Union and Protection Tracts (Volume 1-3)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1831. Excerpt: ... UNION AND PROTECTION TRACT. No. II. To aim at separating the interest of manufactures from agriculture, is like endeavouring to separate the shadow from the substance; and every attempt to do this, as it is at the same time foolish and unjust, must end in the disappointment of its projector, and prove detrimental to the interests of those veiy persons it was most intended to serve." Anderson on National Industry, page 204. Extracts from the Report of Alexander Hamilton, Esquire, Secretary of the Treasury, Dec. 5, 1791. The expediency of encouraging manufactures in the United States, which was, not long since, deemed very questionable, appears at this time to be pretty generally admitted. The embarrassments, which have obstructed the progress of our external trade, have led to serious reflections on the necessity of enlarging the sphere of our domestic commerce: the restrictive regulations, which in foreign markets abridge the vent of the increasing surplus of our agricultural produce, serve to beget an earnest desire, that a more extensive demand for that surplus may be created at home. And the complete success which has rewarded manufacturing enterprise, in some valuable branches, conspiring with the promising symptoms which attend some less mature essays in others, justify a hope, that the obstacles to the growth of this species of industry, are less formidable than they were apprehended to be; and that it is not difficult to find in its further extension, a full indemnification for any external disadvantages, which are, or may be experienced, as well as an accession of resources favourable to national independence and safety. It is proper to enumerate the principal circumstances, from which it may be inferred--that manufacturing establishments not onl...