QUIT RENTS. 199 



a most reasonable and wise measure, was dic- 

 tated more by infatuation than by any other 

 visible cause. Probably the directors imagine 

 this island contains an El Dorado, somewhere 

 in its unknown parts, from which they or their 

 successors in governing will derive, at some 

 future time, incalculable wealth, arising from 

 hidden mines of gold or tin. We wish them 

 success in this prospect ; but we can assure 

 them, notwithstanding, they will find hereafter 

 that the best and most valuable treasure is to be 

 obtained by allowing the island to be freely cul- 

 tivated, under a liberal system of encouragement 

 to those who are inclined to commence agricul- 

 tural pursuits. If such were adopted, population 

 would soon increase hi reality, and with it, pri- 

 vate wealth and public revenue ; the latter 

 derived, both from an extended cultivation of 

 land, held under very moderate rents, and from 

 an extension of the revenue-farms, which must 

 naturally rise in value with an increase of popu- 

 lation. 



"The daily and common articles of food, for 

 which we are at present indebted to the neigh- 

 bouring states and islands, by becoming natu- 

 ralized, would be much cheaper than at present. 

 To the shipping this would prove a very great 

 advantage, as, at some seasons, the charge for 



