Noprivatemerchant，ithasbeensaid，couldwellhavecapitalsufficienttomaintainfactorsandagentsinthedifferentportsoftheEastIndies，inordertoprovidegoodsfortheshipswhichhemightoccasionallysendthither;andyet，unlesshewasabletodothis，thedifficultyoffindingacargomightfrequentlymakehisshipslosetheseasonforreturning，andtheexpenseofsolongadelaywouldnotonlyeatupthewholeprofitoftheadventure，butfrequentlyoccasionaveryconsiderableloss。Thisargument，however，ifitprovedanythingatall，wouldprovethatnoonegreatbranchoftradecouldbecarriedonwithoutanexclusivecompany，whichiscontrarytotheexperienceofallnations。Thereisnogreatbranchoftradeinwhichthecapitalofanyoneprivatemerchantissufficientforcarryingonallthesubordinatebrancheswhichmustbecarriedon，inordertocarryontheprincipalone。Butwhenanationisripeforanygreatbranchoftrade，somemerchantsnaturallyturntheircapitalstowardstheprincipal，andsometowardsthesubordinatebranchesofit;andthoughallthedifferentbranchesofitareinthismannercarriedon，yetitveryseldomhappensthattheyareallcarriedonbythecapitalofoneprivatemerchant。Ifanation，therefore，isripefortheEastIndiatrade，acertainportionofitscapitalwillnaturallydivideitselfamongallthedifferentbranchesofthattrade。SomeofitsmerchantswillfinditfortheirinteresttoresideintheEastIndies，andtoemploytheircapitalsthereinprovidinggoodsfortheshipswhicharetobesentoutbyothermerchantswhoresideinEurope。ThesettlementswhichdifferentEuropeannationshaveobtainedintheEastIndies，iftheyweretakenfromtheexclusivecompaniestowhichtheyatpresentbelongandputundertheimmediateprotectionofthesovereign，wouldrenderthisresidencebothsafeandeasy，atleasttothemerchantsoftheparticularnationstowhomthosesettlementsbelong。Ifatanyparticulartimethatpartofthecapitalofanycountrywhichofitsownaccordtendedandinclined，ifImaysayso，towardstheEastIndiatrade，wasnotsufficientforcarryingonallthosedifferentbranchesofit，itwouldbeaproofthat，atthatparticulartime，thatcountrywasnotripeforthattrade，andthatitwoulddobettertobuyforsometime，evenatahigherprice，fromotherEuropeannations，theEastIndiagoodsithadoccasionfor，thantoimportthemitselfdirectlyfromtheEastIndies。Whatitmightlosebythehighpriceofthosegoodscouldseldombeequaltothelosswhichitwouldsustainbythedistractionofalargeportionofitscapitalfromotheremploymentsmorenecessary，ormoreuseful，ormoresuitabletoitscircumstancesandsituation，thanadirecttradetotheEastIndies。
ThoughtheEuropeanspossessmanyconsiderablesettlementsbothuponthecoastofAfricaandintheEastIndies，theyhavenotyetestablishedineitherofthosecountriessuchnumerousandthrivingcoloniesasthoseintheislandsandcontinentofAmerica。Africa，however，aswellasseveralofthecountriescomprehendedunderthegeneralnameoftheEastIndies，areinhabitedbybarbarousnations。ButthosenationswerebynomeanssoweakanddefencelessasthemiserableandhelplessAmericans;andinproportiontothenaturalfertilityofthecountrieswhichtheyinhabited，theywerebesidesmuchmorepopulous。ThemostbarbarousnationseitherofAfricaoroftheEastIndieswereshepherds;eventheHottentotswereso。ButthenativesofeverypartofAmerica，exceptMexicoandPeru，wereonlyhunters;andthedifferenceisverygreatbetweenthenumberofshepherdsandthatofhunterswhomthesameextentofequallyfertileterritorycanmaintain。InAfricaandtheEastIndies，therefore，itwasmoredifficulttodisplacethenatives，andtoextendtheEuropeanplantationsoverthegreaterpartofthelandsoftheoriginalinhabitants。Thegeniusofexclusivecompanies，besides，isunfavourable，ithasalreadybeenobserved，tothegrowthofnewcolonies，andhasprobablybeentheprincipalcauseofthelittleprogresswhichtheyhavemadeintheEastIndies。ThePortuguesecarriedonthetradebothtoAfricaandtheEastIndieswithoutanyexclusivecompanies，andtheirsettlementsatCongo，Angola，andBenguelaonthecoastofAfrica，andatGoaintheEastIndies，thoughmuchdepressedbysuperstitionandeverysortofbadgovernment，yetbearsomefaintresemblancetothecoloniesofAmerica，andarepartlyinhabitedbyPortuguesewhohavebeenestablishedthereforseveralgenerations。