2 '8 6 Tea with refpeB to the Export of Gold and Silver. 
a ballance. Being carriers of our own goods, I will fup- 
pofe that we receive the advantage of four hundred thoufand 
pounds more : thefe Turns are paid us in gold and filver, which 
is the only riches, properly fo denominated, that remains 
with us, notwithftanding we fee the good effeds of trade at 
every table, in every houfe, and on every one’s back. 
How extenftve the power of gold and filver is, in all coun- 
tries that we have any connexion with, is a fubjed of which 
neither the higheft nor the lowed: of mankind are ignorant. 
With all your moderation, you would be forry to want money ; 
I dare fay you would rather go without tea. It would be im- 
pollible for us to fupport our prefent fyftem of intercourfe with 
other nations, without having confiderable fums of gold and 
filver at command. You are to take notice that the ballance, 
juft mentioned, has centered with individuals, and confequent- 
ly they are become rich ; but the public expences have, in a 
great meafure, drained us of thofe riches, infomuch that the 
greateft part of many years accumulation of property, now con- 
fifts in a debt, due to thofe individuals, from the public. Need 
I remind you again, that this debt was contraded for the fafety 
of individuals, and that individuals muft look to the fafety 
of the public, was it from no better motive than for the fake 
of the wealth which confifts in the debt that is due to them ? 
According to the prefent eftablifhment of things in this na- 
tion, the firft and moft eflential article is the prefervation of the 
public credit ; for, by means of this, the ftate may command 
every thing it has occafion for, that is faleable, as far as that 
i credit 
