Full text of The Merchants' Magazine and Commercial Review : February 1846, Vol. XIV, No. II

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MERCHANTS’ MAGAZINE,
E s t a b li s h e d J u l y , 1 8 3 9 ,

BY FREEMAN HUNT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

V O L U M E X IV .

FEBRUARY,

C O N T E N T S

OF

NO.

1846.

I I ., V O L .

N U M B E R II.

X IV .

ARTICLES.
ART.

PAGE

I.

The United States’' Census o f 1850 : W ith Reference to the Political Rela­
tions o f the Eastern and Western States. By W illiam K irkland, Esq., of
N ew Y o rk ,................................................................................................................. 115
II. Influence o f Commerce in the Affairs o f the W orld,..... .................................... 122
III. The Boston Post-Office. Location— General Method o f Conducting the Busi­
ness o f the Office— Increase o f the Business o f the Boston and other PostOffices— Salaries o f the Clerks— English Steamers— Penny Postmen— Hints
to Letter-Writers, Publishers o f Newspapers, etc.— Private Boxes and A c ­
counts— Dead Letters— Franking Privilege— Increase o f Speed in Travel­
ling, etc. By an E x -C lerk in the B oston P ost-O ffice,................................ 129
IV. The Bear Valley Coal Basin and Bear Mountain Railroad. By T . E. S ickels, o f Pennsylvania,................................................................................................ 141
V . Louisiana : its Agricultural and Commercial Interests,.................................. 145
VI. Progress o f American Manufactures. N ew Manufactures in the Eastern
States— American Cutlery— Improvement in Cotton Spinning— Manufacture
o f Silk in the Eastern and Western States— Machinery for the manufacture
o f Carpeting— Manufacture o f Pins in Connecticut— Buttons and Pens—
Discovery in the manufacture o f Iron— Axes— American and Foreign Hemp
— Whitney’s Rifle Factory— Progress o f Invention, etc.,................................. 152
V II. The German Zollverein and the Hanse Towns. Commercial Policy o f the
Zollverein towards the United States and the Hanse Towns. By Professor
J. L. T ellkampf, L L . D., o f Columbia College, N ew Y ork,.......................... 159
V III. The Progress o f the W e s t : Considered with Reference to Great Commercial
Cities in the United States. By J. W . S cott, o f Ohio,.................................. 163
IX . The Silver M ines o f M exico— Law s Regulating the Mines o f M exico....... 165
X. M ercantile Biography.— The L ate Abijah Fish, o f N ew Orleans............. .... 168

MERCANTILE

LAW

CASES.

Cases decided in the Supreme Court o f Louisiana, at the close o f the last Term,
1845, prepared by the Reporter o f the Supreme Court o f that State,...-.................. 170
VOL. X IV .---- NO. II.




8

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CONTENTS OF N O. I I . , V O L . X IV .
PAG E

C O M M E R C I A L C H R O N I C L E AND R E V I E W ,
EMBRACING A FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL REVIEW OF THE UNITED STATES, ETC., ILLUSTRATED
W IT H TABLES, ETC., AS FOLLOWS :

State o f the Commercial World— United States Finances— Revenue and Expendi­
ture o f N ew Y ork State Canals— N ew Y ork Canal Debt— Debt o f Pennsylvania
— Quantities o f Iron transported over T w o Lines o f Railroad, from Philadelphia
to N ew Y ork— Debt o f Michigan— Michigan Railroad Earnings— Finances of
Maryland— Debt o f South Carolina— Kentucky State Debt— Kentucky Sources o f
Revenue— Amount o f Bonds issued by the State o f Georgia— Territorial Debt of
Florida— Taxable Valuations, and Debts o f the States o f Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky,
Michigan, Georgia, Pennsylvania, N ew Y ork, and Maryland^-Canal Tolls of the
States o f N ew Y ork, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, etc., etc., etc.,.......................... 174, 181

COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS.
Chinese T ariff o f Imports and Exports,........................................................... ; ................. 182
Duties to be paid upon Goods imported and exported by the United States, at the
Five Ports,.................................................................................................................... 182-186
Brazilian Consulate Fees or Emoluments to be paid by National and Foreign Vessels, 187
Compend o f the Tariff o f Cuba,.......................................................................................... 188

NAUTICAL INTELLIGENCE.
Port Adelaide, South Australia,..............................................................................................
Sunken Rock— Chincha, or Guano Islands,.......................................................................
R io Grande San Pedro— Decree o f the Government o f Cuba,.......................................
Victoria R ock o ff Anglesea— Variation o f the N eedle,............................................ . . . .

189
189
190
190

COMMERCIAL STATISTICS.
Imports and Exports o f the United States, in 1844 and 1845,........................................
Navigation o f the United States, in 1844 and 1 8 4 5 ,.......................................................
Commerce o f the Pennsylvania Canal, in 1844 and 1845,..............................................
Commerce o f the N ew Y ork Canals, in 1844 and 1845,................................................
Statistics o f the American W hale Fishery, from 1838 to 1846,......................................
Mackerel Fishery o f Massachusetts, in 1845,....................................................................
Shipping built in the District o f Bath, Maine, in 1845,...................................................

MERCANTILE

191
192
192
195
197
198
199

MISCELLANIES.

Importance o f Mercantile Library Associations,...............................................................
Consumption o f Sugar in Different Countries,...................................................................
First Trading Establishment on the Columbia River,.......................................................
Duty on, and Consumption o f Tea— British Revenue,....................................................

200
201
202
202

THE BOOK TR ADE.
Arnold’s History o f Rom e— O’Callaghan’s History o f N ew Netherlands,..................
Kip’s Holidays in Rom e— W ilson on the Skin— Burdett’ s Chances and Changes,....
Hemans’s (Mrs') Poems— Montgomery’s Poems— Caldwell’s Elocution,.....................
Colton’s Life o f Clay— Williams’s Almanac— Picture of N ew Y o r k ,...........................
Carlyle’s Cromwell— Bennevento Cellini— Hugo’s Rhine,..............................................
Hazlitt’s English Poets— Tasso’s Jerusalem Delivered,................. ..................................
Cheever’s Pilgrim o f Jungfrau,...............................................................................................
D ick’s Practical Astronomer— Mosse’s Atlas o f the Human Bod}',...............................
Pilgrim’s Progress— Mackenzie’s Paul Jones— Talfourd’s Tragedies,..........................
Lang’s Highland Cottages at Roxbury,.................................................................................
Perdicarris’s Greece o f the Greeks— Warren’s Physical Education,..............................
Jamieson’s (Mrs.) Characteristics o f W om en— Standard Drama,...................................
Hannemann’s Chronic Diseases— Coleridge’s Aids to Reflection,..................................
Headley’s Alps and the Rhine— Voltaire and Rousseau on G od,....................................
Washington’s Fac Similes— Hermit o f W arkworth,.........................................................
Nott’s English Composition— M ’Vickar’s First Lessons,...................................................




203
203
204
204
205
205
205
206
206
206
207
207
207
208
208
208

H UNT ’ S

MERCHANTS’ MAGAZINE.
FEBRUARY,

1846.

Art. I.— THE UNITED STATES’ CENSUS OF 18§0 :
WITH REFERENCE TO THE

POLITICAL RELATIONS OF THE EASTERN AND WESTERN STATES.

T h e most important political subject before the Am erican people, at the
present time, is the approaching change in the geographical centre o f
pow er in the country. W hile w e are intent upon minor interests, w e are
giving little heed to the fact, that, in a very b rie f period, the seat o f the
grow ing pow er in these states w ill be completely changed. Neither the
annexation o f Texas, nor the formal possession o f Oregon, can be com ­
pared, in its influence upon the Atlantic states, With that numerical supe­
riority which, at the very next census, w ill make the west the dominant
portion o f the Republic.
Let no one suppose that this change w ill be rather nominal than real—
a change in the place o f power, and not in the governing influences. M ost
important changes must take place, and these it behoves the people o f the
east w ell and early to consider. Commercial, maritime, and manufactu­
ring interests, have hitherto had the principal attention o f the government.
A large part o f our legislation has been directed to the fostering o f one or
the other o f these interests, or to the settlement o f their conflicting claims
to favor and protection. Agriculture is, no doubt, at the east as at the xvest,
the great business o f life ; but it is, nevertheless, true, that partly from
want o f concentration among those who pursue this occupation, and partly
from the nature o f the employment itself, these interests have received but
a small share o f consideration from the government. This state o f things
must and w ill cease. Agriculture is not merely one o f the western inter­
ests ; it is that w hich absorbs and swallows up every other. Manufactu­
rers and merchants, from being congregated in cities and manufacturing
establishments, exert, at the east, an influence out o f all proportion— great­
er than belongs to their relative wealth and numbers. T h ey act in masses,
and their appearance is rendered, in this way, much more imposing, and
their real power greatly strengthened. But manufacturers at the west are
too insignificant to claim or receive a separate attention ; and the moment




116

The United States’ Census o f 1850.

this portion o f the country obtains a clear and decided majority in the
legislature o f the Union, the interests o f agriculture w ill assume a prom­
inence to which they have hitherto made no approach in that body.
Other changes must be expected to follow. The com m erce upon the
lakes, and the Mississippi and its tributaries, and the G ulf o f M exico, is,
at least, as important, in proportion to the population, as the internal and
foreign commerce o f the sea-board. Yet, while a vast amount o f treasure
has been expended in the promotion o f the latter, it has been with the ut­
most difficulty that any appropriation, however small, could be obtained
from Congress for the former. In governmental expenditures the west
has been regarded almost as foreign territory ; and Congress seems hardly
to have been aware that this far country had any interests to foster. The
amount o f outlay on a single work on the Atlantic— the Delaware break­
water— exceeds, i f w e are not mistaken, all appropriations o f every sort
for intercommunication, and for commercial purposes, for the whole im­
mense region included between the lakes and the G ulf o f M exico, and
stretching from the Apalachian range to the R ock y Mountains.
In all this there must, and w ill be, a change. T h e current o f the public
money which, for half a century, has been setting east, w ill assuredly
change its direction, and follow the population o f the country. For every
harbor appropriation, on the Atlantic, two w ill have to be made on the
lakes. Every fort and navy-yard at the east, w ill require to be balanced
by a western brother. T h e east w ill be fortunate i f no stricter rule be
adopted. A very decided change w ill also take place in the distribution
o f governmental patronage. T h e Atlantic states w ill not engross the higher
offices o f the nation. The two millions o f western voters w ill require to
be fully represented in all departments o f the government.
W e are inclined to think that the extreme dem ocracy o f the west w ill
be very discernible in Congress after the next census. W ith institutions
somewhat more democratical than ours, the spirit o f that section o f the
country is decidedly in advance o f us in this particular. There is, there,
absolutely no counteracting force. W ealth is, with us, much more une­
qually distributed ; social distinctions more marked. Constant intercourse
with the old world has a perceptible influence over the Atlantic towns ;
and there still remain some reminiscences, faint and fleeting though they
be, o f family, and family connections. At the west, the “ spirit o f the
ag e” is so completely the ruling spirit, that very little concern is felt about
the spirit o f past ages ; and precedents are discarded, the rather because
somebody has tried them before. W h en this western characteristic gives
a tone to Congress, the people o f the east w ill find they have some lessons
to learn, with whatever grace they can muster. T h e great proportion o f
foreigners in the population o f the new states, following the law o f reac­
tion, forms an ultra and democratic element, w hich w ill be as difficult to
manage as a newly released prisoner after his first draught o f fresh air,
and other intoxicating fluids. L ook at some o f the latest formed constitu­
tions— that o f Iow a for instance— and see whether the force o f dem ocracy
can much further go. Elective judges chosen for limited periods ; two
dollars daily pay for legislators ; all charters repealable at the w ill o f the
legislature ; these form some o f the items o f these constitutions.
That the spirit o f unadulterated dem ocracy— understanding by this term
something far other than the enlightened freedom w hich is contemplated
by our Constitution— is exceedingly prevalent in that wide region called




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The United States' Census o f 1850.

117

the west, is but too clearly proved by the Mormon contests. This spirit
fully received, demands that the w ill o f the people, to-day, should be the
law for to-day, in spite o f any musty antiquated records called laws, and
the like, which are merely the opinions o f people who lived years a g o ;
and like the precepts o f our religion, w ell enough for those times, but not
at all adapted to ours. H ence the undisguised murder o f Smith, with the
absolute impunity o f the murderers, notwithstanding the Governor’ s pledge
o f honor for his safety, and his strenuous efforts to bring the perpetrators
to justice. T h e people o f Illinois have gone on to burn out a population
o f fifteen or twenty thousand people, consuming house after house with
systematic deliberation, in order to rid themselves o f a portion o f the peo­
ple whom they do not like ; and there is no power in the state to stop them.
T h e constitution, the laws, and the magistrates, are as i f they w ere not.
T h e sovereign w ill o f the people— that is, their w ill for to-day, is not to be
resisted. Such is the actual construction o f the doctrine o f majorities in
the second state o f the west.
In M ichigan a serious attempt is making to do away with the legal pro­
fession, by allowing every one, without distinction, to practise in the courts
o f law. Should this measure succeed, as it is very likely to do, the pro­
fession held by D e Tocqueville to be our strongest barrier against unlim­
ited dem ocracy, w ill in that state be at an end. But the constitution o f
Iowa, the practice o f Illinois, and the attempted innovation o f Michigan,
are introduced here, not as o f themselves o f great importance in this con­
nection, but as showing the ultra-democratic, or anti-conservative spirit o f
the new region. Let no one suppose, such being the elements o f western
political power and tendencies, the relative strength can be shifted west­
ward without producing a marked influence upon the action o f the federal
government. T h e doctrine o f majorities, and o f numerical force, is coming
upon us with perpetually increasing pow er ; and it w ere marvellous indeed
i f it w ere not to exert itself with vast effect in this its most ample and
lofty sphere. T h e predominant views o f that section which makes the
government, w ill go far in determining its action. T h e power .o f the
west— as yet only tallied o f—is to be felt, and felt, too, as the grasp o f a
giant.
One most important result, for w hich w e must be prepared, is a change
in the disposal o f the public lands. Great uneasiness has, at various
times, been manifested, both in Congress, and elsewhere, upon this im ­
portant subject. T h e United States, it is said, being out o f debt, and hav­
ing an abundant revenue from com m erce, do not need those lands ; while
the states in w hich they are situated do need them. Much is said o f the
natural right o f any one, w ho sees fit to occupy and improve wild land, and
make it his own by cultivation. It is farther asserted that, i f such land
have any ow ner except the occupier, that owner is more properly the state
than the general government. These doctrines find, at the west, w illing
advocates and ready listeners. N o man is so popular as he w ho talks
largety o f state rights, and harangues against the encroachments and usur­
pations o f the general government.
Believing that the present mode o f disposing o f these lands, by the g ov­
ernment, is best for the settler and for the states themselves, and only just
to the people o f the old states, w e look with some apprehension on the
greatly increased pow er w hich the next census will place in the hands o f
those interested to make the popular doctrines available. In a long letter




r

i

118

The United States' Census o f 1850.

from Iowa, published last year in the Ohio Statesman, it is stated that
“ claim -laws,” (neighborhood agreements as to unsold government lands,)
can be made effective, if necessary, “ against Uncle Sam himself.” T h e
writer states a sad truth. Congress will, in all probability, be assailed in
favor o f admitting the validity o f “ claim -laws,” by the strong argument o f
its inability to resist the enforcement o f them. This side o f the question
has now a strong western advocacy in Congress ; the census w ill back
that advocacy by a strong western vote.
W ith regard to our foreign relations, w e do not perceive that western
predominance is likely to produce any important changes, except o f a com ­
mercial nature. European powers w ill have no inducement to disturb us.
T h e possessions o f England, on oar continent, are too far north to be cov ­
eted, i f w e except some portions o f Canada, and these portions are fast
tilling up with citizens. Future opposition to the English government, in
that quarter, w ill probably proceed from within ; nor w ill any important
aid be obtained from our borders until the contest shall be far advanced.
It is not at all likely that such w ill ever have influence to prevail with our
government to move in their fa v or; nor that the British government w ill
ever make a national matter o f individual aid to Canadian insurgents.
T h e intervention o f the great lakes, and a cold northern region, are strong
securities for peace in that direction. Elsewhere, the T exan experiment
w ill be repeated, and successfully, w henever it suits our people, or any
portion o f them, strong enough to occupy, forcibly, a weak neighboring
territory. Our government may countenance them, as it is charged with
having done in the former case ; or, it may make a proclamation against
the overt acts o f its citizens, as it has sometimes done on other occasions ;
it never has been, and it probably never w ill be, successful against a strong
sectional movement.
T h e western influence w ill be in favor o f an econom ical administration
o f the government. It w ill look favorably on neither a large army, nor a
large navy. T h e former w ill be opposed as unnecessary, and the latter as
section a l; and the west w ill prefer meeting danger when it is present, to
the expense o f guarding against that which may be only imaginary. Should
the contingency actually arise, however, the west w ill meet it with the
greatest liberality and heartiness. N o part o f the nation w ill be found
better furnished with stout hands and eager hearts.
It may be interesting to some o f our readers to see exhibited, somewhat
in detail, the calculations upon w hich w e base our opinion o f the predom­
inance o f the west at the next census. W ashington was made the seat
o f government before the acquisition o f Louisiana, and before the exis­
tence o f a state north o f the Ohio river. At that period, three-fourths, at
least, o f the population, w ere east o f the meridian o f W ashington. At
the last census, not more than three-eighths were east o f that meridian.
This statement may appear surprising to some o f our readers, but a com ­
parison o f the census o f 1840 with the map, w ill convince them o f its
accuracy.
By the next census, fully two-thirds o f the population w ill be found w est
o f the same meridian, at which period the V alley o f the Mississippi, in­
cluding the country o f the lakes, and the G u lf o f M exico, will, for the first
time, have a numerical preponderance. These three great divisions are pro­
perly ranged under the western head, in distinction from the eastern, or A t­
lantic states. T h ey have peculiar facilities for intercommunication by




The United States’ Census o f 1850.

119

natural and artificial channels. T h e people o f western Georgia, and A la ­
bama, are nearer to Cincinnati, or Louisville, for business, intercourse,
or influence, than they are to Richmond, or W ashington, or Philadelphia.
T h ey have one great com m ercial centre— N ew Orleans. T h e Ohio river
forms nearly the central line o f this vast region, considered in reference
to its geographical extent, and its population. T w o canals already unite
this river and the greater northern lakes, and a railroad is in progress
having in view a more rapid communication. From every point on three
o f the great lakes, Cleveland is reached b y steam ; and thence to C incin­
nati, the distance is but two hundred and fifty miles, while from C leve­
land to W ashington, the distance by the usual routes is eight hundred
miles. T h e region o f the lakes, then, as far as the barrier o f Niagara, is
but an off-shoot from the wide central valley, and the region o f the G ulf
claims a like relationship to the same vast trunk o f the Republic.
In 1840, the Atlantic states had, (omitting fractions,) 10,700,000 inhab­
itants ; and the states lying west o f the mountains, and betw een the lakes
and Gulf, 6,400,000. From the former must be deducted one-fourth o f the
population o f Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Georgia, and the small part o f
N ew Y ork lying on L ake E rie, as they are decidedly w estern in position,
interests, and character. This portion amounts to about 1,000,000, making
the Atlantic population, at the last census, 9,600,000 ; the entire western,
7,500,000. From 1790 to 1840, the Atlantic portion, (excluding that part
o f those states w hich properly belong to the w est,) increased 6,120,000,
or 1,220,000 for each decennium since the first census. T h e increase w as
nearly uniform during the three first periods, being about 1,070,000 ; it
rose in the fourth period, or from 1820 to 1830, to 1,600,000, but decreased
in the fifth from this last number to 1,330,000. Assuming this to be the
increase for the current decennium, w e shall have, at the census o f 1850,
a population o f 10,930,000 in the Atlantic portion o f the states. A llow ­
ing the increase o f the w hole United States to be the same as hitherto—
that is, at the rate o f one-third for every ten years, w e shall have for our
entire population, in 1850, 22,760,000 ; from which, deducting the Atlan­
tic portion, 10,930,000, there remain for the west 11,830,000; or, a majority
o f 900,000. That w e are entirely within the mark, in estimating the
growth o f the west, appears clearly from the following table :—
I n c r e a s e o f t h e W e s t f r o m 1790 t o 1840.
1790 t o 1800,....................................................................
270,000
690,000
1800 to 1810,....................................................................
1810 t o 1820,..................................................................... 1,170,000
1820 t o 1830,....................................................................
1,430,000
1830 t o 1840,....................................................................
2,900,000

From this it will be seen that the ratio o f increase has been, in two o f
the periods, over 100 per c e n t ; in one o f them 70 per c e n t ; and in only
one has it fallen below 50 per c e n t ; while for the preceding ten years
it exceeded one hundred. N o one denies that the causes w hich have
hitherto so rapidly swelled the population o f this vast region, are, for the
most part, still in operation. After 1850, then, w e have the fullest assu­
rance that the population o f this country w ill have its centre west o f the
mountains. Under the system o f universal suffrage, the centre o f pop­
ulation becom es, necessarily, the centre o f political power. W h ile the
population o f the eastern section increases in arithmetical, that o f the
western increases in geom etrical progression. T h e Atlantic portion has




120

The United States’ Census o f 1850.

grow n with great uniformity since the first census during no decennium
less than 1,000,000, nor more than 1,600,000. T h e west has moved for­
ward during the same period at the almost incredible rate o f 65 to 70 per
cent, and w e may safely assume 50 per cent for several more successive
periods— perhaps nearly through the century.
W ith regard to wealth, the western states w ill not be behindhand. P os­
sessed- o f a soil more fertile in the aggregate than that o f the east, they
lack no advantage o f their elder brethren except the fisheries and foreign
com m erce. Greater natural facilities for internal com m erce, are a full
equivalent for the latter, while the inexhaustible lead and copper mines
form a fair offset for the first. The other mineral productions, salt, coal,
and iron, belong to the west in ample proportion to its extent. Its coal­
fields are measured by hundreds o f miles, and its iron-beds are equally
inexhaustible ; while the valley o f the Kenhawa, alone, now. yields its
( three millions o f bushels o f salt annually, and is capable o f yielding any
additional quantity that may be required.
The com m erce o f the lakes, the Mississippi, and the G ulf united, equals,
probably surpasses, the coasting trade o f the seaboard, with the trade also
o f its rivers ; while the exports from N ew Orleans are not greatly inferior
to those from N e w Y ork. In fine, there is no reason to suppose that the
wealth o f the west w ill be, in the aggregate, inferior to that o f the east
in proportion to the respective population o f each. There is then nothing
to prevent the march o f pow er from flowing immediately in the footsteps
o f population. For this certain transfer the east should prepare itself, and
that without delay. T h e sceptre o f empire is slipping from its grasp. T h e
place where the supreme authority is exercised w ill be for a while within
its limits ; but the governing impulse must and w ill com e from without.
In view o f this rapidly approaching change, what course ought the east to
pursue ? W hat change in the policy she has used towards the younger,
and, hitherto, w eaker members o f the confederacy, w ill be demanded by
wisdom and justice 1
Our own views on this subject may, perhaps, be understood, at least in
part, from the earlier part o f this article. A ll questions affecting the com ­
mon interests, and claims o f east and west, and admitting o f an early and
final adjustment, ought to be settled on liberal principles within the next
five or six years. Am ong these, the subject o f the public lands deserves
the first place. T h e east and west should be bound together by as many
new and complete chains o f communication as possible. General W ash ­
ington’ s sagacity was never more conspicuous than in his recommendations
on this subject sixty years ago. Congress should enter on a m ore liberal
system o f appropriations for the great western world. T h e Mississippi
and the lakes should certainly be regarded as great national highways. Let
them be treated as such. As to constitutional scruples, the instrument to
w hich they refer has been shown to possess a most elastic nature w hen­
ever a majority, real or assumed, wished to accomplish a favorite object.
N ow that it has stretched itself so easily over Texas, and stands ready to
coyer any desirable part o f M exico, there surely w ill be no great difficulty
in enabling it to reach our great interior waters.
T h e east should voluntarily assign to the west its full share o f the public
offices ; for the west is not o f a nature to put up with an unequal distribu­
tion as tamely as the north has long done. W e shall be wise i f w e yield
with grace whatever cannot be retained. I f a strong disposition should




The United States’ Census o f 1850.

121

manifest itself even for the removal o f the seat o f government, it would be
folly to meet the proposition with any violent opposition from the Atlantic
states. W e may reasonably hope that increased facilities for transporta­
tion will, ere that period, make the change a tolerable one even for the
member from Passamaquoddy. W e must attempt to substitute a beneficent
moral power for the numerical and prescriptive weight w e have hitherto
enjoyed. Though the.sceptre be no longer ours, w e may yet thus perhaps
guide the hand that wields it. T o advance this effort, the increase o f mail
•facilities, with the greatest possible diminution o f the expense attending
them, must be o f the highest importance. Perhaps the w hole country would
gain by assuming, by a general tax, the entire burden o f mail-transporta­
tion, leaving the cost o f delivery as a sufficient check on the abuse o f the
privilege, or guarding against such abuse in some other way. Intercourse
b y mail, absolutely free, would prove a mighty bond o f union between the
widely separated districts o f our almost boundless territory.
W e might say something o f the wisdom o f offering our aid to the cause
o f education in the west, and o f the great furtherance w hich this object
wbuld receive b y free postage ; but the recollection o f the deplorably low
state o f public education among ourselves, with all our added years, and
all our boasted advantages, must, for the present, seal our lips on that point.
T h e west should be better known to u s ; not so much by books as by a c ­
tual observation. N o gentleman’ s education should be considered complete
which did not em brace a thorough personal knowledge o f the western coun­
try. A tour across the mountains, and along the whole length o f the M is­
sissippi, i f not to the head waters o f the Missouri, should ever, with us,
precede the tour o f Europe. L et it be held disgraceful for an Am erican
citizen to know the old world better than the new, or in becom ing acquaint­
ed with the latter, to leave out o f view its newest and most characteris­
tic regions. M any an Am erican, travelling in England, has blushed to
own that he never saw Niagara ; and his European friends, w ho value in­
formation and observation more than w e, have thought he had good rea­
son for doing so. Let us not wait to be shamed into more extensive re­
searches within our own bounds. T h e press should becom e less sectional,
and occupy itself more with the physical, statistical, and moral features o f
the whole country. I f w e arc told that this is impossible, w e are constrained
to conclude that our country is too large— a doctrine too unpopular to be
supported directly or indirectly by the press. A t present the east is better
known to the west than the west to the e a st; the press should do its best
to establish an equilibrium in this respect, i f not to turn the scale in our
favor. In short, no reasonable means o f convincing this young and ardent
region o f the sincerity o f our regard, and the strength o f our good will, can
prudently be neglected. T h e best provision for this, is to feel and culti­
vate the sentiment, and to evince, by substantial proofs, the pride and in­
terest and sympathy w hich her character and progress ought to excite.
She is far too sagacious to be satisfied with professions.




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Influence o f Commerce in the Affairs o f the World.

Art. II,— INFLUENCE OF COMMERCE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE WORLD.
T h e establishment o f Mercantile Library Associations in the principal
cities o f the United States, is one o f the prominent features o f the commer­
cial spirit o f our time. T h e Mercantile Library Association o f N ew Y ork
has been, w e need hardly allege, long known, and is founded on a solid
basis. W ithin the last year an elegant edifice has been erected in Phila­
delphia, by the Mercantile Library Company o f that city, established about
the same p eriod ; and its spacious and splendid rooms furnished with an
ample library, and all those accommodations required for the growth o f the
rising members o f that com m ercial body. The city o f Boston— the second
in the Union in the amount o f its commerce, and hardly below the fifth on
the face o f the globe— likewise possesses an association o f the same char­
acter, w hich is liberally endowed.*
These associations are o f great and incalculable benefit to young men
engaged in trade and commerce. Like the associations o f other bodies o f
men, they provide a convenient resort for the assemblies o f individuals
who are engaged in the same occupations, in the intervals o f their labor ;
and while, by their libraries, and the lectures w hich are occasionally de­
livered, they contribute to the amusement o f the merchants and their clerks,
they also conduce, by their spirit, to the advancement o f such persons in
intelligence and morals.
T h e address,f a large portion o f which w e subjoin, was delivered on
occasion o f the last Anniversary o f the Boston Mercantile Library A sso­
ciation. It is an able and spirited production, exhibiting that elevated
strain o f thought w hich characterises the efforts o f Mr. Winthrop, one o f
the most distinguished young men o f N ew England, and every w ay worthy
o f being added to the list o f eminent persons who had preceded him on a
number o f former occasions.:}: A portion o f the address is o f a local
character, but the general scope is to exhibit the importance o f the com ­
mercial spirit o f the ag'e, as controlling the policy o f the nations o f modern
times. Passing a deserved eulogium upon the beneficence o f prominent
merchants in Boston, who have bestowed, from the fruits o f successful en­
terprise, large sums o f money in founding institutions for public objects,
he presents in a general sketch the example o f the prominent nations o f
the present day whose policy is controlled by the com m ercial spirit, de­
monstrating at the same time the tendency o f com m erce to diminish war,
diffuse knowledge, and to promote industry and justice. In alluding to the
foundation o f the city o f Boston, Mr. W inthrop refers to the historical facts
o f the building and launching upon the M ystic river, o f the first Boston
vessel, in 1631, by his illustrious ancestor, Governor W inthrop, as a clearforeshadowing o f the destiny o f the metropolis o f N ew England.
Passing over the local topics o f Mr. W inthrop’ s address, w e now proceed
to lay before our readers an extended and connected extract, in w hich he
speaks o f com m erce in its high and more comprehensive relations— its in­
fluence upon the social and political condition o f the race :—
* There are also Mercantile Associations in Baltimore, Louisville, Ky., etc., etc.
+ A n Address delivered before the Boston Mercantile Library Association, on the oc­
casion of their Twenty-Fifth Anniversary, October 15th, 1845, by Robert C. Winthrop.
t John Davis, Edward Everett, Rufus Choate, George Putnam, etc.




Influence o f Commerce in the Affairs o f the World.

123

“ If one were called on to say, what upon the whole, was the most distinctive
and characterizing feature of the age in which we live, I think he might reply,
that it was the rapid and steady progress of the influence of commerce upon the
social and political condition of man. The policy of the civilized world is now
every where and eminently a commercial policy. No longer do the nations of the
earth measure their relative consequence by the number and discipline of their
armies upon the land, or their armadas upon the sea. The tables of their imports
and exports, the tonnage of their commercial marines, the value and variety of
their home trade, the sum total of their mercantile exchanges, these furnish the
standards by which national power and national importance are now marked and
measured. Even extent of territorial dominion is valued little, save as it gives
scope and verge for mercapfile transactions ; and the great use of colonies is what
Lord Sheffield declared it to be half a century ago, ! the monopoly of their con­
sumption, and the carriage of their produce.’
“ Look to the domestic administration, or the foreign negotiation of our own, or
any other civilized country. Listen to the debates of the two houses of the Impe­
rial Parliament. What are the subjects of their gravest and most frequent dis­
cussions ? The succession of families ? The marriage of princes ? The con­
quest of provinces ? The balance of power ?— No, the balance of trade, the sliding
scale, corn, cotton, sugar, timber— these furnish now the home-spun threads up­
on which the statesmen of modern days are obliged to string the pearls of their
parliamentary rhetoric. Nay, the prime minister himself is heard discoursing
upon the duties to be levied upon the seed of a certain savory vegetable— the use
of which not even Parisian authority has rendered quite genteel on a fair day— as
gravely, as if it were as true in regard to the complaints against the tariff of Great
Britain, as some of us think it is true in reference to the murmurs against our
own American tariff, that1all the tears which should water this sorrow, live in
an onion !’
“ Cross over to the continent. What is the great fact of the day in that quar­
ter ? Lo, a convention of delegates from ten of the independent states of Germa­
ny, forgetting their old political rivalries and social feuds, flinging to the winds
all the fears and jealousies which have so long sown dragon’s teeth along the bor­
ders of neighboring states of disproportioned strength and different forms of gov­
ernment—the lamb lying down with the lion—the little city of Frankfort with the
proud kingdom of Prussia— and all entering into a solemn league to regulate com­
merce and secure markets ! What occupy the thoughts of the diplomatists, th£
Guizots, and Aberdeens, and Metternichs ? Reciprocal treaties of commerce and
navigation—treaties to advance an honest trade, or sometimes (I thank Heaven!)
to abolish an infamous and accursed traffic— these are the engrossing topics of
their protocols and ultimatums. Even wars, when they have occurred, or when
they have been rumored, for a quarter of a century past, how almost uniformly
has the real motive, whether of the menace or of the hostile act, proved'to be—
whatever may have been the pretence—not, as aforetime, to destroy, but to se­
cure, the sources of commercial wealth. Algiers, Affghanistan, China, Texas, Or­
egon, all point more or less directly, to one and the same pervading policy through­
out the world— of opening new markets, securing new ports, and extending com­
merce and navigation over new lands and new seas.
“ But,, Mr. President, the most signal and most gratifying illustration of the
predominating influence of commerce in the affairs of the world, is to be drawn
not from the consideration of wars, but of peace. It is a common form of remark,
that the protracted and general peace, which the world has of late enjoyed, has
been the cause of that vast extension of commerce which is every where witness­
ed. And doubtless, there is much truth in the idea intended to be conveyed by
it. Certainly, too, there has been, and always will be, much of action and reac­
tion in these coinciding circumstances, and much to account for various readings
in the assignment of cause and consequence. Yet I cannot but think that the
time has at length fully come, when the mode of stating the relations between
these great interests, should be changed; and when commerce may fairly be con­
sidered as having substantiated its claim to that highest of all titles, the great Con-




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Influence o f Commerce in the Affairs o f the World.

s en a to r o f the world’s peace , instead of being represented as a helpless dependent
on peace for the liberty of prosecuting its own pursuits.
“ Indeed, commerce has, in all ages, been the most formidable antagonist of
war. That great struggle for the mastery, which has been going on, almost from
the earliest syllable of recorded time, upon the theatre of human life, and which
has been variously described and denominated, according to the aspect in which
it has been regarded, or the object with which it was discussed— now as a strug­
gle between aristocracy and democracy, and now as between the few and the
many— has been little more than a struggle between the mercantile and martial
spirit.
“ For centuries, and cycles of centuries, the martial spirit has prevailed. The
written history of the world, is one long bloody record of its triumph. And it can­
not have escaped any one, how, during the periods of its sternest struggles, it has
singled out the commercial spirit as its most formidable foe. Look at Sparta, for
example ; the state which, more than any other, was organized upon a purely war
principle ; though, to the credit of its founder be it spoken, with the view of de­
fending its own territories, and not of encroaching upon the dominions of others.
What was the first great stroke of policy adopted by the Lacedemonian lawgiver
to secure the supremacy of the martial spirit ? What did he primarily aim to ac­
complish by his extraordinary enactments in relation to food, currency, education,
honesty, and labor of all sorts ? A Lacedemonian happening to be at Athens
when the court was sitting, was informed of a man who had just been fined for
idleness. 1Let me see the person,’ exclaimed he, 1who has been condemned for
keeping up his d ig n ity !’ What was the philosophy of the black broth, the iron
money, the consummate virtue of successful theft, the sublime dignity of idleness ?
It was the war system, entrenching itself, where alone it could be safe, on the
ruins of commerce ! The annihilation of trade, and all its inducements, and all
its incidents— the extermination of the mercantile spirit, root and branch— this
was the only mode which the sagacious Lycurgus could devise for maintaining
the martial character of Sparta.
“ Plato, who knew something of the practical value of commerce, if it be true
that it was by selling oil in Egypt that he was enabled to defray the expenses of
those travels and studies, by which he prepared himself to be one of the great lights
of the world, bore witness to the wise adaptation of this policy to the end to be ac­
complished, when he declared that in a well regulated commonwealth, the citi­
zens should not engage in commerce, because they would be accustomed to find
pretexts for justifying conduct so inconsistent with what was manly and becom­
ing, as would relax the strictness o f the m ilitary sp irit ; adding, that it had been bet­
ter for the Athenians to have continued to send annually the sons of seven of their
principal citizens to be devoured by the Minotaur, than to have changed their an­
cient manners, and become a m aritim e power.
“ It is this irreconcilable hostility between the mercantile and the martial spirit,
which has led heroes, in all ages, to despise and deride the pursuits of trade— from
the heroes of the Homeric age of ancient Greece, with whom a pirate is said to
have been a more respected character than a merchant, to him of modern France,
who could find no severer sarcasm for his most hated foes, than to call them ‘ a
nation of shopkeepers.’
“ The madman of Macedonia, as he is sometimes called, but to whor% by one
having occasion for military talents, might well have been applied the remark of
George the Second, in reference to General Wolfe, that he wished, if W olfe were
mad, he could have bitten some of the rest of his generals— after he had overrun
almost the whole habitable earth, did indeed, in despair of finding any more do­
minions on the land to conquer, turn to the sea, to obtain fresh opportunity for
gratifying his insatiate ambition. He projected a voyage for his fleet, from the
Indus to the mouth of the Euphrates. Commercial views are sometimes regarded
as having mingled with the ambition which prompted this undertaking. It has
been called the first event of general importance to mankind in the history of
commerce and navigation, and has been thought worthy of being commemorated
on the page of its learned historian, by a medallion, on which the head of its he­
roic projector is illuminated by the proud inscription,1aperiam terras gentibus.’




Influence o f Commerce in the Affairs o f the World.

125

“ Let us transport ourselves, gentlemen, for an instant, to a region recently
rendered familiar by the events of Afghanistan and Scinde, and, turning back the
page of history for a little more than two thousand years, catch a glimpse of the
character and circumstances of this memorable voyage.
“ Alexander, it seems, is at first sorely puzzled to find any one willing to assume
the hazardous dignity of leading such an expedition. At length, Nearehus, a Cre­
tan, is pressed into the service, and is duly installed as admiral of the fleet. Two
thousand transports, and eighty galleys, of thirty oars each, are laboriously fitted
out, and the hero accompanies them in person, in a perilous passage, down the In­
dus to the ocean. He approaches the mighty element not in that mood of antic,
and insolent presumption, which other madmen before and since have displayed
on similar occasions. He throws no chains upon it, as Xerxes is narrated to have
done, a century and a half earlier. He orders no host of spearmen to charge up­
on it, as Caligula did, three or four centuries afterwards. He does not even ven­
ture to try the effect of his imperial voice, in hushing its stormy billows, and bid­
ding its proud waves to stay themselves at his feet, as Canute did, still a thousand
years later. On the contrary, he humbles himself before its sublime presence—
he offers splendid sacrifices, and pours out rich libations to its divinities, and puts
up fervent prayers for the success and safety of his fleet.
“ Nearehus is then directed to wait two months for a favorable monsoon. But
a revolt of certain savage tribes in the neighborhood, compels him to anticipate its
arrival, and he embarks and enters upon his voyage. At the end of six days, two
of which, however, were passed at anchor, the fleet had advanced rather more than
nine miles 1 After digging away a bar at the mouth of the Indus, a little
more progress is made, and a sandy island reached, on which all hands are in­
dulged with a day’s rest. Again the anchors are weighed, but soon again the vio­
lence of the winds suspends all operations; the whole host are a second time land­
ed, and remain upon shore for four-and-twenty days. Once more the voyage is
renewed ; but once more the winds rage furiously; two of the galleys and a trans­
port are sunk in the gale, and their crews are seen swimming for their lives. A
third time all hands disembark and fortify a camp. The long-expected monsoon
at length sets in, and they start afresh, and witbsuch accelerated speed, as to ac­
complish thirty-one miles in the first twenty-four hours. But then, a four days’
battle with the natives, far more than counterbalances this unlooked-for speed.
Soon after, however, a pilot is fallen in with, who engages to conduct them to the
Persian Gulf. Under his auspices, they venture for the first time, to sail by night,
when they can have the benefit of the land breeze, and when the rowers, relieved
from the heat of the sun, can exert themselves to the best advantage. And now
they are making almost twice as many miles in the twenty-four as before, when
lo ! a new trouble arrests their course. Huge columns of water are seen thrown
up into the air before them. The explanation of the pilot, that they are but the
sportful spoutings of a huge fish, only adds to their alarm. I f such be his sport,
what must his wrath be ? All hands drop their oars in a panic ! The admiral,
however, exhorts them to dismiss their fears, and directs them, when a whale advances towards them, to bear down upon it bravely, and scare it from their path
with shouts, and dashing of oars, and sounding of trumpets ! The entrance of the
Persian Gulf, a distance of about six hundred miles, is at length reached—the first
and most difficult stage of the enterprise is accomplished ; and the admiral, hav­
ing hauled all his vessels ashore, and fortified them by a double entrenchment,
proceeds to give the joyful tidings to his imperial master, who has kept along at
no great distance from him on the coast, and they unite in offering the sacrifices
of thanksgiving to Jupiter, Apollo, Hercules, Neptune, and I know not how many
other deities of land, air, and ocean !
“ Such, Mr. President, is a summary sketch of this first event of general impor­
tance to mankind in the history of navigation ; an event which, though its details
may excite the laughter of a Nantucket or New Bedford whaleman, or even of a
Marblehead or Barnstable sailor boy, was counted among the gravest and grand­
est exploits of that unrivalled hero of antiquity, who took Achilles for his model,
and could not sleep without Aristotle’s copy of the Iliad under his pillow. If any




,

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Influence o f Commerce in the Affairs o f the World.

commercial views are justly ascribed to the projector of such an expeditioif, it fur­
nishes an early and striking illustration of the idea, which the general current of
history has since confirmed, that the mercantile and martial spirits were never to
be the subjects of reconciliation and compromise, nor commerce destined to be
seen yoked to the car, and decorating the triumph of military ambition. At all
events, it supplies an amusing picture of the navigation of those early days, and
shows how poorly provided and appointed was the mercantile spirit of antiquity
for its great mission of civilization and peace. Transports and triaconters, skim­
ming along the coast without a compass, and propelled by oarsmen who were
panic-stricken at the spouting of a whale, were not the enginery by which com­
merce was to achieve its world-wide triumphs. And it was another admiral than
Nearchus, not yielding himself reluctantly to the call of an imperious sovereign,
but prompted by the heroic impulses of his own breast, and offering up bis prayers
and oblations at another shrine than that of Jupiter or Neptune, who, in a still far
distant age, was to open the world to the nations, give the commercial spirit searoom, and lend the original impulse to those great movements of navigation and
trade by which the whole face of society has been transformed.
“ W ell might the mail-clad monarchs of the earth refuse their countenance to
Columbus, and reward his matchless exploit with beggary and chains. He pro­
jected, he accomplished that, which, in its ultimate and inevitable consequences,
was to wrest from their hands the implements of their ferocious sport— to break
their bow and knap their spear in sunder, and all but to extinguish the source of
their proudest and most absolute prerogative.
1N o kingly conqueror, since time began
T he long career o f ages, hath to man
A scope so ample given for Trade's bold range,
Or caused on earth’s wide stage, such rapid, mighty change.’