TheDutchsettlementsattheCapeofGoodHopeandatBataviaareatpresentthemostconsiderablecolonieswhichtheEuropeanshaveestablishedeitherinAfricaorintheEastIndies，andboththesesettlementsarepeculiarlyfortunateintheirsituation。TheCapeofGoodHopewasinhabitedbyaraceofpeoplealmostasbarbarousandquiteasincapableofdefendingthemselvesasthenativesofAmerica。Itisbesidesthehalfwayhouse，ifonemaysayso，betweenEuropeandtheEastIndies，atwhichalmosteveryEuropeanshipmakessomestay，bothingoingandreturning。Thesupplyingofthoseshipswitheverysortoffreshprovisions，withfruitandsometimeswithwine，affordsaloneaveryextensivemarketforthesurplusproduceofthecolonists。WhattheCapeofGoodHopeisbetweenEuropeandeverypartoftheEastIndies，BataviaisbetweentheprincipalcountriesoftheEastIndies。ItliesuponthemostfrequentedroadfromIndostantoChinaandJapan，andisnearlyaboutmidwayuponthatroad。Almostalltheships，too，thatsailbetweenEuropeandChinatouchatBatavia;anditis，overandaboveallthis，thecentreandprincipalmartofwhatiscalledthecountrytradeoftheEastIndies，notonlyofthatpartofitwhichiscarriedonbyEuropeans，butofthatwhichiscarriedonbythenativeIndians;andvesselsnavigatedbytheinhabitantsofChinaandJapan，ofTonquin，Malacca，CochinChina，andtheislandofCelebes，arefrequentlytobeseeninitsport。Suchadvantageoussituationshaveenabledthosetwocoloniestosurmountalltheobstacleswhichtheoppressivegeniusofanexclusivecompanymayhaveoccasionallyopposedtotheirgrowth。TheyhaveenabledBataviatosurmounttheadditionaldisadvantageofperhapsthemostunwholesomeclimateintheworld。
TheEnglishandDutchcompanies，thoughtheyhaveestablishednoconsiderablecolonies，exceptthetwoabovementioned，havebothmadeconsiderableconquestsintheEastIndies。Butinthemannerinwhichtheybothgoverntheirnewsubjects，thenaturalgeniusofanexclusivecompanyhasshownitselfmostdistinctly。InthespiceislandstheDutcharesaidtoburnallthespicerieswhichafertileseasonproducesbeyondwhattheyexpecttodisposeofinEuropewithsuchaprofitastheythinksufficient。Intheislandswheretheyhavenosettlements，theygiveapremiumtothosewhocollecttheyoungblossomsandgreenleavesofthecloveandnutmegtreeswhichnaturallygrowthere，butwhichthesavagepolicyhasnow，itissaid，almostcompletelyextirpated。Evenintheislandswheretheyhavesettlementstheyhaveverymuchreduced，itissaid，thenumberofthosetrees。Iftheproduceevenoftheirownislandswasmuchgreaterthanwhatsuitedtheirmarket，thenatives，theysuspect，mightfindmeanstoconveysomepartofittoothernations;andthebestway，theyimagine，tosecuretheirownmonopolyistotakecarethatnomoreshallgrowthanwhattheythemselvescarrytomarket。BydifferentartsofoppressiontheyhavereducedthepopulationofseveraloftheMoluccasnearlytothenumberwhichissufficienttosupplywithfreshprovisionsandothernecessariesoflifetheirowninsignificantgarrisons，andsuchoftheirshipsasoccasionallycomethereforacargoofspices。UnderthegovernmentevenofthePortuguese，however，thoseislandsaresaidtohavebeentolerablywellinhabited。TheEnglishcompanyhavenotyethadtimetoestablishinBengalsoperfectlydestructiveasystem。Theplanoftheirgovernment，however，hashadexactlythesametendency。Ithasnotbeenuncommon，Iamwellassured，forthechief，thatis，thefirstclerkofafactory，toorderapeasanttoploughuparichfieldofpoppiesandsowitwithriceorsomeothergrain。Thepretencewas，topreventascarcityofprovisions;buttherealreason，togivethechiefanopportunityofsellingatabetterpricealargequantityofopium，whichhehappenedthentohaveuponhand。Uponotheroccasionstheorderhasbeenreversed;andarichfieldofriceorothergrainhasbeenploughedup，inordertomakeroomforaplantationofpoppies;whenthechiefforesawthatextraordinaryprofitwaslikelytobemadebyopium。
Theservantsofthecompanyhaveuponseveraloccasionsattemptedtoestablishintheirownfavourthemonopolyofsomeofthemostimportantbranches，notonlyoftheforeign，butoftheinlandtradeofthecountry。Hadtheybeenallowedtogoon，itisimpossiblethattheyshouldnotatsometimeoranotherhaveattemptedtorestraintheproductionoftheparticulararticlesofwhichtheyhadthususurpedthemonopoly，notonlytothequantitywhichtheythemselvescouldpurchase，buttothatwhichtheycouldexpecttosellwithsuchaprofitastheymightthinksufficient。Inthecourseofthecenturyortwo，thepolicyoftheEnglishcompanywouldinthismannerhaveprobablyprovedascompletelydestructiveasthatoftheDutch。
