Chapter II: Part 2

Indeed the Estates of the Church, we all know, will fall the first Sacrifice, should the Republican Party now prevail. But nevertheless, if you, my Lords and Gentlemen, should be so weak as to imagine, that Matters will stop there; and that your own large Possessions, your splendid Titles, your hereditary Honours, and ample Privileges will escape unhurt, amidst that general _Wreck_ of private Property, and _Crush_ of Subordination, which will necessarily ensue; you will be woefully mistaken:--And I must beg Leave to say, that you will have profited but very little, by what has been so well written in the Annals of this very Country, for your Instruction and Admonition. For depend upon it, the Use of _Committee-Men_, and the Business of _Sequestrators_ are not yet forgot; depend upon it, I say, that Ways and Means are still to be found out, for the lowest of the People to get at the Possession of the greatest of your Estates, as well in these, as in former Times. Their Appetites are equally keen:--And if these hungry Patriots should succeed, after such an Example is set before your Eyes, who are you to blame but yourselves?--In one Word, you know, or ought to know, that even the tender Mercies of a Republic are cruel. Or, if you are not yet convinced of the Truth of this Assertion, look abroad into the World; nay, look into what is now doing by the Republican Congresses in _America_; and then see how you would approve such Men as these for YOUR MASTERS.

HERE THEREFORE I willingly close the whole Dispute between Mr. BURKE and me: And I most chearfully submit the Decision of this important Question to those (but to _those only_) who are the best qualified, the most able, and the most concerned to decide impartially. What therefore is to follow in this Treatise, is to be considered rather _ex abundanti_, than as strictly necessary for the Support of my Argument, and the Confutation of my Opponent. Yet, seeing that the following Points may serve to elucidate some of the former, and seeing that so much has been said, and such confident Boastings have been uttered, concerning the Advantages, and even the Immensity of the Colony-Trade; I will enter the more particularly into these Matters.

And first of all, and previous to any Enquiry into the Fact, I enter a solemn Protest against the disingenuous Artifice, so often practiced by the Partizans of _America_, viz. That OF BEGGING THE QUESTION. They beg the Question, when they take for granted, that if _America_ were separated from _Great-Britain_, all commercial Intercourse would cease between the two Countries. For this is the very Point, which they ought to have proved, instead of taking it for granted. And prove it they never can, 'till they shall have first demonstrated, that the _Americans_ will no longer adhere to their own Interest, when they shall be disunited from us. A difficult Task this! In regard to which, they will find all the World to be Unbelievers. Indeed I have already so effectually silenced this Plea in my Fourth Tract from Page 203 to Page 220, [2d Edit. printed for RIVINGTON, &c.] that I hope I may be excused from repeating the same Things. And as the Arguments there urged have never been attempted to be answered, notwithstanding so much Good-Will to do it, and that my Opponents most certainly would do it, if they could, the natural Conclusion is, _that they are_ UNANSWERABLE.

Therefore I now enter upon the Subject itself; and as the Trade to _Holland_ and _Germany_ (and _more particularly to_ Hanover) hath been frequently represented as being very inconsiderable, and of small Importance; I have for this very Reason, selected this Trade from others, to make it the Subject of our Comparison with the Trade to all the revolted Provinces of _North-America_.

An Account of the Value of the Exports from _England_ to _Germany_ and _Holland_; and also to those _North-American_ Provinces, which are now under the Dominion of the Congress, for nine Years successively, viz. from _Christmas_ 1763 to _Christmas_ 1772, distinguishing each Country, and each Year.

From Christmas 1763 |
to Christmas 1764. | 1765. |
-------------------------+-------------------+
_Value of Exports._ |_Value of Exports._|
-------------------------+-------------------+
L. s. d. | L. s. d. |
Germany 2,264,315 3 9 | 1,869,465 18 8 |
Holland 2,040,467 9 9 | 2,026,772 16 11 |

The REVOLTED PROVINCES of _North-America_.

Carolina 305,808 1 6 | 334,709 12 8 |
New-England's four Provinces 459,765 0 11 | 451,299 14 7 |
New-York 515,416 12 1 | 382,349 11 1 |
Pensilvania 435,191 14 0 | 363,368 17 5 |
Virginia and Maryland 515,192 10 6 | 383,224 13 0 |

| 1766. | 1767. | 1768. |
+-------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
|_Value of Exports._|_Value of Exports._|_Value of Exports._|
+-------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
| L. s. d. | L. s. d. | L. s. d. |
| 1,811,268 2 3 | 1,506,293 10 11 | 1,499,732 0 4 |
| 1,602,924 6 7 | 1,539,705 18 0 | 1,744,974 5 8 |

| 296,732 1 4 | 244,093 6 0 | 289,868 12 3 |
| 409,642 7 6 | 406,081 9 2 | 419,797 9 4 |
| 330,829 15 8 | 417,957 15 5 | 482,930 14 4 |
| 327,314 5 3 | 371,830 8 10 | 432,107 17 4 |
| 372,548 16 1 | 437,628 2 6 | 475,954 6 2 |

| 1769. | 1770. | 1771. |
+-------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
|_Value of Exports._|_Value of Exports._|_Value of Exports._|
+-------------------+-------------------+-------------------+
| L. s. d. | L. s. d. | L. s. d. |
| 1,338,866 9 8 | 1,272,569 0 4 | 1,316,492 1 4 |
| 1,658,551 13 1 | 1,766,333 10 2 | 1,685,397 16 0 |

| 306,600 5 6 | 146,273 17 0 | 409,169 9 4 |
| 207,993 14 3 | 394,451 7 5 | 1,420,119 1 1 |
| 74,918 7 10 | 475,991 12 0 | 653,621 7 6 |
| 199,909 17 11 | 134,881 15 5 | 728,744 19 10 |
| 488,362 15 1 | 717,782 17 3 | 920,326 3 8 |

