ra^4 bti trade and manufactur en. Feb. I^. 



.present, for a tempting offer held out to them, for once, 

 only, (hall allow their businefs to slacken, or run into 

 confusion, they will probably be deprived of a hundred 

 moderate profits, that they have the prospect of deriving 

 from a steady adherence to businefs ; and that therefore 

 they will do well to think deliberately, before they per- 

 mit themselves to be drawn into the snare. 



The reader will here observe, that we by no means take 

 it upon us to afsert, that such a design is at present in 

 agitation ; nor have we the smallest knowledge of the 

 persons concerned, nor any thing respecting their situ* 

 ation J so that nothing that is said above, can be under- 

 stood to have reference to them as individuals. The case 

 is entirely hypothetical, and the reasoning general. I£ 

 such a thing be in agitation at present, what has been 

 said will apply to that case as well as to any other of a 

 similar kind at any future period. It is intended merely to 

 operate as a general caution to guard against the influence of 

 monopolizing principles, whenever they (hall occur. It is 

 equally calculated for the meridian of Bengal as of Bri- 

 tain ; and will equally apply to the ninteenth, as to the 

 eighteenth century. 



It may be proper just to touch upon one circumstance, 

 which alone would be sufficient to (how, that if ever a 

 case ihould occur, similar to that alleged, something 

 •unfair must be intended. If such a company fliould 

 purchase a great quantity of unmanufactured goods^ 

 perhaps equal to twice or thrice what their works are cap- 

 able of executing, how is it pofsible they can perform 

 the whole of this, without a great and wonderful previous 

 preparation ? Every manufacturer in this branch, must 

 feel the force of this argument j and must of course sec, 

 ;if he wifties to see, that the lure held out must prove fal- 

 lacious. 



