4^9 



of glafs and potters ware. But the moft effectual means of pro- 

 moting, and encouraging, the production of all the laft-mentioned 

 fabrics ; will be, by fearching for veins of coal ; and by the ex- 

 tenlion of the inland navigation, which may convey coals or turf, 

 on moderate terms, to every part of the country. 



The cheapnefs and abundance of fuel, in a country, which, though 

 temperate, experiences a conliderable degree of cold in the win- 

 ter, and for no fhort time, is of the utmoft importance, to the 

 health and comfort of all perfons; but it is particularly neceflary, 

 to the flourifliing fiate of manufactures. I have already mention- 

 ed, in detail, a number of manufactures, and operations in ma- 

 nufactures, whereof it is a principal agent. In others, where it 

 does not appear to act fo directly, it is ftiil neceflary, either to 

 preferve the material, to be wrought, or the inftrun^ents, whereby 

 it is fo wrought upon, in due tone and temper. Was it prudent, 

 therefore, to lay a tax on this neceflary of life, the want of which 

 fo feverely prefles the labouring poor, and interferes fo materially, 

 •with the induflry of the manufacturer, for the embelliflament of 

 the metropolis ? It is fully afcertained, that this ifland produces in- 

 exhauftible ftores of excellent coal ; all that remains, is to facili- 

 tate their conveyance, from place to place. 'We never can avail 

 ourfelves of the natural and acquired advantages, which this ifland 

 poflTeflTes, in their full extent, until this great object is accomplifli- 

 ed, by the completion of canals, judicioufly laid out, in various 

 direcdons. We find what happy efiects have been produced, by 

 the multiplication of canals in England. The utility of fuch un- 

 dertakings, is felt in France ; and even A?nerica has begun to em- 

 bark in them. Indeed, I do not know any object, on which the 

 fpirit of pecuniary fpeculation can be more profitably employed, or 

 to which the afliftance of public bounty, can be more judicioufly 

 directed, ia any country, than the extenfion of an inland naviga- 

 tion. 



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