The Efficiency of the Domestic Economy 1664
Context: This was written in 1664 on trading. It is a letter to the town Marseilles to encourage trade. He wants to improve his own country's economy with the help of others.
Author: The author of this letter is King Louis XIV of France. This was written towards the beginning of his rein which lasted from 1643 to 1716. This type of letter was very typical from Louis XIV.
Summarize: This is a letter to the town of Marseilles from King Louis XIV to explain how their foreign and domestic commerce. They decided to create a council that is devoted to commerce for the revival. The plan was to set aside livres to be used for manufactures and navigation each year to support the companies of the East and West Indies. They are working to abolish tolls collected on rivers and give money to repair highways. Merchants and sea traders will receive subsides for each ton of merchandise they import or export. He explains that he wants the men of Marseilles to participate in commerce.
Quotation: "How advantageous it would be to this realm to reestablish its foreign and domestic commerce" (508).
This document succinctly demonstrates mercantilism in practice. Marseilles is an essential trading center and is required to support the empire through commerce in exchange for security and governance.
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