ABSTRACT
The immediate products of the earth depend upon the local varieties of soil and climate; and even the products of industry are met with only in such places as are most favourable to their production. There must be one commercial establishment at the place where the products are collected; another at the place it is transported to; besides package and warehousing. Products that are bought to be re-sold are called merchandise; and merchandise bought for consumption is denominated commodities. To enter minutely into an examination of the limits and practices of the various departments of commercial industry, would be to write a treatise on commerce. A complete treatise on commerce is still a desideratum in literature, notwithstanding the labours of Melon and Forbonnais, for hitherto the principles and consequences of commerce have been little understood. The internal commerce of a country from its minute ramification, besides being the most considerable, is likewise the most advantageous.
