INTKODUCTION. XV 



notwithftanding this afi:, exportation proceeds^ and the coun- 

 try is deprived of its food, by the bafenefs of individuals, 

 and the fupinenefs of government. This is a complaint 

 in which the multitude is always ready to join, on fuppofed 

 or no evidences and foinetimes, as lately,* againft the great- 

 efl: probability. It is not always certain that the wife pro- 

 vifions of the ail can with the moft rigid ftrictnefs be in- 

 forced, and their objeft fecured, in a maritime country like 

 this, and in a time of general fcarcity, arifmg from the 

 failure of crops, and the confufion of warfare : it is not in 

 human wifdom and vigilance wholly to prevent illicit con- 

 duit. But in the matter before us, let thofe who would 

 pofTefs the beft feelings of man^ ever remeii'ber and inculcate, 

 that when corn will pay for clandeftine exportation at high 

 prices, and at the ride of forfeiture, it is a proof that want 

 has invaded the dwellings of fome human beings, who muft 

 either be fed or perifti ! 1 his thought may be extraneous, 

 but it lies in a little room, and will not be deemed improper 

 by the beft friends of humanity. If, hov>cver, the voice of 

 complaint has been frequently heard again:!: clandeftine ex- 

 ports, under circumftauces o{ fmaller produce, we have from 

 thence alfo a powerful argument for adopting fuch a fyftem 

 of managing our land, as will moft fpeedily and effeilually 

 fecure a larger. 



Were it true, that by the cafual and irregular efforts of 

 poor perfons, inhabiting the borders of commons and 

 waftes, a greater number of young cattle, (heep, and pigs, 

 are brought into cxiftence, than would be by regular farmers 

 cultivating fuch lands in a ftate of inclofure, (which idea 

 cannot be granted) there would ftill be thefe further im 



* In the fcarcity of 1794 and 1795. 



portant 