Nothing，however，canbemoredirectlycontrarytotherealinterestofthosecompanies，consideredasthesovereignsofthecountrieswhichtheyhaveconquered，thanthisdestructiveplan。
Inalmostallcountriestherevenueofthesovereignisdrawnfromthatofthepeople。Thegreatertherevenueofthepeople，therefore，thegreatertheannualproduceoftheirlandandlabour，themoretheycanaffordtothesovereign。Itishisinterest，therefore，toincreaseasmuchaspossiblethatannualproduce。Butifthisistheinterestofeverysovereign，itispeculiarlysoofonewhoserevenue，likethatofthesovereignofBengal，ariseschieflyfromaland—rent。Thatrentmustnecessarilybeinproportiontothequantityandvalueoftheproduce，andboththeoneandtheothermustdependupontheextentofthemarket。Thequantitywillalwaysbesuitedwithmoreorlessexactnesstotheconsumptionofthosewhocanaffordtopayforit，andthepricewhichtheywillpaywillalwaysbeinproportiontotheeagernessoftheircompetition。Itistheinterestofsuchasovereign，therefore，toopenthemostextensivemarketfortheproduceofhiscountry，toallowthemostperfectfreedomofcommerce，inordertoincreaseasmuchaspossiblethenumberandthecompetitionofbuyers;anduponthisaccounttoabolish，notonlyallmonopolies，butallrestraintsuponthetransportationofthehomeproducefromonepartofthecountrytoanother，uponitsexportationtoforeigncountries，orupontheimportationofgoodsofanykindforwhichitcanbeexchanged。Itisinthismannermostlikelytoincreaseboththequantityandvalueofthatproduce，andconsequentlyofhisownshareofit，orofhisownrevenue。
Butacompanyofmerchantsare，itseems，incapableofconsideringthemselvesassovereigns，evenaftertheyhavebecomesuch。Trade，orbuyinginordertosellagain，theystillconsiderastheirprincipalbusiness，andbyastrangeabsurdityregardthecharacterofthesovereignasbutanappendixtothatofthemerchant，assomethingwhichoughttobemadesubservienttoit，orbymeansofwhichtheymaybeenabledtobuycheaperinIndia，andtherebytosellwithabetterprofitinEurope。Theyendeavourforthispurposetokeepoutasmuchaspossibleallcompetitorsfromthemarketofthecountrieswhicharesubjecttotheirgovernment，andconsequentlytoreduce，atleast，somepartofthesurplusproduceofthosecountriestowhatisbarelysufficientforsupplyingtheirowndemand，ortowhattheycanexpecttosellinEuropewithsuchaprofitastheymaythinkreasonable。Theirmercantilehabitsdrawtheminthismanner，almostnecessarily，thoughperhapsinsensibly，topreferuponallordinaryoccasionsthelittleandtransitoryprofitofthemonopolisttothegreatandpermanentrevenueofthesovereign，andwouldgraduallyleadthemtotreatthecountriessubjecttotheirgovernmentnearlyastheDutchtreattheMoluceas。ItistheinterestoftheEastIndiaCompany，consideredassovereigns，thattheEuropeangoodswhicharecarriedtotheirIndiandominionsshouldbesoldthereascheapaspossible;andthattheIndiangoodswhicharebroughtfromthenceshouldbringthereasgoodaprice，orshouldbesoldthereasdearaspossible。Butthereverseofthisistheirinterestasmerchants。Assovereigns，theirinterestisexactlythesamewiththatofthecountrywhichtheygovern。Asmerchantstheirinterestisdirectlyoppositetothatinterest。
Butifthegeniusofsuchagovernment，evenastowhatconcernsitsdirectioninEurope，isinthismanneressentiallyandperhapsincurablyfaulty，thatofitsadministrationinIndiaisstillmoreso。Thatadministrationisnecessarilycomposedofacouncilofmerchants，aprofessionnodoubtextremelyrespectable，butwhichinnocountryintheworldcarriesalongwithitthatsortofauthoritywhichnaturallyoverawesthepeople，andwithoutforcecommandstheirwillingobedience。Suchacouncilcancommandobedienceonlybythemilitaryforcewithwhichtheyareaccompanied，andtheirgovernmentisthereforenecessarilymilitaryanddespotical。Theirproperbusiness，however，isthatofmerchants。Itistosell，upontheirmasters’
account，theEuropeangoodsconsignedtothem，andtobuyinreturnIndiangoodsfortheEuropeanmarket。Itistoselltheoneasdearandtobuytheotherascheapaspossible，andconsequentlytoexcludeasmuchaspossibleallrivalsfromtheparticularmarketwheretheykeeptheirshop。Thegeniusoftheadministrationtherefore，sofarasconcernsthetradeofthecompany，isthesameasthatofthedirection。Ittendstomakegovernmentsubservienttotheinterestofmonopoly，andconsequentlytostuntthenaturalgrowthofsomepartsatleastofthesurplusproduceofthecountrytowhatisbarelysufficientforansweringthedemandofthecompany。
