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Editorial
August 8, 1775
The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle
Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Editorial from Portsmouth, Aug. 8, condemns merchants raising goods prices during the colonial non-importation agreement, viewing it as unpatriotic and depraved, especially amid shared colonial calamity. Argues scarcity from the agreement justifies no price hikes, calling such actions infractions deserving punishment.
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PORTSMOUTH Aug. 8.
It is not to be wondered at, that the Farmers complain of the
Rise of Goods, and the Man that does it at this important
Crisis (when all the Colonies are involved in one general Ca-
lamity,) is a great Enemy to this Country, and discovers such a
Depravity of Heart, as justly ought to be punished.
The Scarcity of an Article is no Justification for such a Person's
Conduct ; especially if that Scarcity is occasioned by the general
Non-Importation Agreement, because that Agreement is founded
upon the Presumption, that no Person would wish or desire to reap
any unreasonable Advantage by it. The Reasons are too obvious
to be mentioned.--- The Spirit of the Agreement is, that every
Person in trade, at the Time of it's taking Effect, should continue
to sell his Goods at the same Price, he then did ; until they were
sold and if every one did so, no Article could have been com-
plained of ; therefore any advanced price is an Infraction of the
Agreement, too base to be put up with ; and it is surely a Duty
It is not to be wondered at, that the Farmers complain of the
Rise of Goods, and the Man that does it at this important
Crisis (when all the Colonies are involved in one general Ca-
lamity,) is a great Enemy to this Country, and discovers such a
Depravity of Heart, as justly ought to be punished.
The Scarcity of an Article is no Justification for such a Person's
Conduct ; especially if that Scarcity is occasioned by the general
Non-Importation Agreement, because that Agreement is founded
upon the Presumption, that no Person would wish or desire to reap
any unreasonable Advantage by it. The Reasons are too obvious
to be mentioned.--- The Spirit of the Agreement is, that every
Person in trade, at the Time of it's taking Effect, should continue
to sell his Goods at the same Price, he then did ; until they were
sold and if every one did so, no Article could have been com-
plained of ; therefore any advanced price is an Infraction of the
Agreement, too base to be put up with ; and it is surely a Duty
What sub-type of article is it?
Economic Policy
Trade Or Commerce
Moral Or Religious
What keywords are associated?
Non Importation Agreement
Price Gouging
Colonial Calamity
Farmers Complaints
Trade Ethics
Economic Patriotism
What entities or persons were involved?
Farmers
The Man (Price Raiser)
Colonies
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Opposition To Price Increases During Non Importation Agreement
Stance / Tone
Strongly Condemnatory Of Price Gouging As Unpatriotic And Depraved
Key Figures
Farmers
The Man (Price Raiser)
Colonies
Key Arguments
Farmers' Complaints About Rising Goods Prices Are Justified
Raising Prices During Colonial Crisis Makes One An Enemy To The Country
Scarcity From Non Importation Does Not Justify Price Hikes
Non Importation Agreement Presumes No Unreasonable Advantage
Traders Should Sell At Pre Agreement Prices Until Stock Depleted
Price Advances Violate The Agreement's Spirit And Are Base Infractions
Such Conduct Deserves Punishment As A Duty