Country had a better Stock of Governors in all Articles of their
Well-fare, than in their Trade; their Law Affairs had good Judges,
their Church good Patriarchs, except, as might be excepted; their
State good Ministers, their Army good Generals, and their
Consolidator good Feathers; but in Matters relating to Trade, they
had this particular Misfortune, that those Cases always came before
People that did not understand them.

Even the Judges themselves were often found at a Loss to determine
Causes of Negoce, such as Protests, Charter-Parties, Avarages,
Baratry, Demorage of Ships, Right of detaining Vessels on Demorage,
and the like; nay, the very Laws themselves are fain to be silent and
yield in many things a Superiority to the Custom of Merchants.

And here I began to Congratulate my Native Country, where the
Prudence of the Government has provided for these things, by
Establishing in a Commission of Trade some of the most experienc'd
Gentlemen in the Nation, to Regulate, Settle, Improve, and revive
Trade in General, by their unwearyed Labours, and most consummate
Understanding; and this made me pity these Countries, and think it
would be an Action worthy of this Nation, and be spoken of for Ages
to come to their Glory, if in meer Charity they would appoint or
depute these Gentlemen to go a Voyage to those Countries of the Moon,
and bless those Regions with the Schemes of their sublime
Undertakings, and discoveries in Trade.

But when I was expressing my self thus, my Philosopher interrupted
me, and told me I should see they were already furnisht for that
purpose, when I came to examine the publick Libraries, of which by it
self.