From the discovery of the new world, the mercantile spirit has been rapidly gain­
ing upon its old antagonist; and the establishment upon these shores of our own
Republic, whose Union was the immediate result of commercial necessities, whose
independence found its original ynpulse in commercial oppressions, and of whose
constitution the regulation of commerce was the first leading idea— may be re­
garded as the epoch, at which the martial spirit finally lost a supremacy which, it
is believed and trusted, it can never re-acquire.
“ Yes, Mr. President, it is commerce which is fast exorcising the fell spirit of
war from nations which it has so long been tearing and rending. The merchant
may, indeed, almost be seen at this moment summoning the rulers of the earth to
his counting desk, and putting them under bonds to keep the peace ! Upon what
do we ourselves rely, to counteract the influence of the close approximation of
yonder flaming planet to our sphere ? Let me rather say, (for it is not in our staTS,
but in ourselves, that we are to look for the causes which have brought the appre­
hensions of war once more home to our hearts,) upon what do we rely, to save us
from the bloody arbitrement of questions of mere territory and boundary, into
which our own arbitrary and ambitious views would plunge us ? To what do we
look to prevent a protracted strife with Mexico, if not to arrest even the outbreak
of hostilities— but to the unwillingness of the great commercial powers, that the
trade of the W est Indies and of the Gulf should be interrupted ? W hy is it so
confidently pionounced, that Great Britain will never go to war with the United
States for Oregon ? W hy, but that trade has created such a Siamese ligament
between the two countries, that every blow upon us would be but as a blow of the
right arm upon the left. Why, but that in the smoke-pipe of every steamer which
brings her merchandise to our ports, we see a calumet of Peace, which her warchiefs dare not extinguish. Commerce has, indeed, almost realized ideas which
the poet, in his wildest fancies, assumed as the very standard of impossibility. W e
may n o t1charm ache with air, or agony with w o r d s b u t may we not ‘ fetter
strong madness with a cotton thread ?’ Yes, that little fibre, which was not known
as a product of the North American soil, when our old colonial union with Great
Britain was dissolved, has already been spun by the ocean-moved power-loom of




Influence o f Commerce in the Affairs o f the W orld.

127

international commerce, into a thread which may fetter forever the strong madness
of war !
“ Yet let us not, let us not, experiment upon its tension too far. Neither the in­
fluences of commerce, nor any other influences, have yet brought about the day,
(if indeed such a day is ever to be enjoyed before the second coming of the Prince
of Peace,) when we may regard all danger of war at an end, and when we may
fearlessly sport with the firebrands which have heretofore kindled it, or throw down
the firearms by which we have been accustomed to defend ourselves against it.
Preparation, I will not say, fo r war, but against war, is still the dictate of com­
mon prudence. And while I would always contend first, for that preparation of
an honest, equitable, inoffensive, and unaggressive policy towards all other nations,
which would secure us, in every event, the triple armor of a just cause, I am not
ready to abandon those other preparations for which our constitution and laws
have made provision. Nor do I justify such preparations only on any narrow
views of state necessity and worldly policy. I know no policy as a statesman,
which I may not pursue as a Christian. I can advocate no system before men,
which I may not justify to my own conscience, or which I shrink from holding up
in humble trust before my God.
“ This is not the time or the place, however, for discussing the policy or the
principle of military defences. 1have only alluded to the subject, lest, in paying a
heartfelt tribute to the pacific influences of commerce, I might seem to sympathize
with views which would call upon Congress, at their coming session, to disband our
army and militia, and dismantle our fortifications and ships of war—while Mexi­
co is still mustering her forces upon the Rio Grande— while England may be con­
centrating her fleets upon the Columbia— and while Cherokees, and Seminoles,
and Camanches, burning with hereditary hatred, and smarting under immediate
wrongs, are ready to pounce upon the powerless wherever they can find them.
“ I honor the advocates of peace wherever they may be found; and gladly would
I hail the day, when their transcendent principles shall be consistent with the
maintenance of those organized societies which are so clearly of Divine origin
and sanction ; the day, when
‘ A ll crimes shall cease, and ancient fraud shall fail,
Returning Justice lift aloft her scale ;
Peace o’er the world her olive wand extend,
A nd white-rob’d Innocence from heaven descend.’

“ In the meantime, let us rejoice that the great interests of international com­
merce are effecting practically, what these sublime principles aim at theoretical­
ly. It is easy, I know, to deride these interests as sordid, selfish, dollar-and-cent
influences, emanating from the pocket, instead of from the heart or the conscience.
But an enlightened and regulated pursuit of real interests, is no unworthy policy,
either on the part of individuals or nations, and a far-sighted selfishness is not on­
ly consistent with, but is often itself, the truest philanthropy. Commandments of
not inferior authority to the Decalogue, teach us, that the love of our neighbor, a
duty second only in obligation to the love of God, is to find its measure in that lo^*e
of self, which has been implanted in our nature for no unwise or unwarrantable
ends. Yet, gentlemen, while I would vindicate the commercial spirit from the re­
proaches which are too often cast upon it, and hail its triumphant progress over
the world as the harbinger of freedom, civilization, and peace, I would by no means
intimate an opinion, that it is not itself susceptible of improvement— that it does
not itself demand regulation and restraint. The bigotry of the ancient Canonists,
regarded trade as inconsistent with Christianity, and the Council of Melfi, under
Pope Urban the Second, decreed, that it was impossible to exercise any traffic, or
even to follow the profession of the law, with a safe conscience. God forbid, that
while we scoff at the doctrine which would excommunicate commerce from the
pale of Christianity, we should embrace the far more fatal doctrine, which should
regard the principles of Christianity as having no place, and no authority in the
pursuits of commerce ! The commercial spirit has rendered noble service to
mankind. Its influence in promoting domestic order, in stimulating individual in­
dustry, in establishing and developing the great principle of the division of labor—




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Influence o f Commerce in the Affairs o f the World.

its appropriatioji of the surplus products of all mechanical and all agricultural in­
dustry for its cargoes— its demand upon the highest exercise of invention and skill
for its vehicles— its appeal to the sublimest science for its guidance over the deep
— its imperative requisition of the strictest public faith and private integrity— its
indirect, but not less powerful operation in diffusing knowledge, civilization and
freedom over the world— all conspire with that noble conquest over the spirit of
war which I have described, in commending it to the gratitude of man, and in
stamping it with the crown-mark of a divinely appointed instrument for good. As
long as the existing state of humanity is unchanged— as long as man is bound to
man by wants, and weaknesses, and mutual dependencies, the voice which would
cast out this spirit, will come from the cloistered cells of superstition, and not
from the temples of a true religion. But that it requires to be tempered, and chas­
tened, and refined, and elevated, and purified, and Christianized, examples gross
as earth, and glaring as the sun, exhort us on every side.
“ Commerce diffuses knowledge; but there is a knowledge of evil as well as of
good. Commerce spreads civilization; but civilization has its vices as well as its
virtues. And is there not too much ground for the charge, that most of the trade
with the savage tribes the world over, is carried on in a manner and by means cal­
culated only to corrupt and degrade them, and even where it makes nominal pros­
elytes to Christianity, to make them tenfold more the children of perdition than be­
fore ? I look to the influence of associations like that before me, to aid in arrest­
ing this abuse, by elevating the views of those who are preparing to engage in
mercantile pursuits, above the mere pursuit of gain, and by impressing upon their
hearts, while they are still open to impression, a deeper sense of responsibility for
the conduct of civilized man, in those relations towards these ignorant and wretch­
ed beings which commercial intercourse creates. It cannot fail to have given joy
to every benevolent bosom, to find the historian of the late Exploring Expedition,
bearing such unqualified testimony to the character and services of the American
missionaries in the various savage islands which he visited; and it may be hoped,
that the day is not far distant, when the American merchant will be found every
where co-operating in the noble efforts by which the triumphs of the Cross are yet
to encircle the earth !
“ There is another stain upon the commercial spirit, of even deeper dye. I need
not, in this presence, do more than name the African slave trade. Gentlemen,
this flagitious traffic is still extensively prosecuted. Recent debates in the Brit­
ish Parliament would seem to show that it has of late been largely on the increase;
and that the number of slaves now annually taken from the coast of Africa, is
more than twice as great as it was at the commencement of the present century.
Recent developments at Brazil, too, would seem to implicate our own American,
and even our own New England, commerce, in ‘ the deep damnation of this taking
off.’ It is, certainly, quite too well understood, that American vessels, sailing un­
der the American flag, are the favorite vehicles of the slave trader. No force of
language, no array of epithets, can add to the sense of shame and humiliation
which the simplest statement of such facts must excite in every true American
heart.
“ Gentlemen, we naturally look to the organized forces of our National Govern­
ment to suppress these abuses of our shipping and our flag, and we all rejoice in
the recent negotiation of a treaty, in the highest degree honorable to our great
Massachusetts statesman, by which their suppression will be facilitated. But
neither the combined navies of Great Britain and the United States, nor of the
world, can accomplish this work without other aid. The co-operation of commer­
cial men; the general combination and conspiracy, if I may so speak, of all who
go down to the sea in ships, or are in any degree connected with business on the
great waters,— the merchants and merchants’ clerks, the consigners and con­
signees, the captains, the supercargoes, the mates and the common sailors alike ;
— this must come in aid of our armed squadrons, or the slave trade will still leave
a stain upon commerce, which ‘ not all great Neptune’s ocean will wash clean,’
but which will rather 1the multitudinous seas incarnardine !’ ”




The Boston Post-Office.

129

Art. III.— TnE BOSTON POST-OFFICE.
LOCATION

OF THE

BOSTON

POST-OFFICE— GENERAL

METHOD OF CONDUCTING

THE BUSINESS

OF THE OFFICE— INCREASE OP BOSTON AND OTHER POST-OFFICES— SALARIES OF THE CLERKS
---- ENGLISH STEAMERS— PENNY POSTMEN— HINTS TO LETTER WRITERS, PUBLISHERS OF NEWS­
PAPERS,

ETC.---- PRIVATE

NUMBER

OF LETTERS

BOXES AND ACCOUNTS— DEAD

DELIVERED

LETTERS— FRANKING PRIVILEGE----

B Y CLERKS— INCREASE OF BUSINESS

IN THE

POST-OF­

FICES— INCREASE OF SPEED IN TRAVELLING, ETC.

T i i e B o s t o n P o s t - O f f i c e has, if w e except the N ew York since its
removal to the old Dutch Church in Nassau-street, the best accommoda­
tions o f any post-office in this country. W hile those employed in this es­
tablishment have ample room for their operations, which are daily becom ­
ing more extensive and arduous, as the city and the country increase in
business and population, the public have every accommodation that they
require. Like all similar establishments in our great commercial cities, it
is located in the “ M e r c h a n t s ’ E x c h a n g e , ” the place where men o f bu­
siness “ most do congregate.” * The labor in this office has been more than
doubled within the last six years ; and w e hazard nothing in saying, that
no set o f individuals, in public or private life, labor more assiduously, or
bring more to pass, every twenty-four hours, than do those who are em­
ployed in it.
Circumstances have made the writer o f this article acquainted with the
mode o f doing business in the Boston Post-Office ; and he has been sur­
prised at the extent and importance o f the labors performed there. But
* It will be recollected that when the proposition to remove the post-office from the
old City Hall to the Merchants’ Exchange was first agitated, there was much opposition
expressed— no doubt honestly, too— to the change. A t that time several spirited articles
on this subject, pro and con, appeared in the city papers— as was the case, we remember,
when the post-office was removed from Merchants’ Hall, Water-street, to Washingtonstreet, twelve years before. W hen it was finally removed, an article appeared in the
Morning Post, giving a description o f the office, in its new location, which we here in­
sert, not on account o f its furnishing any information that wilf be new to the citizens of
Boston, but because o f its general accuracy, and o f the notion it will give readers in dis­
tant parts o f the country o f the post-office o f the “ literary emporium —
“ It can be approached from three points, viz. from State-street, Lindall-street, and
through a spacious avenue leading from Congress-street. These entrances during the
evening are lighted with gas, and are not, like the entrance to the old post-office, crowd­
ed by idlers. T he arch-way inside, where the letters are deposited and delivered, is
spacious, well lighted, and affords ample protection from the inclemency of the weather.
It runs north and south, parallel with Congress-street. T he post-office commences on
the left hand side near the great staircase o f the Exchange, when the face is turned to­
wards the south, and extends in that direction about one hundred feet. T he merchants’
letter boxes are placed in windows at the northern corner and along the sides, where they
can ascertain at a glance the contents o f their boxes. There are 1760 of these boxes.
T he central parts o f the office, as they should be, are devoted to the delivery and receipt
of the letters and newspapers o f the public generally; and ladies who wish to receive
letters may enter the office and receive them without being subjected to jostle and delay
— which was one o f the many inconveniences o f the old post-office.
“ T he interior o f the new post-office could not have been better adapted, had it been
built expressly for the purpose. A large vaulted fire-proof room, lighted on every side by
spacious windows, and having a superfices o f 4,000 feet, stands in strong contrast with the
narrow, cramped up wooden interior o f the old post-office, which a spark might wrap in
flames,”
Soon after the post-office was removed to the Merchants’ Exchange, the writer o f this
gave a description o f the business done in the office in the Morning Post— and some of
the sentences in that article he has adopted here, they being quite as good as any thing
he could now write on the subject.
VOL. XIV.---- NO. II.
9




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The Boston Post-Office.

how many individuals there are, w ho do business at the office daily, that
are entirely ignorant o f the operations which are going on inside. T h e
object o f this article is to enlighten all such individuals, and, at the same
time, to furnish our business classes with saint: hints that cannot but prove
serviceable to them.
Let us begin with the working w eek. I f w e go into the office on Monday morning at two o ’ clock, w e shall find a “ night clerk” distributing the
daily papers o f the city, to be forwarded by stages and railroad cars in a
few hours. H e has been on duty ever since nine o ’ clock on the previous
evening. A ll papers sent in before four o ’ clock are sure to be forwarded
to their destination faithfully; but i f they are a minute after that time, they
lie over till the next mail. This department is in the hands o f three or
four competent men, who, notwithstanding they daily receive assistance
from other clerks, have as much w ork as they can conveniently turn their
hands tov
At three o ’ clock, w e shall find several clerks at their counters, preparing
letters for the morning mails, which close at five, giving them just time to
pack them up and deposit them in the bags for the stage dr ivers and mail
agents. This done, they have an hour or two for breakfast. T h e duty o f
filling the bags is a very arduous one, the contents o f some o f them w eigh­
ing over one hundred pounds. It is similar to that o f a lumper on one o f
the wharves, who rolls hogsheads o f molasses, or piles up bags o f cotton
and coffee— perhaps not so laborious, but quite as intellectual. The writer
o f this has filled from fifty to one hundred o f these bags in a day, besides
attending to his writing and other clerical duties ; and every clerk in the
forwarding department has to do his share o f this worse than tread-mill
drudgery.
T h e morning mails having been despatched, w e find a new scene open­
ing. Long before sunrise, in the winter season especially, the porters make
their appearance; and soon after, the clerks engaged in the letter and
newspaper delivery department begin to stir in their respective duties.
T here are six or eight o f these, who are under the direction o f Mr. Pom e­
roy, the ch ief clerk, and an officer o f efficiency and experience. H e is a
brother-in-law o f the postmaster. T h e polite and faithful attendants in the
general delivery department belong to his gang. T h e mails which have
arrived during the night, or such parts o f them as are left unassorted by the
“ early morning clerks,” receive immediate attention ; and at seven o ’clock
every thing is in readiness for the public. It is true that, sometimes, the
steamboat mail, when it arrives very early, remains in the post-office un­
touched for a long time ; and when a case o f neglect like this occurs, the
merchants have to wait an hour longer for their letters. In a dull season,
perhaps, a matter o f this kind is o f very little consequence to business men ;
and it certainly would be requiring too much o f the present clerks, to have
them work all the time, though others might be found hungry enough to do
so, and to take their places. As the business o f the office is now conduct­
ed, they are only expected to w ork almost all the time— without receiving
a single cent for extra labor. T h e ten-hour system will never find favor
with a Boston postmaster, unless the clerks in the office “ rise,” as the
colored gentlemen sometimes do at the South, or in the W est Indies, and
as the white slaves at the North occasionally do, and resist the oppression
and injustice which weigh so heavily upon them. But this cannot be ex­




The Boston Post-Office.

131

pected o f the clerks, or o f other men, with families, who are situated ^s
they are— notwithstanding their salaries are so pitifully small.
A t eight o ’ clock the clerks in the forwarding department again make their
appearance, headed by that faithful servant o f the public, Mr. Melcher, who,
it is understood, has been over a quarter o f a century in the post-office o f
this city and that at Portsmouth, N . H ., without having any property to
show for i t ; and, having served in almost every capacity, from a porter up,
it is hardly necessary to say that he has few equals as a post-office clerk,
in this country. A ll the letters dropped into the office pass through the
hands o f this gentleman and his assistants, eight in number, w hose labors
are more severe, and more responsible, as w e think, than those o f any
other set o f clerks. Sometimes blunders are made in casting figures on
the w ay-bills by an inexperienced arithmetician, but to lose or missend a
letter might justly be considered an event o f rare occurrence. T h e reader
w ill imderstand the difference between mistakes and blunders— the latter
being set down by the most approved lexicographers as “ gross or shamefol.”

T h e clerks in this department are divided into two gangs, one o f w hich
is headed by Mr. Brigham, the other by Mr. Green, two o f the most capa­
ble and efficient young gentlemen in the office. T h ey have had several
years’ experience, at'low salaries, and what is remarkable, they have lived
through it, without taking the benefit o f the bankrupt act, or stealing a dol­
lar from the thousands o f money letters w hich have passed through their
hands.
Mails are made up, for different parts o f the country, every half hour in
the day— from nine o ’ clock in the morning until half-past four or five in the
afternoon, at w hich time the “ evening mails” begin to come in, thick and
fast, furnishing all hands in the office full employment until nine or ten
o ’ clock.
It is not necessary to say that mails are coming in as w ell as going out
the w hole day. T h e steamboat and other mails o f the morning are hardly
distributed before those from Low ell, Concord, Providence, Dover, N ew
Bedford, W orcester, Portsmouth, Portland, & c., are announced; and the
contents o f these mails are distributed as fast as they arrive. Not a minute
is lost. The bags are promptly opened, and the letters are charged, assort­
ed, and delivered, with all becom ing expedition. In no part o f the office,
at this time, is there the least delay. In closing the morning mails, the
great Eastern mail, the steamboat and some other afternoon mails, an ac­
celerated movement o f the clerks is indispensable, and all have foil employ­
ment. Much time is daily consumed in answering the thousand and one
questions o f those \#ho visit the office on business. Some o f these ques­
tions are important in their nature, while others are o f the most trivial cha­
racter, and w ell calculated to vex the patience o f Job himself, if he had to
stand at the windows and answer them. W e have before now heard pretty
hard cursing and swearing on both sides o f the partition; but the clerks
always come out ahead o f their ugly customers— owing to the fact, as w e
suppose, that they work on Sundays !
From two o’ clock in the morning till ten in the evening, there is a con­
stant stream o f mail matter flowing into the office, and diffusing itself in
every part o f it. At six o ’ clock in the evening three or four hundred letter
mails— embracing, chiefly, towns in Vermont, N ew Hampshire, Maine and
Massachusetts, are closed by the clerks who w ere at the office at three in




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The Boston Post-Office.

the morning ; and then, unless a British steamer arrives, their labors close
for the day. I f a steamer comes in, they have to work on till midnight—
sometimes later. Another set o f clerks continue at the counters until nine
o ’ clock, putting in a state o f forwardness several hundred bundles o f letters
for Cape Cod, W orcester, and the W estern country, Connecticut, Maine,
and the principal towns within forty miles o f Boston, which they close early
on the following morning.
And thus the work goes on, from day to day, until Sunday, when the la­
bor is so much diminished, generally speaking, as to require about h alf the
force o f the office to attend to it. But when, from any unexpected cause,
there is a press o f work on Sundays, either from the non-arrival o f the mails
at the regular hours they are due, or the sudden appearance in our waters
o f a British steamer, then all hands are called, and kept on duty until every
thing is put in proper shape for the mails, and for distribution at home. So
rigid is the rule in this respect, that the porter has been known to call the
clerks out o f church on a Sunday afternoon, during divine service, and one
o f them has been told by the postmaster, on his coming into the office rather
tardily, that he “ must not let his religion interfere with his post-office du­
ties.”
This, though a little severe, m aybe very proper. T h e public must
judge.
T h e operations in the Boston Post-Office do not differ materially from
those in other large offices. W e have not spoken o f the rating o f letters,
the stamping and sorting o f them, and a thousand other minutiae incident
to the business. It would be labor lost, to attempt to give such an account
o f these operations as would be intelligible to the general reader. W a y ­
bills accompany every bundle o f letters received, and every bundle sent out,
o f which a record is kept, and a duplicate copy made for the department at
W ashington, to use in the settlement o f the accounts o f the several post­
masters. In the hurry o f business, mistakes in these bills frequently occur
in the Boston office. This cannot be prevented. W e have known the
M aine distribution bill to be returned from Portland three days in succes­
sion, to have important errors corrected in the addition o f simple columns
o f figures. All this was partly ow ing to the hurry o f business, and in some
degree to a defect in the early education o f one o f the smartest clerks in
the office— a well-favored gentleman, who could till bags faster and closer
than any other post-office clerk that w e have ever cast our eyes upon, this
side o f W ashington— and w e have looked in upon the natives “ all about
the lot.”
W e think Dogberry is the philosopher who is made by Shake­
speare to say that reading and writing, and cyphering, com e by nature.
INCREASE OF THE BOSTON POST-OFFICE— THE SALARIES 0 ^ , CLERKS, ETC.

T h e Boston Post-Office, on the score o f profit to the General Post-Office
Department at Washington, holds a distinguished rank. N ew Y ork, o f
course, always takes the lead o f her sister cities, and doubtless will always
take the lead o f them, in furnishing the Postmaster General resources to
manage, with success, the great and important trusts committed to his
hands. Philadelphia comes next, but is far, very far, behind the great
“ commercial emporium.”
Boston is third in rank, and at this present
writing, treads close upon the heels o f the “ city o f brotherly love.”
B y the Blue B ook o f 1843, it appears that the gross proceeds o f the
N ew Y ork Office, from July 1, 1841, to June 30, 1843, a period o f two
years, w ere $674,383, or $337,192 per annum ; o f Philadelphia, $315,677,




The Boston Post-Office.

133

or $157,839 per annum ; o f Boston, $196,912, or $98,456 per annum ;
o f Baltimore, $166,752, or $83,376 per annum ; o f N ew Orleans,*
$163,154, or $81,577. Since the above returns w ere made, Boston, in a
comparative sense, has been going ahead o f all her sister cities, both in
business and population. That the receipts at our post-office have in­
creased in the same ratio, is a very natural and just conclusion. T h e Bri­
tish steamers have done much to swell the amount o f business at the Bos­
ton office. Our numerous railroads have done something, also, in the same
w a y ; but the immense increase o f business brings with it little or no in­
crease o f clerks, or in the salaries o f the very limited and insufficient num­
ber already employed there ; but, as the Frenchman said, “ quite the con­
trary.”
And yet Mr. Postmaster General Barry said, in his last Annual
Report, that “ in this country postmasters and their clerks are paid by a
commission on the amount o f postage collected.”
I f the labor in the B os­
ton office w ere to be doubled in one little month, w e sincerely believe that
the present clerks would be required to do it all, without much extra assis­
tance, and without having one cent added to their salaries. And w e as
sincerely believe that most o f the clerks would endure the imposition, gross
as it would be, without remonstrating against the injustice o f it.
W h en the late Postmaster General, Mr. W ickliffe, was in Boston, in
June, 1843, his attention was called to this subject by Mr. Gordon, then
postmaster, and by the clerks, w ho petitioned for an increase o f pay. That
gentleman, after due investigation and deliberation, decided that he could do
nothing in the premises. H e is said to have expressed much regret that
he could not do something, as the petition o f the clerks was reasonable, and
ought to be a llow ed; but there w as no law that would justify his increasing
the salary o f a single individual in the office. H e admitted that the labors
o f the petitioners w ere excessively severe, and they were so— and are grow ­
ing more arduous and perplexing every day.
Notwithstanding the business o f the Boston office has more than dou­
bled within a few years, the salaries o f the clerks have chiefly remained
permanent, and without any great increase o f the number o f operatives.
T h e clerks now work more hours than they ever did before ; and yet they
receive nothing for extra labor, or overwork, as is the case in almost every
branch o f mechanical business.
THE ENGLISH STEAMERS.

In the summer season two British mail steamersf arrive and depart every
month— from Novem ber to M ay there is only one. Letters are arriving at
the post-office by almost every mail for these steamers, and they are made
up at the departure o f each o f them, to the last hour. Mr. Charles A .
Green, one o f the most intelligent and competent clerks in the office, makes
up the foreign mails. H e also takes care o f the foreign letters, until the
steamer is ready to receive them. As fast as they arrive, they are sepa­
rated from other letters, put away carefully, and, a day or two before her
* This highly favored city had no less than four different postmasters in about two
years.
f These steamers carry a mail for the English Post-office Department, and are not
allowed to transport letters out o f the mail. The postage on every letter from Liverpool
to Boston is one English shilling, to be paid at Liverpool when the letter is mailed. From
Boston to Liverpool the postage is the same, payable at Liverpool if the letter is deliver­
able there, or with the addition o f inland postage if deliverable in any other part o f the
kingdom.




134

The Boston Post-Office.

departure, he begins to assort them, by putting them into pigeon holes,
thus :—

London.

Liverpool.

Manchester, Birmingham
and Bristol.

England—
other towns in.

Halifax.

,

Ireland.

Scotland.

The Provinces

British Pos­
sessions in
the W . I.

As fast as the letters are assorted, they are counted out in parcels o f one
hundred each, done up in a strong brown paper, numbered, directed as
above, put into separate bags, and labelled— those for London by them­
selves. Those for France and other parts o f the Continent are sent to the
London Post-Office, where they are sorted, done up, directed, and forward­
ed. Those for the British Provinces in N ew Brunswick and Nova Scotia,
and for the British Possessions in the W est Indies, are sent to Halifax, and
thence they are forwarded to their several places o f destination. Letters
for Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, and other towns in England, go to
the Liverpool office. On the day o f the departure o f a steamer from B os­
ton, thousands o f letters are poured into the post-office from all quarters ;
and these require the attention o f most o f the clerks for several hours— but
thq whole operation is under the supervision o f Mr. Green, w ho has man­
aged it long and faithfully. A t the hour o f one, P. M ., the mail bags, about
twenty in number, are ready for delivery, and the mail agent takes them
into a cart, and goes on his w ay rejoicing. A gun is fired, and the steamer
is o ff!
T o give the reader some idea o f the business thrown into the post-office
b y the arrival o f a steamer, it may be w ell to give the following statement
o f the letter postage on the contents o f the bags received by one o f them,
according to the old rates. W e w ill imagine that there are some 15,000
or 20,000 letters received, besides about 20 bags o f newspapers, contain­
ing 40 or 50 bushels. These are all stamped, distributed, and forwarded
within twelve hours :—
N ew Y ork, city, (letter postage,).... $2,469
265
“
distribution,....................
N ew Orleans,........................................
757
Philadelphia,.....................................
572
Charleston, S. C .,.................................
189
St. Louis,................................................
55
Richm ond,..............................................
195
Petersburgh,...........................................
46
M obile,....................................................
141

Michigan,............................................. $ 160
Savannah,............................................
78
Columbus, G eo.,..................................
87
Washington city,................................
125
Augusta, G e o .,...................................
50
Cincinnati.............................................
67
Baltimore,............................................
97
W heeling,............................................
210
Other Places,....................................... 1,200
$6,823

This account is taken at random. W e have known some postage bills
to exceed the above by two or three thousand dollars ; and then, again, w e
have known them to fall short o f it considerably. There is no uniformity
in the quantity o f the contents o f the mails, either going or com ing. In
despatching a mail, the labor is not so great or urgent, as it is when one
arrives. In the latter case all hands are called by the porters, without
“ respect to persons,” to the day, or the hour o f the night. T h e postmas­
ter is generally at his desk when a steamer arrives.




The Boston Post-Office.

135

THE PENNY POSTMEN.

W e believe there are now five individuals who are engaged in the ardu­
ous, and frequently vexatious employment, o f penny postmen, three o f whom
have been employed in that vocation for twelve years or more, and the
public are as w ell acquainted with their agreeable faces— made a little hard,
perhaps, by exposure to the weather, by old age, and shaving notes, as they
are with their own family bibles, and probably see them much oftener. At
daybreak every morning these faithful men are at their posts, selecting the
letters and papers for their respective routes. A t seven o ’clock they com ­
mence their rounds, which last till the afternoon. Rain or shine, blow high
or blow low, they repeat this same old story six days in the week, carry­
ing jo y to some families, and tidings o f sadness to others ; and finally, on
the seventh, repose in comfort and security in the bosoms o f their own
families, with “ none to molest or make them afraid.”
In this respect they
are more highly favored than the clerks, whom they sometimes call their
“ brother slaves,” all o f whom have to work, more or less, on Sundays.
Indeed, the labors o f the clerks com m ence on Monday morning and end
on Sunday night. According to an excellent and long established rule o f
the Boston office, the penny postmen who leave letters at all places where
they are requested to leave them, have to settle their postage accounts
every afternoon ; and yet they themselves trust out a large amount every
quarter, to their regular customers. T h ey may be considered sub-offices,
conducted on an econom ical scale ; they keep their loose change in their
breeches pocket, and their accounts in their heads— this saves the ex­
pense o f both chalk and clerk hire.
W e have sometimes heard people find fault with these faithful public
officers; that one o f them was too polite— as polite as a French dancing
m aster; that another was hard o f hearing, and could not comprehend
quickly ; and that a third, whose route extends among the polished circles
o f Broad-street, was as “ gruff as a Russian bear,” & c . It is an old max­
im “ that it is a very easy matter to find fau lt;” but w e doubt w he­
ther more faithful men could be found, than the present incumbents, to
discharge the duties w hich are confided to them— taking all their natural
defects into consideration. I f they are sometimes a little cross-grained
themselves, w e would ask, how many hundreds o f cross-grained individu­
als do they com e in contact with in going their daily rounds ? how many
peevish, ugly dispositions ? how many mean, pitiful, fault-finding souls,
who pay their postage grudgingly ? and finally, how many that are too
ignorant to spell their own names, and into whose heads the penny post­
men have to beat information with an almost sledge-hammer force ? Y es,
w e think they do very w ell in their vocation. It behoves them only to be
as Chesterfieldian and agreeable as possible. T h e suaviter in modo at
all times and by all means ; matters o f state w ill then roll on tranquilly,
and the “ country be safe.”
But let us describe a scene w hich actually took place in the fourth story
o f a house in the vicinity o f Fort Hill, between one o f the penny postmen
and an Irish lady named M cThum p. After a long search, Mr. Spinney
finds his customer, and pulls out o f his box a letter.
Spin. H ere’ s a letter for you,* ma’ m.
Worn. A w h a t!
S. A letter, ma’ m.
W . W hat the divil have I to do with a letter? W h o ’ s it from ? (Turn-




<

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The Boston Post-Office.

ing it over, and examining the superscription attentively, without being
able to read it.)
S. I can’ t tell, ma’ m.
W e don’ t know that.
W . Can’ t tell ? W hat the divil did you bring it here for, then? T ake
it home again, y ’ r blackguard, [throwing herself into a belligerent atti­
tude,] and never bring me another letter, unless you can tell w ho it’ s
from.
The penny postman hastily retires— the wild Irish woman in hot pur­
suit with a broomstick in her hand ; and as soon as Spinney reaches the
bottom o f the stairs, he discharges a volley o f blessings upon the univer­
sal Irish nation, and quietly puts Mrs. M cThum p’ s letter back into his
box !
The senior penny postman is named W hite. A French gentleman in
Washington-street understanding he had a letter for him, called at one o f
the pigeon holes o f the office about a year since, and with some earnest­
ness inquired i f Monsieur Brown, the letter carrier, was in ? The clerk told
him there was no such man belonging to the office. Y es der is, (replied
the impatient Frenchm an,) he bring a letter for me at my place dis morn­
ing, when I was out. That must be a mistake, sir, replied the clerk. Mr.
W hite goes by your store. Ah, ah ! exclaimed the Frenchman exultingly— dal is de man— it is Monsieur W hite and not Monsieur Brown, who
has de letter for me. This is only one o f a thousand similar blunders that
occur at the post-office every year. It would not be difficult to write a
volume o f amusing anecdotes on this prolific subject.
HINTS TO LETTER "\VRITERS, PUBLISHERS OE NEWSPAPERS, ETC. ■

The punctuality observed in the Boston Post-Office is remarkable ; but
in no one thing is it more so than iiftthe closing o f the mails. In ninetynine cases out o f a hundred, any person who is behind the time one min­
ute is sure to be disappointed— he might as w ell be one hour late. Let
this fact be remembered by all who have important letters to forward at
a certain time. Through the delay or inattention o f those to whom let­
ters are entrusted, many o f them are frequently kept back beyond the time
appointed for closing the mails. This fact has frequently come under our
own observation. W e have often seen even important money letters kept
back one mail from the cause w e speak o f ; and in times o f a great moneypressure in the business circles, such as w e have had, and shall have agian
— as sure as the sun moves on in his glorious course from day to day-—
this is a matter o f some interest to the banks, and to merchants, traders,
and all other business men, who cannot be too particular in this respect.
Post-office time may differ a few minutes from State-street time. T h e city
clocks are always treacherous— they remind one o f an Irish funeral, where
there is a brief striking distance between the mourners. N o attention is
paid to them by the clerks. There are two clocks in the office, one o f
w hich w e have known to differ from the other tw o or three minutes, and
even more, for several day-s. T h e clerks generally adopt the quickest
time, that being most convenient to themselves, without the least regard
to the real time, or to the wishes or interests o f those outside. T here is
nothing unnatural or remarkable in all this, especially as they have a
standing rule, from which they never deviate— and that is, to do up their
work as quick as possible, and be o ff—always having their eyes fixed upon
the dial which travels fastest, and always being sure to “ hit the very fore-




The Boston Post-Office.

137

head o f old time,” in taking letters from the drop or receiving boxes at the
closing o f every mail.
T o the publishers o f newspapers w e would throw out a few hints. D u­
ring an “ experience” o f eight months in the post-office as a clerk, it was
part o f our duty to assist in filling the mail bags ,* consequently, w e had
ample opportunity o f noticing the manner in w hich the newspapers from
the several offices in the city w ere packed. In a majority o f cases, they
w ere done up in strong brow n paper, and directed in a fair, bold hand,
which enabled the clerks to assort them with fa cility ; but in the practice
o f a foolish econom y, many o f them are done up in flimsy, rotten papers—
often in old exchange papers— and directed with pale ink, in an illegible
hand-writing. In all cases, a strong brow n paper and good ink should be
u sed; and they w ho direct the bundles should be able to write a good hand,
for the business o f distributing newspapers into the different boxes n eces­
sarily requires despatch. A clerk, at this work, has hardly time to think;
to decipher hieroglyphics, he has neither time nor inclination. W h en the
superscription on a bundle cannot be read, the motto is, “ let it slide,” that
is, throw it into some box, and let it take its chance in the world. Some
o f the boxes into w hich packages o f papers are thrown are four and five
feet deep ; to reach the contents o f them a rake is used, the iron teeth o f
which are tw o and a half inches long. This rake is exercised with as
little delicacy as an active farmer uses his rake among weeds and stones
in an open field. I f it com es in contact with a heavy bundle, the outside
wrapper o f which is rotten, some o f the papers inside are sure to be dis­
figured, if not torn in pieces— and a disappointment to subscribers ensues.
O f course the publisher is b la m ed ; and, at the same time, he is ignorant
o f the true cause o f the difficulty. In this, as in some other things, “ an
ounce o f prevention is worth a pound o f cure.”
Mr. Bezin, an old and
intelligent printer, has the superintendence o f this department, and he ap­
pears to have a marked affection for the “ goods, wares and merchandise”
o f the whole craft. H e has three or four assistants.*
THE PRIVATE BOXES— PRIVATE ACCOUNTS, ETC.

It is generally understood that the private letter boxes, in every large
city, are a source o f considerable profit to the gentleman who fills the of­
fice o f postmaster. In the Boston office there are considerably over two
thousand o f them, for each o f w hich a premium o f two dollars is received.
For the newspaper boxes, o f w hich there are over one hundred, four dol­
lars per annum each is charged.
^
* In the same department in the London Post-Office there are not less than 250 clerks.
T he number o f newspapers despatched every week is about half a million, weighing over
fifty tons. T he weight o f the papers passing through that office every Saturday night is
estimated at twelve tons. This work has doubled within the last ten years. There is
great security in the transmission o f papers in the London office : no instance has occur­
red for years o f any person in that establishment having been detected in purloining a
paper. Mistakes, however, are frequent— and the publishers are sorely vexed with com­
plaints from their subscribers. T he number o f clerks in the letter forwarding and other
departments o f the London Post-Office is but little less than a thousand ; and it is found
necessary to increase this number monthly, so rapidly does the labor of the office increase.
A t a levee o f the London District Post-Officers, held some months since, there were pre­
sent upwards o f eight hundred persons connected with the establishment, including lettercarriers, sub-sorters, assistant-inspectors, and others. W hat an immense, unwieldy estab­
lishment that must be ! It is a little world o f itself; and yet we have understood that the
most perfect order and quietness prevail, and that “ every thing goes on like clock work.”




138

The Boston Post-Office.

W e have heard it stated that not less than two thousand five hundred
postage accounts are kept with public institutions, merchants, and others,
in the Boston office, all o f w hich are settled quarterly. W h en a debtor
is remiss in paying his bill, he is politely reminded o f his delinquency, b y
putting a piece o f blank paper in his box. This department is in the hanas
o f Mr. E w ing, a worthy gentleman, who has had much experience in his
responsible situation. H e certainly duns with modesty and judgment.
Some o f the banking institutions o f the city, under the old law, have been
known to pay from $5 00 to $1,000, and even as high as $1,200 per quar­
ter ; while several o f our heaviest mercantile and brokerage establish­
ments have paid from $ 1 50 to $700 per quarter. T h e business o f giving
credit lies entirely with the postmaster, w ho does it as a matter o f courte­
sy and accommodation, and not as a part o f his duty, or because there is
any law in existence giving him liberty or requiring him to do so. H e is
responsible for all losses ; but those having dealings with him are, almost
to a man, so honorable and punctual in their payments, that the losses do
not amount to a fractional part o f one per cent a year, even in times o f
the greatest pressure in the money market. T h e credit system is an old
one, and is said to be quite an accommodation to merchants and public in­
stitutions. T h e above fact is highly creditable to the business character
o f Boston.
DEAD LETTERS.

T h e dead letters w hich accumulate in the Boston Post-Office amount to
a very considerable number annually. These are sent to the dead letter
office in W ashington, every quarter, where they are opened and examin­
ed ; and i f any o f them contain valuable information or enclosures, they
are sent back again as “ valuable letters,” with directions to advertise them
as such. Several letters o f this kind are returned every quarter, and some
o f them have been known to contain considerable amounts o f money. A t
the office in W ashington, there are three or four men employed in opening
dead letters— w hich are merely opened, generally speaking, and not care­
fully r e a d ; but when one is found to contain money, drafts, checks, or
other valuable papers, it is examined, and a record o f it is made in a book
kept for that purpose, for future reference. T h e postage on the dead let­
ters sent from the Boston office alone, under the old law, exceeded three
thousand dollars per annum. These letters fill several bags every quar­
ter, and it would take a regiment o f clerks to read attentively the contents
o f all the dead letters that are sent to W ashington from different parts o f
the country. W e believe that after they reach their destination, and have
been opened, they are destroyed by fire— pretty much in the same w ay
that bills o f broken banks are destroyed at the South and W est.
THE FRANKING PRIVILEGE.

W e have read much o f the liberties taken by members o f Congress with
the franking privilege— or, more properly speaking, o f the abuse o f that
privilege. It cannot be doubted that many o f these gentlemen frequently
abuse the privilege they legally enjoy, by forwarding through the mail ar­
ticles o f dress and other bulky and unmailable matter. But they can do
this with impunity— they certainly have done it. N ot so, however, with
the plain, honest, unprivileged citizen, who is taxed for every post-office
accommodation he receives. A member o f Congress at W ashington may
send, under his frank, to a brother or a son in the far W est, a fashionable




The Boston Post-Office.

