Why drive them from those markets into others which were less advantageous?
If trade with Britain was less free, or less profitable, than with France, the employment of coercive means to force it into French channels would be unnecessary.

It would voluntarily run in them.

That violence must be used in order to change its course, demonstrated that it was in its natural course.
It was extraordinary to hear gentlemen complaining of British restrictions on American commerce, and at the same time stating her proportion of that commerce as a national grievance, and that the trade was so free as to become an injury.

The very circumstance that she retained so large a share of it, was evidence that it did not experience in her ports unusual burdens.

Whenever greater advantages were offered by other countries, there would be no need of legislative interference to induce the merchants to embrace them.