400 PROGRESS OF WEALTH. 



in his choice of residence on either side of the Alleghanies by 

 his habits, finances, and wants. 



All wealth, according to the views I have endeavoured to 

 establish, being the result of nature and labour, the riches of 

 a community must be regulated by the soil and climate of the 

 country, and the skill and industry of the inhabitants. The 

 soil and climate of two countries being equal, the most skilful 

 and industrious people will be the wealthiest with equal skill 

 and industry the inhabitants of the country most favoured by 

 nature will become the richest. Under a parity of circum 

 stances, with regard to nature and inhabitants, the oldest 

 nation will be the wealthiest, and the progress of new coun 

 tries in wealth will depend on the facilities of cultivation a 

 forest-covered surface yielding wealth slower than one clothed 

 with grass. The ratio of extent of territory to the inhabitants 

 of new countries also affects the progress of wealth. With a 

 limited surface capital will rapidly increase, from the cheapness 

 and division of labour that will necessarily ensue, and wealth 

 will be unequally distributed amongst the inhabitants. With 

 an extensive surface capital will accumulate slowly, and all 

 the inhabitants will enjoy an ample share of the necessaries of 

 life, without possessing much tangible capital. 



The first settlers in this portion of the United States had 

 to struggle with severe privations. Besides being engaged in 

 warfare with the natives, they settled in insulated situations 

 in the midst of a densely wooded surface, without experience 

 as to the mode of rendering it fruitful, or possessing facilities of 

 communication. They were unable to subsist by their labour, 

 and many perished for want of food. But on every portion of 

 cleared surface nature continued productive, and her exertions 

 being aided by new skill and industry, wealth appeared in the 

 progress of time. There being no rent, and scarcely a burden 

 of any kind to pay, the inhabitants reaped the combined fruits 

 of their own and nature s labour without division. Indivi 

 duals had as much land as they chose to cultivate ; and having 

 every inducement to render it productive, they rewarded labour 

 with liberal wages. The abundance of land induced labourers 

 to turn landholders, and reward others with high wages, who 



