rallel with an unpolished and rugged race | end at Christmas 1773, and renders a of old, and contaminate the delicacy of total of more than 19 millions, and more modern sensations with those primitive than 1,100,000l. at the annual medium. and stern principles, which imposed such I only observe in this place, that the ina yoke on mankind as the majestas populi crease of the latter upon the former is in Romani:' or whether, confining our spe- the proportion of eleven to seven; and of culations to the placid sphere of enjoy the value in both two-thirds are British ments with more quiet, and less hazard, goods, and one-third only foreign. than the restless pursuits of their ambition, we should not have in contemplation upon all extraordinary convulsions, how far the means of those enjoyments may be affected, that influx of wealth, the creature of commerce, which solely constitutes our envied power and rank in the present world.

To elucidate by facts a system so essential to our being, your petitioners have appeared at this tremendous crisis; when Great Britain and America, the parent and the child, with equal irritation are menacing at least, what barely in words, what barely in thought, is horror-to unsheathe the sword of parricide, and sever the dearest ties of consanguinity, of mutual aids, and general prosperity.

Your petitioners preferred but one supplication to the All-merciful Being; their own reason' suggested no other, than to be heard by you. He hath inclined you to hear, truth enables us to speak. Truth in its nature is healing, and productive of reflection: reflection leads to composure of mind, and strengthens in our breasts a hope, that an hour may come, when this humble application may not be found altogether ineffectual: if too, for that auspicious purpose, it may prove my good fortune so to collect and combine the various evidence from your bar, and from the copied records of office upon your table, as to establish a system of the whole, and found that whole upon truth; whose efficacy upon the mind I have described before, and with some fervour of hope anticipate now.

Here, Sir, I entreat your acceptance of a clue through the seeming labyrinth of accounts. The ways indeed are all unadorned, but the least perplexed of any to a little attention; and to make them short shall be mine.

You have before you official accounts of the exports from England to the West Indies, from Christmas 1739 to Christmas 1773. Of these 34 years, the first 17, ending at Christmas, 1756, form a period, which closes in the first year of the last war; the whole value exceeds 12 millions, and gives an annual medium of more than 700,000l. The last period of 17 years

A second set of accounts contain the exports to North America. The first 17 years yield more than 17 millions in the whole, and than one million at the annual medium. The last period renders more than 40 millions in the whole, and largely more than 2,300,000l. at the annual medium; an increase upon the former in a proportion of 23 to 10, with a value in both of three-fourths British goods to onefourth foreign.

The third account relates to Africa, whose commerce with England owes its existence to her colonies. The first 17 years reach nearly to three millions, and to an annual medium something short of 180,000/. the last 17 years nearly to eight millions, and an annual medium of 470,000l. an increase upon the first in a proportion of 47 to 18, with a value in each of twothirds British goods to one-third foreign.

On this augmentation of exports to your colonies, irrefragable proof is founded, that through whatever channels riches have flowed among them, that influx hath made a passage from them to the mother country, and in the most wholesome mode; not like the dash of an oriental torrent, but in salubrious, various, placid, and copious streams, refreshing and augmenting sober industry by additional employment to thousands, and ten thousands of fami lies, and lightening the burthen upon rents, by reducing the contribution of parishes to poverty unemployed.

to

But this requires a further explanation. The date of the last period is the commencement of the last war. The expenditure of public money was one source of wealth to the West Indies. That temporary acquisition being soon exhausted, by its return to England, sufficient sums were procured upon credit after the peace, cultivate new land and improve the old, still further enlarging the consumption of our commodities there and in Africa, that from the year of the peace to Christmas 1773, the import of sugar only to England, who, without her West Indies, must purchase that immense article from foreigners, hath risen from 130,000 to 170,000 hogs heads, an augmentation in value of 800,00€!.

ports during that period, which renders a medium of 16 millions. What part is the colony branch? Five and a half is rather more than a third. Does the magnitude appear in a stronger light by the comparison? Or hath it been admitted in this view, before it was stated? Be it so. I have something behind, perhaps enough for the keenest appetite of admission to digest.

Sir, one part of our exports to foreigners is supplied by colony produce, tobacco, rice, sugar, &c. through Great Britain, for a million sterling at a low estimation. Add 2 millions more, exported of all kinds from England to her principal colony, Ireland, and both to the former 5 millions and a half; your whole colony branch will then exceed the half of your whole export in the proportion of eight and a half to sixteen.

