72 



'that naturally occurs is, What right the colo- 

 nists have to puhlic relief of any kind, more 

 than every other unsuccessful speculator, who 

 is ruined by his own imprudence, or by unfore- 

 seen accidents ? Whether or not it would be 

 for the general advantage that relief were at- 

 tempted in all such cases, is, I think, a question 

 of little doubt. It would not only be impossi- 

 ble, but if possible would be wrong ; as it would 

 be an endeavour to anticipate the great cor- 

 rective which nature has provided for human 

 improvidence, in the sufferings which fol- 

 low it. Even in the case of misfortunes pro- 

 duced by no imprudence, the same rule must 

 hold ; for it cannot be otherwise. How far 

 the growers of sugar can shew any grounds for 

 making their case an exception from the ge- 



tercourse of the continent with its colonies must have been still 

 more free and extensive, the present distresses were not com. 

 plained of. It is further stated in the present Report, that the 

 existing surplus of sugar from the old British colonies, of 

 1,312,419 cwts., is not equal to the continental demand of the 

 last peace. But it is to be considered, that on a peace all the 

 other islands would also find greater facility in sending their pro- 

 duce to the continent, so that, probably, very little of the above 

 surplus would find a vent there. The fact of the rapid increase 

 of colonial produce, is indeed distinctly admitted by Mr Hibbert, 

 a member of the present Committee, who was examined. App. 

 p. 166-7. The immense import of slaves, of late years, is also 

 stated by other witnesses. 



