The Sun.
London, England, 1825-11-25 00:00:00

FOR THE SUN.

ON THE EXPORTATION OF MACHINERY.,
Mu. Eiwron—Connected with the subject
of Machinery, and its relative advantages and
disadvantages as applied to the manual arts,
discussed in a former Paper, I next submit
the question, whether it is in the first place,
a part of good policy to allow the free and Un-
restricted exportation of steam-engines and other
machines, particularly in the case of such as are
desittned for manufactures, which may either di-
rectly, or indirectly, interfere with our commer-
cial interests abroad ? The orders at. this time
executing in several of our large manufacturing
towns for steam-machinery for exportation seems
to urge the question with peculiar force, since it
may be eventually and seriously detrimental to
our commerce, and as probably found so to be
when it will be too late to makeinjunctions to
the contrary. The profits resulting to a few
English mechanists from the sale of these articles
cannot be placed in competition with the loss of

far greater advantages to the country ? nor can
such a partial interest be of any long duration,
for when our English manufactured machines are
set up in foreign establishments, they will soon
be imitated and multiplied, and directed to all
the purposes they are applied to here in Eng-
land; and then farewell to such orders, and to
the demands for the articles of manufacture ! -
It may be replied, that it would be next to im-
possible to prevent the means of communicating
the knowledge and construction of the newest
and best inventions of the kind, since the trans-
mission of drawings, and descriptions, and models
is so easy to effect, and so difficult to suppress;
and consequently, any prohibition to the con-
trary would be to no manner of purpose. But to
this, I answer, that our continental neighbours
had much better be left to their own exertion
and industry, whose artists are not wanting for
skill, but our best and most perfect engines are
models of the completest kind, when they will
soon furnish themselves ; why then should we
accelerate their improvement to our own disad-
vantage, and for - the paltry consideration of the
sale of a few machines, faciliate the ruin of our
foreign trade in branches of manufacture, where
we for the present reap the advailtage ?
In the second place, Mr. Editor, I would sub-
mit the other part of the question, whether, it is
expedient to allow of the free and unrestricted
exportation of the said engines for our infant
Colonies in America, New Holland, Van Die-
men's Land, South 'Africa, &c., and herein also I
will include all kinds of newly invented machines
and implements used in agriculture for the
facilitating the labours of the husbandman in har-
rowing, sowing, thrashing., grinding, &c. &c.
all which contrivances are designed for the re-
duction of expenses and honest labour, and
which in new colonies can be productive of little
less than fraud and idleness, and where their in-
troduction will eventually produce both these
evils, in the demoralization of the labouring
classes, and the pernicious gains ola few wealthy
proprietors. 'Where there is no want of land,
and leisure enough ; a small and limited popula-
tion had much better be left to their own gradual
course of improvement, and they will in sufficient
time discover their own facilities. It is to the
common interest, both to the parent country and to
those new settlers, to have them duly provided for'
in the first instance with useful implements of all
descriptions for the cultivation of land, building
of habitations, &c. but it is not therefore neces-
sary that they should be supplied with artificial
helps and inventions which only tend to ener-
vate a hardy race, and instead of promoting -
dustry and good le,bits, contribute to dissolute
life, sharping, knavery, and every species of fraud
and vice. We see occasionally machines of the-
above description made for exportation, and some
of such a dangerous construction that they ap.,
pear rather to be designed for the mutilation
of limbs and the endangerment of life itself,
than for the purpose they describe. Consi-
dering the ignorance and incaution of those
who work them, and the many accidents that.
ensue in the use, it is surprising that the
makers -have not the precaution to furnish thesis
with 'guards against accident. If We go into a,
factory where these machines are made, or stand
for. sale, their very appearance is that of so many
engines of torture, rack-work, fly-wheels, cranks,
revolving knives, prongs, sharp pointed hooks,,
&c. It were to be touch wished, that the So-
ciety of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce,
whose admirable plans have so well succeeded to
the benefit of the nation at large, would more
especially extend their patronage to such inven-
tions only, which, while they are adjudged to
answer the intended purpose, do" also guard
against accident, mutilation of limbs and the dan-
ger of life. I beg to be excused for the digres-
sion, hut it serves to add to my argument that IQ
newly formed Colonies, where hospitals are not
to be found everywhere, nor surgeons neither,
some restraining' laws should prevemt the intro-
dnetion of any dangerous machinery ; and wood
might to he preferred to iron in plough frames,,
and a hundred other'articles; iron and iron works
ought to be avoided as much as possible from
adrnision in the Colonies, it is the maul and
hammcr that grinds all to dust!

Sir, yours respectfully,

X.Y.Z.