TRADE WITH ENGLAND. 



207 



In the year 1 768, the export and import between Scotland 

 and Ireland is not included, but in the reft it is. This tabl; 

 is drawn from the accounts laid before parliament at the 

 clofe of the feffions of 177!, relative to the valuation here fol- 

 lowed of the cullomhoufe, I fliould remark it has been fuppof- 

 ed, that the real balance is in favour of Ireland, nothwiih- 

 {landing the valuation fpeaks the contrary, and Lord North 

 in December laft gave this as his information to the houfe of 

 commons. But taking the account as it (lands here, it muft 

 evidently appear that the diilreires which have come upon 

 Ireland within the laft year or two, do not in the fmalleft de- 

 gree originate in her commercial connections with England, 

 for during the laft nine or ten years her balance has grown 

 lefs and lefs. From 1776 to 77 it funk 230,000!.; ar.d 

 from 77 to 78 it fell 350,000 1. If therefore Ireland was prof- 

 perous while fhe paid us a balance of 7, 8, and 900,000 1. a 

 year, furely (he ought not to be more diftrefled' under lefs 

 than a fourth of it? That kingdom muft upon the face of this 

 account have had a fuperlucration of wealth arifing of late: 

 years upon this trade to a very great amount. But this ac- 

 counl does not include the year 1779, ^ which upon the ge- 

 neral payments between the two kingdoms I have no other 

 authority than to mention the courfe of exchange. Mr. Eden 

 obferves (Four letters to tkc Earl of Carlijle) that during the. 

 year 1778 and 1779, the exchange of Dublin on London has 

 varied from 55 to 7 | par is 8 \. October 27, 1779 it was at 

 6|, which is remarkably low, and proves that Ireland muft 

 have been accumulating wealth through that period. 



