io6 PRESENT STATE 



for the regulation of trade and commerce between 

 both kingdoms ; the produce, of which duties, to- 

 gether with the land tax, to be vefted in the board 

 of truftees at Edinburgh, and to be by them ap- 

 plied, unalienably, to the improvement of Scotland, 

 the encouragement of the fifheries, manufactures, 

 and other falutary purpofes, as fliall from time to 

 time appear conducive to the profperity of the 

 kingdom, and the happinefs of the people. 



And, it is further fubrnitted to confideration, 

 whether the board of truftees, confiding at prefent 

 of 21 members only, fhould not be eftablifhed 

 'Upon a wider bafis; and to include, for the time be- 

 ing, the whole body of the nobility of Scotland, 

 the lords of feflion, barons of exchequer, the 

 crown lawyers, the minifters, profefibrs, and magif- 

 trates of Edinburgh.. In order dill" further to 

 combine the national force in one refpeclable efta- 

 blifhment, it is fubmitted to confideration, whe- 

 ther it would not be proper to confolidate this 

 board and the convention of the royal boroughs ; 

 the whole conflicting a Board, or College of Com- 

 merce, Manufactures, FiJJoeries, and Improvements, 

 entrufted with fuch powers as government fhall 

 deem expedient. 



An inftitution thus compofed of perfons of the 

 firft eminence, * would reftore public fpirit among 

 the higher orders, call forth the exertion of men- 

 tal powers, encourage general induftry, revive the 

 drooping mind, and gladden every heart. Each 

 individual would find employment, and comfor- 

 table fubfiftence for his family ; tumults, murmur- 

 ings, arid emigration, would ceafe or abate $ gra- 

 titude to majefty, and an enlightened government, 

 would pervade the kingdom, and its molt dift&nt 

 iflands. 



* Of fuch deicriptions of men are compofed the national Societies 

 tftabliihed in Ireland, Denmark, France, Spain, (called the Friends, 

 f their Cowt>y) and other European Hates. 



Were 



