In the
other scale are the interests of the adventurers in the whale
fishery; each of whom indeed, politically considered may be of more
importance to the state than a simple labourer or manufacturer: but
to make the estimate with the accuracy it merits, we should multiply
the numbers in each scale into their individual importance, and see
which preponderates.
Both governments have seen with concern that their commercial
intercourse does not grow as rapidly as they would wish. The system
of the United States is to use neither prohibitions nor premiums.
Commerce there regulates itself freely, and asks nothing better.
Where a government finds itself under the necessity of undertaking
that regulation, it would seem that it should conduct it as an
intelligent merchant would: that is to say, invite customers to
purchase, by facilitating their means of payment, and by adapting
goods to their taste. If this idea be just, government here has two
operations to attend to, with respect to the commerce of the United
States. 1. To do away, or to moderate, as much as possible, the
prohibitions and monopolies of their materials for payment. 2. To
encourage the institution of the principal manufactures which the
necessities, or the habits of their new customers call for.
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