THAT the Trade of the Plantations is of the last Importance to Great-Britain, is allowed of on all Hands; and to shew that it might be made much more beneficial▪ especially with regard to these Northern Colonies, if properly directed, is the Intention of the following Observations; which I shall introduce with a short Paragraph or two from some late eminent Authors.

‘PROVIDING and encouraging of proper and pro­fitable Employment and Manufacture for the Inha­bitants of a Country, and the suppressing of vicious Habits, and pernicious Trades, is the great End as well as great Art of Government; and according as the Governors of different Countries understand this Art, and apply it, so are the Circumstances, Trade and Wealth of these Countries. The Inha­bitants of the Earth are like a Mine, which, accord­ing as it is wrought, yields Riches to all the different Countries in the World. Poverty and Want, Affluence and Riches, are only the Effects of the different Methods how Monarchs and States work here: And where those in a Government are not at due Pains to employ the Wisdom, Power and Authority of the Legislature, for encouraging the Labour of the People, and leading them into useful Trade and Manufactures, that Government lays no Foundation for its own Support, unhinges itself, and must soon totter into Destruction with the People.’ And,

[Page 2] ‘IT is the first and capital Concern of every valu­able Member of a Community, to promote the Interest thereof: His own Security, Peace and Happiness depend upon it; for, in Proportion as the Society flourishes or declines, in the very same Proportion must his own particular Interest, and that of his Family and Friends, increase or decay:’

‘A DUE and just Sense of this, and a warm and honest Inclination to fulfil the Dictates of this Sense, is what is properly and truly called Publick Spirit, the first and greatest of moral Vertues; without having a warm Feeling of which it is impossible to be an honest Man. That there is sometimes Hy­pocrisy in this, as there may be in regard to all other Vertues, cannot be denied: But how criminal soever this Hypocrisy may be in them that are guilty of it, yet it is a strong Argument in support of the Vertue itself; for the more Mischief a false Patriot is able to do, the more worthy, the more amiable, the more laudable is the Character of a true Citizen, who acts from the great and glorious Desire of doing Good to all.’

‘ Put but a poor and languishing City under my Care, I will render it rich and flourishing, was a Saying of Themistocles, the Athenian; Which kind of Ability is what alone constitutes a great and able Politician.’

But to proceed:

OUR Southern Colonies are, I doubt, at their Ne plus ultra, if not upon the Decline; it cannot, I think, well be otherwise, considering the great Encourage­ment our foreign Neighbours, French, Dutch and Spaniards meet with; which, together with their own Parsimony, Industry and Liberty of Exportation to [Page 3] such Markets as they think will best suit their Ex­pectations, will in a few Years enable them to out-strip us in every Article of the West-India Trade. Our Southern Colonies, besides, are so unhealthy and dis­agreeable to an English Constitution, that few go thither but with a View to return in a few Years with Estates; and no more People will go there, or continue there, than are necessary to raise the Commodities wanted, which are of so different a Nature from those of Great-Britain, that they can never interfere, and consequently can never give the least Umbrage.

THE Northern Colonies open quite a different Scene▪ they are healthy Climates, and are as yet but in their Infancy, and capable of the most extensive Improve­ments; they increase in People, and will increase. Men living in healthy Climates, paying easy or no Taxes, not molested with frequent Wars, must vastly increase by natural Generation.

MR. Halley observes, ‘That in Countries long settled, the Growth and Increase of Mankind, is not so much stinted by any Thing of the Nature of the Species, as it is from the cautious Difficulty most People make to adventure on the State of Marriage, from the Prospect of the Trouble and Charge of providing for a Family; nor are the poorer Sort of People to be blamed, since their Difficulty of subsisting, is occasioned by the unequal Distribution of Possessions, all being necessarily fed from the Ground, of which yet so few are Masters; so that besides themselves and Families, they are yet to work for those that own the Ground that feeds them, and of such does by very much the greater Part of Mankind consist; otherwise it is plain that there might well be four Times as many Births as we now find.’

[Page 4] BESIDES, many flow hither daily from our own Dominions, and from other Parts of Europe: Not less than seven Thousand Souls have been brought into Philadelphia this last Summer; and if I have been rightly informed, many Thousands have been brought in there yearly, for these many Years past. It has been computed that the Northern Colonies, taken one with another, double the Number of Inhabitants every thirty Years. If this is the Case, we shall soon become powerful States; and the more powerful we grow, still the more People will flock hither; and here is Room, Business, and full Employ for all, and Millions yet unborn. It is hard to determine about the present Number of Inhabitants upon this Continent: I have only been able to learn from a publick Paper, that the Number of the People in New-Jersey, taken by Order of the Government in 1738-9, were 43388 Whites, 39 [...]1 Blacks. By a like Order from Governor Morris in 1745, the Number of Whites amounted to 56797, and 4606 Blacks; and by an Increase in this Propor­tior, the Inhabitants will be doubled in less than twenty four Years.

