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MERCHANTS
MAGAZINE,
E s ta b lis h e d J u l y , 1 8 3 9 ,
BY FREEM AN HUNT, EDITOR AND PRO PRIETO R.
V O L U M E X V III.
JANUARY,
CONTENTS
OF
1848.
NO.
1,
VOL.
N U M B E R I.
X V III.
ARTICLES.
ART.
PAG*
TH E S E A T OF G O V E R N M E N T OF TH E UNITED ST A T E S .— C h a p t e r I.—False i m
pressions prevailing in relation to the City o f Washington—Mr. Southard’s Remark, and its
Application—Sessions o f Congress, where held prior to 1790—Article o f the Constitution pro
viding for a Seat o f Government— Discussions in relation to the Place to be Selected—Disad
vantages o f a Commercial City—Propriety o f laying out a City expressly for this Purpose—
Position—Influence o f the Proposition for Funding State Debts—The Growth o f the W est
anticipated when this Question was Decided—Dr. Paterson’ s Calculation— Recent Remarks
o f Senators Calhoun and Allen on “ A Centre o f Territory,” and Influence o f Commercial
Cities. By J. B. V a r n u s i , Jun., Esq., o f the New York Bar......................................... .............
II. T H E LIF E OF M AJOR SA M U E L S H A W , TH E F IR S T A M E R IC A N CONSUL A T
CA N TO N . By C h a r l e s H. G l o v e r , Esq., o f the New York Bar...........................................
III. TH E COM M ERCIAL CITIES OF EUROPE.—No. I.—Havre—Location o f Havre—Its Gen
eral Appearance— Commercial Establishments o f Havre—Causes o f Prosperity—Description
o f the Ports—Roads—Harbor— Basins—Navigation and Foreign Trade—Articles o f Export
and Import—W hale Fishery— Steamboats—Ocean Steamers between New York and Havre
—Ship-building—Facilities for Business.............................................................................................
IV.—LIFE INSURAN CE : W I T H R E FE RE N C E T O PREM IUMS, E t c . , OF LIF E INSU
R A N CE COM PANIES. By C. F. M ’ C a y , o f the University o f Georgia.................................
V. MR. BROOKE, OF S A R A W A C K , BO RN EO. B y J- B a l e s t i e r , United States Consul at
Singapore...................................................................................................................................................
VI. T H E CO N SU LAR SY STE M OF T H E U N ITE D S T A T E S — O u t l i n e s f o r t h e R e v i s i o n
of t h e C o n su lar S y st e m
o f t h e U n it e d S t a t e s o f A m e r ic a .
A Letter from a Con
sul abroad to the Editor o f the Merchants’ Magazine......................................................................
VII. S T A T E T O L L S UPON R A I L W A Y S ......................................................................................
V III. LA B O R A N D O TH E R C A P IT A L : T H E RIG H T S OF E A C H SECURED, AN D TH E
W RO N G S OF BO TH E R A D IC A T E D . By G o d e k G a r d w e l l .............................................
I.
MERCANTILE
LAW
CHRONICLE
31
43
49
56
60
63
65
CASES.
Foreign Attachment—Joint Debts— Secret Partnership—Evidence o f Foreign Laws—Law Merchant,
e tc ...............................
COMMERCIAL
19
66
AND R E V I E W ,
EMBRACING A FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL REVIEW OF THE UNITED ST ATES, E T C ., ILLUSTRATED
W IT H T A B L E S, ETC., AS FOLLOWS :
The Commercial Embarrassment o f England, owing to the Unskilfulness o f her Monied Institutions—
Imports and Exports o f the United States in 1847—Influence o f European Commercial Affairs on
this Country— Coinage—Condition o f the N ew York City Banks in August and November. 1847^The Country Banks— Dividends o f N ew York Banks for several Years—List o f Failures in Europe
to 19th November—Mode o f Transacting Business between England and the United States—Rates
o f Bills o f Exchange, etc., etc......................................................... ...... ................................................... 76-82
VOL.
X V I I I . -----N O . I .
2
18
CONTENTS OF NO. I., VOL. XVIII.
PASS
COMMERCIAL
STATISTICS.
Commerce o f the Port o f New York—Imports and Exports in 1846 and 1847...........................................
Export and Consumption o f Champagne W in e ................................................................................................
Progress o f the American Cheese Trade from 1834 to 1846 ............................................................................
Pennsylvania Canal Commerce—The Ohio Hog Trade..................................................................................
COMMERCIAL
REGULATIONS.
Regulations for the Trade and Harbor o f Macassar........................................................................................
Port Charges and Tariff o f Porto R ico................................................................................................................
Tariff o f Jamaica on the 20th September, 1847................................................................................................
New Duties at Port Spain......................................................................................................................................
Trinidad Tariff and Tonnage Dues......................................................................................................................
The Consular System o f France............................................................................................................................
RAILROAD,
82
84
85
86
CANAL, AND S T E A M B O A T
87
89
90
91
92
93
STATISTICS.
Little Miami (Ohio) Railroad Fares and Freight............................................................................ ..............
Michigan Central Railroad.....................................................................................................................................
Imports and Exports o f the Michigan Central Railroad in 1847 .....................................................................
Western and Atlantic Railroad.............................................................................................................................
Business on the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad........................................................................................
Comparative Fares o f Railroads in the United States.....................................................................................
Railroad System o f the United States—Miles completed in each year, and Capital invested.................
Union Canal, Pennsylvania, Tons transported and Tolls received from 18£8 to 1847...............................
South Carolina Railroad—Receipts, Expenditures, etc., in 1846.....................................................................
Freight Tariff, including State Toll, on the line o f Railroad between Albany, or Troy and Buffalo, for
the Winter o f 1847-8...........................................................................................................................................
Missouri River—its Tributaries and its Steamboats..........................................................................................
Boston and Providence Railroad—Receipts, Expenditures, Income, and Dividends, from 1841 to 1846.
Wilmington and Raleigh Railroad—Receipts, Expenditures, Profits, etc.....................................................
94
94
95
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
]02
103
103
NAUTICAL INTELLIGENCE,
Northern Approaches to the Port o f Liverpool—Lighting, Beaconing, etc................................................. 104
List o f Buoys placed on the Potomac River, under the Direction o f the Superintendent o f L igh ts.. . . 104
JOURNAL
OF B A N K I N G , C U R R E N C Y
AND F I N A N C E .
