The Disadvantages of Separation

If by disunion the states should be placed in the situation with respect to each other, resembling that of France with respect to her neighbors. The arbitrary and vexatious powers with which the patrols are necessarily armed would be intolerable in a free country. An ordinary degree of diligence would be competent to the prevention of any material infractions upon the rights of the revenue. A few armed vessels judiciously stationed at the entrances to our ports might, at a small expense, be made useful sentinels of the laws.