Sir Matthew Decker, 1st Baronet

Who was Sir Matthew Decker, 1st Baronet?

Sir Matthew Decker, 1st Baronet was an English merchant and writer on trade.

He was born in Amsterdam, came to London in 1702 and established himself there as a merchant. He was remarkably successful in his business life, gaining great wealth and having many honors conferred upon him. He was a director of the East India Company, sat in Parliament for four years as member for Bishop's Castle, and was High Sheriff of Surrey in 1729. He was created a baronet, of London, by George I in 1716.

Decker's fame as a writer on trade rests on two tracts. The first, Serious considerations on the several high duties which the Nation in general, as well as Trade in particular, labors under, with a proposal for preventing the removal of goods, discharging the trader from any search, and raising all the Publick Supplies by one single Tax, proposed to do away with customs duties and substitute a tax upon houses. He also suggested taking the duty off tea and putting instead a licence duty on households wishing to consume it.