Allthemembersoftheadministration，besides，trademoreorlessupontheirownaccount，anditisinvaintoprohibitthemfromdoingso。Nothingcanbemorecompletelyfoolishthantoexpectthattheclerksofagreatcounting—houseattenthousandmilesdistance，andconsequentlyalmostquiteoutofsight，should，uponasimpleorderfromtheirmasters，giveupatoncedoinganysortofbusinessupontheirownaccount，abandonforeverallhopesofmakingafortune，ofwhichtheyhavethemeansintheirhands，andcontentthemselveswiththemoderatesalarieswhichthosemastersallowthem，andwhich，moderateastheyare，canseldombeaugmented，beingcommonlyaslargeastherealprofitsofthecompanytradecanafford。Insuchcircumstances，toprohibittheservantsofthecompanyfromtradingupontheirownaccountcanhavescarceanyothereffectthantoenablethesuperiorservants，underpretenceofexecutingtheirmasters’order，tooppresssuchoftheinferioronesashavehadthemisfortunetofallundertheirdispleasure。Theservantsnaturallyendeavourtoestablishthesamemonopolyinfavouroftheirownprivatetradeasofthepublictradeofthecompany。Iftheyaresufferedtoactastheycouldwish，theywillestablishthismonopolyopenlyanddirectly，byfairlyprohibitingallotherpeoplefromtradinginthearticlesinwhichtheychoosetodeal;andthis，perhaps，isthebestandleastoppressivewayofestablishingit。ButifbyanorderfromEuropetheyareprohibitedfromdoingthis，theywill，notwithstanding，endeavourtoestablishamonopolyofthesamekind，secretlyandindirectly，inawaythatismuchmoredestructivetothecountry。Theywillemploythewholeauthorityofgovernment，andperverttheadministrationofjustice，inordertoharassandruinthosewhointerferewiththeminanybranchofcommerce，whichbymeansofagents，eitherconcealed，oratleastnotpubliclyavowed，theymaychoosetocarryon。Buttheprivatetradeoftheservantswillnaturallyextendtoamuchgreatervarietyofarticlesthanthepublictradeofthecompany。
ThepublictradeofthecompanyextendsnofurtherthanthetradewithEurope，andcomprehendsapartonlyoftheforeigntradeofthecountry。Buttheprivatetradeoftheservantsmayextendtoallthedifferentbranchesbothofitsinlandandforeigntrade。
Themonopolyofthecompanycantendonlytostuntthenaturalgrowthofthatpartofthesurplusproducewhich，inthecaseofafreetrade，wouldbeexportedtoEurope。Thatoftheservantstendstostuntthenaturalgrowthofeverypartoftheproduceinwhichtheychoosetodeal，ofwhatisdestinedforhomeconsumption，aswellasofwhatisdestinedforexportation;andconsequentlytodegradethecultivationofthewholecountry，andtoreducethenumberofitsinhabitants。Ittendstoreducethequantityofeverysortofproduce，eventhatofthenecessariesoflife，whenevertheservantsofthecompanychoosetodealinthem，towhatthoseservantscanbothaffordtobuyandexpecttosellwithsuchaprofitaspleasesthem。
Fromthenatureoftheirsituation，too，theservantsmustbemoredisposedtosupportwithrigorousseveritytheirowninterestagainstthatofthecountrywhichtheygovernthantheirmasterscanbetosupporttheirs。Thecountrybelongstotheirmasters，whocannotavoidhavingsomeregardfortheinterestofwhatbelongstothem。Butitdoesnotbelongtotheservants。Therealinterestoftheirmasters，iftheywerecapableofunderstandingit，isthesamewiththatofthecountry，anditisfromignorancechiefly，andthemeannessofmercantileprejudice，thattheyeveroppressit。Buttherealinterestoftheservantsisbynomeansthesamewiththatofthecountry，andthemostperfectinformationwouldnotnecessarilyputanendtotheiroppressions。TheregulationsaccordinglywhichhavebeensentoutfromEurope，thoughtheyhavebeenfrequentlyweak，haveuponmostoccasionsbeenwell—meaning。Moreintelligenceandperhapslessgood—meaninghassometimesappearedinthoseestablishedbytheservantsinIndia。Itisaverysingulargovernmentinwhicheverymemberoftheadministrationwishestogetoutofthecountry，andconsequentlytohavedonewiththegovernmentassoonashecan，andtowhoseinterest，thedayafterhehasleftitandcarriedhiswholefortunewithhim，itisperfectlyindifferentthoughthewholecountrywasswallowedupbyanearthquake。
