THOUGHTS, &c.

THE wealth and résources of a nation flow from an uninterrupted and lucrative commerce, as naturally as streams from an abundant and never-failing fountain. The persevering policy by which England has acquired incalculable riches, and risen to unrivalled greatness on the ocean, by means of a protected commerce, is so well known as scarcely to require illustration or comment. It is true, its insular situation, and some accidental circumstances have contributed, in a certain degree, to draw, if the allusion may be allowed, the universal trade of mankind into that overflowing vortex. The false policy of France in particular, during the greater part of her eventful revolution, in organising a system of vexation and plunder, faithfully carried into execution by her privateers, has served to enrich her rival in a manner before unknown, and in the same proportion that it has tended to impoverish the neutral nations, by diminishing their navigation, while that of all the powers engaged in the war against England has been reduced still nearer to nothing. But it is not necessary, on this occasion, to discuss the subject of the rise, progress, decline or present state of the commerce of the once great maritime powers of Europe. Our nation's interest has a more immediate claim upon our attention; and it is intended to attempt to demonstrate that this interest would be essentially promoted by a NAVY.

Notwithstanding the heavy losses which we have sustained from the ravages committed on our property at sea during the present European war, our progress in improvements of almost every sort, since the adoption of our general government, warrants the conclusion, that many years will not elapse before the United States must be classed among the powers of the earth which are the most distinguished for national importance as well as for public felicity. How far these blessings are connected with, and may be hastened by our highly favourable situation for trade, remains to be ascertained. We may begin with inquiring whether our people do not appear to possess as much activity and enterprize, united with as strong talents for exercising this profession with profit to themselves and benefit to the community, as the inhabitants of any country in the world? And next we may ask, what other country affords greater physical advantages for commerce than the United States? What other quarter of the globe furnishes an equal abundance of waters, in its innumerable rivers and vast lakes, for inland navigation? In what nation, not superior in population

to ours, has interior navigation been so rapidly and so extensively improved, by removing obstructions or opening canals? At the close of our revolutionary war, it was imagined by the best informed men in America, that several centuries must pass away before the navigation of our principal rivers could be opened through the mountains, in such a manner as to traverse the immeasurable regions of the midland country. Gen. Washington, considering the magnitude of the undertaking, the scarcity of money, and the want of hands, was almost of the same opinion. But that benefactor of the new world knew that nothing is impossible to industry, aided by the strength of patriotism, and conducted by the perseverance of system. He thought that no evil could result from making the experiment even in our own time, and that if it failed of success in one age, it would succeed in another. The work was undertaken and accomplished by him, ere we, as a nation (to use the figure of a renowned orator), had changed the grizzle of infancy into the bone of manhood. The MAN who recommended the scheme, planned the work, and undertook the superintendence of its execution, lived long enough to see the navigation of the Potowmac completed. This successful example gave rise to many other undertakings of a similar nature, which have likewise been attended with success. Such a commencement justly astonishes mankind. Nor less do the improvements for facilitating land-carriage, by the construction of excellent roads and commodious bridges, exceed every thing of the kind which the world has ever witnessed in a country so lately settled. Such communications are now opened by land and by water through every part of the country, that the market is in a manner carried to every man's door: insomuch that commerce not only causes our sea-ports and cities to flourish, but it diffuses, in its vivifying course, competence and comfort to the remotest scenes of rural life. Without a market, what would give a value to the surplus of the farmer's produce beyond what was wanted for the mere subsistence of his family? Without a market, what would soon be seen but that apathy, negligence and sloth, which degrade the listless peasants in some countries, almost to the level with the improvident brutes? A ready market is to an agricultural people what the genial sun is to a prolific soil. By both the cold clods are warmed into vegetation, industry is encouraged and rewarded, and the deadly chills of poverty are driven far from the cheerful dwellings of men. Behold the edifying spectacle of the mutual benefits conferred on civil societies, in the friendly interchange of the fruits of human industry, by means of a commercial intercourse of one nation with another! Where