| 1772. | Totals.
+-------------------+-------------------
|_Value of Exports._|_Value of Exports._
+-------------------+-------------------
| L. s. d.
| 1,354,181 6 6 | 14,233,183 13 9
| 1,997,815 1 4 | 16,060,942 17 6
------------------
Total of both Countries 30,294,126 11 3
------------------
| 449,610 2 2 | 2,782,865 7 7
| 824,830 8 9 | 4,993,980 13 0
| 343,970 19 9 | 3,677,986 15 8
| 507,909 14 0 | 3,501,259 10 0
| 793,910 13 2 | 5,104,930 17 5
-------------------
Totals of the revolted Provinces 20,061,023 3 8
-------------------
Superiority of the Value of the Exports
to _Holland_ and _Germany_ over the
Exports to the revolted Provinces of
_America_ L. 10,233,103 7 7

[_To face Page 49._]

REMARK I.

According to the above State of the Account, the Sum Total of the Value of the Exports to _Holland_ and _Germany_ alone, during a Period of nine Years, exceeded that to all the [present revolted] Provinces of _North America_, by no less than 10,234,103_l._ 7_s._ 7_d._ which is more than ONE-THIRD of the Whole. And yet this very Period was more favourable to _American_ Exports than any other: 1st. Because during this Period, there was the greatest Emigration from _Europe_ to _America_, and particularly from _Holland_ and _Germany_, that can be remembered; and each Emigrant, if a Customer to _England_, whilst resident in _Europe_, not only swells the _American_ Account by his Removal, but also sinks the _European_: So that he acts in a double Capacity, by adding Weight to one Scale, and by substracting, at least an equal, if not a greater, from the other:--2dly, Because During this Period, the Colonists, and more especially the four _New-England_ Governments, were preparing for a _Non-Importation_ System; and therefore were storing their Magazines with great Quantities of Goods to serve for many Years. This Circumstance appears on the very Face of the Account:--And 3dly, Because the Business of Commercial PUFFING, during this Period, was carried, by the Partizans of _America_, to a greater Height than ever, in order to make the _American_ Trade appear to be of much more Consequence to this Nation, than it really is.--To explain this Artifice of Commercial _Puffing_, to such Persons, who are not conversant in the Progress of Commercial Laws, I must beg their Attention to the following short Narrative.--Formerly the Kings of _England_ established certain Duties or Taxes (generally five per Cent. _ad Valorem_) both on the Import and Export of Goods, _merely by Virtue of their own Prerogative_; and, as it was the _universal Practice_ for every Prince to act in the same Manner, these Duties or _customary_ Payments were therefore called the CUSTOMS,--the Place where these Duties were paid the _Custom-House_, and the Officers who collected them the _Custom-House_ Officers. In Process of Time, the Subjects gained a little more Liberty; so that the Duties, which were originally imposed by Virtue of the mere Prerogative of the Crown, were afterwards collected by the Authority of an _Act_, or _Acts_ of the whole Legislature.

And yet, notwithstanding this Change of Authority, there was very little Alteration in the System of Taxation: For _Exports_ as well as _Imports_ (in those Days of commercial Blindness) paid a Duty of about five per Cent. [9] _ad Valorem_, as low down as the Reigns of CHARLES II. and JAMES II.--King WILLIAM was the first Prince who had a true Notion of introducing wise and beneficial Regulations into the System of Exportation: For he caused the Duties to be taken off from the Exports of _English_ Woollen Manufactures, and of a few other Articles: Queen ANN followed his good Example, and extended the same politic System a little farther: But it was reserved to the Reign of GEORGE I. and to the Administration of that _great_ and _able_ Minister, Sir ROBERT WALPOLE (whom the Traders, and the Populace always abused) to enrich this Country by Means of a general System of _judicious_ Taxes, and salutary commercial Regulations. For in one single Act of Parliament in the Year 1722, (8th of G. I. Chap. 15.) there were about 196 Taxes repealed, [see CROUCH's Book of Rates] Taxes which had been injudiciously laid, partly on Raw-Materials coming in, but chiefly on _British_ Manufactures going out. But tho' this excellent Law was productive of the greatest Advantage to the Nation; yet it must be allowed, that like many other good Things, it was the innocent Cause of introducing some Evil. For from that Time we may date the Origin of our modern _Puffing_, respecting the Export of Goods, which has spread but too generally ever since. _English_ Manufactures, when entered in the Custom-House for Exportation, now pay no Tax or Duty; therefore this Circumstance becomes a Temptation to many Persons to make larger Entries for Exportation, than in Truth and Reality they ought to do. Vanity, and the Desire of appearing to be Men of large Dealings, and extensive Correspondencies, and perhaps other Motives still less justifiable, will but too well account for such Proceedings in the mercantile World. Consequently in commercial Puffing, the Traders to _Holland_ and _Germany_, and the Traders to _North-America_ are much upon a Par: So that were they to accuse each other, it might be said of both,

_Clodius accusat Maechos, Catalina Cethegos._

But nevertheless in other Respects there is a wide Difference between them. For the Partizans of _America_ are actuated not only by Self-Interest, or Vanity, but by Principles still more powerful, viz. By such a Spirit of Enthusiasm, and a Zeal bordering on Phrenzy, as will stick at nothing to promote the Good of the Cause. Hence therefore we may reasonably infer, that tho' the Entries for Exportation to every Country are somewhat exaggerated, yet that those to _North-America_ are doubly so. Other Traders may probably consider these puffing Advertisements [I mean their exaggerated Entries for Exportation] as a Kind of Peccadillos, very allowable for the Promotion of their Interest; but an _American_ Partizan views them in a much higher Light, viz. as _meritorious Acts done for the Good of his Country_.

REMARK II.

