_A judicious system of political economy would require that this class should be exempt from taxation._" Here we have the principle of no labor, no protection.
"The second class is composed of articles which have received _some preparation_ for manufacture.

This preparation would render reasonable the imposition of _some duties_." Here we find the commencement of protection, because, at the same time, likewise commences the demand for _national labor_.
"The third class comprehends finished articles, which can, under no circumstances, furnish material for national labor.

We consider this as the most fit for taxation." Here we have at once the maximum of labor, and, consequently, of production.
The petitioners then, as we here see, proclaimed foreign labor as injurious to national labor.

This is the _error_ of the prohibitive system.
They desired the French market to be reserved for _French labor_.

This is the _object_ of the prohibitive system.
They demanded that foreign labor should be subjected to restrictions and taxes.