Page:Works of the Late Doctor Benjamin Franklin (1793).djvu/251

241 The practice of robbing merchants on the high ſeas—a remnant of the antient piracy—though it may be accidentally beneficial to particular perſons, is far from being profitable to all engaged in it, or to the nation that authoriſes it. In the beginning of a war ſome rich ſhips are ſurprized and taken. This encourages the firſt adventurers to fit out more armed veſſels; and many others to do the ſame. But the enemy at the ſame time become more careful; arm their merchant ſhips better, and render them not ſo eaſy to be taken: they go alſo more under the protection of convoys. Thus* while the privateers to take them are multiplied, the veſſels ſubject to be taken, and the chances of profit, are diminiſhed; ſo that many cruiſes are made wherein the expences overgo the gains; and, as is the caſe in other lotteries, though particulars have got prizes, the maſs of adventurers are loſers, the whole expence of fitting out all the privateers during a war being much greater than the whole amount of goods taken.

Then there is the national loſs of all the labour of ſo many men during the time they have been employed in robbing; who beſides ſpend what they get in riot, drunkenneſs, and debauchery; loſe their habits of induſtry; are rarely fit for any ſober buſineſs after a peace, and ſerve only to increaſe the number of highwaymen and houſebreakers. Even the undertakers who have been fortunate, are, by ſudden wealth, led into expenſive living, the habit of which continues when the means of ſupporting it ceaſe, and finally ruins them: a juſt puniſhment for their having wantonly and unfeelingly ruined many honeſt, innocent traders and their families, whoſe ſubſtance was employed in ſerving the common intereſt of mankind.