IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-S)
^^.
:/j
A
1.0
I.I
-- iU
It:
LS 12.0
1.8
L25 114 11.6
Photographic
Sdencef]
Corporation
23 WF;:r MAIN STREET
WEBSTER, N.Y. 14S80
(716) 872-4503
"0(
^
•1>^
:\
\
«b^^
4^\
<»
6^
'^:^^
^
CIHM/ICMH
Microfiche
Series.
CIHM/ICMH
Collection de
microfiches.
Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques
iV
Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques
The Institute has attempted to obtain the best
original copy available for filming. Features of this
copy which may be bibliographically unique,
which may alter any of the images in the
reproduction, or which may significantly change
the usual method of filming, are checked be/ow.
D
D
D
D
Coloured covers/
Couverture de couleur
I I Covers damaged/
Couverture endommagde
Covers restored and/or laminated/
Couverture restaurde et/ou pelliculde
Cover title missing/
Le titre de couverture manque
Coloured maps/
Cartes gdographiques en couleur
Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/
Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire}
I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/
D
Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur
Bound with other material/
Relid avec d'autres documents
Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion
along interior margin/
La re liure serr6e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la
distortion le long de la marge intdrieure
Blank leaves added during restoration may
appear within the text. Whenever possible, these
have been omitted from filming/
II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutdes
lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte,
mais, lorsque cela dtait possible, ces pages n'ont
pas 6t6 film6es.
Additional comments:/
Commentaires suppldmentaires;
L'Institut a microfilmd le meilleur exemplaire
qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details
de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du
point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier
une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une
modification dans la mdthode normale de filmage
sont indiqu6s ci-dessous.
T
t(
D
D
D
n
n
Coloured pages/
Pages de couleur
Pages damaged/
Pages endommagdes
Pages restored and/or laminated/
Pages restaurdes et/ou pelliculdes
T
P
o
fi
G
b
tl
si
o
fi
si
o
Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/
Pages d6color6es, tachetdes ou piqudes
D
Pages detached/
Pages ddtachdes
Showth rough/
Transparence
Quality of print varies/
Quality indgale de I'impression
Includes supplementary material/
Comprend du materiel supp^^mentaire
T
si
T
w
di
ei
b<
ri
r<
nr
I I Only edition available/
Seule Edition disponible
Pages wholly or partially obscured by e rata
slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to
ensure the best possible image/
Les pages totalement ou partiellement
obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure,
etc., ont 6t6 filmdes d nouveau de fagon d
obtenir la meilleure image possible.
This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/
Ce document est filmd au taux de reduction indiqud ci-dessous.
10X 14X 18X 22X
V
12X
16X
<^|<f^'
26X
30X
24X
28X
32X
The copy filmed here hat been reproduced thanks
to the generosity of:
Library of the Public
Archives of Canada
L'exemplaire filmd fut reproduit grdce d la
ginirositd de:
La bibliothdque des Archives
publiques du Canada
The Images appearing here are the best quality
possible considering the condition and legibility
of the original copy and in keeping with the
filming contract specifications.
Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le
plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et
de la nettetd de Texemplaire film6, et en
conformity avec les conditions du contrat de
filmage.
Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed
beginning with the front cover ^^nd ending on
the last page with a printed or illustrated impres-
sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All
other original copies are filmed beginning on the
first page with a printed or illustrated impres-
sion, and ending on the last page with a printed
or illustrated impression.
Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en
papier est imprimde sont film6s en commenpant
par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la
dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte
d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second
plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires
originaux sont fiimds en commenpant par la
premidre page qui comporte une empreinte
d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par
la dernidre page qui comporte une telle
empreinte.
The last recorded frame on each microfiche
shall contain the symbol —»> (meaning "CON-
TINUED "), or the symbol y (meaning "END "),
whichever applies.
Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la
dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le
cas: le symbols — »- signifie "A SUIVRE", le
symbols V signifie "FIN".
Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at
different reduction ratios. Those too large to bo
entirely included in one exposure are filmed
beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to
right and top to bottom, as many frames as
required. The following diagrams illustrate the
method:
Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre
film6s d des taux de reduction diff6rents.
Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre
reproduit en un seul cliche, il est filmd d partir
de Tangle supdrieur gauche, de gauche d droiite,
et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre
d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants
illustrent la mdthode.
1
2
3
1 2 3
4 5 6
r
L
.<\i-- ;
M]
Subje
I i-ORD
PR
h
A
'** i^^^ '' **" '■
-V'^~
T
T E r,
FROM • ■'■^•••■f . .j^.iJ
AN AMERICAN
Now reiident in London*.
,.<ft^V'
J
,i
^*e^^''
MEMBER of PARLIAMENT,
>^ , ,>^:%H»f^
^ v.* .v''- .
Subjedl of the Reflraimng Proclamation j
AND CONTAINING
S f R t C T U R E S
'■ ' '". ■' » ' V? ' "f^* ''
■'1
..r t =■ '■ ■' 'V
• -t
Lord Sheffield's Pamphlet on the Commerce
..•%.v
of the American States.
fKr
^£^^ 5^^*'
\ V-
i'-Vii'i
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR J. STOCKDALE,
OPPOSITE BURLINGTON-HOUSE, PICCADILLY.
MDCC LXXXIV.
■ ■/■ . ■<■
. , ....-- ^.^^
1
• ^ Price IS. 6d, ] i
BS
L E T T E R^
c.
SIR,
i H E fecefHon of fo confiderable a
part of the Britlfh Empire, as now con-
ftitutes the United States, and the general
acknowledgment of their independance by
the powers of Europe, muft point out a
very important asra in the hiflory of man-
kind.
