( 36 ) 



conduce to remove this uncertainty. A re- 

 medy is at hand ; that of cultivating it in 

 thefe kingdoms ; but this appears to be pro- 

 hibited by the following ancient adls. of 

 parliament : 



In an a& of Charles the Second, entitled, 

 " An aft for prohibiting the planting, fet- 

 " ting, or fowing tobacco in England and 

 " Ireland," the prohibition is thus expref- 

 fed : " Your Majefty's loyal and obedient 

 " fubje&s, the Lords and Commons in this 

 " prefent parliament aflembled, confidering 

 " of how great concern and importance it 

 " is, that the colonies and plantations of 

 " this kingdom in America, be defended, 

 " protected, maintained, and kept up, and 

 " that all due and poffible encouragement 

 " be given unto them ; and that not only 

 " in regard great and confiderable domi- 

 S( nions and countries have been thereby 

 " gained, and added to the imperial crown 

 " of this realm, but for that the ftrength 

 " and welfare of this kingdom, do very much 



66 depend 



