ABSTRACT
The prosperity of people's affairs was somewhat interrupted about the close of Mr. Jefferson's administration. The suspension of foreign commerce produced by the injustice of the belligerent Powers, and the consequent losses and sacrifices of the citizens, are subjects of just concern. The message of Mr. Jefferson, so far as it related to protecting manufactures, was, in the House of Representatives, referred to the Committee on Commerce and Manufactures, along with a number of petitions from the people upon the same subject. Less than twenty years - a short period in the life of a nation - had then passed since the introduction of the policy of protection in the United States; and, as the business of the country was seriously deranged on account of European complications, it was a wise step to institute a careful inquiry into the operations and effect of the system.
