421 



by the operations of wealth, in the forms of fubfcriptions and aSb- 

 ciations, to open and work the veins of coal ; and alfo, by an ex- 

 tenfion of canals, which Should facilitate the tranfport of fuel, which 

 mufl: be accompliflied by fubfcriptions, and the formation of com- 

 panies for the promotion of inland navigation, aided from time to 

 time, by pecuniary encouragement from government. 



To meet the deftructive and difgraceful evil of combinations, 

 fhould engage much of the care and attention of the legiflature. 

 For this purpofe, it would be highly expedient to adopt the wife 

 provifions introduced in favour of the linen manufacture, and 

 to make them general. I would take away corporate privileges; 

 I would attach fevere penalties to the crime of illegal combination 

 among manufacturers, and the diforders and outrages incident to 

 it ; and I would arm the magiflrates with a fummary power of 

 inflicting them. There is no fubject more connected with the wel- 

 fare of this country, or which calls more loudly for the interfer- 

 ence of the legiflature, by the eftablifliment of fome more effec- 

 tual and compendious remedy, than has hitherto exiflied. This 

 muft be eSected, partly by regulating, in a more fl;ern, compen- 

 dious, and efScacious manner, the conduct of thofe who now ac- 

 tually do labour j and partly, by taking raeafures, to augment the 

 numbers of thofe, who fliall be willing to labour.* 



The price of labour, we are told, fliould be left to find its own 

 level. Be it fo. Let the level then be preferved, from obflacle and 

 interruption j let it not feel the hand of coercion and injudicious 

 controul, from the impolitic and unfeafonable interference of the 

 government, and legiflature ; nor, on the other hand, let it be fub- 

 ject to the greater mifchief of licentioufnefs, and lawlefs intimida- 

 tion, which prevent the true price of labour from being known, 

 preclude a fair competition in the mart of induftry, and tend to 

 eftablifli a difgraceful and odious monopoly of employment, founded 



In 



* This subjeft has been taken into consideration, by the Imperial Parliament, in the 

 present Session. 



