WEST INDIES. 
CHAP. V.] 
347 
rests ; from the numbers of inflammatory paragraphs 
and calumnious pamphlets that daily issue from the 
press to prejudice the West Indian planters in the 
public opinion; from the indefatigable circulation 
of addresses, exhorting the people to the disuse of 
West Indian sugar; and lastly, from various propo¬ 
sals with respect to the reduction of the price of the 
commodity. In so many shapes does this spirit 
manifest itself, as to give just grounds to conclude, 
that something like a decided purpose is entertained 
for the total ruin of the sugar colonies, and that 
the vexations we have hitherto experienced, are 
only preliminaries to the system which is to be con¬ 
summated by the grand measure of raising up rivals 
to our monopoly in your establishments in the east. 
“ It has been imputed as a reproach to the su¬ 
gar colonies, that they are expensive, and that they 
engage you in war. Never were the West Indian 
colonies the cause of war; but whenever the two 
nations of France and England are engaged in any 
quarrel, from whatever cause it may arise, thither 
they repair to decide their differences. They are 
made the theatre of war; they are the victims, but 
never the origin of the contest. The inhabitants 
of the French and English islands live in an habitual 
intercourse of good offices, and would wish for eter¬ 
nal peace ; and they have reason for it, for what are 
they to gain by war ? 
" When therefore we reflect upon the various 
means which have been employed to prejudice the 
