t 372 ] 



not only be fufficient for the private eafe 

 and affluence of individuals, but alfo for 

 the levying all thofe taxes which form the 

 public revenue. 



Both public and private wealth can arife 

 only from three fources, agriculture, ma- 

 nufactures, and commerce. Hence the con- 

 nection and importance of the prefent re- 

 flections muft be furliciently manifeft. 

 Agriculture much exceeds both the others; 

 it is even the foundation of their principal 

 branches. 



In this view appears the vail: importance 

 to the State, of carrying the products of the 

 earth to the higher! pitch of which they 

 are capable. Raifing them, as I before 

 obferved, is increafing geiieral wealth, and 

 raifing the Income of all the ranks of the 

 people ; the public flock is therefore aug- 

 mented -, and as taxes are moftly laid on 

 co?ifumption, or pojfejjion, (principally the 

 former,) an increafe of riches and income 

 infallibly increafes taxes ; fince, perhaps, 

 nine-tenths of income is, in fome way or 

 other, melted in the confumption of taxed 

 commodities. 



But that this point of raifing products 

 may be comprehended the clearer, I mail 

 ihew, that improvements, fmall when fe- 

 paratcly confidered, would be attended 



with 



