for the general Improvement of the Country. 195 
subjects, by affording ample opportunities for that exercise of serious thought which 
would give them a considerable degree of confidence and importance in their own 
estimation, as in that of the people in general; and serve cautiously todevelope those 
powers of mind, which would elicit occasion for their exertion on all correlative sub- 
jects. , 
It would be breaking the ice, without incurring the imputation of rash concession 
or of dangerous innovation : — it would be the commencement of a species of 
pastime that would promise in the end great moral advancement ; or, to say the 
least, it would divert some leisure hours to the most worthy employment of their 
intellectual faculties ; and, if other sacrifices were to be obtained, by a stronger ap- 
peal to vanity and ambition, tbe gain would be divided between the State and the 
community ; while the society under an humble title would move forward in a smooth 
and equal 'course, that might defy malice even to interrupt its progress. 
The great object, to induce the people to qualify themselves to think for them- 
selves in minor concerns, once attained ; the second step in the process of advance- 
ment would be to allow them to act for themselves in such affairs as their know- 
ledge would qualify them to have the management of. 
Here then it is conceived is no impracticable or dangerous method, by which the 
employment of native talent and wealth might be enlisted on tbe side of public im- 
provement, that would create no expense to the state, while pernicious opulence in 
some instances would become diverted from demoralizing, to proper and legitimate 
objects, and puerile recreations would be converted into intellectual exertions for the 
general advance of public prosperity. 
The plan proposes neither coercion nor concession ; it simply invites the respect- 
able and opulent to assist in forming a public institution having extensive improve- 
ment for its object. The natives themselves are more than willing to obey such a 
call ; and if their ambition should desire some trifling favours, there would be no risk 
in making such concessions to people whose best exertions could be pressed into 
the service of the State, to accomplish the most desirable of all objects to every good 
Government. , _. ... 
The proposal partakes of nothing that is forced or unnatural. The people them- 
selves are daily ripening into greater civilization, and nothing can be more natural 
and reasonable than to give a proper direction to the best intentions and to the 
most zealous exertion of their powers to improve their condition. 
The adoption of all the objects could be made a very gradual one. The institu- 
tion left to mere public feeling to originate it, would want that dignity which con- 
flicting interests aided perhaps by other unfavourable circumstances would never 
ensure. . . . 
Undoubtedly, important and honourable as is the occupation of a merchant, it is 
commonly a very lucrative one ; and if many do not realize large fortunes* 
the mercantile body is known to command those objects of wealth in some instances 
perhaps, which it would be difficult, if not impossible, to acquire m the ordinary 
routine of this class of society in Europe, Tbe paucity of objects of commercial 
enterprise, of necessity tends to enhance Die value of those speculations which are 
deemed most remunerating. Of these indigo is perhaps the most important, since 
it is almost the only medium by which private fortuues can be remitted to Europe. 
For the culture of the indigo plant the best soil is required, and the value of the 
manufactured produce is commonly so great, as to induce the cultivator to procure 
as much land of this description as he is able. 
It is scarcely possible to conceive, under the wretched system of husbandry that 
prevails in all parts of the country, that frequent collisions and disputes should not 
arise from pursuing so obnoxious a species of cultivation, one so likely to produce 
misunderstanding between the two classes. .... . . , . , 
Even were the cultivator of such a crop as that of indigo protected from the 
absolute ruin which a bad season frequently occasions ; that fever of mind which 
such an unsteady source of independence must commonly induce, would still have 
a tendency to create desires which can seldom be realized, and would eventually 
serve only to unfit tbe individual for any sober pursuit that might require a greater 
exertion of patient industry. 
The ruin that has hitherto so frequently been entailed on the cultivator of indigo, 
will continue to recur, until a better method of agriculture shall point out more 
certain means of providing a reasonable independence. 
Were coffee, cotton, and sugar on a large scale to be substituted for indigo, 
with the requisite attention to those necessary improvements which demand the ex- 
ercise of patience and skill, the gambling speculations of the present day would be 
soon abandoned. 
