274 Internal Intprovements, by Roadsy ^c. 



than is the employment of our surplus labour, (the true balance of 

 wealth, in all countries,) in too extensive manufacturing establish- 

 ments. Multiplying the facilities of intercourse, by interior im- 

 provements of roads and navigation ; tends, in the most eminent 

 degree, to increase settlements of our waste lands i and thereby to 

 multiply also the numbers of our best people. Increasing the num- 

 bers oi such men, is giving real strength, and permanent freedom, 

 to the state. I wish to every enterprizing citizen, either in com- 

 merce or manufactures, the wealth he is entitled to. Yet I believe, 

 with an old author, that, to save a country from external attacks, 

 or internal commotions, " a wall of men, (such as agriculturists ge- 

 nerally are) is far better than bags of money." And I think, with 

 Berkley^ that "a numerous stock of people," (such as agricultural 

 people are most likely to be) " wellfed^ clothed, and lodged, will 

 constitute a flourishing nation." 



The improvements of our roads, and transportation by canals and 

 rivers, should, most assuredly, be the primary objects of both pub- 

 lic and private exertions. Our country, holds in contemptuous de- 

 fiance, the visions and sophistry of Malthus; and those of his school; 

 — and will so continue to do, for ages yet to come. There cannot, 

 here, be an excess of population ; beyond the means of subsistence. 

 Lands will constantly afford an exhaustless source of employ- 

 ment. Commerce, when revived, will open boundless channels 

 for labour and capital. Manufactures furnish another fund, for 

 industry to draw on. True, the latter have arisen, chiefly, from 

 com7/7er«a/ restrictions, during /^eace; and are now extended to war 

 speculations : inviting, or compelling, a wish for its continuance ; 

 and thus exhibiting one of the evils of an hostile position. They are, 

 on this account, subject to great uncertainty, both in their profits 

 and duration. Yet even in this, they share with other pursuits ; and 

 the " laissez nous /aire,'' must still be the motto. They will (like 

 trade) regulate themselves ; and find their true level. Uncalculat- 

 ing ardour in pursuit of wealth, and not want of means ; is the sin, 

 that " too easily besets" too many of our countrymen. Whatever 

 may be the changes to which circumstances may expose our ma- 

 nufactures ; a seed of a gigantic plant is sown ; which time will in- 



