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graziers of Great Britain as that of live cattle。 Salt provisions
are not only a very bulky commodity； but when compared with fresh
meat； they are a commodity both of worse quality； and as they
cost more labour and expense； of higher price。 They could never；
therefore； come into competition with the fresh meat； though they
might with the salt provisions of the country。 They might be used
for victualling ships for distant voyages and such like uses； but
could never make any considerable part of the food of the people。
The small quantity of salt provisions imported from Ireland since
their importation was rendered free is an experimental proof that
our graziers have nothing to apprehend from it。 It does not
appear that the price of butcher's meat has ever been sensibly
affected by it。
Even the free importation of foreign corn could very little
affect the interest of the farmers of Great Britain。 Corn is a
much more bulky commodity than butcher's meat。 A pound of wheat
at a penny is as dear as a pound of butcher's meat at fourpence。
The small quantity of foreign corn imported even in times of the
greatest scarcity may satisfy our farmers that they can have
nothing to fear from the freest importation。 The average quantity
imported； one year with another； amounts only； according to the
very well informed author of the tracts upon the corn trade； to
twenty…three thousand seven hundred and twenty…eight quarters of
all sorts of grain； and does not exceed the five hundred and
seventy…first part of the annual consumption。 But as the bounty
upon corn occasions a greater exportation in years of plenty； so
it must of consequence occasion a greater importation in years of
scarcity than in the actual state of tillage would otherwise take
place。 By means of it the plenty of one year does not compensate
the scarcity of another； and as the average quantity exported is
necessarily augmented by it； so must likewise； in the actual
state of tillage； the average quantity imported。 If there were no
bounty； as less corn would be exported； so it is probable that；
one year with another； less would be imported than at present。
The corn…merchants； the fetchers and carriers of corn between
Great Britain and foreign countries would have much less
employment； and might suffer considerably； but the country
gentlemen and farmers could suffer very little。 It is in the corn
merchants accordingly； rather than in the country gentlemen and
farmers； that I have observed the greatest anxiety for the
renewal and continuation of the bounty。
Country gentlemen and farmers are； to their great honour； of
all people； the least subject to the wretched spirit of monopoly。
The undertaker of a great manufactory is sometimes alarmed if
another work of the same kind is established within twenty miles
of him。 The Dutch undertaker of the woollen manufacture at
Abbeville stipulated that no work of the same kind should be
established within thirty leagues of that city。 Farmers and
country gentlemen； on the contrary； are generally disposed rather
to promote than to obstruct the cultivation and improvement of
their neighbours' farms and estates。 They have no secrets such as
those of the greater part of manufacturers； but are generally
rather fond of communicating to their neighbours and of extending
as far as possible any new practice which they have found to be
advantageous。 Pius Questus； says old Cato； stabilissimusque；
minimeque invidiosus； minimeque male cogitantes sunt； qui in eo
studio occupati sunt。 Country gentlemen and farmers； dispersed in
different parts of the country； cannot so easily combine as
merchants and manufacturers； who； being collected into towns； and
accustomed to that exclusive corporation spirit which prevails in
them； naturally endeavour to obtain against all their countrymen
the same exclusive privilege which they generally possess against
the inhabitants of their respective towns。 They accordingly seem
to have been the original inventors of those restraints upon the
importation of foreign goods which secure to them the monopoly of
the home market。 It was probably in imitation of them； and to put
themselves upon a level with those who； they found； were disposed
to oppress them； that the country gentlemen and farmers of Great
Britain in so far forgot the generosity which is natural to their
station as to demand the exclusive privilege of supplying their
countrymen with corn and butcher's meat。 They did not perhaps
take time to consider how much less their interest could be
affected by the freedom of trade than that of the people whose
example they followed。
To prohibit by a perpetual law the importation of foreign
corn and cattle is in reality to enact that the population and
industry of the country shall at no time exceed what the rude
produce of its own soil can maintain。
There seem； however； to be two cases in which it will
generally be advantageous to lay some burden upon foreign for the
encouragement of domestic industry。
The first is； when some particular sort of industry is
necessary for the defence of the country。 The defence of Great
Britain； for example； depends very much upon the number of its
sailors and shipping。 The Act of Navigation； therefore； very
properly endeavours to give the sailors and shipping of Great
Britain the monopoly of the trade of their own country in some
cases by absolute prohibitions and in others by heavy burdens
upon the shipping of foreign countries。 The following are the
principal dispositions of this Act。
First； all ships； of which the owners and three…fourths of
the mariners are not British subjects； are prohibited； upon pain
of forfeiting ship and cargo； from trading to the British
settlements and plantations； or from being employed in the
coasting trade of Great Britain。
Secondly； a great variety of the most bulky articles of
importation can be brought into Great Britain only； either in
such ships as are above described； or in ships of the country
where those goods are purchased； and of which the owners；
masters； and three…fourths of the mariners are of that particular
country； and when imported even in ships of this latter kind；
they are subject to double aliens' duty。 If imported in ships of
any other country； the penalty is forfeiture of ship and goods。
When this act was made； the Dutch were； what they still are； the
great carriers of Europe； and by this regulation they were
entirely excluded from being the carriers to Great Britain； or
from importing to us the goods of any other European country。
Thirdly； a great variety of the most bulky articles of
importation are prohibited from being imported； even in British
ships； from any country but that in which they are produced；
under pains of forfeiting ship and cargo。 This regulation； too；
was probably intended against the Dutch。 Holland was then； as
now； the great emporium for all European goods； and by this
regulation British ships were hindered from loading in Holland
the goods of any other European country