164 
Political Arithmetic • 
any good government be afraid to admit it, subject to some reason® 
able modifications in the exercise. Nor ought the slavish doctrines 
of Story’s case and Calvin’s case, to settle the law of the present day. 
But as the law now stands with us , how can we obtrude the question l 
For all these difficulties, we may thank the commercial system. 
This war may continue a dozen years for aught we know ; and it is 
more than probable that our seaports will be bombarded. Is the 
commercial system worth this l will it remunerate us ? It is now 
clear, that a navy, and a standing army, will both become perma- 
nently necessary ; and I shall not be sorry to see the one and the 
other extended far enough for home defence, and no further. But 
the navy will not stop here ; the mercantile interest, will urge with 
incessant perseverance, its increase, for defence, not of our sea coast 
at home, but of their vessels abroad : and then keep clear of wars if 
you can. At what expence their ships are defended they care not*. 
They look to their own interest, and leave other people to do the 
same : and who can blame them ? 
The following is the first of a series of papers that I will occa- 
sionally dedicate to this most interesting subject, in which I shall 
insert such views of the question, as have occurred to me, since the 
following Essay was written. T. C. 
— — ««■ — 
Commercial Licences granted by the English Government.- 
In 1802 
68 
In 1807 
2606 
1803 
836 
1808 
4910 
1804 
1,141 
1809 
15,226 
1805 
791 
1810 
18,356 
1806 
1,620 
1811 
7,602 
POLITICAL ARITHMETIC. 
The comparative value of the Agricultural and Commercial 
systems, begins now to be somewhat understood in Europe, among 
those who have turned their attention to political economy. But I 
suspect it is anew subject here. It is a very important one every 
where ; and I sincerely hope, we shall endeavour to profit in this 
