manufactures of that kingdom, and for repealing the bounties.
on flax feed imported; and for encouraging the growth thereof
in that kingdom. For fo long as the kingdoms are diftin&
and separate, save by a parliamentary dependence of one
crown upon another, we may reasonably conclude that Bri-
tain will always be awake to her own interefts, and in obe-
dience to these interests, will turn the balance of Irifh trade,
by either withdrawing her bounties on Irifh articles, or di-
minishing the duties on the fame articles from foreign nati-
ons. Thus fhe can always. fay to the tide of Irish com-
merce, under the prefent connection, "fo far fhalt thou
go:"-but under an Union, she can never fay-" no fur-
ther." Her own interefts, as well as the terms of the com-
pact, will bar the sentiment. Whereas, under the exifting
connexion, what was the opinion of Mr. Fofter, p. 108.
"The Honourable Gentleman," fays he, alluding to Mr.
Flood) complains of the report of the English Privy Council,
who fay that to put Ireland and England on a footing of ex-
act reciprocity as to linens, Ireland ought to give a bounty on
the exportation of English linens, because England gives a
bounty on the exportation of Irifh linens.-CAN ANY
THING BE MORE JUST?" Such was the sentence of Mr.
Fofter. Yet, (adds he) England makes no fuch demand,
but is ready by this adjustment," which is precisely applica-
ble to this prefent measure" to give additional fecurity to

Our LINEN TRADE FOR EVER."

Now, in order to afcertain what is the power of Great Britain at present, over the linen trade of Ireland, we must alfo mark what is the influence of her Bounties on that trade; and thus we shall clearly see how to calculate; first, what must be the effects of the final adjustment of an Union, whereby probably all foreign competition in import, and: confequently export with Irish linen, would be prohibited; and next, what must be the effect of fuccefs without any Union, when commercial contests must enfue, and "the

war

war of bounties, wherein Ireland cannot cope with Britain?"

Effects of an Union on the Linen Trade.

The effects of an Union, in counteracting foreign competition against Irish trade, may be viewed through the effects of thofe Bounties, which have already operated on that competition.

The firft Bounties on Irish linen exported from Great Britain, took place in 1743, and the export under the bounty was,

This increafe through bounties has been alfo aided by duties on the import of foreign linens, but thefe duties have certainly operated to the prejudice of the woollen manufactures of Great Britain; as foreign powers confequently laid on them reciprocal duties and restrictions. The effect however of those bounties on Irish linens, and of accumulated duties on foreign linens, fwelled the import of the former confiderably. For

In 1743 there were imported 6,418,375 yards;

17,876,617

Increase 11,458,242 yards.

That this increase arose from the operation of bounties and duties, will appear obviously from the decrease in the import and export of foreign linens, compared at the fame periods.

But there is now a fecond period whereby we may afcer tain the effects of British connexion and commerce, as we did in the foregoing period of British bounties and duties, in favour of the Irish linen trade.

The Irish linens exported from Great Britain entitled to bounty, were,

Here then is an increase of exports on Irish linens, from 40 thousand yards, to nearly feven million and a half in 1795.

The imports of Irish linen as we have seen were in 1743, above four millions of yards-in 1773 above 17 millions: but,

In 1789, 1791, -1794'

1797,

30,044,960 yards;
36,232,888

38,018,102

39,869,965*-

* Ireland fupplies other countries with about four millions of yards

or one-tenth; the other nine depend on British commerce.

That this aftonishing increase, from FOUR millions to nearly FORTY, has been the effect of the extended * commerce of Great Britain will obviously appear, fince the foreign linens have not decreased during the second period 1789, as they did during the first from 1743, as has been juft ftated.

The value of foreign linens imported, £.

In 1789,
1796,

433,884
456,679

Thus we see that they increased, which is in itself a proof of the effects of the increased commerce of Great Britain; but on the whole, it may be faid that they have preferved their level in the imports. As to the exports, their value.

Here we behold the fame effects from the fame causes, and the fame arguments are applicable.

The Irish linens have an advantage over the foreign, to the amount of 25%. per cent.And to this fyftem of bounty and duty, they firft owed their increase; and to the unparalleled extenfion of British commerce, they now owe their extraordinary augmentation.

The linens imported from Ireland, on an average of the three years preceding January 1798, amounted to 2,600,421 7.

Whereas the value of foreign linens imported during the fame period, amounted to but 414,719 /

Of thefe also there were exported to the amount of 119,2637.

Therefore there were confumed in Great Britain; but, 299,456%

* See Tables D & E.

Whereas

Whereas there were confumed in Great Britain Irifa linens to the amount of about 2,410,421/. As on the average of three years, about 190,000l. is exported.

Such is the fuperiority which the Irish linens have over the foreign in the British market; befide on exportation, the Irish linens enter a foreign market, with all the benefits of a large bounty paid to them in Britain, and of English capital which can afford long credit. Whereas foreign linens enter the fame market after having left behind them in Britain, a certain part of the duties paid on importation, and after having paid fome other custom-house charges; fo that before they can be unshipped, there is a disadvantage against them, equivalent to from five to fix per cent.

But the importance of British connexion, and the grow ing magnitude of Irish commerce through that connection, must be obvious to every man who reflects that the TOTAL value of the linen trade in Ireland, was,

Whereas the linen trade, including yarn, with Great Britain alone, upon an average value of the three years end ing 1798, amounted to 2,844,4021. If, indeed, the Union which with respect to the linen trade of Ireland, is precisely the fame in fubftance as the adjustment whereon Mr. Fofter used those emphatic words, (p. 108) if it were to take away the benefit of the linen trade from Ireland, it would be a good caufe for rejecting it: but as it for EVER.COM firms ALL THE ADVANTAGES We derive from the linen trads, and binds England from making any laws that can be injurious to it: furely gentlemen who regard that trade, and whose fortunes and rent depend on its profperity, will not entertain

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