68 



PERU. 



have acquired^ with wonderful quickness, a clear 

 and comprehensive view of the subject, as contra- 

 distinguished from the ancient system of restric- 

 tion. There needs no time, indeed, nor educa- 

 tion, to teach people of every class the direct be- 

 nefits of having a large and constant supply of 

 useful merchandise at low prices : and although 

 the means of purchase, and the disposition to 

 spend capital, in that way, must be greatly in- 

 creased by the establishment of a steady govern- 

 ment ; yet, even in the most ill-regulated and un- 

 settled state of public affairs, there will always be 

 found, in those countries, extensive means to 

 make adequate commercial returns. It is not, as 

 I conceive, any want of power to pay for import- 

 ed goods that is to be apprehended ; but rather 

 the absence of these wants, tastes, and habits, the 

 hope of gratifying which is in every country the 

 surest stimulus to industry. The mining and ag- 

 ricultural resources of South America are very 

 great ; as we already know, by what they pro- 

 duced even when under the unfavourable circum- 

 stances of the ancient system : and, from all we 

 have seen of late years, it is highly improbable, 



