Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-03-17
For the Phenix Gazette.
No. &.

GENTLEMEN: To the adoption Of the propos-
sd measure for regulating our foreign COM
mcrce, the following appear 10 me 10 be the
most important objections that have been rrg-
ed, viz: that it is opposed to the principles OF
"Free Trade" to which Great Britain, alter
Ionp expe rience, is returning-,ha, IL will de-
s,roy our navigation and commerce, and diml>
nish our revenue-tha; il will operate unfavo-
rably on our Southern brethren-and that
willis, its effect will be to increase the expenses
If every other part of the community, all It's
benefits will attach exclusively 10 the Northern
manufacturers beg leave to Invite your a.
,en,,on to each Of these objections in the order
in which they are stated.
There is no subjrc,, on which greater de-
ore. of delusion exis's, than on what, in oom-
mon parIance, is denomina,ed "her trade -
An abstract truism is stated the authority oil
IN. abIest political writer's is quoted in us la
vor. and differences are drawn from IT, sanction
Cd neither by The terms Of lheproposi:i'n, nor
bv the authorities depended ON for their sup
mort. That It is the interest Of nations 10 "buy
where they can buy cheapest, anu sell where
they can sell dearest" is proposition so en-
,irslv accordanl with individual experience,
that il needs not the powerful authority OF
Adam Smith 10 insure its ready and universal
retention. But when il is represented, as a
necessary corollary from this proposition, hat
!, is still the interest Of nations "to buy where
they can buy cheapest" soen Laogga iasY canao!
s-ssne original proposition aud its pretended CON-
sequence.
The former supposes fair and regular in
terchange Of commodities betneen The differ
ent nations of the earth, each bringing to the
common market, that which it can alse cheap
est, and taking in return, whal it can buy cheap
err than il can raise. The latter, OH the contra
ry, exhibits state OF things, in which, while
some are ma:nt aiming in good faith, the princi-
pies OF Stree trade" others are reversing the |
natural order of things, and ~ regulations in.
,endrd for The purpose, constituting the msel.es
into vendors only. The first go, as Usual, with |
their natural productions 10 the market, and as
usual buy what they want; but when tn, y come
10 sell, they find their purchasers Withdrawn,
aud themselves burden ed not only with the pru-
duets Of their own industry. bu, " i,h the CONS
modilies Of others, for which they have paid
the earnings Of a previous year. And shall |
be told that the principles of Stree trade" re-
QuiIe perseverance in this course, and that
the soothing idea "of buying where you can
buy cheap s." Is /" be ample compensation for
labor and dis,ipated capi,aR :
To me, gentlemen, il seems that this is pre-, :
cisely the condition Of our native state. She t
goes, year af,er wear, to the markets of Eu,up, /
With her natural slaPles-her corn. her wheat
md her tobacco. She buys, with the reckless, :,
less of former days, whatever she wants. or W
whatever may please her fancy. But when She.
fftrs 10 sell, she is toll by one, her c,mmodi- W
les are not wanted. Another says TO her, "we a.
re determined TO discourage the use Of your -
obacco, and have, for tina: purpose, subjected Il
10 \ duty ten times as great as the price At al
hich you offer to sell it; we can there fore tax. II
ut little, and that little must be cheap. As 4,
your grain we can no longer aft I'D TO huv ~ a,
all and have determined to raise il ourselves. nc
ut this need not interfere with your purchas.
/ axe OF Our manufactures, what you pleas,
i've us your notes at six and twelve months. r.
nd pay US when Convenient" To Virpi. Sd
ian, you know, this last appeal is irresistible on
e takes the preferred goods, returns with his -
lrPius produce, sets quietly 10 work 10 r,is> s:
< more; nils his barn and empties his pocket: m,
items his rats, but impoverishes himself: and or
hen pay day comes, sells his negroes IN he
u'hern trader, and his lands 10 some greedy un
equator; and sets off for the WEST satisfied Wv ~.
I'll having maintained the principles of "Iree inc
ade," and having always Slough, where h. still
uld buy cheapest" wit
I .,,.,, - ~, ss,,I.,an att
ie' p's Is -
faithful picture Of things at homel Anu, "