OF SCOTLAND. 107 



Were further arguments necefTary ta enforce the 

 expediency of theie proportion s, it might be ob- 

 ferved, that the revenue of Scotland, though bur- 

 thenfome to the people, is comparatively ib very 

 inconfiderable to that of England, that, were the 

 pen drawn through every item of it, the deficiency 

 in the eftimate of ways and means, would fcarcely 

 be obfervable; while the advantages, which would 

 flow into England by the various channels which 

 have been enumerated, would exceed credibility^ 

 Such was the main argument of the American co- 

 lonies, fo kte as the year 1776. They contended, 

 that the magnitude of their imports from the mother 

 country, included within it, a productive revenue, 

 and a profitable commerce, centering in Great Bri- 

 tain. The fame reafoning is applicable to Scotland. 

 Exempt us, fay they, from infupportable reftraints 

 on trade ; from excifes on our infant manufactures, 

 and the neceffaries of life ; reduce the expenfivc 

 burden of revenue officers, and you will gain 

 ten-fold, by means of the profits of our induf- 

 try, which will ultimately circulate in your manu- 

 facturing towns ; and, by the revenue upon your 

 goods, which we confume. But, Ihould we, after thus 

 contributing to your opulence and fplendour, be 

 deprived of every fourth candle, every fourth pound 

 of foap, and bufhel of coals, we (hall neither be 

 able to weave nor bleach ; our aged parents will Ian- 

 guifh through cold or famine ; and the young men, 

 who promiled to become beneficial cuftomers, will 

 fly, indignantly, beyond the feas ; and thus be loft 

 to their families, to their country, and to you. 



Confider, we befeech you, whether a people 

 labouring under every poffible difadvantage, natural 

 and political -, of whom two-thirds live, or rather 

 exift, upon meal, vegetables, and butter-milk, bt 

 proper objects whereon to lay, with the fame indif* 

 criminate hand, the burdens of your ruinous wars, 

 ii) which they had no concern, and from which they 



could 



