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in addition rich harvests occur； then the Middle and Western States
will again suffer from an excess of produce； as they did before the
tariff of 1828。 But the same causes must again produce the same
results； viz。 the agriculturists of the Middle and Western States
must again arrive at the conviction； that the demand for
agricultural produce can only be increased by the increase of the
manufacturing population of the country； and that that increase can
only be brought about by an extension of the protective system。
While in this manner the partisans of protection will daily
increase in number and influence； the opposite party will diminish
in like proportion until the cotton planters under such altered
circumstances must necessarily come to the conviction that the
increase of the manufacturing population of the country and the
increase of the demand for agricultural produce and raw materials
both consist with their own interests if rightly understood。
Because； as we have shown； the cotton planters and the
Democrats in North America were striving most earnestly of their
own accord to play into the hands of the commercial interests of
England； no opportunity was offered at the moment on this side for
Mr Poulett Thompson to display his skill in commercial diplomacy。
Matters were quite in another position in France。 There people
still steadily clung to the prohibitive system。 There were indeed
many State officials who were disciples of theory； and also
deputies who were in favour of an extension of commercial relations
between England and France； and the existing alliance with England
had also rendered this view to a certain extent popular。 But how to
attain that object； opinions were less agreed； and in no respect
were they quite clear。 It seemed evident and also indisputable that
the high duties on the foreign necessaries of life and raw
materials； and the exclusion of English coal and pig…iron； operated
very disadvantageously to French industry； and that an increase in
the exports of wines； brandy； and silk fabrics would be extremely
advantageous to France。
In general； people confined themselves to universal declamation
against the disadvantages of the prohibitive system。 But to attack
this in special cases did not appear at the time to be at all
advisable。 For the Government of July had their strongest
supporters among the rich bourgeoisie； who for the most part were
interested in the great manufacturing undertakings。
Under these circumstances Mr Poulett Thompson formed a plan of
operations which does all honour to his breadth of thought and
diplomatic adroitness。 He sent to France a man thoroughly versed in
commerce and industry and in the commercial policy of France； well
known for his 'liberal sentiments' a learned man and a very
accomplished writer； Dr Bowring； who travelled through the whole of
France； and subsequently through Switzerland also； to gather on the
spot materials for arguments against the prohibitive system and in
favour of free trade。 Dr Bowring accomplished this task with his
accustomed ability and adroitness。 Especially he clearly indicated
the before…mentioned advantages of a freer commercial intercourse
between the two countries in respect of coal； pig…iron； wines； and
brandies。 In the report which he published； he chiefly confined his
arguments to these articles； in reference to the other branches of
industry he only gave statistics； without committing himself to
proofs or propositions how these could be promoted by means of free
trade with England。
Dr Bowring acted in precise accordance with the instructions
given to him by Mr Poulett Thompson； which were framed with
uncommon art and subtlety； and which appear at the head of his
report。 In these Mr Thompson makes use of the most liberal
expressions。 He expresses himself； with much consideration for the
French manufacturing interests； on the improbability that any
important result was to be expected from the contemplated
negotiations with France。 This instruction was perfectly adapted
for calming the apprehensions respecting the views of England
entertained by the French woollen and cotton manufacturing
interests which had become so powerful。 According to Mr Thompson；
it would be folly to ask for important concessions respecting
these。
On the other hand； he gives a hint how the object might more
easily be attained in respect of 'less important articles。' These
less important articles are certainly not enumerated in the
instruction； but the subsequent experience of France has completely
brought to light what Mr Thompson meant by it； for at the time of
the writing of this instruction the exports of linen yarn and linen
fabrics of England to France were included in the term 'less
important。'
The French Government； moved by the representations and
explanations of the English Government and its agents； and with the
intention of making to England a comparatively unimportant
concession； which would ultimately prove advantageous to France
herself； lowered the duty on linen yarn and linen fabrics to such
an extent that they no longer gave any protection to French
industry in face of the great improvements which the English had
made in these branches of manufacture； so that even in the next few
years the export of these articles from England to France increased
enormously （1838； 32；000；000 francs）； and that France stood in
danger； owing to the start which England had thus obtained； of
losing its entire linen industry； amounting to many hundred
millions in value； which was of the greatest importance for her
agriculture and for the welfare of her entire rural population；
unless means could be found to put a check on the English
competition by increasing the duties。
That France was duped by Mr Poulett Thompson was clear enough。
He had already clearly seen in the year 1834 what an impulse the
linen manufacture of England would receive in the next few years in
consequence of the new inventions which had been made there； and in
this negotiation he had calculated on the ignorance of the French
Government respecting these inventions and their necessary
consequences。 The advocates of this lowering of duties now indeed
endeavoured to make the world believe that by it they only desired
to make a concession to the belgian linen manufactures。 But did
that make amends for their lack of acquaintance with the advances
made by the English； and their lack of foresight as to the
necessary consequences？
Be that as it may； th