If it can now be proved, that in the course of time thecountries of the torrid zone can produce sugar, rice, cotton,coffee, &c.to an extent five or ten times greater than hitherto,and that the countries of the temperate zone can consume five orten times more of these articles than hitherto, it will besimultaneously proved that the countries of the temperate zone canincrease their exportation of manufactured goods to the countriesof the torrid zone by from five to ten times their present totalquantity.
The capability of the Continental nations to increase theirconsumption of colonial produce thus considerably, is indicated bythe increase of consumption in England for the last fifty years; inreference to which it must further be borne in mind, that thatincrease would probably have become very much greater still were itnot for the excessive taxes on consumption.
Of the possibility of augmenting the productions of the torridzone, Holland in Sumatra and Java, and England in the East Indies,have given us during the last five years irrefragable proofs.
England has quadrupled her importation of sugar from the EastIndies from 1835 to 1839; her importation of coffee has increasedeven in a still larger proportion, while the importation of EastIndia cotton is also greatly increasing.In one word, the latestEnglish papers (February, 1840) announced with great rejoicing thatthe capability of the East Indies for the production of thesearticles is unlimited, and that the time is not far distant whenEngland will make herself independent of the importation of thesearticles from America and the West Indies.Holland on her part isalready embarrassed for means of sale of her colonial products, andseeks actively for new markets.Let us further remember that NorthAmerica continues to augment her cotton production -- that in Texasa State has risen up which without doubt will become possessed ofthe whole of Mexico, and will make out of that fertile country aterritory such as the Southern States of the North American Unionnow are.We may well imagine that order and law, industry andintelligence, will extend themselves gradually over the SouthAmerican States from Panama to Cape Horn, then over the whole ofAfrica and Asia, and augment everywhere production and a surplus ofproducts; and we may then comprehend without difficulty that herethere is room enough for more than one nation for the sale ofmanufactured goods.
By calculating the area of the land which has up to this timebeen actually used for the production of colonial produce, andcomparing it with the entire area which is fitted By nature forsuch production, we shall find that at present scarcely thefiftieth part of the land fitted for this production is actuallyused.
How, then, could England be able to monopolise themanufacturing markets of all countries which yield colonialproduce, if she is able to supply her own entire requirements ofsuch produce by means of importation from the East Indies alone?
How can England indulge the hope of selling manufactured goods tocountries whose colonial products she cannot take in exchange? Orhow can a great demand for colonial produce spring up in thecontinent of Europe, if the Continent is not enabled by itsmanufacturing production to pay for, and thus to consume, thesegoods?
It is therefore evident, that keeping down the manufacturingindustry of the Continent, though it certainly hinders the progressof the Continental nations, does not in the least further theprosperity of England.
It is further clear, that, at present, as well as for some longtime to come, the countries of the torrid zone will offer to allnations which are fitted for manufacturing production abundantmaterials for exchange.
Lastly, it is evident that a world-manufacturing monopoly suchas is at present established by the free competition of Englishmanufactured goods on the European and American continents is notin the least more conducive to the welfare of the human race thanthe system of protection, which aims at developing themanufacturing power of the whole temperate zone, for the benefit ofthe agriculture of the whole torrid zone.