A View of the Art of Colonization

By Wakefield, Edward Gibbon

Book Id: WPLBN0000661745
Format Type: PDF eBook
File Size: 830.23 KB.
Reproduction Date: 2005

Title:	A View of the Art of Colonization
Author:	Wakefield, Edward Gibbon
Volume:
Language:	English
Subject:	Political science., Economics and literature, Economic & political studies series
Collections:	Economics Publications Collection
Historic Publication Date:
Publisher:	Archive for the History of Economic Thought


Citation APA MLA Chicago Wakefield, E. G. (n.d.). A View of the Art of Colonization. Retrieved from http://gutenberg.cc/

Description
Economic Theory Literature

Excerpt
Preface: Some time ago, one of the most accomplished of our public men invited me to write to him on a question relating to the colonies. This question really involved the whole subject of colonization and colonial government. The correspondence that ensued, was neither intended nor suitable for publication; but it was shown confidentially to various persons. Some of them, being most competent judges on such a point, have repeatedly expressed their wish that the letters should be published; of course, with such alterations as would render them not unfit for the public eye. This suggestion is now adopted. The actual correspondence has been altered by omission, modification, and large additions. The following letters, therefore, are very different from those which passed through the post-office. But the difference consists mainly in workmanship and form, not in materials or substance. In aim, scope, and tenour ? as respects the subjects examined, and the ideas propounded?the two sets of letters are nearly alike. I indulge a hope, that the fictitious correspondence may make an impression on many, not unlike that which the real one has left on a few: for if so, systematic colonization, which is at present only a vague aspiration of some of the more intelligent minds, would ere long become a fruitful reality.

Table of Contents
Contents Preface. ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 7 Letter I.: From the Statesman: The Statesman Invites the Colonist to Discussions of the Subject. .............................................. 8 Letter II.: From the Colonist: The Colonist Suggests the Alternative of Written Communications. ............................................ 8 Letter III: From the Statesman: The Statesman Describes the Condition of His Own Knowledge, Calls for Some Definitions, and Asks Questions Relating Both to the Subject, and to the State of it as Matter of Public Opinion. ................................ 9 Letter IV: From the Colonist: The Colonist Proposes Some Definitions, Which State and Limit the Subject of Inquiry, and Indicates the Course of the Investigation. ............................................................................................................................ 11 Letter V: From the Statesman: The Statesman Objects to the Proposed Course of Inquiry as Being Confined to a Particular Project of the Colonist?s, and Desires That a More General View of the Subject May Be Expounded. ............................. 12 Letter VI: From the Colonist: The Colonist Explains that He Always Intended to Expound a Theory, Not to Recommend a Project. ? Narrative Concerning Lord Grey. ? Lord Grey?s State of Mind and his Proceedings with Regard to Colonization, Described. .................................................................................................................................................................. 13 Letter VII: From the Colonist: Mr. Mothercountry Introduced. ................................................................................................. 17 Letter VIII: From the Statesman: The Statesman Desires the Colonist to Proceed. ................................................................... 17 Letter IX: From the Colonist: State of the Subject Twenty Years Ago. ? Colonization Society of 1830. ? Practice Without Principles in the Business of Colonization. ? The First Theory of Colonization. ? First Effort of the Theorists of 1830. ? Foundation of South Australia ? Mr. Henry George Ward?s Committee on Colonial Lands and Emigration. ? Commissioners Appointed by the Crown. ? The New Zealand Association of 1837. ? Lord Durham?s Mission to Canada. ? Influence of the Colonial Gazette. ? Success and Failure of the Theorists of 1830. ? State of Opinion Concerning Religious Provisions for Colonies. ? Summary of Present State of Opinion Generally. ................................ 17 Letter X: From the Statesman: The Statesman Divides the Subject into Four Main Parts, and Indicates the Order of Inquiry. 23 Letter XI: From the Colonist: The Colonist Proposes a Further Division of the Subject, and Settles the Order of Inquiry. ..... 24 Letter XII: From the Colonist: Different Objects of Colonization for Different Parts of the United Kingdom. ?? Want of Room for All Classes a Circumstance by Which Great Britain Is Distinguished from Other Countries. ?? Competition Amongst the Labouring Class a Momentous Question. ?? Influence of Economical Circumstances in Political Revolutions. ................................................................................................................................................................................... 24 Letter XIII: From the Colonist: Competition for Room in the Ranks above the Labouring Class. ? the Anxious Classes. ? Women in the Anxious Classes. ? Hoarding, Speculation, Waste, and the Spirit of the Gambles. ................................... 26 Letter XIV: From the Colonist: The Peculiar Characteristic of Colonies Is Plenty of Room for All Classes; but Wages and Profits Are Occasionally Reduced by Gluts of Labour and Capital; and Whilst Colonial Prosperity is Always Dependent on Good Government, it Only Attains the Maximum in Colonies Peopled by the Energetic Anglo-Saxon Race. ............. 28 Letter XV: From the Statesman: The Statesman Objects to a Great Diminution of the Wealth and Population of Great Britain, and Complains of a Patriotic Head-ache. ............................................................................................................................ 30 Letter XVI: From the Colonist: As a Cure for the Statesman?s Patriotic Headache, the Colonist Prescribes the Doctrine, That Emigration of Capital and People Has a Tendency to Increase Instead of Diminishing the Wealth and Population of the Mother-country. .................................................................................................................................................................. 30 Letter XVII: From the Colonist: Further Objects of the Mother-country in Promoting Colonization. ? Prestige of Empire. ?