In order fully to appreciate the importance of these results ofthe English commercial policy, it must be here observed that, priorto the great development of the linen, cotton, silk, and ironmanufactures in recent times, the manufacture of cloth constitutedby far the largest proportion of the medium of exchange in thetrade with all European nations, particularly with the northernkingdoms, as well as in the commercial intercourse with the Levantand the East and West Indies.To what a great extent this was thecase we may infer from the undoubted fact that as far back as thedays of James I the export of woollen manufactures representednine-tenths of all the English exports put together.(3*)This branch of manufacture enabled England to drive theHanseatic League out of the markets of Russia, Sweden, Norway, andDenmark, and to acquire for herself the best part of the profitsattaching to the trade with the Levant and the East and WestIndies.It was this industry that stimulated that of coal mining,which again gave rise to an extensive coasting trade and thefisheries, both which, as constituting the basis of naval power,rendered possible the passing of the famous Navigation Laws whichreally laid the foundation of England's maritime supremacy.It wasround the woollen industry of England that all other branches ofmanufacture grew up as round a common parent stem; and it thusconstitutes the foundation of England's greatness in industry,commerce, and naval power.
At the same time the other branches of English manufacture werein no way neglected.
Already under the reign of Elizabeth the importation of metaland leather goods, and of a great many other manufactured articles,had been prohibited, while the immigration of German miners andmetal workers was encouraged.Formerly ships had been bought of theHansards or were ordered to be built in the baltic ports.But shecontrived, by restrictions on the one hand and encouragements onthe other, to promote shipbuilding at home.
The timber required for the purpose was brought to England fromthe baltic ports, whereby again a great impetus was given to theBritish export trade to those regions.
The herring fishery had been learned from the Dutch, whalefishing from the dwellers on the shores of the Bay of Biscay; andboth these fisheries were now stimulated by means of bounties.
James I more particularly took a lively interest in theencouragement of shipbuilding and of fisheries.Though we may smileat his unceasing exhortations to his people to eat fish, yet wemust do him the justice to say that he very clearly perceived onwhat the future greatness of England depended.The immigration intoEngland, moreover, of the Protestant artificers who had been drivenfrom Belgium and France by Philip II and Louis XIV gave to Englandan incalculable increase of industrial skill and manufacturingcapital.To these men England owes her manufactures of fine woollencloth, her progress in the arts of making hats, linen, glass,paper, silk, clocks and watches, as well as a part of her metalmanufacture; branches of industry which she knew how speedily toincrease by means of prohibition and high duties.
The island kingdom borrowed from every country of the Continentits skill in special branches of industry, and planted them onEnglish soil, under the protection of her customs system.Venicehad to yield (amongst other trades in articles of luxury) the artof glass manufacture, while Persia had to give up the art of carpetweaving and dyeing.
Once possessed of any one branch of industry, England bestowedupon it sedulous care and attention, for centuries treating it asa young tree which requires support and care.Whoever is not yetconvinced that by means of diligence, skill, and economy, everybranch of industry must become profitable in time -- that in anynation already advanced in agriculture and civilisation, by meansof moderate protection, its infant manufactures, however defectiveand dear their productions at first may be, can by practice,experience, and internal competition readily attain ability toequal in every respect the older productions of their foreigncompetitors; whoever is ignorant that the success of one particularbranch of industry depends on that of several other branches, or towhat a high degree a nation can develop its productive powers, ifshe takes care that each successive generation shall continue thework of industry where former generations have left it; let himfirst study the history of English industry before he ventures toframe theoretical systems, or to give counsel to practicalstatesmen to whose hands is given the power of promoting the wealor the woe of nations.
Under George I English statesmen had long ago clearly perceivedthe grounds on which the greatness of the nation depends.At theopening of Parliament in 1721, the King is made to say by theMinistry, that 'it is evident that nothing so much contributes topromote the public well-being as the exportation of manufacturedgoods and the importation of foreign raw material.(4*)This for centuries had been the ruling maxim of Englishcommercial policy, as formerly it had been that of the commercialpolicy of the Venetian Republic.It is in force at this day (1841)just as it was in the days of Elizabeth.The fruits it has bornelie revealed to the eyes of the whole world.The theorists havesince contended that England has attained to wealth and power notby means of, but in spite of, her commercial policy.As well mightthey argue that trees have grown to vigour and fruitfulness, not bymeans of, but in spite of, the props and fences with which they hadbeen supported when they were first planted.
