Hence then it appears that a mercantile
speculation the most unfortunate, and a revolution
the most singular in its nature, have
been the means of placing the island in a
greater state of security than formerly ; and
a way has thus been opened for bettering the
condition of its inhabitants, provided the
Danish government has compassion enough
upon the most injured of its subjects to permit
the humane intentions of his British
Majesty’s ministers to be carried into effect.
Should this not be the case (and such seems
more than probable, from the late decrees
of that country, strictly prohibiting, on pain
of death, all intercourse with the British),
then will the state of the natives be more
wretched than ever; unless, which I sincerely
flatter myself will be the case, England should
no longer hesitate about the adoption of a
step to which every native Icelander looks
forward as the greatest blessing that can
befal his country, and which to England
herself would, I am persuaded, be productive
of various signal advantages, the taking possession
of Iceland and holding it among her
dependencies. Iceland, thus freed from the
yoke of an inefficient but presumptuous tyrant,
might then, guarded by the protection
of our fleets, and fostered by the liberal policy
of our commercial laws, look forward to a
security that Denmark could never afford,
and to a prosperity that the selfishness of the
Danes has always prevented: while England
would find herself repaid for her generous
conduct by the extension of her fisheries,
the surest source of her prosperity, and by
the safety which the numerous harbors of
the island afford for her merchantmen against
the storms and perils of the arctic ocean.
END OF APPENDIX. A.