The public expenditure, being much | larger in North America, produced a proportionate effect on the consumption of our manufactures through that continent. This money returned from its peregrination to the mother country by 1764, or 1765 at the furthest. But, as the West Indies had a succedaneum, so had North America through a new opening of trade, which converted the misfortune of England into a blessing. Though I am convinced, that the same number of hands at least is devoted to agriculture here, and that the earth at a medium of years hath yielded the same increase; as we have been disposed to consume it all among ourselves, or as our presumption may impute the scarcity to Providence restraining the fertility of our soil for ten years past, in either case we could not spare, as heretofore, our grain to the foreigner; a reduction in our exports one year with another of more than 600,000l. The American subject took place of the British in markets we could no longer supply, extended their vent from season to season, and from port to port, and by a circuition of fresh money, thus acquired by themselves, added fresh numbers to your manufactures, the rents of land increasing at the same time, till the amount of exports to North America for the last three years, ending at Christmas 1773, stand upon your papers at 10 millions and a half, or 3 millions and a half at the annual medium; add 1,300,000l. the medium of the same three years for the West Indies, and 700,000l. for Africa, and the total value of exports to the colonies, nearly in a proportion of three fourths British to one fourth foreign goods, is 5 millions and a half at the medium of these three years, ending at Christmas, 1773. A slight matter this to the great question before you, says the general voice without doors, and readily admitted without the ceremony of proof. This I mention by way of preparation to introduce the most material account of all; which will demonstrate, that the magnitude of 5 millions and a half, exported in the colony branches, the West Indian, North American, and African, is not to be considered as an object so striking in itself, as in comparison with the whole export of England to all countries whatsoever. The annual medium for twelve years back stands on these papers at less than 15 millions; but as I have limited the colony branch to 1771, 2 and 3, I shall take the general ex[VOL. XVIII.]

Thanks to the care and forecast of our forefathers one hundred and twenty years since. In the circle of ancient trade, narrow in comparison with the modern, the great trading states, Carthage preeminent to all, suffered but little from rivalship. All in Europe are our rivals, all devoted to manufacture and traffic, as capital pursuits of policy: while we, struggling with such competition, have in some instances already experienced its hurtful effects, and must prepare for more; we had always one consolation left, that our colony trade, kept to ourselves by old and salutary regulations, hath been augmenting from period to period, till at present it constitutes more than half of the whole, with a prospect of further growth, rather than diminution, unless we create our own rivals.

One more observation remains, of all the most important, so far as safety to a state is a consideration above all others. Of this trade, the part which depends on the associated provinces, contributes in naval stores, in other low priced and bulky commodities more to the British marine, than triple the present exports in commodities of such higher value, and if shipped so largely in foreign bottoms to the foreign market. Such was your situation.

Upon the present question I will not take that larger half before-mentioned for my ground. I will deduct the 2 millions to Ireland, and the odd 500,000/. furnished to provinces not of the combination, though they did not receive more than 400,000l. in value, at the medium of [2H]

these three last years; when there will | perish. The remainder must divert to remain six millions out of the eight and a provisions the culture of the produce so half: nay, I will further reduce the six by valuable to Great Britain. The same nearly 700,000l. to remove all suspicion | must be the practice in great part throughof exaggeration, and to make an exact out Jamaica, and the new settled acquisithird of the sixteen; and which is the part tions. They may feel a distress just short immediately affected by the association in of destruction, but must divert for subNorth America. sistence so much labour as, in proportion, From this ground see what is put in will shorten their rich product. In fact, hazard; not merely a monied profit, but why should they raise the latter, if lumber our bulwark of defence, our power in of-should be wanting for its package to Great fence, the arts and industry of our nation. | Britain? How vague, how uncertain, how Instead of thousands and ten thousands of nearly impracticable would be a supply of families in comfort, a navigation extensive these necessaries through any new chanand enlarging, the value and rents of land nel, I need not repeat; but shall close this yearly rising, wealth abounding, and at head with another short general state, in hand for further improvements, see, or confirmation of Mr. Walker's most accuforesee, that this third of our whole com | rate detail. The gross amount of imports, merce, that sole basis of our empire, and at an annual medium, from these now unthis third in itself the best, once lost, car- | fortunate islands, exceed four millions; ries with it a proportion of our national | 190,000 casks of sugar and rum, besides faculties, our treasure, our public revenue, | many other articles, the bulky loading for and the value of land, succeeded in its fall by a multiplication of taxes to reinstate that revenue, an increasing burden on every decreasing estate, decreasing by the reduced demand of its produce for the support of manufacture and manufacturers, and menaced with a heavier calamity still, the diminution of our marine, of our seamen, of our general population, by the emigrations of useful subjects, strengthening that very country you wish to humble, and weakening this in the sight of rival powers, who wish to humble us.

Having been hitherto merely general, I must now descend to a detail, but of parts so large, that each is separately big with sufficient evils to draw the utmost stretch of your attention. I begin with those which threaten the West Indies.

