556 Prince of Orange's Scheme for improving Trade. Dec, and the lofs of one day was generally ba- B You will eafily judge, with what deteftation of himself, a man, thus intent upon gain, reflected that he had fold a prize, which was once in his poffeffion. It was to no purpose, that I reprefented to myself, the impoffibility of recalling the paft, or the folly of condemning an act, which only its event, an event which no human intelligence could forefee, proved to be wrong. The prize, which, tho' put into my hands, had been fuffered to dip from me, filled me with anguish, and knowing that complaint would only ex- C pofe me to ridicule, I gave myself up filently to grief, and loft by degrees my appetite and my rest. My indifpofition foon became visible; I was vifited by my friends, and among them by Eumathes a clergyman, whose piety and learning gave him fuch an afcendant over me, that I could not refufe to open my heart. There are, faid he, of the people of this country, we hope, the following extracts will be agreeable to our readers. His ferene highnefs obferves, that the first establishment of trade in that republick, was owing to three forts of caufes, viz. fuch as were natural and phyfical, or moral and political, or adventitious and external. We fhall take no notice of what he fays of the first and laft of thefe three forts of caules; but as to the second, he defcribes them thus: "Amongst the moral and political caufes are to be placed: The unalterable maxim and fundamental law, relating to the free exercife of different religions; and always to confider this toleration and connivance, as the moft effectual means to draw foreigners from adjacent countries to fettle and refide here, and fo become inftrumental to the peopling of these provinces. The conflant policy of the republick, to make this country a perpetual, fafe, and fecure afylum, for all perfecuted and oppreffed ftrangers, no alliance, no treaty, no regard for, or follicitation from any po tentate whatever, has at any time been able to weaken or deftroy; or make the ftate recede from protecting those who have fled to it for their own fecurity and felf-prefervation. Throughout the whole courfe of all the Dperfecutions and oppreffions, that have few minds fufficiently firm to be trusted in the hands of chance. Whoever finds himfelf inclined to anticipate futurity and exalt poffibility to certainty, fhould avoid every kind of cafual adventure, fince his grief must be always proportionate to his hope. You have long wafted that time, which by a proper application, would have cer- E tainly, tho' moderately encreased your fortune, in a laborious and anxious purfuit of gain, which no labour or anxiety, no art or expedient can fecure or promote. You are now fretting away your life in repentance of an act, against which repentance can give no caution. Roufe at laft from this lazy dream of fortuitous riches, which, if you had obtained them, you could fcarcely have enjoyed, because they could confer no confcioufnefs of defert; return to rational and manly industry, and confider that which is the mere gift of luck, as below the care of a wife man. Extracts from the Scheme laid before the STATES GENERAL of the United Provinces by the late Prince of ORANGE, a little before bis Death, for reflo ing and improving the Trade of that Republick. LTHO' this fcheme chiefly relates to A the Dutch trade, yet as there are fe veral things in it that deferve the attention occurred in other countries, the steady adherence of the republick to this fundamental law, has been the caufe, that many people have not only fled hither for refuge, with their whole ftock in ready cash, and their most valuable effects, but have allo fettled and established many trades, fabricks, manufactures, arts and sciences in this country; notwithstanding the fift materials for the faid fabricks and manufactures were almoft wholly wanting in it, and not to be procured but at a great expence from foreign parts. The conftitution of our form of govern ment, and the liberty from thence accruwhich the growth of trade, and its eftaing to the citizens, are further reafons, to blishment in the republick, may fairly be attributed And all her policy and laws are put on fuch an equitable footing, that neither life, eftates, or dignities depend on the caprice, or arbitrary power of any fingle individual; nor is there room for any perfon, who by care, frugality, and diliGgence, has once acquired an affluent fortune, or eftate. to fear a deprivation of them, by any act of violence, oppreffion, or injustice. The adminiftratfon of juftice in this country, has in like manner always been 5 clear 1751. Prince of Orange's Scheme for improving Trade. 