8268. TARIFF, Protective.—
Where a nation imposes high duties on our productions,
or prohibits them altogether, it May
be proper for us to do the same by theirs;
first burdening or excluding those productions
which they bring here in competition
with our own of the same kind; selecting
next, such manufactures as we take from
them in greatest quantity, and which, at the
same time, we could the soonest furnish to
ourselves, or obtain from other countries; imposing
on them duties lighter at first, but
heavier and heavier, afterwards, as other
channels of supply open. Such duties, having
the effect of indirect encouragement to domestic
manufactures of the same kind, May
induce the manufacturer to come himself into
these States, where cheaper subsistence, equal
laws, and a vent of his wares, free of duty,
may ensure him the highest profits from his
skill and industry. And here, it would be in
the power of the State governments to cooperate
essentially, by opening the resources
of encouragement which are under their control,
extending them liberally to artists in
those particular branches of manufacture for
which their soil, climate, population and other
circumstances have matured them, and fostering
the precious efforts and progress of
household manufacture, by some patronage
suited to the nature of its objects, guided by
the local informations they possess, and
guarded against abuse by their presence and
attentions. The oppressions on our agriculture,
in foreign ports, would thus be made
the occasion of relieving it from a dependence
on the councils and conduct of others, and
of promoting arts, manufactures and population
at home.—
Foreign Commerce Report. Washington ed. vii, 648.
Ford ed., vi, 481.
(Dec. 1793)