As we have been hitherto comparing the Value of the _Exports_ to the twelve _malcontent_ Provinces of _North-America_, with the Value of the Exports to _Holland_ and _Germany_; let us in the next Place consider also the Nature of the _North-American Imports_, if compared with those of other Countries.

Now all Imports may be divided into two Classes, viz. Raw Materials for the Employment of our own People, and taxable Objects for the Purposes of raising a Revenue.

In regard to the first of these,--if we should cast our Eyes on the Imports from [10] _Russia_ only, will any one be so hardy as to maintain, that the Imports from _North-America_ are at all on a Par with them, in any Respect whatever? Timber, for Example, Iron, Hemp, Flax and Flax-Seed, Linen-Yarn, Skins and Furrs, Ashes, Tallow, Hair, Bristles, &c. &c.;--Can it be pretended, with any Appearance of Truth, that the Imports of these Articles (taking one with another) from _North-America_, will bear any Comparison with those from _Russia_? And yet, to the Shame and Disgrace of an enlightened commercial State, several of these raw Materials are taxed, if imported from _Russia_, in order to create a Monopoly to _North-America_: And others, when imported from _America_, are not only allowed to be entered Duty-free, which is just enough; but also have enjoyed for many Years the Benefit of large and munificent Bounties given by the Parliament of _Great-Britain_.--Given? To whom? To our non-represented Colonies: For it seems they will condescend to receive Bounties from us, tho' not represented, notwithstanding they make this very Circumstance a Plea or Pretence against bearing any Share in our Burdens. However, all this is not sufficient to create that Monopoly in their Favour, which they, and their Adherents have long had in Contemplation. For the Imports of Raw-Materials from _Russia_, which are every Day encreasing, exceed those from _North-America_ in Goodness, in Quantity, in Value, and in every Respect, to a very great Degree.

But I forget: "Pitch and Tar, and Indigo are also Raw-Materials of very great Consequence: And they are imported from _North-America_, but not from _Russia_." True: Pitch and Tar, if imported from _Russia_, would have paid an high Duty; but when brought from _America_, they receive a very large Bounty. And as to Indigo, had it not been for the many Hundred Thousands of Pounds Sterling, which _Great-Britain_ has granted in Bounties and Premiums to promote the Culture of this Article in the _Carolinas_ and _Virginia_, [a tenth Part of which Sum would have served for the Cultivation of a better Sort on the Coast of _Africa_] I say, had it not been for this continual Fostering, and expensive Nursing, probably not an Ounce of it would have been raised in _North-America_. And even as it is, the Indigo of _Carolina_, &c. is, generally speaking, of a Quality much inferior to that, which comes from other Countries. So much therefore as to Raw-Materials,--and let this suffice in respect to the grateful Returns of our Colonies towards us, for making so many impolitic restraining Laws against ourselves, and for granting them so many Monopolies, and such extensive Bounties.

The next Head of Enquiry is, what _taxable Objects_ do we receive from _North-America_, if compared with the Taxables of other Countries? Mr. BURKE asserts Page 97, 2d Edit. "That if _America_ gives us _taxable Objects_, on which we lay our Duties here, and gives us at the same Time, a Surplus by a foreign Sale of her Commodities to pay the Duties on these Objects which we tax at Home, _she has performed her Part to the_ British _Revenue_."

Well then, according to this Doctrine, we are first to suppose, that _North-America_ supplies us with great Quantities of taxable Objects;--and secondly that by so doing, she hath performed her Part to the _British_ Revenue; and therefore ought not to be obliged to contribute any further. Now I am so unhappy as to differ from the patriotic Orator in both these respects; that is, I first deny his Premises;--and then 2dly, granting even his Premises, I cannot admit of his Conclusion. First, then I do maintain, that _North-America_ doth not supply _Great-Britain_ with great Quantities of taxable Objects: For perhaps hardly any civilized Country in the World, of equal Extent, and under the same Parallels of Latitude, is so barren in that Respect, as _North-America_.--At present, I can recollect but two taxable Objects among all her Stores, viz. Rice and Tobacco. In respect to Rice, I do allow that it hath been customary to tax it; but as it is a Raw-Material, and an Article of Food, it ought never to have been taxed. And the Legislature hath done wisely at present in repealing that Tax, which heretofore was laid on the home Consumption of it. The Fact is, that when Corn is dear, Rice becomes a good Succedaneum; but when the former is cheap, the latter will not be used in any Quantities here in _England_: For _English_ Stomachs will never prefer Rice to Wheat. In respect to that Rice, which is carried to the rest of _Europe_, it ought to be remembered, that it pays no Duty at all, if exported South of Cape _Finisterre_. And as to the Duty which is retained on the Re-exportation of Rice to the Northward of Cape _Finistere_, it is so very trifling and inconsiderable, that it doth not deserve to be mentioned in a general and national View.

In regard to Tobacco; I admit it to be a very proper Object of Taxation. But here again, that which is re-exported pays but little Duty, if any at all. And with respect to that which is used and consumed at Home, when the many Frauds attending it, together with the Expence of collecting are taken into the Account, the clear Balance will not be in any Degree, so great as is vulgarly imagined.