Imeannot，however，byanythingwhichIhaveheresaid，tothrowanyodiousimputationuponthegeneralcharacteroftheservantsoftheEastIndiaCompany，andmuchlessuponthatofanyparticularpersons。Itisthesystemofgovernment，thesituationinwhichtheyareplaced，thatImeantocensure，notthecharacterofthosewhohaveactedinit。Theyactedastheirsituationnaturallydirected，andtheywhohaveclamouredtheloudestagainstthemwouldprobablynothaveactedbetterthemselves。Inwarandnegotiation，thecouncilsofMadrasandCalcuttahaveuponseveraloccasionsconductedthemselveswitharesolutionanddecisivewisdomwhichwouldhavedonehonourtothesenateofRomeinthebestdaysofthatrepublic。Themembersofthosecouncils，however，hadbeenbredtoprofessionsverydifferentfromwarandpolities。Buttheirsituationalone，withouteducation，experience，orevenexample，seemstohaveformedinthemallatoncethegreatqualitieswhichitrequired，andtohaveinspiredthembothwithabilitiesandvirtueswhichtheythemselvescouldnotwellknowthattheypossessed。Ifuponsomeoccasions，therefore，ithasanimatedthemtoactionsofmagnanimitywhichcouldnotwellhavebeenexpectedfromthem，weshouldnotwonderifuponothersithaspromptedthemtoexploitsofsomewhatadifferentnature。
Suchexclusivecompanies，therefore，arenuisancesineveryrespect;alwaysmoreorlessinconvenienttothecountriesinwhichtheyareestablished，anddestructivetothosewhichhavethemisfortunetofallundertheirgovernment。
CHAPTERVIII
ConclusionoftheMercantileSystemTHOUGHtheencouragementofexportationandthediscouragementofimportationarethetwogreatenginesbywhichthemercantilesystemproposestoenricheverycountry，yetwithregardtosomeparticularcommoditiesitseemstofollowanoppositeplan:todiscourageexportationandtoencourageimportation。Itsultimateobject，however，itpretends，isalwaysthesame，toenrichthecountrybyanadvantageousbalanceoftrade。Itdiscouragestheexportationofthematerialsofmanufacture，andoftheinstrumentsoftrade，inordertogiveourownworkmenanadvantage，andtoenablethemtoundersellthoseofothernationsinallforeignmarkets;andbyrestraining，inthismanner，theexportationofafewcommodities，ofnogreatprice，itproposestooccasionamuchgreaterandmorevaluableexportationofothers。Itencouragestheimportationofthematerialsofmanufactureinorderthatourownpeoplemaybeenabledtoworkthemupmorecheaply，andtherebypreventagreaterandmorevaluableimportationofthemanufacturedcommodities。Idonotobserve，atleastinourStatuteBook，anyencouragementgiventotheimportationoftheinstrumentsoftrade。Whenmanufactureshaveadvancedtoacertainpitchofgreatness，thefabricationoftheinstrumentsoftradebecomesitselftheobjectofagreatnumberofveryimportantmanufactures。Togiveanyparticularencouragementtotheimportationofsuchinstrumentswouldinterferetoomuchwiththeinterestofthosemanufactures。Suchimportation，therefore，insteadofbeingencouraged，hasfrequentlybeenprohibited。Thustheimportationofwoolcards，exceptfromIreland，orwhenbroughtinaswreckorprizegoods，wasprohibitedbythe3rdofEdwardIV;whichprohibitionwasrenewedbythe39thofElizabeth，andhasbeencontinuedandrenderedperpetualbysubsequentlaws。
Theimportationofthematerialsofmanufacturehassometimesbeenencouragedbyanexemptionfromthedutiestowhichothergoodsaresubject，andsometimesbybounties。
Theimportationofsheep’swoolfromseveraldifferentcountries，ofcottonwoolfromallcountries，ofundressedflax，ofthegreaterpartofdyeingdrugs，ofthegreaterpartofundressedhidesfromIrelandortheBritishcolonies，ofsealskinsfromtheBritishGreenlandfishery，ofpigandbarironfromtheBritishcolonies，aswellasofseveralothermaterialsofmanufacture，hasbeenencouragedbyanexemptionfromallduties，ifproperlyenteredatthecustomhouse。Theprivateinterestofourmerchantsandmanufacturersmay，perhaps，haveextortedfromthelegislaturetheseexemptionsaswellasthegreaterpartofourothercommercialregulations。Theyare，however，perfectlyjustandreasonable，andif，consistentlywiththenecessitiesofthestate，theycouldbeextendedtoalltheothermaterialsofmanufacture，thepublicwouldcertainlybeagainer。
