233.: To WILLIAM EDEN - Adam Smith, Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence Vol. 6 Correspondence of Adam Smith [1740]
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Correspondence of Adam Smith, ed. E. C. Mossner and I. S. Ross, vol. VI of the Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence of Adam Smith (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1987).
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233.
To WILLIAM EDEN
Journal and Corr. of William, Lord Auckland (London, 1861), i. 64–6; Rae 385–6
Edinburgh, 15 Dec. 1783
Dear Sir,
If the Americans really mean to subject the goods of all different nations to the same duties, and to grant them the same indulgences, they set an example of good sense which all other nations ought to imitate. At any rate, it is certainly just that their goods, their naval stores for example, should be subjected to the same duties to which we subject those of Russia, Sweden and Denmark, and that we should treat them as they mean to treat us, and all other nations.
What degree of commercial connection we should allow between the remaining colonies, whether in North America or the West Indies, and the United States, may to some people appear a more difficult question. My own opinion is that it should be allowed to go on as before, and whatever inconveniences may result from this freedom may be remedied as they occur. The lumber and provisions of the United States are more necessary to our West India Islands, than the rum and sugar of the latter are to the former. Any interruption or restraint of commerce would hurt our loyal much more than our revolted subjects. Canada and Nova Scotia cannot justly be refused at least the same freedom of commerce which we grant to the United States.
I suspect the Americans do not mean what they say. I have seen a Revenue Act of South Carolina by which two shillings are laid upon every hundredweight of brown sugar imported from the British plantations, and only eighteen–pence upon that imported from any foreign colony. Upon every pound of refined sugar from the former one penny, from the latter one halfpenny. Upon every gallon of French wine, two–pence; of Spanish wine, three–pence; of Portuguese wine, four–pence.
I have little anxiety about what becomes of the American commerce. By an equality of treatment to all nations, we might soon open a commerce with the neighbouring nations of Europe infinitely more advantageous than that of so distant a country as America. This is an immense subject, upon which, when I wrote to you last, I intended to have sent you a letter of many sheets, but as I expect to see you in a few weeks, I shall not trouble you with so tedious a dissertation. I shall only say at present that every extraordinary either encouragement or discouragement that is given to the trade of any country more than to that of another, may, I think, be demonstrated to be in every case a complete piece of dupery, by which the interest of the State and the nation is constantly sacrificed to that of some particular class of traders. I heartily congratulate you upon the triumphant manner in which the East India Bill has been carried through the Lower House. I have no doubt of its passing through the Upper House in the same manner. The decisive judgment and resolution with which Mr Fox has introduced and supported that Bill does him the highest honour.
I ever am, with the greatest respect and esteem, dear Sir, your most affectionate and most obedient humble servant,
Adam Smith
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