Joseph Cross

“ If independent persons of correct character and a little property, others of some rank in society, such as honorable servants of the Crown, retired from the Army, Navy, and Public Establishments, with moderate but certain incomes, embark in a new Colony, and act simultaneously for the promotion of their own and the general interests, the probabilities of a speedy and favorable result are greatly increased. ”

“ This Plan offers many advantages.—An individual may form his own opinion by an absence of 12 or 14 months, and a six months' observation on the spot, of the prospect of success.—Should he be disappointed, his expenditure will probably not exceed that of his residence at home; and, if he is a man with a family and approves of the Settlement, he can fix his locality and return for his family at a certain expence, or he can make arrangements for his family to join him when his situation may be determined and in some forwardness. ”

“ It is unnecessary to trouble ourselves with speculations upon the cost of flax in Russia, Poland, Holland or elsewhere; we have here a data that cannot deceive the Adventurer. [9] From these facts it is not unreasonable to believe that, in a few years, several thousand tons of both hemp and flax may be shipped from Cockburn Sound, with great advantage to the Settlers and increase of wealth to the Colony. ”

“ If this is real economy, how much more will its importance be increased, when accomplished through the employment of a superabundant population in a new Colony! ↑ That the Settler may know there is no deception in these representations, he can have the means of ascertaining the quality of hemp and flax grown in New Zealand and likewise the hemp or grass of Manilla, now becoming the favorite article for cordage in America. ”

“ In this country's traffic with Russia, [4] Great Britain receives from St. Petersburg, Riga, and Archangel alone, in hemp, flax, and tallow, two millions sterling.
From Prussia and Poland, [5] through the Ports of Memel, Konigsburg, and Dantzig, considerable supplies of hemp and flax are received; likewise much flax manufactured into yarn.
Let two articles of cultivation be selected for consideration, out of the number that will hereafter offer: viz. hemp and flax.
1st. A new rich soil cannot be otherwise than well suited for their cultivation. ”

“ To Persons, who from various circumstances may have it in contemplation to quit their native Country, either for a limited or extended period, it is desirable to have such information as may be most useful in guiding their determination, and save them loss of time and waste of property. ”

“ It cannot be afforded in Russia under its present cost; and recently, whenever the price has declined below the rate now paid, a decrease of produce has followed.
With regard to the article of flax, none need be mislead; an excellent estimate may be made from the experience of those who have grown flax in the neighbourhood of Thorne and Goole in Yorkshire, and. others on a larger scale in Ireland. The price of very fine Yorkshire groom. flax is about 7s. per stone, or £56 per ton.
The price of best Russian flax is about £38 to £40 per ton. ”

“ They can return to their mother country and to society with the certainty of possessing purity of character, and without risk of rejection, into every situation to which fortune, talent and character may justify their aspiring. ”

“ The coast of Cockburn Sound and Swan and Canning Rivers, promises plenty of fish for the table—also, oil for use. Tea will not cost more than 2s.6d. per pound through Java; from whence stock of cattle, poultry and pigs can be added of the best quality.
There is no intention in these remarks to show the extent of production of which the soil and climate are capable; time and prosperity will be requisite to bring forward all their capabilities. ”

“ They are addressed to those whose minds are in some measure fixed; and it is to those who have to choose the most advantageous situations in new Settlements for their future residence, that any practical knowledge is offered. ”

“ Should the individual determine to remain in the Settlement, he shall receive a proportion of his advanced money, in provisions or stock, equal to six months' maintenance, according to the same rations ”

“ In such calculations, however, every thing ought to be allowed liberally for deductions. ↑ It is not more than forty years since hemp cost no more than £?15 per ton at Petersburgh, and was sold in England to advantage at £?23 per ton; therefore the expense of cultivation cannot be great. The advance has occurred from taxation in Russia, and other political causes. ↑ Hemp and flax are well adapted for new settlements; they require extent of land, without the necessity of a great population. The labour required is not great ”