2271. DRAWBACKS, Introduction of.—
This most heterogeneous principle was
transplanted into ours from the British system
by a man [Alexander Hamilton]
whose mind
was really powerful, but chained by native
partialities to everything English; who had
formed exaggerated ideas of the superior perfection
of the English constitution, the superior
wisdom of their government, and sincerely
believed it for the good of this country
to make them their model in everything; without
considering that what might be wise and
good for a nation essentially commercial, and
entangled in complicated intercourse with
numerous and powerful neighbors, might not
be so for one essentially agricultural, and insulated
by nature from the abusive governments
of the old world.—
To William H. Crawford. Washington ed. vii, 6.
Ford ed., x, 34.
(M.
1816)
