Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 39]
Issuing orders respecting various articles, and stating the particular price, I consider as not only arbitrary, but impolitic. Such proceedings are the source of murmur and discontent, and instead of producing a good effect, they have a tendency quite the reverse. Matters of this kind, like water, will find their own level. Yet as I have before observed it must be government that must regulate the like, and keep them within their proper bound. We shall be naturally led to suspect, that Government could grow grain by far cheaper than many settlers, as the latter have not got a capital to go on with; and from whence the best criterions might be deduced.
I understand that the Gov. has of late held forth encouragement by offering premiums upon various matters, but upon what conditions I do not positively know. As I have given you my opinion upon these subject before, I shall say but little. However, the utility of such proceedings in agriculture are well known in England; and no doubt but they may have a good effect here, for as all people are more or less endowed with a natural pride, they cause a greater thirst for emulation than the intrinsic value of the prize.