56 Of Emigration. Bk. iii. 



their own country from the scarcity of subsistence, 

 they would be absolutely unable to take posses- 

 sion of any of those uncultivated regions, of which 

 there is such an extent on the earth. 



When new colonies have been once securely 

 established, the difficulty of emigration is indeed 

 very considerably diminished; yet, even then, 

 some resources are necessary to provide vessels 

 for the voyage, and support and assistance till the 

 emigrants can settle themselves, and find employ- 

 ment in their adopted country. How far it is 

 incumbent upon a government to furnish these 

 resources may be a question; but whatever be its 

 duty in this particular, perhaps it is too much to 

 expect that, except where any particular colonial 

 advantages are proposed, emigration should be 

 actively assisted. 



The necessary resources for transport and 

 maintenance are however frequently furnished 

 by individuals or private companies. For many 

 years before the American war, and for some few 

 since, the facilities of emigration to this new 

 world, and the probable advantages in view, were 

 unusually great ; and it must be considered un- 

 doubtedly as a very happy circumstance for any 

 country, to have so comfortable an asylum for its 

 redundant population. But I would ask, whether, 

 even during these periods, the distress among the 

 common people in this country was little or no- 

 thing ; and whether every man felt secure before 

 he ventured on marriage, that, however large his 

 family might be, he should find no difficulty in 



