Book IV: Chapter 4 - Page 2

expected that the importation would greatly exceed what was
necessary for the home consumption, the whole duties are drawn
back, without retaining even half the old subsidy. Before the
revolt of our North American colonies, we had the monopoly of the
tobacco of Maryland and Virginia. We imported about ninety-six
thousand hogsheads, and the home consumption was not supposed to
exceed fourteen thousand. To facilitate the great exportation
which was necessary, in order to rid us of the rest, the whole
duties were drawn back, provided the exportation took place
within three years.

We still have, though not altogether, yet very nearly, the
monopoly of the sugars of our West Indian islands. If sugars are
exported within a year, therefore, all the duties upon
importation are drawn back; and if exported within three years,
all the duties, except half the old subsidy, which still
continues to be retained upon the exportation of the greater part
of goods. Though the importation of sugar exceeds a good deal
what is necessary for the home consumption, the excess is
inconsiderable, in comparison of what it used to be in tobacco.

Some goods, the particular objects of the jealousy of our own
manufacturers, are prohibited to be imported for home
consumption. They may, however, upon paying certain duties,be
imported and warehoused for exportation. But upon such
exportation no part of these duties is drawn back. Our
manufacturers are unwilling, it seems, that even this restricted
importation should be encouraged, and are afraid lest some part
of these goods should be stolen out of the warehouse, and thus
come into competition with their own. It is under these
regulations only that we can import wrought silks, French
cambrics and lawns, calicoes, painted, printed, stained, or dyed,
etc.

We are unwilling even to be the carriers of French goods, and
choose rather to forego a profit to ourselves than to suffer
those whom we consider as our enemies to make any profit by our
means. Not only half the old subsidy, but the second twenty-five
per cent. is retained upon the exportation of all French goods.

By the fourth of the rules annexed to the old subsidy, the
drawback allowed upon the exportation of all wines amounted to a
great deal more than half the duties which were at that time paid
upon their importation ; and it seems at that time to have been
the object of the legislature to give somewhat more than ordinary
encouragement to the carrying trade in wine. Several of the other
duties, too which were imposed either at the same time or
subsequent to the old subsidy, what is called the additional
duty, the new subsidy, the one-third and two-thirds subsidies,
the impost 1692, the tonnage