of thread and fine linens, which, fought after and bought up by the opulent, are the real productions of European mifery.

The fecond fpecies of linens contains what is properly called linen-drapery; that is to fay, all the contextures made of thread of different colours, whether flax or cotton, without mixture, be employed therein, or that these two substances be mixed with others.

In this, linen-drapery are comprised, painted and dyed linens, handkerchiefs, &c. and in general all those which are applied to uses different from thofe of plain linen, or which ferve for ornament, as muslins, cambrics, laces, &c.

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The variety of articles which compose these is prodigious many kinds are alfo, by the fimplicity of their manufacture, the production of the leisure of rural housewifery; and it cannot be doubted, but that many of them will be fucceffively manufactured in the United States, in proportion to the advancement of the clearing of lands.

But the greater part of the drapery requires too complicated a procefs, too varied an apparatus, too continued a labour, to be manufactured otherways than in those particular establishments, fituated from neceffity, in the neighbourhood of cities, and which have no affinity with a rural life.

The art of making well the tiffue, of mixing the colours, of contrafting them, of imaginary agreeable designs, of preparing the linen when it is fi

nished,

nished, &c. this art extensive, varied and delicate, requires the greatest attention. The most important thing is to do a great deal in it at a little expence, and it is the point to which the English are arrived, with respect to that kind, generally known under the name of printed callico, or perfian.

This will be for a long time a confiderable article of commerce, between Europe and the United States, which confume a great deal of it; and it is an article wherein French industry, left to its natural force, and not being restrained by any obstacle, need not fear competition.* In this, as in most other articles, the nature of things is entirely in favour of France, and fuccefs depends wholly on the will of that government.

It has fufficiently manifefted this willingness by many acts tending to encourage the manufacture of painted linens; but let it be frankly declared, that all its acts are not equally marked at the corner with

Lord Sheffield maintains in his work, that France has not even linen enough for her own confumption. A commercial dictionary printed at Lyons in 1763, assures on the contrary, that France fends a great deal abroad. If the compiler of the dictionary spoke truth, he might be answered according to the author of Les Etudes de la Nature" Of what use is it to a state to clothe foreign nations, ❝ when ones own people are quite naked?"-Thefe two writers may be made to agree, by saying that France restored to her energy, would easily furnish linens to foreigners and her own citizens, and that various interior caufes have hitherto prevented her from doing it.

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wisdom.

wifdom. Even its variations have been great obftacles to the encrease of industry; for perfuaded at one time that the liberty of importation of foreign linens could not do otherways than animate national industry, a free courfe has been left to it, and listening at another to ancient prejudices it has been interdicted.

Government has lately invited, by an arret, foreign manufacturers of these linens to come and settle in France. This arret, which is of the 13th November 1785, is too remarkable, and may have, with refpect to one of its articles, confequences different from those which were expected, not to merit a difcuffion.

In the first place, we cannot but obferve the timidity with which encouragements are distributed in France, when even they are at length perceived to be neceffary, and how inferior fhe is in this respect to other governments. Her invitations are in a form not very proper to dispose strangers favourably towards us, efpecially fuch as have a little energy and elevation in their characters, and it is of these alone that we are in need. It feems as if we granted them an ineftimable favour, in inviting them to come among us, as if in France, the laws, prerogatives, manners and cuftoms were better and more analogous to the dignity of man than any where elfe. Sufpecting afterwards that men might regret the lofs of what they had quitted, to come and fettle in France, permiffion is granted them to

return

return to their country, but not until after a refidence of ten years.

Among different favours granted them, there is one which entitles them to the enjoyment of their ftate or profeffion, and of their ufages; in that which skall not be contrary to the laws of the kingdom, &c.

But what fignifies all the vague expreffions of enjoyment, of state and profeffion, liberty and usages? What State is here spoken of? Is it of the political, civil, religious or domestic ftate? An Englishman, an independent American have a political state, a political liberty, that is, a right to take part in the adminiftration of public affairs; is this state understood? Is the liberty of having a temple for communion, for marriage according to that communion, understood by the liberty of usages? Why are not these usages specified.

And above all, what fignifies these words, in that which shall not be contrary to the laws of the kingdom. If they convey a clear meaning, do not they completely deftroy the preceding favours granted? or do not they leave at least a great incertitude, upon that which is or is not granted?

Why is not a language clear and without evafion made use of, especially in treating with strangers, instead of an equivocal jargon, dangerous in its nature, because it produces miftruft, and may give an opening for deceit: why not fay to them in clear terms, "If you come within our ftates accompanied by your wives and children,—if you

:

you

bring your manufactures, if establish yourfelves among us, you fhall enjoy all the rights of our fubjects. Thefe rights are, to poffefs property in the fulleft fecurity, and not to be deprived of it but by the laws, tribunals, &c. If you fix your abode among us, your children will, without obstacle, be your heirs you fhall alfo preferve your religious opinions. When there fhall be a certain number of you, you shall have a temple wherein to worship, according to your own manner, the Everlasting Father; and you shall have Minifters, and hold affemblies: fhall intermarry according to your rules &c. If France be not agreeable to you, nothing, abfolutely nothing, fhall hinder you from leaving it, and carrying with you your riches. It fhall be told that all this was meant to be said by the arret:" It was neceffary then to explain it clearly, and why were thefe obfcure words added,-in that which shall not be contrary to the laws of the kingdom.

How fhould a German, an Italian, an Englishman, who should be tempted to establish themfelves in France, be acquainted with your ancient laws and ordinances? Will they turn over your innumerable folios? Certainly they will not, they will stay at home; you will therefore have failed in your intentions. On the other hand, do not they know that a century ago, and even fince that time thousands of ordinances were, and have been made against the Calvinifts, and that these ordinances are not yet repealed? Ought not they to be afraid