MR. Little supposes the Northern Colonies receive yearly to the Value of £. 600,000 in British Manu­factures; and why may not we suppose this to be ex­pended at the Rate of, one with another, 20 s. a Head, which will amount to 600,000 Souls; and less I be­lieve there is not, one with another, in these fourteen Colonies; those in 120 Years will be 9,600,000 Souls, and the Demands of the British Manufactures in Pro­portion, viz. £. 9,600,000; or rather none at all, if we are not very soon properly employed; and this can only be done by turning all Hands (by a pro­per Encouragement, not by coercive or restraining Laws) to the raising Naval Stores, and Ship-building. Of this, and this only, we are capable, and no Part [Page 5] upon the Face of the Globe more so; we have all the Materials in great Perfection, Timber in Abundance, and good, and some perhaps better than what England, or any other Part of the World affords, viz. the red Cedar, and the Locusts, the Mulberry red and white, of an extraordinary quick Growth, and which may be brought into any Shape, and are much more durable than any Oak, especially in Places often wet and dry: Iron enough to supply the whole Universe, not at all inferior either to the Spanish or Swedish. And those very Flatts alone in the Mohawks Country, are sufficient to supply the Navy of Great-Britain with Hemp, for Ages to come. Hitherto our Hands have been chiefly employed in the raising and manufacturing of Wheat, which is indeed the only Thing we can call a Staple with us, every other Branch of Trade is but precarious, and even that is become pretty much so, and will be more and more so: The first Inducement to this Manufacture, was the Supply of our Southern Colonies, which for some Time did tolerably well; but as we have increased vastly, while they have been at a Stand, their Markets are overstock'd: Wheat I have seen at 3s 6d; and when at 3s. it is not worth the Labour▪ It has indeed bore a tolerable good Price since the Commencement of the War; but that has entirely been owing to the Supply given to our Enemies, who could not be supplied from Europe, and without which, had the War continued a Year longer, many of them would have been obliged to abandon their Settlements. And this leads me to a short, but I hope not an im­proper Digression, viz. That if our British Parliament, in Case of a War, would think fit to enumerate every Species of Provisions, in the same Manner as Naval Stores, &c. are enumerated, only during the War; it would distress our Enemies in America more effectually than by any other Method they can possibly think of▪ The greatest Obstruction you can put upon any Fleets [Page 6] going home from America, is to prevent their being supplied with Provisions from the Continent, by Way of Coracoa, &c. Nor should we have much to appre­hend from any Attacks from Europe with their Fleets, as after such long Voyages there is an absolute Necessity for Refreshments, which cannot be had but from hence. This M. D' Anville found by fatal Experience; could he possibly have refreshed his Troops, he would have made great Havock along this Continent: Had he touched at New-York instead of Jebucta, he would have been Master of the Place in a few Hours; and a small Party from Canada at the same Time, might have been Masters of Albany in as little Time; by which Means they would have been possessed of Hudson's River, the whole Furr Trade, and at the same Time the Command of many thousand fighting Indians, who would very soon have drove us all into the Sea. This is no Utopian Tale; the French know their Interest, and will pursue it first or last. It is true, we might have dislodged them, but at what an Expence I am not able to determine; or that ever we should be able to recover our Indians, is much to be doubted; and if ever the French become absolute Masters of the Indians, adieu to our English Settlements: And should they even attempt this and succeed, of which I make little doubt, if even at the Expence of a Million, they will be Gainers. This is a Point of no small Importance to the Publick, and with the Publick I leave it.

Is it not high Time then, to think of securing, at least, our Northern Frontiers while the Peace lasts, which from all Appearances cannot be very long? The barbarous, unheard of, unprecedented Manner of ma­king War there, ought to move Compassion in every human Breast; a Manner peculiar to the Canadians, of murdering Women, and Infants in their Cradles. In what Manner we are to set about it, I must leave [Page 7] to better Judges to determine: From Assemblies, by Experience, we have little to hope for; their Distance from the Danger abates much of their Humanity and Concern; and their publick Spirit is in Proportion to their Res angusta domi, and Education. Some of them I have been told, in order to save the Expence of a Rat-Trap, have lost a great Part of their Winter Grain by that ravenous Tribe of out-landish Rats, which have lately infested this Country: No-Body here, I hope, will attempt a Parrallel. Were they, however, but as solicitous for the real Good of the Community, as they are about gratifying particular Resentments, and grasping at more Powers than may be consistent with a proper Ballance, which seems to be the two grand Points they have hitherto had in view, it would be happy for those they represent: While we can com­mand our Purse-Strings, we are in no Danger from Power; but if in the Scramble we should lose that, whom shall we have to thank. I would not have it imagined here I mean any particular Assembly, no One therefore I hope will adopt it.

WE are well assured, the French would hardly have been able to have fitted out a single Privateer this last War, had they not been supplied with war-like, as well as other Stores of all Kinds, from this Continent. Our Legislatures here are not, I doubt, fully authorized to prevent those Inconveniencies; and tho' some were willing, others in hopes, I presume, of making great Advantages, would decline it: Nothing therefore, but a British Parliament, can put this Affair upon a proper Footing.

