' Essays 5 
are not now to be had in New England, but from 
very remote places and at great prices. The trade 
is accordingly declining there; so that, far from being 
able to make hats in any quantity for exportation, 
they cannot supply their own home demand; and it 
is well known that some thousand dozens are sent 
thither yearly from London, Bristol, and Liverpool, 
and sold cheaper than the inhabitants can make 
them of equal goodness. 
In fact, the colonies are so little suited for estab- 
lishing of manufacture, that they are continually 
losing the few branches they accidentally gain. The 
working braziers, cutlers, and pewterers, as well as 
hatters, who have happened to go over from time 
to time and settle in the colonies, gradually drop the 
working part of their business, and import their re- 
spective goods from England, whence they can have 
them cheaper and better than they can make them. 
They continue their shops indeed, in the same way 
of dealing; but become sellers of braziery, cutlery, 
pewter, hats, &c., brought from England, instead of 
being makers of those goods. 
5. The American Colonies not dangerous in their Na- 
ture to Great Britain. 
Thus much as to the apprehension of our colonies 
becoming useless to us. I shall next consider the 
other supposition, that their growth may render 
them dangerous. Of this, I own, I have not the least 
conception, when I consider that we have already 
fourteen separate governments on the maritime coast 
760] 5F