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338 



THE TREATY OF COMMERCE 



with common prudence, their own downfall may 

 be prevented, and the unhappiness of a whole 

 people for the space of one generation may be 

 rendered unnecessary. The government has 

 much to do before the people will or ought 

 to be satisfied ; and the people have been too 

 much accustomed to submission, to be excited 

 to a change of government, unless the grievances 

 under which they suffer are of such magnitude 

 as to be too considerable to be borne. 



The reformation which would, I think, re- 

 concile the people, is not of very difficult 

 execution. Judicious taxation, instead of the 

 system which exists, is requisite in the first 

 place ; the articles of primary necessity are 

 heavily taxed, such as provisions of all descrip- 

 tions ; and the same occurs with respect to the 

 most important articles of trade. An impartial 

 administration of justice ought in the second 

 place to be provided for. The abolition of all 

 monopolies, and of the system of farming the 

 taxes. A decrease in the power of civil and 

 military magistrates : a change in the manner 

 of recruiting : a suppression of great numbers 

 of the civil and military officers of government, 

 — by the existence of these, taxation is rendered 

 much heavier than it otherwise would be, fees 

 are augmented, and the redress of grievances 

 becomes more difficult because responsibility is 

 more divided. The misconduct of each person 



