J A M E S II.

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republic, promoted the navigation of this island;and after Charles had made a separate peace withthe States, his subjects enjoyed unmolested thetrade of Europe. The only disturbance, whichthey met with, was from a few French pri-vateers, who infested the channel; and Charlesinterposed not in behalf of his subjects withsufficient spirit and vigor. The recovery or con-quest of New York and the Jerseys was a consi-derable accession to the strength and security ofthe Engliffi colonies ; and , together with thesettlement of Penlilvania and Carolina, whichwas effected during that reign , extended theEngliffi empire in America. The persecutions ofthe diffenters, or more properly speaking, therestraints imposed upon them , contributed toaugment and people these colonies. Dr. Davenantaffirms 12 , that the shipping of England morethan doubled during these twenty - eight years.Several new manufactures were established; iniron, brass, silk, hats, glass, paper, &c. OneBrewer, leaving the Low Countries, when theywere threatened with a French conquest, broughtthe art of dying woollen cloth into England, andby that improvement saved the nation great sumsof money. The increase of coinage during thesetwo reigns was ten millions two hundred sixty-one thousand pounds. A board of trade waserected in 1670; and the earl of Sandwich wasmade president. Charles revived and supported

Discourse on the public revenues, part. ii. p. 29. 33. 3 6 .

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LXXl.

1689.