1421. COMMERCE, Reciprocity.—
Some
nations, not yet ripe for free commerce in all
its extent, might still be willing to mollify its
restrictions and regulations for us, in proportion
to the advantages which an intercourse
with us might offer. Particularly they
may concur with us in reciprocating the duties
to be levied on each side, or in compensating
any excess of duty by equivalent advantages
of another nature. Our commerce
is certainly of a character to entitle it to favor
in most countries. The commodities we offer
are either necessaries of life, or materials for
manufacture, or convenient subjects of revenue;
and we take in exchange, either manufactures,
when they have received the last
finish of art and industry, or mere luxuries.
Such customers may reasonably expect welcome
and friendly treatment at every market.
Customers, too, whose demands, increasing
with their wealth and population, must very
shortly give full employment to the whole
industry of any nation whatever, in any line of
supply they may get into the habit of calling
for from it.—
Report on Foreign Commerce and Navigation. Washington ed. vii, 646.
Ford ed., vi, 479.
(Dec. 1793)