139

silk vest, and the government will not be one cent the richer for i t ; but
let a poor seaman in Boston, belonging to an Eastern coaster, send through
the mail to his “ sweet-heart” in the state o f M aine, a pair o f coarse
woollen stockings to keep her legs warm, and he is taxed three dollars
for p ostage! W e have frequently seen wedding gloves, and other light
articles o f dress, pass through the mail, charged with full letter postage—
so much per ounce weight. And w e remember, on one occasion, to have
handled two packages, directed to “ John Baker, W oolw ich , M e.,” and
w eighing two ounces and three-quarters each , the postage on w hich was
five dollars and fifty cents. Th ey w ere mailed at Providence, and con ­
tained, each o f them, a pair o f very coarse woollen socks, w hich could not
have cost more than twenty-five cents. O ccurrences o f this kind are not
frequent, it is tru e; and they invariably originate with men in humble
life, o f limited means, and more limited general information. W e have
never been able to comprehend, however, the reason or the justice o f a
law w hich taxes an honest poor citizen five or six dollars for doing that
which a mem ber o f Congress may do free o f all expense. I f there is any
equality in such matters, it is not the kind o f equality for w hich our de­
mocratic and revolutionary forefathers contended and struggled with the
mother country.
NUMBER OP LETTERS DELIVERED— THE DELIVERY CLERKS, ETC.

T h e number o f letters delivered by the clerks o f the Boston Post-Office,
in 1843 and 1844, has been estimated at from one million to twelve hun­
dred thousand for each y e a r ; or about one hundred thousand per month.
Since the new law went into operation the number has increased aston­
ishingly. T h e difficulties attending the faithful discharge o f the duties o f
a clerk in the delivery department are often perplexin g; and it is frequent­
ly the case that the clerks are censured without just cause. W e have seen
this repeatedly, and been surprised at the patience exercised by them un­
der very frying circumstances. And it is due to candor to say, that w e
have seen times when their bad temper got the mastery o f their patience
and good-humor, and they have been a little restless and uncivil. But
this is not to be wondered at. W e have heard clerks at the general de­
livery pigeon holes abused by uncivil and ignorant people on the outside,
some dozen times a day, for not producing letters that w ere not in the of­
fice, but w ere supposed to be there by those w ho called for them. W e
have heard an apple-woman ask one o f them a dozen foolish questions,
almost in the same breath, and before the clerk could get a word in edge­
w ise, in answer to her, she would discharge a volley o f billingsgate, and
then, like the witches in M acbeth, she would suddenly “ evaporate into
thin air.”
INCREASE OF SPEED IN TRAVELLING.— INCREASE OF BUSINESS IN THE POST-OFFICES, ETC.

A few days since, while looking over a file o f the “ Exchange Adver­
tiser,” published in Boston in 1786, by Peter Edes, at 85 M arlboro’ -street,
(n ow W ashington,) our attention was attracted to the list o f letters adver­
tised by the postmaster at that time. W e considered it quite a curiosity,
and w e have no doubt that our readers w ill so consider it. From this
advertisement, w hich w e copy below , they can see how much inconveni­
ence the people, living in towns within fifty miles o f Boston, had to sub­
mit to, from the absence o f a regular mail communication between the in­
terior and the metropolis. T here w ere then no regular mails made up




140

The Boston Post-Office,

for the country towns, and the Boston Post-Office was the only distribu­
tion office o f any magnitude in Massachusetts. T h e mail ran through to
Portland once a week, stopping at Salem and Portsmouth, in which there
w ere, also, distribution offices. It was several days on the road, per­
forming a distance which, at the present day, is passed over in four or five
hours. W h en w e contrast the snail-like pace o f the mails at that day,
with the almost lightning-speed o f those o f the present, w e are irresisti­
bly led to exclaim as old Cockletop does in “ Modern Antiques” — w on­
derful ! w onderfu l! w onderful! At that time a letter was about a week
in going from Boston to New-Y ork, and some ten days to Philadelphia.
But these facts are familiar to every intelligent reader, and w e w ill not
enlarge upon that point.* T h e document to which w e refer, (the original
form o f which w e have preserved,) from Mr. E des’ paper, speaks for itself,
and furnishes much “ food for reflection.”
W h o will dare to say, here­
after, that the United States is not a great and a grow ing country !
[From the Boston E xchange Advertiser o f December, 1786.]
AT THE POST-OFFICE, BOSTON, DEC. 28, 1786.
*** Those names which have no towns annexed to them, are o f Boston.

LIST OF LETTERS REMAINING

A . — Fisher Ames, Dedham.
B. — George Bacon, Roxbury ; Thomas Beals, Cohasset; Peter Barton, James Brown.
C. — Alexander Cruickshanks, Capt. James Coffin, Capt. Jason Chester, Groton ; Daniel
Crosby, Samuel Curtis, Braintree ; Charles Cambridge, Polly Carver, T aunton; Ben­
jamin Callahan, James Christie, Plymouth ; Shadrach Chase, Freetown.
D.

— Jonathan Dunnam, Medford ; W illiam Downe.

F.
G.

— Mr. Fessenden, Little Cambridge.
— Robert Gordon, R oxbury; Anstiss Greene, Peter Griffes, W illiam Gardiner, Little­
ton ; Patty Greenleaf.
H . — Dr. Am os Hollbrooke, M ilton; E. Heard, Lancaster; Mr. Hutchins, David Hoar,
Concord ; Jeremiah Hill, Benjam Hecters.
* It may be well, however, in this connection, to allude to one o f the expresses o f the
enterprising editors o f the Boston Atlas— that which they projected, and accomplished,
in 1844, and by which the gubernatorial vote o f the whole state o f Massachusetts was re­
ceived at their office on the night o f the election— in its way, we do not hesitate to assert,
the greatest feat that was ever performed in this or any other country. T he Worcester
iEgis speaking o f it at the time, said:— “ The Atlas has outdone itself in the success o f
its extraordinary express. Nothing o f the kind*in the history o f expresses in this country
has equalled it, in the extent, the accuracy, and the expedition o f its returns. The voting
in the towns closed at about five o’clock, P. M. Between that time and three o ’clock the
next morning, a space o f ten hours, returns were received from 300 of the 306 towns in
the Commonwealth, including the most distant and inaccessible points, Williamstown, the
northwest corner o f Berkshire, Provincetown, the extremity o f Cape Cod and Nantucket,
30 miles out in the Atlantic ocean. At a little after seven o’clock the returns were all ar­
ranged and set up, and the sheets struck o ff and sent upon their flight to every quarter of
the state.” General Twitchell, of Worcester, managed this express for the five western
counties, and so perfect were his arrangements that 147 o f the 152 towns in those coun­
ties were received in Worcester by twelve o’ clock, though some of them were brought
more than 90 miles on horseback. The jE gis adds :— “ T he night was very dark, and
o f course the riding dangerous. Probably some accident occasioned the loss o f the fi\se
towns. Mr. Twitchell himself received the votes o f Franklin county at N ew Salem, 35
miles from this place, at a quarter past nine o’clock, and brought them on horseback in
two hours and ten minutes to Worcester, one horse falling with him at the tip-top o f his
speed, without any serious injury to the gallant rider. Arriving at Worcester and receiv­
ing the returns from his agents, he took an extra car on the Boston railroad, and delivered
them at the A th s office before two o’clock. Remaining there until the papers were struck
off, he took the eight o’clock train in his return with packages for the principal western
towns o f the State, and arrived here at half-past nine o’clock, looking as fresh and vigor­
ous as i f just risen from his morning slumbers.”




The Bear Valley Coal Basin and Bear Mountain Railroad.
J.

141

— John Jennings, J. Johnson, Andrew Jackson, Gen. Michael Jackson, Newton.

K.
L.

— Elizabeth Knodle, John Kenny.
— Josiah Lewis, Capt. Joshua Leonard, Rainham ; John Lewis, Lewistown ; Robert
Lithhead..
M . — Elizabeth Morris, George Murray? Joseph Murray, Nathaniel B. Mure, Levi Mann,
H anover; Major Miner.
O.
P.

— Josiah Oakes, Cohasset.
— W illiam Pennyman, John Parson, Solomon Peffreys, Gen. Rufus Putnam, Rutland;
Jacob Parker, Malden ; Enoch Perkins, Bridgewater; Mrs. Peak.

R.

— Robert Robengran, Richard Richardson, Cambridge ; Isabel Redman, Moses Roach,
Andrew Ramsay.
S. — Benjamin Smith, Barnstable; John Smith, Benjamin Slater, Benjamin Stephens,
Jonathan Smith, Lexington ; Powers Smith, Mrs. Sweeney.

T.

— Thomas Thomson, Franklin; Zilpha Tisdale, Taunton.

V. — John Vollantine.
W . — Thomas W alker, Sippera W hite, 2.

Let the reader compare the above with the list o f letters published in
the “ Boston Post,” or the “ Tim es,” twice a month, and if he do not find
something to set his mind in motion, he must have little brains and less
curiosity. W e believe the number published monthly is not less than fif­
teen thousand for the city o f Boston alone !
j. l. ii.

Art. IV.— THE BEAR VALLEY COAL BASIN AND BEAR MOUNTAIN RAILROAD.
T h e writer o f an article in the number o f the M erchants’ M agazine
for November, 1845, on the first coal field o f Pennsylvania, concludes a
very interesting description o f the region with a few misstatements, doubt­
less arising from a want o f proper information in relation to the Bear V a l­
ley Coal Basin, and a project intimately connected therewith, w hich has
been pronounced by eminent engineers and geologists, to be one o f the
most important in Pennsylvania.
T h e mineral resources o f the “ Iron State,” notwithstanding so much
has been written on the subject, are but imperfectly known, or appreciated
when known, either by the large class o f her citizens engaged in their
development, or by those whose especial qualifications for such examina­
tion would warrant a general b elief that a portion o f our country so in,
teresting and valuable as the anthracite coal fields o f Pennsylvania, would
have received from them a most thorough investigation. It is equally dis­
creditable to Am erican science and enterprise, that a discovery o f the lo­
cation and superior character o f valuable deposits o f coal and iron ore in
the immediate vicinity o f our large cities, should have been left to this late
d a y ; and although recent explorations have developed a region richer in
these minerals, than any other in the known world, possessing a com bi­
nation o f advantages unequalled for the delivery o f coal at the mouth o f
the mine, and for the manufacture o f anthracite iron at the least possible
cost, there can hardly be a doubt but that the united labors o f the g eol­
ogist and chemist, in a critical examination o f known and supposed lo­
calities o f mineral deposits, would be largely rewarded. N ot only a dis­
covery o f coal and iron ores, highly valuable and similar in character to
what are known to exist in other parts o f the world, but w hich have not




142

The Bear Valley Coal Basin and Bear Mountain Railroad.

as yet been found in this country, might reasonably be expected. But
there is, certainly, nothing improbable in the supposition, that within the mountains o f Pennsylvania may bo contained ores o f iron, unequalled in
richness o f yield and facility o f working.
T h e intelligent and disinterested visiter o f the various regions furnish­
ing the present supply o f anthracite coal, w ill not fail to remark, that the
openings have not been made where exist the greatest advantages w hich
the held offers, for the delivery o f coal in market at the least cost. T h e
Schuylkill district, in 1845, supplied an amount equal to more than oneh alf the entire quantity o f anthracite coal mined in the United States du­
ring that y e a r ; and there the cost o f delivering coal in cars at the start­
ing point o f the route to a market, is greater than in any other district o f
the anthracite fields.
T h e southern, or as it is usually termed, first anthracite coal field o f
Pennsylvania, near the western extremity, is divided into two branches or
forks, making an angle with each other o f thirty degrees. T h e northern
branch, denominated the “ B ear Valley Coal Basin,” is twelve miles in
length, and formed by two parallel mountains, nine hundred feet in h eig h t;
the outside o f their bases being about two miles apart. In each o f these
mountains are comprised upwards o f forty veins o f coal, dipping towards
the intermediate valley on a slope o f fifty degrees, and varying in thick­
ness from four to thirty feet, with an average breast o f one thousand feet
in height above water level. A single vein ten miles in length and ten
feet in thickness, contains nearly forty million tons o f coal above water
le v e l; it w ill be seen, therefore, that should this region furnish all the an­
thracite coal used in our country, and the demand continue to increase
with its present rapidity, many hundred years must elapse before there
w ill be a necessity o f resorting to the coal lying below water le v e l; the
procuring o f which, besides the danger invariably attending such opera­
tions, increase the additional expense o f machinery requisite to keep the
mines dry, and raise the coal to the surface. T h e region w ill be opened
by a tunnel sufficiently large for the outlet o f one million tons o f coal per
annum, passing through the south mountain about one hundred feet above
the base ; an arrangement securing the intersection o f all the veins at a
depth varying from four hundred to eight hundred feet below their out-crop.
T h e position o f the coal in the mountain is evidently most favorable for
mining, as it may be excavated and made to pass without handling into
the cars conveying it to market.
T h is advantage is peculiar to coal thus situated ; when found in hori­
zontal veins, even i f above the water level o f the surrounding country,
the cost o f delivering it in cars is enhanced by the handling w hich be­
com es n ecessa ry ; while the inconveniences, and consequently additional
cost o f mining coal from vertical veins, are too apparent to require ex­
planation.
From a report made by Professor Hall, o f the “ N ew Y ork State G eo­
logical Department,” on the coal and iron ores o f the B ear V alley Coal
Basin, the follow ing is extracted :
“ In conclusion, I may remark, that the great number of veins, their regularity
and uniformity, with the increased quantity of coal thus brought together, exceeds
any other coal field within our knowledge. The dip of the veins being at an angle
of from forty to fifty degrees with the horizon, offers greater facilities for mining
than if they were horizontal; while they are, more certainly, less liable to faults,




The Bear Valley Coal Basin and Bear Mountain Railroad.

143

and more easily and safely worked than vertical veins. Owing to this amount of
dip, the coal is moved downward^ by its own gravity, and all labor of handling
or lifting is saved, which, in horizontal, or slightly dipping veins, is an important
item.
“ In a future report, I will endeavor to show in what manner it is superior to
any other coal region which can come into competition with i t ; but I may remark,
in general terms, that there is no one with half so many workable veins in so
small a space, and no other ofi'ering the same, or equal facilities, for mining and
transportation.
“ In comparing it with a region like that of Pottsville, we may remark that one
point of great superiority, lies in the immense amount of coal above water level,
thus saving all the expense of engines and fixtures for raising either the water or
the coal to the surface, as has just been stated. In another important point, we
find the veins all uniform and continuous, and embraced in a comparatively small
space; while in Pottsville, and other similar localities, the veins are spread over a
large extent of surface, and rising but little above the water level. Such a feature
as the latter requires numerous branch roads to bring the coal to some central
point; as we there find, while in the Bear Valley region, all that is required, in
addition to the main track, are lateral roads, of cheap construction, extending into
the mines on either side. The opening of the tunnel will perfect all the natural
facilities for mining, and afford a course of drainage for the water, and proper ac­
cess to the veins of South Mountain.
“ In reviewing all the circumstances connected with this coal field, the superior
quality of the coal for fuel, and its proximity to a market which it will always
command, there can be no hesitation in saying that this project offers inducements
superior to any other in the state of Pennsylvania.”
It would seem that the natural advantages o f this region, together with
the admirable system w hich has been adapted for working it, are so great,
as to reduce the cost o f mining and delivering the coal in cars, to a mini­
mum. T h e quality o f the coal in this basin closely resembles that o f the
Schuylkill district, and for domestic use, or for generating steam, is highly
desirable. T h e report above quoted says :
“ The quality of the coal has been determined by experience, and is in the
highest degree satisfactory. It is a free-burning anthracite, of the best quality.
The coal from the veins on the north side affords a grey ash, while those on the
south side yield a reddish, or fawn-colored ash. Its qualities as a fuel for domes­
tic purposes, are of the highest order; and, in Harrisburgh, where it is much used,
it sells for $1 00 per ton more than the other coals brought to that place. It is
particularly adapted for use in open grates, and from its free-burning qualities, a
small quantity can be ignited, while in the harder, white-ash coals, larger q u a li­
ties are required. A less portion of draft is sufficient to produce free ignition
than in most of the other anthracites, and, consequently, it is well adapted to pur­
poses where a constant heat, with moderate draft, is required.”
But however great the quantity, superior the quality, and reduced the
cost o f mining the coal, and delivering it in cars, to ensure extensive ope­
rations, and to becom e a source o f profit to the proprietors, it is essential
that the distance o f the coal lands from a market, should not be so great
as to make the cost o f transportation more than counterbalance the ad­
vantages possessed over less favored, but nearer regions.
Am ong the many circumstances favorable to a large business, and which
force conviction o f the Bear V alley region becom ing, at no distant day,
the scene o f mining operations, greater in extent than our country has yet
witnessed, it is not among the least important, that while the mines are
nearer tide-water than those o f any other district, save one, the transpor­
tation w ill be o f the most econom ical description.




144

The Bear Valley Coal Basin and Bear Mountain Railroad.

T h e construction o f the Bear Mountain Railroad, twenty-eight miles in
length, extending from the coal-tunnel to Dauphin, on the Susquehanna
river, eight miles above Harrisburgh, w hence there is a canal capable o f
passing 66 ton boats to H avre-de-G race, w ill complete a line o f internal
improvements between the coal mines o f Bear V alley and tide-water.
This railroad is scarcely less extraordinary in character than the coal field
situated at its terminus, and for the cheap transportation o f freight presents
facilities not only unequalled, but unsurpassable. On a road doing an
equal amount o f business in each direction, it is apparent that the capacity
o f -a locomotive would be greatest where the line is straight and the track
le v e l; but where, as is the case with coal railroads generally, the busi­
ness consists in the transportation o f freight in one direction only, the con ­
dition is materially ch a n g ed ; and, under such circumstances, the cost o f
transportation w ill be a minimum where the line o f the road is straight,
and the grade descends at such rate, that to take down a loaded train,
and return with the empty cars, require the exertion o f the same power.
T h e line o f the Bear Mountain Railroad is such as to fulfil practically
these conditions ; the grade, for the entire length o f the road, having a
descent o f 17 feet per mile, and there being no curve o f less radius than
1,910 feet. It is demonstrable, that an engine o f the same capacity with
those used on the Reading Railroad, can take down this grade 1,300 tons
o f coal in one train, and return to the mines with the empty cars. In an­
ticipation o f a business o f no common magnitude, the projectors o f this
road have duly improved the extraordinary natural advantages, and made
most extensive arrangements for the transhipment o f coal at the Pennsyl­
vania canal.
T h e writer o f the article alluded to entertains the opinion that B ear V a l­
ley coal could not be delivered to the consumer for a price w hich would
bring it into competition with coal from Pottsville. T o what extent he is
correct, may be inferred from the following estimate o f the cost o f Bear
V a lley coal in our large cities :
M ining,.................................................................................................$ 0 0
Breaking, screening, and delivering in cars,.................................. 00
Railroad transportation to Dauphin,.............................................. 00
Canal-tolls, and freight from Dauphin to Havre-de-Grace, 80
miles, at I I cts. per ton per mile.............................................
1
W aste,.................................................................................................
Unloading at Havre-de-Grace,.......................................................
Profits to Railroad and Mining Company,...................................

40 per ton.
10
“
20
“
00
10
05
50

Total cost and selling-price at Havre-de-Grace,........................
Tonnage to Baltimore,......... ...........................................................

$ 2 35
25

Selling price at Baltimore,..............................................................

$ 2 GO

“
“
“

T h e freight from H avre-de-Grace to N e w York, is $1 30 cts. per to n ;
to Boston, $1 55 cts. per ton ; making the selling price o f Bear V alley
coal, at the former place, $ 3 65, and at the latter, $ 3 90 per ton. T h e
above estimate is not speculative, m erely ; the various items are at rates
n ow charged for similar service, and may be relied on as essentially cor­
rect. T h e lowest selling-price o f Schuylkill coal, in N e w Y ork city, du­
ring the last ten years, was $ 5 50 per to n ; the average o f the last three
years being about $6 00. It w ill be seen, therefore, that while the region
w ill enjoy a monopoly o f the coal trade o f the Susquehanna Valley, in-




Louisiana : its Agricultural and Commercial Interests.

145

eluding Baltimore, where it may be afforded at a price beyond competi­
tion, it w ill be enabled to compete successfully with the Pottsville district,
in supplying the cities o f N ew Y ork, Boston, and Philadelphia.
T h e railroad company ow n a large body o f coal-lands in the basin, at
the terminus o f the road, and a profit o f 50 cents per ton, on a business o f
half a million o f tons per annum, w ill pay over 20 per cent on the whole
amount o f capital invested. T h e value o f the Bear Valley coal-basin, and
importance to the public o f its early development, by the construction o f
the Bear Mountain Railroad, w ill be evident from the foregoing remarks.
Notwithstanding that the quantity o f anthracite coal, mined in the year
1845, exceeds the year previous by about 25 per cent, the demand has in­
creased with still greater rapidity ; and, with the various railroads and c a ­
nals leading from the coal-region, transacting a business nearly equal to
their capacity, a necessity exists for the development o f some new field
o f operations. Am ong the many projects w hich this necessity has called
forth, no other promises such lasting benefits to the public as the Bear
Mountain Railroad.
t . e . s.

Art. V.— LOUISIANA: ITS AGRICULTURAL AND COMMERCIAL INTERESTS.
T h e Secretary o f the Treasury, during the year 1845, propounded
twenty-six questions to manufacturers, merchants, and others in different
sections o f the Union, on the subject o f the tariff, and warehousing system.
T h e N ew Orleans Chamber o f Com merce has sent us a copy o f the report
o f that body, in reply to those questions, and as it embodies much valuable
information, touching the com m ercial resources, and productive industry o f
that state, w e have concluded to lay it before our readers. As many
o f the questions o f Mr. W alker, the Secretary o f the Treasury, do not in
any w ay apply to the state o f things as they at present exist in Louisiana,
the committee appointed by the Cham ber o f Com m erce have, without at­
tempting to reply in detail, and in regular order, given in the report a gen­
eral account, embracing the principal points w hich are particularly appli­
cable to Louisiana, and which exhibit, in a clear and condensed form, the
agricultural and commercial interests o f that state. It w ill be seen that the
N ew Orleans Chamber o f Com merce identify the cotton-growing interests
o f the south, with the cotton manufactures o f the north.*

The agricultural productions of Louisiana, may be considered as confined to
cotton, sugar, molasses, and rice; the latter, however, only to a limited extent,
and far short of what is required for consumption. Corn and hay are raised on
the plantations for their own consumption, and some of the former even for sale,
but to so small an extent as not to be worthy of note. The quantity of both
grown in the state, is far from being a full supply for local consumption, and large
quantities of both from other states are annually sold and consumed here. The
same in regard to potatoes, peas, beans, onions, etc. Other grain than corn is
not cultivated in the state.
* T he committee o f the N ew Orleans Chamber o f Commerce, who made this report,
consisted o f Messrs. W illiam L. Hodge, Alexander Gordon, and J. W . Zacharie. At a
full meeting o f the board, which took place on the 1st o f December, 1845, this report
was read, and adopted, with but one dissenting voice, and a copy o f it transmitted to the
Secretary o f the Treasury.
VOL. XXV.---- NO. II.




10

146

/

Louisiana : its Agricultural and Commercial Interests.

The cotton crop of Louisiana may be estimated at 350,000 bales, of 400 pounds
each, varying, as the season may be more or less favorable.
The sugar crop of the last,five years has been :
184041,
184142,
1842- 43,
1843- 44,
1844- 45,

120.000 hogsheads
125.000
“
140.000
“
100.000
“

200,000

“

Of an average nett weight of 1,000 pounds each.
The molasses is estimated at 45 to 50 gallons per hogshead.
The state does not raise horses, mules, sheep, hogs, or provisions sufficient for
her consumption. Some horses, though comparatively few, and some horned
cattle, are furnished from the western districts of the state. Hogs, to a limited
extent, are raised on some of the plantations; but on most of them none at all.
Sheep are also raised, but in very small numbers ; and the state is dependent on
the western states for nearly all her bacon, pork, and butchers’ meat; for all her
breadstuff's and grain, and horse and cattle feed, except hay and corn, of which,
as already stated, a partial supply is grown in the state.
Sixty thousand bales of pressed hay are annually imported from the Atlantic
ports and western states.
All the mules, nearly all the horses, oxen, pork, bacon, salted beef, breadstuffs,
and provisions, are procured from the western states.
Out of the city of New Orleans, there are no manufactories deserving of the
name, unless it may be the state penitentiary at Baton Rouge. In the city, they
are few, and on a limited scale. There is a small cotton mill, and one or two on
a large scale are in contemplation, but depending on the coming action of Con­
gress respecting the tariff. There are several iron foundries, and engine makers,
and some copper and tin manufactures; five or six sugar refineries; one paper
m ill; three steam grist mills ; and, in the immediate vicinity, extensive brick
yards, and steam saw mills. It is believed these embrace nearly, or quite all the
establishments of any note, and of course do not include those of minor importance,
that are dispersed in private buildings throughout the city, such as lock and gun­
smiths, blacksmiths, shoemakers, etc. ; but even these are in comparatively very
limited numbers, and furnishing but a small portion of the necessary supply, re­
quired by the community, of their respective articles.
The great staples of the state are, of course, sugar and cotton, and her resources
and prosperity at present depend on the culture of these two articles.
Until within a few years, the culture of cotton gave very large profits, greatly ex­
ceeding that perhaps of any other industrial pursuit, either agricultural or mechan­
ical ; the natural and inevitable consequence of which was, particularly in such an en­
terprising country as the United States, that capital was attracted to, and accu­
mulated so rapidly in that particular culture, that, notwithstanding the rapid in­
crease of consumption, the production has overtaken, if it even has not exceeded
it, and a consequent reaction has taken place; and that interest is now compar­
atively depressed, particularly in the older planting states on the Atlantic, where
the production per acre is so much less than in the new and rich soil of the south­
western section of our country. Excessive production, is the great evil under
which the culture of cotton is now laboring; and anything which will perma­
nently divert a portion of the force now engaged in raising it to some other ob­
ject, will, as a matter of course, greatly benefit the cotton planter; but, unfortu­
nately, these latter are constantly striving, by increased cultivation, to compensate
themselves for low prices, though, even at present rates, it yields an annual re­
turn equal to any of the great agricultural staples of the north or west.
In answer, more particularly, to the twenty-sixth question of the secretary,
whether the present duties benefit the agricultural productions of the state, the
committee of the Chamber of Commerce reply affirmatively, both as regards cotton
and sugar. The present duties they consider as the principal cause of the pros-




Louisiana : its Agricultural and Commercial Interests.

147

perity and increase of the cotton manufactures of the United States, which benefit
the cotton planter:—
I. Because the domestic manufacturer is another and important competitor with
other purchasers of the raw material. He is early and constantly in the market, and
always with a favorable effect, for the planter, as to price; and their heavy and con­
stant purchases, it is universally admitted, keep the market above the rates that
would otherwise prevail.
II. The domestic manufacturer consumes exclusively American cotton, whereas
the British manufacturer uses only about three-fourths of American, and the bal­
ance India, Egyptian, and Brazil; and if the cotton goods now manufactured in
the United States, and requiring probably 500,000 bales annually of our own cot­
ton, were manufactured in, and imported from England, only 375,000 bales of
American cotton would be consumed, and the remaining 125,000 bales would be
foreign cotton.
III. The domestic manufacture has entirely driven from the markets the im­
mense quantity of coarse Bengal cotton goods, which were previously imported
from Calcutta and Madras, to an extent that required 40 to 50,000 bales of cotton
to manufacture, and would, if we continued to import in the same ratio for our pres­
ent population, require more than double that quantity. The first protective tariff
of 1816, advocated and urged by southern statesmen, killed off that entire trade at
a single blow, and now a much better and more serviceable fabric is furnished at
less than one-third the price, and manufactured exclusively from our own cotton,
instead of being exclusively of foreign cotton; with the additional fact, that large
quantities of American cotton are now consumed in manufactured goods sent by
us into those very ports of India, from whence we formerly drew such heavy
supplies.
IV. A large quantity of American cotton is consumed for manufactured goods
for the Chinese market, with the prospect of an enormous increase. The cheap­
ness of India cotton, and the vicinity of it, prevent us from competing with the
raw material in the markets of China, which we can only enter with the manu­
factured article—for the great perfection and superiority of our machinery, our
greater skill, and the vast advantages of our motive power, enable us to overcome
their cheap labor, employed upon rude and unscientific hand-looms; and their in­
veterate prejudices against all innovations or changes, will effectually prevent them
from adopting our spindles, power-looms, and steam engines, to say nothing of the
time and difficulty of introducing such radical changes in so remote a country,
even if they were more willing to adopt them ; and we are probably destined, in
a very few years, to see the cotton goods now annually manufactured in that em­
pire from hundreds of thousands of bales of India cotton, superseded by goods
made in the United States, from our own raw material. This effect has already
been produced to a considerable extent in British India, where their hand-looms
are rapidly giving way before British and American manufactured cotton, though
an import duty has been imposed upon them, which the British government haa
recently doubled on those imported in American vessels.
The domestic manufacture of cotton has, therefore, advanced the interest of
the cotton grower, by increasing the consumption of American cotton, not only at
home, but by opening new markets abroad, and substituting goods made entirely
from our cotton, for those which previously were wholly or partially made from for­
eign cotton. These results are constantly extending and increasing, and can only
be maintained by the continued success and prosperity of the domestic manufacture.
The advantages of the present duties are more directly apparent, as regards
sugar, and these advantages are participated in, to a very great extent, by the
citizens of every section of our country.
It has been the aim of many to hold up the sugar planters of Louisiana in an
odious point of view, to the people of the United States. They have been repre­
sented as a set of bloated monopolists and plunderers, not only small in number,
but their interest only of a local nature, and of no importance in a national point
of view. Nothing can be further lrom the facts than assertions of this kind, for
the culture of the cane is not only of high national importance, but the advantages




148

Louisiana : its Agricultural and Commercial Interests.

derived from it, so far from being of a local nature, are more generally diffused
among the citizens of almost every state in the Union, than by any other prom­
inent interest of the country.
There is probably no civilized community in the world, more dependent on
others for the luxuries, comforts, and necessaries of life, than Louisiana is on her
sister states. She produces and makes little or nothing for her own wants ; and
no portion of her population is thus dependent to a greater extent than her sugar
planters.
Without, at present, noticing the great numbbr of new sugar plantations, we
will only take into view the old ones, as they existed last year, of which there
were 762 in the state— of these, 408 were worked by steam, and 354 by horse­
power.
The cost of an engine and sugar-mill, will average $5,000 to $6,000. At the for­
mer rate, there is already invested, for the 408 estates, upwards of $2,000,000. The
mills on the 354 estates, at $2,500 each, will be $900,000 more, making nearly
$3,000,000 paid by the planters for their present machinery ; and this is a low
estimate, as there are many plantations that have expended $20,000 to $40,000
for machinery. These engines, boilers, mills, etc., require renewing at least
every ten years, so that there is an annual expenditure of $300,000 to keep up
the present number, which, with $100,000 for new engines annually required to
substitute in the horse-mills, and $80,000 to $100,000 for repairs, and replacing bro­
ken machinery, would form an annual expenditure of nearly $500,000, in addition to
the first cost, paid to the iron foundries and engine makers of Tennessee, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, and New York. Upwards of 70 new engines and sugar-mills are
at this moment under contract in Cincinnati alone, for this state, and no doubt a
still larger number at Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and New Y ork; and the expendi­
ture by the sugar planters for new machinery, the ensuing season, will, at a low
estimate, be at least $1,000,000.
There are 5,000 large iron sugar kettles, costing on an average $70 each,
amounting to $350,000, requiring to be renewed every five years, being an an­
nual expenditure of $70,000, paid principally to the iron foundries of Tennessee,
though Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York also participate.
All the shoes, hats, caps, blankets and clothing, for the 50,000 hands employed
in the culture, are produced from the northern and western states, which, at the
low estimate of $20 each, makes $1,000,000 paid under this head, with probably
$300,000 to $400,000 more for similar supplies to the planters, their overseers,
engineers, and mechanics, with all their respective families.
Nearly, or quite $300,000, is annually paid to northern and western mechanics
for molasses casks, and hoops and nails for the sugar hogsheads.
All the agricultural utensils, such as ploughs, harrows, spades, shovels, axes,
cane-knives, hoes, harness, carts, barrows, etc. ; all the nails, iron, hardware, and
tools of every description, are procured from the northern and western states.
At least $500,000 are annually paid to the west for mules, horses, and oxen;
of mules alone, 4,000 to 5,000 are annually required, at an average cost of at least
$90 each; a still larger sum is yearly paid to the same quarter for pork, bacon,
and corn, exclusive of what is raised in the state. With the exception of bricks,
and part of the lumber, all the materials for constructing the needful buildings,
such as boiling, draining, and mill-houses, the dwellings of the planter, his over­
seer, mechanics, and negroes, are brought from other states, including slate, tiles,
lime, oil, paint, glass, nails and hardware. The sugar planter consumes large quan­
tities of rice, from South Carolina and Georgia, and tobacco from Virginia and
Kentucky; and, in short, he and his negroes are clothed, lodged, and fed, and his
crop is grown and made by supplies drawn from abroad ; nor is there probably a
single state in the Union, that does not lay him under contribution to a greater
or less extent. For all these supplies, as well as many others that cannot be re­
collected or enumerated, the sugar planter has only his crop to depend upon, the
proceeds of which he certainly distributes with a most liberal hand, among his
fellow-citizens in the other states, and in a mode best calculated to promote their
interests and general prosperity. Should a change in the policy of the country




Louisiana : its Agricultural and Commercial Interests.

149

curtail or destroy the sugar interest in Louisiana, and transfer it to foreign plant­
ers, it should be borne in mind that the latter draw few or none of their supplies
from the United States, whereas the Louisiana planter spends the whole of his
income at home, and gives regular and constant employment to thousands of our
own industrious mechanics, artizans and agriculturalists in every section of the
Union, all of whom would be severe sufferers by the change.
It has been urged against the protection afforded to sugar, that it is for the
benefit of a small number, not exceeding 800 individuals. This, in the first place,
is a mistake, as the 762 old plantations are owned by 1,293 distinct and separate
families, or heads of families, comprising probably 8,000 to 10,000 individuals.
But, supposing it were otherwise, would it in any way alter the importance of it in a
national point of view ? Would it add more to the national wealth, or give em­
ployment to a greater number, were there more proprietors to the existing estates ?
It is presumed that none will deny the national importance of the shipping in­
terest, and yet a selection could no doubt be made of 600 or 700 ship owners, (about
one-half the number of sugar planters,) who probably own nine-tenths of all the
tonnage of the country. Would this fact lessen the importance of that interest ?
Would its value as a nursery of seamen, or its general advantages to the country,
be in any way diminished or changed in consequence ? W e think not.
Those who use the argument against it, of its comparative small magnitude,
we presume, are not aware that the capital already employed in the culture of the
cane in Louisiana, is fully equal to the entire capital invested in all the American
tonnage employed in the foreign and coasting trade of the country, and will greatly
exceed it so soon as the new plantations recently opened, and opening, are fully
under way. Probably no other distinct and separate branch of national industry,
agriculture only excepted, employs an equal capital.
These remarks, as already observed, only take into view the 762 old estates,
as they existed last year, and from which the crop of 200,000,000 of pounds was
produced. From the low price of cotton, and the general belief that,the extended
and extending culture of it was rapidly outstripping the consumption, and would
thus create additional depression, many of our cotton planters have turned their
attention to sugar, as affording better prospects for the employment of their cap­
ital and hands; in consequence, a large number of sugar plantations have been
recently opened, that heretofore have been devoted to cotton ; and many more de­
terred from doing it, from the uncertainty attending the tariff policy of the country.
Mr. P. A. Champomier, who prepared and published the detailed statement of
the crop of last season, has been, and still is engaged in obtaining a detailed and
correct statement of all the new plantations, with the name of each proprietor,
and the location. Heretofore, sugar has been cultivated in only 20 parishes of
the state, of which Mr. C. has gone through 17. Of the result, the following is
a condensed summary, on which full reliance may be placed, the full details having
been before the committee:
Parishes.

Pointe Coupee,..........................
W est Baton R ouge,..................
East Baton Rouge,....................
Iberville,......................................
Ascension,...................................
St. James,...................................
St. John,......................................
St. Charles,................................
Jefferson,.....................................
Orleans and St. Bernard,.........
Plaquemines,..............................
Assumption,...............................
Lafourche,..................................
Terrebonne,................................
St. M ary,....................................
St. Martin,.................................




Old Plant’ ns. New Plant’s.

5
19
18
69
48
67
55
37
24
23
49
42

737

Total.

No. owners.

32
31
17
41
15
9
6
4
4
2
7
72
39
26
31
31

37
50
35
110
63
76
61
41
28
25
43
134
88
68
178
67

42
69
52
169
98
185
143
88
48
42
70
206
159
87
387
106

367

1,104

1,851

150

Louisiana : its Agricultural and Commercial Interests.

From this it appears, that in these 17 parishes, there have been opened in the
last twelve or fifteen months, 367 new sugar plantations, making, with 737 old
ones, 1,104 owned by 1,851 distinct and separate proprietors, either as families or
heads of families. That in the other three sugar parishes of St..Landry, Vermil­
lion, and Lafayette, there were 25 old plantations, and, from estimate, will be 25
to 30 new ones. That in the parishes of Rapides, Avoyelles, Calcasieu, Concor­
dia, and Catahoula, where the cane had not previously been cultivated, arrange­
ments had been commenced for changing more than 200 cotton into sugar es­
tates—but the larger number have been suspended until the action of Congress is
ascertained on the tariff—though, from the best estimate that can be made, from
60 to 70 have actually been opened, which will make an aggregate of 450 new
plantations now progressing, and with the old ones, a total of about 1,200, owned
by more than 2,000 principal proprietors or families, who are wholly or principal­
ly dependent on them, besides the engineers, overseers, mechanics and their fami­
lies, making in all probably 25,000 to 30,000 white persons, and 80,000 to 90,000
slaves who are directly connected with, or dependent on, the culture, besides those
indirectly interested in furnishing supplies, transporting and selling the crop,
etc., etc.
Of the new plantations, but few this year will raise more cane than they will
require for replanting, and therefore will add but little to the growing crop ; but
the larger number will produce sugar the ensuing season, and all of them the year
after. Under anything like a favorable season, the sugar crop of the state for
1846-’7 may be estimated at 275,000 to 300,000 hogsheads, with a large increase
on that quantity in 1847-’8.
The culture also is increasing in Florida, and will of course do so to a greater
extent in Texas, under the annexation of that country, where there are large bo­
dies of the finest sugar lands, and with a climate superior even to that of Louisi­
ana for the cultivation. From all these sources of supply, if there is no change
in the tariff policy of the country, there is no reason to doubt that the production
will, in a very short period, overtake the entire consumption of the United States,
and with a probable surplus for exportation; and so soon as this is the case, the
duty will be nominal, as it now is on cotton.
It requires no argument to show the great advantage which this extended cul­
ture of the cane will be to the cotton planter. The force recently diverted from
cotton has probably heretofore produced more than 100,000 bales, and the advan­
tage derived from this diminished production is not confined to Louisiana, but is
equally felt through the entire cotton region of the country ; and it should be re­
collected that the whole force and capital now employed on sugar would be capa­
ble of producing 300,000 to 400,000 bales of cotton, to which culture it must re­
turn, if driven from that of sugar; and none for a moment can doubt the depress­
ing and ruinous effect which such an event would inevitably produce on the price
of cotton.
Before quitting the subject of sugar, the committee would refer to the fact, how
greatly the nominal protection afforded to it is neutralized, and the public revenue
injured, by the provisions of the present tariff as connected with the article of mo­
lasses.
The official returns show that 250,000,000 of pounds, or upwards of 22,000,000
o f gallons, were imported in the United States, in the year 1843-’4. O f this,
about 200,000,000 pounds, or 17,000,000 of gallons, were from Cuba, where the
whole produce of real molasses, which consists of the drainings of Muscovado su­
gar, of which comparatively a small quantity is made on the island, does not ex­
ceed 500,000 gallons, and the balance must have been the syrup arising from the
operation of making their white and brown clayed sugar, composing the great
bulk of their crop, which syrup is not known in Cuba by the name of molasses,
but which is shipped as such in these immense quantities to the United States,
and introduced under the molasses duty of 45 cents per 100 pounds. This article
on its first boiling will yield 50 per cent of good sugar, and the residue molasses,
from which more sugar can-be obtained by a second process. Since the tariff of
1842, large establishments have been created at the North for the purpose of thus




Louisiana : its Agricultural and Commercial Interests.

