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This Book while giving a brief political, historical and geographical introduction, deals exhaustively on coin, currency and exchange, it commercial and agricultural interests and public revenues as it existed in the early 1800’s.
According to the author, currency of the island during 1798 consisted almost entirely of copper coin, both of the Dutch and of the English East-India Companies; both being alike in value, except the inferior coin issued by Governor Vandergraff. The currency in circulation during the Dutch rule was the silver stiver, the schelling , the guilder or florin, and the ductoon: but the coin peculiar to the colony, and which formed the Government currency, was the Ceylon copper coin, in stivers, now called pices. One pound of silver metal ( comprising 50 parts of pure silver and 5 parts of Japan copper) was coined into fifty rix-dollars. Paper currency in rix-dollars was also issued at the rate of forty-eight stivers for each rix-dollar. In June 1813, the currency actually in circulation was reckoned at thirteen lacs and 91,000 rix-dollars. An exchange rate of 1s. 9d. to a rix-dollar was fixed by the Proclamation of the 10th March, 1812.
Prior to the year 1809, no statements were made regarding imports into and exports from Ceylon and the amount of its foreign debits and credits. However, from the statements of imports and total value of goods exported thereafter, according to the author, the value of grain imported annually has never been less than equal to one half of the whole amount of goods exported; including, too the cinnamon and pearls, which are the property of Government, and all the coastways exports. He further observed that almost all the exports of Ceylon were the mere produce of the land with very little added to it by labour.
The author divides the public revenue into two distinct branches. One is derived from certain productions of the island, upon which Government has reserved to itself the exclusive right of collecting and selling or from other sources unconnected with taxation. The other comprehends all taxes; which are classified under four heads namely,
The total amount of revenue, collected annually, from 1809 to 1812, appears to be as follows: - in 1809, 3,006,210 rix-dollars; in 1810, 2,687,065; in 1811, 2,926,228; and in 1812, 3,028,446.
Taking now a general view of the expenses of the Ceylon Government, and its resources, the revenues of 1811, leaving out smaller sums, amounted to two million nine hundred and twenty-six thousand rix dollars; and the expenditure to three million three hundred and twenty-nine thousand rix-dollars; leaving a deficit of four hundred and three thousand rix-dollars. In 1812, the revenue had increased to three million and twenty-eight thousand rix dollars and the expense had been, in that year, three million three hundred and ninety-nine thousand rix-dollars; leaving still a balance of three hundred and seventy-one thousand rix dollars.
The author concludes that there is in fact nothing wanted but industry and capital to promote it to render Ceylon perfectly independent for food and clothing. He observes that the Candian provinces are fertile in coffee pepper cardamom areca nuts timber and the finest wood for cabinet work – all articles adapted to exportation; and until the island be perfectly independent, for food and clothing its resources must be looked for in exportation.
Condition : Good. Little old look from storage for a long time
History of The Colombo Chetties
Author: Dr. Christopher
Our Price: $39.00
Memoirs Of The Archaelogical Survey of Ceylon Volu
Author: A. M. Hocart
Our Price: $89.00
Memoirs Of The Archaeological Survey of Ceylon Vol
Author: S. Paranavitana
The Rock And Wall Paintings of Sri Lanka
Author: Senake Bandaran
Our Price: $129.00
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