Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

PORTS MOUTH. (N.H.) Oct. 12.

A correspondent observes, that the distresses so much complained of through this country, are chiefly owing to our neglect of encouraging manufactures at home, and discouraging importations from abroad.--Besides the continual drain of money from among us by means of this neglect, it is very certain that great numbers of hands are idle in this country, who might be employed profitably in manufactures. The women, for instance, in many other countries, contribute no small share to many branches of manufacture, and of course to the public emolument. Whilst in this country many of them want employment. Hence we find that a labouring man who is unmarried, is able to support himself with a very moderate share of industry; but a labouring man, who has a wife and children, if he falls into sickness, or is by any means for a short time out of employment, falls into distress. This, among other inconveniences, proves a discouragement to marriage among the poor, and therefore impedes the population of the country.--But how are manufactures to be introduced?--What class of citizens will undertake to bring them forward?--The merchants, who perhaps have a greater weight than any other class of citizens, live by importations and the sale of foreign commodities. It is hardly to be expected that they will undertake the task.--Yet it is to be hoped that if a number of citizens, who do not depend upon foreign trade, would unite and set this business in motion, they would find support from the public, and much good might be done to every class of people, not only throughout this state; but also throughout the United States, as others, no doubt, would follow so good an example.