But to return:

WHAT we have from the West-Indies for our Flour▪ Beef and Pork, &c. is generally Rum, Sugar and Molasses; all consumed here; which, from a proper [Page 8] Use of Distilling, and Penals, we might as well be without. In some Parts of Scotland and Ireland, and in most Parts of Europe, they hardly know what Rum and Molasses is; they are not, however, without both Spirits and Sweets from their own Produce. For my own Part, therefore, as we have Nothing from thence of a Staple, fit for Exportation, I cannot help thinking it would be more for the Advantage of the Community, to eat up our Flour at home, than to drink it out in a most pernicious Spirit from abroad. The little Trade however, we carry on with foreign Neighbours (for like the industrious Bee, no Stone is left unturn'd, or Port in America untried, to bring something home to the Hive, or in other Words to answer the Ballance due to Great-Britain) is what at present keeps Life and Soul together. But this cannot be called a Branch of Trade, being so precarious, and liable to so many Accidents; the Breath of a French or Spanish Governor puts an End to it. Besides, its so severely crampt by the late Sugar Act, to very little other Purpose than that of distressing us in one considerable Article in our Returns, that is, we formerly used to supply the French &c. with Lumber, Flour, Beef, Pork, Horses, and most kind of our Produce; for which we had in return, Sugars chiefly, which were carried to foreign Markets, and the Produce lodged in England: Those Sugars are now altogether in the Hands of the French, our Competitors in this, as well as every other Branch of Trade, more especially in America.

THE surprizing Progress they have made for these thirty Years past, by promoting the Interest of their Colonies, and which they are [...] so intent in pursuing, appears from [...] in our Papers from Paris, 19th [...] October, O. S. 1749, viz. ‘The Crown is particularly attentive to put its Colonies in America upon a good Footing; to this End all the young [Page 9] People who offer themselves, are encouraged upon very advantageous Terms,’ &c. This, continued for thirty Years to come, will enable them to supply themselves, and France too, with all Kinds of Naval Stores, and every Thing else North-America produces. At this Time they are collecting Materials with great Assiduity, and building Ships of War and Merchant Men in Quebec River. So much for our Wheat and Flour, which has hitherto employed most of our Hands. How usefully, or of what mighty Advantage it has been, or ever like to be to the Community, in regard to our Returns, I shall leave to others to determine.

THE Furr Trade is in a great Measure engrossed by the French; a great Part of the Share we have in it is from them; which, together with Flax Seed, a late Branch of Trade, but precarious, as it is subject to Accidents of the Seasons, is all the visible Returns we have to make for the vast Importations from Europe; and both together, I doubt, will hardly defray the Expence of the Apparatus of our Tea Tables. As to our Beef and Butter, Ireland will ever cut us out in those two Articles; while there are any of those Com­modities abroad in our Plantations, those from America don't go off. Our long and severe Winters keep our Cattle low, nor do they recover much before they are attacked by the intense Heat of our Summers, and a numerous Breed of Insects, which prevents their kindly Feeding.

THIS, I think, is the present Situation of our Affairs; if I am mistaken, I shall be glad to be better informed. A Situation melancholly enough! Vast Numbers of People, and daily increasing, uselessly employed, which is the worst Sort of Employment. In Debt we are, and in Debt we must be, for those vast Importations from Europe: and as we increase, so will our Debts, [Page 10] without, from the present Prospect of Things, ever being able to make suitable Returns; and of Course, we must become Bankrupts, unless relieved; and that soon, either from Necessity or Encouragement. Necessity, the great Mother of Invention, which has no Law, nor regards no Law, will, when we can be no longer trusted (which in a few Years will unavoidably be the Case) naturally lead us to interfere in the Manufactures of Great-Britain, and to supply ourselves as well as we can▪ How far, or how soon, this may be brought to any Degree of Perfection, with the Assistance of those Numbers of foreign Artificers, as well as those from our own Dominions, which daily arrive among us, both needy and ingenious; I shall not take upon me to de­termine: I may however venture to affirm, the Thing is practicable; and where People in such Circumstances are numerous and free, they will push what they think is for their Interest, and all restraining Laws will be thought Oppression; especially such Laws, as according to the Conceptions we have of English Liberty, they have no Hand in the contriving or making.

GIVE me leave here to mention, some such now in being; at least, we think them so, as well as some others of a more pernicious Tendency, with which, it is said, we are threatned. Enumerating our Produce, and confining it to one single Market, is a Solicism in Trade, and the Bane of Industry. Hats, tho' we live almost in the Center of the Furr Trade, we are prohi­bited to export, tho' made from those very refuge Furrs not fit for a foreign Market. By the Sugar Act, we are debarred trading with our foreign Neighbours, for Rum, Sugar or Molasses, which was a considerable Help to us in our Returns, as before observed. The high Duty upon Iron from these Colonies, is no small Discouragement, while Foreigners have Leave to im­port it Duty free, and in foreign Bottoms. Quere. [Page 11] Those threatned are, viz. From an anonymous Writer upon Trade, (at least the Title Page of my Book is gone) in a Tract dedicated to Sir Robert Walpole, Pag. 77, says, ‘I have before observed, that some of these People (meaning the Northern Colonies) have manufactured some of their own Woollens and Linnens; to prevent the Increase of which, first, with Regard to weaving Woollen and Linnen, let an exact Account be taken of all Looms now erected in the Plantations, and likewise a Register of all Persons now employed, viz. Such as now get their Living by weaving; that for the Future, no other or more Looms be tolerated, nor any other Persons be allowed to follow, occupy or possess, the Privilege of weav­ing, but such as are now living, and follow the said Employment, in all the Plantations respectively. In regard to Rope-making, they should not be allowed to make above a Six-Inch Rope. 2 dly, As to what regards the Iron Manufacture, let them be restrained from making Anchors for Shipping, which weigh above a Hundred and Twelve Pounds; from making all Manner of Ordnance, or Great Guns, or even Shot for such; and from making any Fusees, Muskets or Pistols; in short, all sorts of Fire-Arms and Swords, as also all Manner of Locks, and Joint Hinges, with all Manner of Tools for Artificers; as Carpenters, Sawyers, Joyners, Bricklayers, and all Sadlery and Cutlery Iron-work, together with all sorts of Nails, less than Weight-Nails, Horse-Nails only excepted: But let them not be deprived (I have hardly Patience to go on) of mending any of the aforesaid Utensils.’ And in Page 80, after a good deal more of the like Stuff, he condescends to soften Matters, by telling that great Man, ‘With regard to Stockings, if they are deprived of Weaving and Looms, as is proposed, it would surely seem hard, to deprive them of Knitting, &c,’ And even the noted Mr. Gee, in his Discourse [Page 12] on the Trade and Navigation of Great-Britain con­sidered, P. 81, is pleased to say, ‘That they also be prohibited from manufacturing Hats, Stockings, or Leather of any kind, &c.’