A Law relating to Banking in New York, passed December 4, 1847..........................................................
Banks and Bank Directors: with Special Reference to the Dry-goods Trade............................................
Condition o f the Banks in Massachusetts near the close o f 1847...................................................................
Discovery o f a Gold Mine in Michigan...............................................................................................................
Coinage o f the United States M int......................................................................................................................
JOURNAL
105
106
107
107
107
OF M I N I N G AND M A N U F A C T U R E S .
Quicksilver Mines o f Id r ia ...................................................................................................................................
Improved Manufacture o f Metal Plates for Sheathing the Bottoms o f Ships, etc.....................................
Manufacture o f W hiskey from Corn in O hio....................................................................................................
Passaic Mining Company.— New Loom for the Manufacture o f Cotton......................................................
Gryll’s Statistics o f British and Foreign Copper Ores.....................................................................................
Silver Mine o f the British North American Mining Company.......................................................................
Useful Tables for Manufacturing Dry Mensures................................................................................................
Schnebly’s Rotary Steam-engine..........................................................................................................................
Improvements in the Screw W inch.— American Chinaware Manufactory.— Copper Mines o f C u b a ....
Metals and Ore3 o f America. By Dr. T . C. J a ck son ....................................................................................
Improvement in Smelting Copper...........................................» ............................................................................
Sulphato-Chlorid o f Copper—W eight o f Metals............................................................................................ ..
Recipe for Dyeing Blue and Green........................................................................................................ ...............
MERCANTILE
108
109
109
no
m
113
113
114
114
115
115
115
H5
MISCELLANIES.
Politics and Political Economy, Extracts from a Discourse, by the Rev. W illiam H enry C hanning 116
Gundry and Bacon’ s Commercial Institute, o f Cincinnati.............................................................................. 118
The Dry-goods Clerk................................................................................................................................................ H 9
Consular Regulations o f the Republic o f Uruguay —Philadelphia Board o f Trade.................................
120
T IIE B O O K T R A D E .
Short Notices o f 36 New Works, or New Editions..................................................................................
121-128
FIUN T ’S
MERCHANTS’ MAGAZINE.'
JAN U A R Y ,
1848.
A rt. I.— THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF T1IE UNITED STATES.
CH A PTE R I.
F A L S E IM P R E S S IO N S P R E V A IL IN G IN R E L A T I O N T O T H E C IT Y O F W A S H IN G T O N — M R . S O U T H A R D ’ S R E M A R K ;
AND I T S A P P L IC A T IO N — S E S S IO N S
T U T IO N P R O V ID IN G
FOR
A
OF C O N G R E S S ,
W H E R E H EL D P R IO R T O
1790— A R T I C L E
S E A T OF G O V E R N M E N T — D IS C U S S IO N S IN R E L A T I O N
OF T H E C O N S T I
T O T H E P L A C E T O BE
S E L E C T E D — D I S A D V A N T A G E S O F A C O M M E R C IA L C IT Y — P R O P R I E T Y O F L A Y IN G O U T A C IT Y E X P R E S S L Y
F O R T H I S P U R P O S E — P O S I T IO N — IN F L U E N C E OF T H E
G R O W T H OF T H E W E S T A N T I C IP A T E D
C U L A T IO N — R E C E N T
P R O P O S IT IO N F O R FU N D IN G S T A T E
W H E N T H I S Q U E S T IO N
R E M A R K S OF S E N A T O R S
W AS
D EBTS— TH E
D E C ID E D — D R . P A T E R S O N ’ S
C A LH O U N A N D A L L E N ON
CAL
“ A C E N T R E OF T E R R I T O R Y ,”
A N D IN F L U E N C E O F C O M M E R C I A L C I T I E S -
N o t w i t h s t a n d i n g the number who annually visit W ashington on busi
ness or pleasure, there are few who rightly understand the relation in
w hich that city stands to the general government, or appreciate its import
ance as the only spot where it is practically seen that, for national pur
poses, we are but one people. T here are, it is true, forts, arsenals, and
navy-yards scattered over the country, in which all are interested equally,
and which awaken our pride, as citizens o f the great republic ; but each
o f these is limited to some one object, and a sight o f one is a sight o f all.
It is only at Washington that one sees a whole district o f country laid out
expressly as a common centre o f the nation, and a city planned solely
with a view to the gratification o f national pride, and for national con v e
nience ; the inhabitants o f which are under the entire control o f Congress,
and deprived o f the elective franchise, for the express purpose o f remov
ing them from the influence o f party spirit, and enabling the government
to perform its functions without embarrassment or restraint.
Everything that beautifies or adorns it, or in any manner affects its
prosperity, should interest, to almost as great a degree, the citizen o f the
most distant State as the resident on the spot; for there are few who do
not, in the course o f their lives, expect to reside there for a longer or short
er period.
It is the fashion to speak o f Washington as a place o f extravagant pre
tensions, never to be realized; o f magnificent distances, dusty streets,
and poverty-stricken people, without reference to the circumstances under
20
The Seat o f Government o f the United States.
w hich this particular spot w as selected for the seat o f government, the o b
jects contemplated in laying out a Federal city, how far those objects have
been accomplished, and to what extent any failure on this score is to be
ascribed to the inefficient legislation o f Congress. T h ere are gross mis
statements made every year by those who ought to know better, and the
tendency o f w hich is, not only to prejudice the interest o f those who re
side upon the spot, but, in our opinion, to foster a public sentiment which
is calculated to work no small amount o f injury to our institutions and
country at large. It is that spirit which undervalues every place, how
ever sacred its associations, i f not accompanied with the bustle o f com
merce and manufactures; which confines itself to the present, or, i f it looks '
into the future, only looks with business-like eyes ; and which has, in a
measure, broken up that feeling o f patriotism and sentiment, w hich gathers
around certain hallowed spots, and the cultivation o f which, as in the case
o f popular songs and traditions, has, in every country, proved one o f its
greatest safeguards.
