Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-04-03

one perceive. that such country must become so
impoverished rs to drive away its inhabitants, and
destroy every inducemcnt to others TO take their
paces' Lands in every Country, but more espc-
cialiy in Republic, must be considered the fotlu-
dalton Of every earthly blessing-it sustains all
animated nature. from the smallest to the greatest
OF natures works. II not only sustains nature, in
all the ordinary requirements Of life but from the
earth are drawn all the luxuries, which fortune,
and fashion, and climate can call for. n Tor is this
all; for, Il is from the earth, that all thrones and
crowns are adorned. and decorated with the rich
and precious jewels, which a wise Providence
has scattered thro' its bowels whilst, at tue same
time, the poor and INDECENT will find abundant
means Of comfortable life, by tilling but small
portion Of the surface. IF lands be vaiueless in
any country, that country will soon cease to be
wealthy and populous-wealth, when once ac-
quired, seeks to make itself distinguished by rich
and costly buildings. and highly improved fields,
cultivated with taste, and beautifed by all the
means of art. But, why should these expensive
held to be Of no value! Why should these dis
plays of wealth, and beauty, and taste, be perma-
nenty made in country, where the poverty OF
the lands has kept away all polished and improved
society; where, evenif they were not Empower.
ished by barbarous cultivation, they are estimated
at a low value! The rich and permanent improve
ments which might be made upon lands, under
such circumstance, would be afterwards looked up
on monuments Of folly in him who had made
them; and his name would, perhaps, be handed
down to society, for no other purpose than for
laughter and ridicule
Where lands are properly valued, that country
will not only retain its natural population, but il
will invite the enerprising, the industrious, and
the wealthy from all quarters of the globe Man
will seek to display his wealth in the midst of
neighboring wealth; sud thus, by attraction, will
every country, where industry and wealth are
once planted, flourish, and its people prosper
Wealth and population afford the means Of fertz-
ing lands; andfertile lands afford the surest Inc ans
of plenty and comfort When, therefore, coun-
try once becomes rich, and populous, and fertile
it will maintain its advantages for all time TO ceme
and no change can divest il Of its society and its
wealth. Holland, Scotland, and England, with an
extent Of square miles, added toe ether, exceeds
very little more than Virginia contains; yet with
an aggregate population Of more than thirty times
the population of Virginia, have so improved ma.
nured, drained and fertzed their lands, that not
only enough is made for their own consumption
but they frequently export bread stuffs to large
amount; and. let it be remembered, that i'm Hol.
land, the people have never INDUCED in the wild
schemes for Banks, which, unfortunately, has SO
stained the characiero of Virginia, for the last 20
years. Nor have England and Scotland ventured
upon the same principles of banking that we have;
for, Notwithstanding the numerous banking hou-
ses In England, these houses do business upon
their own credit and capital, SO far they can by
their good conduct, establish confidence in them
selves; their whole property being liable for all
debts which they contract
Having ende avored to shew, that Banks have
contributed, mainly, to the present state of ruin
which prevails, and the consequences of their Of
fects and influence, being peculiarly Injurious to
the value and fertility Of lands,-I will next at
tempt to demonstrate, that purposes OF COM
that being created, uuwisey and improvidently,
they ought to be abolished, by all convenient
means, aud with all convenient speed.
GEO. CLINTON.