But the benefits which mankind derives from commerce are not
confined to the acquisition of a greater share and variety of the comforts,
luxuries, or even the necessaries of life. Commerce has repaid the benefits
it has received from geography: it has opened new sources of industry; of
this the cotton manufactures of Britain are a signal illustration and
proof:--it has contributed to preserve the health of the human race, by the
introduction of the most valuable drugs employed in medicine. It has
removed ignorance and national prejudices, and tended most materially to
the diffusion of political and religious knowledge. The natural philosopher
knows, that whatever affects, in the smallest degree, the remotest body in
the universe, acts, though to us in an imperceptible manner, on every other
body. So commerce acts; but its action is not momentary; its impulses, once
begun, continue with augmented force. And it appears to us no absurd or
extravagant expectation, that through its means, either directly, or by
enlarging the views and desires of man, the civilization, knowledge,
freedom and happiness of Europe will ultimately be spread over the whole
globe.
[6] Since this part of our work was written, the narrative of Lieutenant
Franklin has been published: from this it appears, that he was engaged
in this arduous undertaking during the years 1819, 1820, 1821, and
1822; that the route he followed to the Coppermine River was to the
east o the routes of M'Kenzie and Hearne; that he reached the river
three hundred and thirty-four miles north of Fort Enterprize; and the
Polar Sea in lat.
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