34^ 



Sect, ii. 

 Of Proteding Duties. 



The courfe of my fubjeft, naturally leads me to protefting duties. — Vari- 

 ous grounds of objeftion, to this mode of encouraging manufaftures, pre- 

 fent themfelves. The impofition of fuch duties, is not only objeftionable, 

 on the general principles of political economy, but there are additional 

 prudential reafons againfl: it, fuggefled by political relations, and the pe- 

 culiar fituation of Ireland. 



* Protefting duties, impofed by this country, whether amounting to a pro- 

 hibition ; or only, (which would be a preferable courfe) tending, to place 

 our manufaftures on an equal degree of footing, in the home market, with 

 thofe of Britain ; would wear an invidious appearance, of hoftility, againfl 

 that country, whofejealoufy, it would be imprudence in us, to excite; and 

 whofe affeftion, we fliould endeavour, to conciliate. We have fuffered 

 much, it is true, from the miftaken policy, and groundlefs malignity of the 

 filler country, but, it is to be hoped, that thofe evil days of blindnefs, and 

 illiberality are pad ; that, more humane and rational maxims prevail ; and 

 that the two countries, united, as they are, in fate, will open their eyes to 

 fee, that they have one common interelt. An Englijhman, if he js not 

 blinded by his prejudices, mud be fenfible, that whatfoever enriches Ireland, 

 mull, ultimately tend to the ftrength and fupport oi Britain. I would chufe 

 rather to truft to the gradual operation of refleclions and principles, than 

 to encounter illiberality with illiberality, and refort to a fyllem of protefting 

 duties, inimical in its afpeft, as to the part of the empire, to which we 

 belong, and queflionable, as to the benefit of which it may be produdlive. 



I confider protecting duties, as tending to introduce fupinenefs and care- 



leffnefs, 



• The Reader is again to be reminded, that this Trafl was written, antecedently to the 

 measure of a legiflative Union, 



