GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 



489 



with regard to articles of consumption ! For 

 instance, taking corn as a standard,— the quan- 

 tity of this commodity will increase and de- 

 crease, generally speaking, relatively to the 

 increase and decrease of population, and con- 

 sequently may be considered a fair standard. 

 The precious metals are not, however, subject 

 in the same degree to fluctuation from this 

 cause ; — they depend more on the general 

 state of the relations of one part of the world 

 with the other, that is, on war or peace. In 

 the former, capital finds employment, and in- 

 terest of money is higher ; in the latter, there 

 is not the same demand for money. The in- 

 terest therefore falling, induces a great part 

 of mankind to enter into various speculations 

 and enterprises, in order to obtain a greater 

 return for their money. The consequence is, 

 that large capitals will be embarked in work- 

 ing the already known mines in South Ame- 

 rica, and in discovering others. Thus a 

 supply of the precious metals will be brought 

 into the market, proportionate to the capital, 

 enterprise, and ability employed ; which, from 

 the known richness of the mines of South 

 America, must greatly increase the quan- 



