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Show 5..a POLITICAL FRAGMENTS. [G.P.] POLITICAL FRAGMENTS. The nation would all have 53 bread at this middle price ; and that nation, which at any time inhumanely refufes to relieve the dif- fultation, was in three words only, fizz‘re 5 ‘ Let us alone.'-- It is {aid by Laifléz mm a writer of the fame nation, that he is well very folid in the fcience of politics, who knows advanced the full force of that maxim, Pa: trap gou'vemer, ‘ govern too much ;' which, perhaps, ‘ not to would be of more ufe when applied to trad e, than in any other public concern. It were therefor e to be wilhed, that commerce were as free between all the nations of the world, as it is between the feveral counties ofEngland,- to would all, by mutual communication, obtain more enjoyments. Thofc counties do not ruin each other by trad e, neither would the nations. No nation was ever ruined by trade, even, feemingly, the molt difa dvantagcous. Wherever defirable fuperfluities are impo rted, induftry is excited, and thereby plenty is produced. Were only necefl'aries permitted purchafed, men would Work no more thanto be was neceffary for that purpofe. ment to agriculture. treffes of another nation, deferves no compaflion when in difirefs itfelf. [ § 3. sz‘ée Efifi ofDmmy} grProvi/z'om u 072 Working, and upon Mamffkflurerj The common people do not work for pleafure generally, but from neceflity. Cheapnefs of provifions makes them more idle; lefs work is then done, it is then more in demand proportional ly, and of courfe the price rifes. Dearnefs of provi- fions obliges the manufaéturer to work more days and more hours ; thus more work is done than equals the ufual demand; of courfe it becom es cheaper, and the manufactures in confeque nce. [ § 4. Of an open Twain] Perhaps, in general, it would be better if governme nt meddled no farther with trad e, than to proteét it, and let it take its cour fe. Molt of the flatutes or acts, edicts, arret s, and placarts of parliaments, princes, and Rate s, for regulating, directing, or rel'training of trad e ,- have, we think, been either political blunders, or by artful men for private. advantagjobs obtained e tence of public good. When Cold under preer! afilmbled , fome wife old merchants of Fran ce, and defired their advi ce and opinion how he coul and promote commerce, their anfw d bef't ferve er, after confultation, [§ 5 . OfProf/13ml)": wit/J rifles? to tlveExportalz'oIz quo/drmd Sit/eh] Could Spain and Portugal have fucceeded in execut-ing their foolifh laws for bedgz'ng in tbe cur/E070, as Locke calls it, and have kept at home all their gold and filver, thofe metals would by thistime, have been of little more value than {0 much lead or iron. Their plenty would have leflen ed their value. We fee the folly of thefe edicfts : but are not our own prohibitory and reitriétive laws, that are |