The undoubted art of thriving wherein is shewed : 1. That a million L. sterling money, or more if need be, may be raised for propogating the trade of the nation, &c. without any kind of prejudice to the leiges, but on the contrair to their great vtility and advantage, 2. How the Indian and African Company may propogat [sic] their trade, and that trade and manufacturers of all sorts may by encouraged to the honour, strength and wealth of the nation, 3. How every one according to his quality, may live comfortably and happily : concluding with several thoughts tuching [sic] the management of publick concerns.

CHAP. II.

SHevreth how the Notes proposed in the former Chapter, may be disposed of, and how the Hon∣our, Credit, and Wealth of the Na∣tion, many several other wayes be advanced.

SECTION I. How the Notes proposed in the Preceed∣ing Chapter may be disposed of in part.

TH•• SCOTS Indian and African Company hath been the Sub∣ject of much Discourse in the world for some time past, that it may be a profitable Undertaking to this Nation, is Undoubtedly the Con∣cern of a••l SCOTS Men, and that to which every one in his propper Sphere ought to ••he assisting, but the bad Success hitherto of the Efforts, for

Propogating, it hath created such a Mis-understanding amongst People, that every one is Jealous of another.

To ••nquire into the particular caus∣es of the Disapointments, that has hitherto hapened, in the prosicution of that design will not be so necessary, as to lay down Methods to prevent the like for the future, a Physitian knowing the Distemper, tho he do not publish the same, may prescribe Remedies; And a Man may quench Fire, tho he inqure not how it broak our. and because the great obsticle or Impediment that frustcrats the cary∣ing on of that design, is the want of Money; I think the Parliament may Lend upon interest a hundreth Thou∣sand, or two Hundreth Thousand Pounds Str: of these Notes, to ou•• Indian and African Company.

Perhaps some may say, the Money that has been already given to cary on that Trade, has been so Misma∣naged or misaplyed, that there is but

litle hope that there will be a good account given of this, provided the Parliament should allow them the same.

The Setlement by all the Accounts we have of it may be made, one of the most Comodious and most Profita∣ble Colonys in the World. The Spain∣ards are a People, which are not in a Condition to do us Damnage by Sea, if we had any considerable Naval Force; I mean even what we may have, if so much Money as is men∣tioned, were imployed to propogat that Colony; Nothing need we fear from France, for in that case we may expect the Assistans of the English, it being the interest of England, that we should have that place, rather than the French.

By Land there is no Danger, for not only are the Spaniards of those parts an Esteminate lazie People, un∣acquainted with Wars, but like wise are few in Number, scarce able to

keep Possession of the Plantations they have already; Morover, they live at a considerable Distance from our Settlement, and the Woods betwen them and our People are unpassible for Armies with Waggons and Artil∣lerie, and other necessaries for a Siege.

But the greatest Fears of some per∣haps may be, that our own Country∣men intrusted with the Effects and Concerns of the Company, may pre∣fer their own private Interest to the publick Good, and by this means Ruin all.

To prevent this, there would be special Care taken in the Choice of those who are to have any consider∣able Trust there, that they be Men of Conscience, Probity and Honour, for it is not to be supposed, that Men of no Principle will study the Good of the Company: further than it jumps with their private Interest; And it's but reasonable, the Parliament should have a special Hand in their Election

seing they lend the Company a consi∣derable Sum to carry on their Trade.

There would be likewise Care tak∣en in the Choice of those who are to labour in the Plantation. that they be People inur'd to Work, for one Plew-Man, Wright, Gardner or other Trades∣man bred with hard Labour, can be more serviceable in the Colony, than three Men bred to an idle Life; And the Expence of Transporting them thither, and mantaining them while there, is a like in both.

The next Difficulty proponed, per∣haps may be, that it will not be so easie to find Tradesmen, and Others Inur'd to Labour, as disbanded Sol∣diers, and other sort of idle People.

Suppose it be so, yet the vast diffe∣rence of their Usefulness will do more than countervail the Expence and pains that the One will cost more than the Other; For I suppose the Company cannot send a Labourer to Caledonia under Five pounds, conside∣ring

he is to be subsisted from the time he is Listed till he be set a Shoar in the Colony: And it were better that they give a Lusty Able Workman Five pounds in Hand, and transport him to their Settlement, than to transport Two bred to Idleness thither, tho they give them nothing in Hand, For not only is the Two as much Expence in Transportation as the Others and his 5 Lib. besides Transportationin, but this One shall be more Serviceable in the Plantation than the Other two, and live on the half of their Allowance whilst there.

