80 



On the whole, when I consider the importance 

 of a flourishing agriculture to the prosperity, and 

 even existence of a state the dependence of all 

 other branches of industry upon it for their 

 support or extension its influence on our social 

 happiness, as well as our public strength the 

 preference which our laws have so often given to 

 less important branches of industry the many 

 obstructions which naturally or artificially retard 

 its progress -and, I may add, the general charac- 

 ter of that class of men who are peculiarly con- 

 nected with it- -when I consider these things, I 

 am disposed to regard our agricultural industry 

 with a sort of superstitious reverence ; to think it 

 should not be lightly tampered with, to serve oc- 

 casional views; and to consider any unnecessary 

 encroachment on it as loosening one of the foun- 

 dations of our strength, which cannot be even 

 slightly displaced, without a shock to the stability 

 of the whole. 



But if such superior estimation of agriculture 

 be a prejudice in feeling, I carry it no such length 



' 4 part of France, by the new vineyards already planted, or begun 

 lt to be planted, on corn lands, while the people were starving for 

 <c want of bread ; of such consequence in agriculture, is a steady 

 " unvarying policy. The fact is the more striking in France, 

 " because the vine culture is very much burdened in taxation, 

 " but always possessing a free trade, it thrives." Trav. in France, 

 Vol. I. p. 388. 



