[TRANSPORTATION.] The advantages which may result from colonies to the mother country appear to be, the extension of the manufactures and the trade of the mother country by the demand for home products which arises in the colonies, the consequent impulse given to industry in the mother country, and the opportunities which industrious labourers and small capitalists have of mending their condition by emigrating to a country where labour is wanted, and where land can be had at a moderate price. The establishment of a colony draws capital from the mother country, which is a disadvantage to the parent state, unless the colony also draws off superabundant labourers ; and without a due supply of labour the exportation of capital to a colony is unproductive in the colony, while it diminishes the wealth and the productive power of the parent state. If a colony is to be a mat ter of expense to the state, if the adminis tration of it is to be maintained entirely or in part at the expense of the mother country, that is a direct loss to the parent state. And if, in order to support such colony, or the interests of any body of persons that are connected with it, the trade of the mother country is encum bered by regulations which diminish the free interchange of commodities with other countries, and render foreign pro ducts dearer to the citizen of the parent state, that is another manifest loss to the parent state. The history of modern colonization, on the whole, shows that the parent states have sustained great loss by the system of colonization that has been adopted ; but it cannot therefore be inferred that colonization may not be placed on such a footing as will make it both advantageous to the parent state, and to those who live in the colony under its protection.
Much has been written upon this sub ject by political and economical and the advantages of colonies have been exaggerated by some, and too much un derrated by others. In a general point of view, as connected with the progress of mankind, a busy prosperous colony on a land formerly desert is undoubtedly a cheering sight. Commercial colonies or
factories are likewise useful for protecting traders in remote and half- barbarous countries.
The Colonies of England are men tioned subsequently.
France has the French West India Islands, and French Guiana in America; Senegal, on the coast of Africa; the island of Bourbon; Pondicherry, in the East Indies ; and Algeria, on the north coast of Africa.
Spain has lost her vast dominions in Mexico and South America, but has retained the fine islands of Cuba and Puerto Rico; she has also the Philippine Islands.
Portugal has lost the Brazils, but has still numerous settlements on the coast of South and East Africa, at Angola, Ben guela, Loango, and on the Mozambique ; but these settlements are the most degene rated of all European colonies. In India, the Portuguese retain Goa, and they have a factory at Macao, and a settlement on the northern part of the island of Timor.
The Dutch have the islands of Curacao and St. Eustaz, and Surinam in Guiana. In Asia they have the great colony of Batavia with its dependencies, various settlements on the coasts of Borneo, Su matra, Celebes, and the Molucea islands.
The Danes are possessed of the islands of St. Cruz and St. Thomas in the West Indies ; Christianburg, near Accra, on the Guinea coast; and Tranquebar in the East Indies.
The Swedes have the island of St. Bartholomew in the West Indies.
A society of North American philan thropists has founded, since 1821, on the Guinea coast, a colony of emancipated negroes, who have been transferred thither from the United States. The colony is called Liberia.
On the subject of modern colonies, Raynal, Histoire des Etablissemens des Europeans dans les deux Index, may be useful, though it is often exaggerated and turgid ; but the best authorities are the original accounts of the various disco verers and founders of the colonies, such as have been published by Navarrete for the Spanish, and Barros for the Por tuguese.