| THE STATE IN THE MARYLAND ECONOMY, 1776-1807 93
wealth of a state is better known by the number of its inhabitants
than any other criterion.e
Here one can see the motive of interstate rivalry which was
often a very strong inducement to action.
Many, such as John Hayes of the Baltimore Maryland Ga-
zette, were anxious to see manufacturing established in the
state. He wrote he was always pleased to report to his readers
on the progress of manufacturing in the United States be-
cause such accounts " wear off the diffidence of our citizens,
stimulate them to improve . . . the manufactures already es-
tablished, [and] to attempt others."'," A Friend to Agricul-
ture and Manufactures," who wrote a series of detailed arti-
cles on Maryland's possibilities in 1792, said his purpose was
to awaken Marylanders."I° Others wished to excite Maryland-
ers to action in this area by reciting the accomplishments of
the northern states, or by citing the " example of older and
more experienced nation: " the " indefatigable industry and
attention " of the English and French " to the improvement
of their Trade, Manufactures, and Commerce . . .".1'
Not all Marylanders were interested in promoting manu-
facturing. In the 1780's antagonism among the " three great
classes " which composed Maryland society '2 was quite evident
in the electioneering articles which appeared at each election
of the House of Delegates. " An Enthusiast in Trade " thought
it was " a great misfortune "that the landholder, planter, and
farmer usually- did not " thoroughly . . . investigate the prin-
ples of trade." la He implied that this lack of knowledge led
to stagnation of the - economy and misunderstanding among
farmers, merchants, and manufactures. Writers combatting the
primacy of agriculture arguments of the agrarians noted that
there was a close connection between the prosperity of com-
merce, manufactures, and agriculture: " as they [manufactures]
e Ibid., Nov. 28, 1783, p. 2; A. Md. Gaz., Dec. 6, 1792, " A Friend to
Agricul-
ture and Manufactures."
Ibid., July 13, 1790, p. 3, " American Manufactures " leditorial].
- '° A. Md. Gaz., Dec. 6, 1792, p. 2.
f' B. Md. Gaz, Jan. 9, 1787, p. 3, " An Enthusiast in Trade."
ly"The cultivators of the earth, the merchants and tradesmen;' ibid., Aug.
15; 1786; p. 3, " A Real Friend to Maryland."
lg Ibid, Jan. 9, 1787, p. 3.
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