THE BRITISH EMPIRE. 3! 



minms to thofe who have advanced money to the 

 ftate, fince thofe reigns, will gradually expire, by 

 which above 1,300,000!. annually, will revert to 

 the public. 



It is ever to be regretted that government did 

 not raife the loans, or the greateft part of them, on 

 temporary annuities, which they might have done 

 at a trifling difference in the expence. If, inftead of 

 io,ooOjOOol. the intereil of the prefent debt, and of 

 which eight parts are, or will be, perpetual, go- 

 vernment had funded a tenth part only in perpe- 

 tuity, the expence would fcarcely have been felt by 

 the nation in general, while a million paid annually 

 to the opulent creditors of the public, would have 

 fully anfvrered all the purpofes of individual conve- 

 niency. Such would have been the happy date of our 

 finances at the prefent time, and fo light the burdens 

 tranfmitted to poflerity, had miniflers been ferioufly 

 inclined to keep the public debts within moderate 

 bounds. Nor is it yet too late to put thefe enormous 

 burdens into a train of redemption, within a given 

 time, providing that our prefent rulers fhall be fo 

 difpofed. If they wifli to gain the full confidence of 

 the nation ; to unfetter our commerce and manu- 

 factures ; to check emigration j and to keep that 

 many-headed monfter, war, at a diflance, by being 

 always prepared for it - 3 if they are emulous of honeft, 

 well-earned fame, and defirous to tranfmit their 

 names to pofterity, as the faviours of their country ; 

 they will liften to the voice of reafon, and the calls 

 of common jufdce towards an injured community, 

 who Lave been grievoufly loaded, beyond any ex- 

 ample in the annals of mankind. 



The further refources ftill in referve for national 

 purpofes, may be thus dated. 



Savings in the army and ordnance eftablifhmcnts, 

 in confequence of the lofs of America, and the very 

 expenfive, though ufelefs ifland of Minorca. 



Ditto, 