SHOULD the Government at any Time think fit to take these Gentlemen's Advice, I shall not take upon me to say, what the Consequences might be; this however I will lay down for a Maxim, and I have it from a very good Hand, that Liberty and Encourage­ment are the Basis of Colonies; the one carries them thither, and the other keeps them together when they are there; and Violence and oppressive Laws will put an End to both. Of the first, we are thankfully to acknowledge the great Share we have enjoyed; an equal Share of the latter, will make us a happy People, and useful Subjects. The several Notices taken of this Affair, both by the King, Lords and Commons, and of Consequence, the Directions from Time to Time from the Lords of Trade, to the several Governors, hitherto to very little Purpose, to know in what Shape we might be usefully diverted from interfering in the Manufactures of Great-Britain; are happy Omens, and shew a favourable Disposition in the Government. As there seems nothing then wanting but a proper Me­thod, it is to be hoped, every Man that has the least Regard to his own Welfare, and that of his Country, and Posterity, or who has ever seriously reflected on the moral Obligation every Individual is under, of adhering to, and promoting the Interest of the Society in which he live, and of which he is a Member; will contribute, either by his Advice or otherwise, every Thing in his Power, to so good a Design. In Conse­quence of which, I shall humbly offer my Sentiments, with this only Request, Si quid novisti rectius, candidus imperti.

[Page 13] IT has been before observed, that these Colonies are capable of supplying the Navigation of Great-Britain, both Navy and Merchants, with every Thing, and Article wanted, equally good with what they have from other Parts of the World, and that at an infinite less Expence, as it will cost them nothing but the Manu­factures of their own Produce for us.

I THEREFORE would humbly propose, That each of the Northern Colonies be encouraged to build and send home, a Capital Ship, or two, yearly, according to their Abilities, altogether from their own Produce, ballasted with Pig or Bar Iron, Pitch, Tar, Turpentine; loaden with Timber of all Sorts and Demensions, Masts, Spars, Bark, Pot-Ash, and Salt-Petre, &c. I would the rather chuse this Method, because there will be an immediate, a constant, and continued Demand. That of running up a Merchant Ship now and then, from green Timber, is of no Consequence or Advantage, but rather the Contrary, as it gives our Timber a bad Character. The common Method is, a Merchant or a Factor brings in, or sends a Cargoe; a Ship of such and such Demensions is bespoke; the Carpenters hurry into the Woods, and she is run up as fast as their Hands can, and there is no more Thought of building till another Cargo or another Order comes; what less then can be expected? Whereas that of building Ships of War, will give immediate Encouragement for raising, and bringing into a general Magazine, all kinds of Naval Stores; and this continued for a few Years, will turn most of our Hands that Way, and when once set a-going, it will be no difficult Matter to keep them a-going; their own Interest will lead them on; and as we increase in Numbers, great Stocks of Timber and Naval Stores will be laid up, and in all Probability we shall be able, (capable I am sure we are) to supply Europe with Ships of all kinds. This will reduce the Price of Freight; an [Page 14] Article which all our Rivals in Trade have long laboured to bring about in their own Favour.

That a Fund, equal to that expended in Great-Britain, for the Building such Ship or Ships, be lodged in each respective Colony for that Purpose, and in such Hands, as the Governor and Council shall think proper; giving at the same Time Security, That all Payments be made, after a fair Perusal of Vouchers, by Warrant from the Governor in Council. By lodging a Fund in this Manner, and for these Purposes, the Government can run no Manner of Risque; because, I presume, it will be put into the Hands of the most substantial Merchants and Freeholders, who will become Security for one another; and as no Part of it is to issue, but by Warrant from the Governor and Council, after a careful Perusal of Vouchers, upon a Certificate from the Overseers, or proper Officers of the Maga­zines, for Work done, or Stores lodged; it will remain safely in their Hands, till the Whole is expended: And even then, it will every Shilling return to Great-Britain, from whence it came, together with the Effects: Could we persuade the People of Great-Britain of the Truth of this, it must convince them at what an easy Rate they may procure the Effects and Produce of our Labour, in Materials so essentially necessary to their Prosperity and Well-Being, which are now had from Foreigners in a very different Manner. The Accounts to be made up quarterly, audited and transmitted.

