jects,
had the further political advantage of guarding against all interfering
of foreign powers, and of enabling this kingdom to keep up a superior
naval force in those seas, by the actual possession of such rivers and
harbours as were proper stations for fleets in time of war.

"Such, may it please your Majesty, have been the considerations
inducing that plan of policy hitherto pursued in the settlement of your
Majesty's American colonies, with which the private interest and
sagacity of the settlers co-operated from the first establishments
formed upon that continent: It was upon these principles, and with
these views, that government undertook the settling of Novia Scotia in
1749; and it was from a view of the advantages represented to arise
from it in these different articles, that it was so liberally supported
by the aid of parliament.

"The same motives, though operating in a less degree, and applying to
fewer objects, did, as we humbly conceive, induce the forming the
colonies of Georgia, East Florida, and West Florida, to the South, and
the making those provincial arrangements in the proclamation of 1763,
by which the interior country was left to the possession of the
Indians.

"Having thus briefly stated what has been the policy of this kingdom in
respect to colonizing in America, it may be necessary to take a cursory
view of what has been the effect of it in those colonies, where there
has been sufficient time for that effect to discover itself; because,
if it shall appear from the present state of these settlements, and the
progress they have made, that they are likely to produce the advantages
above stated, it will, we humbly apprehend, be a very strong argument
against forming settlements in the interior country; more especially,
when every advantage, derived from an established government, would
naturally tend to draw the stream of population; fertility of soil and
temperature of climate offering superior incitements to settlers, who,
exposed to few hardships, and struggling with few difficulties, could,
with little labour, earn an abundance for their own wants, but without
a possibility of supplying ours with any considerable quantities. Nor
would these inducements be confined in their operation to foreign
emigrants, determining their choice where to settle, but would act most
powerfully upon the inhabitants of the northern and southern latitudes
of your Majesty's American dominions; who, ever sufferin