Ireland in the Days of Dean Swift (Irish Tracts, 1720 to 1734)Swift, Jonathan
History
Ireland in the Days of Dean Swift (Irish Tracts, 1720 to 1734)
Swift, Jonathan
Ireland -- History -- 18th century; Swift, Jonathan, 1667-1745
But since, with regard to the affairs of this kingdom, I have been using
all endeavours to subdue my indignation, to which indeed I am not provoked
by any personal interest, not being the owner of one spot of ground in the
whole island; I shall only enumerate, by rules generally known, and never
contradicted, what are the true causes of any country's flourishing and
growing rich; and then examine what effects arise from those causes in the
kingdom of Ireland.
The first cause of a kingdom's thriving is, the fruitfulness of the soil
to produce the necessaries and conveniences of life; not only sufficient
for the inhabitants, but for exportation into other countries.
The second is, the industry of the people, in working up all their native
commodities to the last degree of manufacture.
The third is, the conveniency of safe ports and havens, to carry out their
own goods as much manufactured, and bring in those of others as little
manufactured as the nature of mutual commerce will allow.
The fourth is, that the natives should, as much as possible, export and
import their goods in vessels of their own timber, made in their own
country.
The fifth is, the privilege of a free trade in all foreign countries which
will permit them, except those who are in war with their own prince or
State.
The sixth is, by being governed only by laws made with their own consent;
for otherwise they are not a free people. And therefore all appeals for
justice, or applications for favour or preferment, to another country, are
so many grievous impoverishments.
The seventh is, by improvement of land, encouragement of agriculture, and
thereby increasing the number of their people; without which any country,
however blessed by nature, must continue poor.
The eighth is, the residence of the prince, or chief administrator of the
civil power.
The ninth is, the concourse of foreigners, for education, curiosity, or
pleasure, or as to a general mart of trade.
The tenth is, by disposing all offices of honour, profit, or trust, only
to the natives; or at least with very few exceptions, where strangers have
long inhabited the country, and are supposed to understand and regard the
interests of it as their own.
The eleventh is, when the rents of land and profits of employment are
spent in the country which produced them, and not in another; the former
of which will certainly happen where the love of our native country
prevails.
The twelfth is, by the public revenues being all spent and employed at
home, except on the occasions of a foreign war.
The thirteenth is, where the people are not obliged unless they find it
for their own interest or conveniency, to receive any moneys, except of
their own coinage by a public mint, after the manner of all civilized
nations.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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