RELAXATION OF MONOPOLY. 1 69 



Government see the necessity of some sort of modifi- 

 cation of this strict monopoly. To relieve the dis- 

 tresses of the colonies, and in the hope of introducing 

 some specie into them (of which, except in the shape 

 of debased copper coin, they are utterly destitute), 

 the Government, it is said, propose to release one- 

 third of the sugar produced by parties having con- 

 tracts with them, on condition of those parties 

 delivering the other two-thirds of a superior quality; 

 the expenses of freight and Maatschappy commis- 

 sion would thus tell less heavily on an article of 

 greater than of lesser value. This the Government 

 can do without infringing on their contract with the 

 Maatschappy, because produce has lately so much 

 increased, that the two-thirds reserved would more 

 than cover the amount necessary for satisfying the 

 demands of the Maatschappy.* By this measure it 



* I cannot resist the temptation of making some extracts from 

 a letter on this subject I received from an esteemed correspon- 

 dent, well acquainted with Holland and its colonial affairs. 

 " Those who do not look well into these matters, will be led to 

 suppose that it is owing to this factory (Maatschappy) that the 

 great increase in the Dutch mercantile navy, and the increase in 

 the revenue derived from the colonies has taken place. Far from 

 it. Monopoly has been tried by every nation, and found to be 

 ruinous to a country. "Who are they that are now profiting by 

 the present measures ? Why, the rich capitalists, the owners of 

 Maatschappy stock, a few shipowners and manufacturers ; but 

 how are the poorer classes situated ? Why, labouring under 

 heavier taxes than any other country in the world. Dutch ma- 

 nufactures are forced into Java, to the exclusion of foreign, at 