W e believe that the history o f our seat o f government, when w ell
known, is calculated to place the aspect o f that city in a new light before
the country. In one o f his reports, the late Senator Southard spoke o f
it as the “ only child o f the nation
and the thoughtful visiter who stands
on the terrace o f the capitol, and looks upon the scene around him, instead
o f dwelling with contempt upon the scattered piles o f brick and mortar,
will, i f we mistake not, in view o f the circumstances under which it was
brought into being, the honored names connected with its foundation, and
its identity o f interest with the Union, on which it is dependent for sup
port, recognize the full force o f the expression, and feel a corresponding
interest in its present and future position. T h e subject, too, is fraught
with matter o f grave reflection to the statesman and philosopher, as illus
trative o f the influence exerted by a political capita], the principles on
which one should be selected, and the expediency o f any future change
in our ow n country.
It is, therefore, that w e propose to present, as briefly as possible, an
outline o f the arguments which led to the act for establishing the present
seat o f government, a sketch o f the site selected, and the plans adopted
for carrying that act into effect, with a view o f the present position and
future prospects o f the city, and the probability or expediency o f any fu
ture removal.
T h e sessions o f the old Congress were held, according as the exigen
cies o f the war, or the convenience o f members from different sections
required, at Philadelphia, Baltimore, Lancaster, York, Princeton, Anna
polis, Trenton, and N ew York. During this time, there appears to have
been great anxiety and rivalry amongst the different States, for the honor
o f having this distinguished body in their midst. N ew York tendered the
town o f Kingston for the seat o f governm ent; Rhode Island, N e w p o rt;
Maryland, Annapolis ; Virginia, Williamsburgh.
On the 21st o f October, 1783, Congress had been insulted at Philadelphia, by a band o f mutineers, which the State authorities w ere not able
to quell. On this occasion they adjourned to Princeton, where they held
their sessions in the hall o f the college ; and it was probably ow ing to the
recent disturbance, that the subject o f a permanent seat o f government
was now taken up, and continued to be, at intervals, the subject o f discus
sion up to the formation o f the constitution. W e have no register o f the
The Seat o f Government o f the United Stales.
21
debates, but a large number o f resolutions w ere offered, and votes taken.
T w o o f the most prominent propositions w ill throw some light upon the
views as to place and plan which w ere entertained at that time.
On the 7th October, 1783, on motion o f Mr. Gerry, it was resolved
that buildings for the use o f Congress be erected on or near the banks o f
the Delaware, or o f the Potomac, near G eorg etow n ; provided, a suitable
district can be procured on one o f the rivers aforesaid fo r a Federal town,
that the right o f soil, and an exclusive or such other jurisdiction as C on
gress may direct, shall be vested in the United States.
This, afterwards, underwent various modifications, one o f which was to
have buildings erected both on the Potomac and D elaware, until, finally,
it was repealed on the 26th April, 1784. On the 30th October following, Congress met at Trenton, and the subject was again taken up, and,
after a long debate, resulted in the passage o f an ordinance, appointing
three commissioners with full power to lay out a district not exceeding
three, nor less than two miles square, on the banks o f either side o f the D el
aware, not more than eight miles above or below the falls thereof, for a
Federal town. T h ey were authorized to purchase soil, and enter into con
tracts for erecting and completing, in an elegant manner, a Federal house,
President’s house, and houses for the Secretaries o f Foreign Affairs, W a r,
Marine, and T reasu ry; that, in choosing the situation for the buildings,
due regard be had to the accommodation o f the States, with lots for houses
for the use o f their delegates respectively.
At the Congress which met at N ew York, January 13, 1785, great but
unsuccessful efforts w ere made to substitute the Potom ac for the D ela
w are. T h e three commissioners were here appointed, but never entered
upon their duties ; for various delays occurred, until, finally, the adoption o f
the constitution put an end to the whole business. But the reasons which
led to these resolutions, no doubt, had their influence upon the minds o f
those who framed that part o f section 8, art. 1, o f the constitution o f the
United States, which declares that Congress shall have power to exercise
exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such district (not ex
ceeding tea miles square) as may, by cession o f particular States, and the
acceptance o f Congress, becom e the seat o f government o f the United
States, and to make all laws w hich may be necessary and proper for ca r
rying into execution the foregoing powers.
By Elliott’s Debates, it appears that the article w’as assented to in the
convention, without debate. In the Virginia convention, some fears w ere
expressed as to the influence to be exerted by a spot so exclusively under
the control o f government, under the apprehension that it would be in
some measure out o f the pale o f law, and an asylum for political criminals
or violators o f State rights ; but the clause was finally acceded to without
much opposition. The question as to the place to be selected for the “ ten
miles square,” came up for discussion in Congress during the years 1 7 8 9 90, on the introduction o f a resolution by Mr. Thom as Scott, o f Pennsyl
vania, that it would be expedient to select a site which should be “ as
near as possible the centre o f wealth, o f population, and o f territory.”
Mr. L ee afterwards moved that “ a place as nearly central as a convenient
communication with the Atlantic Ocean, and an easy access to the W est
ern territory will permit, ought to be selected and established as the per
manent seat o f government o f the United States.”
On the 3d September, 1789, Mr. Goodhue, o f Massachusetts, said, in
22
The Seat o f Government o f the United States.
debate, that the Eastern and Northern members had made up their minds
on the subject, and w ere o f opinion that, on the eastern banks o f the Sus
quehanna, Congress should fix its permanent residence. A bill passed
one House in favor o f some place to be selected on the Susquehanna, p ro
vided the States o f Maryland and D elaw are would connect the two bays
by a canal. Subsequently, an act w as introduced for establishing it at
its present position, then more generally known as Connogocheague, from
a river in Washington county, Maryland, a name which called forth many
jokes in the papers o f the day. The place where the seat o f government
should be fixed, was allowed by every member to be a matter o f great im
portance. “ The future tranquillity and w ell-being o f the United States,”
said Mr. Scott, “ depended as much on this, as on any question that ever
had or could com e before Congress.” Mr. Fisher Am es remarked that
“ every principle o f pride, and honor, and even o f patriotism, w ere engaged.”
T h e debates on the several resolutions and bills, elicited much warmth
o f feeling, and sectional jealousy. Almost all were agreed that N ew Y ork
w as not a suitable place, as not being sufficiently central. There was
much division o f sentiment as to the relative advantages o f Philadelphia
and Germantown, in Pennsylvania; Havre de G race, and a place called
W righ t’ s Ferry, on the Susquehanna ; Baltimore, on the Patapsco ; and
Connogocheague, on the Potomac. The two last were about equally bal
anced for some time in the number o f supporters. It was remarked, by one o f
the members o f Maryland, that the people o f that State w ere in the situation o f Tantalus, uncertain w hich to prefer, the Susquehanna or the P o
tomac. Mr. Carroll strongly advocated the latter. Mr. Seney noticed
sundry measures o f the legislature o f Maryland, which evinced, he said,
their determination to support the pretensions o f the Susquehanna. Mr.