That proper Persons from his Majesty's Yards be appointed to reside for some Time in every County, who are to instruct the People as to the Quantity, Quality and Dimensions of such Timber, and other Kinds of Naval Stores, as will best answer the Purpose; This they will soon learn, and it will be of great Use, as those at a Distance from Rivers may employ all their Hands during the Snow; all which to be immediately paid for, and lodged in proper Yards for his Majesty's

[Page 15] That some of those be also appointed to direct the Building: A Detachment of those superanuated, as I understand, by a late Order none are admitted into his Majesty's Yards above Forty or under Twenty, would be of mighty Use upon this Occasion. Our own People are all dextrous▪ Ax-Men, being used to it from their Infancy. By this Means, as we increase in Numbers, great Stocks will be laid up. In Mills we abound.

That some Persons of Skill be appointed to direct the Manufacture of Pot-Ash, and for collecting and manufacturing Salt-petre, of which, it is said, there is an inexhaustable Fund in the Mohawks Country, from the Dung of those innumerable Flocks of wild Pigeons which breed there.

That proper Persons be appointed to collect Bark, by which Means great Quantities of English Timber may be saved. By the Statute they are obliged to cut their Timber about the End of April, for the Sake of the Bark, which it is generally agreed hurts the Tim­ber, and may be one Reason why foreign Timber is so much better (as will hereafter appear) than English Timber; whereas cut about Mid-Winter, or at a pro­per Season, it proves immortal; for which Reason many Speculations have been offered for other Methods of Tanning; witness the Premium in Ireland, to the Person who shall effectually tan the greatest Quan­tity of Hides with Tormantile Roots, before May 1749, £. 10.

That proper Persons direct the preparing Pitch and Tar from the Tree; hitherto it has only been from the Knots, at least in this Province, which is but pre­carious. Pity it is, that that Scheme concerted by the Lord Godolphin, had not succeeded in 1710; three Thousand Souls of Palatines were sent over at a consi­derable Expence, which was to be reimbursed from their Labour in Naval Stores. General Hunter had [Page 16] the Direction of the Whole; I was a Witness of the indefatigable Pains he took, and had some Share in the Fatigue; they were settled upon the Mannor of Livingston, near a Forrest of Pitch Pine Trees, in order for preparing them for Pitch and Tar; but unfortunately there was not one of them, nor any One in the Country, knew any Thing of the Matter; which together with a Change of the Ministry at that Time, put an End to a very good Project.

That Magazines be erected in every County, fit to receive Naval Stores, at the same Time, provided with such of the Manufactures of Great-Britain, as the Country, either from Necessity or Choice, seem most likely to fall into. By this Means, they would very probably soon find out the Difference of labouring almost a whole Year about a Field of Wheat, for a precarious Market, and that of raising Naval Stores for ready Money, or such Necessaries as they want, much cheaper, and much better than they can possibly make them. It is common with the Country People, to carry Wheat to the Country Stores, for such Neces­saries as they want in their Families; a proportionable Quantity of Hemp would surely answer much better, as it is easily carried, soon weighed and thrown by: Besides, those Store-Keepers generally put their own Prices upon the Wheat; whereas, the Price of Hemp will be fixed according to its Quality; by which Means it will be equal to ready Money in every Shop in Town or Country, as proper Officers may be obliged to take it off their Hands, at the stated Price; and if those British Magazine Manufactures, were even carried into every Nation of the Indians, I cannot help thinking, but that it would be of great Advantage to the Publick, whether carried on by the Publick, or by a Corporation with a joint Stock: Nor can I think any Inconveniency would attend, the converting the whole County Taxes and Quit-Rents into Hemp, &c. I mean, making it [Page 17] a Tender. There are few or none of our Farmers▪ but raise more or less of this Commodity for their own Use, perhaps only by Dew-Rotting; but with a few Directions, it cannot be doubted, that they will soon fall into the other Method: Rotting of it under the Snow, I am told is the best Way.

In Holland and Ireland, as I have been told, they raise a Ton of Hemp from an Acre of good Land; and I am credibly informed, from the Low-Lands in the Jer­seys, they raise 30 Hundred. Now, I will venture to affirm, there is at least of Low-Land, and Up-Land contiguous, 20,000 Acres upon the Mohawks River, as good for Hemp as any in the World. Here then is 20,000 Tons of Hemp yearly, for the Use of the Navy; and they may have 20,000 Tons more from other Parts in this Government, if wanted.

It is to be observed, that during almost four Months in the Year, that is, during the Severity of our Winters, all Labour is at a Stand; which is a mighty Hardship upon the Poor, and which will ever keep up the Price of Labour: A Tradesman or Labourer must live, and of Course must charge during the eight Months he is em­ployed, one third more, to support himself and Family, during the four Months in which he cannot be employ­ed; such is the Case as we are at present circumstanced. But being properly encouraged in the raising Naval Stores, will be an effectual Remedy for this Evil. Be­cause Thousands, Men, Women, and Children, old and young, may, under proper Covers, with Stoves, be employed in the Manufacture of Hemp, Sail-Cloth, Linnen, &c. during that Season, which would give great Relief to the Poor, and an Advantage to the Publick; and those in the Country, may be fully em­ployed in bringing Ship-Timber, Masts, &c. to the Water Side, and Logs for Deal and Plank, to the Mills.

