514 Preference to Domestic Productions. 



their price be at least as high as that at which they can be 

 raised in Britain, in seasons of moderate fertility, and gra- 

 dually to diminish that duty as prices rise, but still, -giving a 

 decided preference, to the produce of the agriculture of the 

 united kingdoms. 



The exportation and importation of grain, and other agri- 

 cultural productions, either duty free, or at low rates, in 

 justness and equity, can only take place between nations, 

 where the value of money is the same, where they are sub- 

 ject to the same weight of taxation, are similarly situated in 

 regard to soil and climate, and live in amity with each 

 other ( i5 ). 



SECT. VI. To encourage the Exportation of any Surplus 

 Produce. 



IT is likewise highly expedient, to promote the exporta- 

 tion of domestic produce, if there be any redundancy, after 

 supplying the demand at home. It is not sufficient to per- 

 mit the exportation ; but it may be necessary, for the en- 

 couragement of domestic cultivation, and in order that the 

 articles grown at home, may be enabled to meet the pro- 

 ductions of other countries, in foreign markets, on equal 

 terms, to give what is called a bounty on exportation. No- 

 thing, however, can be more erroneous, than to consider 

 that encouragement a bounty, when it is in fact a draivback, 

 under another name. The farmers at home, are subjected 

 to a variety of taxes, which are not imposed on their foreign 

 competitors. To enable them to meet on equal terms, they 

 are entitled to receive an allowance, on every quarter of 

 grain exported, equal to what they had actually paid on its 

 account to the public, under various denominations. It is 

 but just, that the government should repay the taxes it had 

 received, on what is thus exported, to enable the farmers, 

 under its protection, to enter into a fair competition with 

 foreign cultivation ; more especially if the rates at which 

 importation is allowed, are so fixed for the benefit of the 

 manufacturers, that the corn growers can, at no period, 

 obtain great profits, the increased price being, in general, 

 only a bare compensation for deficiency of produce. 