Smith set forth the advantages o f Baltimore, and the tact that its citizens
had subscribed $40,000 for public buildings. T h e South Carolinians
offered an apparently whimsical objection to Philadelphia, to wit : the
number o f Quakers ; who, they said, were eternally dogging the southern
members with their schemes o f emancipation. Others ridiculed the idea
o f building palaces in the woods. Mr. Gerry, o f Massachusetts, thought
it highly unreasonable to fix the seat o f government in such a position, as
to have nine States out o f the thirteen to the northward o f the place, and
adverted to the sacrifices the Northern States w ere ready to make, in be
ing whiling to go as far South as Baltimore. Mr. Page said N ew York
was superior to any place he knew, for the orderly and decent behavior o f
its inhabitants. The motion to insert Baltimore instead o f the Potomac,
was negatived by a vote o f 37 to 23.
W e shall at present content ourselves w’ith stating what w e have gath
ered from these debates, from letters and documents, and from conversations
with gentlemen w ho lived in that day, as to the principles laid down by
General Washington, Mr. Madison, Mr. L ee, Mr. Carroll, and others, who
favored the site that was selected.
First. It w'as not desirable that the political capital should be in a com
m ercial metropolis.* T h e constitution declared that Congress should have
* See Mr. Madison’s letter— Sparks’ Washington, vol. 9, p. 551. Mr. Gerry’s remarks
— Mad. Papers, p. 1,219. Mr. Grayson’s remarks— Elliott’s Debates in Virg. Convention,
p. 431.
The Seat o f Government o f the United States.
23
power to exercise exclusive legislation, in all cases whatsoever, over the
seat o f government. I f it could be supported that this clause left it optional with Congress to exercise the power or not, there could be no doubt
as to the expediency o f exercising it. T h e provision was suggested by
the history o f all European capitals, as being essential to bestow dignity
and independence on the government. “ Without it, not only the public au
thority might be insulted, and its proceedings be interrupted with impuni
ty, but a dependence o f the members o f the general government on the
State comprehending the seat o f government, for protection in the exer
cise o f their duty, might bring on the national councils an imputation o f
awe or influence, equally dishonorable to the government, and dissatis
factory to the other members o f the confederacy. The consideration has
the more weight, as the gradual accumulation o f public improvements at
the stationary residence o f government, would be too great a public pledge
to be left in the hands o f a single State, and would create so many obsta
cles to a removal o f the government, as still further to abridge its neces
sary independence.” *
A great obstacle to the exercise o f the control in a large commercial
community, would be found in the mixed character o f the population, and
the many elements o f discord which existed there. It could readily be
foreseen that, in the midst o f a dense and excitable mercantile popula
tion, such disturbances would frequently recur in times o f high party feel
ing, or during any period o f stagnation in business, when the unemployed
multitudes could easily be aroused, by real or imaginary grievances, to
overcom e all opposition, and stay the operations o f government.
T o check such influences, would impose upon the country the necessi
ty o f maintaining a strong military power at the capital, which it was de
sirable to avoid, it being no part o f our policy to keep on foot a large
standing army.
Another reason for avoiding a seaport city, would be
found in the greater variety and importance o f the local objects for w hich
Congress would be called upon to legislate, to the neglect o f national af
fairs ; and in the apprehension, then generally entertained, that the local
expenditures and influence o f the different departments, which, in them
selves, could afford no reasonable ground o f alarm, might, in connection
with the wealth and power o f such a city, operate greatly to the injury o f
other places. London and Westminster were mentioned as cases in point:
though they, unitedly, sent but six members to Parliament, they had more
influence in the measures o f government, by their commercial importance,
than the w hole empire besides. It would becom e a favored city, and the
government funds, largely disbursed there, would give it advantages, in
point o f capital, possessed by few others. A remark o f Sir James M eintosh was extensively quoted, “ that a great metropolis is to be considered
as the heart o f a political body— as the focus o f its powers and talents—
as the direction o f public opinion, and, therefore, as a strong bulwark in
the cause o f freedom, or as a powerful engine in the hands o f an op
p ressor;” and it had com e to be considered that one o f the surest ways to
prevent our capital’ s becom ing the latter, would be to deprive it o f the
elective" franchise. T h ere w ere obvious reasons w hy those who lived
under the immediate shadow o f the government might exert a greater in
fluence over the country by their votes and opinions, than the same num
* Federalist.
24
The Seat o f Government o f the United States.
ber who lived elsewhere. Many, at a distance, might suppose that those
so situated, would have a better opportunity to scan the conduct o f their
rulers ; and the result o f the election would, on this account, be, by the
successful party, heralded from one end o f the Union to the other, while, in
reality, it would become the seat o f all manner o f rival factions, in which
the officers o f government would mingle, and be tempted and enabled
to use the power in their hands for purposes o f corruption with more fa
cilities and less fear o f detection, than if obliged to go abroad and operate
in other places.
T h e city should never be branded with the name o f
any one political party, but be regarded as neutral ground, where all
parties might meet, and be received on equal terms by the residents.
There would be excitement enough attendant upon the ordinary busi
ness o f legislation, without adding thereto the turmoil and strife o f popu
lar elections. N ow , would any great commercial emporium be willing to
give up this privilege, considered by Americans so invaluable, for the sake
o f having the government in their midst? Certainly n o t; nor would it
be desirable that they should, since their voice in the public councils
would be important. There would necessarily be, in all these places,
branches o f the government, such as custom-houses and naval stations,
which were quite as much as it was desirable to concentrate in any one
commercial community.
Again, in a mercantile population, the great disproportion in fortune,
and the heavy demand for land, would render it almost impossible for the
officers o f government to live in a style o f decent respectability, suitable
to their stations, upon the moderate salaries which a regard for econom y,
and the simplicity o f our republican institutions, would seem to require ;
whereas, in the absence o f all other interests but those o f persons con
nected with the government, the value o f the property would adapt itself,
in some measure, to the means o f the inhabitants, and then our function
aries would be enabled to live in accessible and agreeable quarters, and
to appear as w ell as those around them.
