386 



otiier quarter, with fabrics of the fame quality, on terms equally ad- 

 vantageous. From our fituation, favourable as it is, for an intercourfe 

 with America and the Wejl Indies, we derive peculiar advantages, for 

 fupplying the demand of thofe countries, with our flaple manufac- 

 ture ; and, in faft, a very confiderable export of our linens to the 

 new world, does at prcfent fubfift. All thefe markets, were we even 

 to lofe that of Spain ; which has of late taken confiderable quanti- 

 ties of our linens, as it is more than probable we fhall do ; are of 

 themfelves, fufFicient to circulate the produftions of our linen manufac- 

 ture, were it even to be profecuted to an extent, far exceeding the 

 prefent amount. Such being the aflual profperity, and fuch the fair 

 profpefts of the linen manufafture ; it will not be contended, that, there 

 are any found reafons, with refpeft to it, for departing from the de- 

 monftrable conclufions of political economy, which decidedly reprobate 

 the meafure of bounties. The linen manufafture has gained fufEcient 

 ftrength, to Hand alone. It has attained a maturity, and need not now 

 be foftered, and dandled, and fed at the public expence. 



If the linen manufacture has now attained to a mofl: flourilhing ftate ; 

 the nation has, in feme meafure, purchafed this blefling ; I will not 

 fay, at a price adequate to its value ; but, certainly, at a price very 

 confiderable. During a long period of time, large fums of public mo- 

 ney have been granted, for the fupport and encouragement of the li- 

 nen manufafture ; certain duties* have been appropriated to its fup- 

 port ; bounties are paid, on the importation of flax, and hemp, flax- 

 feed, afhes, foap, and other materials, ufed in bleaching ; and, laftly, 

 a bounty is paid on the exportation of linens. The amount, on an 

 average, of the appropriated duties, for a period ending in the year 

 1777, according to the difburferaents made by the vice-treafurers of 



Ireland, 



* An excife duty of five per cent, on the amount of the cufioms, for the encouragement of 

 the linen manufadure, on callicoes and linens — additional duty on tea, coffee, chocolate, &c. 

 &c. on foreign cambricks, for the encouragement of the carobrick manufeflure. 