But after all, I do not think there will be any great Difficulty in get∣ting Good Men, if the Company would make choice of some Farmers and Tradesmen of good Repute and In∣terest in the Country, to be Persons of inferiour Charge in the Colony, for every One would find abundance of his Acquaintances to go along with him, and would be much fitter to Di∣rect

and Oversee the Work of these under his Command, than disbanded Officers, and Gentlemen unacquainted with Labour.

As to what may be Objected, touch∣ing their unfitness in Military Service, 'twas shown already, that there is no Danger of an Attack by Land, and I shall by and by give my Opinion how they shall be secured against any At∣tempt by Sea; But grant there should be Martial Action, these Labourers may be as fit for that Service as the other, provided they have a few Ex∣perienced Officers to head them, of which there are abundance already there.

Besides these already in the Settle∣ment, iuppose Twelve or Fifteen Hundred Good Men may be sufflcient for the Stock of a Colony, able to de∣fend the same, and Cultivate the Ground, that it may be capable not only to affoord Provisions to them∣selves, But likewise or all other that

shall settle there, And to affoord Ame∣rican Plantation Goods for transport∣ing hither; And within a Year or two so much of the Ground may be Clear∣ed and Cultivated, that whole Fami∣lies may be transported thiter. For this end Seeds of several Herbs and Roots, as also Corn would be sowen there, with all possible speed, that the Expence of sending Provision hither, may no longer be a Burden to the Company.

Some say our Corn by reason of the strength of the Ground, shuts up to a Wonderful hight, but is not Fruitful.

I cannot positively say, what may be the Nature of that Ground, but I am apt to believe this proceeds more from want of Skil in Husbandry, than from any Defect in the Corn, for Sir Walter Raligh gives Account, that in the Province of Baby lon the Ground is so Fertile, that it bears 200 Fold, yet they have it Sowen with Wheat

like what we have here, which he says grows to the height of Trees, and is unfruitful if let alone, but that the Husband-Men Cropt ir twice with Hooks, and once by Sheep, by which means it is keept low, and is exceeding Fruitful, This may be tried, and if it won't do, such Corn as is com∣monly used in the Indies must be made use of. Some Cattle would also be taken there as soon as possible.

If at Sea they have their Ships that went on the first and second Expedi∣tion, together with these three Fri∣gots that were made use of in the late War upon our Coasts, well Man'd, I dobut not but they are able to oppose the strongest Naval Force Spain can make against them.

The Expence of Equiping and men∣taining these Ships, will not exceed the Money mentioned to be lent to the Company, for several Years, and I doubt not but e're a full Year Ex∣pire, that the Spaniards will be obli∣ged to agree to reasonable Terms,

which if they do not, Our Colony will be in a Condition to seize upon their Mines in those Parts, for as is said the Men that are already in the Colony, with 1200 ot 1500 more, can oppose any Force the Spaniards can make against them, and those at Sea will be in a Condition to meet with their Fleet when they list.

Some hard dozen of Advice Boats, or light Vessels to run too and from the Colony, would also be of great Use, the want of which hitherto has been pre∣judicial to the Company.

Here you see a considerable Num∣ber of these Notes may be disposed of to Advantage but because it may be said, these Notes can only serve amongst our selves but can be of no use beyond the Limits of this King∣dom. I shall show that there will not be any great Occasion for them with∣out the Kingdom, but because it may be also objected in other cases, I shall referr it to another Place, and there give an Answer to all together.

SECTION II. Which Respects Manufactures.

MOst Nations in Europe Endea∣vour to Cultivat Manufact∣ures to as great a height as they can, and that not only by the Industry of Privat Persons, but also by Laws and other publick Encour∣agements.

That this is the Interest of every Kingdom and Common Wealth, is to obvious to need any Proof, for not only is it the Opinion of most Men and Encouraged and required by the Laws of all well Governed Common Wealt••s, but even by Divine Precept In∣dustry is enjoyned. Nevertheless it has been too much neglected in this King∣dom, to our great Loss and Reproach.

It is well known, that the Inhabi∣tants of this Kingdom are as Ca∣pable

to Undergo Labour and Fati∣que, and to perform Mechanick Ope∣rations as most People in Europe, and that Our Soil and adjoining Seas produce what may make us Live as Comfortably as any People in the World.