But granting, that this Branch of the Revenue is considerable, nay that it is _very_ considerable; yet there are a few unlucky Questions to be asked on this Head, which it will puzzle Mr. BURKE and all his Adherents to answer in such a Manner, as would do any Credit, or Service to their Cause. For Example; has the _English_ Legislature done any Thing towards favouring this _American_ Tobacco-Trade, and raising it up to its present Height? Yes, it has; _England_ has granted a Monopoly to the _Americans_ against herself, by severely prohibiting, in several Acts of Parliament, the Cultivation of Tobacco in _England_: So that at the worst, we have one Remedy still in reserve, viz. the taking off this Prohibition, should the _Americans_ be so wrathfully-minded as to resolve never to sell us any more Tobacco. On this Ground therefore I still proceed; and as the Friends of Mr. BURKE (if not he himself) are so very forward in exclaiming against the Restraints and Hardships, under which they pretend, that _America_ has so long groaned;--I ask, why are they so totally silent concerning the many Restraints and Discouragements, which _England_ also hath long and patiently suffered in order to enrich _America_? And where is the Candor, or Impartiality of such a Conduct? Again,--if we have granted the _Americans_ this Monopoly, in order to encrease their Trade, and so cause their Provinces to flourish; what Effects hath it produced, in regard to the Sum Total of our own Revenue? And what is the Amount of the whole Duty on Tobacco? Is it equal to the Duties paid on the simple Article of Tea,--or of Wines and Brandies;--or in short of mere Fruit for our Mince-Pies, and Plumb-Puddings, for our Tables and Deserts? No, by no Means, it is not equal to any one of these _general_ Articles: For the Duty paid on the Importation of Fruit alone greatly surpasses it. And yet we have granted no Monopolies, no Premiums, and no Bounties either to _China_, or to _France_, to _Spain_, _Portugal_, _Italy_, &c. &c. nor are these Countries, to which we have so vast a Trade, and from which we draw so great a Revenue, ENGLISH COLONIES.

But nevertheless, I will now suppose, contrary to all Proof and Matters of Fact, that the Revenue of the taxable Objects imported from _North-America_, was the greatest of all others;--what Inference is to be drawn from this Concession? And doth it at all follow from such Premises, that the _North-Americans_ must, or ought to enjoy all the Privileges of _Englishmen_, without contributing any Thing towards the general Support, merely because we carry on an advantageous Trade with them, or have raised a Tax on their Commodities? Surely no: For by the same Rule, we must unite and incorporate with, we must protect and defend, the _Chinese_, the _French_, the _Spaniards_, _Portuguese_, _Italians_, &c. &c. for the same Reasons, and on the same Account. A Proposition this, which is too big with Nonsense and Absurdity, to be seriously maintained.

I will therefore dismiss the present Remark, with putting my Reader again in Mind, that let the Trade to _North-America_ be what it may, of little Importance, or otherwise; it is a mere begging the Question, and a most _disingenuous Artifice_ to insinuate (as all the Advocates for _America_ now do) that this Trade will be lost, if a Separation from the Colonies should ensue. On the contrary, it is much more probable, that, when all Parties shall be left at full Liberty to do as they please, our _North-American_ Trade will rather be encreased, than diminished by such a Measure. Because it is Freedom, and not Confinement, or Monopoly, which encreases Trade. And sure I am that, on this Subject, History and past Experience, as well as Reason and Argument, are clearly on my Side.

REMARK III.

The Case of Emigrations from _Germany_ and _Holland_, hath been in Part considered already: But as the continual Emigrations from _Great-Britain_ and _Ireland_ (which I will always consider as _one_ Country) have something more particularly prejudicial in their Nature, if compared with others, I hope the Reader will not think it lost Time, if I give them in this Place a distinct Consideration.

A Set of Labourers, or Tradesmen resided lately in _Great-Britain_, or _Ireland_; and earned their Bread by the Sweat of their Brows. Their natural, or artificial Wants might be summed up under the three great, and comprehensive Articles of Food, Rayment, and Dwelling. In respect to _Food_, including drinkables, as well as eatables, they paid for it by their Labour Wages; and consequently were the Means and of employing all those different Trades both in Town and Country, which were concerned in, or connected with, the raising of Corn, or the rearing of Sheep and Cattle, the making of Bread, Butter, Cheese, Malt, and Malt-Liquors, Cyder, &c. &c. also in the fattening, killing, dressing, or preparing of Flesh, Fish, Fowl, &c. &c. and in the raising of all Sorts of Garden-Stuff, and other Eatables: The like might be observed in regard to _Rayment_, traced from the Raw-Material up to the perfect Manufacture, and including every Article of Dress, and all the Trades dependent on, and supported by it, throughout all its Stages: _Dwelling_ is the last Article; in which Estimate ought to be included not only the original Materials for framing the Structure of the House, but also its successive Repairs; together with all Kinds of Household Goods from the highest to the lowest Piece of Furniture, and their continual Wear and Tare.

These Persons, who have been thus useful to their Country, and have contributed to its Trade and Riches, both by paying their own Rents and Taxes, and also by enabling others to pay theirs;--these Persons I say, have been inveigled away to leave this Country, and to settle in _North-America_.--Here therefore I ask this plain Question, What Recompence can they possibly make in _America_, for the Loss which hath been occasioned by their leaving _England_? And what Gains will accrue to the Mother-Country by this flourishing State of her Colonies? Begin therefore wherever you please;--examine, I beseech you this Matter to the Bottom, and mark the Consequences. _Food_ for Example, consisting of its various Kinds, and including eatables as well as drinkables, _common Food_, I say, must certainly be raised and manufactured on the Spot; for a Man cannot wait for his Dinner 'till it comes from _England_. Similar Observations will likewise extend to the chief Part of every Article respecting _Rayment_ or Cloathing;--not forgetting also _Housing_ and Furniture. For in all these Respects, the principal Quantity, and the Bulk of the Goods, Manufactures, or Provisions must be procured from adjacent Places, and not from a Country 3000 Miles off. Perhaps indeed a few, a very few Elegancies and Ornaments of Dress or Furniture, or of the Dainties of the Table may still be imported from the Mother-Country. But alas! What are they, if compared with the Whole? Perhaps they would not amount to more than a twentieth Part of the general Consumption.--And most certain it is, that if these Emigrants should not settle near the Sea-Coasts of _America_, but wander higher up the Country for Hundreds of Miles, in pursuit of fresh _unpatented_ Tracts of Land, (which most New-comers are desirous of doing,) it would then not be a _fortieth_ Part of what they would have either used, consumed, or worn, had they still remained Inhabitants of _Great-Britain_ or _Ireland_: So little Cause hath the Mother-Country to rejoice at this rapid Progress of the Population of her Colonies, arising from, or caused by, Emigrations.

