The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-02-12
From The Nepark Daily Advertiser
PROPHECIES OF FIFTY YEARS AGO.


The Able RAYNAL was accounted in his day an
acute and profound philosopher. With many OF his
contemporaries his opinions had the force of oraces,
and his predictions passed for prophecies. In his cel-
ebraed Historic Philosophique ct PolItique DIES Es-
tabssemens et due Commerce DIES Europiens dams les
deux Indies, which published in 1850, he thus
speaks of these States then struggling for political ex-
lstence ,
"Our imaginations are infamed, and our sympathes
enlisted on behalf of the Americans. That love of
Justice which delights in recompensng past mlsfor-
tunes by good fortune TO pleases itself with Tie
belief that this part of the New World cannot fail to
become of the most hourishing countries the
globe. Some even go far as to fear that Europe
may one day receive Its masters from thence. Let US
have the courage 10 stem the torrent OF opinion and
of the public enthusiasm, and not permit ourselves to
be led astray by the sentiment which delights in
ting beautiful Illusions and realizes to itself whatever
it hopes for. The highest Obligations of historian
is TRUTH even when truth may seem opposed to the
nearest wish of our hearts AT this time, perhaps we
shall not be believed but bold conjecture which is
verified at the end OF several ages, reflect more honor
the historian than he recital of long series of
lncontestible facts. write not only for my coempo-
rares, who, at the most, can but survive me few
years. give my ideas TO time and TO posterty, 1t
is for them to Judge me"
Nearly two-hrds Of century have passed away,
and the posterity confidently appealed to
Judge OF the justice of opinions formed with much
care and impartiaty. But, before we contrast the
predictions with the results let us glance at the pre-
misses which they Were founded
Throughout these regions, (the thirteen united
colonies the lands very generally poor OF
mddling quality. Hardly any thing but naize is
raised IN New England. The sole resource of its in
habitants is the Fisheries of which the annual produce
does not exceed S. 200 600
Wheat is the main DEF endence Of New York,
New Jersey, and Pennsylvania But SO rapid 10 the
deterioration Of the soil that the which yield
"a NH WV bu shpls IF
twenty.
Though the lands Of Maryland and Virginia are
far superior all the rest they cannot be considered
very fertile The old tobacco plantations yield only
one third the crop which once gathered from
them 1t is no longer possible to form ones, and
the culivators compelled to turn their attention to
other objects,
North Carolina produces grain, but of
uality inferior that it is sold twenty-five thirty
per cent. below the price OF other grain in every
market.
South Carolina and Georgia are perfectly level
for fifty miles from the The excessive rains
which fall there fndn ny no outlets, form numerous
marshes where rice is cultivated to the great deri
ment OF the health of reenen and slaves. In the in.
tervals between these swamps grows an inferior kind
of indigo. Where the land becomes elevated, 1t pre-
sents only ungratciu sands frghtful rocks, broken
at long intervals by pastures OF rush grass.
The English Government unable to conceal from
itself that North America would never enrich the pa
rent country by its proper productions, devised
the p,wertu expcdlcnt OF bounties to create in this
par of the New World the husbandry Of fax, of
wine and of silk The first failed through the po-
yery of the soil the second from the unavoabenes, of
The climate and the third from the scarcity of aho-
rers The London Society for the encouragement Of
the arts met with no better success than the govern
ment,
9 Great Britain forced to content herself with
selling annually these countries merchandise to the
amount of about ten millions of dollars She re-
ceived in exchange exclusively the indigo, iron, to-
bacco and furs of the colonsts. They delivered to
her also whatever of money and raw material they
received from the rest Of the world in exchange for
their lumber, grain, fish, rice and salt provisions
Nevertheless the balance was so constantly against
the colonies that when the troubles between the two
countries began they owed wentyfour twenty. five
millions of dollars TO the mother country and had no
specie in circulation
In spite of these disadvantages, there has collect
ed within the l3 provinces population of , 1851 61s
including 1000 . blacks. Oppression and intolc-
rance drove thither daily new settlers The has
closed this refuge to the unfortunate, but peace will
reopen il and they will resort thlther in greater
numbers than ever. Those who go TO cultivate the
soil will not succeed to the extent OF their eXpecta
tons, for they will find not only the best, but even
the middling qualities of lands all occupied, and
scarcely any left for them but barren sands unhealthy
swamps, or rocky mountains. Emigration will be
more advantageous to manufacturers and artzans,
though perhaps even these will have gained nothing
by the change of country and of climate.
at would he hazardous to fix the limits OF the future
incubation OF the Unite ) atcs. Such calculation,
always sufficiently difficult becomes impraccable Tor
region where the lands degenerate very rapidly and
where the reproduction ofthe sources OF supply by
means k, ep pace with the demands made upon them
If ten millions OF people find assured subsist-