557 clear and impartial, and without diftinction of fuperior or inferior rank; whether the parties have been rich or poor, or even this a foreigner, and that a native: And it were greatly to be wished, we could at this day boaft of fuch impartial quickness and dispatch in all our legal proceffes, confidering how great an influence it hath on A trade. To fum up all, amongst the moral and political caufes of the former flourishing ftate of trade, may be likewife placed : The wisdom and prudence of the adminiAtration; the intrepid firmness of the coun cils; the faithfulness with which treaties and engagements were wont to be fulfilled B and ratified; and particularly the care and caution practifed to preferve tranquillity and peace, and to decline, instead of entering on a scene of war, merely to gratify the ambitious views of gaining fruitless or imaginary conquests. By thefe moral and political maxims, was the glory and reputation of the repubJick fo far fpread; and foreigners animat-C ed to place fo great a confidence on the fteady determinations of a ftate fo wifely and fo prudently conducted; that a concourse of them stocked this country with an augmentation of inhabitants, and ufeful hands; whereby its trade and opulence were conftantly from time to time increas ed." He afterwards points out fome of the causes of the late decay of their trade, and concludes this fubject as follows: which is advantageous to the republick, fo And after fhewing that their trade is di- "We have already taken notice of, and placed at the head of all the causes, that have co-operated to the prejudice and difcouragement of trade, the oppreffive taxes, which have, under divers denominations been imposed on trade; such as thofe call- When he comes to confider the methods "Having thus briefly pointed out, what were the causes and the means of establishing the trade in this republick; of promoting and raising it heretofore to fo high a pitch of grandeur; and having alfo Thewn which of thefe caufes have fince E ceafed, and brought about the diminution and falling off of our trade; we shall, in order to come nearer to the point, proceed to examine its present state: And the conclufion that may be drawn from thence, is; that the promoting the fame, can only be effected by a lowering of the duties, on a well-concerted plan, fupported by reason F and experience." After taking notice of the advantage "It may not be amifs, however, to re- "If but one point was herein to be confidered, namely, what are the most proper methods to re-establish trade in general, without having regard at the fame time, to other concerns; the remedy would be foon found, by only introducing a general free port, and reducing as many taxes as poffible, whereby this affair would be effectually compleated. But there feems to be a condition, over and above, not to be gainfayed or withftood; which is, that the usual revenue to the colleges of the admiralty, whereof they stand to much in need to defray their And, on the other hand, it is incumbent charges, must be preserved at all events. on us to prevent the lowering of the duti es on the importation of goods, from becoming any prejudice to the products, manufactures, and fabricks of the country, our East and Weft India colonies, fisheries, &c." And upon this head he ftates and anfwers two queftions, as follows: 1. "What goods ought principally to have the benefit of fuch a diminution; and what rules, in relation thereto, will be proper to be obferved, 2. Wherein 558 MISCHIEFS of AMBITION. 2. Wherein it must confift, and in what proportion it must be settled. As to the first question, on what goods the lowering and abatement of publick duties fhould principally fall; it has been obferved, that principally all foreign goods, which are not only brought and confumed in our country, but alfo taken off our A hands by foreigners, fhould enjoy this benefit: For, to put our merchants in a condition, to trade on an equal footing with their neighbours, at foreign markets, the carrying of goods through, and trafficking in this country, fhould be made as cheap and eafy as can poffibly be contrived. Of thefe goods a preference fhould be B given to all the prime materials, that are Terviceable in our fabricks, manufactures, handicrafts, &c. as alfo the ingredients neceffary in the faid handicrafts, manufactures, and fabricks. By fuch measures, our fabricks, manufactures, and handicrafts, would be encouraged on the fame footing as our general trade, and no caufe C of difpute given between thofe pretended jarring interests. All foreign goods and merchandizes, that come here to be fifted and afforted, and afterwards again exported, ought like. wife to enjoy the benefit of this diminution and abatement; for thefe are an inducement to the industrious trader to exercise, Dec. to this fort of trade, one may promife one's felf great fuccefs from the diminution fo defired. Finally, we should reflect on fuch foreign goods, which being admitted not prejudicial to our fabricks, yet, as they are principally confumed in the country, should on importation pay fome duties, in order to make the lofa of the admiralties as small as poffible. As to the fecond queftion, how far the fame ought to take place on such goods, a few words will fuffice to fhew; and we need only remark, the more these are relieved, the greater will be the fuccefs of the diminution. Having thus established fome principles concerning what goods should enjoy the benefit of a free port coming in and going out; we may now proceed to fuch, as, by their importation, are prejudicial to our faid fabricks, manufactures, and handicrafts; and to the products of our