“Besides what have we to do with setting the world at defiance? Our plan is commerce, and that, well attended to, will secure us the peace and friendship of all Europe; because it is the interest of all Europe to have America a free port.” - Thomas Paine, “Common Sense”. From Common Sense, the Rights of Man, and Other Essential Writings of Thomas Paine. New York: Penguin Books, 1984, pg. 40.
"that the business of America with Europe was commerce, not politics or war.” – John Adams to Secretary Livingston, February 5, 1783, printed in John Adams, Works, ed. Charles Francis Adams, vol. VIII, Boston 1853, pg. 35 Felix Gilbert, The Beginnings of American Foreign Policy To the Farewell Address” Harper Torchbooks 1961 pg. 45
"The general sense of this age sets with a strong current in favor of freedom of commercial intercourse and unrestrained action." - Daniel Webster
I own myself the friend to a very free system of commerce, and hold it as a truth, that commercial shackles are generally unjust, oppressive and impolitic — it is also a truth, that if industry and labour are left to take their own course, they will generally be directed to those objects which are the most productive, and this in a more certain and direct manner than the wisdom of the most enlightened legislature could point out.
James Madison, speech to the Congress, April 9, 1789
"that the business of America with Europe was commerce, not politics or war.” – John Adams to Secretary Livingston, February 5, 1783, printed in John Adams, Works, ed. Charles Francis Adams, vol. VIII, Boston 1853, pg. 35 Felix Gilbert, The Beginnings of American Foreign Policy To the Farewell Address” Harper Torchbooks 1961 pg. 45
"The general sense of this age sets with a strong current in favor of freedom of commercial intercourse and unrestrained action." - Daniel Webster
I own myself the friend to a very free system of commerce, and hold it as a truth, that commercial shackles are generally unjust, oppressive and impolitic — it is also a truth, that if industry and labour are left to take their own course, they will generally be directed to those objects which are the most productive, and this in a more certain and direct manner than the wisdom of the most enlightened legislature could point out.
James Madison, speech to the Congress, April 9, 1789
Freedom of Commerce
