Chapter XVIII - An awful contrast. Distress in Great Britain, because she cannot engross the supply of the world. Distress in the United States, because the home market is inundated with rival manufactures.

Summary

This shall be a short chapter. But i hope it will make a deep and lasting impression. The subject is of vital importance.

I have drawn several contrasts between our policy, and that of foreign nations, to evince the unsoundness and pernicious consequences of the former. To one more I request attention.

Great distress pervades the manufacturing districts of Great Britain, in which commerce largely partakes. And whence does it arise? Because her merchants and manufacturers cannot engross the supply of the world; for their capacity of producing every article made by machinery is commensurate with the wants of the whole human race; and, could they find a passage to the moon, and open a market there, they would be able to inundate it with their fabrics.

Their government, with a fostering and paternal care, which by the contrast reflects discredit on ours, secures them the unlimited range of the domestic market; and loses no opportunity, by bounties, drawbacks, and every other means which can be devised, to aid them in their efforts to engross our and all other markets. But the wisdom of the other nations of Europe, guarding the industry of their subjects, excludes them from various markets which they were wont to supply—and baffles their skill and sagacity. The great mass of their surplus productions is, therefore, disgorged on us, to the destruction of our manufacturers and the impoverishment of the nation.