The caufes that led to this great revolu-
tion, and the operations that infurcd its
fucc.efs, will hereafter afford abundant
matter for the pen of fome able hiflorian,
'B The
( := )
The immediate cffcds that it miifl have
"i
on the Syftcm of European Politics, form
a very ferious fuhjedr of prefent enquiry
and contemplation; efpccially, as nations
begin to be convinced of the futility of
becoming great by conqueft, and more
inclined to abandon the cruel fyftem of
war, in order eifedually to enrich them-
fclves by purfuing the peaceful line of
commerce.
The United States, flretching through
fuch a variety of climates, abounding in
fuch various produdlions, and affording
fuch a vaft field for the confumption of
European manufaftures, mufl naturally
have a very intimate and adtive commerce
with the different States of Europe.
From adventitious circumftances, pe-
culiarly favorable to Great Britain, no na-
tion
I
.4
;t
I
( 3 )
tlon pofTciTcs opportunities of fo cflodlu-
ally promoting tliis connexion; and from
her dependence on connncrce, for the fup-
port of her power and importance, no na-
tion is fo pointedly interefted in the im-
provement of thefe advantages.
J
She has already brought her aff.urs to
the brink of ruin, from continuing too
long a Have to impofture and deluficn. It
is time to recover her from her lethargy;
this perhaps may prove a difficult tafk, a«
ignorant and interefted writers are ftill en-
deavouring to impofc their ill-digefled and
pernicious fyftems on the public mind,
and to imprefs fentiments, whlch,,if adopt-
ed into the politics of this country,
would be entirely fubverfive of a commer-
cial connedion betwixt Great Britain and
the United States of America.
B:?i
Ifhall
( 4 )
I fhall fubmit my opinions on thU fub-
jcdl, to your confidciation, and have little
doubt of a coincidence of fcntimcnt.
You mufl remember that after the con-
clufion of the war, a Bill was introduced
into the Houfe of Commons, by Mr. Pitt,
(then Chancellor of the Exchequer) in
order to ferve as a temporary regulation
for the trade of the United States. In
perfedl conformity with the fpirit of this
Bill, it was expeded a permanent coh-
nedion betwixt the two Countries, would
be formed by treaty j it had in view a fyf-
tem of liberal interco&rfe, and was receiv-
' ed in America with univerfal approba-
tion, as the harbinger of returning af-
fedions.
i
■"i
s
■i
1
Under a firm perfuafion that Great Bri-
tain would perfevere in the line of con-
dud.
( 5 )
tvl!
s
I
i
I
dut'T:, tliat this Bill prcfctlbcd, the United
States opened all their ports to Britifli
flipping, anJ received tlieni, without any-
other itflriiilioni: tl^.an thofe, which vcf-
fcls belonging to their own citizens, were
cxpoltd to.
A char.^-c of niiniflry foon after took
■ place, and likcwiPi a cliange of meafiircs ;
the advocates for the American war com-
pofed a part of it; the cfFeds were fooii
vifible^ a Proclamation, virtually re-
draining all intercourfe betwixt the Uni-
ted States and the Well: Indies, except in
Britifli flipping, made its appearance.
This meafure was in every refpe<5t Im-
politic and unwife, as it was natural to
imagine that it would make unfavorable
impreffions in regard to the views of Great
Britain, that would remain long, and af-
fed
!
C 6 )
fcil deeply; and would have a ttjidency
to convince the United States that the
fame fyflem of infatuated councils, that
fevered the two countries afunder, flill had
.an afcendcncy in the BritiHi Cabinet, and
was likely to continue an inlupcrablc bar-
rier to a free and unreflralned connexion.
I
if
V
i
■ Much about the fame time Lord 5hef-
• field publifhed a pamphlet, which was in-
tended tojuftify the prudent precaution
• of fuch mealhres, as e/ltntially necclTary to
.-the future wealth and power of Great Bri-
, tain 5 it is faid to have had a very ferious
efFejil: on the minds of the people In Eng-
land, the majority of whom, as in all
countries, are more prone to receive the
opinions of others, than be at the trouble
of furnilhing arguments for themfelves.
'4
'I
3
i ■■*'.,
Howerer.
J. .»
( 7 )
However, It will not be dlfUcult to
prove, that his rcafoning is extremely
riinily and fiillaclousj entirely remote
from the principles of commercial Icgi-
flation, and fupportcd on a fyPicm of ac*
knowledtrcd error.
Previous to entering on a refutation of
Ills dodrine, it will be necefiary to pre-
mife fome few refledlions, on the advan-
tages that the Weft India Iflands will de-
rive, from being indulged in an inter-
courfe with the United States, from
which the adoption of Lord Shetiicld*s
fyftem would entirely exclude them.
I
«
I
The foil, the climate, and confequent-
ly the produdtions of the United States,
are fo various, that they can furnifli al-
mofl every article that the wants and con-
veniences of the iflands can require i and
from
( » )
from circumflances of local fituation, caa
fupply them more abundantly, more ex-
pediuoufly on better terms, and lefs fub-
jcdl to contingencies, than they can be
procured from Europe-, infomuch, that
the Weil India Planters have always re-
garded a commercial connedtlon with the
United States as ellcntial to the well-be-
ing and Improvement of the illands, and
have deprecated the lofs of it, as a mofl
fatal blow to their ilourifhing exiftence.
I^
The articles which the Colonift in-
difpenfably ilands in need of, ar'^ flour,
bifcuit, Indian corn, rice, beans, peas,
potatoes, fait beef, pork, cheefe, butter,
beer, cod and other kinds of fait fifh,
whale oil, candles, tal!ow, foap, to-
bacco, naval flores, liorfes, poultry, live
cattle, bar iron, building wood of all
kinds, frames of houfes, mafts, fpars,
hogfliead
M
: ^-TTiitwEggaatfi B ie f j iig aa ti J a t
( 9 )
hogfhead flaves, heading, flilngles, plank
both pine and oalc, Sec.
