banks of the Mississippi, the most
beautiful tract of this country, otherwise so fertile, remain still
uncultivated; and as there are wanted so many hands, it is not at all
probable to presume, that they will or can occupy themselves to
establish new manufactures, both because of the new charges, which they
would put upon the augmentation and exportation of their productions.

It is then for these same reasons (the want of population) that they
will scarcely find the hands necessary to take advantage of the
fisheries, which are the property of their country; which will certainly
oblige them to abandon to us the navigation of freight. There is not
therefore any one of our provinces, much less any one of our cities,
which cannot enjoy the advantage of this commerce: No, high and mighty
Lords, the petitioners are persuaded that the utility and the benefit of
it will spread itself over all the provinces and countries of the
Generality. Guelderland and Overyssel cannot too much extend their
manufactures of wool, of swanskin, and other things; even the shoemakers
of the mayoralty, and of Langstret, will find a considerable opening;
almost all the manufactures of Utrecht and of Leyden will flourish anew.
Harlem will see revive its manufactures of stuffs, of laces of ribbons,
of twist, at present in the lowest state of decay. Delft will see vastly
augmented the sale of its earthen ware, and Gouda that of its
tobacco-pipes.

However great may be the advantages foreseen by the petitioners, from a
legal commerce duly protected with America, their fear is not less, lest
we should suffer to escape the happy moment of assuring to them, and to
all the Republic, these advantages. The present moment must determine
the whole. The English nation is weary of the war; and as that people
runs easily into extremes, the petitioners are afraid, with strong
probable appearances, that a compleat acknowledgment of American
independence will soon take place; above all, if the English see an
opportunity of being able still to draw from America some conditions
favourable for them, or at least something to our disadvantage. Ah! what
is it which should instigate the Americans in making peace, and renewing
friendship with Great Britain, to have any regard for the interests of
our republic? If England could only obtain for a condition, that we
should be obliged to pay duties more burthensome for our vessels, this
would be not only a continual and perman