An estimate of the comparative strength of Britain during the present and four preceding reigns; and of the losses of her trade from every war since the Revolution ... To which is added an essay on population / by the Lord Chief Justice Hale.
- George Chalmers
- Date:
- 1782
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: An estimate of the comparative strength of Britain during the present and four preceding reigns; and of the losses of her trade from every war since the Revolution ... To which is added an essay on population / by the Lord Chief Justice Hale. Source: Wellcome Collection.
148/210 page 134
![[ «34 ] a numerous progeny % by furnifhing the con/lant means of fub- fiflence. It is a Angular characfleriftic of the reign of King George I. that in no period of the fame duration were there fo many falutary laws enacted for promoting domeftic energy and foreign trade; yet at no time did both languifii more than during thofe days of captious peace, rather than decifive hoftility. The foregoing documents have proved, that war is not always deftrudtive to induftry or to com- merce.' It is uncertainty which chiefly obfirudts the diligence of the mechanic, and prevents the adventures of the merchant. Yet, Anderfon^ felicitates his country, in 1714, with honefl: zeal on the acceflion of the prefent royal family, as it gave great fatisfa<ftion to our monied and trading intereffcs, which thereupon aflumed new vigour: where liberty and property are inviolably preferved,” con- tinues he, “and every one fecu red in his religion, what can poflibly hinder fuch a community and people from growing rich and power- ful The treaty of commerce with Spain, in 1715, muft have in- fpired with acflivity our traders. The prohibition, in 1716, which being confirmed by law in 1718, prevented any Britifli fubjedtfrom carrying on a commerce to the Eafl: under foreign commiflions, turned their ardour upon more invigorating objects. The allowing of the exportation of Britijh-made linen dutyfree, in 1717, muft have given a bounty to labour, hecaufe the faid manufacture, fay the Parliament, employs many thoufands of the poor of this kingdom. The year 1717 forms the epoch of the famous Jinking-fundy which, by ftrengthening public and private credit, muft have animated the fpirit of diligence. The fifheries were encouraged by bounties, which muft have increafed the important race of our mariners. The manufactories of iron, of brafs, and of copper, being confider- ed as the third in extent, fince they employed [1719] two hundred and thirty thoufand perfons, were promoted with the attention which • The Whigs, who publiflied in 1711—13, The Britijh Merchant, in oppofition to The Mercator of the Tories, fay fvol. i. p. X41, edit. izmo.J “ that it is com- puted we haveyeven millions of people.” This would prove a very great encreafe indeed, were there much attention due to loofe ftatements, without either calcula- tion or circumftance to fupport them.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b28757671_0148.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