But here, I know, it will be said, because it hath very often been said already, "That tho' these Emigrants might not employ as many Persons, or mechanic Trades here at Home, as they did before they left _England_; yet they will employ more Shipping and Navigation, and consequently more Sailors than heretofore; Sailors are the Defence, Sailors are the Bulwark of the Nation," &c. &c. Now in order to detect this Fallacy, as well as the rest, I will here state a Case, which must open People's Eyes, if any Thing can, respecting even the Articles of Seamen, Shipping, and Navigation.

Suppose 1000 Tradesmen with their Families, Watch-Makers for Instance, settled on one Spot somewhere in the Neighbourhood of _London_, [I only mention _Watch-Makers_, because it is computed, that about 1000 Families, or one-third of the City of _Geneva_ are supposed to be of that Profession.] Now the first Thing which would attract our Notice respecting Navigation, is to lay in a Provision of Sea-Coals; and a yearly Supply of this Commodity for 1000 Families would employ a good deal of Shipping: Fish would be the next Article, Sea-Fish especially, whether fresh or Salt, in respect to which a good many Sailors one Time or other must be, or must have been employed: After this, the like Observation will extend to Cyder, and to other Articles brought Coast-wise; also to Wines, Brandies, Rum, Sugars, Fruits, Oils, &c. &c. imported from Abroad: likewise to Timber of various Kinds for building or repairing, also for making a Variety of Houshold Goods; to Iron, Hemp, Linen Cloth, and other Commodities, especially those of the bulky Kind: Now here I ask, Is it possible to conceive, that, were this Group of Manufacturers to take Flight, like a Swarm of Bees, and settle in some of the Towns or Provinces of _North-America_, they either would, or could employ as many _English_ Seamen in their _new_ Situations, as they do at present in their _old_ ones? And can any Man be so absurd as to maintain such a Paradox? [Remember I limit the Matter to _English_ Seamen only; for as to _Americans_, let their Number be what it may, _Great-Britain_ never was advantaged by them. Not to mention, that several of the _American_ Provinces have disputed, or rather denied, long before the present Disturbances began, the Right of pressing Sailors for the Navy; though it is well known, that this is the only Method whereby a Navy can be manned; and though that eminent Whig, that upright, learned, and truly-patriotic Lawyer [Judge FOSTER] hath demonstratively proved in his Law-Tracts this Right to be as legally and constitutionally vested in the Crown, as any Right whatever.]

I will therefore take this Point relating to Sailors for granted; [at least 'till the contrary shall be proved,] and then it will follow, that _British_ or _Irish_ Emigrations are to be considered as being very unfavourable to the Increase of _English_ Sailors, as well as of _English_ Manufacturers; and that the Loss and Detriment to the Mother-Country are very great in both Respects.

But here a Difficulty of another Kind, and from a different Quarter, will probably arise. It is this:--Granting that Emigrations are bad Things in all Respects;--granting that they tend to diminish the Number of your Sailors, as well as of your Manufacturers; yet how can you prevent this Evil? And what Remedy do you propose for curing the People of that Madness which has seized them for Emigrations?--I answer:--Even the Remedy which hath been so often, and all along proposed, _A Total Separation from North-America_. For most certain it is, that as soon as such a Separation shall take Place, a Residence in the Colonies will be no longer a desirable Situation. Nay, it is much more probable, that many of those who are already settled there, will wish to fly away, than that others should covet to go to them. And indeed we begin to find this Observation not a little verified at present, a considerable Re-emigration (if I may use the Term) having already taken Place. In short, when the _English_ Government, which was the only Center of Union, and the only Bond of Peace, shall be removed, Faction will rise up against Faction, Congress against Congress, and Colony against Colony; and then the Southern Provinces will find to their Cost, that they have been egregiously duped and bubbled by the Northern; then they will perceive, that they have no other Alternative, but either to submit to the tyrannical Usurpations of those _canting, hypocritical Republicans_, whom they used both to hate and despise; or else to implore that Help, Defence, and Protection of the Parent-State, which they now so wantonly and ungratefully reject and oppose:--In either of these Situations, and under such Circumstances, there is no Reason to fear, that many of our People will flock to _North-America_.

REMARK IV.

Prejudices and Prepossessions are stubborn Things in all Cases; but in none more peculiarly obstinate, than in relinquishing detached Parts of an unwieldy, extended Empire; there not being, I believe, a single Instance in all History, of any Nation surrendering a distant Province voluntarily, and of free Choice, notwithstanding it was greatly their Interest to have done it. The _English_ in particular have given remarkable Proofs of their Unwillingness. For tho' it was undeniably their Interest to have abandoned all the Provinces which they held in _France_, yet they never gave up one of them, 'till they were compelled to it by Force of Arms. Now indeed, and at this Distance of Time, we see clearly, that our Fore-Fathers were wretched Politicians in endeavouring to retain any one of the _French_ Provinces, which, if it was a little one, would be a continual Drain, and perhaps an encreasing Expence; and if it was a great one, might grow up to be a Rival, and become the Seat of Empire. I say, we can see these Things clearly enough at present: Yet alas! what Advantages do we derive from this Discovery? And what Application do we make of such historical _Mementos_ to the Business of the present Day? The remotest of our Provinces in _France_ were hardly 300 Miles distant from our own Coasts; the nearest of those in _America_ are about 3000. The Provinces in _France_ were already fully peopled, and peopled for the most Part by Inhabitants extremely well affected at that Time to the _English_ Government: Whereas the Deserts of _America_ require first to be peopled by Draughts either from ourselves, or from our _European_ Customers; and then when these Emigrants have been settled for a Generation or two, they become native _Americans_, who naturally forget the Supremacy of that Country, with whose Government they have so little Connections, from whose Seat of Empire they are so far distant, whose ruling Power they so seldom feel (and therefore do not regard) and consequently whose Claims they consider as so many audacious Attempts to rob them of their beloved Independence.

