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136 Whether it would not be right to build the compters and
public treasuries; where books and bank notes are kept; without
wood; all arched and floored with brick or stone; having chests
also and cabinets of iron?
137 Whether divers registers of the bank notes should not be kept
in different hands?
138 Whether there should not be great discretion in the uttering
of bank notes; and whether the attempting to do things per saltum
be not often the way to undo them?
139 Whether the main art be not by slow degrees and cautious
measures to reconcile the bank to the public; to wind it
insensibly into the affections of men; and interweave it with the
constitution?
141 Whether a national bank may not prevent the drawing of specie
out of the country (where it circulates in small payments); to be
shut up in the chests of particular persons?
143 Whether tenants or debtors could have cause to complain of
our monies being reduced to the English value if it were withal
multiplied in the same; or in a greater proportion? and whether
this would not be the consequence of a nation al bank?
144 If there be an open sure way to thrive; without hazard to
ourselves or prejudice to our neighbours; what should hinder us
from putting it in practice?
145 Whether in so numerous a Senate; as that of this kingdom; it
may not be easie to find men of pure hands and clear heads fit to
contrive and model a public bank?
146 Whether a view of the precipice be not sufficient; or whether
we must tumble headlong before we are roused?
147 Whether in this drooping and dispirited country; men are
quite awake?
156 Whether; if we do not reap the benefits that may be made of
our country and government; want of will in the lower people; or
want of wit in the upper; be most in fault?
165 Whether an assembly of freethinkers; petit maitres; and smart
fellows; would not make an admirable Senate?
175 Whether there be really among us any parents so silly; as to
encourage drinking in their children?
176 Whence it is; that our ladies are more alive; and bear age so
much better than our gentlemen?
185 Whether this be altogether their own fault?
197 Whether it may not be right to appoint censors in every
parish to observe and make returns of the idle hands?
198 Whether a register or history of the idleness and industry of
a people would be an useless thing?
199 Whether we are apprized; of all the uses that may be made of
political arithmetic?
207 Why the workhouse in Dublin; with so good an endowment;
should yet be of so little use? and whether this may not be owing
to that very endowment?
208 Whether that income might not; by this time; have gone
through the whole kingdom; and erected a dozen workhouses in
every county?
210 Whether the tax on chairs or hackney coaches be not paid;
rather by the country gentlemen; than the citizens of Dublin?
227 Whether there should not be a difference between the
treatment of criminals and that of other slaves?
251 Whether when a motion was made once upon a time to establish
a private bank in this kingdom by public authority; divers
gentlemen did not shew themselves forward to embark in that
design?
252 Whether it may not now be hoped that our patriots will be as
forward to examine and consider the proposal of a public bank
calculated only for the public good?
253 Whether any people upon earth shew a more early zeal for the
service of their country; greater eagerness to bear a part in the
legislature; or a more general parturiency with respect to
politics and public counsels?
254 Whether; nevertheless; a light and ludicrous vein be not the
reigning humour; but whether there was ever greater cause to be
serious?
Part III
13 Whether the whole city of Amsterdam would not have been
troubled to have brought together twenty thousand pounds in one
room?
14 Whether it be not absolutely necessary that there must be a
bank and must be a trust? And; if so; whether it be not the most
safe and prudent course to have a national bank and trust the
legislature?
15 Whether objections against trust in general avail; when it is
allowed there must be a trust; and the only question is where to
place this trust; whether in the legislature or in private hands?
16 Whether it can be expected that private persons should have
more regard to the public than the public itself?
17 Whether; if there be hazards from mismanagement; those may not
be provided against in the framing of a pubic bank; but whether
any provision can be made against the mismanagement of private
banks that are under no check; control; or inspection?
18 Whatever may be said for the sake of objecting; yet; whether
it be not false in fact; that men would prefer a private security
to a public security?
19 Whether a national bank ought to be considered as a new
experiment; and whether it be not a motive to try this scheme
that it hath been already tried with success in other countries?
20 If power followeth money; whether this can be anywhere more
properly and securely placed; than in the same hands wherein the
supreme power is already placed?
21 Whether there be more danger of abuse in a private than in a
public management?
22 Whether the proper usual remedy for abuses of private banks be
not to bring them before Parliament; and subject them to the
inspection of a committee; and whether it be not more prudent to
prevent than to redress an evil?
24 Whether experience and example be not the plainest proof; and
whether any instance can be assigned where a national bank hath
not been attended with great advantage to the public?
25 Whether the evils apprehended from a national bank are not
much more to be apprehended from private banks; but whether men
by custom are not familiarized and reconciled to common dangers;
which are therefore thought less than they really are?
26 Whether it would not be very hard to suppose all sense;
honesty; and public spirit were in the keeping of only a few
private men; and the public was not fit to be trusted?
27 Whether it be not ridiculous to suppose a legislature should
be afraid to trust itself?
28 But; whether a private interest be not generally supported and
pursued with more zeal than a public?
30 Whether; nevertheless; the community of danger; which lulls
private men asleep; ought not to awaken the public?
31 Whether there be not less security where there are more
temptations and fewer checks?
32 If a man is to risk his fortune; whether it be more prudent to
risk it on the credit of private men; or in that of the great
assembly of the nation?
33 Where is it most reasonable to expect wise and punctual
dealing; whether in a secret impenetrable recess; where credit
depends on secrecy; or in a public management regulated and
inspected by Parliament?
34 Whether a supine security be not catching; and whether numbers
running the same risk; as they lessen the caution; may not
increase the danger?
35 What real objection lies against a national bank erected by
the legislature; and in the management of public deputies;
appointed and inspected by the legislature?