151

extracting sugar, and at an estimated yield of only 50 per cent, it will be seen
that 125,000,000 of pounds, or 125,000 hogsheads of foreign sugars, are thus an­
nually introduced at a duty of less than one-half cent per pound, to the great in­
jury of the sugar interest, and at a loss of nearly three millions of dollars to the
revenue.
That such is the fact, is corroborated by the nominal consumption of sugar in
the country. The people of the United States obtain the article at a lower rate
than any other nation, and their means and general circumstances enable them to
consume it more freely than any other people ; and yet, while the official statistics of
Great Britain show that the annual consumption of each person in that kingdom
is 23 pounds, the statistics of the United States show a consumption of only 18
pounds for each person. It is impossible that such should be the fact, and the
result can only be accounted for from the immense quantities of foreign sugar that
are surreptitiously introduced under the form of molasses.
On the subject of the warehouse system, the committee believe that the absence
of it under a state of cash duties, has already been highly injurious to the com­
mercial interests of the United States.
A large portion of the import trade in foreign manufactures has always been in
the hands of European houses, and the payment of duties in cash has the tenden­
cy to throw a still larger portion of it into their control; for not only are they gen­
erally capitalists, who, without inconvenience, can advance the duty, but they al­
so have the facility of doing it by their agents drawing on their principals in Eu­
rope, which bills can be covered previous to maturity from the proceeds of the
sales of goods, whilst the American importer is obliged to raise the amount at a
higher rate of interest, and frequently at a sacrifice ; and even as between resident
American houses, it acts to the disadvantage of the small, and in favor of the large
capitalist.
A warehouse system would add greatly to the security of the revenue by pre­
venting all possibility of debenture frauds, which can now be readily practiced by
unprincipled men, whilst the foreign goods are allowed to remain in their posses­
sion, as they now are under the present system. So extensive were these frauds,
as regards foreign liquors, that Congress many years since found it necessary to
pass a law refusing, in all cases, to allow a drawback on such liquors, unless it
had, whilst stored, remained constantly under the custom-house lock, and in charge
of a revenue officer. In a warehouse system, the goods go directly from the
vessel to the public store, and from the store directly to the exporting vessel, with­
out ever being from the possession of the custom-house, and the importer is relieved
from any advance for duties on the goods intended for exportation, and need only
pay it on those for consumption after he may have actually sold them, saving thus
not only the interest and the amount, but also any sacrifice in raising it.
One of the greatest advantages to a commercial country is the ability to main­
tain, at all times, extensively assorted and large stocks of foreign merchandise;
but it is obvious that cash duties, without a warehouse system, operate most disadvantageously to doing so, particularly in this country, where money is so valu­
able. Not only does the loss of interest encroach upon, but it frequently absorbs
all the profits, to say nothing of the forced sales at heavy loss, that is frequently
incurred, in order to obtain relief from the burthen of these heavy advances for the
duties in addition to the cost of the goods. These forced sales are also injurious
to other holders of goods by the depression they occasion in the value of their
stocks, and th'e fluctuation and uncertainty of prices.
The debenture system, as it now exists, is peculiar to this country— powerful
and obvious reasons existed in favor of it under the former system of credit duties
and the then peculiar circumstances of the country ; but a radical change in those
circumstances, and the establishment of cash duties, renders that system onerous
in the extreme on the foreign commerce of the country, and make the adoption of
the warehouse system a matter of almost absolute necessity.
It is a high and strong recommendation in favor of it, that it is adopted on the
most liberal and extensive footing in all those nations most celebrated for their
commercial wisdom and experience. The want of it has already driven from New




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Progress o f American Manufactures.

Orleans nearly the whole of the Mexican trade, as the merchants of that country
can no longer procure here those large and varied assortments of foreign manu­
factures, which were always to be obtained in this city, and this lucrative branch
of commerce has been transferred to Havana, where a liberal warehouse system
exists.
Whilst New Orleans retained this trade, from four to five millions of specie
were annually received here from Mexico, whilst the amount now received is not
a tenth part of that sum. Other parts of the Union have also suffered from the
same cause, and it also operates injuriously as regards the produce and manufac­
tures of the country, as these foreign purchasers always bought largely of them
when making up their stock. The question of the Honorable Secretary can safe­
ly be answered, that the warehouse system “ would increase the trade and com­
merce of the state,” and that the adoption of it, and the abolition of the present
system of drawbacks, would be highly advantageous, not only to the commerce,
but also to the produce and manufactures of the country.
The Honorable Mr. Phoenix made, on the 12th February, 1844, a most able and
luminous report to the House of Representatives, on a memorial of this Chamber,
in favor of the warehouse system, which report contains facts and arguments in
favor of the measure that cover the whole ground, and are unanswerable, and
which, it is to be hoped, will induce Congress, at the ensuing session, to adopt the
measure, and relieve the commerce of the country from the unnecessary and on­
erous burthen under which it is at present laboring for want of it.

Art. VI.— PROGRESS OF AMERICAN MANUFACTURES.
NEW MANUFACTURES IN THE EASTERN STATES— AMERICAN CUTLERY— IMPROVEMENT IN COT­
TON SPINNING— MANUFACTURE OF SILK
NERY

FOR THE MANUFACTURE

IN THE EASTERN AND WESTERN STATES— MACHI­

OF CARPETING, ETC.— MANUFACTURE OF PINS IN CONNEC­

TICUT— BUTTONS AND PENS— DISCOVERY IN

THE

MANUFACTURE OF IRON— MANUFACTURE

OF AXES---- AMERICAN AND FOREIGN HEMP---- WHITNEY’ S RIFLE FACTORY---- MANUFACTURES OF
FALL RIVER— PROGRESS OF INVENTIONS, ETC.*

T h e progress o f manufactures in the United States during the last few'
years is truly astonishing. T h e journals o f the day, from almost every
section o f the Union, furnish information in relation to the establishment
o f manufactories for almost every fabric o f com m erce and consumption.
T h e South and the W est, w e are gratified to note as a sign o f the times,
are becom ing interested, more or less, in this important branch o f produc­
tive industry. W e have wdthin the boundaries o f our wide spread territo­
rial domain, in our agricultural products and mineral w’eaith, and in the en ­
terprise, skill and industry o f our people, all the elements o f complete suc­
cess— the means and the power o f placing us, in this respect, on an emi­
nence far above the most favored European nations.
T h e papers o f South Carolina, one o f the great cotton states, are con ­
gratulating those friendly to a change in the system o f industry in that
* W e shall endeavor to collect from every part o f the Union, and lay before our read­
ers, from time to time, accurate statements o f the progress o f manufactures; not i milting
the improvements made in the construction o f machinery, and the various methods that
may be adopted for the perfection o f the manufacturing interest; which harmonizing
with the industrial enterprises o f agriculture and commerce, cannot fail o f promoting the
peace and social welfare o f the nation ; and in this endeavor we would respectfully so­
licit the aid o f correspondents from every state and territory, as we wish to unite in one
common brotherhood the seemingly conflicting interests o f every part o f our great R e­
public.




Progress o f American Manufactures.

153

state, on the passage o f bills by the legislature chartering manufacturing
associations. T h ey s a y :—
“ The path is now open to almost unfettered enterprise for those in
South Carolina who are disposed to engage in manufactures. T h e sphere
o f industrial energy w ill be greatly enlarged. T h e development o f those
resources with w hich South Carolina is blessed, w ill take place on that
scale w hich w ill unfold all our natural capabilities. Let us then com e to
the task imposed on us by circumstances, o f changing our scheme o f in­
dustry, with the energy blended with prudence and caution that w ill ensure
success. T h e public o f Charleston have unlimited confidence in the dis­
cretion and practical ability o f those who have put themselves at the head
o f this important industrial movement. T h ey w ill be sharers in the haz­
ards, if any there are, o f the enterprise. T h eir means are ample to meet
those hazards. Let the public answer, by liberal subscriptions, to the spirit
o f patriotic adventure which has induced them, with the view o f effecting
a salutary change in our system o f labor, to bestow their time in making
the preparatory arrangements for the purpose. T h e consummation o f these
arrangements now rests witli the public. W e shall have something more
to say on this subject. ” — Charleston Evening News, D ec . 13, 1845.
Virginia has already nearly twenty woollen manufactories. T h e pro­
ducts o f her cotton manufactures amount to more than h alf a million o f dol­
lars per annum ; and the spirit o f her citizens is aroused to the importance
o f a system o f internal improvement, which, with her almost unequalled
resources, must eventually, and at no distant day, give her a rank in the
industrial scale scarcely second to any o f her sister states.
Indeed, in most o f the Southern, Southwestern and W estern states, a
spirit o f inquiry is awakened on this su b ject; and within a short time
manufactures have been projected and plans o f inter-communication dis­
cussed, that indicate results the most auspicious to the future prosperity,
happiness and progress o f the Am erican people, scattered over our great
national domain. Let us not then mar the glory o f our free government
by any injustice or false notions o f honor ; but march on in the career o f
national strength, armed with that righteousness which can alone truly ex­
alt a great Republic, or impart stability to our institutions.
T h e progress o f manufactures in the Eastern states is still onward. At
Portsmouth, N ew Hampshire, a n ew steam factory is now being erected,
which is said to be the largest in the world. It is 204 feet long. T h e
eastern and western w ing are 150 feet each, making 300 feet. T h e cen ­
tre part is six stories high, the wings five stories ; the height o f the lower
story 13 feet, and o f the other stories 12 feet. T h e length o f the front will
be 504 feet, or about a tenth o f a mile. There w ill be about five acres
o f flooring in this factory. It w ill run, when completed, 50,000 spindles,
and employ about 1,500 operatives. In the rear, two parallel buildings,
two stories high, are to be extended 100 feet back from the junction o f the
main building with the wings ; and between those buildings, ,50 feet from
the main structure, the boiler house is to be erected. T h e foundation o f
the chimney, which is to be 140 feet high, is laid, and is in progress o f
erection.
A gentleman who has been travelling the last year, in pursuit o f infor­
mation respecting manufacturing establishments, and who has visited more
than a thousand factories, states, that the largest factory building he has




,

154

Progress o f American Manufactures.

seen or heard o f is at Manchester, N ew Hampshire, w hich is 440 feet in
length. T here is no factory in England to compare with it for size.
At Salem, Massachusetts, a mammoth steam mill is going up, to run
40,000 spindles. H igh up the Merrimack, at Manchester, N ew Ham p­
shire, two or three new mills, o f the largest class, are being erected. At
Nashua, a large mill is also building. At Low ell, the Merrimack Manu­
facturing Co. are putting up a mill 400 feet long, to run 20,000 spindles—
and the Hamilton Co. one o f 300 feet long, to run 15,000 spindles— and
the Middlesex W oollen C o. are also about building a large mill. At D o ­
ver, the C och eco Co. are erecting the largest Calico Printery in the coun­
try. T h e walls o f two new mills in Newburyport are completed, and the
machinery all contracted for— so that they w ill be in operation early in the
summer o f 1846. T h e G lobe Mill w ill have 13,060 spindles and 325
looms— and the Ocean Mill 8,000 spindles and 216 looms.
.A company o f N ew Y ork capitalists have recently purchased an exten­
sive water privilege in East Brooklyn, Connecticut, on the Quinnebaug
river, directly on the line o f the W orcester and N orw ich Railroad, for the
purpose o f erecting immediately a cotton factory o f the largest dimensions.
These movements are made, it would seem, without regard to the policy
to be pursued by the administration in regard to the tariff; indeed, w e b e ­
lieve that it is now generally admitted that in cottons at least w e can com ­
pete with England, without any other protection than that afforded by a
necessary revenue tariff.
In thus briefly alluding to the progress o f Am erican manufactures, it
w ill not, w e presume, be deemed out o f place to refer to the improvements
that have been made in the various branches, gathered from a variety o f
reliable sources o f information, and also to embody a few facts on the sub­
ject generally.
AMERICAN CUTLERY.

A few years ago, this country was entirely dependent upon foreign manu­
factures for cutlery ; but at present there are several establishments in the
United States, one or two in N ew Y ork, one or more in Connecticut, some
w e believe in Massachusetts and Maine, which supply the most elegant
and highly finished articles. The finest razors and best surgical instru­
ments are made in N ew Y ork. W e have examined various specimens o f ta­
ble cutlery and penknives from the manufactory o f Henry Ibbotson o f A u­
burn, and have seen nothing superior, if equal to them, from Birmingham
or Sheffield. Indeed, w e understand that improvements in the style and
finish o f these articles have been recently made at Auburn, and that it will
be difficult for the English manufacturer to compete with our ow n in the
quality o f the articles or in the moderate price at which they are sold. In
this manufacture o f cutlery, as w ell as in regard to other articles, Am eri­
can skill and enterprise have taken such a start as to be independent in
most if not all cases o f protection, as they w ill at no very remote day defy
competition. It is more important that they should advance safely and
surely than rapidly. It is truly gratifying to observe their present success
and more brilliant promise.
IMPROVEMENT IN COTTON SPINNING.

Francis M cCully, an American by birth, and from his infancy a resident
o f the town o f Paterson in N ew Jersey, where he has been engaged in the




Progress o f American Manufactures.

155

construction o f machinery, has recently made an important simplification
in the process o f spinning cotton. H e has invented an improvement o f the
machine called a throstle, which, w e are told by competent judges, is like­
ly to work a great revolution in the cotton manufacturing business. T h e
new process requires less than half the power required by the ordinary m a­
chine, takes less oil, dispenses with the use o f bands, makes a smaller
amount o f waste, enables one person to attend a larger number o f spindles,
yet with all its econom y in these several respects, produces more yarn, and
o f a better quality. A small model o f the invention, containing about 132
spindles, is now and has been for several months in operation at the fac­
tory o f G en. Godwin, in Paterson, where its utility and success has been
demonstrated to the satisfaction o f all the practical men who have seen it
at work. Mr. M cCully, the inventor, has already secured patents for his
machine in England, France, Belgium, M exico, and this country, and is
likely to realize a considerable fortune as w ell as extensive fame as a m e­
chanician, by his ingenuity.
MANUFACTURE OF SILK IN THE EASTERN AND WESTERN STATES.

Great progress is making in the W estern states in the culture and w eav­
ing o f silk, which w e hope to see soon becom ing an extensive article o f
American manufacture. At Ohio and Pennsylvania they have produced
woven silk o f an excellent quality, and at Louisville, K y., there is a manu­
factory in active operation. T h e Louisville J ournal says : “ Most o f the
operations in this factory are effected by steam. The cocoons are reeled
on the machine, universally known as the Piedmontese reel, and the silk
is spun on a throstle machine, a modification o f which makes the twisted
silk. Three looms are worked, and are principally employed in making
sewing silk, handkerchiefs, vestings, and dress patterns for ladies.”
T h e editor o f the Bangor (M e.) Register has been presented with a cou­
ple o f skeins o f silk manufactured in the family o f Mr. E noch Huntington
o f Garland, w hich he can hardly believe w as not imported from France or
Italy, the thread is so even and perfect, and the general appearance o f the
hank is so good. M r. Huntington had about one thousand cocoons last
year, and is one o f the few persons in that region who have given any at­
tention to the raising o f the silk worm, and manufacture o f silk. Edmund
Pillsbury, Esq., o f Newport, has also engaged in the business to a limited
extent, and others have turned their attention to it more as a matter o f cu­
riosity and amusement than as a source o f profit, which it might becom e
even in this unpropitious climate, i f industry were turned in this direction.
INVENTION OF MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CARPETING, MARSEILLES’ QUILT, A.N’ lf
COACH LACE.

A L ow ell correspondent o f the N ew Y ork Anglo-Am erican gives the
following facts in relation to the manufacture o f carpets by power-looms,
which has been com m enced by the L ow ell Com pany :—
“ Mr. Bigelow, an ingenious young artisan, has invented a power-loom for
weaving ingrain carpets ; it is a splendid piece of machinery, and does great cred­
it to the artist; it is capable of doing more than the ordinary hand-loom, and can
with great ease be managed by a girl. I was much pleased while examining it,
to see how mathematically exact it works. While the shuttle is passing from
one box to another, if the thread breaks it at once stops, and when any change is
necessary, a small bell attached to the machinery informs the girl in attendance
what is wanted. It is truly astonishing to see the rapid march of science. To




156

Progress o f American Manufactures.

the Lowell Company the people of this country are indebted for bringing this beau­
tiful machine to its present high state of perfection; they have expended nearly
$100,000 in building and erecting machines; they have now put up fifty looms,
about one-third of which are in active operation ; the carpets produced are of ex­
cellent quality, and wiil bear comparison with any manufactured, Mr, Bigelow
has likewise completed a machine for the manufacture of Brussels carpets, which
is confidently expected to excel all his other inventions in point of simplicity, and
from the opinions I have heard from the best mechanics here, there is every pros­
pect of its success. He is now manufacturing coach lace at the cost of 21 cents
per yard, which formerly by hand-weaving cost 20 cents, showing a great differ­
ence in favor of the power machine of 17j cents per yard. To these great im­
provements he has added the manufacture of the Marseilles quilt, which is pro­
duced with as much facility as cotton cloth, the raised figures on the surface
showing every variety of pattern. This description of work has seldom been at­
tempted in this country, having formerly been made by the hand-loom, and re­
quired a very experienced workman— now a girl with a few weeks’ practice, can
manage one of the power-looms with the greatest ease. I am informed that a
paragraph has gone the rounds of the papers stating that the inventor had got an
offer from England of £80,000 for the patent. A gentleman connected with the
Lowell Company assured me that it was not correct, but that Mr. Bigelow had
taken out a patent in England.”
IMPROVED MACHINE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF PINS.

Brow n and Elton o f Waterbury, (C on n .,) have in operation an improved
machine for the manufacture o f pins, w hich turns out two barrels o f pins
per day. A barrel contains 4,000,000 pins, consequently 8,000,000 are
manufactured in this little machine each day, or 48,000,000 a w eek, and
15,024,000,000 per annum, deducting 52 days for Sundays. T h e machine
is perfect and simple in its operation. T h e w ire is run into the machine
from a reel, cut to the requisite length, pointed and headed, and made a
finished pin by the one simple operation. From this machine they fall
into the hopper o f the sticking machine, as it is called, in which they are
arranged and stuck upon the papers, and com e out perfect, only requiring
to be packed to be ready for a market. This latter machine, tended by a
girl, w ill do the work o f thirty persons by the old hand process. There
are four other machines in the United States; a few more would supply
not only enough for home consumption, but export to foreign countries, and
at a large profit, after paying freight and duty, as it would be out o f the
question for the “ little pin-headers” o f England to compete with the inge­
nious Yankee contrivance.
MANUFACTURE OF BUTTONS AND TENS.

. T h e Haydens, two brothers, com m enced the business o f making buttons,
b y hand, at Haydenville, near Northampton, M ass., employing only two or
three hands besides themselves. After a few years they enlarged their
establishment, and their business is said to have proceeded and increased
as follows :—
Year.

1835
1836
1837
1838

No. Hands.

..................................................................25
................................................................. 50
................................................................. 100
..............................................

Capital.

$20,000
30,000
50,000
200 100,000'

In 1839 they added the business o f manufacturing steel pens to that o f
making buttons, and their operations were as follows :—




157

Progress o f American Manufactures.
Years.

1839
1840
1841
1842
1843
1844

N o. hands.

............................................................... 925
................................................................ 235
............................................................... 235
............................................................... 235
............................................................... 250
............................................................... 275

Capital.

$125,000
130,000
130,000
130,000
145,000
175,000

In 1844 the number o f buttons manufactured per day was 1600 gross ;
and the number o f pens manufactured per day was 100 gross.
DISCOVERY IN MANUFACTURING- IRON.

T h e extensive demand for iron, both in Europe and in this country, not
only for railroads and ships, but an innumerable variety o f purposes, has
stimulated the inventive genius o f some American, and the result is as im­
portant as it is gratifying. Experiments have been made by M r. W . C .
Green o f N ew Jersey, at the Boston Iron W orks o f Sherman and Atwater
o f the city o f N ew York, whose extensive iron foundries are in N ew Jer­
sey. Mr. G reen’ s improvement is in the process o f puddling the iron from
the pig to the bar. Instead o f using the pig iron, which costs about $ 3 5
per ton, he is enabled to use a large portion o f the ore, which costs but $ 2 50
per ton, by w hich he effects, in labor and material, a saving o f more than
33 per cent, and he gives a far better quality of iron than that which is obtain­
ed from the pig ; as much better in appearance as china is better than' earth­
enware. W e have seen and compared, says the Express, the new speci­
men with iron made in the old way, and have marked the contract as very
great. Mr. G reen’ s secret consists chiefly in mixing a composition with
his ore and white in a m odem state, by which the carbon is more rapidly
exhausted than it is under the old process, and the iron is thus, in h alf the
time, left tougher and finer.
IMPROVED MANUFACTURE OF AXES.

T here is an axe factory at Collinsville, near Hartford, Conn., in which
forty-five men turn out eight hundred axes every day. The axes sell for 13
dollars per dozen upon an average. T h e demand for them is almost illimi­
table. T h ey labor in seven shops. T h e sixth shop is sacred— “ no admit­
tance” is written upon the door-post. T h e reason for this is that a new
process for tempering the axes has been discovered— a process by w hich a
hundred can be tempered at once, and that, too, after thfey have been
ground. W e regard this as an important discovery.
AMERICAN AND FOREIGN HEMP COMPARED.

T h e government agent for the purchase o f hemp, at Louisville, K en ­
tucky, Lew is Sanders, Esq., recently made several experiments to test the
relative strength o f Russian and Am erican hemp, and as w ill be seen by the
following letter o f Mr. Sanders, the result has been in favor o f the Am erican.
H em p A g ency for K e n t u c k y .

Commodore Morris, head of the Bureau of Construction and Equipment, caused
to be sent to this agency a very perfect apparatus for the purpose of testing the
quality of hemp; also, a box containing Riga Rhine hemp, and a box containing
American water-rotted hemp, as samples for examination and comparison. The
apparatus and samples of hemp were sent from the Boston Navy Yard, and ar­
rived here in October last. The object of the department is to give information
to the growers and dealers of hemp. By these samples and tests, bidders for the
supply of the Navy can with more certainty submit their proposals.




158

Progress o f American Manufactures.

I caused four parcels of hemp to be accurately weighed, of twenty-five pounds
each, and delivered to Mr. Till, a rope-maker of this place, (who learned his trade
in Boston,) with directions to make up each parcel separately, into 1j inch rope,
and into yarns.
No. 1. Twenty-five pounds American water-rotted hemp, sent from the Navy
Yard, Boston.
No. 2. Twenty-five pounds Riga Rhine hemp, sent from the Navy Yard, Bos­
ton.
No. 3. Twenty-five pounds cured and prepared by Mr. James Anderson of this
place, intended for naval purposes.
No. 4. Twenty-five pounds of a good lot of Kentucky dew-rotted hemp.
The waste and tow returned by Mr. Till from No. 1, was 11 lb.; from No. 2,
64 lb.; from No. 3, 6 lb.; from No. 4, 10 lb.
A piece of bolt rope, intended for IT inch, made of yarns running 26, was put
to the test.
No. 1 broke or parted a
t
2,705 lb.
No. 2
do.
do. 2,555 lb.
No. 3
do.
do. 2,940 lb.
No. 4, of 1 16 10 i n . ................................................................... 2,4151b.
Three-thread spun yarn of No. 1, broke at 400 lb.; of No. 2, at 365 lb.; of No.
3, hard twisted, at 352 lb.; of No. 4, at 450 lb.
Marline, two-thread, No. 1 broke at 132 lb.; No. 2 broke at 1351b.; No. 3, hard
twisted, at 112 lb.; No. 4, at 155 lb.
One-thread yarns, running 26— No. 1 broke at 222 lb.; No. 2, at 108 lb.; No. 3,
at 140 lb.; No. 4, at 190 lb.
W h it n e y ’ s

k if l e

factory.

The Rifle Factory o f Mr. Eli Whitney, situated at the foot o f East R ock,
on the Hartford and N ew Haven Turnpike, was founded by the father o f
the present proprietor, in thfc year 1778, and was long used by him in the
manufacture o f arms for the United States Government. This gentleman,
distinguished for his talents as a mechanic, for his sound judgment, and for
his persevering industry, applied to this branch o f business the same skill
and ingenuity, the first-fruits o f w hich had been already displayed in the in­
vention o f that instrument so important to the agricultural interests o f the
South— the Cotton Gin. T h e result was the production o f an article supe­
rior to that obtained from England, not only in itself, but also in the manner
in which it was made. T h e method o f manufacturing muskets then devised
b y Mr. W hitney, and also many o f the different kinds o f tools invented and
used by him, have been since adopted in the national armories. T h e estab­
lishment has, w e believe, been exclusively devoted to this business, from
the time o f its foundation until about three years since, when an alteration
w as effected, and the manufacture o f rifles substituted. T h e metal is
wrought into the most eccentric shapes, xvithout any further intervention o f
human hands than is requisite for superintending the machine. O wing to
this skilful arrangement o f machinery only thirty-five men are required to
carry on the works, turning out nearly three thousand rifles a year, worth
about thirteen dollars a piece. In the manufacture o f these about 50,000
pounds o f iron, 6,000 pounds o f copper, and from 4 to 5,000 pounds o f steel,
are annually consumed. T h e steel is worked up into ramrods, springs, and
portions o f the lock. T h e iron costs about one hundred and forty dollars
per ton, and is obtained from Salisbury, Connecticut— that procured there
being found o f a superior quality to either the English or Pennsylvania iron.
T h e stocks are made o f black walnut, which is brought from Pennsylva­
nia. T h e rifles, when finished, w eigh ten and a half pounds each. A strik­




The German Zollverein and the Hanse Towns.

159

ing advantage gained by the extended use o f machinery in making the dif­
ferent parts o f the rifle is the perfect uniformity o f the work. So accu­
rately and in so many different w ays is every part, even the most minute,
guaged, that in putting together the whole, no delay is occasioned from tri­
fling inaccuracies in fitting. E a ch screw, spring, sight, top-board, or any
other piece whatever, is so nicely wrought that it m ay be applied to and will
fit any one o f the three thousand rifles made in the course o f the year as
exactly as it does the one o f w hich it finally forms a part. T h e rifles are
made on contract for the Government, and are not offered for sale.

Art. VII.— 1THE GERMAN ZOLLVEREIN AND THE HANSE TOWNS.
COMMERCIAL POLICY OF THE ZOLLVEREIN TOWARDS THE UNITED STATES AND THE HANSE TOWNS.

S e v e r a l o f the public papers have lately presented discordant views
o f the com m ercial policy o f the Germ an Zollverein towards the Hanse
Tow ns, and those northern coast states o f Germany which have not united
with the Zollverein, and o f the influence which it is said that Prussia ex­
ercises over that policy, w hich is represented as being prejudicial to the
com m ercial interests o f the United States.
These opinions having arisen more or less from the conflict o f local
interests affected by the Zollverein and its com m ercial policy, and from
false apprehensions with regard to an adverse settlement o f the respective
interests between the said States and the Zollverein, the following obser­
vations, founded on a statement o f facts, w ill no doubt rectify and har­
monize the different opinions entertained on the subject, and allow an im­
partial opinion to be formed.
W e have no interest in know ing what are the feelings and opinions o f
the different parties in Europe concerning the Zollverein.
What w e
should ascertain, is, whether the mercantile policy o f the Zollverein States
(w hich contain about twenty-eight millions o f customers) is susceptible o f
increasing our direct com m erce with that country, on principles o f real
and true reciprocity. Such a com m erce, few o f the other European na­
tions are disposed or enabled to adm it; being prevented from doing so,
partly by their restrictive com m ercial policy, and partly by their peculiar
relations and obligations to their colonies.
One o f the principal objections which have been made to the Z ollv e­
rein, is, that Prussia is said to exercise an overwhelming influence over
the other members o f the Union, controlling their constitutional liberties.
The question whether such an influence does really exist in the Union,
m ay fairly be answered by the fact that those states whose liberties are
said to be affected, voluntarily joined the confederacy.. T h e question
whether the organization o f the Zollverein system, established by Prus­
sia, offers any ground for such an accusation, should be submitted to a
closer examination. T h e follow ing facts w ill speak for themselves :—
A ccording to the treaties on w hich the Customs Union is founded, no
new tariff law, nor the alteration o f any existing one, can be made with­
out the agreement o f all the members o f the said Union. N o such act can
be passed by any majority o f votes. T h e several states w ho form the
Union, without regard to their population, or the extent o f their territory,
have all equal votes ; and the single vote o f the smallest o f them, i f in




160

The German Zollverein and the H anse Towns.

opposition to any measure, w ill prevent its adoption, even i f the votes o f
all the other members should be in favor o f it. T h ence Prussia, with a
population o f over 15,000,000, and Brunswick, with 155,000, have
equal votes.

It has been said, in certain quarters, that this complete equality of rep­
resentation of all the states of the Union had been used by Prussia as a
means of inducing the said states to submit toher original customs system,
and to maintain her influence over them ; but an impartial examination
of such an imputation will show that all the German States who have
united with Prussia, in the formation of a common system of customs and
commerce, have adopted the Prussian system, with slight modifications,
always by the way of free tleaties, which were submitted beforehand to
the examination and ratification of the representatives of the respective
countries. If ratification has not been refused by them in any single in­
stance, the reason of it is its conveniency, and not the influence of Prus­
sia. It is the conviction that the Prussian system, whose advantages had
been experienced for many years, was the best adapted for the basis of a
German Union of Customs and Commerce.
The leading principles of this system, which secured its adoption by
the other German States, are as follows :—
I. The maintaining a proper medium between the principle of protec­
tion and of free trade.
II. Allowing a competition of foreign with the home industry, in the
home markets ; consequently, the exclusion of prohibitory duties.
III. A complete and true reciprocity with foreign countries.'
IV. Facilitating the interior trade, by removing the customs between
the states.
V. Protective duties, for the support of home industry, not so great as
to prevent commercial intercourse with foreign nations, or their compe­
tition.
VI. Establishing and regulating custom duties, with a regard of the
interests of every part of the confederacy.
VII. Free importation of the raw materials for the home manufac­
ture ; and,
VIII. Convenient duties on those foreign articles, viz : sugar, tobacco,
rice, &c., the principal export of other countries, to promote and facilitate
the conclusion of reciprocity treaties.
To such a system of customs and commerce, the other German States
could join without any hesitation, because Prussia had made the experi­
ment, and the result had been such as to induce imitation. This experi­
ment was the more important for Germany, as Prussia unites under her
dominion several provinces very different in climate, production, and other
circumstances ; and xvhose interests, although different, found a sufficient
protection in the said system, which, having been a blessing to the Prus­
sian provinces, could not be otherwise to other German States which are
in the same position.
However, this adoption, by some of the German States, of the Prussian
customs system, has not prevented its development and improvement after­
wards, by common deliberation and resolution, whenever there was occa­
sion for it. On the contrary, since the Zollverein has extended to its
present state, the most important laws, viz : the new custom law, the cus­
tom organization, &c., &c., have passed, after a previous examination, at




The German Zollverein and the Hanse Towns.

161

the meetings o f the plenipotentiaries o f the several states ; and, by the
same proceeding, provisions have been made to carry into execution the
said custom laws.
T h e present constitution o f the Zollverein has only preserved the old
Prussian custom system in its leading ideas and principles before mention­
ed, which could not have been abandoned without destroying the commer­
cial confederacy.
Another charge made against the Zollverein, is, “ that it presses upon
the Hanse Tow ns, and the other German States at the North sea coast
w hich have not yet joined the Union, in order to force them into it.”
This charge has attracted the attention o f those nations who are in com ­
mercial relations with those states, principally Am erica, because she finds
in the Hanse Towns, for instance, a most favorable market for her pro­
ducts. These towns, as w ell as the other small coast states, whose princi­
pal interests are commercial, impose upon products not European very mod­
erate, or mere nominal duties, in comparison with those imposed by the
Z ollverein ; and, from this circumstance, apprehensions w ere entertained
that the extension o f the Zollverein to the North sea would be disadvan­
tageous to the commercial intercourse o f countries not European with the
Hanse Tow ns, & c ., & c.
Such an apprehension is without foundation ; because the German States
at the North sea, which do not belong to the Zollverein, have scarcely
one-ninth o f the population o f the Zollverein, and therefore are o f little
importance, in comparison to the latter, as principal consumer o f those pro­
ducts. The people o f the H anse Tow ns, who, in the export lists publish­
ed in the respective countries o f exportation, appear as the principal cus­
tomers, are only the speditioners for the greatest part o f transatlantic pro­
ducts, and the real consumers are in the interior o f Germany. If, therefore,
the small German States on the sea coast should join the Zollverein, and
the tariff o f the latter should prevail, (which, however, is not to be expect­
ed,) the apprehended diminution in the consumption o f foreign products, in
consequence o f somewhat higher duties, could possibly take place only
among the small population o f the said states ; but, by their annexation to
the Zollverein, more advantages would be secured to the said export
countries, in consequence o f the great development o f direct commerce
between them and Germany.
In order to explain this by an example, w e shall draw a comparison b e ­
tween the commercial position o f the Hanse Tow ns, (Ham burg, Bremen,
& c .,) and the Am erican seaport cities. T h e Hanse Tow ns are free ports,
and desire to remain excluded from the commercial policy o f the rest o f
Germany ;— the Am erican seaport cities, N ew York, Boston, Philadel­
phia, & c., are included in the general com m ercial policy o f the United
States, and have not been permitted to establish themselves as free ports.
N ow , w e would ask, are less European goods imported in N ew York, and
consumed in the interior o f the states, because N ew Y ork is no free
port 1 Since the United States form one great commercial confederacy,
they have unity o f interests, have consequently power, and are able to
establish a direct com m erce with the whole world, w hereby the A m eri­
can seaports gain as much as i f they w ere free ports, and all the interior
o f the United States partakes o f the advantages o f that trade. A ll parts
o f the United States gain more, by such a harmonious union, than they
VOL. X IV .---- NO. II.
11




162

The German Zollverein and the Hanse Towns.

would do, if the seaport cities were allowed to carry out, with foreign nations, a policy different from that of the United States. New York imports
and exports, on the whole, as much as if it was separated from the tariff
system of the Union. Its natural position secures as well its commercial
importance, as that of Hamburg or Bremen does. The latter would lose
as little, if they were included in the German Commercial Union, as New
York, by belonging to the American Commercial Union.
There is no reason or foundation for an apprehension “ that the Zollve­
rein should employ coercive means to enforce the annexation of the said
coast states to the Customs Union.” By what means could such a coercion
take place ? The only means would have been, to impose higher duties
on all products entering into the Zollverein by the seaports not belonging
to the Union, than on those imported by the ports of the Zollverein. But
such a discrimination has never been made, although it will become more
and more practicable by the extension and conclusion of the railroad net
over all Germany, without any considerable injury to the consumers in the
interior.
The policy of the Zollverein, in its relations tothose German States who
have not joined the Union, always has adhered to the principle “ that the
annexation should take place voluntarily, and under the reciprocal convic- tion of its conveniency because history shows us that reluctant con­
federates are worse than enemies, and because the disregard of that prin.ciple would only weaken the Union, and endanger its futurity.
As a proof of the liberal policy of Prussia towards the Hanse Towns,
and the other German Coast States not belonging to the Zollverein, it
may be stated that, at the meeting of the representatives of the Zollverein
States at Carlsruhe, at the end of the last year, a memorial was pre­
sented by Prussia, of which the German newspapers have given extracts,
recommending the adoption of a joint navigation act, on the part of the
Zollverein States, with the above-mentioned coast states in favor of the
national flag, granting equal rights to such nations, only, who are willing
to act upon the principle of full reciprocity. It is further proposed, in the
said memorial, to pass a law by which general differential duties are to be
established in favor of all direct importations from such producing coun­
tries which are willing to grant the same advantage to importations from
Germany, by vessels under the same national flag, and by vessels of the
contracting state, or such other country which may be entitled to such a
privilege by special treaty. The limited time of the said conference not
having allowed action upon this proposition, it has been postponed to the
next conference, which is expected to take place at Berlin, at an early
period in the present year, where probably this national question of “ open­
ing the field to the direct commercial intercourse between Germany and
the transatlantic states,” will be carried into effect on principles of true
reciprocity.




163

The Progress o f the W est.

Art. VIII.— THE PROGRESS OF THE W EST :
CONSIDERED WITH REFERENCE TO GREAT COMMERCIAL CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES.

T h e Albany Argus says, in the conclusion o f an interesting article on
the dependence o f eastern towns on the west, for their growth—
“ N ew Y ork, i f she wills, can still hold her present command over the
western trade ; but this w ill require immediate efforts, such as w ill test
the energies o f her merchants. H e is blind w ho does not see that, at
the present time, she is menaced by a spirit o f competition on the part o f
wealthy, enterprising, and powerful cities, such as never before occurred
in her past history. But, with an effort, she holds the game in her ow n
hands. T h e western trade is a prize worthy o f those who would struggle
for the colossal commercial power o f Am erica. A city sustained by that
trade, can never languish; for the increase o f production o f the western
states is almost boundless. Its city must be far greater than even A lex­
andria or Thebes. So long as N ew Y ork remains at the head o f the
western trade, where our state pride and her own commanding position
justly place her, she must irresistibly advance in wealth, influence, and
population, until she will be known not only as the great city o f Am erica,
but as the great city o f the w orld.”
Most o f the positions o f the Argus are sound. N ew Y ork undoubtedly
has it in her pow er to hold more o f the western trade than any other
eastern c ity ; but it should be remembered that the centre- o f trade in this
country is likely to follow the centre o f population, which has already, in
its westward course, reached the top o f the Alleghanies. W e lay it down
as susceptible o f demonstration, that the great city o f Am erica w ill be in
the midst of, and not far from; the centre o f the great population o f A m e­
rica. E very man o f tolerable intelligence knows that the centre is shortly
to be in the great western valley. Including Canada, the North Am erican
Valley already has eleven o f the twenty-one millions under the A ngloSaxon dominion. This valley w ill have—
In 10 years,,

20

“

30
40
50

“
“
“

16.500.000
23.100.000
32.340.000
45.276.000
63,286,400

In 60 years,,
70
“
80
“
90
“

100

“

88,600,960
124,040,134
173,656,000
231,540,333
308,721,777

T o com e to this result, w e have allowed the increase for the first ten
years to be 50 per cent, being nearly 24 per cent less than the increase
o f the western states from 1830 to 1840. After that, and down to eighty
years, w e have allowed 40 per cent, being 4 per cent more than the in­
crease o f the white population o f all the free states, old and new, from
1830 to 1840. From eighty years down, the rate allowed for each ten
years is 3 3 i per cent, being the present rate o f increase o f the w hole
country. T h e Atlantic border w ill increase nearly as follows :—
From 10 millions in 10 years,
“
“
20
“
“
30
“
“
40
“
“
50 years,
“
“
60
“
“
70
“
“
80
“
“
90
“
“
100




at 15 per cent,................................................
“
“
“
“
“
“
at 10 per cent,................................................
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“

11,500,000
13,225,000
15,208,750
17,490,062
19,239,068
21,162,964
23,279,250
25,607,175
28,167,892
30,984,681

164

The Progress o f the West.

Fifteen per cent increase, each decade, is allowed for the first forty
years, and 10 per cent afterwards. T h e increase o f the Atlantic states,
from 1830 to 1840, was 10.3 per c e n t ; but this included the western por­
tion o f N ew York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, which are in our valley.
It is fair to presume that the Argus expected at least one hundred years
to pass away before N ew Y ork should becom e the greatest city in the
world. London has now about five times as many people as N ew York,
and N ew Y ork something less than five times the number o f Cincinnati.
T o suppose the latter w ill surpass N ew York, is not a more extravagant
anticipation than that N ew Y ork w ill go ahead o f London.
T h e internal exchanges o f this country constitute the greatest part o f
the commerce even o f N e w York, at w hich so large a part o f our foreign
com m erce is carried on. T h e values transported on the Erie canal, alone,
nearly come up to the values o f all the exports o f the United States. Our
foreign com m erce is increasing slowly ; our home trade is expanding and
augmenting rapidly. T h e latter, in all its branches, probably, now, is not
less than fifteen times as great as the former. T h e home trade o f the
western valley, at the end o f one hundred years, w ill be a trade o f three
hundred millions o f people with each other, o f the productions o f their va­
rious climates, and more various industry ; and also with the thirty m il­
lions on the Atlantic border. W ill these three hundred millions go to N ew
Y ork to make their exchanges with each other? Is it even certain that
half the product o f the eastern slope, intended for western use, w ill not be
brought to leading western marts for sale ? or that western products in­
tended for eastern consumption, w ill not be distributed from the western
marts ? Certainly, the three hundred millions w ill be backward children
i f they cannot make their exchanges with each other, without going east­
ward to the old homestead, a thousand miles out o f the way.
Old ideas, whether hereditary, or the fruit o f early education, are hard
to eradicate or supplant. T h e salt sea, and commerce, and great cities,
are naturally associated together in the minds o f W estern Europeans, and
their descendants in Am erica. As naturally is the interior o f a broad con ­
tinent associated, in their minds, with gloomy forests, desert prairies, and
slow movements in all the channels o f business. T h e idea o f easy and
rapid, and cheap movements o f commercial equivalents, over the face o f
the continent, by means o f river and lake steamers, and locomotives on
railroads, with interlocking M ’ Adam highways and canals, is slow to enter
the mind o f the present generation. That land com m erce has becom e so
facile, as to compare with ocean commerce, may be acknowledged in the
abstract, but its results have but just commenced a lodgment in the public
mind.
I f our estimate o f the increase o f the western valley should seem too
large, let the reader reduce the aggregate, for one hundred years hence,
to two hundred millions ; and then, lest the Atlantic border should seem
stinted in her allowance, set that section down for forty millions ;— still,
our deduction, in favor o f western cities, stands on a firm foundation.
W e might make out a strong case for western cities, independent o f the
above considerations, by exhibiting the means providing for a direct foreign
com m erce, away from the eastern cities. Little more than one year from
this time w ill elapse, before the completion o f the locks and canals around
the falls o f the St. Law rence ; by means o f which, the ocean com m erce
will be accessible from the ports o f the great lakes, in vessels o f 350 tons




The Silver Mines o f Mexico.

165

burthen. W ith iron vessels, o f the propeller kind, voyages to all the ports
o f the world may be made from the interior o f our country ; from Toledo,
Chicago, and Fond du L ac. In the south, by means o f the Mississippi, a
direct intercourse may be opened from Natchez, Memphis, and Evans­
ville ; and, in high water, from St. Louis, Louisville, and Cincinnati, with
the W est Indies, and the extensive coasts o f the G ulf and Carribean sea,
carried on in iron vessels, moved by steam and sail. Are these events
as improbable as, fifty years ago, would have been deemed the changes
that have taken place within that period ? A re improvements to make
slower progress, the next fifty years, than they have during the last fifty ?

