2 
26 OBSERVATIONS on Tus 
riches, as that circumftance indicates,---a good fyftem of 
government, well adminiftered, muit infure its profperity 
(fo far as humanefforts can produce the end ;) notwithftand- 
ing the tranfitory effect of fuch incidents, as have no ne- 
ceflary connection with, or permanent influence upon, 
the fundamental fources ofa nation’s welfare : Thefe could 
only occafiona temporary derangement in the political 
ceconomy of the ftate, whereby the operation of the nati- 
onal refources might, for a time, be fufpended ;, during 
which interval there might be an appearance (or even an 
actual exiftence, in fome degree,) of public debility and 
diftrefs. | 
If thefe obfervations be applied to the United States of 
America, it will appear, that this country poffeffes, in a 
fuperior degree, an inherent, radical and lafting fource of 
national vigor and greatnefs :—For, it will be found, that, 
in no other part of the world, (at leaft, in none of thofe 
parts with which we are beft acquainted) is the progrefs 
of population fo rapid, as in thefe ftates.—And this in- 
creafe arifes from the falubrity of the climate; the great 
fruitfulhels and refources of the country ; the confequent 
facility of acquiring the means of a comfortable fubfift- 
ence, which, aided by the benign influence of our govern- 
ment, produces* early marriages ;—and, laftly, from thet 
virtuous and fimple manners of the great body of our in- 
habitants. Thefe are either the proximate or remote caufes 
which accelerate the population of this favoured land ; 
independently of acceflions to our numbers, occafioned 
by migrations from foreign countries. — As 
* Inaletter written in the year 1768, by our venerable Franklin, ‘to John Alleyne; Efq. 
Gn anfwer to one wherein Mr. Alleyne had requefted to know the Doctor’s impartial thoughts, 
on the fubjeét of an early marriage,) there is this paflage.—‘* With us in America, marriages 
are generally in the morning of life,---our children are therefore educated, and fettled in the 
world, by noon; we have an afternoon and evening of chearful leizure to ourfelves,---fuch as 
your friend at prefent enjoys. By thefe carly marriages, we are bleft with more children ; 
and, from the mode among us---founded in nature---of every mother fuckling and nurfing her 
own child, more of them are raifed. ‘Thence the fwift progrefs of population, among us,--~ 
unparalleled in Europe!” ; 
+ © Anation fhall be more populous, in proportion as good morals and a fimplicity of tafte 
and manners prevail; or, as the people are more frugal and virtuous.”’=--Wallace’s Daffertati- 
On on the numbers of mankind, in ancient and modern times. 
