The Virginia Gazette

To the Printer of the St. J. CHRONICLE.

SIR,

When the number of exports in any kingdom increases, it is very natural to suppose that the revenues, merchants, and tradesmen, are greatly benefited thereby. Whether that has been the case in Great Britain since the commencement of the present contest with America (and every one will allow that there have been some new and extraordinary exports from hence) is left to the public to determine.

For example, we have exported plenty of live men and cattle, as well as of provisions, particularly flour to the West Indies, which used to be supplied from America, and which has raised our markets and lessened our loaves. It is true, in return for these, we have imported bad and good news, maimed soldiers, sick and wounded officers, but nothing to assist trade and credit, or to make amends for all our loss and trouble.
If we must export our fellow creatures, let us send off some of the most useless or pernicious kinds of them, viz. unnecessary placemen, sinecure officers, and devouring pensioners, with our numerous spongers on the industry of the community. A mere pensioner is a slave in chains, a genteeler kind of beggar; he eats at the expense of others, and is maintained by the publick. To export such would be adding to the national stock and safety, or to the welfare and population of thinly inhabited countries, where necessity might make them honest and industrious.

Whether any more foreign mercenaries will be exported next spring, for the good of trade, time will show. For my part, I think it would not be amiss to export a Bishop or two, to episcopize such of the colonies as may be conquered, or to promote content and the spirit of liberty among them. They might likewise explain to the people the nature of unconditional submission to the mother country, or teach them the loyal art of addressing the throne, and returning thanks for almost every measure, good or bad, of government.