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AbDiTiONAL Appendix to Chap. XVI:

Abstract of tile Constitution and Objectsof the Chartered Bank, called“ The British Linen Company. ”

The British Linen Company was incorporated by a royalcharter, immediately after the Rebellion of 1745, when the greatdesire of Government was, to introduce habits of industry intoScotland , as the most effectual means of securing the affectionsof the people to the established government. It was plannedand directed by the same patriotic individuals, who had proposedthe institution of the Board of Trustees, for the encouragementand improvement of manufactures; and it had the good fortuneto be directed, for many years, by those eminent persons, bywhom the duties of that Board were most assiduously performed,amongst whom were, Archibald Duke of Argyle, Lord Justice-Clerk Fletcher, Lord Tinwald, and Baron Maule.

At first it was supposed, that the object of this institution wouldbe attained, chiefly, by the Company itself engaging in the ma-nufacture and sale of Linen : But this was only me of the meansby which it was hoped the Company might accomplish the greatdesign for which it was constituted. The object in view, indeed,was a very extensive one, that of co-operating with the Board ofTrade, not only in promoting the linen manufacture, which wasconsidered to be the staple of Scotland , but also the general im-provement of the country. This, it was believed, would be bestaccomplished by means of a paper circulation, and the otheroperations of banking. Instead of continuing, therefore, as ma-nufacturers or dealers, the Company, for a period of more thansixty years, have confined their business entirely to that of bank-ing ; and have applied the large funds, and the credit which theypossessed, towards promoting trade, manufactures, and agricul-ture, all over Scotland . The change which was thus made in thedirection of the Company’s employment of their Capital, has notonly been felt by the public as a benefit, but has likewise beensanctioned by the approbation of Parliament , and in particularby the 48th of the King, cap. 149, sections 16, 17, and 19, by

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