But the great national policy of putting a duty upon imports is, that it either keeps the foreign trade in our own hands, or draws something for the defence of the country from every foreigner who participates in it with us.
In "The American Crisis," Paine explains the strategic national policy behind imposing duties on imported goods, linking it to economic control and national defense.
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To possess ourselves of a clear idea of what government is, or ought to be, we must trace it to its origin.
Many of the facts were in themselves principles; such as the declaration of American Independence, and the treaty of alliance between France and America, which recognised the natural rights of man, and justified resistance to oppression.
In fine, society performs for itself almost everything which is ascribed to government.