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HISTORY OF THE [book vi. 
“ If any person shall tell me, that some of these advan¬ 
tages would be enjoyed by us even if the West Indies stood 
in the same relation to this country as America stands at 
this moment, I shall readily admit, that as much of this ac¬ 
count as arises out of the exportation and sale of our manu¬ 
factures might possibly be the same in case of a separation. 
I do not think the manufacturers of America are yet, nor 
indeed likely to be for a great many years, in a state to ri¬ 
val the manufacturers of Great Britain. But when I have 
admitted thus much, it must, on the other hand be allow¬ 
ed, that such an event, besides the operation it would have 
on the navigation of this kingdom, would put out of our 
power the whole produce that comes from the West Indies, 
and for which the planters can easily find a market else¬ 
where. Such a consequence would inevitably follow, and 
does it not form a most important consideration? We 
should lose all the surplus which makes so great an article 
in the foreign trade of this country. The whole of that 
important advantage would, by such an event, he lost for 
ever. Such would be one of the consequences of West 
India independence, and such, as 1 have stated, is de facto, 
the relative situation existing between the mother country 
and her sugar colonies. 
“ Is it then, Sir, a crime in any member of this house in 
this case to talk of policy? Is this the only question from 
which all considerations of policy are to be excluded? Is it 
a crime in me to call on gentlemen, who, past the levity 
of youth, have arrived at a more sober and deliberate mode 
of thinking, maturely to weigh the consequences of rash 
and intemperate councils on this occasion. Shall it be said, 
that 1 do not consult the interests of humanity, because I, 
who have attained a more advanced period of life, do not 
rush precipitately on, without clearly seeing my way before 
me? 
