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IT is not much to be doubted but that the Territories under the Kings Dominions have increased, for as much as New-Eng∣land, Virginy, Barbados, and Jamaica, Tangier, and Bombay, have since that time been ei∣ther added to his Majesties Territories, or improved from a desert condition to abound with the People, Building, Shipping, and the Production of many useful commodi∣ties.
And as for the Land of England, Scot∣land and Ireland as it is not less in quantity then it was forty Years since, so it is mani∣fest, that by Reason of dreining of Fens, Watering of dry Grounds, improving of Forrests, and Commons, making of Heaths and barren Grounds to bear Cinquefole, and Clovergrass, meliorating and multi∣plying several sorts of Fruits and Garden-stuff, making some Rivers Navigable, &c. I say it is manifest, that the Land in it's present condition is able to bear more pro∣vision and commodities then it was forty Years ago.
2. Altho the People of England, Scotland, and Ireland, which have Extraordinarily Perished by the Plague and Sword with∣in this last forty Years, do amount to about three hundred thousand, above what have dyed in the ordinary way, yet the ordina∣ry increase by Generation of Ten Millions, which doubles in two hundred Years, as has been shewn by the observations upon the Bills of Mortality, may in forty Years (which is a fifth part of the said Time) have increased near a fifth part of the whole number or two Millions. Where note by the way, that the accession of Negroes to the A∣merican Plantations, being all men of great Labour and little Expence, is not considera∣ble.
Besides it is hoped that New-England, where few or no Women are Barren, and must have many Children, and where peo∣ple live long and Healthfully, has produ∣ced an increase of as many people as were destroyed in the late tumults in Ireland. As for Housing these Streets of London it self speaks it, I conceive it double in value in that City to what it was forty Years since; and for Housing in the Country, they have increased at Bristol, New-Castle, Yarmouth, Norwich, Exeter, Portsmouth, Cowes, Dublin, Kingsale, Londondary, Coolervin in Ireland, far beyond the Proportion of what I can learn has been dilapidated in other places; for in Ireland where the ruine was greatest, (the Housing taken altogether) is now more valuable then forty Years ago; nor is this to be doubted, since Housing is now more splendid then in those days, and the number of Dwellers is increased by near a fifth part, as in the last Paragraph is set forth.
As for Shipping, his Majesties Navy is now triple, or quadruple to what it was forty Years since, and before the Sove∣raign was Built; the Shipping-Trading to New-Castle, which are now about eighty thousand Tuns could not then be above a quarter of that quantity; first because the
City of London is doubled; secondly be∣cause the use of Coal is also at least dou∣bled, because they were heretofore sel∣dom used in Chambers as now they are; nor were there so many Bricks Burned with them as of late, nor did the Coun∣try on both sides the Thames make use of them as now; besides, there are imployed in the Guinny and American Trades above forty thousand Tun of Shipping, which Trade in those days was inconsiderable, the quantity of Wines imported was not near so much as now, and to be short, the Customs upon imported and exported com∣modities did not then yield a third part of the present Value; which shews, that not only Shipping, but Trade it self has in∣creased somewhat near that Propor∣tion. As to money the interest thereof, was within these fifty Years at Ten pound per cent. forty Years ago at eight pound, and now at six pound, no thanks to any Laws which have been made to that purpose; for as much as those who can give good security may now have it less, but the natural fall of interest, is the effect of the increase of money.
Moreover if Rented Lands and Houses have increased, and if Trade has increased also, it is certain that money, which pay∣eth
those Rents and driveth on Trade, must have increased also.
Lastly I leave it to the consideration of all observers, whether the number and Splendor of Coaches, Equipage, and Hous∣hold Furniture have not increased since that time. To say nothing of the postage of Letters, which have increased from one to twenty, which argues the increase of Business and Negotiation; I must add that his Majesties Revenues is near tri∣ple, and therefore the means to pay and Bear the same has increased also.