Gazetteer of Scotland

xx INTRODUCTION.
of their being a defpifed people. The great Mr. Pitt, Earl of Chatham,
adopted his predeceffor Mr. Pelham^s wife plan, and took every opportunity
of ftimulating the Scots to make ufe of the natural advantages which their-
country afforded for the extenfion of their commercial tranfaclions. It may
alfo be added, to the honour of the Britifir government, that the Scots have
been allowed to avail themfelves of all the benefits of commerce or manu-
facture, which they can claim either in right of their former independence,
the treaty of Union, or pofterior acts of parliament. This is evident from the
exteufive trade carried on with the Weft Indies, and, before the American
war, with the Britifn colonies ; and, fince the reparation of thefe from their
mother country, the Scots have carried on a profitable trade with the United
States. The fifheries of Scotland are not confined to their own coafts ; they
have a great concern in the whale fifhing, in Greenland and in Davis's Straits;
and their returns are valuable*, as Government allows them 40s. fterling per
ton of the vefiels employed in that branch. Their white fifheries point out
a i'ource of inexhauitible wealth ; their cured fifh being more efteemed by fo-
reigners than thofe of Newfoundland. The falmon fifheries are productive
of ccruiderable wealth to the country. The herring fifhery is alfo profecuted
with confiderable fuccefs ; and Government give high bounties on the ton of
the buffes employed. The benefits of thefe fifheries are, perhaps, equalled
by the manufactures carried on at land, which are very extenfive, and daily
incrcafing, The linen manufacture was, till lately, in a thriving ftate ; but the
rivaLhip from Ireland, and the high price of the raw material, has confider-
ably injured that branch: there is every reafon, however, to fuppofe, that in a
fhort time that trade will return to its former channel. The thread manu-
facture of Scotland is equal, if not fuperior, to any in the world. The woollen
manufactures are very promifing ; and the exports of caps, ltockings, &c.
made 01 their wn wool, is very confiderable. Of late, broadcloths have been
attempted.; but tire Scots cannot yet pretend to rival the Yorkfhire manu-
fa<f ... The kind of cloth lately begun to be manufactured in Roxburgh-
r ire tile Galdjhiels gray* is in high repute, as are the duffles; and the
Scots arpets make a cheap, neat, and rafting furniture. The minerals are
turn d to ,?oud account, both in commerce and manufacture. The iron
at C rron, and other places, pre eq-.ral to any in Britain. The lead
mini o. anarkfliire bring confideraole returns: their coal trade is exten-
, ?i:^ the- have 'ately turned their granite to account, by exporting it
■ iii. ftree s of London, a) r l other Englifh cities. The cotton trade
, :or the prefenl, <rlpecially in the weft country, ufurped the place of the