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you the amount of the taxes you levy on those exports: and nothing turns upon that amount; for if the price of the article will bear the amount of the tax without the help of such a monopoly as subjection only can ensure, you may get it from them when independent as well as from other foreigners, and if it will not, neither will they bear to see it raised so high, nor will you bear to raise it so high, as to pay the expence of a marine capable of blocking up all their ports, and defending so many vast and distant countries against the rival powers, with the inhabitants on their side.
Oh but they are a great part of our power—Say rather, the whole of your weakness. In your own natural body you are impregnable: in those unnatural excrescences you are vulnerable. Are you attacked at home? not a man can you ever get from them: not a sixpence. Are they attacked? they draw upon you for fleets and armies.
If you were resolved to keep them, could you? it may be worth your consideration. Is it not matter of some doubt, even now
Dwhen
