l8o3^ Hhts for the Improvement of ihe Highlandsl 26y 



Advantages which the Count yy mny ohtahi luere the propofd Me.ifures 

 carried into efft'cl. 



There is notlun^ from which this country wouUi probably be 

 enabled to draw more fubflantial benefit, than to be enabled to 

 make a fair comparilon between foreign and domeftic coloniza- 

 tion, in regard tO all the leading points of political importance; 

 as, populalion, agriculture, commerce, manufactures, and naval 

 (Irengih. 



1. Population. — As to population, there can be no comparifon 

 between the two fyflems. The people you have at home, you 

 have them always at your own command, and they muft furnilh 

 you either with men or money, or with both; whereas the inha- 

 bitants of a diftant colony, may have a jealoufy of the mother- 

 country, or may wifh to become independent, or may join your 

 mod inveterate enemies, or may be conquered by them. The 

 population of a domeftic colony, therefore, produces ftrength ; 

 that of a remote one engenders weaknefs, and becomes the 

 fource of debility. 



2. Agriculture. — It is evident alfo, that fuch encouragements as 

 thofe above fuggefted, may greatly promote the agriculture of 

 a country, and may contribute to render it independent of fo- 

 reign nations for grain. Though the northern parts of Scotland 

 are in general far from fertile, yet the new modes of improving 

 waRes, which have been lately introduced there, are likely foou 

 to alter the vi'hole face of the country, and may poffibly, in time, 

 enable it to furnifli thofe inferior qualities of grain, as oats and 

 rye, w^hich we have hitherto been obliged to import, in fuch 

 quantities, and at fuch an expence, from foreign nations. With- 

 out, however, roads of communication, to carry on and to pro- 

 mote the internal improvement of thofe diflriCts, and harbours 

 to import lime, and to export the produce that has been raifed, 

 agricultural improvements, to any great extent, cannot be ex- 

 peded. 



3. Co?n?r.erce. — Nothing is more defirable for a maritime pow- 

 er, than to extend the navigation and commerce of every part 

 of its dominions. Were the meafures, above alluded to, carried 

 on, there can be no doubt, that not only the coafling trade 

 would be improved, but that a very advantageous commerce 

 might be carried on with the Baltic and the Weft Indies, by 

 which the number of our teamen, and the produce of our cuf- 

 toms, would be confiderably augmented. 



4. ManufaBures. — For the purpofe of employing thofe who mav 

 not find the means of occupation in agriculture, commerce, cV 

 the fifheries, it would be defirable to have fome of the coarfer 



manu- 