'Tis true, Our Soil is not so Fertile as in many other Countrys, (yet in another Place I have showen that it may be made much more Fruitful than it is) but thus says nothing to other industry.

The Seas which bound Our Coast, abound with Fishes of several sorts, particularly Herrings, of which I be∣leive no Place of the World can boast of greater Plenty.

How many Thousands of Peopl•• that live idle, might be imployed in Fishing, and tho we have not at pre∣sent such a way to Export Our Fishes yet several Methods may be fallen on to Encrease Trade that way, parti∣cularly that Encouragement may be

given to the Dutch, who are well ac∣quainted in that Trade, to come and settle amongst us, and that Towns and Harbours be Built alongs the Shoar, at Places most convenient for Fishing.

This perhaps may be rejected by some as a thing prejudicial, to suffer strangers to settle among us, and to allow them the Priviledge of Natural Born Subjects, but if it be considered, that those People that come from For∣reign Parts to reside amongst us, be∣come one People with our selves in a short time, that what prosites they make, tend to the Enriching and strengthning of the Nation, as much as that which is acquired by Natural Born Subjects. That in rhe mean time those People bring us to a way of Trading wherein we are but little acquainted, and that which is more, while we give them not Encour∣agement to dwell amongst us, they follow the same Trade, taking the

Fish upon Our Coasts, and carrying them where they list, while we Reap no part of the Profit, I think all rea∣sonable Men will readily acknowledge that the least of these Inconvenien∣cies is to allow them to settle amongst us.

But I am perswaded no such incon∣veniencie follows the Tollerating of Strangers amongst us, as is commonly believed, I am perswaded it were the interest of the Nation to allow For∣reigners as ample Priviledges as Na∣tural Born Subjects, I shall put the case whether is it not better that French Resugees that are obliged to abandon their Native Country, for not con∣forming themselves to the Idolatries and Superstitions of the Church of Rome be Encouraged to settle among us. sor setting up Silk Manufactures, and others wherein we are but little acquainted, as to send our Money out of the Kingdom to purchase these Commodity's, and thereby strengthen

such as are Enemies to Our Nation and Religion.

Here it may not be impertinent to Enquire into the Freedom or Privi∣ledges of Citys, Burghs, and Corpo∣tations, whether it doth not more Obstruct as advance the honour, Wealth, and Popolousness of them, that there is such hard Conditions and Restrictions to obtain Communi∣cations or Freedom in Trade.

In my Opinion, such Restrictions and Qualifications required of such as would partake of their Priviledges, are very prejudicial to the Corpora∣tions themselves; My reason for it is, that the more populous a City is, so much is it the better for the In∣habitants in general; Let any Man take a Survey of all the Citys or Towns he knows, and see whither this does not hold in general; Now the requiring of hard Conditions of those that would incorporat, is cer∣tainly a great Impediment to Incorpo∣rating.

The Objections I know against this are, we bought our Previlage dea••, either with our Mony o•• long Apren∣tissips, or both. We have it derived to us by our Ancestors or the like, and therefore if others that have not Purchased it so dear, shall be admit∣ed, they shall share in the Profits, that we expect to make, and couse quently prejudge us, of as much as they shall gain.

By whatever means, those who have the present previlege, have pro∣cured it, it is not to the purpose, if the Admiting of others on easier terms be not prejudical, but on the Con∣trair profitable to the former, then have they no cause to rejict the latter. But so it is, that by admiting of every on that pleases, is the advantage of all.

To make this evident, let any per∣son make a Calculation, whither there be more Tradesmen of all sorts in E∣dinburgh or Musselburgh, I belive with∣out

much enquiry the majoritie will be granted to Edinburgh.

Let is next be enquired, whither the Inhabitants or Tradesmen in Ediu∣burgh or Musselburgh, be most woal∣thy, and have the best Trade, I su∣pose also, the Prehemmence will be given to Edinburgh.

But some says, what's that to the purpose Edinburgh is the Capital City of the Kingdome, the State of Superi∣or Judicators, which occations the frequent Conflouance of People to that Place.

Let them next enquire of the state of Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, Montrose, or any other Town they please, and if it be found in all these, that the more populous the place is, the more weal∣thy the Inhabitants are, 'twill be no absurd Consequence, to belive, that the Inhabitants of any on particular Town, should become the more wealthy, as the City grows populous.

