STUDIES AND PUBLICATIONS ABROAD
contingencies which in such a case overtake the higher as well as the lower ranks, and especially the business men, who must suffer most heavily from it."
He then presents two computations: the first showing the average imports and exports during the reign of Charles XI, when Swedish commerce was most flourishing; and the second showing the balance of trade at the time of the memorial. In the first case the balance of exports was four and a half million florins in favor of Sweden, and in the second case the balance was from two and a half to three millions against the country. "From which," he says, "it follows that the rich products of Sweden are no longer sufficient to pay the excess of imported goods and merchandise, but that annually a part of the cash property of the country has to be employed to adjust the difference. . . . As every one now is left in freedom to express his well-meant thoughts, and to suggest how the common weal is likely to be best helped, it is hoped that it will not be unfavorably received if I insist, in all humility, that there is nothing the present Diet can do of greater importance than to examine and to assist and pro-
81
