Considerations For regulating the Exchequer, In the more timely answering, better husbanding, and more orderly and safe conduct of the Revenues of the Crown into his Majesties Coffers, as hath been heretofore used by Sheriffes. And for freeing the Subject from all unjust vexations concerning the same. With the Causes and Remedies of the inconveniences which have been occasioned by the breach of the Lawes, and ancient course of the Exchequer. As also for the better enabling and easing of Sheriffes in the execution of their Offices, and passing their Accompts.

First edition of this economic polemic, written on the brink of civil war and drawing on 30 years' experience at the Stuart treasury. Christopher Vernon (c. 1582-1652) was a career treasury man, in royal service by 1611 and rising to serve as Charles I's First Secondary of the Pipe Office and Surveyor of the Greenwax. In these offices he supported Charles's efforts to raise extra-Parliamentary finance, in particular by uncovering forgotten royal landholdings. A puritan, he maintained a relatively neutral position during the war, for which his family suffered during the Restoration. As Daniel W. Hollis observes, "one of the few remaining points of agreement among Stuart scholars is that the Crown's political difficulties, especially the conduct of foreign affairs and wars, stemmed in large part from inadequate revenues" (p. 419). Vernon's book illustrates the inner mechanisms of those revenues, focusing on the sheriff system of collecting royal rents and debts. ESTC R5970; Goldsmiths' 795; Kress 646. Daniel W. Hollis III, "The Crown Lands and the Financial Dilemma in Stuart England", Albion: A Quarterly Journal Concerned with British Studies, vol. 26, no. 3, 1994. Small octavo (140 x 89 mm), pp. [viii], 118. Twentieth-century calf, rebacked with earlier spine laid down, spine ruled and decorated in gilt and black, covers with blind roll border, edges sprinkled red. Nineteenth-century library ticket of the Scottish Institute of Bankers to front pastedown and ink library stamp to title page. Contemporary ownership inscription of one John Dunston, possibly the London merchant and governor of Company of White Paper Makers, to title page verso, and several contemporary annotations to margins. Terminal errata leaf torn and laid down on rear blank, affecting headpiece. Light rubbing, faint damp staining to lower outer corners, contents otherwise fresh: a very good copy. …