To recapitulate the heads of that material evidence, delivered by Mr. Walker and Mr. Ellis, would be tedious in me, unnecessary in itself. Leaving it therefore to its own powerful impression, I here add only, in a general mode of my own, that of the inhabitants of those islands above four hundred thousand are blacks; from whose labours the immense riches there, so distinctly proved at your bar, are derived, with such immense ad - | vantage to these kingdoms. How far these multitudes, if their intercourse with North America is stopped, may be exposed to famine, you have heard. One half in Barbadoes and the Leeward islands, say one hundred thousand negroes, in value at least four millions sterling, possibly, it grieves me to say probably, may

|

such a multitude of vessels, more than au-
thorise my assertion. Of these annual
four millions, the exchequer receives its
proportion, the navigator and merchant
theirs; the rest centers with the planter:
and how distributed by him? In the pur-
chase of 1,300,000l. in our exports direct,
and the largest part of 700,000. more in
circuition through Africa for a constant
supply of negroes. What is left, consi-
derable as it may be among residents here,
is applied to home consumption; not with
a sparing hand, and to investments, up-
holding the price of land and the credit of
public funds. At the same time they are
furnishing commodities to us of such ne-
cessary use, which else must be paid for
to foreigners, and with a superfluity for
foreign consumption likewise; I avoid
comparison, but judge from this state how
valuable a subject is the planter.
these benefits, the healthy progeny of
active trade, all or part must sleep as in a
grave, during a total or partial stagnation.

All

Upon the North American imports I shall only remark, that the most considerable part of their bulky productions is bought by the foreigner, and of the amount consumed in Great Britain, the exchequer hath a capital share. Nor will I take North America for a companion in my present melancholy walk, because she may prove the only gainer, and as the community become more sound and healthy, while every other member of the empire lies bleeding. But my heart bleeds when, renewing my gloomy progress, I turn a view towards one kingdom, a great mem

find it within the last ten years so roughly handled in a conflict with finance, what looks would they cast on their blinded posterity, almost the whole British people, who, on every start of pecuniary contribution from America, have, under three administrations, been open-mouthed, and are still for American taxation? Let the three administrations have all the justification of ، defendit numerus, junctaque um'bone phalagens.' But I, an unconnected man, firmly pronounce, that the consenting voice of all mankind cannot make two and two, more or less than four; that the Vox Populi is not always the Vox Dei, and among us, upon the present subject, resembles the popular cry in old Jerusalem of, Crucify ! Crucify !

Yet, Sir, I likewise sincerely wish that the gloomy aspect I have given to our future situation may be all nugatory, all mis-representation unintended, but not therefore less the result of error and blindness. Hitherto I have looked on one side of the question only; permit me now to contemplate the other.

It is the general acceptation, that the associated provinces submit, in consequence of the measures taken. The measures I allude to are public facts; and, with some relief to my own dejection, I apply them to introduce another fact incontestible and brilliant, whereon I gladly dwell for a while it is a subject of praise, requiring but few words, because it is true. I have named the Romans; we have among us a select body, whom I compare with them, as their equals at any the most distinguished epoch of their martial science and prowess. I will not hazard a panegyric. The grateful sensations of all our memories retain the illustrious and recent achievements of the British military by land and sea, with a warmth which would render the most elaborate encomium spiritless and cold. But themselves, lettered gentlemen of England, and versed in history, will allow, that the peculiar superiority derived from discipline, possessed by them in its highest excellence, is but the effect of human art; that there are left at large in human nature certain sparks, whose occasional concurrence produces operations not to be circumscribed or controuled by art or power, and hath caused such wonderful vicissitudes, recorded in times past, but, I hope, will make no part of our future annals: I allude to that violent agitation of | the soul, enthusiasm. Such vicissitudes,

not to be shunned by art or power, merit the most attention when most is set upon a cast.

Many without doors have treated the existence of this uncontrolable spirit as imaginary. I did not reason with those who either feel no enthusiasm for any thing serious, or retain just so much as may be requisite in the eager pursuit of diversions, pleasures or profit. I would have accompanied others more speculative through their several gradations of hope, still disappointed, and still reviving, but for one observation, which I have generally kept concealed, but will soon reveal to you. But for this observation I might have concurred with the public belief, that the capital of a province, now declared in rebellion, would have submitted on the landing of a few regiments; this failing, that other provinces, from ancient jealousy and disgust, would not have interfered, rather sought their own advantage out of that town's distress; this failing, that they never would have proceeded to the length of constituting a certain inauspicious assembly among themselves; this failing, that the members of such assembly would have disagreed, and not framed a single resolution. This last hope having proved abortive, a new one is popularly adopted, that the first intelligence of enforcing measures, at least the bare commencement of their execution, will tame the most refractory spirits. I will here state the grounds of this, and all the preceding hopes; afterwards, with your indulgence, the ground of my original and continued doubts.

Our trading nation naturally assumed, that the present contention would be with traders in America. The stock of a trader, whether his own, or in part, and often the greatest part a property of others, confided in him, is personal, lodged in a magazine, and exposed in seasons of commotion to instantaneous devastation. The circumstance of such property, the considerations suggested by common prudence, by the sense of common justice to those who have given a generous credit, rarely make room for that intrepidity which meets force with force. Hence I admit, that the mere trafficers would have submitted at first, and will now, whenever they dare. The reason why they have not dared, is the foundation of my doubts.

I am speaking to an enlightened assembly, and conversant with their own annals. In those ages, the reverse of commercial, when your ancestors filled the