Commerce is the " Ve7ia Porta " of a nation's wealth, and to this sentiment of Lord Bacon's, the public mind at this day, is sensitively awake. The mer- cantile interests of the country, are generally guarded with jealousy and care, and their spreading influence justly viewed with pride and exultation. It is the chief rehance of the nation, the main artery of her wealth, and the principal means by which she prospers and advances in power and refinement. By it alone can the numerous wants of civihzed life be supplied, and the pecuhar productions of other countries be brought home ; and while none are wholly independ- ent of it, all are more or less remotely benefited by it ; for at the same time that it supplies our wants and enriches the country, it gives employment and wealth to every other pursuit — the freest countries have always been the most commercial, the most enslaved the least so — " so every one is not only to join in this trade, as far as he reasonably. can, but is bound to countenance and promote it."^ And who » Vatiell, b. ii., c. 2, sec. 22.
FREEDOM NECES3AEY TO COMMERCE. 123 that is familiar with English classics, has not dwelt with delight on the description of the extent and blessings of commerce, which Addison has given with graceful simplicity, in one of the Spectator's visits to the Eoyal Exchange.^ But commerce, to attain to dignity, must be mitrammelled by arbitrary laws ; and Vattel says, that " Freedom, being very useful to commerce, it is im- plied in the duties of nations, that instead of unneces- sary burdens or restrictions, they should support it as far as possible; therefore those peculiar statutes which obtain in many places, so oppressive to com- merce, are blameable, unless founded on very im- portant reasons, arising from the public good." It cannot then be but matter for surprise that the United States and Great Britain, the two most en- lightened and powerful nations on earth, should still be