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pay. Against such a system of upholding the internal commu-nication, he no doubt there states insuperable objections. But,in the text, he is led to state, that the clear revenue which itwas imagined might be gained from this expedient, would a-mount to half a million. In the edition published in 1786, hesubjoins the following note : ‘ Since publishing the two first edi-‘ tions of this book, I have got good reasons to believe, that all». the turnpike tolls levied in Great Britain , do not produce a‘ neat revenue that amounts to half a million—a sum which, un-‘ der the management of Government, would not be sufficient* to keep in repair five of the principal roads in the kingdom.’
Had the Doctor lived till now 7 , he would probably have beenled to state, in regard to Scotland at least, that the turnpike-tolls, so far from yielding a neat revenue, from which a sinkingfund might be established, to pay up in time the principal ofthe money sunk in making them, do not, in general, yield, afterexpense of repairing, as much as will pay the common rate ofinterest. It is very supposeable, that Scots trustees, in general,would be extremely well satisfied, were the tolls merely to up-hold the roads, and pay common interest, though theie shouldnot be one farthing of excess, to constitute a sinking fund forredemption of the principal. But, very generally, the tolls areinsufficient to answer even so moderate a demand. Instead of re-imbursement, the trustees must lay their account with an irnruc.diate loss. Their profit can only, indirectly, though certainly,result from the facilities given to agricultural improvement.
By late decisions of our Supreme Court , the money levied byturnpike tolls, must be preferably applied to the repairing ofthe roads, to the postponing of the payment of the interest ofmoney borrowed upon the security of the toll. * Though thetrustees may hold out the security of their tolls, few monied menmay therefore choose to lend money on such security, unless for-tified by the additional responsibility of the trustees. The gen-tlemen of the .several counties are, therefore, in fact, or willsoon become, the sole creditors upon the tolls ; and it is mostgenerally a very losing concern. The Reporter of Clydesdalestates, that, in several instances, the tolls yield not abovecent. In Aberdeenshire , I have heard the yield of the tolls stat-ed at the same sum. -j- The Reporter of Roxburghshire states,in exact,details, the return from the tolls; whence it appears,that, after upholding, there is only an overplus of 84/. yearly, toanswer for the interest of about 46,000/. sunk in the formationof the roads. I have since been informed, that the gentlemen
* A dedfioa somewhat equivalent to the Englifh public right of indictmtrt *ffends. ' ...
f I have been informed, that, in fome parts of that county, owing to ^tan ce from materials, fome roads -have coil, in the mere making, and not*Cluck.;; either bridges or compenfation for property, loco/, fir mile.