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land, were the reciprocal workings of a free government 

 and of trade — such, in the Republics of Italy, during the 

 16th century. That distinguished citizen of Holland, 

 the pensionary De Witt, lays it down as an axiom, that 

 " commerce cannot long prosper under arbitrary govern- 

 ment ;" and this axiom is confirmed equally by our own 

 history and by that of other nations. The tyrannical 

 decrees of a Louis or a Napoleon may, for a time, create 

 an enlargement of trade in certain channels ; but such a 

 system soon recoils upon itself, and under it such despots 

 will in vain labour to acquire * Ships, Colonies, and 

 Commerce.' " 