Theavidityofourgreatmanufacturers，however，hasinsomecasesextendedtheseexemptionsagooddealbeyondwhatcanjustlybeconsideredastherudematerialsoftheirwork。Bythe24thGeorgeIII，c。46，asmalldutyofonlyonepennythepoundwasimposedupontheimportationofforeignbrownlinenyam，insteadofmuchhigherdutiestowhichithadbeensubjectedbefore，viz。ofsixpencethepounduponsailyarn，ofoneshillingthepounduponallFrenchandDutchyarn，andoftwopoundsthirteenshillingsandfourpenceuponthehundredweightofallspruceorMuscoviayarn。Butourmanufacturerswerenotlongsatisfiedwiththisreduction。Bythe29thofthesameking，c。
15，thesamelawwhichgaveabountyupontheexportationofBritishandIrishlinenofwhichthepricedidnotexceedeighteenpencetheyard，eventhissmalldutyupontheimportationofbrownlinenyarnwastakenaway。Inthedifferentoperations，however，whicharenecessaryforthepreparationoflinenyarn，agooddealmoreindustryisemployedthaninthesubsequentoperationofpreparinglinenclothfromlinenyarn。Tosaynothingoftheindustryoftheflax—growersandflax—dressers，threeorfourspinners，atleast，arenecessaryinordertokeeponeweaverinconstantemployment;andmorethanfour—fifthsofthewholequantityoflabournecessaryforthepreparationoflinenclothisemployedinthatoflinenyarn;butourspinnersarepoorpeople，womencommonlyscatteredaboutinalldifferentpartsofthecountry，withoutsupportorprotection。Itisnotbythesaleoftheirwork，butbythatofthecompleteworkoftheweavers，thatourgreatmastermanufacturersmaketheirprofits。
Asitistheirinteresttosellthecompletemanufactureasdear，soisittobuythematerialsascheapaspossible。Byextortingfromthelegislaturebountiesupontheexportationoftheirownlinen，highdutiesupontheimportationofallforeignlinen，andatotalprohibitionofthehomeconsumptionofsomesortsofFrenchlinen，theyendeavourtoselltheirowngoodsasdearaspossible。Byencouragingtheimportationofforeignlinenyarn，andtherebybringingitintocompetitionwiththatwhichismadebyourownpeople，theyendeavourtobuytheworkofthepoorspinnersascheapaspossible。Theyareasintenttokeepdownthewagesoftheirownweaversastheearningsofthepoorspinners，anditisbynomeansforthebenefitoftheworkmanthattheyendeavoureithertoraisethepriceofthecompleteworkortolowerthatoftherudematerials。Itistheindustrywhichiscarriedonforthebenefitoftherichandthepowerfulthatisprincipallyencouragedbyourmercantilesystem。Thatwhichiscarriedonforthebenefitofthepoorandtheindigentistooofteneitherneglectedoroppressed。
Boththebountyupontheexportationoflinen，andtheexemptionfromdutyupontheimportationofforeignyarn，whichweregrantedonlyforfifteenyears，butcontinuedbytwodifferentprolongations，expirewiththeendofthesessionofParliamentwhichshallimmediatelyfollowthe24thofJune1786。
TheencouragementgiventotheimportationofthematerialsofmanufacturebybountieshasbeenprincipallyconfinedtosuchaswereimportedfromourAmericanplantations。
ThefirstbountiesofthiskindwerethosegrantedaboutthebeginningofthepresentcenturyupontheimportationofnavalstoresfromAmerica。Underthisdenominationwerecomprehendedtimberfitformasts，yards，andbowsprits;hemp;tar，pitch，andturpentine。Thebounty，however，ofonepoundthetonuponmasting—timber，andthatofsixpoundsthetonuponhemp，wereextendedtosuchasshouldbeimportedintoEnglandfromScotland。Boththesebountiescontinuedwithoutanyvariation，atthesamerate，tilltheywereseverallyallowedtoexpire;thatuponhemponthe1stofJanuary1741，andthatuponmasting—timberattheendofthesessionofParliamentimmediatelyfollowingthe24thJune1781。
Thebountiesupontheimportationoftar，pitch，andturpentineunderwent，duringtheircontinuance，severalalterations。Originallythatupontarwasfourpoundstheton;
thatuponpitchthesame;andthatuponturpentine，threepoundstheton。Thebountyoffourpoundsthetonupontarwasafterwardsconfinedtosuchashadbeenpreparedinaparticularmanner;thatuponothergood，clean，andmerchantabletarwasreducedtotwopoundsfourshillingstheton。Thebountyuponpitchwaslikewisereducedtoonepound;andthatuponturpentinetoonepoundtenshillingstheton。
