rially from this in common years; and when prices 

 rise, the natural competition of the sugar will, 

 without violence, gradually displace the grain, and 

 set it free for human consumption. The more 

 deeply, and in the greater variety of lights, we view 

 this great principle of competition, the more shall 

 we be convinced that it adjusts all things best for 

 the public advantage. 



It is on this last ground, indeed, that I feel the 

 chief objection to the proposed measure, and am 

 least disposed to allow the particular reasons al- 

 leged as an excuse for it. However minute in 

 extent, or limited in time, its operation may be, 

 it bears too strongly the marks of a departure 

 from the great law of equal and steady protec- 

 tion, and too much resembles the sacrifice of ge- 

 neral interests to the spirit of mercantile mono- 

 poly. It had better appear (if it must appear) 

 under any form than this. To depart from the 

 principles of a general policy on every trifling 

 occasion, and to substitute for it the petty resource 

 of temporary and shifting expedients, is a system 

 of legislation the least becoming a great and ci- 



must be allowed to remain as they are ; partly because all change! 

 of this kind are attended with some eril ; and partly because, when 

 we are driven to a choice between our home agriculture and our, 

 colonies, there can be no doubt which must yield. The relief of 

 the colonists may be managed in some other way. 



