Political Arithmetic . 
Antiently, Tyre, Sidon, Carthage, before the Macedonians and 
Romans : Athens subdued by Lacedsemon : Corinth, Syracuse, 
Alexandria, by the Romans: Byzantium, by the followers of Ma« 
hornet. Where are Venice, Geneva, the Hans Towns, Holland ? 
In commercial nations, surplus wealth is mostly expended in ar- 
tides of luxurious consumption, qua ipso usu consumuntur , and 
yield no profit. 
In agricultural countries, a far greater portion is spent in sub- 
stantial improvements on estates ; in luxuries perhaps, but in per- 
manent and productive luxuries. Hence provisions are cheap, 
population thick ; the raw materials of warfare easy to be found. 
What then are we to conclude? Prohibit commerce? Refuse 
protection to cur citizens engaged in lawful occupations ? Are not 
oui merchants as much entitled to defence as any other class ? No» 
Prohibit nothing : but protect no speculation, no investment of 
capital at an expence beyond its national value. 
If wars are necessarily attendant upon commerce, it is far wiser 
to dispense with it ; and imitate the nations who have flourished 
without foreign trade. Those who want your commodities will 
fetch them away. If they will go to China for tea-cups, they will f 
come to America for breach But if your merchants chaise, this 
mode of investing their capital, do not forbid them. Let them do 
it like other adventurers, at their own risk. While it is profitable, 
let them pursue it ; but should the quarrels of other nations, ren- 
der it unprofitable, do not bolster it up by the bounty of protection, i 
at an expence of ten times its value, and at the hazard even of - 
national existence. Foreign trade with peace is desirable, but not. 
so if it be the parent of war. 
All wars should be defensive wars, and those only : pro arts et 
focis, for our houses and hemes. Can we call a war undertaken to 
protect a mercantile speculation 5000 miles off, a defensive war ? 
At any rate, sit down and count the cost. If the expence of 
fencing my garden lot against depredation, will exceed the value 
of the ground, and involve me in a law suit into the bargain, I had 
better let it remain uncultivated. 
If any profession is to be festered, let it be the tiller of the 
earth : the fountain-head of all wealth, of all power, and all pros- 
perity. Improve your roads, clear your rivers, cut your canals, 
build your bridges, establish schools and colleges, facilitate inter- 
course, and diffuse knowledge of all kinds. No fear but if you raise 
produce and people, they will find their market, either at home or 
