Xhb high rank and prepondenutce of Great Bri-
tain in the scale of nations, can only be maintained
by extensive commerce. This alone can give us
naval superiority, and that can be secured to as
only by colonial establishments. In the present
depressed state of our manufactures and commerce
no permanent relief can be hoped for, if new mar-
kets for] our trade be not discovered and esta-
blished. The old, of which we had the mo-
nopoly, have, from the industry, the skill, and
exerticms of the population of other countries,
become less beneficial to us than formerly; and
for the reasons stated, as well as from the po-
yertyj of other countries, the demand from us is
greatly reduced. Besides this, we must look ifor-
ward to new colooiea to replace such as in the
fM>ur3e of time we must lose. Amongst this num-
ber are our North American possessions, and
the East Indies, all of which will, sooner or later,
throw off our yoke. Our West India colonies are
also on the decline. The system that made them



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MBCB8S&BT TO BRtTAlK. 313

it destroyed; anditis.qnite certain, that a revo*
lutioa in their iotiemal eitablishments, violent or
gradual, is not far distant, either of which will
work audi a cdiange as will render these posses-
rions of littlie ralue as (XH&mercial colonies. They
are also dadlj getting more and more into contact
with dangerous and ambitious neighbours, which
must render the tenure of Uiese possessions more
insecure, and perhaps force us into future contests,
the expences attending which, the parent state
may, from their altered economy, grudge to bear.
