Neither Richelieu nor Colbert were theorists. They
were able administrators, the former interested primar-
ily in the field of politics, the latter in that of economics.
They both based their economic work on concepts, no-
tions and premises that had become current in France
by the early seventeenth century. What these ideas and
postulates were and how they came to be accepted in
France it is the purpose of this study to inquire.

The theories of mercantilism rather than its prac-
tice will be dealt with for two reasons. First, the final
general systems of practice were built on groups of
earlier theories. Second, any research into the actual
workings of mercantilism for even a brief period, after
many years of laborious effort, could result in only
tentative conclusions. By the most careful examination
of the laws and orders of the central government little
would be accomplished, for it would be necessary to
ascertain for each locality to what extent such legis-
lation was enforced. Then too, a strong argument
could be made, that mercantilism always remained
theoretical. Colbert at the height of his power was
never able to put into effect, and to force upon local
officials a tithe of his policies. It is well known, likewise,
that the British Colonial System, more honored in the
breach than in the observance, remained to the end an
incomplete edifice.

The limiting dates of this study ( 1453-1629) were
chosen rather arbitrarily and demand some justifica-
tion. In France 1453 marks the end of the Hundred
Years' War. It was after that prolonged struggle that
France emerged from a congeries of feudal states into
a position resembling that of a national state. As mer-

-xii-