Secondly. It was thought highly expedient that a city should be laid
out expressly for this purpose, so that there would be ample provision for
all public edifices for centuries to com e. It is true that abundance o f
ground for the public buildings could have been at that time obtained in or
about Philadelphia and Baltimore, but they would have then been either
all concentrated in one point, and somewhat circumscribed in respect to
room, and choice o f situation ; or, if more scattered, there would be a
difficulty in forming that appropriate connection between them which
would be essential to unity, and beauty o f design ; and, after all, it would
be a mere suburb to the city.* Besides, a thousand objects might, from
time to time, call for the erection o f new edifices, which could not at
present be anticipated, without keeping vacant for years, at a great loss o f
interest to the government, and to the detriment o f the city, large tracts o f
land in the best position, which, in the hands o f individuals, would be
built upon and improved. On the other hand, in a place that increased
chiefly in proportion as the sphere o f the executive departments was en
larged, the lots o f ground would seldom be available to any individual be
fore they were required for public purposes, and the cost to the govern
ment would be comparatively trifling, while there would be an opportuni
* See Mr. Smith’s remarks in debate, Gales & Seaton’s Debates, O. S., vol. 2, p. 960.
The Seat o f Government o f the United States.
25
ty to devise a plan expressly for the public accommodation, to which pur
pose every part o f the city would be subservient. T h e whole should be,
as it were, one great building, o f w hich the streets would be the passages ;
the [M>!ic edifices, the halls ; and the private ones, the rooms.
It was, at one time, suggested as expedient to require a cession o f soil,
as well as o f jurisdiction, under the idea that the State or States would
find it an object to purchase the territory, and present it, for the sake o f
having the government in their m idst; while, on the other hand, the in
com e from the sales o f lots, would furnish a fund for the erection o f pub
lic edifices, and the improvement o f the p la ce ; but this was pronounced
out o f the question with regard to places where any considerable popula
tion had already collected ; to all o f which, Mr. Carroll’ s remarks in re
gard to Baltimore would apply. “ He believed, if Congress w ere disposed
to fix on that town, it would be agreeable to the States ; but he did not
imagine they would agree to give government a property to the whole
town and the surrounding country. T h e other parts o f the State had never
contemplated making Baltimore a compensation for such an immense
property.”
In selecting a place not previously occupied, the object o f the govern
ment would be accomplished whether the States conveyed the soil or not,
since the cost o f the purchase would be comparatively small.
Thirdly. With respect to position, while a central point should be pre
ferred, “ it ought to be a centre uniting convenience with utility ; the heart
should be so placed as to propel the blood to the extremities, with the
most equable and gentle motion.”
T h ere is no common centre. Territory has one centre, population an
other, and wealth a third. T h e centre o f population is variable, and a
decision on that point now, might establish a seat o f government at a
very inconvenient place for the next generation. T h e same remark may
be made in this country with regard to territory. W ith the rapid increase
o f States, w e should find it necessary to remove the capital every fifty
years, unless we anticipated the future extent o f our country by placing it
where it would be, in the meantime, far beyond the centre o f population
and convenience. A centre o f wealth is open to greater objections. The
centre o f a sea-coast line ought to be regarded because it is more co n
veniently accessible, has more wealth, and more people, than an equal area
o f inland country. Being more liable to invasion on that quarter, govern
ment should be near to protect it. It is also the interest o f the back coun
try to have the government near the sea, to inspect and encourage trade,
by which their abundant produce w ill find an export. W hen the central
line between the Northern and Southern extremities was fixed, no person
in the W estern territory had ever wished anything further than that C on
gress should establish their seat as far back on this line, as the conve
nience o f maritime com m erce would allow.
This centre o f a sea-coast line falls between the rivers Potom ac and
Susquehanna ; the place between the Potom ac and Eastern Branch would
admit o f a navy-yard, and was yet so far inland as to be, in some meas
ure, protected from sudden attack. The Potomac, M ill’ s Creek, and Younghogany, could be connected by canal navigation, and, descending the lat
ter, you com e to the Monongahela, which meets the Alleghany, and forms
the Ohio. Its immediate vicinity to two flourishing inland towns would
give it some o f the benefits o f their prosperity, without the evils before
26
The Seat o f Government o f the United States.
mentioned as incident to a large commercial emporium ; since the inland
trade would bring into them a different class o f population from that which
throngs our seaport towns— one accustomed to the institutions o f the
country, and more disposed to the preservation o f good order. T h isf too,
it was thought, would be a security against the place becom ing slavishly
dependent upon Congress, giving it a healthy trade, but not one which
would supersede entirely the advantages derived from the presence o f goverument.
Such w ere some o f the considerations which led to the passage, by a
vote o f 32 to 29, on the 16th day o f July, 1790, o f an act entitled “ An
act establishing the temporary and permanent seat o f government o f the
United States.”
As w e have only endeavored to set forth those reasons
which were considered general and permanent in their application to the
subject, w e have not alluded to one topic, grow ing out*of the politics o f
the day, which, it is well known, had an important effect in hastening a
decision on the question. Under the then great object o f funding the debt,
the seat o f government would concentrate the public paper ; hence, a sit
uation was desirable from which all parts would be equally benefited by
sending forth and circulating government funds, rather than building up lo
cal benefits. “ It was supposed,” says Mr. G ibbs, “ materially to benefit
the Northern States, in which was the active capital o f the country, and
a more Southern residence was considered a countervailing advantage.”
This question infused peculiar bitterness into the debate.
Another consideration which led to the decision, was the deference and
regard w hich would thus be paid to the wishes o f General Washington,
who had, from the first, strongly advocated the site upon the Potomac, and
who seems to have formed rather extravagant calculations in relation to
the future growth o f the city.
Some o f the opinions which he ex
presses in his letters, seem to conflict with the views w e have given rela
tive to the disadvantages o f a com m ercial city ; but it is to be borne in
mind that it was chiefly a seaport to w hich those views have reference ;
and w e have, in this respect, relied mainly on the statements o f gentle
men who lived at that time.
In reviewing the debates on this subject, it is to be remarked that
the growth o f the W estern country was anticipated, and depicted in
glow ing colors by some o f the members o f that day. “ If,” said Mr.
