If by the draught,of water, it will fall unequally on us as a
nation; because we build our vessels sharp-bottomed, for swift sailing,
so that they draw more water than those of other nations, of the
same burthen. If by the number of masts, it will fall unequally on
individuals; because we often see ships of one hundred and eighty tons,
and brigs of three hundred and sixty. This, then, would produce an
inequality among individuals, of six to one. The present principle is
the most just, to regulate by the burthen. It is certainly desirable,
that these duties should be reduced to a single one. Their names and
numbers perplex and harass the merchant, more than their amount; subject
him to imposition, and to the suspicion of it when there is none. An
intention of general reformation in this article has been accordingly
announced, with augmentation as to foreigners. We are in hopes, that
this augmentation is not to respect us; because it is proposed as a
measure of reciprocity, whereas, in some of our States, no such duties
exist, and in others they are extremely light; because we have been
made to hope a diminution, instead of augmentation; and because this
distinction cannot draw on France any just claims from other nations;
the _jura gentis amicissima_, conferred by her late treaties, having
reference expressly to the nations of Europe only; and those
conferred by the more ancient ones not being susceptible of any other
interpretation, nor admitting a pretension of reference to a nation
which did not then exist, and which has come into existence under
circumstances distinguishing its commerce from that of all other
nations.
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