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| Oil on canvas portrait of Alexander Hamilton by John Trumbull (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
To the People of the State of New York:
THE importance of the Union, in a commercial light, is one of those points about which there is least room to entertain a difference of opinion, and which has, in fact, commanded the most general assent of men who have any acquaintance with the subject. This applies as well to our intercourse with foreign countries as with each other.
There are appearances to authorize a supposition that the adventurous spirit, which distinguishes the commercial character of America, has already excited uneasy sensations in several of the maritime powers of Europe. They seem to be apprehensive of our too great interference in that carrying trade, which is the support of their navigation and the foundation of their naval strength.
Those of them which have colonies in America look forward to what this country is capable of becoming, with painful solicitude. They foresee the dangers that may threaten their American dominions from the neighborhood of States, which have all the dispositions, and would possess all the means, requisite to the creation of a powerful marine. Impressions of this kind will naturally indicate the policy of fostering divisions among us, and of depriving us, as far as possible, of an ACTIVE COMMERCE in our own bottoms.
This would answer the threefold purpose of preventing our interference in their navigation, of monopolizing the profits of our trade, and of clipping the wings by which we might soar to a dangerous greatness. Did not prudence forbid the detail, it would not be difficult to trace, by facts, the workings of this policy to the cabinets of ministers.
Read the rest below.
Read the rest below.
Federalist Papers No. 11 - Commercial Relations from Chuck Thompson
The Federalist Papers number 11, The Utility of the Union In Respect To Commercial Relations and the Navy. To read the above in full screen mode, click the icon at the far bottom right hand side of the slideshare container. To exit full screen mode, hit the escape key on your keyboard.
The Federalist Papers number 11, The Utility of the Union In Respect To Commercial Relations and the Navy. To read the above in full screen mode, click the icon at the far bottom right hand side of the slideshare container. To exit full screen mode, hit the escape key on your keyboard.
