Copy of a mathematical demonstration of formula for calculating customs duty (Mint 19/3/444)
Because Merchants pretend that they are not to be taxed for the Duty they pay to the king but only the {illeg}excess of the {illeg}value abo of their goods above the Duty: the for doing this the following probleme is proposed
Problem.
To lay a taxDuty at any assigned rate upon the excess of the value of any parcel of goods above the Duty.
Sol{illeg}ution.
By the Rule of fals Position, assume any eExcess at pleas{illeg}ure, & the rate will give the Duty upon it, & the Duty added to the Excess will compose the va{illeg}lue of the goods in this case. {sic}. Then any o And by the golden Rule, As this value is to the Duty, so is the Value of any other parcel of goods to the Duty upon it.them.
Example 1
If the Excess be assumed be 100li & the rate 9 pr cent, the Duty will be 9li, & the value of the goods 109li. And by the golden Rule: aAnd as the value 109 is to the Duty 9 so will the value in any other case be to the Duty upon it{illeg}As 109 to 9, so is the value of any parcel of Goods to the Duty upon them
Example 2
If the Excess assumed be 100li & the rate be 20 per cent the Duty will be 20li & the value of the goods 1120li. And by the golde{illeg}n Rule; As 120 to 20, so is the value of any parcel of goods to the Duty upon them.
Any other way of recconing makesis illegal voyd the Act of Parliamt.
NB. Here By the value of the goods, is to be understood thaet clear value wch remains after the charges of warehouse room & all other charges except the Duty are subducted.
Source
MINT 19/3/442, National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK1703-4, c. 301 words.