6-304 on the coal duties in Scotland. ~ Dec. 26. 
which he has no opportunity of observing.himself, I think 
it my duty, in this manner, to do what I can to bring to his 
view, the real state of a part of the country, which has hi- 
therto attracted avery small fhare of the attention of governs © 
ment; and which, if it did obtain a proper fhare of its 
notice, might become one of the most valuable provinces 
of the Britifh empire: so that instead of being a burden 
upon the revenue, it might come to be a flourifhing and 
productive district. If others, who are more nearly inte- 
rested in the prosperity of these remote regions than my- 
self, and who equally know the situation of the people, 
fhall embrace the opportunity that is now offered to them ; 
without tumultuous combinations, or factious clamour, 
calmly to represent the state of the country where they 
-respectively inhabit, in true colours, without exaggeration 
or disguise, and point out the circumstances that have 
most contributed to deprefs the people, and the means of 
bettering their condition, I fhould think there is every 
reason to believe, that this kind of information would 
have its due weight ; as it ever ought to have with the 
rulers of 2 nation. 
And as every person who lives in the remote parts of . 
Scotland, must know, that no one circumstance has contri- 
buted more effectually to reprefs the industry of the 
people, and to prevent the establifhment of manufactures 
among them, than the want of coal; and as they must be 
sensible that the coal tax there, has nor contributed to- 
wards “‘ the good of the whole kingdom,” but quite the 
reverse 3 and that it has evidently been imposed without 
a due regard “to the circumstances and abilities,” of 
that part of the kingdom; and as they must also see, 
that so long as the present coal duty fhall continue to 
be levied there, that no efforts within their power can 
ever render the people easy and independent in circum- 
