20.8. 8. In what Manner economical Commerce has been sometimes restrained.
In several kingdoms laws have been made extremely proper to humble the
states that have entered into economical commerce. They have forbidden
their importing any merchandise, except the product of their respective
countries; and have permitted them to traffic only in vessels built in
the kingdom to which they brought their commodities.
It is necessary that the kingdom which imposes these laws should
itself be able easily to engage in commerce; otherwise it will, at
least, be an equal sufferer. It is much more advantageous to trade with
a commercial nation, whose profits are moderate, and who are rendered in
some sort dependent by the affairs of commerce; with a nation whose
larger views and whose extended trade enables them to dispose of their
superfluous merchandise; with a wealthy nation, who can take off many of
their commodities, and make them a quicker return in specie; with a
nation under a kind of necessity to be faithful, pacific from principle,
and that seeks to gain, and not to conquer: it is much better, I say, to
trade with such a notion than with others, their constant rivals, who
will never grant such great advantages.
