An Appeal to Common Sense and Common Justice : Or, Irrefragable Facts Opposed to Plausible Theories, Intended to Prove the Extreme Injustice, as Well as the Utter Impolicy, of the Existing Tariff

AN APPEAL TO COMMON SENSE AND COMMON JUSTICE ; OR, IRREFRAGABLE FACTS OPPOSED TO PLAUSIBLE THEORIES: INTENDED TO PROVE THE EXTREME INJUSTICE, AS WELL AS THE UTTER IMPOLICY, OF THE EXISTING TARIFF — Mathew Carey. This 1822 pamphlet argues for a protective tariff policy in the United States, contending that domestic manufacturing, agriculture, and revenue can be strengthened by judicious, protective duties. Carey reviews the economic experiments of England, France, and Holland, contrasts them with the American experience after the War of 1812, and critiques the prevalent theory of free trade promoted by Adam Smith and his followers. Through meticulous quotations and data, he demonstrates how high duties on agricultural staples and relatively liberal duties on manufactured goods produced misleading incentives, counterfeit prosperity, and widespread distress in several states. The work urges Congress to adopt a Hamiltonian, protectionist program, to encourage home industry, preserve national wealth, and secure economic sovereignty against foreign influence. It combines historical narrative, economic argument, and a call for national policy grounded in common sense and justice, rather than abstract theory.