Thesecondbountyupontheimportationofanyofthematerialsofmanufacture，accordingtotheorderoftime，wasthatgrantedbythe21stGeorgeII，c。30，upontheimportationofindigofromtheBritishplantations。Whentheplantationindigowasworththree—fourthsofthepriceofthebestFrenchindigo，itwasbythisactentitledtoabountyofsixpencethepound。Thisbounty，which，likemostothers，wasgrantedonlyforalimitedtime，wascontinuedbyseveralprolongations，butwasreducedtofourpencethepound。ItwasallowedtoexpirewiththeendofthesessionofParliamentwhichfollowedthe25thMarch1781。
Thethirdbountyofthiskindwasthatgranted（muchaboutthetimethatwewerebeginningsometimestocourtandsometimestoquarrelwithourAmericancolonies）bythe4thGeorgeIII，c。
26，upontheimportationofhemp，orundressedflax，fromtheBritishplantations。Thisbountywasgrantedfortwenty—oneyears，fromthe24thJune1764tothe24thJune1785。Forthefirstsevenyearsitwastobeattherateofeightpoundstheton，forthesecondatsixpounds，andforthethirdatfourpounds。ItwasnotextendedtoScotland，ofwhichtheclimate（althoughhempissometimesraisedthereinsmallquantitiesandofaninferiorquality）isnotveryfitforthatproduce。SuchabountyupontheimportationofScotchflaxintoEnglandwouldhavebeentoogreatadiscouragementtothenativeproduceofthesouthernpartoftheUnitedKingdom。
Thefourthbountyofthiskindwasthatgrantedbythe5thGeorgeIII，c。45，upontheimportationofwoodfromAmerica。Itwasgrantedfornineyears，fromthe1stJanuary1766tothe1stJanuary1775。Duringthefirstthreeyears，itwastobeforeveryhundredandtwentygooddeals，attherateofonepound，andforeveryloadcontainingfiftycubicfeetofothersquaredtimberattherateoftwelveshillings。Forthesecondthreeyears，itwasfordealstobeat。therateoffifteenshillings，andforothersquaredtimberattherateofeightshillings;andforthethirdthreeyears，itwasfordealstobeattherateoftenshillings，andforothersquaredtimberattherateoffiveshillings。
Thefifthbountyofthiskindwasthatgrantedbythe9thGeorgeIII，c。38，upontheimportationofrawsilkfromtheBritishplantations。Itwasgrantedfortwenty—oneyears，fromthe1stJanuary1770tothe1stJanuary1791。Forthefirstsevenyearsitwastobeattherateoftwenty—fivepoundsforeveryhundredpoundsvalue;forthesecondattwentypounds;andforthethirdatfifteenpounds。Themanagementofthesilkworm，andthepreparationofsilk，requiressomuchhandlabour，andlabourissoverydearinAmericathateventhisgreatbounty，Ihavebeeninformed，wasnotlikelytoproduceanyconsiderableeffect。
Thesixthbountyofthiskindwasthatgrantedby2ndGeorgeIII，c。50，fortheimportationofpipe，hogshead，andbarrelstavesandheadingfromtheBritishplantations。Itwasgrantedfornineyears，from1stJanuary1772tothe1stJanuary1781。
Forthefirstthreeyearsitwasforacertainquantityofeachtobeattherateofsixpounds;forthesecondthreeyearsatfourpounds;andforthethirdthreeyearsattwopounds。
Theseventhandlastbountyofthiskindwasthatgrantedbythe19thGeorgeIII，c。37，upontheimportationofhempfromIreland。ItwasgrantedinthesamemannerasthatfortheimportationofhempandundressedflaxfromAmerica，fortwenty—oneyears，fromthe24thJune1779tothe24thJune1800。
Thistermisdivided，likewise，intothreeperiodsofsevenyearseach;andineachofthoseperiodstherateoftheIrishbountyisthesamewiththatoftheAmerican。Itdoesnot，however，liketheAmericanbounty，extendtotheimportationofundressedflax。
ItwouldhavebeentoogreatadiscouragementtothecultivationofthatplantinGreatBritain。Whenthislastbountywasgranted，theBritishandIrishlegislatureswerenotinmuchbetterhumourwithoneanotherthantheBritishandAmericanhadbeenbefore。ButthisboontoIreland，itistobehoped，hasbeengrantedundermorefortunateauspicesthanallthosetoAmerica。
ThesamecommoditiesuponwhichwethusgavebountieswhenimportedfromAmericaweresubjectedtoconsiderabledutieswhenimportedfromanyothercountry。TheinterestofourAmericancolonieswasregardedasthesamewiththatofthemothercountry。Theirwealthwasconsideredasourwealth。Whatevermoneywassentouttothem，itwassaid，cameallbacktousbythebalanceoftrade，andwecouldneverbecomeafarthingthepoorerbyanyexpensewhichwecouldlayoutuponthem。Theywereourownineveryrespect，anditwasanexpenselaidoutupontheimprovementofourownpropertyandfortheprofitableemploymentofourownpeople。Itisunnecessary，Iapprehend，atpresenttosayanythingfurtherinordertoexposethefollyofasystemwhichfatalexperiencehasnowsufficientlyexposed。HadourAmericancoloniesreallybeenapartofGreatBritain，thosebountiesmighthavebeenconsideredasbountiesuponproduction，andwouldstillhavebeenliabletoalltheobjectionstowhichsuchbountiesareliable，buttonoother。
