The value of British manufactures annually exported to the British dominions, in Europe:

The value of British manufactures annually exported to all countries, without Europe :

Let us examine the foregoing statement of facts, that we may fee how far it fupports, or contradicts, your speculations. It will fhew the relative amount of each particular customer. It will demonstrate, what I fear you did not perfectly understand, which of the foreign markets demand the greatest value of British manufactures; and which of them the leaft.

In examining the foregoing ftatement, we fee with pleasure that, as customers, Denmark and Norway, we are not to lofe; because they are to grow rich from their neutrality. Ruffia has had her Turkish war, her Swedifh war, her domestic troubles, and, in your eftimate, her peasantry are reduced to the greatest wretchedness; yet contrary to your theory, hath fhe lately confumed double the value of our goods than formerly: but, from the great exertions, that the hath made, and is making, against the French Jacobins, we fhall, no doubt, lose her cuftom. Sweden, who hath had her Ruffian war, and her domeftic evils, alfo fcoffs at your system, hath been a good cuftomer, and, from her neutrality, intends to be a better. The East Country, including Poland, though the hath had her dismemberments, hath lately been a better customer than formerly, and will probably from her repose, however uncomfortable, confume more of our goods than ever. Germany, who has had her wars, and her vexations, from the reformingfyftem of the Emperor Jofeph, has alfo of late been a greater confumer, than formerly: but, whether she will continue our customer, throughout the prefent war, is the doubt. Your system leads you to fay, that Germany, having marched fo many men to her frontiers, has left none at home to confume our merchandize. Experience directs me to argue that, as Germany continued our cuftomer, during the seven years war, when hoftilities raged at her heart, fhe will neceffarily be a better

1

customer,

fumed more of British produce, than formerly, in the proportion of £.5,466,253, to £.4,185,053 "Matter of fact breaks out and blazes with too great an evidence to be denied," fays South, in the fermons, which you admire.

Yet, are you determined, that this blaze of fact fhall not enlighten your fyftem. Of confequence, though Ireland, Man, Guernsey, Jerfey, and Greenland, have lately confumed of British goods more than formerly, in the proportion of £.1,443,361, to £1,063,327, they are no longer to confume; when you wave your wand: and, Shakespeare wilk have it that, "wizards know their times."

Whatever wizards may know, or may do, certain it is, that our customers, without Europe, confumed yearly of British produce, according to a fix years average, ending with 1792, the value of £.7,844,345; yet, confumed, according to a fix years average, ending with 1774, the amount only of £.5,093,639. The United States, while they continue their neutrality, will alfo difparage your theory. They had their war-fyftem, and their funding-fyftem: they were completely exhausted, at the peace of 1783: yet, they confumed annually of British produce, according to a

Six years average, ending with 1792, £. 2,807,306 Ditto ending with 1774, only 2,216,824

And, Dean Tucker happily lives to fee this! The prophecies of the worthy Dean were founded in

experience,

experience, and wifdom: the predictions of other prophets originate merely in theories, and fubtilties. Notwithstanding every prediction, the United States will continue our goodly customers, as they feem wifely determined to enrich themselves by their neutrality.

If from the fruitful Weft, we look at the other hemisphere, we shall there perceive how much the Eaft Indies are alfo difpofed to fcoff at your theories. They too have had their funding-fyftem, and their Tippoo-war; yet they annually confumed, of British produce, according to a

Six years average, ending with 1792, £.1,921,955 Ditto ending with 1774, 907,240

Here, then, is a drain for the products of our land and labour, to almoft three times as great an extent, as the market of France: but, what avails it, if with a dash of your pen, you can blot Afia from the map!

We have now run over the foregoing statements, of indubitable facts, in order to fee, which of our customers we are likely to keep, or to lofe, and to what an amount from each. Experience has decided against your theory: yet you are not convinced. You ftill contend*, that we were fupported through the American war; because we exported our manufactures to countries, which could purchase them. Let us again apply facts, as the proper tefts of your reafonings, if fuppofes, and fub

* Page 25.

tilties,

customer, now that fhe hath driven war to her extremities*. If you will not listen to me, hear Shakespeare:

"Boys, immature in knowledge,

"Pawn their experience to their prefent pleasure."

Holland has had her domestic troubles; yet of late hath the been a better customer than formerly; but, we shall doubtless lose her custom, confidering the great exertions she hath made, in the prefent war. Flanders too has had her domeftic troubles, and civil war; yet hath fhe been a good cuftomer, whatever fhe may be, while hoftilities continue fo near her. We have doubtless loft the French market, which, in your estimate †, " is of all others the most extenfive." Look back, I pray 'you, on the comparative state of our exports, which demonstrates, that the market of France is lefs extenfive than the markets of Germany, Holland, and

r

The average of the exports from England to Germany,

in 1753-4-5

Ditto in 1758-59-60

L. 1,291,888

1,489,770