Hewatt, Alexander, An Historical Account of the Rise and Progress of the Colonies of South Carolina and Georgia, Volumes I and II (1779)
The Carolincans received protection to trade, a ready market,
drawbacks and bounties, by their political and commercial connection with the
mother country. The duties laid on many articles of foreign manufacture on
their importation into Britain were drawn back, sometimes the whole, almost
always a great part, on their exportation to the colonies. These drawbacks were
always in favour of the consumers, and supplied the provincial markets with
foreign goods at a rate equally cheap as if they had been immediately imported
from the place where they were manufactured. Hence the colonists were exempted
from those heavy duties which their fellow subjects in Britain were obliged to
pay, on most articles of foreign manufacture which they consumed. Besides, upon
the arrival of such goods in the country, the planters commonly had twelve
months credit from the provincial merchant, who was satisfied with payment once
in the year from all his customers.
