Page:Observations on the present financial embarassments.djvu/20

16 ? The advantage would be direct, positive, and general. So many more thousands of capital would be brought into circulation; so many thousand workmen would be required; and as individuals engaged in trade increased their capital, the aggregate wealth of the nation would be augmented. By the repeal of the assessed taxes, I have shown that no increase of the wealth of the nation would ensue—no increase of the demand for labour. But by the remission of these duties on raw materials and manufactures, you remove the dam that now obstructs the free flow of national enterprise and industry. By this remission you increase the wealth of the country—you give employment to the poor—you increase the demand for all manufactures, by lessening the cost of production, and you materially benefit the landed interest by finding employment for the surplus population, and increasing the demand for agricultural as well as other produce.

What is the cause of thousands of men being at this moment out of employment, and on the poors' rate, in various parts of Wiltshire and Gloucestershire? The manufacturers there have been unable to employ the number of hands they formerly used, and they consequently are thrown on the poor-rate, and become a burden to the farmer. Enable these manufactures to revive, and what would be the consequence? Not only that the burden on