76 On Commerce. 



which we are in want ? But how many difficulties attend the 

 fitting out of an armed fleet ! This requires all the united 

 strength and energies of the nation. Thus, while the Su- 

 preme Being has laid strong restraints on all the more dan- 

 gerous passions of men, he at the same time has placed 

 very powerful incitements in the human mind for sociability, 

 and from the diversified productions of the earth has made 

 it their interest to have a friendly intercourse with one an- 

 other, to behave and act as subjects of one supreme go- 

 vernor, and as the children of one kind and benevolent parent. 

 Were I to call in the aid of the inspired writers, they would 

 appear in full force in favour of my argument; but I only 

 beg leave to recommend a serious perusal of the principles 

 of Christianity to many who assume that name, while their 

 ■whole conduct is diametrically opposite to its precepts, 

 otherwise we should never have heard of that impious and 

 unchristian maxim, Natural Enemies : from the general idea 

 of the Devil such a supposition would be natural, but to im- 

 pute such to our merciful Creator is surely horrid impiety. 



J hope it will not for a moment be supposed that I here 

 make any allusion to Mr. Lapis, — -No, not in the least; but 

 that there are such as I describe is but too evident. As I 

 would not willingly overlook any argument or objection 

 brought forward by Mr. Lapis, I will beg leave to observe, 

 that I fully agree with him in the manner in which he has 

 slated the first beginning or principles of commerce, as be- 

 longing to one nation or individual country: but he could 

 not perceive that the same was rendered necessary between 

 different kingdoms. Now I think I have shown in a variety 

 of instances, that there is a greater necessity for an inter- 

 change with different countries than with the distinct parts 

 of the same nation ; and that, in the present system of the 

 imiverse, every law or institution contrary to this order of 

 nature may justly be said to counteract the benevolent dis- 

 pensations of the Creator. The more I consider this sub- 

 ject, the more I am convinced that it is a law or principle 

 which runs through every department of society, from a 

 single individual to that of nations. I am rather surprised 

 that Mr. Lapis should mention (as part of his objection to 



