University of Virginia Library

2357. ECONOMY, Evil of want of.—

We
see in England the consequences of the want
of economy; their laborers reduced to live on
a penny in the shilling of their earnings, to
give up bread, and resort to oatmeal and potatoes
for food; and their landholders exiling
themselves to live in penury and obscurity
abroad, because at home the government must
have all the clear profits of their land. In
fact, they see the fee simple of the island
transferred to the public creditors, all its
profits going to them for the interest of their
debts. Our laborers and landholders must
come to this also, unless they severely adhere
to the economy you recommend.—
To Governor Plumer. Washington ed. vii, 19.
(M. 1816)