THE IMPORTANCE OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, GIVING ALSO An Account of their Productions, and the reciprocal LONDON: PRINTED AT THE Logographic Prels, AND SOLD BY ROBSON AND CLARKE, NEW BOND STREET; T. LONOMAN, TABLE OF CONTENT S. INTRODUCTION, Wherein it is stated, that whilst the English poffefs much information, on the commercial connections, which may exist between Europe and the United States, France, whose interest it is to establish them on her part, discovers but little knowledge of this Commerce, or zeal to enter into it. Caufes of this indifference. The want of the liberty of the prefs for political difcuffions, is one of the principal. The great inconveniences attached to the prohibition of books.The political advantages which would refult from the liberty of the prefs; no moment more favourable than the present to ask for it, and to provoke the reform of abuses of every kind.-Reflections on the fources whence facts have been drawn, on the general spirit of this work, on the order of the ideas, &c. 011-77-44D Reclass. 12-9-29. CHAPTER, I. page 1. Of exterior Commerce; the Circumftances which led to it, and of the means of afsuring it to a nation. General principles on exterior Commerce. Direct Commerce preferable to that which is indirect. The lowest price, the great bafis of exterior commerce. Circumstances which incline two nations to enter into a The nature of things must furnish thefe circumstances; what is CHAP. ( ii ) 1 CHAPTER II. page 11 Of exterior Commerce, confidered in its Means of Exchange, and its Balance. Examination of what is understood by the balance of trade It is proved, I. That this balance of trade is but an in- III. That it is impoffible to fix the quantity of money exist- IV. That metals are not real riches. V. That confidered as agents of exchange, it would be more advantageous to fubftitute paper for them in interior commerce, and not to be afraid to employ metals in exterior commerce, to which this paper cannot be applied. It refults from thefe demonftrations, that a trade may be opened between two nations, without the aid of money; that a nation will have fo much the more of it to cx change for foreign productions, as it fhall have a greater number of thefe confidential establishments, by which money is advantageoufly replaced. CHAPTER III. page 29 Application of the foregoing general Principles, to the reciprocal That France has every Means of procuring a great Commerce, that that her Productions are proper for them, and that her particular interior Circumftances, oblige her to engage in this Com merce. Examination of the productions of France, of her industry and of her geographical and natural position. Examination of the objection, that it would be better to direct the attention to the interior of France, than to open to her a great exterior commerce. It is proved that exterior commerce would in a very short time bring on an interior reform, and that France is, in her fituation in great need of very confiderable foreign mar kets. An effential diftinction to be made, in this refpect, between a new people, and a civilized people, who have numerous manufactures. It is proved that exterior commerce maintains and fupports them., Reflections on the inferiority of French manufactures to Englifh fabrics in certain articles-The causes pointed out.The remedy in exterior commerce. CHAPTER IV. page 41 That the United States are obliged by their prefent Neceffities and Circumftances to engage in Foreign Commerce. That the writers who have treated on this matter have confidered it in an abstracted point of view only. That it is neceffary to examine it according to the state of things. And that according to this ftate, the free Americans are obliged to employ themselves in exterior commerce. To demonftrate this, it is proved that the free Americans have wants of neceffity, of convenience, and even fome of luxury; And which they can neither do without, nor fupply them. felves with. |