402 COAL THE FOUNDATION OF STEAM-POWER. 



We need no farther evidence to show that the presence 

 of coal is, in an especial degree, the foundation of increasing 



nomized. (See Report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons, 

 on the state of the Coal Trade, 1830, page 242, and Bakewell's Introduction 

 to Geology, 1833, page 183 and 343.) 



We are all fully aware of the impolicy of needless legislative interference ; 

 but a broad line has been drawn by nature between commodities annually 

 or periodically reproduced by the Soil on its surface, and that subterranean 

 treasure, and sustaining foundation of Industry, which is laid by Nature in 

 strata of mineral Coal, whose amount is limited, and which, when once 

 exhausted, is gone for ever. As the Law most justly interferes to prevent 

 tlie wanton destruction of life and property, it should seem also to be its duty 

 to prevent all needless waste of mineral fuel ; since the exhaustion of this fuel 

 would irrecoverably paralyze the industry of millions. The tenant of the soil 

 may neglect, or cultivate his lands, and dispose of his produce, as caprice or 

 interest may dictate; the surface of his fields is not consumed, but remains 

 susceptible of tillage by his successor; had he the physical power to anni- 

 hilate the Land, and thereby reflect an irremediable injury upon posterity, 

 the legislature would justly interfere to prevent such destruction of the 

 future resources of the nation. This highly favoured Country, has been 

 enriched with mineral treasures in her strata of Coal, incomparably more 

 precious than mines of silver or of gold. From these sustaining sources of 

 industry and wealth let us help ourselves abundantly, and liberally enjoy 

 these precious gifts of the Creator; but let us not abuse them, or by wilful 

 neglect and wanton v;aste, destroy the foundations of the Industry of future 

 Generations. 



Might not an easy remedy for this evil be found in a Legislative enact- 

 ment, that all Coals from the Ports of Northumberland and Duriiam, should 

 be shipped in the state in which they come from the Pit, and forbidding by 

 high penalties the screening of any Sea-borne Coals before they leave the 

 port at which they are embarked. A law of this kind would at once termi- 

 nate that ruinous competition among the Coal owners, which has urged them 

 to vie with each other in the wasteful destruction of small Coal, in order to 

 increase the Profits of the Coal Merchants, and gratify the preference for 

 large Coals on the part of rich consumers ; and would also afford the Public 

 with a supply of Coals of every price and quality, which the use of the screen 

 would enable him to accommodate to the demands of the various Classes of 

 the Community. 



A farther consideration of national Policy should prompt us to consider, 

 how far the duty of supporting our commercial interest, and of husband- 

 ing the resoilrccs of posterity should permit us to allow any extensive 

 exportation of Coal, from a densely peopled manufacturing country like 

 our own ; a large proportion of whose present wealtii is founded on ma- 



