In a book entitled The Wisdom of Benjamin Franklin; being reflections and observations on men and events, not included in Poor Richard's almanac, chosen from his collected papers, with introduction by John J. Murphy, (1906) I found a couple of gems on Free Trade. (I dipped into the book because I was researching Murphy, who was one of the 21 people Robert Schalkenbach named in his will as trustees for the foundation which today bears his name. Murphy was involved with the New York Charity Organization Society, heading its Tenement House committee; Lawson Purdy was general director of one of COS's three departments.)
I FEEL myself strongly inclined to believe that a State which leaves all her ports open to all the world upon equal terms, will, by that means, have foreign commodities cheaper, sell its own productions dearer, and be on the whole, the most prosperous. I have heard some merchants say, that there is ten percent difference between Will you buy? and Will you sell? When foreigners bring us their goods, they want to part with them speedily, that they may purchase their cargoes and despatch their ships, which are at constant charges with our ports; we have then the advantage of their Will you buy? And when they demand our produce, we have the advantage of their Will you sell? And the concurring demands of a number also contribute to raise our prices. Thus both those questions are in our favor at home, against us abroad.
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