Notas sobre “Piero Sraffa Collection”

por Santiago Gahn

Ph.D. student in Economic Theory and Policy

Università degli Studi di Roma Tre

 

Estas pequeñas notas fueron realizadas durante mi visita a la Biblioteca Wren (Library) del Trinity College en Cambridge, Reino Unido. Allí encontré algunos documentos que todavía no fueron digitalizados. Esa parte del Archivo es conocida como “Piero Sraffa Collection” y está dividida en 4 partes. Simplemente tomé notas sobre las partes A1-A10 que me parecieron las más relevantes en ese momento. Espero sirva de inspiración. 

 

Sraffa’s Archive (Visit: 8/11/2019 – Santiago José Gahn’s notes)

Piero Sraffa Collection (NOT DIGITALISED YET)

A - ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL TRACTS AND SPEECHES

A1 - “Address to the King on Trade’’, manuscript copy of A Treatise of State Merchant and of Merchandising State consisting of Comerse Trade, and Traffique and upheld by the Kinges Royall Exchangers Office by William Sanderson, gent [cf CUL Gg 5.18 ff 224-260]

A2 – Notes and Extracts relating to A1

SJG’s notes:

There seems to be two different authors of this piece. One is William Sanderson and the other one is Thomas Phillips. Sraffa is trying to understand which is the original author and seems to be obsessed with this piece. However, no notes on the content, only the introduction directed to the King because this is where he finds some similarities between books.

A3 – Verbum Sapienti by Sir William Petty

Original of Sir William Petty year 1665.

A5 – On Free Trade in Generalle, together with a complaint made by Sir R Holmes concerning goods landed on the Isle of Wight by the Ship Prosperous

SJG’s notes: it is a very old writing, late 17^th century, and there are no Sraffa’s notes.

A6 – Concerning evils that attend Trade for want of Executing Laws and the Remedies for the Same

SJG’s notes: it is a very old writing, maybe late 17^th century, and there are no Sraffa’s notes.

A7 – Notes and extracts relating to A3-A6

SJG’s notes: Sraffa asked Maggs Bross yo buy this stuff and Verbum Sapienti.

There is a not here in A7 which (it seems to be Sraffa rewriting a part of the text):

``The common good and benefit of the trade of this Nation as well as of his Majesties Revenue in point of Severall perrall and prohibiting Laws relating to the importation and exportation of Goods and Mercandises as also in favour of the manufacturers of this nation is extremely neglected and diminished, and the good and well meaning end of those laws wholly defeated by the subtle practices of persons who are become interested under favourable interests and Powers which carried with them almost the sole mean and opportunity of Inspecting and executning those Laws or else through the Difficulty and discouragement which honest and active Officers find in the Discharge of their trust according to the Strict limitations of these Laws. The Laws most Principally defeated or not Exectuted are:’’

Then there is a writing called “Of Free Trade, in Generalle’’ maybe a piece of Robert Southwell. About Trade and the Ports. Directions and Reasons for Free Trade in generall, where it is claimed the benefits of trade. A list of 7 reasons. Exports, enrichement, shipping increased, employment of poor people, much Bullion imported [honour and reputation of the Nation], the country will be always provided with Corn, all customs whould be much increase.

A8 – Some reasons humbly offered to his most Excellent Majestie by the Corporation of Worsted weavers of Norwich and against the permitting any Flanders or French woolen manufacture to be comprehended in the Composition trade proposed by them

It is a request from someone asking the King not to allow the entrance of foreing products, saying that they can enhance what they are already manufacturing and giving some time they can do the same of foreign goods.

A9 – Natural and Political Observations and Conclusions touching the State and Condition of England by Gregory King

A10 – Notes and extracts relating to A9.

SJG’s notes: up to this point I read it. The other part of the PSC did not.

A11

A12

A13
A14

A15

A16

B – COLLECTED CORRESPONDENCE

C – WORKS OF CLAUDE-HENRI DE SAINT-SIMON

D – MISCELLANEOUS