2618. ENGLAND, Commerce with.—[further continued] .
I know nothing which
would act more powerfully as a sumptuary
law with our people than an inhibition of
commerce with England. They are habituated
to the luxuries of that country and will have
them while they can get them. They are unacquainted
with those of other countries; and
therefore will not very soon bring them so
far into fashion as that it shall be thought
disreputable not to have them in one's house,
or on their table.—
To James Madison.
Ford ed., iv, 37.
(P.
1785)
