2^3: 



of thefe fubjefts I fliall treat more at large, forae, in a curfory man- 

 ner ; not fo much regulating myfelf, by their intrinfic importance, as 

 by the means of informatioii, I poflef% or the leifure I may have 

 found for confidering them. 



It may not be improper, in an effay of this kind, to premife, in one 

 view, the general obftacles to the profperity of trade and manufaftures, 

 in any country ; — they are, 



Firll, — war foreign or domeftic. 



Secondly, want of toleration, or pcrfecution. Thus, the expulfion of 

 the Moors gave a blow to the induftry and profperity of Spain, which 

 the country feels, at this day. The revocation of the edift of Nantz 

 was fatally injurious to the French nation — and the feverity of the 

 popery laws in this country, flaackled and difcouraged the induftiy of 

 the Roman Catholics in Ireland, and drove many of them, to emigrate 

 with their property. 



Thirdly, laws indifcreetly meddling,' and interfering, to confine, or vex 

 the manufacturer, in his operations. — The excife laws, it is to be 

 feared, do this in fome inftances, with refpeft to the manufaftures of 

 tobacco, and of malt, and with refpeft to the breweries, the diftille- 

 ries, the manufaftures of leather, and of fait. 



Fourthly, taxes, that direftly or indireftly check the confumption of 

 a manufacture — as that on leather. 



Fifthly, multiplied feftivalJ, raifing the value of the labour of the 

 remaining days, and leading to excefs. 



Sixthly, prejudices refpefling ufury, tending to keep money out of 

 circulation, to the difadvantage of the borrower. 



Seventhly, luxury among manufafturers, confuming their capital, and 

 cramping their operations. 



Whether all or any of thefe prevail in tjiis country, it is not for me 

 to decide ; fuffice it to fay, that where thefe evils do exift, the remo- 

 val of them is the moll effeftual method of promoting induftry. 



In treating the fubjed of manufactures, it cannot be expefted, that 

 I fliould enter into minute details, of their different mechanical ope- 

 rations } 



