226 



to gain poflcflion of the foreign market, with the effect and eclat, 

 that attend our hnens. The prefent aftonifliing profperity of the linen 

 manufacture fliould encourage our perfeverance, in this branch of in- 

 iluftry. 



The legiflature has, no doubt, exerted itfelf, in an uncommon de- 

 gree, and through a long period of time, for the proteftion of the 

 linen raanufafture. Large fums of public money have been ex- 

 pended on bounties and premiums for its improvement ; and on the 

 diftribution of wheels, and other utenfils, for the encouragement of induf- 

 try. It has endeavoured to bring the manufadlure to perfcftion, and to 

 give it a reputation in the foreign market, by falutary regulations to pre- 

 vent and punifh frauds, and enforce a fair and workmanlike manner of mak- 

 ing up the different linen fabricks. It has appointed active infpeftors to 

 fuperintend the obfervance of thofe regulations ; and it has given a credit 

 and authenticity to the manufafture in every market, by affixing a feal 

 or ftamp to each piece, as a teft of its having been duly manufaftured, and 

 an affurance of its being free from defeft in quantity or quality. This 

 public expence, and public care, have produced abundant fruit, and fully 

 anfwered the benevolent purpofcs of the legiflature. 



To fliew the vail importance of the linen manufafture, I fhall (late an 

 extract from the public accounts of Ireland. They make the average 

 yearly value of linen cloth and yarn exported from Ireland during thirty 

 years, beginning with the year 1748, and ending with the year 1778, 

 £^ 1,228,148 they make the average yearly quantity of linen cloth ex- 

 ported from this country during feven years, ending with the year 1777 — 

 20,252,239 yards. They make the average yearly quantity of yarn ex- 

 ported during the fame period, 3 1,475 > C^^- ^nd during thofe periods the 

 manufaflure was almofl entirely confined to the province of Ulfter. 



I have laid it down as a principle, that a manufafture is entitled to dif- 

 tinguiQied preference, which may be fabricated wholly, or for the moft part 

 from doraeftic materials. This praife is peculiarly due to the linen manu- 

 facture. If we except the money, which goes out of the country for flax 

 feed } (great part, or all, of which, might be retained at home, if the 



farmers 



