THE BRITISH EMPIRE. 9 



with the brilliancy of its campaigns in Flanders, and 

 Germany ; in fupporting the houfes of Auftria and 

 Brandenburg, and fecuring the Dutch barrier. But 

 though one hundred millions have been thus fpent 

 in continental wars and fubfidies, neither the Dutch 

 nor the Germans came forth in defence of their be* 

 nefa&ors, whom they faw engaged in the unequal 

 ftruggle that difmembered the Britifh empire. 



Beyond the Atlantic, we ihall perceive a dill 

 greater drain of Englifh treafure. The money 

 granted by parliament in bounties, towards en- 

 couraging the growth of American produce ; the 

 fums expended in fupport of the civil eftablifhments 

 of thofe colonies during their infant ftate ; in de- 

 fending them againft the French and Indians ; 

 erecting forts, harbours, and other public works ; 

 have been raifed by the fubjects of thefe kingdoms 

 only, though other nations are now invited to reap 

 the fruits thereof. 



Upon the whole, we may fairly eftimate our dif- 

 burfements in eftabliihing, protecting, and lofing, 

 the American colonies, at two hundred and fixty 

 millions fterling. In this eftimate is included the 

 whole expence of the two late wars ; for, though 

 the operations of thefe wars extended to every 

 quarter of the globe, yet the expence ought properly 

 to be placed to the account of that country fo? 

 which we engaged, or were involved, in both 

 wars. 



Gibraltar * and Minorca have been in our hand^ 

 riear eighty years, and we cannot value the peace 

 eftablifhment atlefs than half a million per annum. 



In this eftimate we include the military expence 

 of fix or feven thoufand troops -, ftores -, hire of 

 tranfports 5 erecting new batteries, and otherwife 



* See a pamphlet, entitled <* The Propriety of retaining Gib- 

 jaltar impartially cocfidered. " 



ftrengthening 



