A great deal
surely. But the present view shall be confined to the one
description named. 7 millions of livres, are 9 millions of days work
of those who raise card, spin and weave the wool and flax; and at 300
working days to the year, would maintain 30,000 people. To introduce
these simple manufactures suppose government to give 5 per cent. on
the value of what should be exported of them, for 10. years to come.
If none should be exported, nothing would be to be paid; but on the
other hand, if the manufactures, with this encouragement should rise
to the full demand, it will be a sacrifice of 351,000livres. a year
for 10. years only, to produce a perpetual subsistence for more than
30,000 people, (for the demand will grow with our population) while
she must expend perpetually 1,285,000livres. a year to maintain the
3,570 seamen, who would supply her with whale oil: that is to say,
for each seaman as much as for 30. labourers and manufacturers.
But to return to our subject, and to conclude.
Whether then we consider the Arret of Sept. 28. in a political
or a commercial light, it would seem that the U. S. should be
excepted from its operation. Still more so when they invoke against
it the amity subsisting between the two nations, the desire of
binding them together by every possible interest and connection, the
several acts in favour of this exception, the dignity of legislation
which admits not of changes backwards and forwards, the interests of
commerce which require steady regulations, the assurances of the
friendly motives which have led the king to pass these acts, and the
hope that no cause will arise to change either his motives or his
measures towards us.
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