The United Slates can, not only abun-
dantly, and at all times, fupply thefc
articles, but can furniih them on far
more moderate terms, than they can be
imported from Europe,
Experience has proved, that no food
is fo cheap and nourifliing to the flaves
as Indian corn, of which there mull ne-
ceflarily be a regular and frequent fup-*
ply, as it will not keep but a Hiort time,
expofed to the extreme warmth of the
climate. Small vefTels are generally em-
ployed in furnifl^ing thefe fupplies, as
well as live ftock and other articles of
provifions, which could not afford to na-
vigate with cargoes of fuch little value,
C if
:|
t 10 ]
if It was not for the quicknefs of the
voyage^ and the certainty of a return
freight of Wefl India produce. Thele
arc not objects of fufficient importance
for European vcflcls ; for large quantities
would frequ(_iilly overflock the market,
and confequently be expofed to perifli in
the hands of the importer.
K
I
H
But there arc particular times when
the dependance of the Wefl Indies on the
United States, is more pointedly obfcr-
.vable. After a hurricane, that aweful
and' tremendous convuhion of nature, that
fo frequently happens in the tropical cli-
mates, that levels wirh the ground all
the buildings and improvements of a
pla- tation, deftroys the provifions, and ex-
hibits throughout the whole country, the
wildefl: marks of ruin and devaflation :
Where
'4
m
\w
( «I )
Where is the alTrightcd planter to look
for luccour and aiilihmcc ? Plow is be to
repair his lolFcs, promptly and effectu-
ally ?
He mud give himfelf up to defpair, if
his only reliance is on European fupplies ;
but he feels a confolatlon when he confi-
ders his vicinity to America , which,
though but a foiler mother, adting like a
natural parent, liics to his relief.
After thefe terrible calamities, which
have threatened all the miferics of famine,
he has often found, from experience, that
flie has poured in fuch abundance, as to
have reduced the prices of provilions,
much lower than they even were previous
to his misfortunes.
The
( I» )
The advantages which this commerce
prefcnts are founded on the broad bafis of
reciprocal Interefts, and a mutual ex-
change of necelury commodities.
The United States, in return for the
fupplles they furnifli the iflands, will re-
ceive their produdllons, feveral of which,
as rum and molafles, may be called the ex-
crefcencies of their exports, and without
recourfe to American confum.ption, would
be in very feeble demand for the European
market.
.3
I
But fliould no encouragement be given
to the planter, to aid the natural vigor
of the foil, by the facility with which he
may procure his provifions^ and iliould
t?je iflands be deprived of the advantages
which their local fituation affords, by
having
i
( 13 )
having tlie channel through which their
fupplles arc to be procured, ftopped up, or
confined in too narrow bounds, they will
not only individually fuffer, by being of-
ten expofed to a calamitous fcarcity -, but
the Mother Country mull finally be fen-
fible of the pernicious effeds of fuch re-
ftri^lions. For the body politic, like
the human body, has a fcnfe of feeling, in
its remoteft extremities. Nothing fuffers
fingly by itfelf — there ** is a con fen t of
** parts in the fyflem of both, and the par-
** tial evil grows into univerfal mifchieF."
For in an exadl ratio, with the rate of
provifions, and other neceffaries of life,
will the demand for labor keep pace, and
the price of Wefl India produce, and its
relative quantity, will rife or fall by thefc
proportions. The planter confequently
cannot afford his production s fo low, as to
he
h'
C '4 1
be placed in competition with the French
at a foreign market, except he procures
his neccflaries on the bed of terms.
On the contrary, Hiould the Colonies
flouridi under a State of eafc ajid plenty,
the Mother Country will be proportiona-
bly lienefited ; for it is an invariable rule in
commercial polity, that riches always
centre in the Metropolis^ their diffufivc
influence may be compared to the circu-
lation of the blood, which is difperfed
over the whole fyftem, but always returns
back to the heart, the feat of life, and is
only fent back by new pulfations.
M
1
Should theret'bre this monopolizing
fpirit, which is a mockery on the induftry
of a country, give way to more liberal ideas,
the adive flimulus of the planter will no'
longer
«?
C '5 1
longer be depreflcJ. By being furni/lici
with nectflaries on more moderate and
eafy terms, he will employ lefs of his re-
i'^en'^e, to defray the expences of his eftatei
he will confequently have a refidue left
to appropriate to the extejifion of his fet-
tlcments, clearing and breaking up new
grounds, which when brought into cul-
ture, will furniih additional quantities of
produce, to fupply the incrcafing de-
mand.
In the courfe of attaining thcfe profits
to the planter, the State will greatly be-
nefit, in an increafe of her revenues, by
the duties laid on the furplus quantity of
produce ; by the employment of a more
extenfive commerce and navigation, which
mull keep pace with the improving con-
dition of her iflandsj and by fixing the
ballance
[ i6 ]
ballance of trade in her favor, in propor-
tion to the augmentation of her exports.
Another advantage of confpicuous cha-^
radter offers itfclf 5 which is, tlie increa-
fing confumption of manufa(^l:ures, which
improving c .ahhllimcnts naturally occa-
lion; and an incrcafc of manufactures,
is always accompanied by a proportional
increafe of population.
Moulded by hiibit to a particular mode
of thinking in regard to the commercial
legiilation of the iflands, I know it will
be difficult, and will require every effort
of found reafoning, to break through the
fyilem of prohibitory laws, cftabliflied hy
the Britifli Government. But, when an in-
creafe of population and of revenue, pro-
grcflive opulence and ilrcngth, are to he
derived
'^
.)
