ABSTRACT
Generally, governments, with respect to commercial wealth, have only considered merchants; they have believed that their interest always agrees with that of the nation; and it is almost always in accordance with their advice that they have made their laws. In barbaric ages, governments were seen to give to individuals, for a monetary consideration, to reserve for themselves, either the right to sell certain provisions, or certain merchandise, on which the monopolist made exorbitant profits. With more enlightenment, it was soon realized that a monopoly of that kind was nothing but a tax, and they have ceased to be among the favors that could be given to trade. Public opinion has generally made a judgment on the reasons that were believed to be a basis for trading-company monopolies. An exemption from import tariffs paid by all other nations, or a reduction of such tariffs, gives unquestionably to the nation obtaining it almost all foreign trade of the nation granting it.
