Britain independent of commerce; or, proofs, deduced from an investigation into the true causes of the wealth of nations, that our riches, prosperity, and power, are derived from resources inherent in ourselves, and would not be affected, even though our commerce were annihilated.
London.
Printed by W. Savage...for T. Cadell and W. Davies, 1807.
First edition.
8vo.
[2], 85pp, [3]. Modern buff paper boards, contrasting red morocco lettering-piece. Leaves a trifle browned, overall a clean and crisp copy.
The first edition of political economist William Spence's (bap. 1782, d. 1860) contentious pamphlet in which he proclaims that agriculture is the most important source of a nation's wealth. A plethora of reactionary volumes were published, most notably James Mill's (1773-1836) Commerce Defended (1808), a cornerstone of the intellectual foundations of classical political economy. The work passed through six editions and earned Spence a profit of £230 by late 1808.
£ 250.00
Antiquates Ref: 26489
