Adam Smith’s 1784 survey of Britain’s mercantile system

Happy Bastille Day, though I confess that I am rooting for España in today’s World Cup semi-final match in Arlington, Texas! Now, picking up where we left off in my previous post, below is a comprehensive summary of Adam Smith’s survey of Britain’s complex web of mercantilist laws in Addition #12 of Smith’s 1784 pamphlet (pp. 23-46). For reference, I have arranged this compilation into three separate categories as follows: BRITISH LAWS ALLOWING OR PROMOTING THE IMPORTATION OF GOODS 24 George III, chap. 46 — foreign brown linen yarn 29 George III, chap. 15 — ditto 21st George II, chap. 30 — indigo from British plantations 4th George III, chap. 26 — hemp, or undressed flax, from British plantations 5th George III, chap. 45 — wood from America 9th George III, chap. 38 — raw silk from British plantations 2nd George III, chap. 50 — pipe, hogshead, and barrel staves and heading from British plantations 19th George III, chap. 37 — hemp from Ireland BRITISH LAWS PROHIBITING OR DISCOURAGING…