329 



The mod effeftual mode of encouraging manufaftures, is, by the excit- 

 ing a permanent, and aftive fpirit of induftry, among the manufadurers. 

 This end is moft powerfully promoted, by a purfuit of the following ob- 

 jects ; to fecure, for the manufacturer, the neceffaries of life,, at a reafona- 

 ble rate — To procure him the primum of his manufafture, of a good qua- 

 lity, and on good terms — To prote(fl him, from oppreffion and wrong — To 

 proteft him, from himfelf ;-that is to fay, to put it out of his power, to be 

 prodigal, or diflionefl — To provide a market for his manufaftures, when 

 produced, and, as the moving fpring, of all thefe productive caufes, to 

 furnifli him with a capital, which may enable him to profecute his art, or 

 trade. Where a country is poor, that is to fay, where there is a fcarcity of 

 capital, in the coUedive body, there will be found many manufacturers, 

 who will not poffefs, of themfelvcs, the capital requifite to fet their induftry 

 in motion. The rcftraints on the commerce of Ireland, which fubfifted for 

 near a century^ have concurred, with the multitude of abfentees, who con- 

 tinually drain vait fums of money out of the country, to render Ireland 

 comparatively poor ; and that national poverty has (hackled the induf- 

 try of the people, and impeded the progrefs of improvement in manufactures 

 and arts. 



The great difadvantage and inconvenience, under which this country 

 labours, is the want of capital. To remedy the fatal effcCts which refult 

 from this difadvantage, and to provide, for the regular fupport of induftry, 

 without forcing it into any particular channel, I would propofe the inftitution 

 of a fund throughout the kingdom, with an appropriate oiEce, in ever)'- 

 large town, for the purpofe of lending money, at legal intereft, to induf- 

 trious tradefmen, and artificers. By this means, the poor artifan, would 

 be enabled, to procure for himfelf tools, and the prime materials of his ma- 

 nufacture, without being under the neceffity, of reforting to pawn-brokers, 

 whofe extortion confumes the whole profit, that arifes from the employment 

 of this little borrowed capital. Thus, would the manufacturer be enabled, 

 to extend his induftry, by purchafing a greater ftock of materials, a larger 

 quantity of tools, or machines, and employing an encreafed number of jour- 

 VoL. IX. ( T t ) neymen. 