Theexportationofthematerialsofmanufactureissometimesdiscouragedbyabsoluteprohibitions，andsometimesbyhighduties。
Ourwoollenmanufacturershavebeenmoresuccessfulthananyotherclassofworkmeninpersuadingthelegislaturethattheprosperityofthenationdependeduponthesuccessandextensionoftheirparticularbusiness。Theyhavenotonlyobtainedamonopolyagainsttheconsumersbyanabsoluteprohibitionofimportingwoollenclothsfromanyforeigncountry，buttheyhavelikewiseobtainedanothermonopolyagainstthesheepfarmersandgrowersofwoolbyasimilarprohibitionoftheexportationoflivesheepandwool。Theseverityofmanyofthelawswhichhavebeenenactedforthesecurityoftherevenueisveryjustlycomplainedof，asimposingheavypenaltiesuponactionswhich，antecedenttothestatutesthatdeclaredthemtobecrimes，hadalwaysbeenunderstoodtobeinnocent。Butthecruellestofourrevenuelaws，Iwillventuretoaffirm，aremildandgentleincomparisonofsomeofthosewhichtheclamourofourmerchantsandmanufacturershasextortedfromthelegislatureforthesupportoftheirownabsurdandoppressivemonopolies。LikethelawsofDraco，theselawsmaybesaidtobeallwritteninblood。
Bythe8thofElizabeth，c。3，theexporterofsheep，lambs，orramswasforthefirstoffencetoforfeitallhisgoodsforever，tosufferayear’simprisonment，andthentohavehislefthandcutoffinamarkettownuponamarketday，tobetherenailedup;andforthesecondoffencetobeadjudgedafelon，andtosufferdeathaccordingly。Topreventthebreedofoursheepfrombeingpropagatedinforeigncountriesseemstohavebeentheobjectofthislaw。Bythe13thand14thofCharlesII，c。18，theexportationofwoolwasmadefelony，andtheexportersubjectedtothesamepenaltiesandforfeituresasafelon。
Forthehonourofthenationalhumanity，itistobehopedthatneitherofthesestatuteswereeverexecuted。Thefirstofthem，however;sofarasIknow，hasneverbeendirectlyrepealed，andSerjeantHawkinsseemstoconsideritasstillinforce。Itmayhowever，perhaps，beconsideredasvirtuallyrepealedbythe12thofCharlesII，c。32，sect。3，which，withoutexpresslytakingawaythepenaltiesimposedbyformerstatutes，imposesanewpenalty，viz。，thatoftwentyshillingsforeverysheepexported，orattemptedtobeexported，togetherwiththeforfeitureofthesheepandoftheowner’sshareoftheship。Thesecondofthemwasexpresslyrepealedbythe7thand8thofWilliamIII，c。28，sect。4。Bywhichitisdeclaredthat，\"Whereasthestatuteofthe13thand14thofKingCharlesII，madeagainsttheexportationofwool，amongotherthingsinthesaidactmentioned，dothenactthesametobedeemedfelony;bytheseverityofwhichpenaltytheprosecutionofoffendershathnotbeensoeffectuallyputinexecution:Beit，therefore，enactedbytheauthorityaforesaid，thatsomuchofthesaidact，whichrelatestothemakingthesaidoffencefelony，berepealedandmadevoid。\"
Thepenalties，however，whichareeitherimposedbythismilderstatute，orwhich，thoughimposedbyformerstatutes，arenotrepealedbythisone，arestillsufficientlysevere。Besidestheforfeitureofthegoods，theexporterincursthepenaltyofthreeshillingsforeverypoundweightofwooleitherexportedorattemptedtobeexported，thatisaboutfourorfivetimesthevalue。Anymerchantorotherpersonconvictedofthisoffenceisdisabledfromrequiringanydebtoraccountbelongingtohimfromanyfactororotherperson。Lethisfortunebewhatitwill，whetherheisorisnotabletopaythoseheavypenalties，thelawmeanstoruinhimcompletely。Butasthemoralsofthegreatbodyofthepeoplearenotyetsocorruptasthoseofthecontriversofthisstatute，Ihavenotheardthatanyadvantagehaseverbeentakenofthisclause。Ifthepersonconvictedofthisoffenceisnotabletopaythepenaltieswithinthreemonthsafterjudgment，heistobetransportedforsevenyears，andifhereturnsbeforetheexpirationofthatterm，heisliabletothepainsoffelony，withoutbenefitofclergy。Theowneroftheship，knowingthisoffence，forfeitsallhisinterestintheshipandfurniture。Themasterandmariners，knowingthisoffence，forfeitalltheirgoodsandchattels，andsufferthreemonths’
imprisonment。Byasubsequentstatutethemastersufferssixmonths’imprisonment。