430

THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF

As there are two cases in which it will generally be ad-vantageous to lay some burden upon foreign, for the encou-ragement of domestic, industry ; so there two others in whichit may sometimes be a matter of deliberation; in the one,how far it is proper to continue the free importation of cer-tain foreign goods; and in the other, how far, or in whatmanner, it maybe proper to restore that free importation afterit has been for some time interrupted.

The case in which it may sometimes be a matter of deli-beration how far it is proper to continue the free importa-tion of certain foreign goods, is, when some foreign nationrestrains by high duties or prohibitions the importation ofsome of our manufactures into their country. Revenge inthis case naturally dictates retaliation, and that we shouldimpose the like duties and prohibitions upon the importa-tion of some or all of their manufactures into ours. Nationsaccordingly seldom fail to retaliate in this manner. TheFrench have been particularly forward to favour their ownmanufactures by restraining the importation of such foreigngoods as could come into competition with them. In thisconsisted a great part of the policy of Mr. Colbert, who, not-withstanding his great abilities, seems in this case to havebeen imposed upon by the sophistry of merchants and ma-nufacturers, who are always demanding a monopoly againsttheir countrymen. It is at present the opinion of the mostintelligent men in France , that his operations of this kindhave not. been beneficial to his country. That minister, bythe tarif of 1GG7, imposed very high duties upon a greatnumber of foreign manufactures. Upon his refusing to mo-derate them in favour of the Dutch , they in IG71 prohibitedthe importation of the wines, brandies, and manufactures ofFrance . The war of 1G72 seems to have been in part occa-sioned by this commercial dispute. The peace of Nimeguen put an end to it in 1G78, by moderating some of those dutiesin favour of the Dutch , who in consequence took off theirprohibition. It was about the same time that the French and English began mutually to oppress eacli other’s industry,by the like duties and prohibitions, of which the French , how-ever, seem to have set the first example. The spirit of hostilitywhich has subsisted between the two nations ever since, hashitherto hindered them from being moderated on either side.In 1G97 the English prohibited the importation of bone-lace,the manufacture of Flanders. The government of that conn-