parison with those received from us, and not at all equivalent
to her wants. But if this were not the case, if she might pro-
cure a sufficiency without our help, yet could she not do without
us. She would want purchasers for her linens after they were
manufactured; and where could she find any so numerous and
wealthy as we are? I must refer it to the profound sagacity of
Mr. A. W. Farmer, to explore them, it is too ardous a talk
for me.

Much less could the West-Indians subsist independent of us.
Notwithstanding the continual imports from hence, there is sel-
dom or ever, in any of the islands, a sufficient stock of provisions
to last six months, which may give us an idea, how great the
consumption is. The necessaries they produce within them-
selves, when compared with the consumption, are scarcely
worth mentioning. Very small portions of the lands are ap-
propriated to the productions of such necessaries, indeed it is too
valuable to admit of it. Nor could the quantity be increased
to any material degree, without applying the whole of the land
to it. It is alledged, that Canada will furnish them with flour,
lumber, horses, &c. and that Georgia, the Floridas and Mississipi
abound in lumber; Nova Scotia in fish." These countries have
been all-along carrying on a trade to the West-Indies, as well
as we; and can it be imagined that alone, they will be able to
supply them tolerably? The Canadians have been indolent,
and have not improved their country as they ought to have done.
The wheat they raise at present, over and above what they
have occasion for themselves, would be found to go but little
way among the islands. Those, who think the contrary, must
have mistaken notions of them. They must be unapprized of
the number of souls they contain: Almost every 150 or 200
acres of land, exclusive of populous towns, comprehend a
hundred people. It is not a small quantity of food that will suf-
fice for so many. Ten or fifteen years diligence, I grant, might
enable Canada to perform what is now expected from her; but,
in the mean time, the West-Indians might have the satisfaction
of starving.

To suppose the best, which is, that by applying their cane-
lands to the purpose of procuring sustenance, they may pre-
serve themselves from starving: still the consequences must be
very serious or pernicious. The wealthy planters would but ill
relish the loss of their crops, and such of them as were consider-