247 
chap, in.] WEST INDIES. 
and seamen, as while it supports and increases her 
navigation in time of peace, tends not in the small¬ 
est degree to obstruct, but on the contrary, contri¬ 
butes very eminently to aid and invigorate, her 
operations in war. It is evident therefore, that in 
estimating the value and importance of such a sys¬ 
tem, no just conclusions can be drawn, but by sur¬ 
veying it comprehensively , and. in all its parts, con¬ 
sidering its several branches as connected with, and 
dependant on, each other, and even then, the sum 
of its advantages will exceed calculation. We are 
told indeed, among other objections which I shall 
consider more at large in the concluding chapter of 
my work, that ail the products of the British West: 
Indies may be purchased cheaper in the colonies of 
foreign nations. If the fact were true, as it cer¬ 
tainly is not, it would furnish no argument against 
the propriety and necessity of settling colonies of 
our own: because it must be remembered, that 
foreign nations will allow few or none of our ma- 
nufactures to be received in their colonies in pay¬ 
ment: that their colonists contribute in no degree, 
by the investment and expenditure of their profits, 
to augment the wealth of the British nation, nor 
finally do they give employment exclusively to Bri¬ 
tish shipping. To what extent the naval power of 
Great Britain is dependant on her colonial com¬ 
merce it is difficult to ascertain: If this trade be 
considered in all its channels, collateral and direct, 
connected as it is with our fisheries, &c. perhaps 
it is not too much to affirm, that it maintains a 
