Ballance of Trade with FRANCE. ^07 
as much as we bring from thence, viz. three millions of pounds 
weight. This is not incredible, if we confider how much tea 
is drank, and by how many channels it comes in through the 
courfe of the whole year. Think what a glorious way we are 
in, if we go on at the fame rate ! Farewell. I am yours, &c. 
LETTER XX. 
To the fame . 
M A D A M, 
S INCE we are engaged upon fo interefting a fubjed, it 
feems neceflary to make fome enquiries with regard to our 
commerce with France ; for the more the ballance is prefumed 
to be againft us, the more deftrudive is the article of tea 
which they run in upon us. I beg leave to afk thofe who en- 
tertain the fond opinion, that the ballance of our trade with 
France is in our favor, or very little againft us, a few fimple 
queftions, viz. 
1 ft. Whether fuppofing value for value equal, either in our 
legal or illegal commerce with France, if fuch commodities 
as lead, tin, and raw wool are not of real ufe, and essenti- 
ally beneficial and necessary to the french ? And next what 
fuch perfons think of the intrinsic value of tea, brandy, and 
cambrics, with regard to our confumption ? 
2d. If we had the virtue to refrain from taking such com- 
modities of the french, whether they would not be obliged to 
pay us in gold and silver for the three articles juft mention- 
R r 2 ed, 
