300 Excufes the East-In di a Company. 
tea, and make fo vast a confumption of it, we ought not to 
complain of the east-india company. If it is profitable to 
them, no body can doubt that it is a less evil to the nation, to 
pay nine-pence or a fhilling a pound to the Chinese, and enjoy 
all the profit arifing from the navigation, than to employ 
french or English fmuggling veffels, to bring over tea, for 
which we pay from eighteen-pence to three fhillings to die 
FRENCH, DUTCH, SWEDES, DANES, and PRUSSIANS. You have 
heard, though perhaps you have not regarded it, that the 
wrought filks, and other manufactures of china, are forbidden 
by one of our laws to be worn in this ifland, and a good law\ 
it is ; yet I apprehend it would be a less evil, if the company 
was permitted to purchafe thefe, for our own use, provided we 
manufactured the raw silk of china for the ufe of other 
countries, and fold it to foreigners for money, or in exchange 
of useful commodities, than thus to confume our ftrength in 
tea ; lince by this article we make no profit except upon our- 
felves, whilft it fucks up our blood ; and by exhausting our 
treafure, weakens the nerves of the date. 
But, madam, though I think this is ftrictly true, we muff not 
complain of the east-india directors. What I fay against tea,. 
has not the lead: tincture of prejudice againft them. Perhaps 
many of them think as I do : but I am fure feveral of them are 
men of great fkill and integrity. If the love of my country leads 
me into a miftake in this fpeculation against tea, I fhall be 
glad to be fet right ; I fhall rejoice to fee the company fet in 
the faired: point of view, as the inflruments of great good to 
their country, without the lead: mixture of evil. Farewell. 
I am yours, &c. 4 LET- 