C -7 ]
^erived from the elFcdts of iibauu.
this jealous fclf-obRiuding policy 5 it is
to be expc'flcd, that the fpirit of fuch con-
tracted cflablidimciits will not be invete-
rate, and on mature confideration, will no
longer be adhered to.
But it is afTcrted by Lord Sheffield, that
regular fupplies of provifions and nccef-
faries may, with proper encouragement,
be obtained from the remainder of the
Britiih Colonies on the continent.
Thefe vifionary fuggeftions are almofl
too ludicrous to be combated, and feem
intended as a political artifice, to blind
the eyes of the too credulous people, and
deceive them into a belief, that their re-
maining territories in America are of con-
fiderable value.
D It
<>:.
[ ^3 ]
It is well known, that tlie intenfenefs
of the cliaKUc of Canada, with the diffi-
culty of Its nr.vigatlon, Will fccircely admit
of more than one voyage in the year to
the Weft Indies, which require a regular
and continued fupply of provifions.
I
iP
li
As for the inhofpltable regions of Nova
Scotia, it will be matter of wonder, and a
folace to humanity, if by the unceafing
induftry of its inhabitants, it will be able
to produce a futhciency, for their fuften-
ance and fupport.
■ *
The United States mufl therefore con-
tinue to be, what they always have been,
the granary of the Britilh Weft Indies;
and if dired importations into them are
not admitted of, recourfe will be had to
indirect fupplies, through the medium of
the
',,'1
W'
■^'-l.'
1
m
A
L 19 ]
the neutral illands. All the additional
cxpencc of this circuitous route, incurred,
for charges of double infurance, freight,
conimiflion, &c. will fall on the Colo-
niil, as the confumer, without very ma-
terially injuring the American merchant,
who will naturally infurc to himfclf a ix*
ving profit on his exports.
.1
h'
-iM
EefiLCs, the Erinfli Government mud
eflablifli a number of guarda coflas, well
armed and appointed, to prevent the clan-
deftinc trade that will immediately com-
mence betwixt the United States and their
iilands. A trade, that will find a fupport
and protecftion, in every planter of the
country, whofe intered will be fo imme-
diately connedled with its encouragement,
will noteaiily be fupprcHed.
D2
Even
1 I
C JO ]
Even under tlie vigorous authority of
military government in the French Weft
Indies, not ali the wciglit of power, ex-
erted fo' the purpofc, could formerly pre-
vent this fprcics of tratiic ; much Itfs
can it be expeded to fucceed, where the
reins of government are relatively fo re-
laxed, as in the hands of the Britifh Go-
vernors.
Befides, Great Britain has learned, by
fatal dear-bought experience, imprefTed In
fuch flrong charadlers, as not to be foon
and eafily effaced, that " the true art of
•* governing is not to govern too much ;**
and how difficult it is to rule a people by
laws, that it is their intereft to refiiT:, and
render nugatory.
A'
i
M
1
,■■>
But
[ «« ]
But to counteraifl the force of tlic ^ore-
going obfcrvations, it is alTerted by Lord
She'Ticld, ami what it much more H range,
that people are fo infatuated as to believe,
that notwithllanding the abfolute prohibi-
tion on tlie part of Great Britain, of ad-
miirion ol American veflels into her
idands, ^^iH that the United States will
open their ports to Britilli fhipping, and
freely indulge them with the liberty ol
carrying uiT their produce.
But he mull have a poor opinion of the
force of his own arguments, which he
has fo abundantly furnillied to Great Bri-
tain, in favour of this felliih fvUem of
monopolizing the carrying trade, if he
does not believe, that they will operate fo
eftedually on the minds of the Americans,
as to induce them, deprived of an equali-
zation
.wv« ■"• I ,'■»'■ "UHlP-w^'ll H
1
*l
; i!
t « ]
zafion of privilege, to adopt the fame'plan;
admitting that their fagacious clear-light-
ed politicians had not already difcovered
them.
His premifes therefore are not admif-
fible- -the idea they convey is an infult on
common fenfe.
I expelled, that in forming an eflimate
of the American charader, the Englifli
had been fully perfuaded, from a view oi
the progrefs of their political affairs, tha
they were conduded by a people who fel
dom have fo widely wandered horn thei
interefls.
..%)).
in
'i
4
Habituated to the refinance of every
oppreilive meafure, more vigilant over
their national concerns, more intent on
con-
:M
r 23 ]
conncdlng the fclcnce of politics, with
the elements of commerce, as forming the
niofl important objccl of the flatcfman's
attention — than perhaps any other nation
cxifting, is it to be expccTccd, they will
acquiefce in a fyflem, fo derogatory to
the honor, degrading to the fpirit, and
injurious to the interefls of a great peo-
ple?
#
A moment's reflecftion mnft convince
every difpaflionate enquirer, that our legi-
llators are better guardians of tlie public
concerns, than to fubmit to fo pernicious
an intercourfe; efpecially, v/henit is con-
fidered, that they are fcleded from thofe,
who are the heft vcrfed in the interefls of
the States, as relative to thofe of other
commercial powers, and who will em-
brace every advantage that nature haj
given.
L 24 I
1 '^
!
'i
given, or art can procure, to the improve-
ment thereof.
He may continue to chcrifli the delu-
five idea, but I v/ill tell him in prophetic
language, what will be the confequence.
1
The States, from a fenfe of common dan-
ger, and common inter':ft, will more clofe-
ly unite together, and form one general
. iyflem of exclufive navigation, in regard
to Great Britain, eflablilhed on clear, equal
and determinate principles of commercial
: retaliation, which will rapidly pervade
the whole Union. Already has a generous
. tompetition began to take place, betwixt
them, which fhall mofl: cheerfully adopt,
and carry into eife<^t, thofe wife and falu-
tary meafures, recommended by the grand
:. council of the conntrv, in order to make
their
■ - -f
( 25 )
dieir fcederal union refpeiflable, and the
United States, as profperous in Peace, as
they have been glorious in War.