That all Duties be taken off Colony Iron▪ and laid upon foreign Iron. By a modest Computation, this [Page 18] Article alone, carries out of England, at least £. 200,000 yearly in Cash, which never returns in any Shape; besides that of its being imported in foreign Bottoms, if I am not mistaken: Whereas, from us they may have it by Way of Ballast, at an infinite less Expence.

That proper Sloops or Flats, be purchased or built for his Majesty's Use, to collect such Naval Stores as may be brought to the several Creeks or Landings, during the Sleying▪ Time: This will greatly encourage such as live out of the Way of common Navigation, and may not be able, even with the Assistance of our common Sloops, whose Compliment seldom exceed that of a Man and Boy, to take in such heavy Timber as they may be able to bring to the Water Side on their Sleys during the Winter Season.

That £. 50 yearly, be paid out of the Quit-Rents, to the Town or Precinct, which brings to the general Magazine, the greatest Quantity of well prepared Pitch and Tar from the Tree, upon Oath.

The same to such as bring in the largest Quantity of Hemp, well prepared; and so in Proportion for other Articles.

That proper Encouragement, as in Scotland and Ireland, be given to such as excel in any of the Articles of Naval Stores, Pot-Ash, Salt-Petre, &c.

That all Master-Workmen, and Overseers of Work, be obliged to keep a Journal, especially such as reside in the several Counties▪ of all Occurrences; giving an Account how they succeed, or are like to succeed; on Account of the Nature of our Timber; what Obstruc­tion they meet with, and how to be remedied, &c. all which to be transmitted with the Accounts quarterly.

That every Master-Workman and Overseer, after three Years Service in the Country, be intitled to 500 Acres of Land, without paying any Fees, and cleared of all Taxes, military or civil Services for seven Years, and the under Artificers be likewise duly encouraged.

[Page 19] That a Duty of One Shilling, be laid on every Barrel of Flour and Bread exported, and One Shilling upon every Barrel of Beef, Pork, &c. as a Fund for the Encouragement of the Importation of Artificers versed in the Manufacture of Naval Stores, and for binding out Apprentices.

That no Vessel built in the Province, be liable to the above Duties, or any Tonnage, or other incumbrances from Acts of Assembly; provided that the Sails, Rig­ging, and Iron Work, be likewise of the Produce and Manufacture of this Colony.

I DO not mean here, to put the least Discouragement upon that grand Article of our Trade, viz. the raising and manufacturing our Wheat; to encourage Ship­building among our selves, in order to prevent Strangers from engrossing our Ship Freights, to the no small Loss to the Province, is all that is meant.

I CANNOT however help thinking, that if all our Hands are to be continually this Way employed, but that it will in a Number of Years, become its own Executioner, unless we do as the Dutch do with their Spices, burn one Half of it.

AND whereas in the Infancy of Times here, many Persons took up large Tracts of Land, chiefly along the Rivers, paying little or no Acknowledgement to his Majesty; (one now-a-Days, possess'd of 500 Acres, pays more to his Majesty, than some of those possess'd of 100,000;) and those Possessors, either from Indo­lence, or a View of disposing of them in Time to great Advantage, have, in a great Measure, neglected the improving of them, and absolutely refuse to fell; which has been of great Prejudice to the settling and improving of this Colony. Now, left they should take into their Heads, to think in the same Manner, in Relation to their Timber, &c. I would have it enacted, That the Officers appointed to reside in the several Counties, be fully impowered to cut and carry away, with free Egress [Page 20] and Regress▪ all such Timber, &c. as may be tho't fit for the Use of his Majesty's Navy, being first valued by two of the nighest Neighbours, nominated and appointed by such Justice of the Peace as the said Officers shall apply to, with a Penalty for Neglect of Compliance.

That proper Encouragement be given to the Whale Fishery, which I am confident would answer, from the many Accounts I have had from Masters of Vessels, who, in coming upon this Coast early in the Spring, with much ado are able to steer clear of them. That the Sturgeon Fishery would turn to good Account, I make no Doubt.

THUS have I delivered my Opinion according to the best of my Knowledge, and hope, and sincerely wish, every Member of the Community, capable of Reflection on our present or future Circumstances, will duly weigh and consider it, and either add, alter or diminish, ac­cording to his better Judgment, or substitute Something in its Place; for most certain it is, unless our Hands are turned to something else, than what they are at present about, we must become lower than the lowest of his Majesty's Colonies, even than North Carolina it self; useless to ourselves, and a Burthen, if not an Eye-fore to Great-Britain. The sorry Figure we have hitherto made in the Revenue Accounts at home, is, I believe, one Reason why we have hitherto been so little taken Notice of. I do not indeed believe, all the Duties paid to the Crown from our own Produce, for these Fifty Years past, would defray the Charge of one Year's Expence of the four Companies posted here, for up­wards of Fifty Years, for our Protection, together with a Ship of War, and sometimes two. What Duties are paid at home for the Goods we consume, I can make no Estimate: Let us however, by all the Means in our Power, make the People of Great-Britain sensible of [Page 21] what we are capable, even at the Expence of sending home proper Persons for that Purpose. They have generally but a very vague Idea of these Colonies; one very general is, I think, that of keeping us under, and poor, in order the better to keep up our Dependance: How well judged shall be hereafter considered; most certain it is, however, if we were so happy as to have a Ballance in our Favour, as the People in the Southern Colonies have, that we should just do as they do, that is, send our Children home for their Educa­tion; have all the Necessaries, as well as the Extrava­gancies of Life, from that Fund; few Families would be without one or two English Suits for themselves, Sons and Daughters: And as we are at least ten to one, and many Degrees colder, we should take off a hundred Times more of the Woollen Manufactures, and so in Proportion as we increase. Whereas, at present, look into what Country House you please, on a working Day, either in this Province, Jerseys, or Connecticut, and you will there see every one of the Family, well and warmly cloathed in Home-spun from their own Produce, both with Woollen and Linnen.