But this is not all: And the Absurdity of our present Conduct in not abandoning the _rebellious_ Provinces of _North-America_, becomes still more glaring, when we consider farther, (what we now find by Experience to be true) that we can live and flourish, even in our commercial Capacity, without the Assistance of these refractory Colonies. For tho' it doth by no Means follow, that we should be destitute of their Trade, if each _American_ Province was erected into a separate and independent State; nay, tho' the contrary hath been made to appear by such a Chain of Evidences, as no Man hitherto hath attempted to break or weaken, yet, granting the worst, granting even that these _North-Americans_ traded with us as little after a Separation as they do at present, still it is possible that we may then live, because it is certain we do now live without them; and do not only live, but also enjoy as many of the Comforts and Elegancies, not to mention the Profusions and Luxuries of Life, as any Nation ever did, and more than we ourselves did heretofore.

Therefore (to be more particular on this Head, for surely it is a most important one) we were gravely told, that as soon as ever the _Americans_ should shut their Ports against us, Famine to our Manufacturers, Bankruptcy to our Merchants, Destruction and Desolation to our Seaport Towns must inevitably ensue. Well, the _Americans_ have now shut their Ports for a considerable Time against the Admission of _English_ Manufactures. And what has ensued? Nothing, that I know of, so very dismal, or so very tragical; and none of those _black_ and _bitter_ Days, with which we were threatened, have yet appeared. Nay, according to the Accounts received from the principal manufacturing Places and Districts throughout the Kingdom, it uniformly appears that Trade was never brisker in most Articles; and that it is not remarkably dead in any:--Moreover it is likewise certain, from the same Accounts, that a much greater Stagnation hath been frequently felt, even at Times when every Port in _America_ was open to us, than is felt at present.

However, if these Partizans of _America_ should cavil at these Accounts, and dispute their Authority, we have others yet to produce, which surely must carry Conviction (almost in Spite of Prejudice) as soon as they are perused; [unless indeed it can be imagined, that the present wicked Ministry have entered into a Plot to charge themselves Debtors to the Public for almost TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FIVE THOUSAND POUNDS STERLING _more than they received_, merely to plague and confound the poor Patriots.]

The Account I am now going to lay before the Reader, is the gross Produce for the Year 1775, ending at the 5th of _July_ last, compared with the like gross Produce of the preceding Year 1774, ending at the like Period.

L. _s. d._

Gross Produce of the Year 1775, 5,479,695 7 10
Gross Produce of the Year 1774, 5,224,899 7 10-1/4

Increased Produce of the Year 1775, 254,795 19 11-3/4

Now it appears by the Particulars of the Account, that what chiefly caused this great Increase, was the greater Quantity made, consumed, or used of Low Wines and Spirits,--of the _London_ Brewery,--of Malt, Hops, Cyder, and Coaches, in the Year 1775, ending at the 5th of _July_, than in the preceding Year. For as to several other Articles, there was a remarkable Deficiency, especially in the Excise on Tea, and on Liquors imported into the [11] Out-Ports; both which Branches, if put together, amount to no less than 79,380_l._ 13_s._ 9-1/2_d._--And yet, notwithstanding this great Loss in two such capital Articles, the Produce of the others before mentioned so much exceeded their usual Income, that the whole Balance of the Year was, as I said before, 254,795_l._ 19_s._ 11-3/4_d._ Now as our common People, our Artificers, and mechanic Tradesmen, our Journeymen, Day-Labourers, &c. &c. are the principal Consumers of, or Customers for, these Articles (Coaches excepted) we may, and ought to pronounce, that these numerous Bodies of Men were not in that starving Condition, (which it was foretold they should be) when they could so much exceed their usual (and for the most Part _unnecessary_) Gratifications in Spirituous Liquors, and Porter, Ale, strong Beer, and Cyder, as to raise such a Surplus of Revenue. And in respect to the Increase in the Coach-Tax (which was nearly 2000_l._) surely this is a plain Proof likewise, that our Merchants, principal Traders, and Manufacturers (who were all to be infallibly ruined) are not in that melancholly Situation, as hath been foreboded of them by the _American_ false Prophets;--I say, the Proof is plain, seeing that so many new Carriages have been set up, instead of the former being put down. And I think, I may take for granted, that it is the Trading, and not the Landed-Interest, which sets up most new Carriages.

Upon the Whole therefore, and in whatever Light things are considered, it evidently appears that we can have but little, or nothing to lose; but must have a great deal to get, or (which is the same thing) much to save, and many Dangers to escape by a total Separation from the rebellious Provinces of _North-America_. The History of all Nations, and of all Ages,--our own Experience respecting _France_,--the melancholly Situation at this Day of the once populous and flourishing Kingdom of _Spain_,--the present Demands of our Manufactures for Exportation,--the State of Parties among us, and the Growth of republican Principles, all, all conspire to prove, that we ought to get rid of such an onerous, dangerous, and expensive Connection as soon as possible. In one Word, the longer the present System is persevered in, the worse Things will necessarily grow, and the riper for Destruction; it being morally impossible that they should mend; for the Fire, if even smothered for the present, will break out again with fresh Violence; and the sound Parts of our Constitution will be in great Danger of being tainted by the Gangrene of _American_ Republicism.

POSTSCRIPT.