I acknowledge, that fuch pubhc fpi-
rited arrangemcjts will, for a time, ex-
pofe fome of the States, to temporary
inconvenience end diftrefs ; but after all
the facrifices they have already made,
will it be furprifing that they (hould ex-
ert this felf-dcnying virtue ; efpccially,
as it will eventually become one of the
greatefl fources of their future wealth an-d
importance.
Such prohibitions, therefore, on the
part of Great Britain, will operate like a
charm throughout the country j they
will ad like a fpur on the induftry of the
inhabitants, and compel them to turn
K their
m
V
M
( »6 )
their attention more iininedi.itely to tlie
conflruclion of Hilps, and the increafc of
their feamen. The cadcrn and middle
States, which froni circumfcances of local
fituation and chancer, are more pecu-
liarly calculated for thefe purpofes, will,
by vigorous exertion, by great and in-
creafiiig encouragement, in a (liort time,
be enabled to furniui a fuilicient fupply.
Many of their trading inhabitants will
be induced to refide in, and become citi-
zens of the fouthern States, and form
eftablifliments therein, in order to devote
themfelves to the bufmefs of furnifhing
the necelTary (hipping, for the tranfporta-
tion of their bulky produce.
Such circumftances, fortunately combi-
ning in favor of the general intereft of the
republic
( 27 )
republic, will operate as a bond of union
aaiongfl them, by occiffioning their re-
ipcdtive citizens to continue to mix free-
ly, and intimately together.
And by making them mutually dependent
^neach otherforreciprocalfervices, will di-
veil them of local attachnients, and will ir-
fefifdbly impel them to become friends, to
the rights and intereds of confederated A-
merica. For as the prooi'Mtion of mankind
depends on the intercourle of perfons of
different fexes, fo do political connedions
thrive only betwixt fuch countries, as fur-
nifh different materials for their mutual
exchange, and who foon become, from^ a
fenfe oF each others wants, mutually en-
leare
d to each other. Yet this
iiircw
P
oii-
tician infers, that theSt:.tes will oppofeeach
other, becaufe their "Aaples and their cli-
E -^
mats
( 23 )
iTiate are different — forgetting the trmh
of tliat political maxim, that interefl
unites, from the lame caufe that it divides.
:m
%
Therefore this fclfilli arrangmertt which
appears to predominate in the Britifli Ca-
binet, and which is fuppofed to be an
emanation from the fame ill-fated flar,
which in your political fyftem has been fa
long looked up to as your poliar dire6tion>
will eventually become a great advantage
to the United States ; for 1 am well con-
vinced, that they never will arrive to any
eminence as a naval power, until their
inhabitants are reduced to the neceffity of
being .the exclufive carriers of their own
productions, thereby encouraging mer-
cantile navigation, fo as to make it become
a nurfery of feamen. I fay forced, for the
ailertion of Lord Sheffield, that our vef-
fels
( =9 )
lels navigate cheaper than thofe of Great
Britain, is not founded on i\\3: ; for whea
their fpeedy decay, comparatively with
thofe of the Eritilh, with the fcarcity of
feamen, the much higher price of wages,
and the necefTity of importing nioft of the
building materials from Europe, arc takea
into confideration, it will clearly be infer-
red, that the latter can afford their freights,
m
at a much eafier rate.
But Hiould the United States be com-
pelled to adopt a navigation act, the pro-
fpedl will then change, the demands for
feamen will greatly incTcafe, their wages
will be encouraQ-inir, and it will not be
poflible to prev'jnt their paihng into the
American fervice; for this clafs of people,
as wavering and. inconilant as the element
that wafts them, are attached to change
of
C 3° )
of climate, and arc ca lily allured by the
profpeft of greater wages, or kinder treat-
ment.
Under the influence of the above caufes
it mufl be clearly evident, that the fears
of our compctiton in the carrying trade
of the Weil Indies, are entirely groundlefs.
Bcfides, it is not probable that the Anie«
ricans will feek in forcii^n countries for
freights, when ihey have not perhaps
above one fourth part of the neeellary
fln'pping to fupply their own demands,
for tranfporting their produce to mar-
ket : How abfurd and covitradjulory
then arc Lord Sheffield's apprehenfions !
for it isj from a prcfuinption cf their
fcarcity of iliipping, tliat he affirms that
the Americans will not refuie their pro-
duce to the offers of Britiili vellels; he
ucknow-
( 3' )
acknowledges likewife, that the French
underfcll the Britini lugars at foreign
markets ; there can coiifcquently be but
little danger cf the Americans being
dcfirous of carrying them to foreign
ports; for where will be the inducement ?
In arguing againfl this fclfi/h con-
traded fyftem, founded on extreme cupi-
dity, and in favour of a free unreftrained
commerce betwixt the two countries,
I have no view of confulting the advan-
tages of the United States, to the exclu-
fion of thofe of Great Britain,
I know it would be folly to expedl that
flie would make facrifices of her interefts,
to accommodate the views of the Ameri-
cans,
But
< 3' )
Uut it fo happens, that flie cannot favor
the United Siutes with an indulgence, for
which thev are not able to furnifli more
than a reciprocal benefit.
It is expedient however to examine llill
more fully, what the grand leading argu-
ment that Lord Slicflicld adduces in favour
of the neceflity of totally excluding them
from a participation in the Britilh Wefl
India trade, amounts to. He is fearful
that they will thereby become the car-
riers of the produce of the iflands to the
place of its confumption, which will create
an interference of foreign velTels, thereby
Icfiening the number of feamen, and con-
i'equently the jiaval force of the country.
