Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1866 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VI. POLICY OF THE USURY LAWS, AND THEIE EFFECT UPON COMMERCE. Commerce is the "Vena Porta " of a nation's wealth, and to this sentiment of Lord Bacon's, the public mind at this day, is sensitively awake. The mercantile 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 reliance 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 civilized life be supplied, and the peculiar productions of other countries be brought home; and while none are wholly independent 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."1 And'who 1 YatteU, b. ii., o. 2, sec. 22. FREEDOM NECESSARY 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 Royal Exchange.1 But commerce, to attain to dignity, must be untrammelled by arbitrary laws; and Vattel says, that "Freedom, being very useful to commerce, it is implied in the duties of nations, that instead of unnecessary burdens or restrictions, they should support it as far as possible; therefore those peculiar statutes which obtain in many places, so oppressive to...