I supose it will be easily granted

that to tolerate all that please to come and reside in Burghs, to Trasfique and follow other Vocations, may be a ready expedient to make them popul∣ous; and upon strict Enquiry 'twill not be found prejudicial to any particular Calling or Corporation; For I make a Supposition, that upon Liberty grant∣ed to all persons to set up in Citys and Corporations for a small Ackow∣ledgement, it would bring in six Man∣sions to this place: But says some of that Employment. we are at a great Loss, for so many Men will take away a great deal of our Profit; but if it be considered. that at the same time, Twenty Merchants, Ten Smiths, six Wrights, Ten Tailors, and proporti∣onable of every Trade and Calling come hither, by which means the In∣habitants are considerably Encreased, so that the new Incomers will be Sub∣ject of Imployment to one another; As for Example, if all these new Inhabi∣tants shall Employ these Ten Tailiors,

the New come Shoe-Makers, &c. There will be no Occasion of their being imployed by the old Residen∣ters.

Much might be said, and Examples given, both For ••eign and Domestick •••• infor•••• this; As for instance, let any inquire into the State of the ••rewars and Bakers of Edinburgh, The Bakers have a Priviledge amongst themselves, that none but such as serve Aprentiship•• to them, or that Marry Free-men; Daughters, can be received into their Corporation; As to the Brew∣ers there is no ••e••trant, any Man may follow that Imployment that pleases; yet it's obvious that the first are not E••••ri••hed by their great Privi∣ledges, nor the latter the poorer that they can de ba•• none from following that Voc••••tion, but on the contrary the latter is an a much more prosperous Condition than the former.

If this Example have no weight be∣cause it is too Private, Familiar and

Domostick, look but over to Spain and Holland, ye will see that the former are very strict and nice in vouchaf∣ing Priviledge of Naturalization, and the latter so lax that they refuse none, which is doubtless one of the strong∣est Reasons that can be given why they are so Populous and Rich.

Shiping is a thing we much want, and that which greatly encreasses the Strength, Wealth and Honour of a Nation, this we may have encreassed greatly by the stricking of Notes as was described in the preceeding Chap∣ter; For not only may a considerable value of these Notes be Lent to a Company that shall be Erected for Building Ships, but I think it were ve∣ry convenient that a Law should be made Prohibiting of any Ships under certain Penalties to Trade to this King∣dom but what are Built within it after such a day.

I doubt not but at first view this may seem to be a very absurd o∣pinion

considering that we want Wood; Nevertheless seeing that which will buy one Ship Equipt and ready to put to Sen, will Buy Wood for four, tho I had said Six perhaps I had not been much by the way;) and there is abundance of People in the King∣dom that may be Employed to Build them, and the same Mariner•• which will serve to bring home a new Ship may bring home Wood to be one in another Ship, for I believe any Vessel is capable to bear as much Wood in her Hould as will build a∣nother of her own Burthen; and there is a vast difference between the value of the Money or Goods given for a Ship Equipt, and the Materials to make it of.

That Shipping may be here equipt, 'twill be necessary that Encourage∣ment be given to Carpenters, some from Abroad, and chiefly that others at home may be Bred to that Employ∣ment; and it were very commendable

that Gentlemen who are not able to provide their Sons to such Portions as they can live on suteable to their Quality. would breed them to this or some other honest Employment, rather than that they should be obliged to go and carry Arms in the Service of Forreign Princes; and some Gentlemen who are in Conditi∣on to provide their Children to hand∣some Livings, would do well to give Example in this Matter, for common∣ly Mechanicks or Tradesmen are so much despys'd, that those who would be reouted Gentlemen think it be∣low them to apply themselves to such Employments.

This will be a great Mean to pro∣mote the Wealth, Honour, and Strength of the Nation, for not only might many of our Country-Men, That go Abroad for a Lively hood re∣main at home, to be Employed in the Service of the Nation upon Occasion, but likewise much Wealth that is

given for Forreign Commodities would be kept at home; and if Gentlemen or People of any Tolerable Stocks did Apply Themselves this way, they would certainly be more Capable to advance Trade than the meaner Sort of People bred to those Employments, who after having served their Ap∣prentic••ships have little or no Stock; and therefore can do but little to pro¦pogate Trade, whereas others who have but little Stock to follow a Gentleman Employment, would have enough to set up as a Mechanicks, and in the Account of all considering Persons the best of the meanest Em∣ployment is preferable to the meanest of the best.