But, if in addition to all that I have al-
ready faid, I anfwer, that in return for
this
{ 33 )
this accommodation which he may cjII In-
dulgent, but which I have clearly evinced
to be the interefl: of Great Britain, confult-
ing the welfare of her iflands, to grant.
I fav, If in return for this accommoda-
tion, her fubjeds may be admitted to a
free ingrefs and egrefs to and from the ports
of the United States j— — What reply will
the advocates for this fyflem mjke ?--What
will become of Lord Sheflield's reafoning,
when weighed in the fcale of comparative
proportion ? 1 only wifli them to com-
prehend the magnitude of the advantage.
Men of weak or limited underflandings,
will be incapable of extending their ideas,
fo as to embrace the vafb field it opens to
an enlightened mind.
In the firft place, they will not afTuredly
deny, that the produdions of the United
States, to the tranfportation of which, from
F the
( 34 )
the propofcd arrangement, they arc freely
to be admitted, will furnifli twice the quan-
tity of bulky materials, that the exports
of tlic Weft: Indies do, and will confequent-
\y employ twice the quantity of (hipping.
■ 'To (lamp convidlion in regard to the
truth of this aftertion, let them take a
view of the rice, indigo, and lumber of
Georgia and South Carolina ; — the naval
flores, lumber, and tobacco of North Ca-
rolina ; — the tobacco, wheat, Indian corn,
&c. of Virginia and Maryland ; — the flour,
lumber, corn, and various provifions, of
Pennfylvania, Delaware, Jerfey, and New
York;— the fiili, lumber, live (lock, &c.
of the New England States.
Admit this fad, to be afcertained with
fatisfa^lory prccilion, will it not be confcfT-
ed, that an arrangem;.:nt, by which both
countries are freely admitted to a partici-
pation
-_..-itJ«>i.' :li^. . ..'
( is )
patlon of each other's trade, will be highly
advanta;;eous to Great Diituin.
This is a pofition, as clear as any mathe-
mat'cal axiom. Bcfidcs, the advantages
of Great Britain may be deemed Incrcaf-
ing, as the exportation of the bulky pro-
duce of the United States, (in which her
velTels will be employed) will augment, in
proportion to the population of the coun-
try j—apopulatlon, that will probably be pro-
ductive beyond all examples of former ages,
—multiplying like the feeds of the harveft.
Whereas, on her part, there is but little
room for extenfion of improvement j— -on
this point her moft fiinguine friends would
compound,for her being fixed and ftationary.
But Lord Sheffield argues, that it would
be folly to grant the Americans any par-
ticular privileges and conceflions, as the
F 2 treaties
■ ■iiip wiptii rwii^n^iiKvipipfvwnvii^viTnn*"
( 36 )
treaties with France, and the United Pro-
vinces, in diredt terms forbid the Britiflj
being put on a better looting than the in-
habitants of thofe countries.
The faculties of this writer niufl be
flrangely perve-ted, — or his defign niufl:
evidently be to delude the public mind, by
giving Co falfe a conllrudion to this part of
the treaties.
Can it be im-^xgined, on the principles
of common fenfe, that, if the French and
Dutch exclude the Americans from a fhare
of their Weft India trade, the United
States will grant to the inhabitants of thofe
countries, the fame free admillion into their
Dcrts, as to thofe of Great Britain, who may
permit an unreftrained participation m their
commerce ? In every contrad, there is a
quid pro quo, ~o^Qv\y exprefied, or tacitly
implisd j— and it is not to be prefumed, that
the
( 37 )
tlic mofl favoured nation can require a be-
nefit, without granting a reciprocal re-
turn ; it is contrary to the avowed
policy of nations, which, it is well under-
ftood, is founded on the broad bafis of in-
terefl and convenience.
The fame reafons will tend to fruftrate
the hopes of Ruflia, who cannot, like the
United States, give an equitable equiva-
lent to Great Britain, in return for fuch
great concefiions^
France has hitherto. In -ariably, by her
own internal refources, fupplied her iflands
abundantly, with many of the neceffarles
they fland in need of, and is ilill in a capa-
city to do thi f^me.
With refped to other articles, (the pro-
duce of the United States,) that do not inter-
fere with her own exports, fhe has given free
admiffion
( 38
admlfljon to them all into her Weft India
poiliffions ;— and in order to gain the
advantages of the rum fade, which the
BritiQi hitherto have txclufively propofed,
fhe has ceded particular didridls in her
iflands, for the accommodation of the
Americans, who may chufe to erect dif-
tilleries thereon, which, for their great en-
couragement, are to be exempt from taxes,
for a certain number of years. The
confummatc policy of her councils was
never more eminently difplayed, than in
this meafurc*.
The aftonifhed planter, in viewing the
refpedive arrangements of the two coun-
tries, will wonder where the Genius of
Britain, fo famed for her conamercial
knowledge, has retired.
* See Proclamation of the General of Martinico, pub-
lifhed in the Public Advertifer.
After
( 39 )
After having already made it appear
that it is the intercft of Great Britain
(independent of all other confiderations) to
adopt the plan of an open communication
between the iflands and the United States, and
that it is in the power of the latter to grant
more than they receive j 1 will now have
rccourfe to an argument, that perhaps will
have a falutary effedl on thofe, who are the
mod difficult to be perfuaded j -I mean,
the relative fituation of the two countries,
which makes it the intereft of Great Bri-
tain, more than that of any other Euro-
pean power, to be pointedly conneded
with the American Slates.
Let a moment's attention be paid to this
fubjed", and let the inference be fairly and
^Ifpaflionately drawn.
