[3] "It is in settlements on the Mississippi and Ohio that we must look for _hemp_ and _flax_, which may in those fertile tracts be cultivated in such abundance, as to enable us to _undersell_ all the world, as well as supply our own consumption. It is on those _high_, _dry_, and _healthy_ lands, that vineyards would be cultivated to the best advantage, as many of those hills contain quarries of stone, and not in the _low, unhealthy sea coasts_ of our present colonies. Of such infinite consequence to Britain is the _production of staples_ in her colonies, that were all the people of the _Northern_ settlements, and all of the _tobacco_ ones (except those actually employed in raising tobacco) now spread over those parts of our territories to the Southward and _Westward_, and consequently employed in the same manner as the few are who do reside therein, Britain, in such a case, would _export_ to the amount of above _nine millions more_ in manufactures, &c. than she does at present, without reckoning the infinite _increase in public revenue, freight, and seamen_, which would accrue. To enlarge upon all the advantages of such a change, would be _impertinence_ itself." _Political Essays concerning the British Empire._ As we have only hitherto _generally_ stated the _small_ expence of carriage between the waters of Potomack and those of the Ohio, we shall now endeavour to shew how very ill founded the Lords for Trade and Plantations are, in the fifth paragraph of their _report_, viz. That the lands in question "_are out of all advantageous intercourse with this kingdom_." In order however, that a proper opinion may be formed on this important article, we shall take the liberty of stating the particular expence of carriage, _even during_ the last _French war_ (when there was no _back_ carriage from the Ohio to Alexandria) as it will be found, it was even _then_ only about a _halfpenny per_ pound, as will appear from the following account, the truth of which we shall fully ascertain, _viz._ From Alexandria to Fort _l._ _s._ _d._ Cumberland, by water. 0 1 7 _per cwt._ From Fort Cumberland to Redstone Creek, at 14 dollars _per_ waggon load; each waggon carrying 15 cwt. 0 4 2 ------------------------- 0 5 9 Note, The distance was _then_ 70 miles, but by a _new_ waggon road, _lately_ made, it is _now_ but forty miles--a saving of course, of above one half the 5_s._ 9_d._ is _at present_ experienced.