258 



impolitic treaty of commerce with England in 1786, which led to the 

 ruin of her productive labor, while that of Persia and modern Greece, 

 Egypt and the Turkish provinces present instances of the languishing ef- 

 fect of deficiency in national industry. Indeed, were we to scan the page 

 of our own history, although youthful in our existence as a nation, we 

 might find much to condemn in the operation of government on this 

 important branch of political economy, r.nd learn lessons of wisdom 

 and value of inestimable effect upon the future career of our nation. 



Commerce, also, to be profitable to the nation and to the merchant, 

 likewise requires that protection should be given by government to na- 

 tional industry. Our colonial history — a history exemplifying the dis- 

 astrous effect of dependence upon a foreign nation — clearly indicates 

 such necessity. While the colonies were obliged to exchanoe the raw 

 material for the manufactured article, the mother country derived all the 

 advantages and profits of lal^or and commerce. It brought no funds 

 to tht' coffers of the colonists, and consequently kept them in an im- 

 poverished condition. This was the policy of England, in order that 

 she might foster and promote the industry of her own immediate peo- 

 ple. That very industry sustained her commerce, and gave to it its 

 basis,* The people were incited to industry, and the nation became 

 active, prosperous and great. From that involuntary dependence and 

 slavish contribution to the welfare of Great Britain, the colonists finally 

 emancipated themselves, and declared the ability of the people to pre- 

 serve thevnselves independent. Indeed, so earnest was the spirit of en- 

 tire independence, that the immortal Jefierson, the author of the great 

 Declaration, seeing and fully understanding and appreciating its extent, 

 could not withhold the expression of his concurrence in the wish of 

 Silas Deane"i/«ai there were an ocean of fire between this and the 

 old world f' while Franklin, too, in answer to taunts in England, when 

 asked what the United States would do for cloths if they went to war 

 with Greit Britain, remarked that " the American people can make 

 their own cloths, or wear their old clothes over again^ 



The true policy of our government from that time to the present, 

 and through all time to come, should have been to foster, strengthen 

 and cherish that same spirit, discountenancing all that was foreign and 



•Lord Shfffield, in his oliservntions on Ampriean commerce, says, " The only use or advan- 

 taire of Amcri^ an Colonies or West India Islands, is the monoiJoly of their consumption, and 

 the carriage of their produce. 



