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However true it may be, in general, that the industrious pursuits of individuals ought to be regulated by their own sagacity and interest, there are practical exceptions to the theory, which sufficiently speak for themselves. The theory itself, indeed, requires a similarity of circumstances, and an equal freedom of interchange among commercial nations, which have never existed. All are agreed, also, that there are certain articles so indispensable, that no provident nation would depend for a supply of them on any other nation. But besides these, there may be many valuable branches of manufactures which, if once established, would support themselves, and even add to the list of exported commodities; but which, without public patronage, would either not be undertaken or come to a premature downfall. The difficulty of introducing manufactures, especially of a complicated character and costly outfit, and above all, in a market preoccupied by powerful rivals, must readily be conceived. They appear, accordingly, to have required for their introduction into the countries where they are now seen in their greatest extent and prosperity, either the liberal support of the Government, or the aid of exiled or emigrant manufacturers.
In determining the degree of encouragement which can be afforded to domestic manufactures, it is evident, that among other considerations, a fair comparison ought to be made of what might be saved by supplies at home during foreign wars, to say nothing of our own, with the expense of supporting manufactures in times of peace against foreign competitions in our market. Yet the American manufacturer, if unprotected during the periods of peace, would necessarily be undermined by the foreign; and he could not be expected to resume his undertaking at the return of war, knowing the uncertainty of its continuance, and foreseeing his certain ruin at the end of it. Estimates on these points cannot be made with much precision, but they ought not on that account to be overlooked; and in making them, a strong leaning ought to be indulged towards the policy of securing to the nation independent resources within itself.