"So great is the scarcity, and high price of silver, that the silver smiths give 5s. 3d. for a crown piece, and a premium is given for shillings."--(_Times, Jan. 7, 1796._) * * * * * "_Silver_ is so exceedingly scarce, that there is not a sufficient quantity, for exchange, in the channels of business, either good, or bad, and yet we are sorry to observe (which we have repeatedly) the number of unfortunate victims who are, every Session, brought to trial, for coining. Surely the wisdom of the Legislature might prevent this evil, by issuing a sufficient quantity for the purposes of circulation."--(_Times, Sept. 15, 1796._) * * * * * "The distress for want of Silver, is daily, more and more felt among the trading parts of the Metropolis. These are put to the greatest inconvenience, for want of a greater circulation; and, we understand that those who have many men in their employ, are obliged to give one per cent., to procure it. The many complaints which are made, on this subject, induces us to hope that the issue of a fresh coinage, from the Mint, will speedily take place. The want of it has another bad effect, as it increases the coining of base half-pence."--(_Times, Sept. 29, 1796._) * * * * * "Yesterday, the Committee of Bankers had another Meeting at Mr. Pitt's, to request his interference in procuring them a certain quantity of specie, for the demands of their business. The Minister returned for answer, that he could only assist them, at present, with 50,000 guineas: which, being divided among all the Bankers, will not amount to 1000 guineas for each House. "We hope that the Bank, instead of issuing dollars at 4s. 6d., will place a value of 5s. on them, in order that they may not become an object of traffic: their intrinsic worth is above 4s. 6d., and they should, therefore, be issued at some higher price, in order that they may not be hoarded. "There can be no doubt whatever, but that large sums of specie have been drawn out of the Bank, and concealed in the houses, or gardens, of private persons. As this stoppage of general circulation is highly prejudicial to the Public Weal, we have only to observe to such persons, that their extreme, and foolish timidity, may produce, to themselves, the very consequences they seek to avert: and that, instead of being richer, they may fall the first victims of their alarms. Wherever large sums of money are privately deposited, except it is with those whose occupation it is to hold it, such persons are likely to be the first objects of popular revenge. The Bank, or the houses of Bankers, are the only secure places of deposits."--(_Times, March 3, 1797._)