’Tis thought the proprietors of the bank design to apply to the parliament for further priviledges: but as their design is not yet made publick, I shall only say in general, that if other priviledges are to be given, then it is not the same bank; at least not on the same establishment it was: in either of these cases, every person should be allowed to share in it. When a bank is establish’d every person may have a share, upon the terms of the act of parliament; and he that offers first is preferred. suppose upon the setting up of the bank, A. B. and C. did not subscribe to it, because they thought the establishment not favourable enough: so long as they who did subscribe can support the bank upon the terms of the act of parliament, none will pretend to any share in it; unless the subscribers are pleased to sell. but if other priviledges are given, A. B. and C. as any others of the country may desire the books to be opened, that they be allowed to share in it; and any other set of men who offer the same security, may at the same time be allowed to set up a bank with the same priviledges: so every shire in Scotland will desire one. and if new priviledges are given to this bank, it were a hardship to refuse the same to others, who are able and willing to give the same security, especially when the nation stands in need of more money than this bank would be allowed to give out. CHAP. V. _That any measures proposed for increasing the silver money or establishing a credit promising a payment of silver money are ineffectual. that silver money has fallen much from the value it had. that land is of greater value. that silver may lose the additional value it received from being used as money._ National power and wealth consists in numbers of people, and magazines of home and foreign goods. these depend on trade, and trade depends on money. so to be powerful and wealthy in proportion to other nations, we should have money in proportion with them; for the best laws without money cannot employ the people, improve the product, or advance manufacture and trade. The measures have been used to preserve and increase money, or such as are now proposed, are attended with difficulties; and tho’ the difficulties were removed, are ineffectual, and not capable to furnish money so as to improve the country, or extend trade in any proportion to the improvements and trade of other nations. Credit that promises a payment of money, cannot well be extended beyond a certain proportion it ought to have with the money. and we have so little money, that any credit could be given upon it, would be inconsiderable. It remains to be considered, whether any other goods than silver, can be made money with the same safety and convenience.