Madison, “ the calculation be just, that w e double in twenty-five years, we
shall speedily behold an astonishing mass o f people on the Western w a
ters. * * * W e see the people moving from the more crowded to the
less crowded parts. T h e swarm does not come from the Southern, but
from the Northern and Eastern hives. This will continue to be the case
until every part o f Am erica receives its due share o f population. If there
be any event upon which w e may calculate with certainty, I take it that
the centre o f population will rapidly advance in a south-westerly direction.
It must, then, travel from the Susquehanna, if it is now found there— it may
even extend beyond the Potomac— but the time w ill be long first; and, as
the Potomac is the great highway o f communication between the Atlantic
and the Western country, attempts to remove the seat must be im possible.”
“ I confess,” said Mr. Vining, “ to the House and to the world,that, view
ing this subject in all its circumstances, I am in favor o f the Potomac. I
wish the seat o f government to be fixed there, because I think the inter
est, the honor, and the greatness o f the country, require it. I look on it as
The Seat o f Government o f the United States.
27
the centre from which those streams are to flow, that are to animate and
invigorate the body politic. From thence, it appears to me, that the rays
o f government w ill naturally diverge to the extremities o f the Union. I
declare that I look on the W estern territory in awful and striking point o f
view. T o that region the unpolished sons o f earth are flowing from all
quarters— men to whom the protection o f the laws, and the controlling
force o f government, are equally necessary. From this consideration, f
conclude that the banks o f the Potomac is the proper situation.”
It is true that, at the time these remarks were made, the Union com
prised but thirteen States; and, probably, no one anticipated that the num
ber o f States would double in fifty years, whatever might be the popula
tion. But, even at this time, we find that the East is to the W est, in
point o f population, as the W est is to the East in point o f territory.
T h e following table, which has been calculated by Dr. Paterson, o f the
United States mint, in Philadelphia, singularly confirms Mr. Madison’ s
p roph ecy:—
CENTRE OF REPRESENTATIVE POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES AT EACH CENSUS.
D I S T A N C E S , IN M IL E S , FROM
W A S H IN G T O N .
Period.
Distance Distance Dist. on
North. E .o r W . stra’ tline.
P laces.
l?qO S In Baltimore county, Maryland, 13 miles S. o f Penn1 l
sylvania line, and 17 miles N. o f Baltimore...........
1800 \
Carr°U county, Maryland, 7 miles S. o f Pennsyl(
vania line, and 9 miles N. E. o f Westminster........
1810 \
Adams county, Pennsylvania, 5 miles N. o f State
l
line, and 17 miles W . o f Gettysburgh......................
C In the western part o f Morgan county, Virginia, 10
1820 1
miles W . S. W . o f Bath, 1 mile from Potomac, 12
(
miles S. o f Pennsylvania line.....................................
t III Hampshire county, Virginia, opposite Westernport,
1830 <
Maryland, and 20 miles N. W . o f Romney, 16
(
miles S. o f Pennsylvania line.....................................
iftin )
Marion county, Virginia, 23 miles S. o f Pennsyl\ vania line, ID miles N. E. o f Clarksburgh.............
CENTRE OF TOTAL POPULATION IN
1840 \
£
46
22 e.
51
52
9 e.
53
64
30 w.
71
47
71 w.
86
43
108 w.
117
36
160 w .
165
21
175 w.
177
1840.
garrison C0linty> Virginia, 38 miles S. o f Penn3ylvania line, 5 miles due S. o f Clarksburgh...............
Note.— T he parallel o f 4 0 ° N. divides the representative population o f the United States
into two equal parts very nearly, according to the census o f 1840.
T h e average progress westward, during each ten years, has been about
thirty-four miles. This average is slightly increasing ; and, i f w e set it
down at fifty miles, it will require a century to carry this centre five hun
dred miles west o f Washington, or as far as the city o f Nashville, T e n
nessee.
T h e comparatively small importance which was attached to “ the centre
o f territory,” as a criterion by which to select a capital, will strike many
with surprise ; and it is worthy o f observation, that Mr. Madison, in pre
senting the importance o f such a centre in what he thought the most prom
inent point o f view, remarked that, “ i f it were possible to promulgate our
laws by some instantaneous operation, it would be o f less consequence
where the government might be placed” — a contingency which now seems
to be supplied by the “ magic wires ” o f Morse, which communicate intelli
gence “ not merely with the swiftness o f lightning,” but “ by lightning
itself.”
28
The Seat o f Government o f the United States.
In the course o f a recent debate in the United States Senate, Mr. C al
houn remarked that a moment’ s attention to the seat o f government in
the different countries o f the world, would show that they very rarely o c
cupied a central position. T h ey w ere generally situated on the frontier
that was most exposed ; near to those places where the armies would be
required to be encamped for the protection o f the country against inva
sion. Look over Europe— Where was London situated ? N ear the south
east frontier. W here was the capital o f France ? Far from central.
W h ere was the capital o f Russia ? Upon the frontier ; and the same lo
cality will be found to prevail, and very properly so, in regard to capitals
throughout the world. And, i f it w ere true in general, it was eminently
true in respect to our confederation.
Mr. Allen said that “ the example o f the monarchies o f Europe was
not to be followed by us, for the location o f their capital was dependent on
the location o f their forts and fortifications, and not in convenience in
other respects.”
This was certainly not the case with Russia or Prussia.
T h e advantage o f having the government near to protect the commerce
o f the country, is to be observed b y circumstances o f daily occurrence.
It is probably on the coast that our principal fighting will be done, and it
is certainly here that the most unexpected and sudden assaults w ill be
made, requiring immediate action. It is from Europe that our enemies
will be most likely to com e in time o f war, and it is with the States o f
Europe that, in time o f peace, w e are likely to have the most complex
relations. It is o f the highest importance that our legislators and execu
tive officers should be so near the commercial sections o f the country as
to enter understandingly upon those discussions in which practical know
ledge is o f the utmost im portance; and it is certain that there will be hun
dreds called into the public service, from time to time, whose first impres
sions o f the merits o f the navy, or the extent o f the merchant service, will
be formed by actual inspection at our commercial cities— and, while the
W estern agricultural interests are subserved by whatever contributes to
enlarged and liberal commercial views, and the protection o f the sea-coast,
our W estern frontier will be far more easily fortified by government when
at a distance; the principal enemies we are ever likely to suffer from there,
being the Indians, the pow'er o f which unfortunate race is daily dw indling
away before the good or bad, but inevitable effects o f Anglo-Saxon pro
gress.
