Common Sheep. 369 



portion to the increase of fine woolled sheep ; which naturally 

 leads to the neglect of other breeds. 



I do not presume to direct public opinion ; or regulate private 

 propensities. But, at the same time, I do not hesitate to declare, 

 that a spirit should be roused and encouraged, for breeding the 

 long woolled and heavy fleeced sheep, calculated for worsteds, 

 blankets, and all the coarser fabricks. Such sheep, or some of 

 them, would th; ive in our new countries ; and in parts of older 

 settlements, where coarser grasses, and more moist grounds, ren- 

 der the pastures less fit for fine woolled sheep; both as they respect 

 quality of esculent and insalubrity, or other forbidding circum- 

 stances attending the position. But sheep of all breeds thrive most 

 in wholesome, dry, and high situations. The rot is the malady of 

 sheep fed on wet pastures. It is, howeverj little known in this 

 country. 



The world has been long in a state so precarious and unnatural, 

 that persons of more penetration than I pretend to, may be egre- 

 giously mistaken in their anticipations, concerning the affairs of 

 our own, or other countries. But, it would seem, that, if peace 

 should return, within a short time, our manufactories will be the 

 most in demand, for furnishing the coarser fabricks ; because they 

 are the most generally in requisition ; and are not so injuriously 

 subject to European competition.* If the necessary materials for 



* Some who have embarked extensively in manufactures, may probably 

 kave more correct views of tlie subject; and think that we can, with the 

 most certain prospects of success, compete in fne woollen goods.— At an} 

 rate, the necessity and demand for them will be limited. 



What will be the state of our manufactures, when peack is durably esta- 

 blished, and commerce resumes its wonted course, I do not pretend to fore- 

 see. Those of cottou seem to bid fairest, for most permanent success. Our 

 commerce, and all the manuflictures, arts, and occupations, dependent upon, 

 or auxiliary to it, have been suffered to linger, or perish. It is, then, not 

 confidently to be expected, that those growing out of the ruins of external 

 trade will be more favourably treated, after the occasion which brouglit 

 tliem into existence has passed away. It will be deemed too great a stretch 

 of patriotism iu consumers, to pay more for domestic than for foreign goods, 

 even if of equal quality. High protecting duties will be found to promote 

 fraud and perjury; and to starve the tieasury. Local jealousies will forbid 



VOL. III. '^ ^ 