WE have here our Woollen Counties as well as they have in England: Long-Island, Gardner's-Island, Martha's-Vineyard and Nantucket, raise vast Numbers of Sheep, as does Monmouth County in New-Jersey, where they make very considerable Improvements: And there are very few Persons of any Standing, but what raise more or less for this Purpose chiefly.

THAT of Bounties, upon the present Footing, I think from a long Experience we may conclude, have little or no Meaning; they are tedious to come at, and often not worth the Soliciting. Will any Farmer raise a hundred Weight of Hemp, be it more or less, or a Barrel of Tar, with a View to the Bounty in England? [Page 22] Surely not: Whereas, if when lodged in proper Ma­gazines, or Ware-houses upon the Spot, by the Raiser or Manufacturer, upon Oath, the Bounty was to be paid, and he or they afterwards had the Liberty of dis­posing of it to the best Advantage, Bounties might probably answer. But by building Ships of War, the Intention can never fail; because there will be a constant Demand for all the Articles of Naval Stores, and there­fore no Manner of Use for continuing the Bounties.

IN the Execution of a Scheme of this Kind, it is not to be doubted, but that many Rubs and Obstructions will offer, perhaps from a weak Representation of the Nature and State of the Case, or from Inattention in those in whose Hands the Interest of the Publick is lodged, who seldom care to enter into expensive Pro­jects, which their Predecessors have either neglected or over-looked. From the Russia and other Companies, who engross the Northern and East Country Trade, we must expect no small Opposition. Our Materials, with great Injustice, have hitherto been represented, either from Ignorance or Prejudice, insufficient both as to Quality and Quantity; and it is much to be appre­hended, those Prejudices will be continued, from the vast Influences those great Bodies or Companies, must have upon the publick Affairs.

IN the Debates upon the Sugar-Act, all that could be said in our Favour, had very little Weight. We have been represented of no Manner of Consequence to Great-Britain, when put in Competition with the Sou­thern Colonies; at present, indeed, not without a good deal of Reason, as they are daily throwing in vast Sums to the Revenue, while we are daily substracting more or less: Nay, I have heard, that it is even a Doubt with some of our grave Politicians, whether Great-Britain had not better be without those Northern [Page 23] Colonies altogether; with whom I readily join in the Affirmative, if they are not put under a proper Ma­nagement.

I SHALL here beg Leave to insert an Extract from Mr. Pepys (Secretary to the Admiralty) his Me­moirs; which, as it is a Piece not commonly to be met with, it may in some Measure amuse the Curious, and at the same Time, shew the absolute Necessity there ever has been, and ever like to be, for the Use of foreign Timber, in the Service of the Navy, &c. which I once more do affirm, may be had from hence, equally as good to all Intents and Purposes, as any they ever had, or can have, from any other Part of the World; and Pity it is, they had not thought of us at the Time of the Report.

FROM the following Computation of Latitudes, it is evident, the Advantage is in our Favour, as we have more Sun to ripen our Timber, and a sufficient Intense­ness of Cold, to consollidate it; besides the easy Con­veyance and Navigation, by Means of the Snow and a Number of fine Rivers.

• Situated between 2° 00′, 8° 00′ East, West from London Its greatest Breadth from E. to W. is about 320 Miles. Length from N. to S. is about 490 Miles.
• Situated between 50° 00, 59° 00 of Latitude, Its greatest Breadth from E. to W. is about 320 Miles. Length from N. to S. is about 490 Miles.

• Situated between 265 00, 305 00 of Longitude. Its greatest Breadth from E. to W. is about 1200 Miles. Length from S. to N. is about 1800 Miles.
• Situated between 30 00, 62 00 of Latitude. Its greatest Breadth from E. to W. is about 1200 Miles. Length from S. to N. is about 1800 Miles.

• Situated between 6 20, 33 00 of Longitude. Its greatest Length is about 1030 Miles. Breadth is about 840 Miles.
• Situated between 54 10, 71 6 of Latitude. Its greatest Length is about 1030 Miles. Breadth is about 840 Miles.

• Situated between 5 00, 18 00 of Longitude. Its greatest Length is about 550 Miles. Breadth is about 510 Miles.
• Situated between 46 00, 55 00 of Latitude. Its greatest Length is about 550 Miles. Breadth is about 510 Miles.