But, w e were further told by Mr. Allen, that “ the location o f our
seat o f government in the vicinity o f our great commercial cities,
gave to those cities a preponderating influence in the proceedings o f
this government of, at least, a hundred to one over the influence excited
a corresponding number o f people in the vast interior. There wTere
no committees o f farmers from the banks o f the Missouri, the Missis
sippi, or even the Ohio, entering the lobbies o f those halls, and endea
voring to influence the legislation o f Congress. There W'ere no com
binations o f individuals from the interior, delegated to the capital with a
view o f obtaining the passage o f law's, the object o f which was to ad
minister to individual wants, instead o f the wants o f the mass o f the na
tion. There were no such delegations h ere.”
D oes the senator suppose
that the lobbying committees from com m ercial cities, o f which he hints,
would not follow the government wherever it went 1 The interests o f
com m erce enter too widely into all the ramifications o f society for mere
The Seat o f Government o f the United Stales.
29
time and space to prevent those interested in their advancement from la
boring assiduously on their behalf, wherever the government may be. Mr.
A llen’ s argument applies equally to the good and the bad projects. T h e
only difference would be that, were the government placed in the interior,
they would have legislators not so w ell informed, more blinded by section
al prejudices than they even now are, less capable o f appreciating those
enlarged plans which comprise the good, and more easily imposed upon
by the advocates o f more limited systems which are bad. It has been
objected that the Eastern States secure to themselves greater benefits in
the way o f congressional and legislative patronage for office ; but w e ap
prehend that this source o f jealousy has been greatly overrated. Is it not
rather the section o f country from which the Executive comes, that governs
in this matter? But, admitting it to be an evil, it is one which must al
ways exist, to a greater or less extent, to the injury o f different parts o f the
Union, wherever the government may be ; since, as was remarked in the
Congress o f 1790, the capital cannot remain, for any considerable length
o f time, at the actual centre o f territory, that centre being as variable as
the centre o f population.
The necessity or propriety o f disfranchising the seat o f government, is
not at first view quite apparent, and has been the subject o f some dis
cussion. I f we consider the extent to which party feeling was carried in
the canvass that immediately preceded Mr. Jefferson’ s election, when pri
vate social relations were, in some instances, almost entirely suspended
between families o f different political parties, w e can feel the force o f the
reasoning given for this measure, and can realize what a serious evil such
a state o f things would be at the capital, should it again recur, and be
fostered by continual local elections, accompanied with all the excitement
and misrepresentation which we now see every four years in the principal
cities o f the Union, and in the midst o f which, it is not too much to sup
pose that the position o f public officers might subject them to annoyance
and insult in a thousand ways, even without actual violence. And, from
similar experience, it is obvious that the votes o f those in the public em
ploy might be directly or indirectly controlled by the government, so that
there would be, in reality, little freedom o f choice. Other positions as
sumed in these discussions will be adverted to in the course o f our remarks
on the progress o f the city.
Maryland and Virginia had previously, by acts passed in 1788 and
1789, authorized their representatives to make the necessary cessions.
T h e first section o f this act is in these words :— “ Be it enacted, & c ., that
a district o f territory, not exceeding ten miles square, to be located, as
hereafter directed, on the river Potomac, at some place between the
mouth o f the Eastern Branch and Connogocheague, be, and the same
is hereby accepted for the permanent seat o f government o f the United
States.”
The word “ temporary,” in the title o f the act, refers to Philadelphia,
where the Congress were to hold their sessions until 1800 ; when, as Mr.
W olcott expressed it, they w ere “ to go to the Indian place with the long
name, on the Potom ac.”
It may be well to allude here to a discussion which has arisen under
the article o f the constitution and this act, in reference to the powers o f
Congress to remove the seat o f government at any future time. Mr.
30
The Seal o f Government o f the Untied Stales.
John Carroll Brent, o f Washington city, in a pamphlet* relative to the in
terests o f the District o f Columbia, dedicated to the members o f the N a
tional Institute, has summed up the principal arguments in opposition to any
such claim o f right. lie contends :— 1st. That the constitution gave C on
gress limited powers in the premises ; and that body, as a mere agent, is
bound by instructions and limitations, and can, under no circumstances, ex
ercise more authority than is given to that effect by the constitution. 2d.
That a change o f the seat o f government would be a violation o f the implied
contract between the Federal government and the States o f Maryland and
Virginia, which never would have made the necessary grants, had not p er
manency been guaranteed by the solemn act o f Congress. 3d. That the
right and reasonable expectations o f the original proprietors, the purcha
sers, and inhabitants o f this District, would be trifled with and destroyed
by such a move towards transferring the metropolis elsewhere, on the part
o f those who falsely imagine themselves clothed with the necessary p ow
er and capacity.
T h e introduction o f the word “ permanent ” in contradistinction to “ tem
porary , ” in the title o f the act, is regarded by him as significant o f the
views o f Congress and the proprietors on the subject, viz : “ that cer
tain powers w ere given, certain acts required, and Congress, in the exe
cution o f this commission, was confined within fixed limits, was to accept
a specified amount o f territory; and by the acceptance, and the act estab
lishing & permanent seat o f government, in accordance with the requisi
tions o f the constitution, bound itself to that instrument, to Maryland and
Virginia, the owners, purchasers, and inhabitants o f the district in ques
tion, and the people at large, by a positive engagement, to make the m e
tropolis o f the Union durable and unchangeable.”
In the report o f a committee o f the House on the 25th February, 1846,
on the petition for the retrocession o f Alexandria, this objection is thus
an sw ered:—
“ There is no more reason to believe that the power in this case, when
once exercised and executed, is exhausted, than in any other o f the long
list o f enumerated powers to which it belongs, and which it is provided
that Congress ‘ shall have.’ T h e phraseology o f the grant is the same,
and as much reason seems to exist for the continuance o f the right to ex
ercise this power, as in most o f those contained in the list to which w e
have referred.