country, colonies, and fisheries. As to all thefe laft mentioned goods, it is agreed, that they ought, on importation, not only to remain taxed; but, fo far as they tend to luxury, to fuperfiuities, and to use, are thereby prejudicial to our faid fabricks, manufactures, &c. therefore fhould be as heavily charged as poffible; with proper regard, however, to our treaties; as alfo, that by too heavy imposts, we do not in his talents, in fetting them to work:D volve ourselves in thofe difficulties, of And were it requifite to enumerate in this Neither can fuch goods, as are not worked, manufactured, or forted here; but re-exported in the fame condition, as they were imported, be excluded from this advantage, without prejudice to trade in general; for thefe goods, when there is a fuperfluity of them, furnish the merchants with an opportunity to make magazines of them in this country. The advantages arifing from hence, and which have only relation to trade, are thefe : That whenever afterwards a fcarcity F happens, foreigners can buy thefe goods which the lift of the year 1725 produces many inftances, which have had this effect, that the colleges of the admiralties would have raifed and received more, had they afked lefs; a confideration, which ought to be well remembered when we fet about a reformation of their revenues." And he concludes with a particular explanation and examination of his scheme, to which he annexes, 1. A lift of goods which ought not to be loaded with any duties on importation. 2. A lift of fuch as ought to pay fome fmall duties, and have a drawback; and 3. A lift of fuch as ought not to be allowed to be imported, and fuch as ought not to be allowed to ba exported. To the AUTHOR, &c. SIR, HILE W a nation preferves itfelf free and independent, its inhabitants are happy; but the funthine is foon eclipfed, when ambition ruthes like a tempest o'er the land; darkening the profpect, and obfcuring the beams of heaven-defcended liberty. What defolations follow in her steps! what havock does the scatter in her courfe, while learning and virtue hang their 1751. Character and Fate of SEJANU S. their dejected heads! Hiftory is full of the 559 quitous crimes, the moft barbarous tyrannies, and heaviest oppreffions, he was fuddenly plucked from his afpiring height, and given up to a death both ignominious and dreadful; most historians agree, that the incensed people anticipated the publick executioners, and tore him into a thousand pieces. Ex eo nibil fuperfuit quod carnifex traberet, Sen. And Juvenal fays, it was in every body's mouth, Nunquam, fi quis mibi credit, amavi bunc bominem, "Noboby can ever fay he was my friend." Sejanus feems (fays the author of the above play, in his preface) to have been marked out by Providence, as an example to fu turity, of that juftice which will at one To flatter a man in power, to praise his words, approve his deeds, and promote his defires, are certain steps to his favour, and almost (ecure his esteem. Of the truth of this doctrine Sejanus was fully apprized; he was a man of good addrefs, great natural abilities, and ad- B time or other overtake the great bad man, mirable policy, which led him to study the humour and inclinations of his mafter: To whom, by encouraging his follies, and applauding his weaknesses, he became fo dear, as to obtain his entire confidence ; there was no fecret hidden from him, nothing done without his advice, and the most important tranfactions C of the state were committed to his care. The emperor, abforpt in pleasures, delegated to him almost wholly his power, which he used to the most destructive ends, the betraying of his mafter, the ruining his fellow fubjects, and enslaving his country. The throne was the point which Sejanus had in view, to level his way to which, D the most impious and atrocious methods were purfued. The ancient liberty of the republick was, by degrees, totally destroyed. Riot and luxury was let loose among the people, who were thus blinded to the chains which were preparing for them; by infpiring them with a love of pleasure, they were brought to neglect their freedom. Roma (fays Tacitus) ruunt in fervi- E tium confules, patres, equites. And while they were diverting themfelves in the theatre or circus, Sejanus was arbitrarily fixing his own dependants and creatures in all thofe publick pofts and employments, which fhould have been filled up by their free election. The author of a play, juft published, under the name of Sejanus, gives us this picture of these times, fo dreadful to liberty and Rome. See the great mistress of the world en- "Who should her facred liberty defend, But to return to Sejanus, after 16 years enjoyment of almoft regal power, during which time he had practifed the most ini who uses his power to opprefs or to curtail the liberties of his country. This reflection is very juft, the fubject fhould live continually in the mind not only of a king, but of his minifters: The one will thence be taught how careful he should be. in trusting his power too far out of his own hands, the other to avoid the shoals on which Sejanus (plit, and that misused favours are followed by deftruction. Truly happy is the prince, in