• [Page 28]Situated between 14 00, 32 00 of Longitude. Its greatest Length is about 660 Miles. Breadth is about 600 Miles.
• Situated between 47 00, 59 00 of Latitude. Its greatest Length is about 660 Miles. Breadth is about 600 Miles.

• Situated between 26 00, 166 00 of Longitude. Its greatest Length is about 1250 Miles. Breadth is about 1100 Miles.
• Situated between 49 00, 70 00 of Latitude. Its greatest Length is about 1250 Miles. Breadth is about 1100 Miles.

To this I shall add, the State of the Royal Navy of England (from Mr. Lediard) at several Periods, as so many Steps by which it arrived to its present Power and Glory.

In the Year 1573, Queen Elizabeth first brought it to its Glory, and in which it has continued, or rather from whence it has been increasing ever since.

• Ships of 100 Guns, 1
• From 88 to 60 Guns, 9
• From 58 to 40 Guns, 49
• From 38 to 20 Guns, 38
• From 18 to 6 Guns, 29
• Ships, in all 146

By an Abstract in Pepys' s Memoirs, the State of the English Fleet in Pay was, in the Year 1678, upon the Prospect of a War with France, as follows;

• First Rates, 5
• Second Rates, 4
• Third Rates, 16
• Fourth Rates, 33
• Fifth Rates, 12
• Sixth Rates, 7
• Fire Ships, 6
• In all 83

From the same Memoirs; the State of the Royal Navy; as it was on the 18 th of December 1688, being the Day K. James withdrew.

• First Rates, 9
• Second Rates, 11
• Third Rates, 39
• Fourth Rates, 41
• Fifth Rates, 2
• Sixth Rates, 6
• Bombers, 3
• Fire Ships, 26
• [Page 29] Hoys, 6
• Hoys, 6
• Hulks, 8
• Ketches, 3
• Smacks, 5
• Yatchs, 14
• In all 173

At the Death of King William, the Royal Navy consisted of

• First Rates, 7
• Second Rates, 14
• Third Rates, 47
• Fourth Rates, 62
• Fifth Rates, 36
• Sixth Rates, 15
• Fire Ships, 11
• Bomb Vessels, 13
• Yatchs, 15
• Advice Boats, 3
• Brigantines, 5
• Sloops, 10
• Pink, 1
• Ketch, 1
• Store Ships, 3
• Hulks, 12
• Hoys, 16
• Smacks, 2
• Hired Store-Ships, 3
• Hospital Ships, 77
• In all, 323

A List of the present Royal Navy, from the New-York Gazette, May 2 d, 1748.

• First Rates, 6
• Second Rates, 11
• Third Rates, 47
• Fourth Rates, 80
• Fifth Rates, 40
• Sixth Rates, 52
• Sloops, 55
• Bombs, 8
• Yatchs, 7
• Hospital & Store Ships, 6
• In all, 312

The Charge of Building a Ship of each Rate, and furnishing her with Masts, Yards, Sails, and Rigging, with a Proportion of Eight Months, Boatswain's and Sea Stores. From Mr. Burchett.

• For a Ship of 100 Guns, £. 35553
• a Ship of 90 29886
• a Ship of 80 23638
• a Ship of 70 17785
• a Ship of 60 14197
• a Ship of 50 10606
• a Ship of 40 7558
• a Ship of 30 5846
• a Ship of 20 [...]710

[Page 30] The Value or Cost of the whole Royal Navy, (from Mr. Lediard) according to the State thereof in the Year 1734, supposing every Ship to the furnished as above.

FROM hence I would only infer, that if these Colonies had been taken into the Case, at any proper Period of Time, how many Millions might have been saved to Great-Britain, and what a flourishing People should we have been at this Day; and should we be so happy as to have this past Error speedily mended, what a flourishing People we may in Time still be; of which Great-Britain will reap the Advantage: Because, it is infallibly true, that whatever Wealth the Plantations gain, by any Article of Trade that doth not directly interfere with the Trade of Great-Britain, is so much Gain to Great-Britain, since every such Ac­quisition is sure to center there at last; and therefore, it is the Interest of Great-Britain to encourage and promote the Industry and Labour of the Plantations; which never fails to increase the Wealth and Power of Great-Britain and is the Case of all distant Provinces, with respect to their Mother Countries, which always increase in Power in Proportion as their Colonies nourish.

[Page 31] IN Opposition to this, some of our judicious Essay▪ Writers upon Trade, have represented, that the most effectual Way to keep up our Dependance, is to keep us low and poor; that is to say, in their own Words, or something very like them, to deprive us of making Use of those Means which Providence has been pleased to put into our Hands, for the Ease and Comfort of Life, from what we raise and manufacture from our own Produce and Labour; for that which can be raised for us in Great-Britain, without the Goodness of putting us in the Way, or telling us how we shall ever be able to pay for those Necessaries.

IN Answer to which, I shall only beg Leave to Subjoin some few Observations from the famous Mr. Trenchard, upon this Subject, who seems to have un­derstood it better than all of them together.

AND so far, I think, I have done my Duty, in offering the aforegoing Hints; which, if not taken up, and improved by some abler Hands, I shall be apt to conclude, there is some Fatality attends us. I shall now conclude as I began, with a Paragraph from a late New-England Paper, and leave the Application with those whom it may concern.