But let us always remember that when the Physiocrats speak of the rights of the cultivator they think only of the farmer and métayer and never of the paid agriculturist. They are content to demand merely a decent existence for the latter. Were they put too much at ease they would perhaps leave off working. See Weulersse, vol. ii, p. 729. He seems a little unjust, and quotes some words of Quesnay, who protests against the belief that “the poor must be kept poor if they are not to become indolent.”
[60] One is perhaps surprised to find that freedom of work—in other words, the abolition of corporations—is not included in their list, especially since the credit for the downfall of those institutions is usually given to the Physiocrats. Their writings contain only very occasional reference to this topic, because industrial labour is regarded as sterile, and reform touching its organisation concerned them but little. They did, however, protest against the rule that confined the right to engage in a trade to those who had received an express privilege from the Crown. They considered that “to an honest soul this was the most odious maxim which the spirit of domination and rapacity ever invented.” (Baudeau, in Éphémérides, 1768, vol. iv.) Turgot’s famous Edict of January 1776, abolishing the rights of corporations and establishing liberty for all, is, with good reason, attributed to Physiocratic influence.
[61] “Exchange is a contract of equality, equal value being given in exchange for equal value. Consequently it is not a means of increasing wealth, for one gives as much as the other receives, but it is a means of satisfying wants and of varying enjoyment.” (Le Trosne, pp. 903, 904.) But what does this satisfying of wants and variation of enjoyment signify if it does not mean increased wealth?
[62] Mercier de la Rivière, p. 545.
[63] P. 548.
[64] “The settlement of international indebtedness by payment of money is a mere pis aller of foreign trade, adopted by those nations which are unable to give commodities in return for commodities according to custom. And foreign trade itself is a mere pis aller adopted by those nations whose home trade is insufficient to enable them to make the best use of their own productions. It is very strange that anyone should have laid such stress upon a mere pis aller of commerce.” (Quesnay’s Dialogues, p. 175.)
[65] “After all merchants are only traffickers, and the trafficker is just a person who employs his ability in appropriating a part of other people’s wealth.” (Mercier de la Rivière, p. 551.) “Merchants’ gains are not a species of profit.” (Quesnay, p. 151.)
[66] Ordre Naturel, p. 538.
[67] Enforcing sales in open market and in limited quantities only, keeping corn beyond two years, etc. Corn was to be supplied to consumers in the first place, then to bakers, and finally to merchants, etc.
[68] “Let entire freedom of commerce be maintained, for the surest, the exactest, the most profitable regulator both of home and of foreign trade for the nation as well as for the State is perfect freedom of competition.” (Quesnay’s Maximes, xxv.) “We must tell them that free trade is in accordance with the order and with the demands of justice, and everything that conforms to the order bears its own reward.” (Le Trosne, p. 586.)