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pofing, or what is technically called, a flying colour were prohibited. 

 The ufe of others, which give a more permanent colour, was enjoined by 

 the government. 



It was thus that the great Colbert, the father of French commerce, and 

 manufaiSures, afted. He divided dyers into two clafles ; the one, dyers, 

 en grand teint, were confined to the colours, deemed to be lading ; while 

 the dyers, en petit teint, were allowed to give thofe, which were flying. 

 Reflraints of this kind, though intended to prevent fraud, muft have ope- 

 rated, as checks upon future improvement, if the government had not en- • 

 couraged ufeful difcoveries, firft, by offering particular rewards, for all 

 fuch difcoveries; and after, by appointing thofe eminent chyraifts, Dtifay, 

 Hellot, Macquer, BerthoUet, in fucceffion ; to fuperintcnd, and improve, 

 the arts connefted with chymiflry, and more efpeciaily, that of dying. This 

 fituation became a government appointment, and was moft ably filled. An 

 employment of the fame kind, were it bellowed on a chymift, duly quali- 

 fied, (and fuch might be found) would be of the higheft utility, in improv- 

 ing many of the arts, and manufaftures of the country. 



When I propofe, that the legiflature fhould interfere, to regulate and 

 control manufaftures, I would, for the moft part, confine its interference, 

 to fimple infpeftion, and examination ; and that on the cheapeft, and lead 

 opprcffive plan, for the purpofe of preventing careleffnefs, and frauds, that 

 bring a difcredit on manufaftures in foreign markets. To enter into the de- 

 tails of a manufafture, and enjoin certain mechanical proceffes, and prohibit 

 others, by force of laws, and penalties, is a work of fome nicety, and ha- 

 zard. The legiflature, in Ireland, has done this, with refpeft to the linen 

 manufa£lure. The government, in France, has done this, with refpeft to 

 the woollen manufafture ; and very judicioufly, 1 am perfuaded, in both 

 cafes. But the utility, or detrimental effefts, of mechanical procefs, 

 ought to be demonftrable, on fcientific principles, to juftify the interference 

 of the legiflature, or government, for the purpofe of injunftion, or prohi- 

 bition. The nature, and genius of trade, and raanufafture, are free, and 

 independent. The produftions of human induftry, mud fpring of them- 

 felves. Government, may fence the ground from bcafts, may cultivate the 



foil 



