2272. DRAWBACKS, Repeal of.—
The
inordinate extent given to commerce among
us by our becoming the factors of the whole
world, has enabled it to control the agricultural
and manufacturing interests. When a
change of circumstances shall reduce it to an
equilibrium with these, to the carrying our
produce only, to be exchanged for our wants,
it will return to a wholesome condition for
the body politic, and that beyond which it
should never be encouraged to go. The repeal
of the drawback system will either effect
this, or bring sufficient sums into the treasury
to meet the wars we shall bring on by our
covering every sea with our vessels. But
this must be the work of peace. The correction
will be after my day, as the error
originated before it.—
To Larkin Smith. Washington ed. v, 441.
(M.
April. 1809)