In a Note at the Bottom of Page 52, (2d. Edition) of my Letter to Mr. BURKE, I expressed myself in the following Manner: "The Instances which Mr. BURKE has brought, [at Pages 74 and 75 of his Speech, 2d. Edit. 8vo.] to prove that the Colonies, or rather that a few out of the many Colonies, have been liberal in their Grants to _Great-Britain_, during the Continuance of a privateering, smuggling, trucking, and huckstering _American_ Sea-War, in which they were sure to be the greatest Gainers, shall be particularly considered in an ensuing Treatise, An Address to the Landed Interest of _Great-Britain_ and _Ireland_."

The Minutes which I took at that Time relative to this Affair, and which I intended to have inserted in the Body of this Treatise, were the following, that the leading Men in the Government of the Province of _Massachusets_, had, some Time before their famous Expedition against _Cape Breton_, been guilty of certain Mal-Practices in the Administration of public Affairs, for which they were in Danger of being called to an Account. That in order to divert the Storm, and to throw a Barrel to the Whale, they projected the Plan of an Expedition, knowing the Temper of the _English_, and their Rage for Conquests. Therefore, hearing that the Fortifications of _Cape Breton_ were very ruinous, and the Garrison both weak and mutinous for Want of Pay, Cloathing, and Provisions, they bent their Forces against this Place. The Scheme succeeded, and _Cape Breton_ was yielded up; but the Joy of the _English_ Nation knew no Bounds: For the People, from the highest to the lowest, were so intoxicated with Notions of the Importance of this Port, [tho' now it is evident, that it is a very useless one if compared with others] that they forgot every other Idea in the general Transport; so that the Planners and Conductors of the Expedition, instead of their being called to an Account for their former Misdemeanors, found themselves caressed and applauded by the whole Nation; and to crown all, the Parliament itself voted a prodigious Sum of Money to reimburse the _New-Englanders_ for their Expences, and their Services in this glorious Work.

This, I say, or to this Effect, was the Account which I received;--and which I believe in my own Mind, will be found to be for the most Part very true, when it can be very thoroughly _examined into_. But as I have been hurried, by the _early_ Meeting of Parliament, to publish the present Treatise at least three Months sooner than intended, I cannot at present _authenticate_ Facts and Dates in the Manner I wish to do, in an Affair of such Importance. Therefore I give this public Notice, that I build nothing on the present Narration; and I only offer it (because not corroborated by sufficient Evidence) as a probable Case, and as my own Opinion.

Indeed I have a particular Reason for acting in this cautious Manner; seeing that I have suffered already by making a Slip in an Affair of this Nature, which in any other Cause or Controversy, would have been reckoned to be a very _venial_ one. The Case was this: In the First Edition of my Fourth Tract, I had accused Dr. FRANKLIN with having acted a very disingenuous Part, in opposing and denying the Authority of the _British_ Parliament, to lay a Tax [the Stamp-Duty] on _America_, when he himself had solicited to be employed as an Agent in the Collection of that very Tax. In Letters which passed between us, he denied the Charge, asserting first, that he did not make Interest for a Place in the Stamp-Office, 'till the Bill was passed into a Law;--And 2dly. that the Place, for which he asked, was not for himself, but for a Friend, one Mr. HUGHES, who was accordingly appointed by Mr. GRENVILLE. Now in Consequence of this Information, I omitted in the next Edition, the whole Paragraph, and said nothing, either _pro_, or _con_, particularly relative to Dr. FRANKLIN. And surely, every Thing considered, and the _faux pas_ of Dr. FRANKLIN concerning the _stolen_ Papers of Mr. WHEATLEY duly weighed, one would have thought, that I had made Satisfaction fully sufficient to almost any Man in such a Case, whose Pretensions to _nice_ Honour might have been much better founded than those of Dr. FRANKLIN. But it seems, I was mistaken: For before he left _England_, I was called on in Print, to make Reparation to his much injured Character: And in his Absence, his Agents and Confederates, the Monthly Reviewers, have done the same.

Here therefore, I appeal to the Public, whether I have not advanced as far already in this Affair, as there was need for me to have done, supposing even (which is supposing a great deal) that every Thing which Dr. FRANKLIN said was strictly true: For granting that he did not solicit for that Place in particular, yet it is a most undeniable Fact, that at the very Instant when he was declaiming at the Bar of the House of Commons, against the Authority of Parliament, he himself was an _American_ Revenue Officer, in a very lucrative Post, created by parliamentary Authority: He was a Post-Master General in _North-America_; and the Tax, which he collected, and for which he was accountable, was an _internal_, as well as _external_ Tax. So that in short, in every, or in any Light, his Conduct was not of the spotless Kind; nor was my Accusation of Disingenuity against him the less true, whether he had solicited a Place in the Stamp-Office, or not.

While I am writing this,--a Paragraph, cut out of a News-Paper, and dated from _Salisbury_, _October_ 15, is laid before me, which I am positively told, is reckoned to be UNANSWERABLE. Now I have known so many of these UNANSWERABLES to shrink to nothing, when examined with any due Care and Attention, that I own I am not much frightened at the Appearance of this new _American_ GOLIAH. However, let us approach this formidable Champion a little nearer.

"The _Americans_, says the News-Writer, in their Addresses to the Public, urge as a Reason against Parliamentary Taxation, the _great Disadvantages_ they incur by submitting to such numerous Restrictions in Trade, which they deem a Burden equal to, if not greater than Taxation: And they also estimate, that that Mode of contributing to the Support of the _English_ Nation, is, upon the whole, more beneficial than if they were to pay their Share by being equally taxed with the Subjects of the Mother Country: But to be obliged to submit to those numerous Restraints in Trade, and at the same Time to be subject to a parliamentary Taxation, they think is the highest Degree of Oppression.

"The _Irish_ submit to parliamentary Restraints in Trade; but then, in return, they are exempted from Taxation. Why then should the _Americans_ be burdened with both, in similar Circumstances?"

