believe that the interest of Britain would be hurt by it. On
the contrary, the competition of Irish goods in the British
market might contribute to break down in part that monopoly
which we have most absurdly granted to the greater part of
our own workmen against ourselves. It would, however, be a
long time before this competition could be very
considerable. In the present state of Ireland centuries must
pass away before the greater part of its manufactures could
vie with those of England. Ireland has little coal, the
coallieries about Lough Neagh being of little consequence to
the greater part of the country; it is ill provided with
wood: two articles essentially necessary to the progress of
great manufactures. It wants order, police, and a regular
administration of justice, both to protect and to restrain
the inferior ranks of people: articles more essential to the
progress of industry than both coal and wood put together,
and which Ireland must continue to want as long as it
continues to be divided between two hostile nations, the
oppressors and the oppressed, the Protestants and the
Papists. Should the industry of Ireland, in consequence of
freedom and good government, ever equal that of England, so
much the better would it be not only for the whole British
Empire, but for the particular province of England. As the
wealth and industry of Lancashire does not obstruct but
promote that of Yorkshire, so the wealth and industry of
Ireland would not obstruct but promote that of England.

It makes me very happy to find that in the midst of the
public misfortunes a person of your Lordship's rank and
elevation of mind doth not despair of the commonwealth, but
is willing to accept of an active share in administration.
That your Lordship may be the happy means of restoring
vigour and decision to our counsels, and in consequence of
them, success to our arms, is the sincere wish of, my Lord,
your Lordship's most obliged and most obedient servant,

ADAM SMITH.[304]

EDINBURGH, _8th November 1779_.

The letter to Dundas was published in the _English Historical Review_
for April 1886 (p. 308), by Mr. Oscar Browning, from a copy in the
Auckland papers then in his possession. Mr. Browning gives at the same
time the previous letters of Dundas to Eden a