we differ even from Laplanders, andthe inhabitants of Topinamboo: Of quitting our animosities and factions,
nor acting any longer like the Jews, who were murdering one another at
the very moment their city was taken: Of being a little cautious not to sell
our country and consciences for nothing: Of teaching landlords to have at
least one degree of mercy towards their tenants. Lastly, of putting a spirit
of honesty, industry, and skill into our shop-keepers, who, if a resolution
could now be taken to buy only our native goods, would immediately
unite to cheat and exact upon us in the price, the measure, and the
goodness, nor could ever yet be brought to make one fair proposal of just
dealing, though often and earnestly invited to it.
Therefore I repeat, let no man talk to me of these and the like
expedients, 'till he hath at least some glympse of hope, that there will ever
be some hearty and sincere attempt to put them into practice.
But, as to my self, having been wearied out for many years with
offering vain, idle, visionary thoughts, and at length utterly despairing of
success, I fortunately fell upon this proposal, which, as it is wholly new, so
it hath something solid and real, of no expence and little trouble, full in
our own power, and whereby we can incur no danger in disobliging
England. For this kind of commodity will not bear exportation, and flesh
being of too tender a consistence, to admit a long continuance in salt,
although perhaps I could name a country, which would be glad to eat up
our whole nation without it.
After all, I am not so violently bent upon my own opinion, as to reject
any offer, proposed by wise men, which shall be found equally innocent,
cheap, easy, and effectual. But before something of that kind shall be
advanced in contradiction to my scheme, and offering a better, I desire the
author or authors will be pleased maturely to consider two points. First, As
things now stand, how they will be able to find food and raiment for a
hundred thousand useless mouths and backs. And secondly, There being a
round million of creatures in humane figure throughout this kingdom,
whose whole subsistence put into a common stock, would leave them in
debt two million of pounds sterling, adding those who are beggars by
profession, to the bulk of farmers, cottagers and labourers, with their
