563 
of the native Maltese, with a degree of 
suspicion, not altogether impolitic. 
. Hence, under their system, the trade 
ef the Island was subjected to every 
kind of check and restraint; the most 
important branches were converted into 
mouopoly, and the remainder was loaded 
with imposition, exaction, or direct pro- 
hibition. The general policy of the 
English government is the very reverse, 
We have no reason to dread the-inde- 
pendence of the Maltese: the Island 
furnishes an excellent depot for our ma- 
nufactures; and we are fully sensible of 
the wisdom of leaving industry to the 
unfettered suggestions of its own in- 
terest. This, therefore, is the general 
principle, by which our government has 
been wisely directed: some exceptions 
have occurred in practice, which I shall 
presently notice. 
The independence and consequent 
productiveness of commerce absolutely 
demand a civil government. Circum- 
stances may indeed occur, such as an in- 
vasion, a siege, or a blockade, which may 
render it necessary to give a temporary 
pre-eminence co the military ; but except 
on such occasions, it would be no less 
impolitic than unjust, to attempt to im- 
pose on the Maltese any other thai: a 
civil governor. Indeed, as we have no 
right to do so, andas his Majesty’s honour 
is solemnly piedged to the contrary, there 
is no reason to apprehend, that so mad 
and wicked a project will ever be 
adopted. . 
- At present there is, as Is proper, a 
military commander in chief, whose au- 
thority extends to the garrison solely ; 
and there is a civil commissioner, who 
acts as governor-in all matters of mani- 
cipal regulation. These officers are to- 
tally independent of each other, and in- 
deed I cunceive that the union of their 
separate powers In one person, would be 
a breach of the compact between his 
Majesty and the Maltese people. Hi- 
therto, an uninterrupted harmony has 
existed between the different authorities; 
to maintain which, will doubtless be al- 
ways considered as highly desirable by 
his Majesty’s ministers. 
- Of -the military, my present subject 
teads me to say little. The civil govern- 
ment has undoubtedly been, upon the 
whole, well administered ; because it has 
been administered lightly, and favourably. 
to the Maltese; with a special regard to 
their laws, customs, wishes, and interests. 
Perhaps in some respects, these laudable 
principles have been carried to an ex- 
Sketches of Malia. 
[Jan. I; 
treme. ‘That, however, is not, and can- 
not, well be the case, in matters of com=- 
merce. The great point there, is to 
leave individuals to themselves; to sub- 
ject their talents and their industry to 
no restraints, which are not absolutely 
necessary; and neither to debar them 
from one line of traffic, nor to force them 
into another, unless from motives which 
a regard to the general safety indispen- 
sably dictates. 
I have before remarked some of the 
effects which the general adoption of this 
policy, by the English, has produced. 
The industry of all classes of the Mal- 
tese has been sensibly increased; and 
with their industry, their weaith, and 
their comforts, have been augmented ; 
but I have promised to notice some 
deviations from this wise line of con- 
duct, in the government; deviations ori- 
ginating, 1 am convinced, in no inter 
ested motives; but in that ignorance of 
the true principles of commerce, and 
political economy, which is unfortu- 
nately too common among statesmen of 
every class and description. : 
The first fact which 1 shall notice, 
relates to the corn-trade. The Knights 
kept this trade subject to a strict mo- 
nopoly; and ina place like Malta, which 
may be considered as always in expec- 
tation of a siege, some precaution of that — 
nature was certainly necessary. The 
English government, however, has 
extended this regulation too far. ‘The 
Island’ produces about one-third of 
the grain necessary for its consump- 
tion; but the great increase of its 
trade, of late years, has formed a market, 
which has occasioned an abundant sup- 
ply from all parts of the Mediterranean ; 
and even (while the navigation was open) 
from the Black Sea. The supply would 
have been still more abundant, had not 
the old monopoly of the giurett been 
kept up. ‘These officers are so called, 
from being sworn (gvurati) to super- 
intend the public stores of cora; and 
not a bushel can be imported for sale, 
without being subjected to their right of 
pre-emption. Under the peculiar cire, 
cumstances of the Island of Malta, Ido 
not blame the formation of such stores, 
nor the consequent authority of such 
officers ; but 1 think it evident, that their 
interference with the general market 
should be as little as possible; and what 
is of infinitely more importance, their 
own conduct should be controuled by a 
constant inspection. | iy hea govern- 
ments take up the business of buying and 
selling 
