Many instances, however, might be cited, where the interdiction by war, of the intercourse between different countries, has very speedily produced a supply of the commodities interdicted, and apparently without great injury to the nation possessing the materials necessary for their formation."Upon the breaking out of the war with France," observes Mr.Gee, (124) "and prohibiting French commodities, encouragement was given for erecting several of those manufactures here, as the lustring, alamode, and other silk manufactures for hoods and scarves which the king's royal consort, the excellent Queen Mary, took no small pains to establish; for which article alone it is allowed France drew from us above £400,000 yearly.At the same time the manufacture of glass was established, which before we used to have from France, and also that of hats and paper.In his time also the manufactures of copper and brass were set on foot, which are brought to great perfection, and now in a great measure supply the nation with coppers, kettles, and all other sorts of copper and brass ware.The making of sail-cloth was begun and carried on to great perfection, and also sword blades, scissors, and a great many toys made of steel, which formerly we used to have from France; in the manufacture of which, it is said, we now excel all other nations.The setting up of salt works and improving of salt springs and rock salt, hath proved very beneficial here, and saves a very great treasure yearly, which we heretofore paid to France for salt and a great many other things which I forbear to enumerate."Restrictions operate quite oppositely on the exchange of luxuries between communities, from what they do on the exchange of utilities.Their first effects are beneficial, while their ulterior effects may be injurious.
The interdiction of a pure luxury occasions, as we bare seen, no loss whatever to the whole society.It can scarcely fail to produce a gain.If it diminish the whole amount of luxuries consumed in the society, that is evidently so much saved.If, as is more likely, the force of vanity be not weakened, it must at least be directed to other objects, probably to some domestic imitation of the foreign article.In such cases the successful imitators will demand and obtain prices yielding much larger profits, than their capitals would give in any other employments.The saving of labor, either in checking vanity, or in supplying it with less outlay, is gain to some individuals, loss to none.Competition, however, will in time reduce the price paid for luxuries, to the lowest amount for which the laborer and capitalist will exert their energies.As improvement can have no effect on domestic luxuries, and as they must always be rated by the real labor bestowed on them, they are ultimately the productions of all others least profitable to the society.
2.The formation of instruments is rendered difficult and costly to individuals, from frauds and violence punishable by law.To guard against them always requires some vigilance, and occasions some expense, and often demands a good deal of both.The loss hence arising may be very considerable.
It is said that the cloth trade of Verviers, in France, was ruined from the number of thefts committed in various stages of the manufacture, occasioning a loss of about eight per cent on the quantity produced.
The infrequency of crime will also, I apprehend, be found chiefly re depend on the same principles that give force to the effective desire of accumulation, the general strength of the social and benevolent affections, and intellectual powers.Where a desire of promoting the common good prevails, and there is a clear perception of the means of doing so, infringements on the rights of individuals, or violence to their persons, will be rare.
It is the strength of the moral feelings that is the safeguard of the laws.
Where these are destroyed, or greatly weakened, as where a person has been cast out of the brotherhood of society by being marked as a criminal, the dread of corporeal pains is scarcely ever sufficient to deter from future trespasses.
The establishment of good laws and the security of the system of government, by diminishing the temptation to crime, and the chance of escape from its consequences, have also, no doubt, great effect.But good laws or government can neither be established nor maintained without good morals.Where purely selfish feelings prevail laws have no power.
"Quid faciant leges ubi sola pecunia regnat?"The direct destruction and waste occasioned by wars make, also, no small item in the account of losses, to which the stocks of all communities are subject.
The loss occasioned by the deceits and frauds of individuals, and by the prohibitions and violence of states, may not unfitly be termed waste.
CHAPTER XIV.OF THE COMBINED OPERATION OF THE CAUSES INVESTIGATED IN THEPRECEDING CHAPTERS.
The investigations in which we have been engaged in the preceding chapters seem to indicate several great causes as determining the nature and production of stock.They may be divided into three classes.
I.Regarding things material.
1.The nature of the material world, producing a series of events succeeding each other in regular order.
9.The nature of man, as a being in part material, acted on, therefore, by matter, and whose existence and pleasures are, consequently, dependent on events taking place among material objects.
3.Also the nature of man, as a being in part material, and whose corporeal powers -- his labor, enable him to change the positions of the matters around him.
II.Regarding things not material.
1.The intellectual faculties of man, reaching not to an absolute knowledge of the material world, but to a perception of the order in which events succeed each other in it, and to a discovery of the means of producing events necessary, or desirable to him, by applying his corporeal powers to change the positions of the materials within his reach.