Art, I I .— THE SILVER MINES OF MEXICO.
A N ABR ID G M EN T OF TH E LAWS R EG U LA TIN G T H E MINES OF M EXICO.

T h e laws w hich ruled the mines in Spain, w ere those w hich w ere
established at M exico, but the coHection o f all the documents bearing
upon them had not been m a d e; and their number, as well as their
antiquity, rendering their interpretation very embarrassing, M. G am ­
boa issued, in the year 1761, his Commentaries, w hich contain, b e ­
sides numerous explanations o f the laws relating to the working o f the
mines, numerous facts, some very curious, as to the different methods o f
mining in M exico. In 1743, a miner, named Reborate, thought o f estab­
lishing a company, to furnish means to adventurers on terms less onerous
than those generally fixed upon by merchants o f the capital, who, stipu­
lating for no interests on their advances, had a great advantage in insist­
ing on being reimbursed in silver, valued at between six and seven
piastres the marc (the price o f the money being nine piastres,) according
as the duration o f their outlay increased. This project was submitted to
the king,, and appears to have furnished subsequently the idea o f a special
tribunal for mines— destined, at the same time, to aid the miners with
funds, arising from a tax o f one real per marc on all the silver produced
in M exico, w hich was paid into this establishment. A t the same period
it was thought necessary to review all preceding decrees, and at the date
o f the 22d o f M ay, 1783, the king decreed certain regulations for the
government o f the mines o f N ew Spain, as it w as then called. In every
mining district, a special tribunal was established for that purpose, similar
to some o f our minor courts, deciding, without appeal, to the extent o f
400 piastres, and with appeal, beyond that sum, before a superior tribu­
nal, established at M exico and Guadalaxara, under the name o f the Court
o f Alzadas. These local courts, the members o f w hich w ere nominated
by the inhabitants, w ere subordinate to the Tribunal General de Mineria
at M exico, and the members o f which w ere chosen by the principal dis­
tricts ; the number o f votes given to each shows their relative importance
at this period. Guanaxuato had six, Zacatecas four, San Luis three,
Pachuca and R ea l del Monte two ; every mining district having the title
o f a city ( cindad) had three, and those o f a town (villa) two only. This
sort o f jurisdiction had very extensive limits, not only for the settlement o f
lawsuits, but also for the proper administration, and the manner o f ex­
ploring the mines ; it also em braced the subject o f roads, the conveyance
o f water, and the preservation o f the forests ; under the same authority
was also placed the M ining School ( Real Seminario de M ineria.) After




166

The Silver M ines o f Mexico.

the independence, the com m ercial courts and the mining tribunals w ere
suppressed, but J h e former are now being restored, and the latter are
about to be re-constructed. T h ese ordenanzas, or mining laws, have
continued to be in operation, though limited to the province o f the ordi­
nary tribunals. T h ey have been revised and dissected with great dis­
cernment, and seem now to be little needing ameliorations ; however,
w e must observe, that there is no abrogation o f that article w hich limits
the possession o f the mines to natives— that is to say, which excludes
those who are not naturalized from having the entire possession, who may,
however, have a partial interest in any o f the mines. Every new mine
belongs to him who denounces it, provided that, during the sixty following
days, he has constructed a shaft in the vein o f the mine at least o f ten varas
in depth. T h e concessions consist o f a square o f 200 varas. T h e aban­
doned mines, or those looked upon as such, by the works being suspended
during a period o f four consecutive months, can also be denounced.
The
metallurgical workshops ( haciendas de beneficio) may also be considered as
abandoned, and becom e the property o f him w ho denounces them, w hen­
ever no works are carried on ; the buildings are taken to pieces, and all
the machinery withdrawn, but the proprietor has an extent o f four months to
preserve his property, i f he prefers once more to renew operations. W ith
a view to avoid disputes, a great many very proper regulations are establish­
ed, amongst w hich are to be observed, those affecting the cost o f exhausting
the neighboring mines, and for the sharing o f the mineral extracted on the
concession o f a stranger, by means o f subterranean works w hich did not
then exist at such a depth by the means o f the proprietor. Useful precau­
tions are also imposed as to the mode o f exploring, and the safety o f the
workmen, but it is to be regretted, that too generally this interesting portion
o f the ordenanzas is not regarded, as respects the good management, and
the hours o f labor, with all that exactitude w hich the general interest de­
mands, though the infringement is attended with the loss o f possession.
These same ordenanzas granted to the miners certain peculiar rights, some
o f which, as that o f nobility, have ceased to exist, whilst others, relating to
the rights o f creditors, still exist the same as before. A miner, or proprietor
o f metallurgical workshops, cannot be dispossessed by his creditors, whose
only course is to seize on the works, and conduct them on their own account,
taking o f the produce to the extent only o f their demands ; at the same time,
furnishing to the debtor a sufficient sum over his indispensable expenses,
and those o f his family.
Under the Spanish government, which placed the military and the cler­
g y under a peculiar jurisdiction, ( fu er o s ) these prerogatives are little sur­
prising, and it is doubtful whether the class they were destined to protect,
have derived any very great advantages; they have had, under all circum­
stances, this inconvenience, o f obliging the miner to procure for him self
the capital he found necessary, on conditions the harder in proportion as
the reimbursement becam e the more fettered from his position. In Spain,
the mines belonged to the crown, and could not be worked without special
permission, which stipulated the part o f the produce which should belong
to the treasury ; in 1504, shortly after the discovery o f America, ran or donnance fixed this tax at a fifth o f the value, which from that received the
name o f quinto; the booty collected by Cortez and his army was subjected
to this regulation. After 1525, the working o f mines o f gold and silver,
was permitted to all those who wished to undertake them, with the under­




The Silver Mines o f Mexico.

167

standing that they should pay the ordinary tax on the produce. In 1548,
this tax on the silver was reduced to a tenth o f the value, for an extent o f
six years, but they stilr continued to receive it on this footing, by succes­
sive adjournments o f the question, till the year 1572, when the tenth, in­
stead o f the fifth, was agreed upon without any other restriction; but this
reduction o f impost, which only applied to certain districts, did not becom e
general till 1723. A law o f Charles the Fifth fixed the rights o f fusion,
assay, and mark, at l i per cent on the value o f the metals. In 1584,
Philip the Second decreed, that in future the mines o f Am erica should not
be merely concessions subject to provisions, but that they should be the
property o f those who discovered them, provided they complied in other
respects to the mining regulations. Some other supplementary imposts,
established at different periods, and amounting together to 2| per cent,
were abolished in 1777, and there only remained but the tenth o f the value,
and the right to l j per cent on the fusion, the assay, and the mark.
These rights, which existed on this footing until the emancipation o f M ex­
ico, w ere abolished, or rather modified, by a decree o f the 20th Febru­
ary, 1822, w hich fixed equally what should be demanded on gold and sil­
ver, as to the different operations o f assay, fusion, refining, & c . B y this
decree, all the duties are reduced to 3 per cent on the value o f the metals.
Since then they have added a right to 1 real each mark o f silver o f 11
deniers, valued at 8 piastres to 2 reals, or 66 reals (w hich is about lj- per
cent,) for the establishment de mineria— so that the total o f the actual de­
mands on the ingots is 4 ’ per cent for silver, and 3 per cent for gold.
T h e expenses o f fusion and assay are no longer a fixed duty, but are reg­
ulated on a footing w hich exceeds very little their real cost, which is o f
small importance. In M exico, the assayers are required not only to set­
tle the title o f the ingots and the money, and to stamp the silver and je w ­
els, but are also to see executed by themselves, the fusion o f silver and
gold, in that condition in which they are found at the close o f the metallur­
gical labor necessary to separate them from the gangues. This precau­
tion has been taken with the double view o f avoiding any falsification o f
the ingots, and to insure the recovering o f the duties. T h e general law
requires the silver, in marquetas, to be brought to the laboratory o f the assayer o f the mining district in which the works are situated, such as it is
after the volatilisation o f the mercury, or the pieces o f silver obtained by
the treatment on the dry method. Some o f the great works, such as those
o f Fresnillo and R eal del Monte, for instance, have obtained the privilege
o f presenting their produce already converted into ingots at their establish­
ments. It must be added, that there is great liberality as to the execution
o f this law, and that often the assayers mark, without referring them, blocks
o f silver o f great weight, when they come from such establishments as are
thought to be unimpeachable. This tolerance may, however, appear to be
injurious some day when it is least expected ; but in the present day, any
frauds in ingots are unknown in M exico, and the small number o f differ­
ences w hich present themselves occasionally are due, either to some want
o f exactness in the assay, or rather, to some effects o f liquation, difficult to
be avoided, and w hich are very sensible on the ingots, which the law ad­
mits to a weight o f 136 marks. The disputes between two assayers on '
the title o f the same alloy, are decided by the assayador mayor, whose la­
boratory is established at M exico. This is also the officer who issues, af­
ter examination, the diplomas to the assayers.




168

Mercantile Biography.

Art. X.— MERCANTILE BIOGRAPHY.
TH E L A T E A B IJA H FISK , OF NEW ORLEANS.*

A b ij a h F is k was born at Waltham, Massachusetts, in D ecem ber o f
the year 1785. His father, also named Abijah, was a respectable farmer,
a man o f great moral worth and patriotism, who served his country for
more than five years, during the revolutionary w ar o f 1775, as a soldier in
the army and navy o f the United States— in the latter, on board the Oli­
ver Cromwell, a vessel o f w ar from the state o f Connecticut, on board o f
which vessel he w as taken prisoner, after a desperate action, in which she
w as captured by a British ship o f war, and carried into N ew Y ork while
that place was in possession o f the British forces. Notwithstanding he
was severely wounded, w hich disabled him in a great degree for life, he
was carried on board the prison-ship, and there confined many months, suf­
fering almost every hardship which can be conceived possible for any one
thus circumstanced to endure. Y et he recovered, and once more, after the
close o f the war, returned to his farm at Waltham, where he w as married
to Miss A lice Adams, one o f the descendants from the ancestors o f the late
John Adams, formerly President o f the United States, where he, continued
for many years to till the ground with his own hands. W h en his son A bi­
jah, the subject o f this sketch, w as seven years o f age, he removed to W e s ­
ton, the next town adjoining, in the same state, where this son continued
to labor with his father in the field, except at short intervals, during which
he attended the public school about ten or twelve weeks per annum, most­
ly in the winter, and which was the only opportunity he ever had o f attend­
ing any school whatever until he was nearly eighteen years o f age, when
he left his father’ s roof, poor and friendless, with nothing to recommend
him but the proud consciousness o f integrity, energy, and persevering in­
dustry, for a residence in Boston, in a store or commercial house doing bu­
siness mostly with the country, as a salesman and general attendant in the
store and out o f it, as occasion required his services. H e soon attracted
the attention o f some o f the neighboring establishments, from his activity
and good management in the establishment in which he was employed ;
and in two years, when he was but twenty years o f age, he w as offered a
capital o f five or six thousand dollars and the credit and use o f the name
o f a house o f large means, to go into business in his ow n name, dividing
the profits with them. H e accepted the proposition, and in one year he
found he had doubled the capital, and his credit was good for any sum he
required. In this w ay he went on for several years, when he found he
had made a pretty handsome sum. H e separated from those w ho estab­
lished him, paying them o ff in full most honorably the half o f the profits.
H e continued to prosper in business at Boston, with occasionally heavy
losses, laboring very hard in his store with his own hands, until about the
year 1820, when he had accumulated a capital o f $200,000, and upwards.
About this time, or earlier, he had cpmmenced some heavy operations at
Savannah, in Georgia, by establishing a young man who had been a clerk
o f his for some time, (and he was remarkable for aiding others,) who soon
involved his principal in great losses, and in the summer o f 1822, ow ing to
many losses in various ways, on shipments, endorsements, and the failure
o f about eighty or ninety houses in Boston at that time, his losses w ere

* We are indebted to the editor of the New Orleans Commercial Bulletin, for this brief
but instructive memoir of an enterprising merchant of that city.




Abijah Fisk.

169

immensely heavy, and he stopped payment with the general crash, for about
six hundred thousand dollars. H e however quickly closed up his affairs—
paid off all o f his small creditors with interest— and with the larger ones
he compounded, and paid eighty-one cents in the dollar on those who cam e
upon him with paper on w hich he was only endorser, but ultimately paid
up every one, or nearly every one, every dollar, with interest. There was
not, it is believed, more than one or two exceptions to subsequent full pay­
ment, and i f any, it was for cause. In one instance, one creditor put him
in prison, and kept him there in a little room o f eight by twelve or fourteen
feet, for six months, in close confinement, refusing to take eighty-one cents
in the dollar ; but finding at length that his debtor could not be driven in
that way, he came to terms, and received what he might have had at first.
After settling up with all, he sailed for Havana in 1823. Having some
friends, he commenced operating there and in R io de Janeiro, in coffee
and sugar, and shipping largely to N ew Orleans principally, but.frequently to European ports, to St. Petersburgh, and other places.
Having carried on a successful course o f operations for about seven
years, he came at length and settled in N ew Orleans, in the early part o f
1830. It may have been remarked that Mr. Fisk was the founder o f the
very valuable trade in coffee between R io de Janeiro and N ew Orleans.
H e in fact first introduced this article into consumption in that part o f the
country.
From the time o f establishing him self in N ew Orleans, his operations
and course o f business are known to have been very large ; that he has
made and lost immense sums o f money. His losses in 1839 and 1840, in
about eighteen months, w ere more than $400,000, o f which about $3 20 ,0 00
w ere in cotton ; yet he stood up manfully under them, never faltering,
but paying up reclamations without suffering him self to despond, although
nearly crushed. H e lost by a single individual, for whose family he felt a
great sympathy, and desired for their sakes to assist the head o f it, although
admonished that he was unworthy o f his confidence, the sum o f $75,000.
W h en w e look at this stripling youth o f eighteen years, emerging from
the humble pursuits o f the farm, and wending his w ay to the metropolis,
and from the thoughts o f how to realize the best return from the cultivation
o f a few acres, to the immense commercial operations o f millions in a sin­
gle year, w e are lost in wonder and surprise. This is the result o f free
school education, and the inculcation by his parents, in childhood, o f reli­
gious and moral principles, which have been the foundation and polar star
o f his actions and success under the kind guidance o f Providence, through
life. Although his operations have been bold, and generally o f the largest
class, yet he has ever been retiring in his habits, desiring to be unnoticed,
and saying but little in regard to what he was doing. H e was but little
known in reality ; all his feelings and impulses w ere generous and kind,
when properly understood; and he has done much in his unobtrusive w ay
to promote the happiness o f very many persons, and in several instances,
to a large extent. H is word w as universally appreciated as truth itself—
and no man’ s honor stood fairer. H e is gone, w e trust, to where the w ick ­
ed cease from troubling, and the w eary are at rest.
During his last illness, the same manly firmness continued to the last m o­
ment o f his life; never uttering complaint, and when all hope had fled, the
day before his departure, giving directions about the disposition o f his body ;
and a short time before the final close, saying he was going, bidding fare­
well to those around him, asking the hour, and then taking his flight forever.




170

Mercantile Law Cases.

MERCANTILE

LAW CASES.

CASES DECIDED IN THE SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA,
L A ST TERM , 1845.

AT

THE CLOSE

OF"

THE

T he following cases, decided in the Supreme Court o f Louisiana, at the close
of the last term of 1845, were prepared by the reporter of the Supreme Court of
that state, and are published under his supervision.*
L au gh lin , et. al., v. G a n a h l .
Plaintiffs having sold to defendant a quantity of cotton, delivered it to him on
receiving only a part of the price. The purchaser shipped the cotton, consigning
it to a house of which the intervenor was a member, for sale on account of the
shipper; and, in consequence of advances made by the intervenor, had the bill of
lading made out in the name of the latter. Plaintiffs having sued to recover the
balance of the price, sequestered the cotton ; and the party who had made the ad­
vances intervened, claiming a privilege on its proceeds. Held, that by delivering
the cotton before payment in full, the venders authorized defendant to consider
himself its absolute owner ; that by suffering the intervenor to take the bill of la­
ding in his name, defendant gave him the same right to the cotton from the date
of the bill, as if he had endorsed to him a bill of lading filled up in defendant’s own
name, which would transfer the property ; that the privilege of the vender, under
art. 3,194 of the Civil Code, exists only so long as the property remains in posses­
sion of the purchaser; and that under art. 3,214 of the Civil Code, the intervenor
was entitled to a privilege on the proceeds of the cotton, for the advances made by
him.
The intervenor appealed from a judgment of the District Court of the First Dis­
trict, dismissing his intervention, and decreeing to the plaintiffs the proceeds of
the property sequestered in this suit. The judgment was reversed, and one ren­
dered in favor of the plaintiffs.
S ellick v. K e l l y , et. al.
Under art. 275 of the Code of Practice, or under the 9th section of the act of
7th April, 1826, to obtain a sequestration, the applicant must make oath that he
fears that the party having possession of the property may remove it beyond the
limits of the state during the pendency of the suit. It is not any privilege of
mortgage which the creditor has on the property, but the circumstance which caus­
es him to apprehend that its removal may deprive him of his recourse upon it, that
gives the right of sequestration. The requisites for obtaining a sequestration un­
der the act of 1826, where the party has a lien or privilege on the property, are
the same as under section 6 of art. 275 of the Code of Practice, in cases in which
the creditor has a special mortgage.
Where a sequestration has been illegally issued, the true standard of damages
is the probable loss sustained by the defendant in consequence of having been de­
prived of the free use or disposal of his property. He should be placed as nearly
as possible in the situation he would have been in, had the sequestration not been
issued.
This was an action before the District Court of the First District against the
principal and sureties in a sequestration bond, for damages for an illegal seques­
tration. There was a judgment below against the defendants for $>50, from which
they appealed. The judgment in the Supreme Court gave the plaintiff $800, the
penalty of the bond.
H yde

v

.

H epp.

Action to recover of defendant the value of certain carriages, consigned by
plaintiff to a third person for sale, and sold under a fi.fa . by defendant, and pur­




* Commercial Bulletin.

171

Mercantile Law Cases.

chased by him as the property of one of his debtors. The consignee, who resided
in another state, having since died, plaintiff offered the clerk of the consignee as
a witness. On an objection to his testimony, on the ground that his only knowl­
edge of the matters in controversy, being derived from a correspondence between
the plaintiff and consignee, not produced nor accounted for, was not the best evi­
dence : Held, that his testimony was admissible, and that plaintiff cannot be sup­
posed to have the means of procuring the books and papers of the deceased, nor
the letters written to him.
This was an appeal from a judgment of the Parish Court of New Orleans.
There was a judgment below in favor of the plaintiff, which was affirmed on ap­
peal.
G annon

v

.

M cG a w i .e y .— M cG a w x e y

v

.

G annon.

Action to recover an amount due for drayage, and defence that the price claim­
ed exceeded the value of the services. Plaintiff having proved by a witness that
defendant had agreed to pay a certain price therefor, the latter offered to introduce
evidence to show that the usual price was less. Held, that the evidence was ad­
missible, defendant having a right to introduce evidence to contradict plaintiff’s
witness, or to establish a different price.
The defendant in an action for an amount claimed for drayage, having previ­
ously sued plaintiff, in another court, for a sum alleged to be due to him also for
drayage, it was agreed between the parties that the latter suit should be trans­
ferred to the court in which the first was pending, to be tried immediately after
the first suit. The two suits were ordered by the court to be consolidated and tried
together. Held, that when the suit was filed in the court to which it was trans­
ferred, it became a part of its records, and was under its control in the same man­
ner as if it had originated there, and that the two actions were properly consolida­
ted.
McGawley is appellant from a judgment of the Commercial Court in these suits,
in favor of her adversary, for a balance due for drayage. The judgment of the
lower Court was affirmed on appeal.
G u r l ie

v.

F lood .

A judgment discharging the future property of an insolvent who had made a
cessio bonorum from all proceedings for the recovery of debts previously contract­
ed, though it may not have strictly conformed to the law under which it was ren­
dered, will be conclusive against a creditor who was a party to the proceedings,
and took no appeal therefrom within the time prescribed by law.
One who was a creditor of an insolvent at the time of his surrender, canndt
take out an execution against property subsequently acquired. Property acquired
since the cession cannot be proceeded against by any of the creditors individually.
It must be abandoned for the benefit of all the creditors, and those who have be­
come such since the first cession must be paid in preference to the others. C. C.
2,173.
This was an appeal from a judgment of the Parish Court of New Orleans, ma­
king absolute a rule taken by defendant on plaintiff to show cause why a fi. fa .
should not be set aside as having been illegally issued. The judgment below was
affirmed.
G a il l a r d v. T he C it iz e n s ’ B ank of L ouisiana .
The managers of a bank, appointed under the provisions of the 29th section of
the act of 14th March, 1842, providing for the liquidation of banks, may be sued
for any cause of action, though arising under the administration of former boards
of directors.
Though a bank has been put in liquidation under the 29th section of the act of
14th March, 1842, and an order has been made staying all proceedings against it,
a creditor may sue the bank in the court before which the proceedings for a liqui­
dation are pending, where he only prays for a judgment recognizing his claim,
and ordering it to be paid in course of administration.
The plaintiff appealed from a judgment of the District Court of the First Dis­




172

Mercantile Law Cases.

trict, dismissing his suit against the Citizens’ Bank, on the ground that the claim
should have been established in the concurso, contradictorily with the creditors of
the bank. The judgment was reversed, and the case remanded for further pro­
ceedings.
M andion

T h e F ire m en ’ s I nsurance C om pany of N e w O r l e a n s .

v.

A stockholder in an insolvent company, a part of whose subscription is unpaid,
cannot, by a donation to an insolvent individual, made to get rid of his liability for
such unpaid stock, avoid his responsibility as a stockholder. A creditor, having
a fieri facias against the company, may proceed against him in the manner point­
ed out by the 13th section of the act of 20th March, 1839, and, on proving that
the donation was not real, recover judgment for any balance due on the stock.
James Calloway appealed from a judgment of the Commercial Court, condemn­
ing him to pay a balance due on stock of the Firemen’s Insurance Company.
The judgment of the lower court was affirmed.
M andion

v

.

T he F ire m en ’ s I nsurance C om pa ny .

Where stock on which a balance was still due on account of the original sub­
scription, was transferred to a third person merely to secure a loan, and, on pay­
ment of the loan, was retransferred, such third person will not be liable to credi­
tors of the Company for any balance due on the shares, where the transfer, though
an absolute one on its face, was not signed and accepted so as to preclude him
from showing that it was intended only as a security.
The plaintiff appealed from a judgment of the Commercial Court in favor of
Spangenberg, discharging him from a liability for the balance due on certain
shares of the Firemen’s Insurance Company, transferred to him by Ferriday as
collateral security. The judgment below was affirmed on appeal.
S heldon

v

.

T he N e w O r l e a n s C a n a l and B anking C o m pa n y .

The mere seizure under a fi. fa . of a judgment in favor of a debtor, does not
divest the property of the latter, and transfer it to the seizing creditor. It gives
him at most a right to proceed and sell the judgment, and to be paid by prefer­
ence out of the proceeds. A fi. fa . is the warrant of the sheriff, authorizing him
to seize property and keep it, and to sell it to satisfy the judgment under which
it was issued. When a seizure has been made, the sheriff is not bound to return
the writ, though it have subsequently expired. He may retain it, and sell the
property seized; if he returns the writ, he will be without authority to hold, or
dispose of the property; and any privilege resulting from the seizure will cease to
exist.
Where the proceeds of property seized and sold under a fi. fa ., are claimed in
virtue of a previous seizure under a fi. fa ., the claimant must oppose, by way of
third opposition, the application of the proceeds to the satisfaction of the second
execution. C. C. 396, 397, 401, 402.
This was an appeal from a judgment of the District Court of the First District,
in a contest between certain creditors of the plaintiff, Sheldon. The judgment
below was affirmed.
S uccession of D urnford — M cD onogh, A p p e l l a n t .

The obligations of a warrantor depend upon the law in force at the time of the
sale.
Under the Code of 1808, the vender was bound, in case of eviction of the pur­
chaser, to pay him, in addition to the price, &c., the increased value of the prop­
erty at the date of the eviction, though the purchaser did not contribute to such
increase. Book III., tit. VI., arts. 54, 57. The original price, added to the rents
and profits, does not necessarily constitute the measure by which the liability of
the warrantor is to be measured; other things must be taken into consideration ;
and the general rule, that damages are to be measured by the loss actually sus­
tained, and not by the gains of which the party has been deprived, is inapplica­
ble.
The curator of a succession having credited himself in his account with a sum




Mercantile Law Cases.

173

exceeding the amount of the asSets of the succession in his hands, claimed in con­
sequence of his eviction from land sold to him by the deceased, on the opposition
of the heirs it was decided, that the claim of the curator, so far as it exceeded the
assets in his hands, was prescribed; and judgment was rendered allowing his
claim to the amount of such assets. On appeal: Held, that the claim was an en­
tire one, arising from the same cause, and could not be prescribed in part; and
that the account should be homologated.
McDonogh appealed from a judgment of the Probate Court of New Orleans, al­
lowing him but a part of a claim set up by him as the value of certain lands sold
to him by the deceased. The judgment below was reversed, and instead of
$9,809 26, the appellant was allowed a credit of $18,000.
D elavtgne , S yndic , v . G aiennie , et. al.
A recorder of mortgages cannot be compelled to erase a mortgage without ma­
king the mortgagee a party to the proceedings, unless a judgment ordering the
erasure has been rendered contradictorily with the latter.
Where a mortgage has been erased in pursuance of a judgment of a court of
competent jurisdiction, rights acquired by subsequent mortgagees, before any pro­
ceedings to annul the judgment, will not be affected by any illegality in it. Third
persons are not bound to look beyond the judgment, which, if rendered by a court
of competent jurisdiction, must have its full effect, and can only be annulled by a
direct action. Aliler, as to the parties themselves, or their ayans— cause with no­
tice ; as to them, the rights of a mortgagee cannot be affected by any order or de­
cree in a case to which he was not a party.
The Citizens’ Bank appealed in this case from a judgment of the District Court
of. the First District in favor of the plaintiff, ordering the reinstatement in its orig­
inal position, of a mortgage in his favor, (which had been erased under a judg­
ment of Court) and giving him a preference over the appellants, who were sub­
sequent mortgagees. The judgment below was reversed, and the petition dis­
missed.
B a r k e r et. al., v. P h ill ips .

The property of a debtor being the common pledge of his creditors, every act
done by him with intent to deprive them of their eventual rights upon his proper­
ty, is illegal. C. C. 1,963, 1,964.
Where one purchases property from an absconding debtor, with notice that his
object in selling was to deprive his creditors of their recourse upon it, and such
purchase operates to their injury, it will be annulled. C. C. 1,973. But the pur­
chaser, though in bad faith, will be entitled to a restitution of so much of the con­
sideration, or price paid by him, as he shall prove to have enured to the benefit of
the creditors, by adding to the amount applicable to the payment of their debts.
C. C. 1,977.
The intervenor, W . Haynes, claiming to be the owner of certain goods by pur­
chase from the defendant, appealed from a judgment of the Commercial Court in
this case, dismissing his intervention. The judgment was affirmed so far as it
annulled the sale to the intervenor; but the latter was decreed to receive, out of
the proceeds of the goods, a portion of the price paid by him, which he might prove
to have enured to the benefit of the attaching creditors.
C lark

v

.

H artw ell.

Where a party notified by his adversary to attend at a certain hour at a com­
missioner’s office for the purpose of taking the deposition of a witness, attends at
the appointed hour, and waits for half an hour without the commissioner’s appear­
ing, and leaves, and after his departure the commissioner arrives, and proceeds to
take the deposition, it will be inadmissible on the trial.
The defendant appealed from a judgment of the Parish Court of New Orleans,
rendered against him in an action for the contract price of a tomb. The judg­
ment below was affirmed.




174

Commercial Chronicle and Review.

COMMERCIAL CHRONICLE AND REVIEW.-

/

STATE OF THE COMMERCIAL WORLD— UNITED STATES FINANCES— REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE OF
NEW YORK STATE CANALS---- NEW YORK CANAL DEBT— DEBT OF PENNSYLVANIA---- QUANTITIES
OF IRON TRANSPORTED OVER TWO LINES OF RAILROAD, FROM PHILADELPHIA TO NEW YORK—
DEBT OF MICHIGAN---- MICHIGAN RAILROAD EARNINGS---- FINANCES OF MARYLAND---- DEBT

OF

SOUTH CAROLINA---- KENTUCKY STATE DEBT---- KENTUCKY SOURCES OF REVENUE---- AMOUNT OF
BONDS ISSUED B Y THE STATE OF GEORGIA— TERRITORIAL DEBT OF FLORIDA— TAXABLE VALUA­
TIONS, AND DEBTS OF THE STATES OF OHIO, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MICHIGAN, GEORGIA, PENN­
SYLVANIA, AND NEW YORK— CANAL TOLLS OF THE STATES OF NEW YO RK , OHIO, AND PENN­
SYLVANIA, ETC., ETC., ETC.

T he state of the commercial world is evidently approaching a crisis, brought on by the

workings for thirty years of peace, of systems of commercial legislation and finance, that
had their origin in, and their operation during, almost constant wars in Europe. The
commercial policy of England, since the peace of 1815, has been undergoing a constant
and gradual change, in the relations of restrictions and ameliorations of those prohibitions
which formerly pervaded her commerce to a very great extent In the same period,
during which, these changes have been brought about, her population and manufacturing
industry have advanced in a much greater degree than ever before. Although in almost
every other particular, England has become more liberal in her policies, she has hitherto
adhered to a strictly protective system, in relation to her corn laws. That is to say, by
the operation of the sliding scale of duties, she has maintained in England a price for
food higher than that of other countries. By those means, the production of home­
grown produce has been promoted to a very great extent; not, perhaps, that her farmers
generally have reaped a greater reward for their industry than those of other countries,
because large tracts of poor lands have been brought under cultivation, that under a state
of free trade could not compete with those better suited to the culture. In keeping prices
at a level which would remunerate production in such locations, those of more favored
regions have necessarily derived large profits, and the aid of science has been called in to
extract from all locations, as far as possible, sufficient for the consumption of the whole
population. The latter has, however, now swollen beyond the capacity of the land to
feed ; and the time has come, not only to draw large supplies from abroad, but to do so
on such terms as will make food come as cheap as possible to the people of England.
The entire repeal of the duties on food, is therefore expected to be the great result of
the present session of parliament, a result which will doubtless affect, in a most extra­
ordinary manner, the interests of the whole commercial world. The event is looked for
with the greatest interest by the mercantile community. We are inclined to think that
the effect of an immediate entire repeal of duties, will have far less immediate influence
upon affairs than is apprehended. The supply of corn in England is very large, larger
than ever, and prices of food are by no means high in England, and do not greatly ex­
ceed those of the continent; consequently, a more favorable time to open the ports could
not be devised. A very large trade must, however, ultimately grow up in breadstuffs; an
equalization of prices all over the world, will bring the public lands of the west in com­
petition with all others, and a good deal of the poor land in England will be turned into
sheep-walks, thus increasing the demand for foreign corn, also enhanced by the low
prices that a free port will bring about
Political affairs also seem to be approaching a crisis, although nothing material has oc­
curred to affect commercial affairs since the date of our last number. Money has con­
tinued high in price, and difficult to be obtained, by reason rather of the indisposition to
lend during the present state of uncertainty, than of any over-demand. A great deal of




Commercial Chronicle and Review .

175

money has been paid off by some o f the governments, and the gradual approximation to
restored credit, by the delinquent states, is calculated to have a very beneficial influence
upon the commercial world, as soon as the present state o f uncertainty shall have passed.
T he operations o f the federal treasury have been during the past year as follow s:—
UNITED STATES FINANCES.

Revenue.

1844.

1845.

C ustom s,.....
Lands, & c .,..

$26,183,571
2,320,947

$27,528,113
2,241,021

$1,344,542

Total,,

$28,504,518

$29,769,134

$1,264,616

Current,.................................
D ebt,.....................................

Expenses.
$21,182,911
$23,192,979
11,775,916
6,775,227

$2,610,068

Total expense,........
Debt outstanding Dec. 1,...
Balance in treasury,............

$32,958,827
23,850,673
7,857,379

Decrease.

Increase.

$79,926

$29,968,206
17,075,445
7,658,306

$5,000,689
$2,990,621
6,775,227
199,073

The federal government has reduced its debt during the year by the payment o f the loan
o f 1841, due January, 1845, and the retirement o f the outstanding treasury notes. The
expenditures for the year ending July 1, 1846, are estimated to exceed the revenues by
$2,807,051 90, unless the tariff is so reduced as to admit o f an increase in the customs
revenues. On the whole, the finances o f the federal government are in a flourishing con­
dition. Those o f the state o f N ew Y ork are in a still better condition, and large reduc­
tions o f the outstanding canal debt have taken place, being paid off as they fell due, out
of the surplus revenues o f the canals.

During the past year the revenues and expenses

of the canals have been as follow s:—
REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE ON NEW YORK STATE CANALS.

Revenue.
T olls,................................. $2,374,874 03
Water rents,.....................
1,525 87
Interest canal revenue,...
41,270 67

Expenses.
Interest o f debt,...............
Given to general fund,...
Repairs, & c.,....................

T otal,.................... $2,417,670 57
. Total,.
Surplus applicable to principal o f debt,.........................

1,057,474 10

200,000 00
703,104 54
1,960,578 64
457,091 93

The canal debt has been diminished as follows :—
NEW YORK CANAL DEBT.

Amount o f debt July, 1845,........................................................................
Paid July, 1845, Erie and Champlain Canal debt,.,
1,380,250 25
2,362,535 66
Paid Jan. 1, 1845, Chenango
Payable July 1, 1846..............
571,304 00

$20,958,905 58

Total paid,........................................

4,314,089 91

Amount o f debt July, 1846,..

16,644,815 67

This debt bears interest as follow s:—
Annual Interest.

$3,647,136 00
1,481,782 00
11,515,897 57

$255,299 52
88,906 92
575,794 88

Total in July, 1843,.............................
Debt September, 1844,........................

$16,644,815 57
20,713,905 58

$920,001 32
1,126,397 90

Diminution,...........................................

$4,069,090 01

$206,396 58

7 per cent stock,

6

“

5

“




176

Commercial Chronicle and Review.

The amount o f the general fund debt is $5,889,549, mostly composed of stocks issued
to railroad companies that failed. T he whole debt o f the state is therefore $22,534,364.
The diminution in the charge upon the canal fund through the reduction o f the debt will
greatly accelerate the operation o f the sinking fund, and in a few years the state of N ew
Y ork will be possessed o f the noble revenues o f the canal free o f debt; and the large re­
ductions o f toll, which such an event will permit, must ever insure the Erie canal as the
most important avenue to market for western produce, more particularly, as that the pros­
pect o f open ports in England for western produce, will task every avenue to the utmost
o f its capacity, to forward produce.
Pennsylvania last year resumed her payments, and has maintained them through the
year, and with sufficient means provided to discharge the two next accumulations o f in­
terest, and is now organizing and consolidating her finances so as to make permanent her
restored credit. T he treasurer’s report, Mr. James R . Snowden, in reviewing the state
affairs, points out such amendments o f existing laws, as will, in his opinion, place the
means o f the commonwealth beyond contingency.

The debt o f the state is given as

follow s:—
DEBT OF PENNSYLVANIA, DEC.

1, 1845.

6 per cent stock debt,..............................................................................................
5
“
“
..............................................................................................

4

“

“

$1,752,335
34,786,932

200,000

............................................................................................................................................................................

Total stock debt,........................................................................................
R elief notes circulating,.........................................................................................
Interest certificates,.......................................................................
$2,689,022
“
unclaimed,.......................................................................
28,392
11
on certificates to August, 1845,..................................
171,389

$36,739,267
1,258,572

2,888,803
99,751

Domestic creditors,

$40,986,393

Total debt, Dec. 1,1845,.
T he estimates o f the revenue and expenditures for 1846 are as follow s:—
Revenue.
T ax, real and personal,.......
Other taxes,............................
T o lls,.......................................

$1,300,000
651,700
1,275,000

Expenditure.
Interest,..................................
Other expense,......................
Public works,.........................

$2,023,996
912,500
577,500

Total,..........................
$3,513,996
.................................................................287,296
................................................................ 384,886

T otal,.........................
$3,226,700
Excess expense,..............................................
Available balance, December, 1845,.

Balance, December, 1846,........................................................................

$97,590

The estimate for tolls is $121,000 more than last year, and the expenses o f the works
$83,840 less, making a difference o f revenue equal to $204,840. A very important
feature in the finances o f the state is, however, the fact that during the past year the tax
collected is greater than the amount assessed. T he assessments and collections have
been as follow s:—
Y ears.

1841,
1842..
1843..
1844..
1845..
T otal,...

Tax assessed.

$523,200
663,075
992,206
946,055
1,300,751

44
12
81
60
56

$4,425,289 53

Tax collected.

$33,292
486,635
553,911
751,210
1,318,332

77
85
38
01
02

Excess assessment.

$489,907 67
176,439 27
438,295 43
194,845 59
................

Exc. coil'll.

................
................
................
................
$17,580 46

$3,143,382 03

The excess o f assessment is $1,281,907 20, but the balance outstanding is $273,535 80,
after deducting $408,371 40 for expenditures and collections.




This is a remarkable im-

177

Commercial Chronicle and Review.

provement in the payment o f the state dues, and evinces the fact that the people o f Penn­
sylvania are as prompt as any in the world to pay taxes when they are firmly and fairly
levied. T he past failure has been owing entirely to the injurious influence o f the overwrought
credits o f former years. T he repeal, in February, 1836, o f the tax on real and personal
property, left the whole system o f finance in a measure to be reorganized when the “ pro­
mise-mine” failed.

During the past years, it has gradually been improving, and the

recommendations o f the present treasurer point out such defects as require to be remedied,
so as to insure the future full and regular collection o f the revenue, to an extent sufficient
to meet all the demands upon the treasury. The treasurer also advises a tax upon coal,
the proceeds o f which to be appropriated to a sinking fund. He states that, during the past
year, 2,200,000 tons have been sent to market; and estimates that, for the future, a tax
of 10 cents per ton will yield $260,000 per annum, for the purposes of a sinking fund.
This tax has been often proposed before, and no doubt would operate well for the in­
terests o f Pennsylvania, by throwing upon N ew Y ork and the east the tax; but how far
it is competent for Pennsylvania to tax one article o f business more than another, is a
question— for instance, the iron trade.

T he following quantities have last year been

transported over two lines from Philadelphia to N ew Y o rk :—
1st L

Tons.

Bar,.......................................
Pig,........................................
Bloom,..................................
Sheet,...................................
Boiler,....................................
Cast,.....................................

462
3,281
140
14
417
175

ik e .

2d

Cwts.

Tons.

14
19
9
17
1
5

667
2,447
109
23
1,600
159

L ine .
Cwts.

2
0
12
3
12
19

T otal 2 L in e s .
Tons.
Cwts.

1,129
5,728
250
38
1,647
335

16
19
1
0
13
4

5,007
12
4,492
7
9,499
19
T otal,......................
There is no reason why iron or any other commodity should not be taxed as well as
coal. Pennsylvania has, however, permanently resumed her place as a debt-paying state.
The finances o f Indiana have also become interesting. A proposition has been made
by Mr. Butler, as the agent o f the bondholders, to the legislature o f the state, and it has
now assumed the shape o f a bill before the legislature, which, in all probability, will be­
come a law. It is known that no interest has been paid on the public debt o f Indiana
since January, 1841, but the resources o f the state have in that time considerably im­
proved ; that is, her taxable property increases at the rate o f $6,000,000 per annum, and
her taxable polls 6,000 per annum; and the time has arrived, when her ability to pay
should be put to the test. The bondholders, in making^their proposition through Mr.
Butler, have not assumed, however, that Indiana is, or will be able to pay by taxation
more than one-half the annual interest; but they depend upon the great Wabash and
Erie canal o f Indiana, connecting the Ohio river at Evansville with Lake Erie at T oledo,
Ohio, as a source o f revenue capable o f discharging in full all o f principal and interest
that is not paid by taxation. That work, however, is incomplete. It is in operation only
from Lafayette, Indiana, north to the Ohio line. The federal government, however, has
made a donation o f some 800,000 acres o f land towards the completion o f the work,
which, when done, will doubtless be one o f the most valuable in the Union.

T he po­

sition o f Indiana, in respect to that work, is similar to that o f Illinois, in relation to her
great canal. The proposition, therefore, is, that Indiana should pay by taxation a portion
o f the interest on her public debt, and place the whole in a train o f settlement, provided
that the bondholders advance the funds to complete the canal, and take that canal and its
lands in trust; to sell the lands on the completion o f the work, at prices not under
$ 1 25, $ 2 , and $ 2 50 per acre, according to quality; out o f the proceeds discharge the
loan, principal and interest, for the completion o f the work, and thereafter depend upon
its revenues for 2£ per cent o f the interest o f the debt, as it will stand January, 1853, and for
VOL. XIV.---- NO. II.




12

178

Commercial Chronicle and Review.

one-half o f the arrearage interest, from January, 1841, to January, 1843 ; and to carry out
this, the bondholders are to advance $2,250,000 for the completion of the canal.

