10 An Ess 07/ on Commerce. 



lead me to too great a length for what I intend, viz. — only 

 a short essay. Let one observation suffice : Compare the . 

 duty on wine in this country with the duty on English 

 malt liquor in some others. The people in foreign countries 

 are as much astonished to hear the low price at which our 

 ale and porter can be made, as we are to hear the price at 

 which the cuUivator of the grape can sell his wine. One can 

 scarcely be prevented from thinking that it is surely a mis- 

 taken, not to say a cruelj policy, which thus prevents the 

 great bulk of the people from enjoying those bounties of 

 Providence which the earth sends forth in such abundance. 

 If my memory is to be trusted, it is to this commercial 

 jealousy we owe most of the wars which for more than a 

 century past have tormented mankind, and destroyed mil- 

 lions of the human race : and, what yet is a more melan- 

 choly reflection, this daemon of discord seems only to be in- 

 creasing in strength and plotting fresh inroads on the hap- 

 piness of mankind. I will, however, beg leave to observe, 

 that the idea of universal empire, encouraged by successive 

 victories, and of commanding the trade of the world into one 

 emporium, however flattering to the conquering hero or 

 adventurous merchant, both alike are destructive to the gene- 

 ral happiness of mankind : and I am persuaded, that as soon, 

 will the immutable laws of the universe be changed, — the 

 different climates of this earth send forth the same produc- 

 tions, — as either will be realized. A small recollection of his- 

 tory will fully convince us, that ambition had no sooner 

 supposed that her wishes were to be gratified, than the 

 mightv fabric has tumbled in pieces, and brought the vain 

 projector to a premature death, or to linger out a few years 

 covered with shame, disgrace, and remorse. Such, I am 

 persuaded, will be the natural consequence of all over- 

 strained ambitious speculations. T make no doubt but many 

 will recollect several instances of some persons in this coun- 

 try, of large fortunes, extensive credit, and wide-spread con- 

 nections ; who, not satisfied with all these, but prompted by 

 ambition, wished to bring all under their grasp ; and in the 

 pride of their hearts have declared. My warehouses, or my 

 granaries, shall be the general depot of such or such aa 



article^ 



