On Gqpmerce. <*9 



scatter of great importance, as well as useful and curious 

 disquisition. I hope some of your readers, who have more 

 time and far superior abilities, will favour us with a more 

 full illustration of the subject. 



Jn order to prevent my being misunderstood, it may bs 

 here necessary to observe that, in all I have written, I wish 

 to keep in view this idea or leading principle, (viz.) That 

 the Supreme Creator of this woriu is the universal parent 

 of all its inhabitants ; that they are all alike his children ; 

 and that all his laws have in themselves a natural tendency to 

 promote the happiness of his creatures. At the same time 

 it is necessary to observe that the benevolent Author of our 

 existence was fully aware of all the weaknesses as well as 

 imperfections of his creatures, and that it was impossible 

 for the whole inhabitants of this earth to be under one go- 

 vernment : he has therefore divided or separated different 

 countries and kingdoms by such barriers as I have already 

 mentioned : yet, notwithstanding these great impediments, 

 and what would appear almost insurmountable difficulties, 

 we find that the ambition of man is not fully restrained ; for 

 some nations are constantly endeavouring to make inroads 

 on their neighbours : now, if this is the case under the pre- 

 sent formation of this world, surely it would have been 

 much more so if nature had not fixed those strong bounda- 

 ries. While on the one hand I admit this argument in its 

 fullest latitude, on the other I can never enough admire the 

 kind benevolence of our Creator, in giving such diversity in 

 the productions of the earth to different countries, as to be 

 a very strong incitement for friendly and social intercourse : 

 even the principle of curiosity, which has so powerful an 

 effect on the human mind, is a great inducement to visit 

 distant countries ; but this can never be done with, cither 

 pleasure orsatisfaction, unless such nations or people have 

 a friendly communication with each other. T must like- 

 wise observe how easily a social intercourse is maintained 

 with all- the different parts of the earth when there is no 

 hostile intention 5 — With what ease and facility can a few 

 merchant-vessels carry the various productions of this coun- 

 ty to another, and bring in exchange many articles of 



E 3 which 



