3i4 
HISTORY OF THE [book vr. 
in his power to force his own price; who does not 
see, as an inevitable consequence, that a decrease 
in the consumption will soon bring the price back 
to its level? The products of the West Indies are 
rather among the luxuries than the necessaries of 
life, and the great consumption of sugar especially, 
is with the middle and lower classes of people, who 
can, and undoubtedly will, lay it aside when reasons 
of frugality require it. If any one doubts that this 
will be the effect, let him only inquire of any coun¬ 
try groeer as to the fact, at a time when Muscovado 
sugar, in consequence of the calamities that have 
been stated, and from captures in war, rose suddenly 
one-fourth in value : he will find that the diminu¬ 
tion in the consumption in many parts of the king¬ 
dom, was in a much greater relative proportion ;— 
a more fatal symptom cannot attend any branch of 
commerce, 
If the arguments which have thus been stated 
are not sufficient in themselves to justify the remon¬ 
strances which the planters of the West Indies have 
thought it incumbent on them, from time to time, 
to urge against the increase of duties, there are facts 
to be adduced, which must convince the most sel¬ 
fish and incredulous. 
The instance of indigo has been mentioned al¬ 
ready ; and it cannot be repeated too often.—The 
planters complained of the duties on that article, as 
they have since complained of those on sugar, and 
they were told then, as they are constantly told in 