In this

state o f things, a law has been proposed, which provides for the imposition o f a tax of 25
cents on $100 o f valuation, and a poll tax o f 75 cents, out of the proceeds o f which is to
be paid 2 per cent on the interest o f the state debt from January, 1847, to January*
1853, inclusive. This tax, it is supposed, based on the progressive increase o f the state pro­
perty, will swell in productiveness, and be ample not only to discharge the domestic debt*
which is now $638,435, but pay the 2 per cent up to January,1853, and thereafter pay
2£ per cent on the whole debt, with arrearages added, and to suffer the accumulation of a
surplus as a sinking fund. T he first payment o f interest on the public debt is to take
place January, 1847, and the whole debt will then be as follow s:—
Principal o f debt,.................................................................................................
Arrears o f interest, January, 1841, to January, 1847,...................................

$11,090,000
3,327,000

Total,........................................................................................................

$14,417,000

N ow the laws provide- that the tax shall pay 2 per cent on the principal of the debt,
making the first payment July, 1847 ; the revenues of the canal to yield 2£ per cent,
and these payments 2 per cent from the tax, and 2£ per cent from the canal, making to­
gether 4£ per cent, to continue up to Jan. 1st, 1853, or six years; at which time it is ev­
ident there will have been a deficit o f £ per cent per annum, for six years, from 1847amounting to $332,700, and also the $3,327,000 arrearage due January, 1847, when the
payments commenced. In 1853 one-half the arrearage due January, 1847, that is to say
$1,663,500, and the amount o f the £ per cent arrears, from 1847 to 1853, being $332,700,
shall be added to the principal, and the debt will then stand as follow s:—
Principal o f debt,..................................................................................................
One-half arrears, 1841 to 1847,........................................................................
One-half per cent arrearage, 1847 to 1853,....................................................

$11,090,000
1,663,500
332,700

Total debt, 1853,......................................................................................
$13,086,200Interest at 5 per cent per annum,.....................................................................
654,310
From that time forth, the tax is to pay one-half o f this interest, or $327,155, and the
canal tolls the remaining $327,155.

There will then be unprovided for, the remaining

half o f the arrearage interest due from 1841 to 1847, amounting to $1,663,500 ; for
this, a special stock, bearing 5 per cent interest, is to be issued, and which is also to in­
clude any deficit from the above sums that may arise from other sources.

This special

stock to be chargeable only aj&inst the canal, its tolls and lands ; and the faith o f the
state is not pledged that they will be sufficient to discharge it These provisions certainly
make the payment o f the debt as easy to the people o f Indiana as could reasonably be ex­
pected, and involve a great loss o f interest to the bondholders; that is to say, on the
$3,327,000 due the bondholders January, 1847, up to 1853, no interest is paid; and
this interest would amount to $998,100, without reckoning the back interest due on each
coupon from the time it was dishonored. The canal and its lands is chargeable, therefore*
with the loan for its completion, $2,250,000, and the special stock o f $1,663,500 ; making
together $3,913,500, which may probably be paid from the canal lands. It has also to
pay annually 6 per cent on the loan for its completion, say $135,000 per annum, and 2£
per cent on the state debt, say $327,155, making $462,155 over and above its current
expenses. This is a large sum to pay, and when the bondholders have so much confi­
dence in the resources o f Indiana as to accept the canal as security for payments so large*
surely the people o f Indiana should have sufficient confidence in themselves to discharge
the remainder o f the claim by taxation ; and they will, no doubt.
T he state o f Michigan also should have commenced the payment o f the interest on
that portion o f the $5,000,000 loan negotiated with the Morris Canal Bank, for which
she received pay.

The debt o f Michigan is as follow s:—




179

Commercial Chronicle and Review.
DEBT OF MICHIGAN.

Due on .$5,000,000 loan, including interest to July, 1845,............................
$2,990,000
Palmyra and Jacksonburgh Railroad bonds,..................................
$20,000
“
“
“
“
interest to Nov., 1 8 4 4 ,....
4,900
-------------24,900
Detroit and Pontiac Railroad,........................................................... $100,000
17,280
“
“
“
interest to July, 1844,.....................
------------------------117,280
University bonds,.................................................................................
$39,212
General fund do.,.................................................................................
100,000
Penitentiary d o.,..................................................................................
60,000
“
do., interest,..................................................................
8,850
Delinquent tax bonds,........................................................................
15,000
-------------223,060
Total fund debt,..........................................................................................
Unfunded debt and interest,....................................................................

$3,335,242
721,935

Total debt July 1, 1844,...........................................................................
“
1845,............................................................................

$4,077,177
4,121,720

The chief revenues o f the state, applicable to the interest, are the revenues o f the two
railroads belonging to the state, the Central and the Southern; which have progressed as
follow s:—
MICHIGAN RAILROAD EARNINGS.

1815.

1844.

184HI.

Central railway,................. ........
Southern,....................................

$202,746
62,736

$211,170
60,342

$149,989
24,261

T otal,.............................

$265,482

$271,512

$174,248

T he finances o f the state o f Maryland have also exhibited a great improvement during
the past year.

T he revenue and expenses have been as follow s:—

Revenues.
Ordinary,.............................
“
previous year,....
Tobacco inspection,...........
Taxes,..................................
Companies,..........................

$283,950
39,217
33,973
507,781
94,800
6,865

91
33
61
04
00
91

Expenses.
Ordinary,.............................
Hospital,..............................
Tobacco warehouse,.........
Public buildings,................
Interest on debt,................

$204,612
5,000
24,651
2,899
710,784

68
00
99
86
51

$948,448 84
T otal,......................

$966,589 00.

This shows an excess o f $18,140 16 in the revenues, and a consequent increase of
the balance in the treasury to $199,412 16 to December 1,1845, when an amount equal
to $1,436,177 57 was due for arrearage interest. The amount received from incorpo­
rated companies, particularly the Susquehanna canal, has been increased by an important
sum during the last year, and they afford the prospect o f yielding a yearly increasing
revenue, so as eventually to aid in redeeming the state from her difficulties.
T he stite o f South Carolina has reduced its debt, during the past year, by the sum o f
$189,652 65, and it now amounts to $3,234,502 3 1 ; being reduced from $4,553'770 91
in January, 1840.
T he debt o f the state o f Kentucky is as follow s:—
5 per cent bonds, payable 35 years after date,............................................. ........
5
“
“
30
“
6
“
“
...
“

6

.......................... ........................................................................

100,000

6
“
“
.
“
for repair o f railroad,...............
M oney borrowed from Bank o f Louisville,..........................................................

84,000
30,000

“

“

Total amount,.




6

$165,000
450,000
3,579.000

“

$4,408,400

180

Commercial Chronicle and Review.

Kentucky owns $1,970,500 o f the stocks o f the several banks o f the state. T he in­
terest on the state debt is paid regularly in the city o f N ew Y ork, and the receipts o f the
sinking fund progress in a satisfactory manner.

T he chief sources of revenue are as

follow s:—

1843.
Turnpike tolls,...........................
Kentucky river,..........................

1844.

$13,502 08
3,900 00

1845.

$18,805 01
10,863 45

$24,869 41
17,244 15

T he debt o f the state o f Georgia is given by the state treasurer as follow s:—
AMOUNT OF BONDS ISSUED B Y THE STATE OF GEORGIA, NOVEMBER 3 d , 1 8 4 5 .

Federal bonds at
Interest paid this
Sterling bonds at
Interest paid this

6 per cent,......................................................
amount, at 6 per cent...................................
5 per cent,......................................................
year, 5 per cent,...........................................

T otal,................................................................................

................
$1,435,250
$83,110 00
................
292,510
20,933 83 Sterl. Ex. 9J
$104,043 83

$1,727,760

T he legislature o f the state o f Florida have been in session, but the old territorial debt
does not appear to attract the attention o f any o f its rulers ; and the probability is, that
nothing will be done for its discharge.
W e may enumerate the taxable valuations, and debts o f the leading states above men­
tioned, as follow s:—
States.

Taxables.

Debt.

Ohio,.....................................
Indiana,................................
Kentucky,.............................
M ichigan,.............................
Georgia,................................
Pennsylvania,......................
N ew Y o rk ,...........................
Maryland,.............................

$144,160,469
118,500,000
228,488,161
28,922,098
64,900,000
420,296,130
599,891,923
177,139,645

$20,110,000
14,417,000
4,408,400
4,121,720
1,727,760
40,986,393
22,534,364
13,400,000

Total, 8 states,........

$1,782,298,426

$121,705,637

T he debts o f Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and N ew Y ork, were contracted for the
construction o f avenues to market, by which the farm produce o f the interior should be
made available. The works o f the states, except that o f Indiana, have been in operation
for years; but the Wabash and Erie Canal has only been partially active, and it yielded,
during the last year, about $46,000 o f tolls, onlj'.

T he tolls on the works o f Ohio, Penn­

sylvania, and N ew Y ork, have been as follow s:—

m

CANAL TOLLS OF NEW YORK, OHIO, AllD PENNSYLVANIA.

Years.

1841,
1842,
1843,
1844,
1845,

..............
..............
.............
.............
.............

Pennsylvania.

Ohio.

New York.

Total.

$1,079,896
920,499
1,029,401
1,164,325
1,154,591

$516,856
475,531
472,554
519.676
466,698

$2,034,882
1,749,197
2,081,590
2,446,374
2,646,453

$3,631,624
3,145,227
3,573,545
4,130,375
4,267,642

There is an aggregate increase in the whole, but it is not to be disguised that, but for
the important influence o f the foreign news in bringing forward produce, towards the
close o f the season, that otherwise would not have reached market, the tolls o f N ew York
would scarcely have exhibited an excess over last year. T he revenues o f N ew Y ork,
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Maryland, Indiana, and Illinois, and the discharge o f
their debts, are mainly dependent upon the business o f their public works, which consists
in bearing forward to market the produce o f the soil.

W hen, therefore, as in the ease of

N ew Y ork, a momentary foreign demand had the effect, at an opportune moment, to
raise the revenues o f the state, and facilitate the payment o f the large sums that have
been discharged, what may not be expected when that demand, under the abolition o f the
corn laws, becomes steady, regular, and yearly increasing in magnitude, drawing from
every quarter supplies to meet the vast wants o f Great Britain 1




Commercial Chronicle arid Review .

181.

The advices by the Hibernia, down to the 4th o f January, inform us of the abortive at­
tempt o f Lord John Russell to construct a ministry, and the consequent recall of Sir
Robert Peel to power, with his former ministry, embracing some unimportant modifica­
tion. ,T he basis o f the restbration is said to be a compromise on the corn question, so far
as to do away with the sliding scale, and to impose a fixed duty, at some rate ranging
from 35. to 10$. per quarter. T he average duty now paid under the sliding scale, on im­
ports o f corn, is scarcely 8s.

Some modification, however, will take place, and that

speedily. In a political point o f view, the news is pacific; more particularly in that the
formation o f a new ministry was frustrated by the known warlike policy o f some of its
necessary members. The great want o f the country, extended markets for its goods, can
be satisfied only by a very liberal commercial policy. I f that policy is responded to by
other nations, the object for which England maintains her colonial policy will have been
attained by other means. T he state o f commercial affairs, which had been disturbed by
fears in relation to the harvest, were becoming quieted, as the foundation for them is dis­
covered to have been exaggerated.

The general check which had been given to the pur­

chase o f goods, by apprehensions o f the usual effects o f a high price for food, was be­
coming relaxed, and trade began to revive generally; while, from a similar” cause, the
spirit o f enterprise having been in abeyance, and an indisposition to lend money prev­
alent, a considerable diminution in outstanding obligations had resulted; which had, in
its turn, produced an abundance o f m o n e y ; and, as fears abated, a fall in its price.

T he

misgivings in relation to the result o f the railroad operations, were also passing away.
T he exchanges continue in favor o f England ; yet the bullion in the bank, down to the
elose o f the year, continued to diminish.

T he leading features of the bank were as

follow s:—
BANK OF ENGLAND.

July 26.

Aug. 9.

Sept. 27.

Nov. 22.

Dec. 27.

Notes issued,............. £29,243,520 £29,141,605 £28,557,990 £27,036,550 £26,771,510
Gold coin and bullion, 13,244,126 13,151,836 12,717,050 11,414,931 11,189,484
Silver bullion,.......... .
1,999,394
1,989,769
1,840,940
1,582,026
1,594,619
Banking Dep’t.
R est,........................... £3,321,972 £3.340,750 £3,621,711 £3,252,209 £3,227,443
Public deposits,.........
2,981,908
4,034,767
8,802,110
7.363,168
9,698,409
Other deposits,..........
10,745,613 10,187,780
8,070,212
9,024,223
8,482,239
Seven day and other
bills,.........................
1,085,211
1,350,220
1,000,311
1,063,589
961,859
Governm’t securities, 13,579,314 13,321,844 13,348,643 13,201,863 13,201,863
Other securities,.......
10,607,877 11,634,159 14,149,003 15,454,390 16,252,051
N otes,..........................
7,942,485
7,682,465
7,946,995
6,076,985
6,914,660
Gold and silver coin,.
549,998
528,049
602,703
522,951
554,376
The notes put out by the issue department have diminished £2,500,000, or nearly 10 per
cent, while the notes held by the bank have diminished but £1,000,000. Gold coin and
bullion has been drawn from the bank by the return o f notes to the issue department, to
the extent o f £2,100,000, which has probably passed into circulation.

T he amount o f

private securities held by the bank, has become very large, and may have reference to
the approaching railroad settlements. T he specie in bank and in England, is very large,
and the price o f wheat on the continent is nearly as high as in England. These two
circumstances, eminently conspire to make the present time the most auspicious for a
change in the corn laws.
The news was well received on this side o f the water, and tended to impart a consid­
erable degrqp o f cheerfulness to the markets generally.




Commercial Regulations.

182

COMMERCIAL

REGULATIONS.

C H IN E S E T A R I F F O F IM P O R T S A N D E X P O R T S .
W e published in the Merchants’ Magazine for January, 1846, an official copy o f the

treaty between the United States and China— we now give, below, the tariff o f duties to
be levied o n imported and exported merchandise at the five ports, as settled by that
treaty:—
TARIFF OF DUTIES TO BE LEVIED ON IMPORTED AND EXPORTED MERCHANDISE AT THE FIVE PORTS-

T he duties which it is agreed shall be paid upon goods imported and exported by the
United States, at the custom-houses o f Canton, Am oy, Fuchow, Ningpo, and Shanghai,
are as follows, the articles being arranged in classes, v iz :
Exports.
[A tael is equal to $1 25 to $1 40; a mace, 12£ to 34 cents; a candareen, 100th part o f a mace.]
C lass I.— A l u m , O ils , cf-c.
O)

Articles o f merchandise.

6 T3

0
5
5

0
0

§
o
0
0
0

2
0
0

5
5
5

0
0
0

0
1
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
1
0

3
5
7
7
0
2
5
1
5
0
2

0
0
5
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

5
2
5
7
0
5
5
5
2
1
5
5

0
0
0
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

& a
Alum , i. e., white alum, formerly white alum and blue stone,...per 100 catties*
Anniseed oil, not formerly contained in the tariff,...................................................
Cassia oii,
“
“
“
“ ...................................................

i

C lass II. — T e a , S p ic e s , $ c .

T ea, formerly divided into fine and native black, and fine and native green
teas,................................................................................................... per 100 catties
Anniseed star,............................................. ...................................................................
M usk,.............................................................................................................each catty
C lass I II. — D r u g s .

Capoon cutcheny,................................................................................ per 100 catties
Camphor,............................................................................................ ....................
Arsenic, under different Chinese names,..................................................................
Cassia,..............................................................................................................................
Cassia buds, not formerly contained hi the tariff,....................................................
China root,.......................................................................................................................
Cubebs, not formerly in tariff,.....................................................................................
Galingal,..........................................................................................................................
Haztall,............................................................................................................................
Rhubarb,.........................................................................................................................
T urm eric,........................................................................................................................
C lass IV.— Sundries.

Bangles, not formerly in tariff,......................................................... per 100 catties
Bamboo screens and bamboo w a re,...........................................................................
Corals, pat.ive or false corals, not formerly in the tariff,.........................................
Crackers and fire-works, formerly classed as rockets,............................................
Fans, (feather fans, & c.,) not formerly in the tariff,...............................................
Glass, glass-ware o f all kinds, formerly classed as native crystal-ware,.............
Glass beads, or false pearls,.......................................................................................
Kittisols, or paper umbrellas,........................................................................ ..............
Marble, marble slabs, not formerly in the tariff,.......................................................
R ice paper pictures,..........................................................................! ...........................
Paper fans,..................................................................................................................t. .
Pearls, (false,) not formerly in the tariff,...................................................................




* I f pounds.

183

Commercial Regulations.
C hinese T ariff of I mports

and

E xports—Continued.
a
u>
h £

Articles of merchandise.
C lass V.— Painters’ Stores, tyc.
Brass leaf,.........................................................................................per 100 catties
Gamboge,..................................., .............................................................................
Red lead,..................................................................................................................
Glue, as fish-glue, cowhide-glue, & c.,.............................................. ...................
Paper, stationery,.....................................................................................................
Tin-foil,...............•..................................................................................................
Vermillion,...............................................................................................................
Paintings, (large,) formerly divided into large and small paintings,.........each
White lead,...................................................................................... per 100 catties

1
2
0
0
0
0
3
0
0

5
0
5
5
5
5
0
1
2

•c
ccr
O
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5

Class VI .— W ares o f various kinds.
Bone and horn ware,...................................................................... per 100 catties 1 0 0
China ware, fine and coarse, formerly classed as fine native, coarse, and mid­
dling,..................................................................................................................... 0 5 0
Copper ware and pewter ware,.............................................................................. 0 5 0
Manufactures of wood, furniture, & c.,.................................................................. 0 2 0
Ivory ware, all carved ivory work included, formerly divided into ivory and
ivory carvings,........................................... . ........................................................ 5 0 0
Lacquered ware,..... ....................... ....................................................................... 1 0 0
Mother-of-pearl ware,............................................................................................. 1 0 0
Rattan ware, rattan and bamboo work,.................................................................. 0 2 0
Sandal-wood ware,.................................................................................................. 1 0 0
Gold and silver ware, formerly divided into gold ware and silver ware,........... 10 0 6
Tortoise-shell ware,................................................................................................. 10 0 0
Leather trunks and boxes,...................................................................................... 0 2 0
Class VII.— Canes, tyc.
Canes or walking-sticks, of all kinds,........................................per 1,000 pieces
C lass V III .— A rticles o f Clothing.
Wearing apparel, whether of cotton, woollen, or silk, (formerly divided into
cotton clothing, woollen do., silk and satin do., and velvet,)...per 100 catties
Boots and shoes, whether of satin, leather, or otherwise,...................................

0

5

0

0

5

0

0

2

0

C lass IX .— Fabrics o f Hemp, $ c.
Grass-cloth, and all cloths of hemp or linen,................................per 100 catties
Nankeen, and all cloths of cotton, (formerly not in the tariff,)...........................

1 0
1 0

0
0

C lass X.— Silk, Fabrics o f Silk, tfc.
Raw silk of any province,.............................................................. per 100 catties
Coarse or refuse silk,...............................................................................................
Organzine, of all kinds,...........................................................................................
Silk riband and thread,............................................................................... v ..........
Silk and satin fabrics of all kinds, as crape, lutestrings, &c., (formerly classed
as silk and satins,)................................................................................................
Silk ana cotton mixed fabrics,.................................................................................
Heretofore a further charge per piece has been levied—the whole duty is now
to be paid in one sum, and the further charge is abolished.

10
2
10
10

0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0

12
3

0
0

0
0

0

2

0

0
0
0
0
0

5
4
2
3
2

0
0
5
5
0

Class X I .— Carpetingi M atting , <£c.
Mats o f all kinds, as o f straw, rattan, bamboo, & c .,....................per 100 catties
C lass X II.— Preserves, tyc.

Preserved ginger, and fruits o f all kinds,........................................per 100 catties
S oy,.................................................................................
Sugar, white and brown,..............................................................................................
Sugar candy, all kinds,..................................................................................................
Tobacco, prepared and unprepared, & c., o f all kinds,...........................................




184

Commercial Regulations.
tmNESE T

ariff of

I mports

and

E xports — Continued.
^2

Articles o f merchandise.

o) -c

© £

h 2

g
o

C lass X I I I .— Unenumerated articles.

All articles which it has not been practicable to enumerate herein specifically,
are to be charged a duty o f 5 per cent ad valorem.
C lass XIV.

Gold and silver coin, and gold and silver,.................................................................

Du. free-

C lass XV.

Bricks, tiles* and building materials,..........................................................................

Du. free.

I mports.
C lass I.— W a x , Saltpetre,

W ax, foreign, as beeswax, also called tile-wax,........................... .per 100 catties
Oil o f rose mallows,......................................................................................................
Saltpetre, foreign,....... ...................................................................................................
This article is only allowed to be sold to the government merchants. Formerly
this regulation did not exist.
Soap, foreign, as perfumed soap,...................................

1 0
0
1 0 0
0
3 0

0

5 0

C lass I I .— Spices and Perfumes.

Gum benzoin and oil of benzoin,................................................... per 100 catties 1 0
0
Sandal-wood,..................................................................................................................
0
5 0
Pepper, black,.................................................................................................................. 0 4 0
A ll other articles o f this class, not specifically mentioned herein, to pay a duty
o f 10 per cent ad valorem. Perfumery, 5 per cent ad valorem.
C lass I I I .— Drugs.

Assafcetida,.......................................................................................... per 100 catties
1
Camphor, superiorquality— i. e., pure, formerly classed as good and infe­
rior,
per catty 1
Camphor, inferior quality, or refuse, formerly uncleaned camphor,....................
0
Cloves, superior quality, picked,....................................................... per 100 catties
1
Cloves, inferior quality, (mother-cloves,).................................................................
0
C ow bezoar,.................................................................................................... per catty 1
Cutch,................................................................................................... per 100 catties 0
0
Gambier,.........................................................................................................................
Aneca nut,....... ..............................................................................................................
0
Ginseng, foreign, superior quality, & c.,.................................................................... 38
Ginseng, inferior quality, & c.,..................................................................................... 3
O f every 100 catties of foreign ginseng, o f whatever sort, one-fifth part is to
be considered as o f superior quality, and four-fifths o f inferior quality.
Gum olibanum,............................................................... ...............................................
0
Myrrh,.............................................................................................................................. 0
Mace o f flower o f nutmeg,..........................................................................................
1
Quicksilver,.................................................................................................................... 3
.Nutmegs, first quality,.................................................................................................. 2
Nutmegs, second quality, or coarse,..........................................................................
1
Putchuk,.......................................................................................................................... 0
Rhinoceros horns,..........................................................................................................
3
C lass IV .— Sundries.
Flints,....................................................... ............................................ per 100 catties
Mother-of-pearl shells,..................................................................................................

0

0

0
5
5
5
0
3
1
1
0
5

0
0
0
0
0
0
5
5
0
0

5
5
0
0
0
0
7
0

0
0
0
0
0
0
5
0

0
0

0
2

5
0

5
2

/
0
5

0
0

C lass V .— Dried meats.

Birds’ nests, first quality, mandarin,...................................................per 100 catties
Birds’ nests, second quality, ordinary.............. + ........................................................




185

Commercial Regulations.
C hinese T a r iff

of

I mports

and

E xports — Continued.

Articles o f merchandise.

Birds’ nests, third quality, with feathers,.........................................per 100 catties
Bicho de mar, first quality, black,..............................................................................
Bicho de mar, second quality, white,................ .......................................................
Sharks’ fins, first quality, white,.................................................................................
Sharks’ fins, second quality, black,.................................................................. :........
Stock fish, called dried fish,................ ................................ ........................................
Fish maws, not formerly in tariff,...............................................................................

»
efl
h
0
0
0
1
0
0
1

6 H3
cS
£ O
5 0
8 0
2 0
0 0
5 0
4 0
5 0

5
4
0

0
0
1

C lass V I.— Painters’ stores.

Cochineal,..............................................................................................per 100 catties

0
0
0

C lass V II.— Woods, Canes, fyc.
Rattans,................................................................................................. per 100 catties 0 2 0
E bony,............................................................................................................................. 0 1 5
All other imported woods, as red wood, satin wood, yellow wood, not specifically enu­
merated, to pay a duty o f 10 per cent ad valorem.
C lass V III.— Clocks, Watches, $ c.
Clocks, watches, telescopes, glass panes and crystal wares o f all kinds, writing desks,
dressing cases, jewelry o f gold and silver, cutlery, swords,etc.
All the foregoing, and any other miscellaneous articles o f the same description, 5 per cent
ad valorem.
C lass IX.

Gold and silver bullion, duty free.
C lass X.

Cotton, fabrics o f cotton, canvass from 75 to 100 chih long, and 1 chih 7 tsun
to 2 chih 2 tsun w ide,............................................................................. per piece
Cotton, allowing 5 per cent for tare,............................................... per 100 catties
Long white cloths, 75 to 100 chih long, and 2 chih 2 tsun to 2 chih 6 tsun wide,
formerly divided into superior and inferior fine cotton cloth,__ per piece
Cambrics and muslins from 50 to 60 chih long, and 2 chih 9 tsun to 3 chih 3
tsun w ide,................................................................................................... per piece
Cottons, gray or unbleached, domestic, and from 75 to 100 chih long, and 2
chih to 2 chih 9 tsun wide, formerly classed as coarse long cloths,................
Twilled cottons, gray, same dimensions,....................................................................
Chintz, and prints Of all kinds, from 60 to 70 chih long, and from 2 chih to 9
tsun, to 3 chih 3 tsun wude, formerly called ornamented or flower cloths,...
Cotton yam or cotton thread,............................................................ per 100 catties
Linen, fine, not formerly in the tariff, from 50 to 75 chih long, and 1 chih 9
tsun to 2 chih 2 tsun wide,......................................................................................
Bunting,.........................................................................................................per chang
A ll other imported articles o f this class, as ginghams, pulicats, dyed cottons,
velveteens, silk and cotton mixtures, and mixtures of linen and cotton, etc.,
5 per cent ad valorem.

0
0

5
4

0
0

0

1

5

0

1

5

0
0

1
1

0
0

0
1

2
0

0
0

0
0

5
0

0

0
0
0
0

0 14
0 i
] 3
0 3

0

1

0
0
0
0

0 7
1 5
0 7
0 34

C lass X I.— Fabrics o f Silk, Woollen, <J*c.

Handkerchiefs, large, above 2 chih 6 tsun,........................... ...........................each
Handkerchiefs, small, under 2 chih 6 tsun,............. ..............................................
Gold and silver thread, superior or real,................. ..................................per catty
“
“
inferior or imitation,...........................................................
Broadcloth, Spanish stripe, etc., from 3 chih 6 tsun to 4 chih 6 tsun wide,
per chang,...................................................................................................................
Narrow cloths, as long ells, cassimeres, etc., formerly classed as narrow wool.per chang
..................
.................
imitation camlets or bombazettes,...............................................................................




5

186

Commercial Regulations.
C hinese T a r iff

of

I mports

and

E xports— Continued.
J2

Articles o f merchandise.

4)

g §
e-< a

W oollen yarn,.............................................. c...................................... per 100 catties
Blankets,................................................................................................................ each
A ll other fabrics o f wool, or o f mixed wool and cotton, wool and silk, etc., 5
per cent ad valorem.

3
0

T5

c

6

0 0
1 0

C lass X II.— W ines, § c .

W ine and beer in quart bottles,........ ............................................................ per 100
W ine in pint bottles,....................................................................................................
W ine in casks,..................................................................................... per 100 catties

1 0
0 5
1 5

0
0
0

1 0
1 5
0 1
0 1
0 2
0 4
1 0
0 4

0
0
0
5
8
0
0
0

5
0

0
0

0

C lass X III.— Metals.

^

Copper, foreign, in pigs, etc.............................................................. per 100 catties
Copper wrought, as sheets, rods, etc..........................................................................
Iron, foreign, unmanufactured,....................................................................................
Iron, as in pigs, iron manufactured, as in bars, rods, etc......................................
Lead, foreign, as in pigs, or manufactured,..............................................................
Steel, foreign, o f every kind,......................................................................................
T in, foreign,...................................................................................................................
T in plates, formerly not in the tariff,.........................................................................
Spelter is only permitted to be sold to government merchants.
A ll unenumerated metals, as zinc, yellow copper, etc., 10 per cent ad valorem.
C lass X IV .— Jewelry.

Cornelians,.......................................................................
Cornelian beads,.............................................................

100 stones
100 catties

0
1

100 catties

2

0

0
1
0
0
0

5 0
5 0
1 5

2

0
0
0
0
0
0

C lass XV.— Skins, Teeth, Horns, § c .

Bullocks’ and buffalo horns,..........................................
C ow and ox hides, tanned and untanned,.................
Sea otter skins,...............................................................
F ox skins, large,............................................................ .
F ox skins, small,............................................................
T iger, leopard, and marten skins,...............................
Land otter, raccoon, and sharks’ skins,......................
Beaver skins,...................................................................
Hare, rabbit, and ermine skins,...................................
Sea-horse teeth,...............................................................
Elephants’ teeth, first quality, w hole,........................
Elephants’ teeth, second quality, broken,...................

5
100 catties

0
1
0
0

0

5

2

0
0
0

4
2

5

C lass X VI.— Unenumerated.

A ll new goods, which it has not been practicable to enumerate herein, a duty o f 5 per
cent ad valorem.
C lass XVII.

Rice and other grains, duty free.
Contraband— Opium.
Shipping dues—/These have hitherto been charged on the measurement o f the ship’s
length and breadth, at so much per chang ; but it is now agreed to alter the system,
and charge according to the registered statement o f the number o f tons of the ship’s
burden. On each ton, (reckoned equal to the cubic contents o f 122 tows,) a shipping
charge o f 5 mace is to be levied, and all the old charges o f measurement, entrance and
port clearance fees, daily and monthly fees, etc., are abolished.
C . C ushing .




T siyeng .*

* Mancliu characters used.

187

Commercial Regulations.
B R A Z IL IA N C O N S U L A T E F E E S ,
OR EMOLUMENTS TO BE PAID BY VESSELS, BOTH NATIONAL AND FOREIGN.

In this Department o f State for Foreign Affairs, there is to be found registered in
B ook I. o f Register o f Decrees, page two hundred and seventy, what the supplicants
mention, establishing a new tariff o f Consular emoluments, viz.:
T he Regent in name o f the Emperor, in revoking the Tariff o f Consular emoluments
ordered to be observed by Decree o f 9th o f September last year, has determined that the
following shall be put into execution, signed by Antonio Peregrino M aciel Monteiro,
Minister and Secretary o f State for Foreign Affairs, who will so understand and have
executed with the necessary despatches.
Palace o f R io de Janeiro, 12th o f March, 1838— 17 o f Independence and o f the E m ­
pire.
Pedro d*Araujo Lima —Antonio Peregrino M aciel Monteiro.
TARIFF OF FEES WHICH VESSELS AND PERSONS, BOTH NATIONAL AND

FOREIGNERS,

SHOULD

PAY AT BRAZILIAN CONSULATES.

Certificate or Legalization.

(Duplicate.)

Span. dots.

Manifest o f a cargo o f a vessel o f 150 tons.................................................
“
“
from 151
a 200 tons......................................
“
“
201 a 250 “ ....................................
“
“
251 a 300 " ....................................
“
“
301 a 350 “ .......................................
“
“
350 tons upwards................................
Bill o f Health....................................................................................................
Signature on Bill o f Health............................................................................
Roll o f Equipage............................................ .................................................
Inventory o f a Vessel.......................................................................................
Survey on a Vessel...........................................................................................
“
o f goods on board.................................................................................
“
“
shore.................................................................................
A Passport..........................................................................................................
Signature on Passport....................... ..............................................................
Acknowledgment of signatures or legalization o f any document passed
by the Consulate..........................................................................................
Acknowledgment c f signatures or legalization o f any document not
passed by the Consulate..............................................................................
A ny Certificate..................................................................................................
Exceeding two pages, for each one...............................................................
A W ill................................................................................................................
Approbation o f same........................................................................................
Term o f opening o f same................................................................................
Inventory o f Estate (for death)......................................................................
A Procuration....................................................................................................
Registering any document in the books o f the Consulate, per page......
Bill o f sale, purchase or deed o f partnership................................................
A Protest or Declaration.................................................................................
Interrogatory o f witnesses, for each one interrogated................................
A Certificate o f the Com nl to serve in any station....................................
Translation o f any document, per page.......................................................
For the presence o f the Consul to acts which require his absence from
the Consulate, for each day and every three miles’ distance, besides
expenses.........................................................................................................
For money received or paid for account o f government, a commission of
“
“
“
“ private persons......................
For deposit o f money or goods in the Consulate and administration of
goods o f Brazilian subjects who die intestate, on the amount or value,
a commission o f............................................................................................
For being present at a sale, if requested.....................................................
For gathering objects belonging to cargo or hull o f a wrecked vessel,..




6
8

10
12
14
16
3
1^
1£
8
8
8

5

24

1 p. ct.
2 4 p. ct.

2 4 p. ct.
2 p. ct.
2 4 p. ct.

Commercial Regulations.

188

CONSULAR FEES ON BRAZILIAN VESSELS.

For a Vessel o f .150 tons............................................................................. $1 5
“
151 to 200 tons..................................................................... 17$
“
201 to 250 “ ...................................................................... 20
“
251 to 300 “ ...................................................................... 22$
“
301 to 350 “ ...................................................................... 25
“
350 tons upwards................................................................ 30
In these Consular fees on Brazilian vessels the expense o f certifying the Manifest of
cargo is included; and to poor sailors and Brazilian subjects will be given, gratis, all
documents they may require.
Palace o f Rio de Janeiro, March 12, 1838.
(Signed)
A n t o n i o P e r e g r i n o M a c ie l M o n t e i r o .
Nothing else was contained in said Register book, nor in any other is it known that
the (referred to) table o f emoluments which ought to be paid at Brazilian Consulates, both
by vessels and subjects, whether national or foreigners, has been altered, which I declare
in this, and pass in compliance with the above despatch.
Department o f State fo r Foreign Affairs, September 3, 1845.
(Signed)
J o z e D o m in g o s d e A . M o n c a r v o .

CO M PE N D O F T H E T A R I F F OF CUBA.
W e give, below, a compend o f the tariff o f Cuba, as it affects American produce, im­
ported in American vessels, which is to take effect on the 1st o f March, 1846. On the
same day, the tonnage duty will be re-imposed upon vessels loading with molasses. In
calculating the duty on imports, 1 per cent on the amount o f duty must be added, called
the halanza.
A COMPEND OF THE TARIFF OF CUBA, TO TAKE EFFECT 1ST OF MARCH, 1 8 4 6 .

Valuation.
Articles.
$ 1 50
Ale, cask,...............
3 00
A le, bottles,.............
3 00
A pples,.................... ..'.,bbl.
50
Barrels, empty,.......
9 00
B eef,......................... ......bbl.
1 75
Beef, jerked,...........
7 00
Beef, smoked,......... ...... qtl.
75
Beans,......................
1 50
Beer, cask,...............
3 00
Beer, bottles,..........
75
Biscuit, box,...........
Boards, white and yellow
pine....................... ..M . ft 20 00
Bricks,...................... ........M. 12 00
Butter,...................... ...... qtl- 14 00
12 00
Candies, tallow,......
32 00
Candles, sperm,......
10
00
Cheese, American,.
3 75
C oal,.........................
Cocoa, Caraccas,... ...... qtl. 16 00
6 00
Cocoa, all other,.... ......qtl.
3 50
Codfish,...................
Cordage, tarred,...... ...... qtl- 12 00
7 50
Cordage, Manilla,.
Cotton,.................... ......qtl. 10 00
3 00
Cider, bottles,......... __ doz.
9
Flour, barrel,..bbl., fix’d duty
Hams,......................
10 00

Duty.
33 4 c.
33J
274
274
334
274
334
334
334
334
334
274
324
274
334
274
274
324
274
274
274
334
334
274
334
59
334

Articles.
Valuat’n. Duty.
H a y,........................ ....qtl.
50 2 7 4 c.
Herring,....bxs. o f 100 fish
62 3 3 4
Hogsheads, casks,. ...each $ 2 00 2 7 4
Hoops,..................... ......M. 30 00 2 7 4
Horses, geldings,...
334
Lard,.......................
12 00 3 3 4
M ackerel,.............. ....bbl.
3 00 2 7 4
Nails, copper,......... ....qtl. 25 00 2 7 4
Nails, iron,............. __ qtl.
7 00 2 7 4
Oars,...................... 100 feet
6 25 2 7 4
Oil, sp. and whale, ....q tl. 10 00 2 7 4
Onions,................... ....qtl.
1 50 3 3 4
Paper, letter,..........
2 50 3 3 4
Paper, wrapping,...
50 3 3 4
P ork,...................... ....bbl. 14 00 3 3 4
Pork, sides,............ ....qtl.
9 00 2 7 4
Potatoes,................. ....bbl.
2 50 2 7 4
R ice,........................ ....qtl.
6 00 3 3 4
Scantling,............... M. feet 18 00 2 7 4
Shingles,................ ......M.
3 75 2 7 4
Shooks, sugar-box, ...each
75 2 7 4
Shooks, hhd.,.........
1 00 2 7 4
Soap, bar,............... ....qtl.
8 00 3 3 4
Staves,..................... ...... M. 25 00 2 7 4
T allow ,...................
7 50 2 7 4
T a r,......................... ....bbl.
3 00 2 7 4
Tongues, smoked,. ....qtl.
7 00 2 7 j

EXPORT DUTIES.

Coffee,......................
pipes
Rum ,.......................
Molassefe,................
hhds.
H on e y ,......................................hhd.




20
Sugar,....................
Free. Segars,...................
Free. T obacco,................
$ 1 37 |

......... M.

37
50
$1 50

Nautical Intelligence.

189

A gentleman at Havana, under date December 6th, 1845, thus speaks o f this tariff:—
“ It in effect differs very little from the old tariff, being only a simplification of the method
o f calculating the duties; which, under repeated impositions and reductions, had become
quite complicated. Many o f the best friends o f the country had anticipated a reduction
in the duties on articles o f consumption, which are exceedingly onerous, and are fast
grinding the poor to pauperism, from the tendency o f the present system o f collection o f
revenue to the accumulation o f wealth in the hands o f the few.”

NAUTICAL

INTELLIGENCE.

P O R T A D E L A ID E , S O U T H A U S T R A L IA .
H. C. S tackerman has addressed a circular to ports interested in the South Sea whale
fishery, dated Adelaide, South Australia, April 15, 1845, in which he refers to the ad.
vantages it presents to whalers, inconsequence o f its rapid rise, since its foundation in 1837.
Port Adelaide is situated in St. Vincent’s Gulf, the entrance to which is 33. 48. S. L.,
and 138. 36. E. G. T he passage through Investigators’ Straits, and through the gulf, is
perfectly safe and easy, keeping clear o f the S. E. point o f Y ork’s Peninsula, where there
is a sand bank.
Vessels drawing 18 feet may safely get into the harbor, which offers the security of
any dock.
A t the mouth o f the gulf, is Kangaroo Island, where, during the season, several small
coasters are on the look-out for whalers, for the purpose o f boarding them, and selling
them at high prices, provisions and other articles, which they have bought in Adelaide.
T o obtain this object, and in order to induce the captain not to enter the port, but to buy
from them, they will give false reports on the state o f the market.
W e give below, the particulars o f the port charges at Port Adelaide, such as they are
at present; “ but the general impression is, that very shortly a considerable reduction will
take place, and additional inducements thereby be offered to whalers to call here— a more
favorable port than which, according to the opinion o f several American and European
continental captains o f whalers, who have had occasion to touch here, will not exist in
these quarters for taking in new stock, etc., and for touching in case o f any accident.”
In payment o f stores, or provisions supplied, oil can be landed for consumption in the
colony, subject to 107 ad valorem duty, which is also the rate on all other foreign articles,
excepting spirits, subject to 12s. a gallon, and tobacco, to 2s. per pound ; this article is
always sold in bond, by the importer, the buyer paying the duty.
P ort C harges— Custom-house entrance and clearance, £ 2 2 s .; pilotage, payable in­
wards and outwards, drawing 9 a 10 feet, £ 4 ; 10 a 11 feet, £ 4 10s., rising 10s. per ad­
ditional foot.
H arbor D oes— A vessel to 300 a 400 tons, £ 2 ; 400 a 500 tons, £ 2 1 0 s.; exceeding
500 tons, £ 3 ; tonnage dues, 6s. a ton.
P rices C urrent— Beef, 2\d. a 2id . per lb .; pork, 2J<Z. a 3d. ; mutton, 2d. a 2Jd. per
lb .; wethers, 12s. a 13s. each ; pigs, 15s. a 20s. each ; flour, first quality, at 9s. per 100 lb .;
second do., 6s. 6d. a 7s. 6d. ; biscuit, 13s. a 15s. per cw t.; butter, 6d. a 8d. per lb .; cheese,'
5 d . a 5 \ d . per lb .; bacon, 5 d . a 5Jd. per lb .; potatoes, £ 3 a £ 5 per ton, according to
season. Vegetables abundant and cheap during the season; fruits, do. d o .; tea, coffee,
sugar, rice, at about the European prices.

S U N K E N R O C K — C IIIN C H A OR G U A N O IS L A N D S .
Masters o f vessels proceeding from the port Pisco to the Chincha or Guano islands,
should give the N . E. point a good berth, until the centre o f the island bears south, and
then haul into their moorings abreast o f the loading shoots, there being a sunken rock
about half a cable’s length o ff the N . E. point o f the island, not laid down in any chart.




