1. Essays vw
for them’ *; yet I believe this is too common an
error. I do not say they are altogether unconcerned
in the event. The inhabitants of them are, in common
 with the other subjects of Great Britain,
anxious for the glory of her crown, the extent of her
power and commerce, the welfare and future repose
of the whole British people. They could not, therefore,
 but take a large share in the affronts offered
to Britain; and have been animated with a truly
British spirit to exert themselves beyond their
strength, and against their evident interest. Yet
so unfortunate have they been, that their virtue has
made against them; for upon no better foundation
than this have they been supposed the authors of a
war carried on for their advantage only.
It is a great mistake to imagine that the American
country in question between Great Britain and
France is claimed as the property of any individual
or public body im America; or that the possession of
it by Great Britain is likely, in any lucrative view,
to redound at all to the advantage of any person
there. On the other hand, the bulk of the inhabitants
 of North America are land-owners, whose lands
are inferior in value to those of Britain, only by
the want of an equal number of people. It is true,
the accession of the large territory claimed before the
war began (especially if that be secured by the possession
 of Canada), will tend to the increase of the
British subjects, faster than if they had been confined
 within the mountains; vet the increase within
the mountains only, would evidently make the com-I
 Remarks, p. 25.

~60l 20