Here the whole Matter of Complaint is reduced to two Heads; First, That the _Americans_ by being restrained in their Trade, are thereby in Effect taxed, and therefore ought not be taxed a second Time:

And 2dly, That this Hardship seems to be the more oppressive, because the _Irish_ under similar Circumstances, are exempted from Taxation.

With respect to the first Head, it is a mere _Begging of the Question_. For I have proved beyond Contradiction, that the _Americans_ are not, in _Fact_ and _Reality_, restrained either in their Exports or Imports, except in a very few Articles; and that they now enjoy the very best Market which _Europe_ can afford, see my 4th Tract, Page 202-209. I have proved also, that _Great-Britain_ hath restrained herself in Favour of _America_ in Articles of at least as great Value and Importance, as those in which she hath restrained _America_ in Favour of _Great-Britain_. See more particularly my 3d Tract, Page 119,-121. Surely therefore these Things ought to have been taken into Consideration, and not to have been passed over, as if they had never been mentioned: And it is exceedingly unfair and disingenuous to remember every Thing which makes on one Side of a Question, and to forget the rest.

2dly, With respect to the other Head of Complaint, viz. That _Ireland_ is exempted from Taxation, while such extraordinary Efforts are made for taxing _America_, I hope what follows will be as full an Answer to this Complaint, as what has been already given was to the former.

First therefore, I observe, that with Respect to the Claim of the legislative Authority, which the Parent State makes over _Ireland_ as well as _America_, both Countries are exactly on the same Footing: See the 7th and 8th of WM. III. C. 22, Sec. 9.:--And also Lord ROCKINGHAM's Act itself, respecting the Claims of the Mother-Country over _America_:--See likewise the Declaratory Act of 6. GEO. I. C. 5, respecting _Ireland_.

2dly. The Mother-Country hath not only asserted, but maintained her Claims alike over both Countries, in the Affair of laying a general Post-Tax on all Parts of the _British_ Empire; so that in this Respect likewise both Countries are on a Par.

But here I allow follows a wide Difference, which I will endeavour to account for, viz. The _British_ Parliament never attempted to lay any internal Tax, except the Post-Tax, on _Ireland_; whereas it is well known, that the _British_ Parliament did attempt to lay an internal Tax on _America_.

Now to account for this _seeming_ Partiality, I have the following Points to offer; and I intreat my Readers to attend particularly to them.

1. Ireland never plunged us into any Wars since the Revolution; whereas _America_ hath involved us in two, the most bloody and expensive that ever this Nation experienced; the last of which brought on a Debt of 70,000,000l. Sterling, the Interest of which we are now paying.

2. Ireland doth not drain us of any Sums of Money to support and maintain its civil and military Establishments; whereas _America_ drains us for those Purposes of upwards 300,000l. annually.

3. Ireland drains us of no Money, by Way of _Bounty_ on the Importation of her Goods, or natural Produce into this Kingdom; whereas _America_ hath drained us of at least 1,000,000l. Sterling for Bounties on Pitch and Tar, on Lumber, Indigo, &c. &c. within a few Years.

4. Ireland is continually burthened with large Pensions, some to Princes of the Blood, some to other Persons, and some to flaming Patriots: For even Patriots will accept of Pensions if they can get them, and then exclaim most bitterly--O Liberty, O my Country! Whereas _America_ is totally free from this Species of Taxation, as far as I am able to trace the Matter.

Many other Articles might have been enumerated, particularly the Restraint formerly laid upon the _Irish_ fishing on the Banks of _Newfoundland_, and taken off only the last Session. But surely these are full enough; because these, I hope, will sufficiently shew, that there ought to be a wide Difference put on, every Principle of Equity and Justice, between the Case of _Ireland_ and that of _America_; and that the two Countries are by no Means in similar Circumstances.

What is now to follow, is added at the Request of a foreign Nobleman, whose good Sense and Penetration led him to discern, that a Crisis was certainly approaching, in which the Fate of this Country will be determined; and therefore wished to know, what was the Strength of each Party, and the Amount of the Forces on either Side.

A General Muster of the Forces
BOTH FOR AND AGAINST
The Present Government.

PARTIES _for overturning the present Constitution, and for setting up something in its Stead, for which we have not yet a Name_.

1st. The Idle and Dissolute among the common People are for throwing the present System into Anarchy and Confusion. They have ardently wished these many Years, for some Kind of levelling Scheme whereby they might enrich themselves at the Cost of their Masters, and rob and plunder with Impunity. If Mr. WILKES, or any other modern Patriot can lead them into this Path of Glory, they will joyfully follow such a Leader, and become his devoted Fellow-Labourers, in the same good Work; but if not, they will forsake him with as little Ceremony as they have done some others, and look out for a new Leader.

2dly. That Species among the _Whigs_ which is properly _Republican_, is violently for a Change of Government, suitable to such Principles; and these Men are now become of some Consequence, not so much on the Score of their Numbers, as on Account of their enthusiastic Zeal, and of their breaking through every Tye of Honour, Honesty, and Conscience, for accomplishing such Designs. Moreover, as they put on every Disguise; as they forge, lye, falsify; as they use the Word Liberty merely as a Blind to conceal the Batteries they are erecting against it; and as they pretend to support and uphold the Constitution, at the very Instant they are planning a Scheme to destroy it; their Designs are so much the more dangerous by appearing to fight under the same Banner with ourselves; and the Wounds they give, are the more difficult of Cure, because they stab and assassinate under the Mask of Friendship, and therefore take their Aim the better, and strike the deeper. In the former Plots and Conspiracies of the _Jacobites_, their Aim and Intent were to dethrone the reigning Family, and to replace another: The present Views of the Republicans, which they are incessantly pursuing by various Means, and almost contradictory Measures, are, _to have no Throne at all_. Hence, by a Comparison of the two Crimes, the Reader must judge, which is the greatest, and the most repugnant to the _English_ Constitution.