whose court honeft men are to be found, to whom he may intrust the management of his revenues, on which depends the honour of his defigns, the majefty of his crown, and the tranquillity of his ftate. That fuch my be always found at the head of the British state, is a wish, in which I am certain you will join, SIR, From the INSPECTOR, Dec. 14. Cuneta Deus replet, Deus eft fupra, Deus infra. MONT. Lib 30 WE E are informed that an enjoyment of the immediate prefence of the Deity will be one of the first pleasures of a future period of existence: A contemplation of his attributes will in fome Fordwell upon the ideas of his excellence, degree anticipate the glorious rapture here. is in fome measure to enjoy his presence; and this will at once give us a taste of that fuperior blifs, and prepare us for the completion of it. The greatest human fatisfactions must arife from a fenfe of what the being is that enjoys them, and what that great G Source of all exiftence, from which we derive them. He who contemplates as he ought the mercy of his Creator, will be at ease even under faults which he is confcious that he does his utmost to prevent, or to amend; he who is confcious of his goodness, 560 of the DIVINE OMNIPRESENCE. Dec. goodness, will know that every work of This, of all his attributes, is the moft another, and he will do all that the frailty of his nature will admit, to drive from thence every thought that cannot ftand the teft of fuch an inspection. D 'Tis eafy for us to deceive a parcel of creatures fhort-fighted as ourfelves; our intentions are hidden from them; our actions only come under their cognizance; and if we find it impoffible to bring into execution a crime of which our foul is ful- E ly guilty, we are out of the reach of punifhment. To this is owing the daring feIcurity of offenders, while they argue that if the deed fucceeds, it pays them for the confequences; and that if it does not, the attempt is in oblivion: But 'tis not fo with him who knows our thoughts; his tribunal is what we ought infinitely more to dread than that below; and this is a feat of justice, at which acts not committed may be arraigned: He fees the very principles on which we proceed, the contrivances which we are forging in our breafts for the bringing them into execution, and the ends at which they are aimed. He will not impute to us that innocence which we may boast from our ill intents being G fruftrated; but will require us to account for crimes we had determined, as rigouroufly, as if we had effected them. Could we arrive at a constant fenfe, that our Creator and our Judge is always prelent with us, how would it comfort and fup port us in our virtuous purfuits, how top our career in ill! Hypocrify would fade and die away under its influence; and that open honefty which we found it our business to profefs before God, would render us honoured and happy among one another. We are not to pretend an ignorance of the will of our Creator; nor should we dare to do it if only fenfible as we ought to be, that he is about us, and condemns us for diffimulation in the pretence. Let the man who is going to engage in any action he does but fufpect (and there is no ill that the confcience fuffers us to execute without fuch a fufpicion) afk himself this fhort queftion, Will what I am about to do be pleafing to him who fees all my actions? and he will find a monitor within, that will never fail to give him truth in answer. If the applaufe of the world, or the dread of infamy from it, can encourage or deter us in our intended actions, how much more ftrongly would a confcioufnefs of the prefence of that Being, whofe acceptance or whofe cenfure of them is all that is worth our care, answer the fame purpose? The bands of fociety are nothing, unless deduced from this original principle; and it is not easy to fay, to how exalted a pitch this mutual love to one another might be carried, were the feveral individuals duly fenfible of that which first establifhed their union. Men, without a confciousness that their actions all lie open to the immediate infpection of Heaven, would be more infidious and deftructive, more dangerous to one another than brutes, by as much as they are more cunning; nor have I ever been more ftruck with the juftnefs of an apprehenfion from others, than in the inftance of that of the patriarch in Gerar, when he gives it for his reafon, The fear of God is not in this place, On the contrary, when a fenfe that the immediate eye of a Creator and a Judge is over all the actions, is impreffed, as it ought, in the feveral individuals, every man finds thole about him his friends and brothers. Our connection with the Divinity is fuch, that he ought never to be abfent from our thoughts. We cannot, indeed, be always praying, always employed in acts of external worship to him, but we may for ever retain him in our hearts: Every object that occurs to us affords a theme on which to praise him: And to remember him as we ought in all our actions; and to pay him this tribute in ail our occurrences, is to give what he more esteems than the lifting up of hands, or the bending of knees, a continued worthip of the mind; an adoration worthy of |