Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-05-18

miliiohs, ana cunning twenty SIX millions
Is forty three millions Of dollars. gained by
manufacturing these supplies, without taxi
ing INTO account the benefit that would re-
suit to the country, from distributing thirty
millions ofdollars among our own citizens
Tor these supplies, instead OF senGin" !, to
foreign nations.
Inc sums here taken. excepting the un-
favorable balance on the last years trade,
are conlectural, and the difference, in ia
cor IF manufacturing our supplies, may be
overrated but lift should amount to only
one halt the sum here stated, it would
make most important change in the Cir
cumstances of the country.
1t may be objected to this scheme of
manufacturing our supplies, that it cannot
be carried into effect without measures
nearly equal to an exclusion of forea-n
goods OF the kinds tn be manufactured at
nome !; and IN that event the manufacturer
would ext rt unreasonable prices. This
is an objection in some measure well found
ed, but 1t ought not to GO for more than il
IS worth and allowing to it its grea est
weight, tits worth (; aud allowing To it its
greatest weight, it is not an insuperable OBJ
lection; we must either manufacture our
clothiug, or procure it from other coun-
tries and in either case this objection will
meet US, ont rith more than double force.
u we RELY on foreign countries for necess-
ary supplies. Whenever commerce is dis.
turoed by war, the price of goods import
Ell from abroad will be enhanced we have
seen them at three or four times their usu.
al price, tor gears together, from this cause;
and as often as our commerce on the ocean
shall be disturbed by war, this evil will re.
cur, ii we continue to rely on foreign sun.
plies but 1t we manufacture for ourselves.
1t can happen but once. When manufacto.
ries are established in extent equal TO the
supply of our wants, the evil viii cease.
ana cannot recur a competition for the
market will keep the prices moderate. On
.hat Whatever force there may be in this OBJ
Jecuon, II pears much more powerfully a.
gainst relying on TO eign countries for sun.
Pies, than against making them at home.
|; will also be objected that the mea-
'ures necessary to the introduction uf hone
manufactures, would lead TO smuggling.
and destroy the morals of our neople. This
% has some weight. it lies also against all
duties and restr ctions on imports for the
SUPPORT "f tie trea ury but shall this OBJ
lection be allowed to deprive the nation of
ali annual benefit of forty three millions Of
dollars The Individual that would allow
II such weight, In the management of his
private concerns, would be thought a fit
tenant Tor mad-house. Many other OBJ
Jections OF some weight might be rftered a.
gFn't manufacturing our supplies of cloth
at hume. But when put in comDetiuen
with The benefit TO be derived from it, by
the nation, and by individuals, they will
deserve but little consideration,
1t would be most desirable object. if
some eligible mode could be adopted. Of
Keeping our imports within the amount of
ur exports, or OF extending our exnnrts.
so as fairly TO cOuntervaii our imnnrts
Without this, we will always be subiect IN
occasional drawing of specie, that will rem
ner our CT Gu ating me !ium fiuctuatinr and
insecure and no mode appears more ike
ly to secure this object, than such meo-
sures as will insure the manufacture of :,
considerable portIon of our suonlies at
home. On this subject. we probably miebt
borrow principles of action from EnoIand
with advantage-the leading maxim of her
'nternai policy is, To permit the consump-
tIon OF nothing In the country, that she can
make at home, or do without. :, strictly
mas she adhered to this principle, that she
will not permit the use, ecen of FOREIGN
bread stutfs, until the price has risen to =
point that Threatens starvation. Butshe en-
courages exportation and manufacturers to
the utmost extent in her power, by bum.
ties. drawbacks and debcntures and the
wisdom ofthis cOurso i evinced by the in
crease 4 that wealth and power which has
accrued to the na'ion from it. We have.
been much lnc!ired to follow the fnntstens
"f that nation. III many branches of her in
ternal policy /; and WHY we should differ
from her in this particular, is not easy to
be- accounted for, ar recOnciled with the
pu lie interest IF the couutry A nation
does not proper so much by buying cheap
bargains, as by selling much and buying
little and nation that continues TO buT
more than it sells, although it gets great
barglns in all it buys, will soon be inyoyv-
ed in misery and distress. This is mentim-
ell to rebut an argument ia favor of unre-
strained lmportations founded on the idea
Of the country procuring cheap supplies
supplies are bow cheap, if we regard onIy
the money paid for them but when all cir
are considered, it is believed
we are paying very dearly for this nomi.
nal chcapneSs.