»

Nautical Intelligence«

190

R IO G R A N D E S T . P E D R O .
The following notice, dated R io Grande, March 30th, 1845, has been published over
the signatures o f Russel Snow, brig S ylph; Bennett Morgan, brig O sceola; Thomas M.
Mayhew, barque Brothers; and Azariah Done, barque Bevis :
“ It is usual to charter vessels for the R io Grande St. Fedro. W e consider the whole
o f this place R io Grande St. Pedi , and ‘ is generally considered so in the United States;
and on all the books and charts o f the coast, the St. Pedro is to distinguish this place from
the Rio Grande north o f Pernambuco. The merchants here say, that only R io Grande
South, as it is usually called, is R io Grande St. P edro; and though vessels arrive at R io
Grande North, and enter at the custom-house, and are ready to discharge, they will not
allow that they are at R io Grande, and refuse to allow the days while laying there. Ves­
sels can very seldom go to the South, or R io Grande St. Pedro, as they call it, drawing
more than nine feet o f water, and vessels drawing more than that are obliged to go to
the North and discharge part o f their cargo, which cause? much trouble and detention.
So that American vessels, drawing more than nine feet, should never charter for Rio
Grande, without having it expressed in their charter-party, that their lay days begin upon
entry at St. Josephs, or R io Grande North, ana when lightened sufficiently to proceed to
the South, i f the consignee wishes.”

C O M M E R C IA L D E C R E E O F T H E G O V E R N M E N T OF CUBA.
It was officially announced at Havana, November 12, 1845, that the port o f Sagua la
Grande would be open on the first o f January, 1846, under the following restrictions:
I. Spanish vessels registered in Spain will be permitted to enter the port o f Sagua la
Grande to discharge, and to load produce under the present restrictions.
II. Also, vessels o f other nations in ballast, to load sugar and other productions.
III. Also, Spanish and foreign vessels from foreign ports, with the following articles,
v iz : joists, boards, planks, staves, wooden hoops, empty hogsheads, and hogshead shooks,
do. barrels and barrel shooks, shingles, box shooks, sugar mould and zinc and tin plate
for do., hemquen bags and linen do., hemquen rope, salt beef and pork, salt from the
island, codfish, fish and mackerel, iron nails, steam engines for sugar estates, loose extra
pieces for do., sugar-mill rollers, sugar boilers, and tanks and bricks.
IV. Vessels having on board any articles not specified in the above list, will have to
discharge those articles in some qualified port before they can enter the above mentioned port.

V IC T O R IA R O C K O F F A N G L E S E A .
T r in it y H ouse, L ondon, 24th Oct., 1845.— This corporation has caused a buoy, co­

lored red and white, in horizontal stripes, and marked “ Victoria,” to be placed about fifty
fathoms to the northward o f the rock, upon the gravel bank off the north coast o f A n glesea, upon which the Victoria steam vessel recently struck. This buoy lies in two
fathoms at low water spring tides, and with the following marks and compass bearings,
v iz : Cemaes Mill \ point open east of the beacon on Harry’s Furlong, S.E. f S. Kemlyn
Mill touching the eastern end o f Kemlyn Farm, S.

High water o f Henborth Point, in

line with Pengarn Beacon.

V A R IA T IO N O F T H E N E E D L E .
The following is a corrected report o f the variation and dip o f the needle at Bermuda,
taken with great care by Captain Barnette, o f H. M. surveying vessel Thunder. In old
charts but two degrees o f variation are given, whereas from the present observation it ap­
pears that there are 7 degrees 1 minute west, and which is very likely to be the reason
why so many ships pass the islands without seeing them, and others run on the reefs in
the neighborhood. Variations o f the needle at Bermuda, in October, 1845, 7 degrees 1
minute \V .; dip o f the needle, 65 degrees 26 minutes 15 seconds west.




191

Commercial Statistics.

COMMERCIAL

STATISTICS.

C O M M E R C E A N D N A V IG A T IO N OF T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S .*
A c o r r e s p o n d e n t o f the N ew Y ork “ Evening Gazette,” at Washington, is furnishing
several abstract statements o f the treasury report, which will doubtless answer an excel­
lent purpose for immediate reference ; but we prefer, as usual, to wait the appearance of
the official document, as it is important that such statements in a standard work, which
we profess to publish, should compare with the official documents. Besides, it has been
our custom to present a full and comprehensive statement o f the whole report, occupying
about sixteen pages, in a single number o f the Merchants’ Magazine.
IMPORTS AND EXTORTS OF THE UNITED STATES DURING THE YEAR ENDING 3 0 t H JUNE, 1 8 4 5 ,
COMPARED WITH THOSE OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

Imports.
Specie and bullion,...................................
Merchandise free o f duty,.......................
“
paying ad valorem duties,,
“
paying specific duties,.......
Total imports,,
Foreign
“
“
Foreign

1845.
$ 4 ,0 7 0 ,2 4 2

1 8 ,9 3 6 ,4 5 2

1 8 ,0 7 7 ,5 9 8

5 2 ,3 1 5 ,2 9 1

6 0 .1 9 1 .8 6 2

3 1 ,3 5 2 ,8 6 3

3 4 .9 1 4 .8 6 2

$ 1 0 7 ,9 8 5 ,0 3 5

$ 1 1 7 ,2 5 4 ,5 6 4

$ 2 ,2 5 1 ,5 5 0

$ 2 ,4 1 3 ,0 5 0

Exports.
goods, free o f duty, (exclusive o f specie,),
paying ad val. dut.,
“
paying specific duties, “
gold and silver coin,.....................................

Total foreign articles re-exported,
American gold and silver coin,...................
Domestic produce,........................................
Total exports,...........................
Total o f imports and exports,,

1814,
$ 5 ,3 8 0 ,4 2 9

1 ,7 0 6 , 2 0 6

2 ,1 0 7 ,2 9 2

2 ,2 5 6 , 3 0 2

3 ,0 6 4 , 4 3 9

5 ,2 7 0 ,8 0 9

7 ,7 6 2 ,0 4 9

$ 1 1 ,4 8 4 ,8 6 7

$ 1 5 ,3 4 6 ,8 3 0

1 8 3 ,4 0 5

8 4 4 ,4 4 6

9 9 ,5 3 1 ,7 7 4

9 8 ,4 5 5 ,3 3 0

$ 1 1 1 ,2 0 0 ,0 4 6

$ 1 1 4 ,6 4 6 ,6 0 6

2 1 9 ,6 3 5 ,0 8 1

2 3 1 ,9 0 1 ,1 7 0

T he proportion o f the above imports and exports which were carried in American and
Foreign vessels, is as follows
In American vessels.

Foreign goods imported,........
“
re-exported,...
Domestic produce exported,.
Total,...

1844.

1845.

$ 9 4 ,1 7 4 ,6 7 3

$ 1 0 2 ,4 3 8 ,4 8 1

In Foreign vessels.

1844.
$ 1 4 ,2 0 0 ,3 6 2

1845.
$ 1 4 ,8 1 6 ,0 8 3

8 ,7 4 4 ,1 5 4

1 1 ,4 5 9 ,3 1 9

2 ,7 4 0 ,7 1 3

3 ,8 8 7 , 5 1 1

6 9 ,7 0 6 ,3 7 5

7 5 ,4 8 3 ,1 2 3

3 0 ,0 0 8 ,8 0 4

2 3 ,8 1 6 ,6 5 3

$ 1 7 2 ,6 2 5 ,2 0 2

$ 1 8 9 ,3 8 0 ,9 2 3

$ 4 7 ,0 0 9 ,8 7 9

$ 4 2 ,5 2 0 ,2 4 7

* This summary view o f the commerce and navigation o f the United States, for 1845,
was compiled at Washington, from the manuscript official report o f the Secretary o f the
Treasury, by a correspondent o f the N ew York “ Evening Gazette,” “ Charleston M er­
cury,” and “ Constitution,” and published in those Journals. T he official report has not
been printed, and will not probably be for some months to come, unless the present Se­
cretary o f the Treasury, or the printers to Congress, are more expeditious than their pre­
decessors. W e are induced, however, to hope, from the fact that the document was
promptly laid before Congress at its opening, (an unusual circumstance,) that measures
have been taken for its more timely publication. W e have alluded to the importance o f
this subject in previous years, and urged the importance o f greater expedition in the
matter, citing the promptness ^panifested in England and France, in causing their statis­
tical and commercial documents to be published at an early day after they were com ­
pleted. W e cannot vouch for the accuracy o f these statements, although we have every
reason to believe that the abstract was made with care, and that they will be found gene­
rally correct, when compared with the official document.— [E d. M e r . M ag .]




192

Commercial Statistics.

T he number and tonnage o f vessels, with their crews, entering and clearing from the
United States, is as follow s:—
American.

Number o f vessels entering,...........
“
clearing,...........
Tonnage entering,............................. ...
“
clearing,............................. ...
Crews— M en entering,.....................
Men clearing.......................
Boys entering,..........v.........
Boys clearing,.....................

Foreign.

1844.

1845.

1844.

1845.

8,148

8,133
8,197
2,035,486
2,053,977
99,020
100,794
2,562
2,462

5,557
5,500
916,992
906,814
55,948
55,075
1,004
964

5,590
5,583
910,563
930,275
55,315
54,657
700
720

1,977,438
2,010,924

3,421
3,108

T he following is a statement o f the tonnage owned in the United States, in tons
and 95ths:—

1844.
Registered,.........................
Enrolled licensed,.............
Licensed under 20 tons,...

1845.

Permanent.

Temporary.

Permanent.

Temporary.

859,008.30
1,171,437.53
30,746.77

209,757.61
2,099.80
7,045.86

882 533.48
1,264,060.44
32,330.45

212,633.91
18,283.62
7,165.01

218,902.47

2,178,929.42

238,082.59

T otal,............................2,061,192.65

Total permanent and temporary,............................................

1844.

1845.

2,280,095.07

2,417,002.06

168,293.63
6,909.42

190,695.65
6,491.51

1,078,867.62
78,178.86
16,170.66
320.14

1,190,898.27
69,825.66
21,413.05
................

1,173,537.38

1,282,344.11

265,269.86
766
103,537.29

319,527.07
1,038
146,018.02

T he registered and enrolled in the wrhale fishery,.
The registered steamboat tonnage,.........................
T he proportion o f the enrolled and licensed—
Tonnage employed in the coast trade,...................
In the cod fishery,......................................................
In the mackerel fishery,.............................................
In the whale fishery,..................................................
Total,.
T he proportion o f that in the coasting trade employed in
steam navigation,............................................................... .
The number o f vessels built,.................................................
Their tonnage,..........................................................................

C O M M E R C E O F T H E P E N N S Y L V A N IA C A N A L .
W e have compiled from an official statement published in the Pittsburgh Gazette,
the movement o f trade, east and west, for the years ending November 3, 1844 and 1845.
In reviewing the flow o f trade upon this great artery o f the State o f Pennsylvania, it is
not, in the opinion o f the editors o f the Gazette, to be concealed that these tables afford
grounds for serious alarm.
Heretofore the main line o f Pennsylvania has been regarded as the shortest and cheap­
est route between the northern seaboard and the valley o f the O h io ; especially has this
been the case in the eastern part o f the state, and Philadelphia has thought herself secure
in the possession o f its lucrative trade, so long as no parallel rival route offered easier
means o f transitu between the W est and the East.

According to the tonnage there is

an increase o f the trade moving eastward o f 13,000,000 lbs.

A n inspection o f the table

will show that there has been a falling o ff in all the leading western staples, with the
exception o f beef and pork, (the amount o f which is insignificant,) feathers, wool, leaf
tobacco, whiskey, and ashes.

*

W e quote the comments o f the Gazette in reference to the decline o f trade on the
Pennsylvania Main Line o f State W orks.




t

193

Commercial Statistics,

“ Respecting the movement westward, the enormous decrease on the item o f drygoods,
is an argument no one can answer. Even in the items which show an increase, no one
can pretend that they keep pace with the annual increase o f consumption in the valley of
the Ohio. W here then are we to look for an explanation? Nothing could he more'ea­
sily found. T he cause is the diversion made by the Erie Canal, and the Erie Extension
and Miami Canals. Is it not a notorious and undeniable fact, that Philadelphia mer­
chants, to preserve their customers, were obliged to pay the freight on their purchases to
N ew York, that they might be forwarded via the routes mentioned? Had the arguments
urged upon the Canal Commissioners by the Boards o f Trade in this city and Philadel­
phia, been listened to, and their advice acted upon, there would have been nothing of
all this.
“ W e might go into particulars, and we could point out districts where thousands of
tons o f Western produce could have been drawn to this route had a common sense policy
been pursued. W e could name one where 30,000 bbis. o f flour lay for a choice o f routes,
and finally went south; another where thousands o f bbls. o f pork, beef, lard, & c., waited
for a decision in the charges here, and then followed the flour, &c. It is not necessary.
I f this year’s business on the Canal at Pittsburgh is not evidence enough, we despair of
ever having any sufficiently potent to enforce conviction upon the subject. It is sheer
folly to suppose from the operations on the new routes from the Lake to the Ohio, the
past season, that they cannot do better. The business o f 1846 will for ever silence this
plea for high tolls upon the Main Line o f Pennsylvania. Let the policy o f N ew Y ork be
followed. Early in 1845 her talented and sharp-sighted Commissioners published a very
low scale o f tolls on the Erie Canal, to govern the operations o f the coming year. Hap­
pily for Pittsburgh, her commercial and manufacturing interests now depend in but a
limited degree upon the canal.”
MOVEMENT OF TRADE EASTWARD ON THE PENNSYLVANIA CANAL, FROM PITTSBURGH, FOR THE
YEARS

1844

AND

Flour,.......................... bbls.
Seeds,.........................bush.
Beef and Pork,...........bbls.
Bacon,........................... lbs.
Cheese and Butter,..... lbs.
Tallow ,.......................... lbs.
Lard,.............................. lbs.
Feathers,....................... lbs.
W o ol,.............................lbs.
Cotton,...........................lbs.
Hem p,........................... lbs.
T obacco,....................... lbs.
Leather,...............
lbs.
Hides,............................ lbs.
Furs,.............................. lbs.
Groceries,..................... lbs.
Merchandise,................lbs
Drugs,............................lbs.
Rags,..............................lbs.
Iron and N ails,............ lbs.
Hardware,..................... lbs.
Agricultural Produce,..lbs.
W hiskey,.....................gals.
Pigs and Castings,. ...lbs.
Coffee,............................lbs.
W indow Glass,...........bxs.
Ashes,............................ lbs.
Lard Oil,..................... gals.
Bones, & c......................lbs.
Furniture,......................lbs.
Sundries,..,................... lbs.
Coal,............................ tons.
VOL. X IV .---- NO. I I .




1845.

1845.

1814.

82,092
3,152
363
4,575
19,105,805
15,155,344
1,645,472
1,126,750
422,583
2,236,703
584,279
773,908
3,166,969
3,763,570
1,125,746
965,041
881,961
865,444
17,303,415
24,015,613
69,791
104,383
492,684
117,571
103,007
91,066
1,379,780
1,063,472
324,318
224,135
80,634
16,004
669,742
417,537
500,400
.449,304
159,171
121,701
869,374
77,198
77,591
112,841
2,646,167
3,956,728
90,722
54,879
3,0994
3,7944
772,269
277,220
38,319
31,551
161,755
250,744
290,936
1,597,539
1,007,366
2,311
350
100,454

13

Increase.

Decrease.

...............
3,152
4,212
...............
...............

18,352
1...
................
3,950,461
518,722

189,629
596,601
................
...............
6,712,198
34,592
................
................
................
...............
................
................
................
................
................
35,250
1,310,561
................
695
495,049
................

................
................
160,705
16,517
................
................
375,113
11,941
316,308
100,183
64,630
252,205
51,096
37,470
792,174
................
................
35,843
................
................
6,768

40,192
409,827
1,961

194
m ovem ent

Commercial Statistics.
of

trade

w estw ard

on

th e

Pe n n s y l v a n i a

YEARS ENDING NOVEMBER

1844,
Dry Goods,.............
Hardware,..............
China W are,..........
Muslin,................... ...'.lbs.
Groceries,...............
Drugs,.....................
Coffee,.....................
Tobacco, manufact’ d,.lbs.
Liquors, foreign,...,...gals.
H e m p ,............. .......
Bloom s,..................
Pig Metal,..............

Glass W are,...........
Salt,......................... . .bush.
Fish,........................ ...bbls.
Oils,......................... ...gals.
Tar and Rosin,......
Marble,...................
Iron and Nails,......

30, 1844

canal,

AND

1845,

57,988
206,475
8,506
33,610
240,286
391,410
3,583,235

Copper.....................

Pi t t s b u r g h ,

Increase.

17,792,055
10,581,399
4,625,248
5,381,639
5,118,460
848,745
9,532,271
1,222,750
28,786
478,926
244,372
15,332,782
7,374,738
525,502
1,014,066
95,598
190,265
17,240
42,014
451,645
374,642
5,378,794
1,084,709

24,133,173
8,417,359
4,565,005
5,625,146
5,108,266
1,721,778
9,092,807
763,465
37,337
415,775
388,669
18,824,166
5,094,722

to

for

the

1845.
Decrease.

6,341,118
2,164,040
...............
60,243
................
243,507
...............
10,194
873,033
439,464
................
459.288
...............
8,551.
63,151
................
144,297
3,491,384
2,280,016
...............
............................................
............................................
37,610
...............
16,210
8,734
...............
8,404
................
211,359
................
16,768
1,795,559
................
............................................
................

251,687

................

The Tables exhibit the movement o f the leading articles. W e append the aggregates

of some minor item s:—
EXPORTS FROM PITTSBURGH IN

Oil Cake,......................
Deer and Buff. Skins,.
Earthenware,................
Paper..............................

1845.

W hite Lead in Oil,...
Cordage,......................
Not enumerated,........

4 6 ,6 3 0
6 4 1 ,4 7 7
2 0 ,9 6 7

6 0 ,1 5 9
7 2 ,7 7 7
6 2 5 ,0 5 7

2 6 ,3 4 2
IMPORTS AT PITTSBURGH IN 1 8 4 5 .

Barley,...........................
R y e ,................................
Bran,..............................
Corn,.............................
Oats,...............................
Potatoes,........................
W heat,...........................
H ay,...............................
Seeds,............................
Mahogany,...................
....... No.
Staves,..........................
Boards,........................... ........... ft.
A lum ,............................

1 ,8 7 2
2 ,9 7 1
3 ,8 2 8
945
2 4 ,1 3 7
2 ,8 2 6
1 ,2 6 7
1894
748
1 6 ,0 9 2

Cordage,.....................
Not enumerated,...... ....... lbs.
Anvils,.........................
Coal,............................
Cinders,......................
Spanish W hiting,......
Steel,...........................
Cheese,......................
Oysters,.......................
Brick,..........................

4 ,7 8 9
6 1 2 ,9 3 2
1 (3 ,5 3 7
'6 , 1 2 8

3 0 2 ,8 4 3
35J
5 ,1 3 0
4 8 5 ,0 0 6
1 3 ,3 6 9
1 1 ,9 1 8
9 0 ,8 8 2
1 .2 3 0
1 4 0 ,4 8 7

1 3 9 ,0 9 0

Mill Stones,..............
Roofing Slate,............
Stone,..........................

4 5 ,1 3 1

W hite Lead,................
Earthenware,................

2 5 ,7 7 1
7 0 8 ,6 4 9

3 8 ,6 6 0
2 5 4 ,8 0 0
1 ,3 7 4
2 0 7 ,3 9 1

Rags............................

7 ,1 6 7

2 2 ,9 8 7

T he items o f grain, and produce generally, show how little is received at Pittsburgh
from the country lying along the canal.

In fact there is very little that enters into con­

sumption contributed by it, except bl ooms, pig metal, salt, and a few other articles.
T he tolls o f the Pennsylvania Carnal for the fiscal year, 1845, amounted to a total of
$93,270 43.




*

195

Commercial Statistics.
NUMBER OF BOATS CLEARED AND MILES TRAVELED B Y PASSENGERS.

Boats.

December.. ...........................
March....... ............................
April.......................................
M ay........... ...........................
June..........
July........... ...........................
August......
September. ...........................
October.... ............................
November.

Miles Traveled.

1844.

1845.

30
234
478
398

53
232
426
401
309
318
323
372
386
317

298
306
361

3,007

1844.
.■

1845.

........
54,015
[213,621
183,740
158,263
123,198
105,564
136,794
| 139,772
61,428

24,605
9,360
67,258
216,915
203.668
134,544
137.815
122,756
181.327
267,487

3,167

1,176,395
1,365,735
Decrease 189,340.
The periods at which the Canal opened for a series o f years, were as follow s:—
Increase 160.

1 8 3 8 , .................

1 8 4 2 ,.,.

1 8 3 9 ...................

..............

“

2 6 th .

1 8 4 3 ,...

1 8 4 0 , .................

..............

“

1 6 th .

1 8 4 4 ,...

1 8 4 1 , .................

..............

“

2 7 th .

1 8 4 5 , . . . .......................................

“

1 0 th .

COM M ERCE OF T H E N E W Y O R K CAN ALS.
T he following table, compiled from the records o f the Canal Department, comprises
the whole movement, on the canals o f the state, on all property arriving at and clearing
from tide-water, during the years 1844 and 1845. The annual report o f the Canal Com ­
missioners, embracing a full account o f the trade and tonnage o f the canals o f N ew Y ork,
for 1845, will soon be published; when we shall prepare and lay before the readers o f
this Magazine our usual annual digest o f all those statements that render it valuable for
preservation for reference with the movements o f future years.
STATEMENT OF ALL THE PROPERTY WHICH CAME TO THE HUDSON RIVER ON THE CANALS, IN
AND

1845,

WITH THE QUANTITY AND ESTIMATED VALUE OF

1844

EACH ARTICLE,- IN ALBANY

AND •TROY.

Agriculture.

1844.
Articles.
Quantity.
Pork,........................................ bhls.
63,646
Beef,...............................................
50,000
Bacon,...................................... lbs.......................
Cheese,........................................... 26,674,500
Butter and lard,............................. 22,596,300
Lard,......................................................................
7,672,300
W ool...............................................
Hides,....................................................................
Flour,....................................... bbls. 2,222,204
W heat,....................................bush. 1,262,249
R y e,................................................
62,239
C o rn ,..............................................
17,861
Barley,.............................................
818,472
Other grain.......................
1,166,524
Bran and ship-stuff,......................
1,177,489
Peas and beans,.............................
21,176
Potatoes,.........................................
18,263
Dried fruit,................................lbs. 1,299,400
Cotton,................. i.........................
79,600
Tobacco,.........................................
318,900
Clover and grass-seed,.................
4,594,800
Flax-seed,.....................................
3,114,000
Hops,..............................................
1,319,700
Total value,......................




1845.
V a lu e .
$ 5 7 2 ,8 1 4
2 5 0 ,0 0 0

Q u an tity .
4 5 ,1 5 3
6 7 ,6 9 9

V a lu e .
$ 5 7 1 ,6 3 7
5 0 7 ,7 4 3

...........

1 ,6 3 1 , 7 0 0

1 1 8 ,2 9 9

1 .3 3 3 , 7 2 5

2 7 ,5 4 2 ,8 6 1

1 ,9 2 1 , 0 0 0

2 ,7 1 6 ,9 0 9

2 1 ,8 2 5 ,4 5 5

3 ,0 5 5 ,5 6 4

3 ,0 6 4 , 8 0 0

2 4 5 ,1 8 4

2 ,9 1 5 , 4 7 4

9 ,5 0 4 , 0 3 9

2 ,9 4 6 ,2 5 2

2 9 3 ,0 0 9

3 6 ,6 2 7

9 ,9 9 9 , 9 1 8

2 ,5 1 7 , 2 5 0

1 ,2 1 1 , 7 5 9

1 ,6 2 0 , 0 3 3

1 4 ,0 2 1 ,0 8 1
1 ,9 4 1 , 8 6 9

4 3 ,5 0 6

1 5 7 ,4 3 8

1 1 1 ,0 0 2

8 ,9 3 1

3 5 ,8 0 3

2 1 ,4 7 9

5 2 7 ,4 1 0
3 9 6 ,6 1 8

1 ,1 3 7 , 9 1 7
1 ,2 9 4 , 6 0 9

6 7 1 ,3 7 1
4 9 1 ,9 5 1

3 0 3 ,1 5 3

1 ,0 6 7 , 6 6 5

1 6 0 ,1 5 0

3 2 ,4 6 4
6 ,9 0 5

6 6 ,1 7 5
1 4 5 ,5 6 9

5 8 ,0 7 6

1 0 3 ,9 5 2

3 6 0 ,9 6 6

3 2 ,4 7 7

5 ,9 7 1

6 6 ,8 0 0

5 ,1 7 7

3 5 ,0 7 9

6 7 0 ,9 0 0

8 0 ,5 0 8

3 2 1 ,6 3 8

3 ,1 6 1 , 2 0 0

2 2 1 ,2 8 4

6 2 ,2 8 0

8 ,3 0 3 ,9 6 0

1 7 1 ,5 6 1

8 7 4 ,2 0 0

1 6 6 ,0 7 9
1 5 7 ,3 5 6

$ 2 1 ,0 2 0 ,0 6 5

7 0 ,1 4 5

$ 2 7 ,6 1 2 ,2 9 1

Commercial Statistics.

196

The Forest.

1844.

Quantity.
• 832,200
Furs and peltry,.............
Boards and scantling,,... ......... ft. 232,434,700
78,125
Shingles,................................. M.
921.982
Timber,...........................
97,533,000
Staves,............................
16,550
W ood,.............................
80,646
Ashes,............................

1845.

Quantity.
Value.
$1,040,275
708,749
4,001,691 237,924,666
234,381
72,120
160,605 2,492,668
390,131 139,754,800
17,696
114,737
1,774,212
69,668

Articles.

Value.
$873,436
4,044,720
234,390
498,534
628,898
86,258
1,393,360

$7,716,032

Total value,............

$7,759,596

M a n u fa c t u r e s .

Domestic spirits,...........
Leather,..........................
Furniture,.......................
Bar and pig lead,............
Pig iron,.........................
Iron-ware,......................
Domestic woollens,........
“
cottons,.........
Salt,.................................
Total value,..........
Merchandise,.................... ............

1,194,317
3,909,000
2,177,400
41,800
6,422,600
944,900
867,200
1,584,600
175,013

$298,582 1,588,601
935,051 15,363,925
217,740 2,561,624
1,672
223,500
96,340 8,031,218
37,796 4,665,388
1,170,720 1,407,529
491,126 1,879,446
240,643
172,968
$3,489,670
86,153

$444,809
2,765,508
256,162
8,940
140,546
186,615
1,900,029
582,628
147,023

505,708

$6,432,259
88,497

Ollier Articles.
Stone, lime, and clay,.... ...... lbs. 50,159,800
$75,239 55,344,593
1,891,800
8,398 12,263,800
Gypsum,............................ ............
55,993 47,798,300
Mineral coal,.................... ............ 18,480,700
............
54,722,400
2,188,896
83,237,259
Sundries,...........................

$83,016
27,656
119,496
3,329,490

492,300

$2,328,526

Total value,..........

$3,559,658

A ggregates.
Forest,............................... ....tons
Agriculture,....................... ............
Manufactures,................... ...........
............
Other articles,.................... ...........

545,202
383,363
39,957
246
62,627

$7,716,032
21,020,065
3,489,670
86.153
2,328,526

T o ta l,................... ............

1,031,395

$34,640,446

607,930
447,627
49,812
253
99,321

$7,759,596
27,612,291
6,432,259
88,497
3,559,658

1,204,943 $45,452,301

STATEMENT OP PROPERTY CLEARED FROM THE HUDSON RIVER, ON ALL THE CANALS, IN

-

1845,

1844

AND

VALUE OF SUCH PROPERTY, TOLLS, AND NUMBER OF BOATS CLEARED.

1844.
Boats cleared,................................................
Tons,................................................................
Value,..............................................................
T olls,...............................................................

19,393
208,699
$53,142,403
682,068

1845.
20,040
224,013
$55,453,998
727,482

STATEMENT OF THE VALUE OF ALL THE PROPERTY WHICH CLEARED FROM AND CAME TO THE
HUDSON ON THE CANALS, IN THE YEARS

A rrived,.............................................
Cleared,..............................................

1844

AND

1845.

1844.

1845.

$34,640,446
53,142,403

$45,452,301
55,453,998

T otal,....................................
$87,782,849
$100,906,298
Excess in 1845 over 1844.....................................
13,123,449
T he total value o f merchandise and property which cleared from and came to the Hud­
son river, on the canals o f N ew Y ork, in 1845, was valued at $100,906,298; being
but about $17,000,000 less than the whole imports o f the United States from foreign
countries, in the year 1845.




197

Commercial Statistics.
S T A T IS T IC S O F T H E A M E R IC A N W H A L E F IS H E R Y .

W e give, below, several tables, derived from the N ew Bedford Shipping List, o f the
American W hale Fishery; they exhibit a statement o f the imports of sperm and whale
oils, and whalebone, into the United States in each month, from Jan. 1st, to the 31st of
December, 1845 ; the imports in each year, from 1838 to 1845; the quantity of oil and
whalebone on hand at the principal ports engaged in the business; the average time em­
ployed in voyages, and average cargoes o f 1845 ; average prices of the products o f the whale
fishery ; the number and tonnage o f vessels employed on the 1st of January, o f the year
1844,1845, and 1846, and the number o f vessels belonging to the several ports designated.
IMPORTS OF SPERM AND WHALE OILS, AND WHALEBONE, INTO THE UNITED STATES, FROM JAN.

1, 1845,

TO JAN.

1, 1846.

B b ls. Sperm .
4 ,5 1 6

1845.
J a n u a r y , ............................. ...............................

B b ls. W h a le .
1 3 ,3 0 6

L b s . B on e.
1 1 8 ,0 6 1

F e b r u a r y , .......................... ...............................

1 6 ,1 2 3

5 6 ,5 5 5

5 3 8 ,5 1 9

M a r c h , ................................. ..............................

9 ,7 3 8

2 9 ,1 9 2

543J675

A p r i l , ...................................................................

1 9 ,9 1 4

5 6 ,7 4 6

6 8 6 ,2 6 6

5 8 ,2 7 5

5 5 9 ,1 5 0

M a y , ........ ............................
1 3 ,1 8 1

1 0 ,8 5 2

6 5 ,0 0 0

J u l y ........................................
A u g u s t ,'...............................................................

J u n e , .................................. ...............................

2 0 8 ,2 1 0

9 ,3 4 6

2 0 ,8 5 8
1 0 ,3 1 2

S e p t e m b e r , ...................... ..............................

9 ,2 4 4

1 2 ,0 5 2

1 0 6 ,4 6 9

O c t o b e r , ............................. ...............................

9 ,1 3 7

2 ,7 6 5

2 2 ,3 1 9

N o v e m b e r , ...................... ..............................

1 0 ,2 9 7

1 ,2 7 7

5 ,6 0 0

D e c e m b e r , . . . ................... .............................

9 ,6 8 9

540

T o t a l , ........................ ............................

1 5 7 ,9 1 7

2 7 2 ,7 3 0

3 1 3 ,8 7 3

3 ,1 6 7 , 1 4 2

IMPORTS OF SPERM AND WHALE OIL, FROM JAN. 1 , 1 8 3 8 . , TO JAN. 1 , 1 8 4 6 ; AND OF BONE,
FROM JAN. 1 , 1 8 4 4 , TO JAN. 1 , 1 8 4 6 .
1 8 3 8 , ......................... ..................
1 8 3 9 , ......................... ..................

Sperm .
1 3 2 ,3 5 6

W h a le .
2 2 6 ,5 5 2

1 4 2 ,3 3 6

2 2 9 ,7 8 3

. 1 8 4 0 , .......................... .................

1 5 7 ,7 9 1

2 0 7 ,9 0 8

1 8 4 1 , .............................................

1 5 9 ,3 0 4

2 0 7 ,3 4 8
1 6 1 ,0 4 1

1 8 4 2 , ............................................

1 6 5 ,6 3 7

1 8 4 3 , ........................... ................

1 6 6 ,9 8 5

2 0 6 ,7 2 7

1 8 4 4 , ........................... ................

1 3 9 ,5 9 4

1845,.................... ............

157,917

262,047
272,730

B on e.

2,532,445
3,167,142

W e estimate the quantity o f sperm oil to arrive in 1846, at 117,000 bbls.

O f whale,

it is impossible as yet to form an estimate with any degree o f accuracy, owing to the
meagre accounts yet received from the northwest coast.
STATEMENT OF OILS AND WHALEBONE ON HAND, DECEMBER

Sperm.

30, 1845.

Whale.

N ew Bedford,......................................
Fairhaven,............................................
Westport,..............................................
Nantucket, about................................
Edgartown,...........................................
Falmouth,...........................................
N ewport,..............................................
Boston,..................................................

8,101
6,300
3,200
20,000
1,000
500
500
1,100

2,620
2,600
.......
.......

T otal,............................................

40,701

5,221

Bone.

201,000
10,000
.......
.......

........

........

.......
.......
.......

.......
........

.......
211,000

T he above statement includes all recent importations, and all crude oils in manufac­
turers’ hands, in the ports named.
AMOUNT OF OIL ON HAND, JANUARY

Sperm,.
Whale,.




1, 1845.
bbls.
.......

32,992
12,950

198

Commercial Statistics.
AVERAGE VOYAGES— ARRIVALS IN

1845.

Average absence.

91
201
8
43

sperm whalers,................
two season right whale,.,
one season right whale,,
Atlantic sperm whale,...

Average cargo.

■ 1,291
196
46
338

43m. 21 d.
24m. . . d.
12m. 4 d.
13m. 7 d.

387
2.187
844
76

AVERAGE STATEMENT OF THE PRICES OF SPERM AND WHALE OIL AND WHALEBONE.

Sperm, gall.

1845,.................................... ........
1844,.............................................
1843,.............................................
1842,.............................................
1841,.............................................
1840,.............................................

Whale, gall.

87$ c.
90$
63
73
94
100

COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF THE

Bone, lbs.

36 c.
36$
34$
33f
31 f
30$

33$ c.
40
35|
23
19§
19

l AND TONNAGE OF VESSELS EMPLOYED IN THE

WHALE FISHER’ ', JANUARY 1.

Ships and bq< . Brigs.

1846,..................................
1845,..................................
1844,..................................
O f the above, the number owned

Ships and bqs. Brigs. Schs.

N ew Bedford,....................
Nantucket,.t......................
N ew London,....................
Sag Harbor,......................
Fairhaven,..........................
Warren, R. I .,..................
Stonington, Conn.,...........
Mystic, Conn.,..................
Greenport,..........................
Newport,.............................
Providence, R . I .,.............
Edgartown,..................
Cold Spring,......................

252
73
69
63
48
25
26
18
11
10
9
8
8

Schs.

Sloops.

Tons.

1
1
1

233,262
218,655
200,147

680
34
22
643
35
16
41
8
595
at each ] iort is as follows:
3
1
1

1
7

.

1

1

2

Ships and bqs. Brigs. Schs.

Westport,........................
Bristol, R . I .,..................
Mattapoisett,..................
Fall River,......................
Wareham,......................
Falmouth,.......................
Holmes’s H o le ,.............
Province town,................
Lynn,...............................
Plymouth,.........................
Bridgeport, Conn.,........
Sippican,.........................

8
5
5
5
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3

3
1
5
2.
2
1
912

2

M A C K E R E L F IS H E R Y O F M A S S A C H U S E T T S .
W e give, below, an official abstract return o f the number o f barrels, halves, quarters,
and eighths o f barrels o f mackerel, inspected in Massachusetts, from January 1st, 1845,
to December 31st, 1845. It will be seen that there is an increase in 1845 of 116,122
barrels over the previous year. These returns include 6,000 barrels o f English mackerel.
Towns.

Boston,....................
Beverly,. .................
Barnstable,.............
Cohasset,.................
Chatham,.................
Duxbury,.................
Dennis,.....................
Gloucester,..............
H ingham ,................
Marblehead,............
Newburyport,..........
Pro vince town,.........
R ockport,................
Scituate,...................
Salem ,......................
Truro,.......................
W ellfleet,.................
Yarmouth,..............
T o ta l,..............




No. 1.

No. 2.

No. 3.

2,190
14
213
646
10
11
599
4,106
1,370
20
1,830
724
987
57
00
873
1,909
63

11,077
21
1,820
4,673
501
42
2,005
18,260
7,662
295
2,532
3,528
3,206
482
52
5,530
8,027
1,707

11,288
19
1,403
9,372
397
32
2,191
18,342
6,369
236
5,463
4,741
3,876
809
45
7,213
7,949
2,680

15,622

71,420

82,425

&No. 1.
6,016
00
346
1,337
50
00
222
4,494
831
15
1,740
503
380
40
00
1,315
826
389
18,504

£ No. 2.
7,335
no
311
2,948
40
00
1,109
7,112
1,739
63
423
1,734
896
235
00
2,552
2,617
593
30,707

A No. 3.

2,912
00
18
474
30
00
148
1.245
359
35
60
40
87
4
00
174
250
43
5,879

Commercial Statistics.
T

i No. 1.
3,696
00
48
1,418
20
00
406
1,856
820
3
453
11
136
3
00
254
404
131

Towns,

Boston,......................
Beverly,.....................
Barnstable,...............
Cohasset,...................
Chatham,..................
Duxbury,...................
Dennis,......................
Gloucester,................
Hingham,..................
Marblehead,..............
Newbury port,...........
Province town,..........
Rockport,...................
Scituate,....................
Salem ,.......................
Truro,........................
W ellfleet,..................
Yarmouth,.................
T ota l,................

9,659

199

able — Continued.

i N o .2 .

i No. 3.

J N o .l.

2,519
00
12
571
00
00
473
1,776
610
00
43
8
201
1
00
127
00
24

74
00
00
3
00
00
19
509
00
00
00
17
00
00
00
2
00
00

5,259
00
30
123
00
00
250
58
520
00
6
19
00
00
00
52
61
00

i No. 2.
1,707
00
00
4
00
00
106
285
00
00
1
3
00
00
00
75
75
00

6,565

624

6,378

2,256 202,303

Total.

35,129$
54
3,792$
17,584|
973
855,803$
48,711 J
17,288
608$
11,061$
10,143$
8,835
1,488$
97
15,748$
19,899$
5,091$

RECAPITULATION.

N o. 1,.................
No. 2 ..................
No. 3,.................
Total,....

.

184a.

1844.

28,086
88,696J
85,520-1

28,843
22,515
34,823

202,303

757 less.
66,171 j more.
50,697$ imore.

86,181

S H IP P IN G B U IL T IN T H E D IS T R IC T OP B A T H , M A IN E .
W e have obtained, from an authentic source, a list o f all the vessels built in the dis­

trict o f Bath, in the state o f Maine, in 1845, which we publish below.

The district com­

prises Hallowell, Augusta, Gardiner, Phipsburgh, Pittston, Bowdoinham, Richmond,
Georgetown, and Bath.
Name.
Arkansas,
B. C. Bailey,
Emma Watts,
Macedonia,

Where built.
Bath,
«
<(
“

j
Ships.
Tons.
Name.
Vermont,
399.20
470.92
Robert Patten,
449.69
Columbia,
Charlotte Reed,
414.75
Barks.

Where built.
Phipsburgh,
Bowdoinham,
Bath,
u

Tons.
398.25
376.31
399.38
471.09

Cuba,
.Juniata,
Nacoochee,

Brunswick,
Pittston,
Augusta,

Lowell,
207.04
Globe,
395.00
254.74
Brigs.

Gardiner,
Richmond,

347.62
366.53

North Star,
Orion,
Home,
Stephen Young,
Curacoa,
Globe,

Bath,
Richmond,
Gardiner,
Pittston,
Richmond,
Pittston,

152.55
Naritiske,
Caribbee,
179.10
138.94
James Marshall,
196.73
Wanderer,
131.06
Consuelo,
Charles Henry,
208.84
Schrs.

Hallowell,
Pittston,
Richmond,
Bowdoinham,
Richmond,
K

160.79
219.11
164.78
197.32
173.14
144.42

A . Emery,
Ustaloga,
H arbinger,
Orion,
Y ucatan,
Oregon,
Splendid,

Phipsburgh,
Pittston,
Georgetown,
ct

98.47
129.47
36.15
37.04
106.70
40.62
21.00

Augusta,
Gardiner,
Phipsburgh,
Bowdoinham,
Augusta,
Bath,
Georgetown,

101.92
134.30
70.13
98.56
111.83
99.34
62.54

Richmond,
Georgetown,
Richmond,




Somerset,
Ophir,
Sylva Wildes,
Enterprise,
Alexandria,
Bath,
»

Mercantile Miscellanies.

200

Steamboat.
Nequasset,

Bath,

Y ankeedonia,
Noble,
Lilly,
Mary Elizabeth,

Georgetown,
Bath,
Hallo well,
Georgetown,

99.27
Boats.
Little Sarah,
Bath,
King-Fisher,
Georgetown,
Youth,
“
Lydia and Harriet,
“

13.83
15.62
7.27
15.75

8.62
12.51
6.51
16.11

RECAPITULATION.

Total tonnage o f ships,....................
“
“
barks.....................
<(
u
brigs,.................... ..........
ii
K
schooners,...........
««
u
steamboat,............
(i
It
Total o f all,...............

MERCANTILE

................
................
................................. ................
................
................
................

Tons. 95ths.
3,379.74
1,559.02
2,068.73
1,140.37
99.27
96.42

................

8,351.65

MISCELLANIES.

IM P O R T A N C E O F M E R C A N T IL E L IB R A R Y A S S O C IA T IO N S .
W e have received a copy o f an address delivered before the Boston Mercantile Library

Association, on the occasion o f the twenty-fifth anniversary, by the lio n .

R

obert

C.

; forming an octavo pamphlet o f 38 pages, the first twenty o f which are devo­
ted chiefly to local topics, and the remainder to the pursuit o f commerce in its larger and
W

in t h r o p

more comprehensive relations.

