366 
Former and Present State of Ceylon. 
Avheiice they are imported, operates greatly in deterring manufac- 
turers from quitting the latter for the former. For whatever 
commercial advantages Ceylon may present, the dearness of 
provisions must greatly check infant manufactures, and tend in 
a high de gree to prevent their establishment. But if by the 
progress of cultivation, a sufficiency of provisions could be 
produced in the island, and a reduction of prices should in 
consequence take place, manufacturers of different descriptions 
might be more easily tempted, by various advantages, to settle 
there. And if, by this means, not only provisions, but clothes 
and other necessaries could be obtained within itself, without 
having recourse to other countries, Ceylon would soon become 
independent of the continent of India, and capable of support- 
ing itself without any external assistance. 
I have had occasion in the course of this volume to remark 
that the soil and climate of Ceylon are favourable to the pro- 
duction of some very valuable articles of commerce. Tea, 
coffee, tobacco, and the sugar-cane, have already been cultivated 
to great advantage. 1 This circumstance was not unknown to the 
Dutch ; but, with a policy of unexampled absurdity, they re- 
pressed every attempt to cultivate these articles in this island, 
fearing it might diminish their value in the other Dutch East 
India possessions where they were produced. I need not dwell 
on the advantages both to our commerce and revenue which 
may be obtained by pursuing a different system. It is not 
useless to observe that the tea-plant is found in the greatest 
abundance in the northern parts, which are most unfavourable 
to other kiiids of produce. 
I need not here repeat what I have already said with re- 
spect to the improvements which must necessarily result from 
.5 
