Page:An answer to a pamphlet, intitled, "Thoughts on the causes and consequences of the present high price of provisions" in a letter, addressed to the supposed author of that pamphlet.djvu/12

( 10 ) ed our trade, or in what respects we have improved our trade to the old quarters, I own, Sir, I am at a loss to determine. The first, I apprehend, is a question, which can be satisfactorily answered by no body; the last can be best answered by our Portugal merchants. As to the new channels of trade which we have opened with America, I am glad, Sir, to hear of them; for, unless the public be greatly misinformed, all the old channels are, by the wise schemes of you and your coadjutors, almost intirely [sic] stopped up. But, pray, Sir, what are these new channels of trade which we have opened with America? To the barren sands of Florida, and the inhospitable desarts [sic] of Canada? I give you joy, Sir, of your new channels of trade!

You add, indeed, much more ingenuously, but still more absurdly, that the increase of our riches is owing to the increase of our national debt: a most curious para- dox,