VI
TRADE WITH ENGLAND
This objection goes upon the supposition that
whatever the colonies gain Britain must lose, and
that if the colonies can be kept from gaining an
advantage, Britain will gain it.
If the colonies are fitter for a particular trade than
Britain, they should have it, and Britain apply to
what it is more fit for. The whole empire is a gainer.
And if Britain is not so fit or so well situated for a
particular advantage, other countries will get it,
if the colonies do not. Thus Ireland was forbid the
woollen manufacture, and remains poor; but this has
given to the French the trade and wealth Ireland
might have gained for the British Empire.
The government cannot long be retained without
the union. Which is best (supposing your case)—to
have a total separation, or a change of the seat of
government? It by no means follows that promoting
 and advancing the landed interest in America
will depress that of Great Britain; the contrary has
always been the fact. Advantageous situations and
circumstances will always secure and fix manufactures.
 Sheffield against all Europe these three hundred
 years past.

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