date

17 Decr 1801 Maximum Long introduced
17 Decr 1801

Maximum

Long introduced[?]

1

In regard to this question I had remained in that state of self-conscious and

quiet ignorance, in which I have never found any difficulty in remaining in

regard to any question in which I had no particular motive for bestowing a

thorough examination suspended between what seemed to me to be a plain and primâ

facie conclusive argument on one side and the force of authority – the opinions

of the most esteemed authors /writers/, and of individuals whose opinions stood

the highest in my own estimation, on the other, when happening to take up /on

opening without any particular view/ a pamphlet which I had heard ascribed to a

late Secretary of the Treasury on the other, and to open it at a part /the

place/ where the topic of a maximum is touched upon, and the /a number of/

arguments against the measure /on the other side/ held up to view, I was struck

at the same time with the number and variety of them, and with their /the/

inconclusiveness of them /the whole collection/ for such it appeared to me on

the other. And is this all then said I, that there is to say against the

measure? – if so, then as I have all along suspected, the horror in which it has

been held by the best opinions has nothing but prejudice, and {an} /a too

indiscriminate/ attachment to general principles for its foundation /cause/: so

that the leaning which with or without sufficient cause I have now some reason

to entertain in favour of the measure has been confirmed if not altogether

produced by the arguments which in the eyes of the Hon. Gentleman formed a

sufficient ground for reprobating it

Looking upon the observations presented /delivered/ /made/ by the Hon. Gentleman

on that head as containing /constituting/ a pretty compleat index to any such

arguments as might be delivered /urged constructed/ on that side, though to any

view of the matter the arguments themselves

seemed
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  • Title: [17 Decr 1801 Maximum Long introduced]
    Description: 17 Decr 1801

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    seemed to be yet to make, I will take the liberty of repeating them in the order

    in which they stand, accompanied with the respective reasons which have

    presented them to my view as being jointly as well as severally

    inconclusive.
  • Title: [12 Dec.r 1801 Maximum Beginning]
    Description: 12 Dec.r 1801

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    Terms[?]

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    prevail on it to get the better of that propensity, and look out for /betake

    itself to/ a higher level, and this may serve as an argument in favour /support/

    of maximum to any gentleman who finds himself disposed /feels in himself a

    propensity/ to consider it as such.

    [marginal note:] I choose rather to remain unread than feed readers with such

    arguments.
  • Title: [10 Decr 1801 Maximum 6. Scarcity]
    Description: 10 Decr 1801

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    It may be rejected /set down/ /noted down/ as no better than an argument ad

    hominem, if I were to call to mind upon this occasion as upon a former, that the

    case of the scarcity-crop farmers which is here regarded as the prevailing one

    which is here assumed /taken up/ as having a claim to be the measure and

    standard of the desirable rate in regard of price is thrown out of the question,

    that the cause of this unfortunate class so decidedly taken up and patronized,

    is in less than six pages after given up and deserted. Of two inconsistent

    propositions the Hon: Gentleman will at all times /any time/ be at liberty to

    adhere to which he pleases, though he can not well adhere to both at the same

    time, he may at any time, on condition of giving up the other /one/ adhere to

    either. On the terms of acknowledging that the measure we have seen him

    announcing with complacency and which on that ground I will venture till

    corrected to call his measure – the measure of encouraging importation for the

    express purpose of keeping down the price – upon the terms I say of giving up

    this /his/ measure of his, he may at any time abide by /adhere to/ this argument

    which is more particularly and exclusively /decidedly/ his own /he may at any

    time make his election/. He may say happen what will to the consumers – I will

    take care of the unfortunate part of the farmers I will bring them whole at any

    rate. The