A. D. 1729. 147 



This year the Dutch Eaft-India company obtained of the flates- 

 general a prolongation of their exclufive trade to India for 2 1 years 

 beyond their prefent term : for which privilege they paid into the 

 treafury of the republic 3,600,000 gilders, (about L330,ooo fterling.) 

 Their power, pomp, and wealth, in India, and more efpecially in the 

 ifland of Java, at this time equalled thofe of fome confiderable mon- 

 archs. 



In the province of Pennfylvania great improvements were conflantly 

 making in commerce, fhipping, and agriculture ; many fliips and floops 

 are built at Philadelphia, Newcaftle, &.c. which they moflly difpofe of 

 to our fugar colonies, and the reft they ufe in carrying their own pro- 

 dudl, confifling of cafk-flaves, lumber, pork, peas, flour, bifket, &c. 

 in exchange for fugar, rum, and Spanifli money. Great numbers of 

 German fettlers are annually adding to the population of this already- 

 populous province, as well as others from Britain and Ireland. The 

 following is a lift of people arrived there from Europe in this year. 



Englifh and Wellh pafTengers and fervants, - - 267 



Scottifh fervants - - - - - 43 



Irifli pafFengers and fervants - - - - I,IS5 



Palatine paffengers - _ _ _ 243 



And, in Newcaftle government alone, there arrived this 



year, of paflengers and fervants, moftly from Ireland, (by 



reafon of rack-i-ents there, as it is faid) about - - 4,500 



Total arrived in this year only - - - - 6,208 



No marvel, then, that this province is in fo thriving a ftate; its conftitu- 

 tion being moreover, fo excellent, and the encouragement afforded to 

 new comers, by abfolute freedom, liberty of confcience, lenity of laws, 

 gentle taxes. &c. fuch as really to be a pattern for all other governments 

 on the continent. 



As party rage ran very high at this time, the friends of the miniftry 

 found themfelves obliged to prove, by fads, what was before generally 

 known to be undoubtedly true, that Britain was then in a thriving 

 condition. 



By the low intereft of money, thereby evidently demonftrating a 

 greater plenty of money than formerly. 



This plenty of money has raifed the price of lands, from 20 and 21 

 years, to 25, 26, and 27 years purchale. An evident proof that there 

 are more perlons able and ready to purchafe land than formerly. 



Another clear evidence of our increafed wealth in Britain, is, the 

 great funis of late expended in iaclofing and improving lands, and 

 in opening mines. 



T 2 



