( 35 ) 



Prtfent State of Agriculture, Manufactures > and 

 Commerce. 



Improvements in the various branches ofhufban- 

 ilry, planting, and the railing a better breed of 

 cattle and fheep, have made rapid progrefs in the 

 Lowlands (ince the year 1750; but much remains 

 to be done, particularly on thole eftates whofe pro- 

 prietors refide in other parts of the ifland. 



Partly to the abfenceof thefe gentlemen, is owing 

 the neglect of manufactures, and commerce, over a 

 .very confiderable part of the kingdom ; the banks 

 of the Clyde, the Forth, and the Tay, with a por- 

 tion of the eaft coaft, as far north as Invernefs, 

 may be faid to carry on the whole trade of the na- 

 tion both inland and foreign. 



Moft of the countries to the fouthward of Edin- 

 burgh, 



the protection and improvement of thofe brandies of trade and 

 nanurattures which are peculiar to this country, and which may 

 t)e interefting to the members of the chamber at large. 



2. To regulate all matters refpecting any branch of trade or ma- 

 Tiufacture, which may be fubmitted to the director?, for the pur- 

 pofe of eftablifhing rules for the convenience and affiitance, either 

 of foreign traders, or manufacturers 



3. To read and difcufs all public and private memorials and 

 reprefentations of members of the chamber, requeuing the aid of 

 the directors in any matter regarding trade or manufactures. 



4. To afford aid to members, whether as individuals or other- 

 'wife, who may apply for affillance in negotiating any matter of 

 hufmel\ whether local,, or of a nature which requires the weight 

 and influence of the directors', in making application to the boanj 

 of truftees, to the king's minifters, or to parliament. 



5. To procure relief or redrefs in any grievance, hardfhip, op- 

 preffion, or inconvenience, affect tog any particular branch of trade 

 and manufacture, carried on by the members of this fociety, by 

 intcrpofing the weight and influence of the directors in any public 

 negotiation that may be thought necciTary to effecl fuch relief. 



6. To confider of ail matters affecting" the corn laws of this part 

 of the united kingdom in particular, as being of the utmoft con- 

 iequence to its trade and manufactures. 



And, in general, to take cognifance of every matter and thin^ 

 that lhall be in the Icait degree connected with the interefts of 



F 3 commerce 



