Page:PettyWilliam1899EconomicWritingsVol2.djvu/278

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Decays of Ireland since 1683.
583

is in this present Year 1687, from what the same was in the Year 1683. In some of the principal Points undermentioned. (vizt)

1. The Rents of all the Lands in Ireland A° 1687[1], were worth 1200 Thousand Pounds per Annum, and 12 Year's Purchase, at a Medium between Lands near great Cities and Places of Trade, and the obscure thin-peopled Parts of the Nation: So as the whole Land of Ireland was then worth about 14 Millions 400 Thousand Pounds. But it is Generally believed that the Lands, which then might have been Lett for 3s. 6d. per Acre, and sold for 14 Year's Purchase (vizt for 49s. the Acre) will scarce in this Year 1687 yield 2s. 6d. per Acre, nor sell for above 10 Year's Purchase, vizt 25s. the Acre or little above for half 49s. From whence we may think that the Lands, which A° 1683 were worth 14 Millions 400 Thousand Pounds, are now fallen 7 Millions thereof.

2. The Housing of Ireland having above one Chimney in each (for the rest we reckon not) have been estimated at 2 Millions; and it is too manifest that the Housing of Dublin are less worth now by one Tenth Part (some will say a Fifth) than they were A° 1683. Wherefore we estimate the whole Housing of Ireland to be fallen 200 Thousand Pounds.

3. All the Cattle of Ireland have been estimated at 5 Millions A° 1683, which in this Year 1687 will not yield above 3 Millions in the Market.

4. The Money, Plate, Jewels, and Fine Furniture, which has been these last Two Years conveyed out of Ireland, or otherwise withdrawn from currant Uses, seems by a numerous Collection of Observations and Relations to be about ⅓ Part of the Whole, or about 160 Thousand Pounds.

5. The Value of Beer, Ale, Wine and other Drinks, which have been spent in the Years 1684, 1685, and 1686, above the Level of other Years, seems to be about 294 Thousand Pounds; and it is likely that the superfluous Expence in the same Year[2] of other Commodities may have been 100 Thousand Pounds more. In all 400 Thousand Pounds, Seven Eighths whereof was over-spent by the Irish.

  1. Apparently should be '1683'.
  2. ? years.