8.
F
to circulation. It is too probable also, that its own necessities,
Combined with ignorance of monetary science, would soon impel it to debasements of its Coin which would destroy public Confidence and drive the people
to
a renewed use
of foreign
Money.
Other remedies have been suggested both by the Chinese
themselves and by foreigners -
Among
these
are
0.2
First - The use of Sycee, or ingots of nearly pure
Silver.
125
This article is abundant, and
the supply is maintained by the yield of the native mines; by the melting of uncurrent Coins, and by bar Silver from Europe - It is now
daily
employed in commercial transactions, being like bar-silver elsewhere a very
marketable
Commodity) - It does therefore partly take the place of a currency.
But it is not money. In shape
it is cumbersome; in weight various; And in quality irregular - These Characteristics unfit it for