~ Essays : 
an increase of it, as other objects the enemy would 
probably be infinitely more ready to part with. A 
country, fully inhabited by any nation, is no proper 
possession for another of different languages, man- 
ners, and religion. It is hardly ever tenable at less 
expense than it is worth. But the isle of Cayenne, 
and its appendix, Equinoctial France, having but 
very few inhabitants, and these therefore easily re- 
moved, would indeed be an acquisition every way 
suitable to our situation and desires. This would 
hold all that migrate from Barbadoes, the Leeward 
Islands, or Jamaica. It would certainly recall into 
an English government, in which there would be 
room for millions, all who have before settled or 
purchased in Martinico, Guadaloupe, Santa Cruz, or 
St. John’s; except such as know not the value of an 
English government, and such I am sure are not 
worth recalling. 
But should we keep Guadaloupe, we are told it 
would enable us to export £300,000 in sugars. Ad- 
mit it to be true, though perhaps the amazing increase 
of English consumption might stop most of it here, 
to whose profit is this to redound? To the profit of 
the French inhabitants of the island; except a small 
part, that should fall to the share of the English pur- 
chasers, but whose whole purchase-money must first 
be added to the wealth and circulation of France. 
I grant, however, much of this £300,000 would be 
profitable use can be made of it; unless the price of sugars should so 
greatly increase, as to enable the planter to make very expensive 
roads, by blowing up rocks, erecting bridges, &c., every two or three 
hundred yards. 
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