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It will be remarked, that in the regulations respecting the trade of Europe the restrictions only applied to imports. Exports were not affected; in fact, so far as the Navigation Act was concerned, foreign ships might export any goods from this country. British manufacturers had naturally required that no impediment should be placed upon the exportation of British goods. This was perhaps the only sensible clause in the whole paraphernalia of these laws.[1]
- ↑ Mr. Lefevre, of the Board of Trade, said he did not know the reason of this; but as a matter of fact, Venice, Spain, France, and the Hanseatic League had Navigation Laws before we had, and would not have our goods except in their own ships. So necessity, not wisdom, compelled us to make this allowance.