There would likewise be some pains taken to bred up the Youth of poor People, that are not able to put them to Trades, even at the Expence of the Publick. A small part of the 15000 L. Excressions on the Annual Profit of the Notes formerly mentioned.

would go a great length this Way, and many that Live in Penuary and are a Burden to the Nation, might by this means support themselves handsomely and be Serviceable to the Nation.

There will not be so great Difficulty in finding Carpenters as some are apt to believe, for a few Expert Trades-Men to direct, would perform a great deal of Work by the Hands of others, who have little Knowledge in that Imployment. Any person that can handle an Ax by their Direction, is Capable to do most of the Work be∣longing thereto, and Masters of this and all other Imployments we are least acquaint in would be got at any Rate.

Much might be said on this Subject, and doubtless it's worth the Consider∣ation of the Honourable Estates of Parliament to think on Ways and Means, and to make Laws for the Encouragement of Manufactures of all sorts within this Kingdom; It's a pity that so great a Number of Inhabitants

that might be Serviceable to the Na∣tion, should be so great a Burden to it, some of them actually Begging, Others Loi••ering about some Cottage in a Sterving Condition, and many following silly Imployments, whereas they might be more Useful to them∣selves, and the Nation in other Ca∣pacities.

The Scarcity of Money having Ren∣dered many good Designs impracti∣cable or ineffectual, being Supplied by the Use of the foresaid Notes, it will be no hard Matter to get Manu∣facture•• Erected; For several Com∣pany's being Formed, may borrow of these Notes upon Interest, for Carry∣ing on their Trade.

If a Company for Building Ships were Established, I suppose they might have occasion to Employ 100000 L. Starling to carry on that Trade. A Company for Fishing would require twice as much, and many other Ma∣nufactures would require considerable

Sums to set them up, against which none can make Objections for want of Money, for this may be Supplyed by Notes as is said, which the se∣veral Companys may borrow upon In∣terest.

But because some may aledge Bussi∣ness cannot be ca••••yed on by those Notes since they will not be received in Payments but only within the King∣dom, and that there will be occasion for paying considerable Sums Abroad for several Commondity's to Erect and Propogate such Manufactures, as al∣so for mantaining the African and In∣dian Company us was for••••erly hi••••∣ed. To this 'tis Answered.

First. A Fishing Company will not have occasion to Dispu••se any consi∣derable Sums in Forreign parts, but on the con••••air will have considerable Incomes from thence. 2dly. What the other Manufactures will require will be much less than what is given out for the Commodities that are now

bought Abroad, which may then be by them prepared at home. 3dly. What the Indian and African Compa∣ny will need to give out in Forreign parts will not be much, for all their Mariners and others that receive wa∣ges may be pay'd, and their Ships Victualed here, till the Colony be in a condition to affoord them Provisi∣ons, so that there will be no need of sending Money out of the Kingdom for their Support, but for Refitting and putting to Sea their two Ships at New-York and Jamaica, and that is inconsiderable in respect of what may be raised by the said Notes. And lastly, considering that as the Matter stands we have occasion to Export as much Goods as purchaseth all foreign Commoditys we want, it may be Ra∣tionally concluded after Manufactu∣res of all sorts are here Erected, espe∣cially Fisheries, our Export will be much greater, and Import much less, for as has been said, Goods Manufac∣tured

cost much more Abroad than the Mattetials of which they are made. From all which 'tis visible that whatever Notes are Struck and Cir∣culated in manner as above represen∣ted, is so much clear Gain to the Na∣tion. And tho it was supposed that there might be only occasion for rais∣ing a Million Starl: Money of them, yet I doubt not but three times as much might be raised that way, if Manufactures were encouraged as is said, and what a vast profit this may be to the Nation, besides the profit arrising from Fisheries and Manufact∣ures let any Person consider.

Manufactures may not only be set up and Encouraged to the great Bene∣fit of the Nation, but several other things may be done to promote the welfare thereof, such as taking efectual Measures to prevent the Ex∣port of Wooll, the Import of Forreign Woollen-Cloth and other Commodi∣tys that may well be wanted; togeth∣together

with many other things that no doubt the Wisdom of the Parliament will find convenient and profitable for the Leiges.

I thought to have touched several other things of this Nature, but not knowing how this may be accepted, and being unwilling to be tedious,. I shall at present forbear, and give some Directions, to the effect that all in their several Ranks and Capacity's, may live comfortably in the World.