From the former part, we give below a single extract il­

lustrative o f the importance o f mercantile associations, so admirably adapted to prepare
their members for the future merchants o f the country ; “ those, who in the progress o f
time, are to take the places o f the intelligent, the enterprising, the wealthy and honorable
men, who now carry on the vast foreign and domestic trade” o f our great Commercial
cities. T he second article in the present number o f this Magazine, embraces an extended
extract from Mr. Winthrop’s admirable address, which exhibits, in a clear and forcible
manner, the influence o f commerce in the affairs o f the world.
“ If there be a class o f institutions more important than any or all others, to the moral
character o f our community, it is that which furnishes entertainment and employment
during the evenings— the long winter, and the short summer evenings, too— for young
men ; and more especially for those, who either have no homes to which they may resort,
or for whom the influences o f the paternal roof have been in any way paralyzed. L i­
braries and reading-rooms for the merchants’ clerks and the mechanics’ apprentices of our
city, numerous enough and spacious enough to accommodate them all, and furnished with
every temptation which the amplest endowments can supply ; these are among the most
effective instruments which can be devised, for advancing our highest moral and social
interests, and are entitled to the most liberal encouragement o f all true philanthropists.
It is not enough that the tippling shops and gambling tables are broken up. There is
mischief still for idle minds to devise, and for idle hands to do. Innocent entertainment
and useful occupation must be supplied, and supplied with some circumstance o f interest
and attraction, and fascination, if possible, or you have only driven dissipation and vice
from the public haunt to the private hiding place, where they will lose nothing o f their
grossness or their guilt, by losing all their apprehension o f exposure. And when the
cheering spectacle is exhibited o f the young men o f the city, associating themselves for
this great end o f their own self-defence ; organizing themselves not into a company, like
that recently instituted by the merchants’ clerks o f London, for making up to their em­
ployers out o f a common stock, the losses which may result from their own annual, as­
certained, average o f fraud and roguery, but into a company to insure themselves against
the vices and immoralities and idleness from which those losses and those frauds flow as




t

Mercantile Miscellanies

.

201

from their fountain— what heart can refuse them its sincerest sympathy, what tongue its
most encouraging word, what hand its most efficient aid?
“ I f there be an appeal for sympathy and encouragement which no patriotic or philan­
thropic breast can resist, it is that o f young men struggling against the temptations which
beset their path, and striving to prepare themselves, intellectually and morally, for dis­
charging the duties which are about to devolve on their maturer life. And if there be a
spectacle calculated to fill every such breast with joy, and to reward a thousand fold those
who may have contributed in any way to the result, it is that o f young men who have
thus striven and struggled with success. There is a name in history. It is associated
with some o f the proudest achievements o f the proudest empire o f the world. It has been
shouted along the chariot-ways o f imperial Rome on occasions o f her most magnificent
triumphs. W hole volumes have been filled with the brilliant acts which have illustrated »
that name in three successive generations. But there is a little incident which takes up
hardly ten lines on the historic page, which has invested it with a charm higher and no­
bler than all these. T he Sybils, we are told, had prophesied that the Bona Dea should
be introduced into Rome by the best man among the Romans. The Senate was accord­
ingly busied to pass judgment who was the best man in the city. And it is no small tri­
bute to the Roman virtue o f that day, that all men are said to have been more ambitious
to get the victory in that dispute, than if they had stood to be elected to the highest and
most lucrative offices and honors within the gift o f the Senate or the people. The Senate
at last selected P ublius S cipio ; o f whom the only record is, that he was the nephew o f
Cneus, who was killed in Spain, and that he was a young man, who had never attained
to that lowest o f all the public honors o f the empire, for which it was only necessary for
him to have reached the age o f two-and-twenty years. W e may admire— we must ad­
mire— the resistless energy, the matchless heroism, o f those two thunderbolts of war—
Scipio, the conqueror o f Hannibal, and Scipio, the destroyer of Carthage. But who does
not feel, that this little story has thrown around that name a halo of peerless brilliancy ;
yes, one
W hich shall new lustre boast,
W hen monarchs’ gems and victors’ wreaths
Shall blend in common dust!”

C O N S U M P T IO N O F S U G A R IN D IF F E R E N T C O U N T R IE S .
T he Zollverein, with a population o f 29,066,000 souls, consumes annually 70,000
tons o f cane, and 10,500 o f beet-root sugar. Belgium, Holland, Oldenburgh, Hamburgh*
Bremen, Lubeck, Hanover, and Meckburgh, with a gross population of 10,349,000, con­
sume altogether 51,000 tons o f cane, and 5,000 o f beet-root sugar. Russia, with a pop­
ulation o f 56,778,000, consumes 62,400 tons o f cane, and 6,000 o f beet-root sugar. France,
with a population o f 35,400,000, consumes 89,000 tons o f French colonial sugar, 11,000
tons o f foreign colonial sugar, and 28,000 tons o f beet-root sugar. Portugal, with a pop­
ulation o f 3,412,000, consumes 10,000 tons o f sugar. Spain, with a population o f 13,786,000,
consumes 36,000 tons (36,000 tons o f Cuba sugar in 1844.)

Sweden, Norway, and

Denmark, with a population o f 6,509,000, consume altogether 12,000 tons o f sugar.
Great Britain and Ireland, with a'population o f 28,323,000, consumes 240,000 tons of
sugar per y e a r; the Ionian islands, Gibraltar, Cracow, and Switzerland, consume alto­
gether about 46,000 tons o f sugar. Turkey and Greece, with a population o f 10,700,000,
consume only 4,000 tons o f sugar.

Canada, and other colonies, with a population o f

4,544,000, consume, it is estimated, about 15,000 tong; and the United States, with a
population o f 18,700,000, consumes 150,000 tons o f sugar. The gross total population
of the above sugar-consuming countries, amounts to 278,033,000 souls, and the total an­
nual consumption o f sugar amounts to 845,900 tons. In the Zollverein, the proportion of
sugar consumed by each individual per annum, amounts to 6 1-8 lbs.; in the German
states, not therein included, to 12 1-16 lb s.; in Russia, to 1 1-16 lbs.; in France, to 8 2-10
lb s.; in Portugal, to 6 6-10 lb s.; in Spain, to 6 5-10 lb s.; in Scandinavia, to 4 1-10 lbs.;
in Great Britain, to 19 lbs.; and in the United States o f America to 18 lbs.




202

Mercantile Miscellanies.
F IR S T T R A D IN G S E T T L E M E N T ON T H E C O L U M B IA RIVER.

It is stated by J. T . Buckingham, Esq., the editor o f the Boston Courier, that Captain
Jonathan Winship, o f Brighton, projected and commenced the first attempt, by any civil­
ized person, to establish a trading establishment on the Columbia river.

T w o ships were

employed on the expedition, the O ’Cain, under the command of Captain W inship himself,
and the Albatross, commanded by Captain Nathan Winship, his brother. The latter
sailed from Boston July 7, 1809, with about twenty-five persons on board, and with the
proper outfit for such an undertaking. She had a long passage to Cape Horn, and ar­
rived at the Sandwich Islands March 25, o f the succeeding year.

Here an addition o f

twenty-five persons, all islanders but one, was made to the party, and the ship was prop­
erly provisioned. She sailed for the Columbia April 18, and arrived at the mouth o f the
river May 25. The log-book o f the ship describes her course up the river as one o f great
difficulty, through the strong current, the shallowness o f some parts o f the river, and ig­
norance o f the channel, Vancouver’s chart being quite incorrect After cruising up the
river ten days, a place was selected for the settlement, and preparations were made for
the erection o f a large trading and dwelling-house, land was cleared for cultivation, and
some seeds were sown, when a rise in the river put a stop to their operations.

T he land

was overflowed, and the house, which was nearly finished, was filled with water to the
depth o f eighteen inches. O f course the spot had to be abandoned.
A t this time, Captain Jonathan Winship, in the O’Cain, was at Sir Francis Drake’s
Bay, California, and his brother determined to join and consult with him, before attempt­
ing another location. The settlement was temporarily abandoned, and the Albatross
left the river July 18. The two ships continued trading and sealing upon the coast, but
did not return to the Columbia, as Mr. Astor’s projected settlement had become k n ow n ;
and as he had sent out force and material for the large establishment of Astoria, it was
considered useless for a rival company, so much inferior in strength, to attempt to com­
pete with him.

The expedition, however, was not finally given up, until the breaking

out o f the war o f 1812, when all thought o f renewing it was abandoned.

D U T Y ON, A N D C O N S U M P T IO N OF T E A .
In Great Britain, the consumption o f tea is equal to one pound and a half to each in­
dividual o f the population, per annum. Foreign coffee pays sixteen cents per pound duty
in Great Britain, and Colonial eight cents.

In 1821, the consumption per head to the

inhabitants o f the United States, was one pound and a quarter, and in 1830, the propor­
tion had increased to three pounds per head.

It is now more than four pounds per head.

In the Island o f Newfoundland, where the duty is about five cents per pound, the an­
nual consumption is equal to five pounds per individual o f the whole population ; and in
the Channel Islands, where the duty is also very low, the annual consumption is equal to
four pounds and a half to each person. Coffee is admitted free o f duty into the United
States. A low duty o f one or two cents per pound would add something to our revenue,
without materially affecting the consumption, and enable the government to reduce the
duty where it bears more heavily.

T H E B R IT IS H R E V E N U E .
T he last quarterly returns o f the revenue o f Great Britain show a decrease amounting
to .£800,000, as compared with the corresponding quarter in 1844. In order to under­
stand the reason for such a decrease, it should be borne in mind that the reductions of Sir
Robert Peel, in the session o f Parliament, in the customs and excise duties, amounted to
.£3,000,000, v iz .: sugar duties, X I ,300,000; export duties, (coals,) £ 1 1 8 ,0 0 0 ; cotton,
(about) £ 7 0 0 ,0 0 0 ; sundries, £320,000 ; auction duties, £250,000, and glass, £642,000.




The Book Trade.

THE

203

BOOK T R A D E .

By T h o m a s A r n o l d , D. D., late Regius Professor o f Modern History in
the University o f Oxford, Head Master of Rugby School, and Member o f the Archaeological Society
o f Rome. Three volumes in two. Reprinted entire from last London edition. In two volumes.
New York: D. Appleton & Co. Philadelphia: G. S. Appleton.
It must be a satisfactory consolation to the admirers of Dr. Arnold, that his great unfinished history
is published this side o f the Atlantic, subsequently to the issue o f his other interesting volumes.
Whatever may be the opinions of critics o f the fidelity with which he has copied Niebuhr, to whom
Dr. Arnold expresses the deepest obligation, no one can deny that he has imparted to his history o f
that oft-storied land, a philosophic interest, that it has not yet received from an English pen. The
first volume embraces the period from the founding of Rome, till its capture by the Gauls, in the 4th
century before the Christian era. In the next, we are brought to the end o f the first Punic war. The
distinguished author intended to have carried the history to the coronation o f Charlemagne, A. D.
800, but the last volume, published since his death, closes with the war o f Scipio and Hannibal, in
Africa. Thus unfinished, at the threshold of the period in the narration o f which he would have
displayed the historian’s power, it give^ but a fragmentary idea of what it would have been if com­
pleted. But as it is, it will be looked upon as a model o f classical and philosophical history, grace­
fully scholarlike in style and execution, severely accurate and critically truthful in narration, most
elegant in its original design, most beautiful even in its incompleteness, admirable not more from it­
self than its author. It is issued in two finished volumes of Appleton’ s best style.
2. — The H istory o f N ew Netherlands, or N ew York, under the D utch. By E. B. 0 ‘C a l l a g h a n , Cor­
responding Member of the New York Historical Society. New York: D. Appleton & Co.
This splendid volume gives a history of New York, from its first settlement, in 1609, until the year
1646. It also contains an account of the Dutch West India Company, and their attempts to find a
passage to India, which resulted in the settlement of, and their subsequent connection with the colony.
A map of New Netherlands, and many valuable papers, obtained from Holland through Dr. Brodhead. are also prefixed to the work. The author has evidently compiled this valuable matter from
the most authentic sources, and principally, we believe, from the colonial annals in Albany. W e are
pleased to learn, that a continuation o f the history of the colony, under Peter Stuy vesant, will follow,
should the present volume be successful, which it certainly deserves to be, as its importance to our
historical literature can only be discerned by an examination o f its faithfulness and the valuable ma­
terials incorporated in it. It is a noble monument of the research and scholarship o f its author, and
a credit to the discriminating taste of its enterprising publishers.
l .— The H istory o f Rome.

— Christmas Holydays in Rome. B y the R e v . W m . I n g r a h a m K i p , author o f the “ Double W it­
ness o f the Church,” “ The Lenten Fast,” etc. New York : D. Appleton & Co.
The writer of this work entered upon his task knowing how often the field had been occupied be­
fore him, but, by choosing novel and peculiar portions o f the subject for his pen, has produced an in­
teresting and delightful volume. In the description o f the “ eternal city” at Christmas-time, he has
occupied a considerable part of the work, and with matter relating to the Romish church, in regard to
which there is a spirit o f much candor and judgment displayed. He neither lavishes indiscriminate
abuse, or unwarrantable praise, but shows in what its good lies, and why it has so long ruled the
minds of men. St. Peter’ s chu ch mirrors itself to his mind in not an unworthy manner, and o f the
Vatican, Capitoline Hill, the papal court, and the country about Rome, he has sketched many beauti­
ful features, that will make the oft-described city seem new to those who think themselves familiar
with it.
4-—A Practical Treatise on Healthy Sfyin, with Rules f o r the Medical and Domestic Treatment o f Cu­
taneous D iseases. By E r a s m u s W il s o n . F. It. S., etc., etc., etc. Illustrated with six steel engra­
vings. New York: D. Appleton & Co. Philadelphia: G. S. Appleton.
This department of medical science has long needed a work like this, for besides being scientific and
analytical, it is adapted to the purposes o f the physician, as well as that o f the patient. The struc­
ture o f the skin, its peculiarities, and the different kinds o f eruptions, both those which impair the out­
ward beauty, and those which spring from unhealthy affections, or cause them, and its relation to the
general health o f the system, are all carefully explained. The influence o f diet, clothing, and exer­
cise, upon it, and particularly the chapter on hydropathy, with that upon bathing, the different and
best kinds o f baths ; all of this information is needed by almost every individual.
3.

5.— Chances and Ch anges; or, L ife as it i s ; Illustrated in the H istory o f a. Strain Hat. By C h a r l e s
B u r d e t t , A. M., author o f “ Never T oo Late,” ‘ The Elliott Family,” “ Trials and Triumphs,”
“ The Adopted Child,” etc. New York: D. Appleton & Co.
Those who have read and admired the previous stories of Mr. Burdett, should not forego the pleas­
ure this will afford them, for it bears the marks o f a growing mind and a more mature intellect. Like
all the previous efforts o f Mr. Burdett, it inculcates sound practical lessons o f morality and religion in
the form o f interesting and agreeable narrative.




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The Book Trade.

6 .— Poems

by Felicia Hemans, with an E ssay on her Genius. By H. T. T u c k e r m a n . • Edited by R u­
f u s W . G r is w o l d .
Philadelphia: Sorin & Ball.
If any attractiveness could be added to Mrs. Ilemans’s poems, which they did not intrinsically pos­
sess, it is offered here, in the beautiful essay by Henry T. Tuckerman, which follows the comprehen­
sive memoir by Mr. Griswold. It is a masterpiece of criticism, and skilful appreciation o f genius. Of
,the poems themselves, and the value o f the volume, it would be almost detraction to speak ; to read
the one with which the volume ends, “ A Poet’s Dying Hymn,” is enough for us not to wonder at the
universal acknowledgment o f her genius ; and when we add that the execution o f the volume is su­
perior, and like many from the same publishers which we have received, almost unsurpassed, we
trust that its claims upon the book-purchasing community will be duly acknowledged.

7*— The Poetical W orks o f James Montgomery, with a M emoir o f the Author. By Rev. R u fus W .
G r is w o l d . In two volumes. Philadelphia: Sorin & Ball.
Few poets have been done up in more costly binding than*is the dress with which these vol­
umes are clothed. Besides the exterior, the elegant engravings and the distinct typography are highly
creditable to the taste o f the publishers. One of the best features o f the contents, is the memoir, by
Mr. Griswold, o f the editor-poet’s life, and critical view o f his poems. Of Montgomery’s poetry, we
have always been admirers; in the poems not directly sacred and religious, there is a soul-elevating
spirit which is productive of the best influence upon the heart. Though o f a school little admired
now, because shut out by the innovation o f an energetic striving for novelty, his productions are suffi­
cient to have given him an enviable rank among the poets o f the day. These volumes should have
a conspicuous position on the shelves o f the library, and we should consider it a great addition to
literature, if editions of the most popular English poets could be published in a style uniform with
these ; for in mechanical beauty they have rarely been excelled.
8 .—A

Practical Manual o f Elocution , Embracing Voice and Gesture , D esigned f o r Schools, Acade­
mies, and Colleges, as well as f o r Private Learners. By M e r r i t t C a l d w e l l , A. M., Professor o f

Metaphysics, etc., in Dickinson College.

Philadelphia: Sorin <$• Ball.

This is one of the most theoretical books on the subject o f elocution, and at the same time most
practical, we have ever seen. Professor Caldwell has suited his system to the philosophy o f the hu
man voice, as given by Dr. Rush, and embodied scientific principles, as well as the accurate precepts.
The cuts are well adapted to illustrate these explicit rules, and in that part o f the work which treats
o f pulpit and dramatic action, it will be seen how much depends upon the publishers for the correct
issue o f a work like this. In this respect, they have well discharged their task.
— The L ife and Times o f H en ry Clay. By C a l v in C o l t o n , author o f the “ Junius Tracts,” “ Four
Years in Great Britain,” etc. Mew York : A. S. Barnes &. Co.
It would be difficult for a political or personal friend of the subject o f this memoir, to speak o f it
otherwise than in terms o f eulogy ; for who could write a life o f Henry Clay without the enthusiasm
which the subject would impart, were he ever so dull? But Mr. Colton has done his work—a great
work—bravely and well. W e consider Henry Clay the first indigenous noble fruit o f our republic, to
have produced whom were worthy a sacrifice by any country—him, to whom the present has done
dishonor, that the future may do him glory. This is the first successful life o f Henry Clay, yet
written ; this describes the man, not as a politician, orator, statesman, alone, but as all, and that hon­
estly, candidly, thoughtfully, and the darkest and deepest passages intelligibly and philosophically.
The chapters of his early life and personal character, are beautiful, and the account o f his political
rise, intensely interesting. Mr. Clay’ s political principles and views are clearly and accurately given,
and the ingratitude of the American people powerfully suggested, but little touched upon. Mr. Colton
has, in short, done his work w e ll; and as hallowing time cleaves more closely to these glorious events
—the gold and jewels o f our history—his labors will not be forgotten. The memoir is comprised in
two as noble volumes as ever emanated from the American press.
9.

10. — Williams' Statistical Companion and Pictorial Almanac f o r 1846. With Sixteen Portraits. New
York : Homans & Ellis.
This is decidedly the best manual of the kind that we have ever seen published. It contains the
usual calendar pages o f an almanac, the most interesting statistics o f the United States and European
countries, accurately compiled, and presented in a very concise, and at the same time comprehensive
form ; and although an almanac, it will be useful as a book o f reference in all time to come. It con­
tains sixteen portraits o f the reigning sovereigns o f Europe, and other distinguished functionaries at
home and abroad. It is worth a dozen of the Doggett’s New York Almanac.
11.

—A Picture o f Mew York in 1846, with a Short Account o f Places in its V icin ity; D esigned as a
Guide to Citizens and Strangers ; with Num erous Engravings and a Map o f the City. New York :
Homans & Ellis.
Corresponding in size, style, etc., with the Statistical Almanac by the same publishers, it is em­
phatically what its title designates, a “ Picture of New York.” The numerous engravings o f churches,
banks, etc., and the various public buildings that ornament the city, are all beautifully executed, and
add Hot a little to the interest o f the letter-press information with which the volume abounds. W e
may refer to this in a future number o f the Magazine.




The Book Trade.

205

12 .

— The L etters and Speeches o f Oliver Cromwell. By T h o m a s C a r l y l e . In two volumes. New
York: W iley Sr Putnam’s Library of Choice Reading.
A modest title, truly, for a great and extraordinary work, in which it can be seen how materials,
such as speeches and letters, old and dead, like the “ dry bones” o f the prophets, can be so arranged,
revivified, and infused with life, by the breath o f genius and power, as to form a living, beautiful
work. Mr. Carlyle has not merely been an editor o f these, but with these, he has been the first biog­
rapher of Cromwell and most philosophical historian of the time. He has supplied the interstices o f
the history, and an introduction and conclusion, saying little, save by way o f deduction, in that ex­
pressive, condensed, odd—eminently odd—style o f his. He admires Cromwell, and wishes to make
us do the same, not after his own dictum, but from the true graphic picture o f the man, as expressed
in his public writings, his social and political deeds, and his private letters and prayers. To us, this
crabbed, fearless philosophy o f his, these lashings of the mercenary spirit o f the now decaying, but
once heroic commonwealth, for which he writes so patriotically, has much refreshing nobleness.
— Memoirs o f Bencvento Cellini, a Florentine A rtist , Written by H im s e lf; Containing a Variety o f
Information respecting the A rts and the H istory o f the Sixteenth Century. With the Notes and Ob­
servations of C . P. C a r s s a r i . Translated by T h o m a s R o s c o e , E s q . In two volumes. Foreign Li­
brary, Nos. I. and II. New York: Wiley <$•Putnam.
Mr. Roscoe, as a translator of Italian works, has given to this most perfect o f autobiographies, all the
clearness of the most recherche English work. Benevento, at once a soldier, musician, and poet, was long
engaged in the humble occupation of goldsmithing and bronze-casting, out of which material he made him­
self a distinguished artist. Intimate with the artists and statesmen of that time—the age o f “ Medici” the
magnificent, he has rendered a lasting benefit to posterity, by giving it so much of interest concerning them.
After he fixed their portraits upon the canvass, he transferred to his record the reflection their characters
had painted on his mind ; and even the adventures o f his own life, in the description o f which he uncon­
sciously portrays his power, have an interest that is surprising. It is seldom that an artist and genius, as
well as man of action, bravery, and independence, is equally industrious to do for his contemporaries in his
own autobiography what Cellini has done in his.
13.

— The Rhine. By V i c t o r H u g o , in Two Parts. Foreign Library.
New Y ork : W iley Sr Putnam.
These graphic pictures of the Rhine, are written in the form of letters to a friend, and partake
rather o f the art and judgment of an experienced scholar, and man o f the world, than o f the poet.
They embody many historic legends and associations o f the middle ages, connected with the castled
river whose banks are lined with the ruins of times full o f chivalry and poesy. Hugo’s mind blends
the grotesque, fantastic and romantic, in descriptions o f truthful detail, that admirably adapt the book
to the purposes of guide and reference for those who travel through that beautiful region. W ith a
clear and observing intellect, and brilliant imagination, he wants that deep noble enthusiasm, so char­
acteristic o f the Teuton and Saxon, and always deficient in French writers.
14 .

15 —

Lectures on the English Poets. By W il l ia m H a z l i t t . From third London edition, edited b y
his son. New York : W iley & Putnam’ s Library of Choice Reading.
The introductory lecture is on “ Poetry in General,” and is doubtless one o f Hazlitt’s most labored
and discriminating efforts. In the subsequent lectures, he takes up successively, and in his most phi­
losophical and yet engaging style, Chaucer and Spenser, Shakespeare and Milton, Dryden and Popo,
Thompson and Cowper, Swift, Young, Gray, Collins, Shenstone, Chatterton, Burns; and o f the living
poets, Rogers Campbell, Moore, Byron, Scott, Wordsworth, Southey, and Coleridge ; in addition, ap­
pendixes on Milton’s Lycidas and Eve, Wordsworth’s Excursion, and Pope, Bowles, and Lord Byron.

16— Tasso's Jerusalem D elivered.

G odfrey o f Bulloigne , or the Recovery o f Jerusalem , done into E n g­
lish Heroical Verse from the Italian o f Tasso. B y E d w a r d F a i r f a x . First American, from the

seventh London edition, reprinted from original folio of 1600. To which are prefixed an Introduc­
tory Essay, by L e ig h H u n t , and the Lives of Tasso and Fairfax, by C h a r l e s K n i g h t . New York :
W iley & Putnam’ s Library o f Choice Reading.
Few poets have been more fortunate in their translators, than he who sang the high and chivalrous
deeds of the crusaders in his “ Jerusalem Delivered.” Lord Fairfax had a poet’ s taste and apprecia­
tion, which the greatest critics o f England have placed but little below Tasso’s genius. The grand,
magnificent poem, needs no remark, but that, with the life of the mighty fabricator, and o f his ele­
gant translator combined, offer attractions very rarely presented so conveniently to the public.
17.— The Pilgrim in the Shadow o f the Jungfrau Alp. B y G e o r g e B . C h e e v e r , D . D .
W ile y &. P u tn am ’ s L ib ra ry o f A m e r ica n B ook s, N o. X I .

N ew Y ork:

What we said in our notice o f Dr. Cheever’s previous work, “ Wanderings o f a Pilgrim under the
Shadow of Mont Blanc,” in a former number o f this Magazine, will apply with equal force to the
present volume. The descriptions o f whatever is wonderful, sublime, gloomy, or terrible in nature,
embracing the Jungfrau, the Grand Scheideck, the pass o f the Furca, the romantic St. Gothard, the
sky gazing brow o f the Righi, the Wallenstadt passes, the amazing pass o f the Splugen, and all that
the author conld see, are fully appreciated, and graphically and powerfully described Dr. Cheever
goes “ moralizing all the way upon icy texts, and wishing to make a volume more o f thoughts than
things.” The only fault that we find with Dr. Cheever, is the sticking-outness o f his puritan piety,
which is not always the most tolerant.




206

The Book Trade.

18.

— The Practical Astronomer , Comprising Illustrations o f L ight and Colors ; Practical D escriptions
o f all kinds o f Telescopes ; the Use o f the Equatorial T ra n sit; Circular and other Astronomical In­
struments ; a Particular Account o f R ose's L a rge Telescopes , etc. 1iy T h o m a s D i c k , LL. D., a u ­

thor o f the “ Christian Philosopher,” “ Celestial Scenery,” “ Sidereal Heavens,” etc. Illustrated
with One Hundred Engravings. New York : Harper & Brothers.
The present work, which forms the fifth volume o f “ Harpers’ New Miscellany,” is intended for the
information o f general readers, especially for those who have acquired a relish for astronomical pur­
suits, and who wish to become acquainted with the instruments by which celestial observations are
made, and to apply their mechanical skill to the construction of some o f those which they may wish
to possess. The minute details, in reference to the construction and practical application o f all kinds
o f telescopes, etc., are not, we believe, to be found in general treatises on optics and astronomy.
19. —A Pocket A tlas o f the D escriptive Anatomy o f the Human Body . By J. N. M o s s e , M. D., Profes­
sor of Anatomy, Paris. Translated from the last Paris edition, and edited by U r a n v il l e S h a r p
P a t t i s o n , M. D., Professor of Anatomy in the University of New York; Member o f the MedicoChirurgical Society of London, etc., etc. New York: Harper &. Brothers.
This work, though thoroughly scientific in its character, will not be altogether without interest to
those who understand the anatomy of that “ fearful and wonderful” being, who, we are told in sacred
writ, was made but little lower than the angels. It embraces several hundred engravings, forming a
complete atlas of the entire human anatomy in all its parts. The French edition o f this work is con­
sidered one o f the most beautiful works ever published in Paris, and the most critical must admit,
sa y s Pattison, that, in so far as the engraving and coloring is concerned, the American edition is, to
s a y the least o f it, fully equal to that executed by the Parisian artists. It is published by the Harpers
at less than half the price charged for imported copies. The engravings on steel reflect the highest
credit on that clever artist, Mr. Ormsby.
20. — Pilgrim s' Progress. W ith a Life of John Bunyan, by R o b e r t S o u t h e y , Esq., LL. D. Illus­
trated with fifty cuts, by Adams, alter designs by Chapman, Harvey, and others. New York: Har­
per & Brothers.
A new and beautiful edition o f a book, which, as Southey has truly said, makes its way through
the fancy to the understanding and the heart. The child peruses it with wonder and delight; in
youth, we discover the genius which it displays; its worth is apprehended as we advance in years ;
and we perceive its merits feelingly in declining age.
21 .— The L ife o f John Paul Jones • By A l e x a n d e r S l i d e l i . M a c k e n z i e . Two vols. New York:
Harper fit Brothers.
The materials of this work are the best that could be found, relative to this hero o f the ocean, and
the account of the battles at sea, in which he distinguished himself so nobly, are well described. A
great part o f the information embodied in these volumes have such intimate connection with our own
history, that the necessity for such a biography must be apparent. The«portrait which forms the fron­
tispiece, is taken from a miniature painted by a countess o f the French court at the time o f Paul Jones’
visit after the capture of the Serapis, and afterwards deposited in the New York Naval Lyceum, and
its accuracy is corroborated by his bust in the Academy o f Design.
22. — Tragedies , to which are added a few Sonnets and Verses. By T . N . T a l f o u r d , Sergeant-at-Law.
New York: C. S. Francis &. Co.’s Cabinet Library. Boston: J. H. Francis.
The revival o f the drama, and increasing demand at this time for the literature pertaining to it, en­
hance the worth o f this publication to our community. It contains the author’ s three celebrated
tragedies, besides sonnets on different subjects, and some o f his other poetical productions. Our read,
ing public, no less than the patrons of the dramatic art, have paid full tribute to the many excellences
o f “ Ion,” and not even the scalpel of the critic has marred its classical beauty or perfection. Like a
Grecian statue, it is perfect in its kind, and appeals to the admiration o f our time, for its embodiment
o f an ancient idea, expressed with all the spirit of the age from which its characters were taken. The
other tragedies are less celebrated and finished, but all justify Sergeant Talfourd’ s claim to be called
one of the first dramatists of the day.
2 3 .— Views ,

erected.

with Ground Plans , o f the Highland Cottages at Roxbury , (near Boston ,) designed and

By W

il l ia m

B a il e y L a n g .

Boston: L. H. Bridgham &. Co.

This volume contains finished drawings of several Highland cottages designed and erected by Mr.
Lang, a highly respectable merchant of Boston ; erected, too, without the aid o f any professional ar­
chitect. It is certainly a gratifying circumstance to find a gentleman in the midst of a busy commerce,
cultivating a taste for architecture and rural life; we consider such an one a public benefactor, for
setting an example so worthy of imitation. W e wish there were more merchants, who, like Mr. Lang,
would find amusement in thus endeavoring to create ataste for the useful and the elegant. “ Abound­
ing,” says Mr. Lang, “ as our country does in all directions, with an endless variety o f beautiful sites
for residences, it must be a source o f regret to every lover of the picturesque, that the advantages
lavished upon us so unsparingly by na’ ure, have been, in times past, almost totally neglected.” Mr.
Lang has evinced, in these specimens o f his self-taught skill, a true appreciation o f the beautiful in
nature and art, which justly entitle him to bs named with Roscoe, Lamb, and the Medici family.




The Book Trade,

207

— The Greece o f the Greeks. By G. A. P k r d i c a r r is , A. Rl., late Consul o f the U. S. at Athens.
In two volumes. New York: Paine & Burgess.
This rather striking title, is given to the book because it is an expression o f the “ views and opin­
ions o f the Greeks in general,” and in this respect, the Greece represented in his book is that o f the
Greeks themselves, and more particularly of the Greeks o f this day—their present condition, politi- *
cally and morally. The author, from his familiarity with the modern Greek by birth, and an educa­
tion received in this country, ar.d especially from his late position, is well fitted to produce the best
work on this subject. It is partly a journal, giving descriptions o f the country as it is at present, al­
luding occasionally to the myriad classic associations called up by every foot o f ground, suggesting a
world of thought. The volume is illustrated with numerous well executed lithographs o f ruins, and
the scenery of the most noted places as they are now. with a frontispiece o f the king and queen. It
is an attractive book, and does great credit to its author.

24

— Physical Education and the Preservation o f Health. By J oh n C . W a r r e n , M . D., Professor o f
Anatomy and Surgery in Harvard University. Boston: William D. Ticknor & Co.
The reader will find some things new in this volume, and it may serve to force trite and acknow­
ledged truths upon his attention, and awaken his mind to a consideration o f the most vital and im­
portant duty in our earthly existence. It was delivered by the author originally as a lecture, and
treats, rather didactically than practically, upon physical training, to which subject, in addition to that
o f digestion, exercise, sleeping, bathing, and tobacco, the little volume is devoted. It might be made
a useful manual to all, for there are many hints in it, an adoption o f which would be followed doubt­
less by the most remarkable effects.

25.

*

— Characteristics o f Women , J\toral, Political, and H istorical. By M r s . J a m ie s o n , author o f the
“ Diary of an Ennuyee,” “ Memoirs of Female Sovereigns,” etc. From the last London edition.
Boston: Win. D. Ticknor & Co.
It is highly creditable to the taste of these publishers, that they should appreciate so well the wants
o f the community as to republish this unexcelled work of its kind; for, what Ilazlitt and Schlegel
have done for Shakespeare’s heroes, Mrs. Jamieson has for his perfect ideals o f women. The debt
which she has laid upon her sex, by her histories and analyses of the character o f distinguished w o­
men, she has here brought to a beautiful completion, in giving an opportunity, by presenting true con­
ceptions o f those living characters whose only existence must be in the mind o f genius, to supply that
want which the soul feels to exist in the sober prose of nature and human life.

26.

— The Modern Standard Drama ; a Collection o f the most Popular A ctin g Plays, isith Critical R e­
marks ; also, the Stage Business, Costumes, etc., etc. Edited b y E p e s S a r g e n t , author o f “ Velasco,
a Tragedy,” etc. Volume I. New York: William Taylor.
The first volume o f this library of dramatic literature, embraces six as popular plays as are to be
found in the whole range of the modern drama, viz : Ion, by Thomas Noon Talfourd ; Fazio, by the
Rev. H. H. MUman ; the Lady of Lyons, Money, and Richelieu, by Edward Lytton Bulwer; the W ife,
by James Sheridan Knowles; the Honey Moon, by Richard B. Tobin; the School for Scandal, by
Richard B. Sheridan. Mr. Sargent has written a preface to each play, and a brief memoir o f Mrs. A.
# C. Movvatt, whose portrait forms the frontispiece o f the volume. Mr. Sargent, whose taste in this de­
partment o f literature is undoubted, has rendered a great service to the lovers o f the drama, by giving
them an opportunity to recall, by perusal, the impressions derived from the actual representation of
these most choice modern plays.
23.— The Chronic D isea ses; their Specific Mature and Homcepathic Treatment. By Dr. S a m u e l H a n n k m a n n . Translated and Edited by Charles J. Hem pel., M. D. New York: William Radde.
These volumes, now for the first time translated into English, from the great German founder o f a
system of medicine, that has already produced a revolution in the science, and is, if we mistake not,
destined to exert a still greater influence in the practice, are confined to the Antipsoric and some other
remedies. Though mainly designed for the medical practitioner and student, the present work will
not prove altogether uninteresting to the intelligent inquirer after truth. The reputation o f Dr. Hempel is a sufficient guarantee for the fidelity o f the translation. W e hope that the enterprise o f Mr.
Radde, the publisher, in bringing out works of this class, will be duly appreciated.
27.

2D —A ids to Reflection. By S a m u e l T a y l o r C o l e r id g e , with the Author’s Last Corrections. Edit­
ed by H e n r y N e l s o n C o l e r i d g e . W ith a Prefixed Preliminary Essay. By J oh n M ’ V i c k a r ,
D. D., Professor of Moral Philosophy in Columbia College. New York : Stanford & Sword*.
In this work, the index o f the most progressive theology, the great world-teacher o f truth seems to
have intended his views not for sectional or sectarian influence, but for humanity. The first Ameri­
can editor of the work, the Rev. James Marsh, a name identified with Coleridge’s in England and
America, in his celebrated preliminary essay, applied the views of the work to his own theological
tenets. A contrary apprehension of Coleridge’s characteristics of theological belief, (based rather
upon conclusions drawm from single expressions, than from an enlarged comprehension o f the pre­
dominant ideas,) was the occasion of the first edition of the present volume. Setting aside this sec­
tarian difference, no one can be indifferent to the fact that so many copies have been issued o f one o f
the most earnest and thoughtful works which the Anglo-Saxon tongue has been the instrument o f
Imparting to the student of philosophy, the earnest and truth-loving Christian, or the_reflocting man.




208

The Book Trade.

30. — The Alps and the R hin e; a Series o f Sketches. By J. T. H e a d l e y . New York: W iley & Put­
nam’s Library o f American Books, No. X.
This volume embraces rather a series of graceful and graphic sketches o f the Alpine portion of
Switzerland, and the scenery of the Rhine, than the usual Salmagundi o f an ordinary book o f travels.
Mr. Headley, in writing of Switzerland, has omitted, almost altogether, notices o f the character o f the
people, except o f those occupying the valleys of the Alps. He has excluded all matter extraneous
from his purpose, which appears to be that of giving a definite idea o f the scenery o f the A lps; and
so far as we are capable of judging, he has grouped together the most wonderful forms o f nature, as
displayed to his admiring vision, amid scenes where God has clothed the world with whatever is
beautiful and sublime.
31.

— Voltaire and Rousseau against the Atheists, or Essays and Detached Passages from these W ri­
ters, in Relation to the B eing and Attributes o f a Ood, Selected and Translated from the French. By
J. A k e r l y . New York : Wiley i$- Putnam.
I f this pamphlet has no other use than to defend these two opposers o f orthodoxy from the charge
o f atheism, it will not be thrown away. But it has another; for if there is any one who can doubt
the existence o f the Deity, they will hardly find more cause for conviction o f their error, than is em­
braced in these writings o f infidels, in moral philosophies or sermons o f theologians. Even the em­
pirical “ Bridgewater Treatise” philosophers, who would prove, not by a priori ideas, but by the poor
logic o f induction, or scientific reasoning, his being, will find here a greater revelation o f his exist­
ence—that which the soul is conscious of, and which no honest soul can deny, though it denies all
else—the conviction that he IS—a3 we are.
32.

— Fac Similes o f L etters from H is Excellency George Washington, President o f the United States
o f Am erica , to Sir John Sinclair, Bart., M . P., on Agricultural and other Interesting Documents.
Engraved from his Original Letters, so as to be an exact Fac Simile o f the Hand- W riting. Wash­

ington : Franklin Knight.
33. — Monuments o f Washington's Patriotism, containing a Fac Simile o f his Public Accounts kept
during the Revolutionary War, and some o f the most Interesting Documents connected with his M ili­
tary Command and Civil Administration. With embellishments. Fourth edition. Washington:
Franklin Knight.
Each of these volumes contains one o f the most perfect engravings ever executed by Sartain, o f
Stewart’s best likeness of Washington, and a well executed engraving o f Mount Vernon, and his
“ tomb” and “ sarcophagus.” The engraving of the fac similes is also admirable, and the whole exe­
cution of the works. The accounts extend through the most eventful period o f our country’s history
commencing June, 1775, and ending with June, 1783 ; and, in the language o f a distinguished United
States senator, they not only demonstrate an extraordinary degree of disinterested patriotism in the
great father o f his country, but exhibit, in bold relief, the systematic order he uniformly observed in
all matters of business, and ofteH under the most adverse circumstances, which is worthy o f all imi­
tation, by persons in every situation in life. The characteristic fac simile autograph recommendatory
letters of Clay, Ewing, Webster, Woodbury, Crittenden, Tallmadge, Sergeant, Evans, Henderson, and
other distinguished statesmen, will be viewed by many as an interesting feature o f the publication.
The letters in the first-named volume are a rich legacy to our industrious farmers, not only on account
o f their intrinsic excellence, but as a memorial of a great and good man.

34. — The Hermit o f Warkworth, and the Two Captains. By the author o f 11 Undine,” “ Aslauga’s
Knight,” etc. Edited by a L a d y .------Natalia ; A slauga's Knight, and other Tales. Edited by a
L a d y . Boston: Jordan & Wiley.
These two works are bound together, in one neat volume; the first containing the “ Hermit of
Warkworth,” a poetical tale, and the “ Two C a p ta in sa n d the last “ Natalia,” “ Aslauga’s Knight,”
“ Blanche Rose,” and a vision in verse—“ Conjugal Love.” They embody the peculiar genius o f
' their author, Frederick De La Motte Fauque, characterised by so much o f the supernatural, and wild
and fanciful in creation, which marks his best known production, “ Undine.” Aslauga’s Knight is
a tale displaying the power o f genius in the pourtrayal of a character o f deep devotion. “ Blanche
Rose” is more common-place in its character, while “ Natalia” pictures a perfect woman ; and in the
“ T w o Captains,” we see the chivalrous idea beautifully interwoven with the superstitious.
—F irst Lessons in English Composition ; or, a Help to Young W riters. By E. N o t t , D. D., Presi­
dent of Union College. New York: Saxton & Miles.
This is the most comprehensive, common-sense treatise on the principles o f composition, that we
have ever seen. In the familiar form of short dialogues, all the rules of composition are stated with
a clearness and conciseness truly astonishing.
35

3 6 .— First

Lessons in Political Economy , f o r the Use o f Schools and Families. By J o h n M c V i c k a r ,
D. D., Professor of Political Economy, Columbia College, New York. New York: Saxton & Miles.
Dr. McVickar has, in this little treatise, rendered the first principles o f an apparently dry science,
so familiar and agreeable, that they can scarcely fail to interest the youngest student. It is just the
book that our merchants, who intend to educate their sons for the commercial calling, should put into
their hands.