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Neither can he； because the merchant； who exports the cloth；
cannot raise its price； being limited by the price which it
yields in foreign markets。 Every man； to be sure； is desirous of
pushing off from himself the burden of any tax； which is imposed；
and of laying it upon others： But as every man has the same
inclination； and is upon the defensive； no set of men can be
supposed to prevail altogether in this contest。 And why the
landed gentleman should be the victim of the whole； and should
not be able to defend himself； as well as others are； I cannot
readily imagine。 All tradesmen； indeed； would willingly prey upon
him； and divide him among them； if they could： But this
inclination they always have； though no taxes were levied； and
the same methods； by which he guards against the imposition of
tradesmen before taxes； will serve him afterwards； and make them
share the burden with him。 They must be very heavy taxes； indeed；
and very injudiciously levied； which the artizan will not； of
himself； be enabled to pay； by superior industry and frugality；
without raising the price of his labour。
I shall conclude this subject with observing； that we have；
with regard to taxes； an instance of what frequently happens in
political institutions； that the consequences of things are
diametrically opposite to what we should expect on the first
appearance。 It is regarded as a fundamental maxim of the TURKISH
government； that the Grand Signior； though absolute master of the
lives and fortunes of each individual； has no authority to impose
a new tax； and every OTTOMAN prince； who has made such an
attempt； either has been obliged to retract； or has found the
fatal effects of his perseverance。 One would imagine； that this
prejudice or established opinion were the firmest barrier in the
world against oppression； yet it is certain； that its effect is
quite contrary。 The emperor； having no regular method of
encreasing his revenue； must allow all the bashaws and governors
to oppress and abuse the subjects： And these he squeezes after
their return from their government。 Whereas； if he could impose a
new tax； like our EUROPEAN princes； his interest would so far be
united with that of his people； that he would immediately feel
the bad effects of these disorderly levies of money； and would
find； that a pound； raised by a general imposition； would have
less pernicious effects； than a shilling taken in so unequal and
arbitrary a manner。
the End