288 COMMERCE WITH nefit. We do not, indeed, avow these to be our ex- press motives, but the effects are virtually the very same as if we did. While other nations are enact- ing laws for the direct encouragement of an Indian trade, the tendency of all ours that relate to it is to restrict it, and every step towards its enlarge- ment seems conceded by the legislature with as much reluctance as if its patriotism was en- gaged in stemming the invasion of some great moral or physical evil making incursions upon the state. W^e are, notwithstanding this, the na- tion fittest of all others for engaging in the trade, and this is the moment of all others when a free intercourse with India is most necessary to us. The people naturally and necessarily fittest to undertake the most distant and difficult of all commercial enterprises, the Indian commerce, is that nation, which, by the superiority of its ma- ritime skill, and the extent of its capital, can con- duct them most cheaply, can afford to give the best prices to the people of India for their commodities, and sell them at the lowest price to the people of Europe. None of the maritime states of the Conti- nent of Europe are at present in a condition to en- o-a^e in the commerce of the Indies, and it is, in- deed, making a doubtful exception in favour of Hol- land, probably never were in a condition to carry on any thing better than a small traffic in luxuries.