Great Britain, by the fuperior /kill and
induftry of her inhabitants, and fjme ad-
ventitious
I1li-«W''I1«I'I'I«I INIW
( 40 )
ventltlous clrcumftances, has carried many
of her manufadtures to a degree of per-
fedion and cheapnefs, which no other
country in Europe has arrived at.
Confidering the inferior flate of her
population, compared with fome of her
rival nations, and the very Hmited extent
of her territory, it mufl be confcfTed, that a
confide.. part of her revenues, to fup-
port the immenfe load of debt (lie has in-
curred, mud be drawn from this fource— -
from the induilry of her people.
I
The United States at prcfent offer three
millions of inhabitants, rapidly increafing
in numbers, all of whom confume more
or lefs of Britifh manufadures, — the pro-
dudions of art and induflry j — in return
for which, they give the raw materials, — -
the produce of agriculture, in their native
ftate.
How
i
( 41 )
How infatuated muft the councils of
your country be, which could tend but for
a moment, to difturb fo beneficial an in-
tercourfe ; or fufpend the fwects of fo
lucrative a commerce !
T'je United States have as yet laid no
impofitfons on the importation of Britifh
manufadlures, that can have any tendency
to restrain the confnmption of them ;■
and many reafons of confpicuous weight
and importance continually offer, in fa-
vour of eftablilhing fuch duties ; —
for by operating as a fumptuary law, fuch
a meafure would be of confiderable fer-
vice to a young country, by reprefnng the
defire of foreign luxuries, which have al-
ready been poured into America, in fuch
abundance, that the States begin to fufFer,
from not having fufficient produce to remitin
payment j which turns the balance of
G trade
( 42 )
trade greatly againft them. — Bcfidcs, fuch
reftridions wifely impofed, tend to fli-
niulate and encourage a fplrit of induftry
amcngn: the people, to aim at fimilar
improvements.
But iliould the impolitic condud: of
Great Britain precipitate the adoption of
this meafure by the refpcdtivc States, where
are her growing refources to counteract
the effedls of this failure of internal in-
duftry r — for it is univerfally agreed, that
no country is more depr ident on foreign
demand, for the fuperfluous produce of
art and Induftry s — and that the luxury and
extravagance of her inhabitants, have
already advanced to the ultimate point of
abufe, and cannot be fo increafed, as to
augment the home coufumption, in pro-
portion to the decreafe that will take place
on a diminution of foreign trade,
. . What
I
( 43 )
What then will become of all thofe ufe-
ful hands, that were employed in fupplyin
the great demand ?
or
o
Recoile6t the cries of fufTering thoufands,
at the time of tlie non-importation agree-
ment J — thefe people, in their own de*
fence, will emigrate to America.
Such a fyflem of condud: perfevered
in, will operate in favour of the United
States, as effedually, as the revocation of
the ediift of Nantes did in behalf of the
proteftant countries of Europe 3 — by holding
up America, as the mofl defirable refuo-e
for the property, arts, and manufadures
of Great Britain to retire to j a country
where civil and religious liberty are up-
held in all their purity, where, by the
exertion of a few years of honeft induflry,
an emigrant is morally fure, of being fur-
G 2 nifhed
<lP«in«i^nr«nisw^<yffppi.iii^^i|ii p,'-
( 44 )
niflied with the means of becoming an
indt oenutnt freeholder j — a country, that
hd^ 'jid no impohtic reftraints on natu-
rahzition ; — whofe voke is eafy, and whofe
burthen's hght ; and which indulgently
holds out its arms for the reception of the
weaiy and heavy laden of all nations j—
and which, notwithftanding the attempts of
Great Bru lin to enflave it, would generoufly
offer an afylum tor her perfecuted fons,
who, impreiTed with a fenfe of gratitude,
** may bludi to think their fathers were
" its foes."
But Lord Sheffield exultingly advances,
that the Americans cannot forego the Britifh
manufadures ; and that fo far from the
neceffity of courting their cuftom, not all
the interdids of Congfcfs, and of the feve-
ral Stales, during the war, could prevent
their confumption.
To
( 4S )
\
To deduce important inferences, from
fuch fault;/ p'-cmifcs, would be " leaning
•' on a brok.;n reed." There may be at
prefent fomc partiality in the States, for
Britiih manuladures j— yet this prediledlion
arifcs from cradle prejudices, and has greatly
decrcafed during the war ; — and it would
be unwife in Great Britain to place any
relianct; on a continuation of it :— for the
manufadlures of other countries, if equally
good, and afforded cheaper, will, by a
continued competition, be eventually pre-
ferred ', efpecially> as there will be a con-
ftant fucceffion of emigrants from different
parts of Europe, who have no decided
preference in favour of the fafliion or qua-
lity of Britifh manufadures, and who, by
mixing with the mafs of the people, will
gradually effcdt a change in their taile. —
Already do the Americans begin to com-
plain, that the Britifh manufadures are
flighted.
■TJ^^WWPIP*
( 46 )
flighted, and inferior in quality to their
ulual ftandard j — and it is well known,
that many of the coarfe kinds of fluffs,
made at Norwich, Coventry, Spitalfields, and
other fadlories, are fhamefully deficient in
length, whilfl: the Dutch, Flemifli, and
French, ufually give a generous furplus in
their meafures.
But if the aflertions of Lord Sheffield-
were founded on truth, what fhould be
the condudl: of Great Britain ?
Surely no circumf^ance can be more fa-
vourable to the aggrandizing a nation of
induflry, than the pofTefiion of a foreign
trade with a country, which does not fup-
ply its own wants, and in which, the con-
lumers of manufactures, that llie furnifhes,
are continually increafing.
