—A pretty question! To have it, we must make it.
—That is not necessary. It is certain that to have it some one must make it; but it is not necessary that the person or country using it should make it. You did not produce that which clothes you so well, nor France the coffee it uses for breakfast.
—But I purchased my cloth, and France its coffee.
—Exactly, and with what?
—With specie.
—But you did not make the specie, nor did France.
—We bought it.
—With what?
—With our products which went to Peru.
—Then it is in reality your labor that you exchange for cloth, and French labor that is exchanged for coffee?