1397. COMMERCE, Discriminating Duties.—
It is true we must expect some inconvenience
in practice from the establishment of
discriminating duties. But in this, as in so
many other cases, we are left to choose between
two evils. These inconveniences are
nothing when weighed against the loss of
wealth and loss of force, which will follow
our perseverance in the plan of indiscrimination.
When once it shall be perceived that
we are either in the system or in the habit of
giving equal advantages to those who extinguish
our commerce and navigation by duties
and prohibitions, as to those who treat
both with liberality and justice, liberality and
justice will be converted by all into duties and
prohibitions. It is not to the moderation and
justice of others we are to trust for fair and
equal access to market with our productions,
or for our due share in the transportation of
them; but to our own means of independence,
and the firm will to use them. Nor do the
inconveniences of discrimination merit consideration.
Not one of the nations before
mentioned, perhaps not a commercial nation
on earth, is without them. In our case, one
distinction alone will suffice: that is to say,
between nations who favor our productions
and navigation, and those who do not favor
them. One set of moderate duties, say the
present duties, for the first, and a fixed advance
on these as to some articles, and prohibitions
as to others, for the last.—
Report on Foreign Commerce and Navigation. Washington ed. vii, 650.
Ford ed., vi, 483.
(Dec. 1793)