Sur-
11
( 47 )
Suii'oundcd by rival nations, whofe in-
tercfls are oppofed to hers, does flic con-
lidcr the duties that arife out of fuch a con-
nexion ? They fliould prompt her to faci-
litate, by every method in her power, the
means of making remittances, in return
for the manufadures flie furniflied j— not
by prohibiting the fale of American veflels
which are fent to England for the pay-
ment of Britifli debts ; — by opening her
ports for the importation of American
produce free of duty ; — not by laying fuch
heavy impofitions thereon, as to oblige the
merchant to fcek a more friendly market; —
and by cultivatiu^ an intercourfe, pointed-
ly intimate, with that country ;— -(for this
is the vernal feafon, when the feeds of
future connection and intimacy with Ame-
rica are to be fown and cultivated;)
not by fliowing evident marks of pleafure
and
( 48 )
and fatlsfadion at every fabricated account
of the diflrefTes of America.
It would be unneceflary to follow Lord
Sheffield through the tedious detail of ar-
ticles that he has enumerated, as conftitut-
ing the wants of the Americans, the great-
eft part of which, he alTcrts, they mufl
abfolutely procure from England ;
the fallacy of this account can only be dif-
covered by a perfon who is acquainted with
the nature of the American trade, and the
relative quality and price of foreign ma-
nufadlures.
To oppofc alTertlon to ailertion, would
not be fuflicient to operate convldion on
the public mind ; but furely, one who
can ferioufly place the articles of filk, laces,
and fait, amongft the number of thofe,
which Great Britain can enter into compe-
tition
( 49 )
tition viMh other, countries, in fupplylng
America with, mufl either be very igno-
rant of his fubjcd:, or extremely partial to
his own country.
(.
On a fair and candid confideration of the
foregoing refledtions, I think you will be
perluadcd, that the beautiful profped that
Lord Shcfljtld has painted to the eyes of
his enraptured countrymen, of the increaf-
ing conftquence of Great Britain, from his
pleafing Arcadian plans, will, without great
care taken to prevent it, and by purfuing
a fyftem diametrically oppofite to what he
has formed, difappear, like the dancing
vifion of a mifty evening.
He reafons, as if the trade of America
muft irrefiflibly be confined to its former
channel; \\hereas I can allure him, that,
freed from the con^roul of your Navigation
Adt, and all the fetters of commercial re-
H flraint.
( 50 )
flraint, It will expand itfelf, as far as feas
can carry, or winds can waft it.
He forgets the energy of this young
Country, that he is devoting to fuch humi-
liating rcftridlions ; he forgets, that It
exhibited, whiifl in its cradle, fuch marks
of firmnefs and vigor of conftitution, as,
like young Hercules, to crufli the ferpent,
that w^intonly attacked it.
He does not reccllc6l, that it is in the
power of the United States (if provoked
to it) to have recourfc to recrimination and
mutually ill ofiices, and to eflablifli refliic-
tions fimilar to thofe Great Britain may
impofe, wliich will be relatively fu- more
prejudicial to her trade and commerce.
An impartial difpaffionate Englifliman,
fully weighing the rcaibns alledgcd againfl
the
( 5' )
the adoption of Lord Sheffield's refLralnuig
fyflem, and cordially attached to the inte-
refts of Great E-itain, will deprecate the
fatal rneafure.
An American, in the fame temper of
mind, looking forward to the future prof-
perity and puwcr of his country, and con-
templating the tei dency of iJus fyftcm to-
wards ftrengthening the union of the States,
and making it indifToluble, will not hefi-
tate to acquiefce without a murmur, to the
exiflence of thefe reftriuning regulations : —
the only objections that :an arife, will come
from thofe, who, too attentive to tempo-
rary inconveniences, do not confider and
contraft them, with the many advantages
their country will eventually derive t — who
do not conlidcr, that the moie trade and in-
tercourfe the United States will have with
Great Britain, the gi eater will be the im-
portation
• 4-.
. portatlon of Britidi manufad:ures, and the*
, . more It will tend to iinpoverilh and weaken
them, and in the fame proportion, con-
■■ , tribute to her aggrandizement and power.
Harley-Stieer, Cavendifh-Sqiiare,
Dtxember ^i6tb, 1783.
...I ,
^his Day is pullijhed in 05favo, containing near
A COMPLETE and AUTHENTIC DETAIL of
the feveral DEBATi.Sin rbc HOUiEof COM-
MONS on the EAST-INDIA RiU, on Thurfday the
27 th of November ; on Mortda^ the id of December ;
and on, Monday the 8th of December :
Tofrethcr with authentic Copies of the two EAST-
INDIA BILLS ; the Arguments of Counfel againft
oneofthem ; the feveral Fapcrs containing a true State-
ment of ths Company's Aftairs ; Lilis of the Divifions,
of the Abfentce^, and of thofe who retired before the
Diviuons commenced,
*^^ As feveral paltry Compilations qn the fame Sub-
je6J are now in Circulation, the Public are hereby cau-
tioned a2;ainft the Impofiiion ; and thofe who ar .■ (i(;li-
ro IS of being furrifhed v/ith the only Genuine Account
of the Debacc's on the I. dia Bill, are rcqutfted to he
careful to afk for S tockdale's Complete and Authentic
Petail.
Printed for J. Stocfcdale, oppofite Biirlirigton"
hlGufey Piccadilly.
■ ■'■Mi
i-\-A-.
■■-■^
-""'^^^^ii'mmmmm
^^^iK^mmmmmmm
be '
en
ri-
r.
M.
?'i ■'■
ir
■ V"
Of
I-
■ ■ V
he V
'» >, ■¥?
ift
e-
le
>t
)-
1-
It
)e
ic
' i'i-/
■^'