. Commerce with Foreign Nations.

Sec.1. Next in the list of powers is "the power to regulate commerce with
foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian
tribes." The need of no power under the confederation was more deeply
felt than the power to regulate foreign trade. It was the want of this
power, as we have seen, which was the more immediate cause of calling
the convention that framed the constitution. (Chap. XXVII: Sec.7-11.) The
necessity of this power arose mainly from the policy of Great Britain,
by which she had secured to herself undue advantages in her foreign
commerce, especially in her trade with this country.

Sec.2. During the war of the revolution, the direct trade with Great
Britain was interrupted. But when peace was restored, our markets were
again open to British goods and vessels, while upon American produce and
American vessels entering British ports, heavy duties were levied. To
enable some young readers more clearly to understand the objects and the
unequal operation of the policy of the British government, the subject
may need some further illustration.

Sec.3. One object was, to secure a market at home for the products of
agricultural labor. How this is done by taxing foreign products, will
appear from the following example: Suppose the market value of a bushel
of wheat in Great Britain to be one dollar a bushel, and the cost of
raising the article here and carrying it to that market to be the same.
If now a duty of 40 cents a bushel is laid upon wheat from abroad, the
English consumer, instead of buying it with this duty added, will buy of
the English producer. But more wheat is produced here than there is a
market for; and the American farmer must find a market abroad. But in
order to sell it in the English market, he must pay 40 cents on every
bushel to the British government; or, which is the same thing in effect,
he must sell it for 40 cents a bushel less than its value to the British
purchaser, who pays the duty to that government.

Sec.4. Now, as much less American wheat will be sent to Great Britain than
if it were free from duty, a better market is secured to the English
farmer. Besides this, of the value of every bushel which Great Britain
may please to admit, or which the people of other countries maybe
obliged to sell to her, 40 per cent, is paid into her treasury. Thus by
one operation, are two benefits secured, namely, the reward of
agricultural labor a