxes, for Carrying on the Present War Against France

A seasoned Bristol merchant opens his appeal to the king with a vivid portrait of a nation stretched thin by war. He argues that England’s true wealth rests on land, industry, and overseas trade, and that preserving those pillars will keep the treasury afloat without heavy new taxes. His proposals blend practical ideas—such as protecting plantation tobacco and strengthening domestic wool markets—with a patriotic plea to guard liberty and religious freedom.

The essay offers a rare glimpse into late‑seventeenth‑century economic thought, revealing how merchants weighed the cost of conflict against the price of prosperity. Listeners will hear clear, polemical language that captures the urgency of financing a long war while safeguarding the common good. It’s an engaging snapshot of early modern policy debate, perfect for anyone curious about the roots of Britain’s commercial empire and the fiscal dilemmas that shaped it.