FORESTS. 99 



but we believe that a plan will shortly be put into action 

 by which the properties shall become freehold, and thus 

 the development of the industry will not be fettered, as we 

 shall see immediately that it has previously been, by the 

 " possession right," 



' Under this tenure an exclusive right was granted to 

 cut down wood within certain prescribed limits, and for 

 this privilege a tax on all the iron made was imposed. 

 The purpose of this tax, and the supervision of the works 

 which arose out of it, were no doubt needful, and were 

 not without their recommendation, for, as will be readily 

 understood, some regulations were necessary to prevent 

 the complete denudation of the land of the forests which 

 covered it, and the Government inspection was intended 

 to accomplish this. But such legislation naturally restricted 

 all mining and smelting operations, for no new furnaces 

 and no extension of the works could be introduced without 

 obtaining permission from Government. There were 

 several arbitrary regulations with reference to a variety of 

 petty details, such as the procuring of the wood necessary 

 for fuel, &c., and which, in removing from the proprietors 

 the sense of ownership, and in taxing their productions, 

 naturally disinclined them for extended operations, and 

 thus kept the industry within confined limits, and in a 

 languid condition.' 



Several of the arrangements referred to will subse- 

 quently come under consideration. Meanwhile, the 

 depressed condition of the mining industry here spoken 

 of may demand attention, in connection with other evils 

 which have tended to produce the state of things in this 

 respect which is spoken of. 



