Source: “England’s Treasure by Forrain Trade,” written in 1664 by Thomas Mun, an English economist and mercantilist, describes the positive effects the Age of Exploration had on political centralization and power in Europe. The spelling is true to 17th century English. Modern History Sourcebook: http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/mod/1664mun-‐engtrade.asp
Behold then the true form and worth of forraign trade, which is The great Revenue of the King, The honour of the Kingdom, The Noble profession of the Merchant, The School of our Arts, The supply of our wants, The employment of our poor, The improvement of our Lands, The Nurcery of our Mariners, The walls of the Kingdoms, The means of our Treasure, The Sinnews of our wars, The terror of our Enemies. For all which great and weighty reasons, do so many well-‐governed States highly countenance the profession, and carefully cherish the action, not only with Policy to encrease it, but also with power to protect it from all forraign injuries; because they know it is a Principal in Reason of State to maintain and defend that which doth Support them and their estates.