I f this construction be true, when Congress had once
iixed the seat o f government, it could no more be removed, although it
should prove to be unsafe from foreign invasion, or so unhealthy as to en
danger the lives o f the members o f the government, or so located as to
be inconsistent with a due regard to the facilities o f access to our whole
population, or to their convenience ; and yet it is manifest that some o f
these considerations might make the removal o f the seat o f government a
matter o f necessity. T o have excluded the conclusion that the framers
o f the constitution had regarded considerations so manifest and reasonable,
there must have been terms so precise and accurate as to have left no
doubt o f their intention to make the act irrevocable when the power was
once exercised. As some proof that the framers o f the constitution did
* Letters on tire National Institute. Smithsonian Legacy. The Fine Arts, and other
matters connected with the interests o f the District o f Columbia. Washington : J. & G.
S . Gideon.
The L ife o f Major Samuel Shaw, eic.
31
not overlook these considerations, we may advert to the fact that Mr.
Madison moved to strike out the word ‘ permanent ’ from the act establish
ing the seat o f government, because the constitution did not contain it.
Nor is this the only difficulty involved by this construction— the same sec
tion gives a like power relative to forts and arsenals ; and, contrary to
reason and the usages o f Congress, this power, when once exercised,
would be thus considered as executed and exhausted.
“ It might be replied that this word ‘ permanent’ meant jonly an indefi
nite period ; that it was designed merely to require the removal to be made
by law, and not by resolution o f the two Houses ; or it might well be said
that Congress could not, by contract, part with a power reposed in them
by the constitution tor wise purposes ; but, in point o f fact, the history o f
the transaction does not sustain this view o f the contract. Neither V ir
ginia nor Maryland, by their acts o f cession, made the permanence o f the
seat o f government a condition o f the grant.”
T h e view taken by the States and proprietors is, w e think, w ell expressed
in the language o f the Supreme Court per Story, Judge.* T h ey might, and,
indeed, must have placed a just confidence in the government, that, in foundr
ing the city, it would do no act which would obstruct its prosperity, or in
terfere with its great fundamental objects or interests. It could never be
supposed that Congress would seek to destroy what its own legislation had
created and fostered into being. T h e city was designed to last in perpe
tuity, “ capitoli immobile saxum.”
W hile the force o f these remarks must be admitted, and while it is
certain that justice to the proprietors, and good policy, forbid that any light
or trivial considerations should break in upon the arrangements then made,
the conclusions o f M r. Brent will, w e fear, not receive a ready assent.
The proprietors could hardly have been warranted in the conclusion that
their interests would be consulted in opposition to those o f the whole
Union, i f it should happen that the welfare o f the nation imperatively re
quired such a change, and it should be called for by a majority o f the
people.
T h e proprietors entered into their agreement subject to the risk o f such
a contingency’s occu rrin g; in which case, the most that they could claim,
would be a right to compensation for the depreciation in the value o f pro
perty which must ensue. This proposition seems to have been generally
admitted in the discussions which took place in Congress on the question
o f removal after the w ar o f 18C2. W hat contingency would justify such
a removal, will be considered in a subsequent chapter.
Art. II.— T H E L I F E OF M A J O R S A M U E L S H A W ,
T H E F IR S T A M E R IC A N C O N SU L A T C A N T O N , j*
(w it h
a
p o r t r a it
.)
A mong the discordant materials o f which our army o f the Revolution
was composed, those men were not wanting who are commonly the early
victims o f great popular struggles ;— men, moderate and firm in the coun
cil, prudent and fearless in the field ; not selfish in their ambition, not ran* Van Ness and wife, vs. City o f Washington and the United States, 4 Peters, p. 280.
t T he Journals o f Major S amuel S h a w , the first American Consul at Canton. W illi
a Life o f the Author, by Josiah Quincy. Boston: W m . Crosby and H. P. Nichols.
3'J
The L ife o f Major Samuel Shaw,
corous in their patriotism; in whom a pure conscience and a clear intel
lect rule with an equal and a harmonious supremacy. Such men, impa
tient o f injustice and o f corruption, are usually foremost in those acts o f
resistance in which every revolution b e g in s; but, as the contest goes on,
they are thought to move too slowly. Th eir virtues are not understood.
I f they are in the senate, their motives are suspected; i f in the army,
their courage is questioned. Fiercer and less scrupulous spirits, more
nearly akin to the heightened passions o f the people, press forward and
' take their place ; and the old scene is again enacted, o f a nation, risen in
arms against its oppressors, only to be desolated by anarchy and bound
anew in servitude.
It was the good fortune o f America, or rather— if w e may read, in the
events o f this world’s history, the motives o f its Ruler— it was the bless
ing o f God on Am erica, that, in her Revolution, such men as w e have
described maintained their control to the end. Th ey were the leaders o f
the army, for it had been the plan o f England to shut them out from the
high offices o f state. T h ey were beloved by the army, for their peculiar
virtues found daily exercise in the long train o f disaster that makes up the
story o f the war. W ashington was at their head; and the qualities that
distinguished them shone forth, in him, with a still brighter lustre. They
were the interpreters o f his spirit to the people ; and, doubtless, i f ever his
wonderful equanimity failed, and he becam e like other men, he gathered
fresh courage and renewed strength from their intelligent sympathy.
O f these men, holding a rank in the army suited to his age and expe
rience, Samuel Shaw was one. Like most men o f his time, he acted va
rious parts in the changing drama o f life. In his youth, an active and
gallant soldier; in his manhood, a sagacious and enterprising merchant;
for a short period, filling an office o f trust in the Department o f W a r ;
tor several years, representing his country, as consul, abroad; and at all
times maintaining a lofty character for talents and integrity, it is not to be
doubted that his early death alone prevented him from reaching a station
more marked and eminent.
H is memoir, before us, is w'ritten by one who, in early youth, enjoyed
“ the privilege o f his acquaintance and correspon den ce;” and who, after
the lapse o f more than fifty years, passed in constant intercourse with man
kind, says, that he has “ never known an individual o f a character more
elevated and chivalric, acting according to a purer standard o f morals, im
bued with a higher sense o f honor, and uniting, more intimately, the quali
ties o f the gentleman, the soldier, the scholar, and the Christian.”
With
the memoir are interwoven many letters, written by Major Shaw from the
camp to his friends at home. These are so selected and arranged, as to
indicate the character, as well as the passing emotions o f the man. Apart
from their personal interest, they form a valuable commentary upon those
memorials o f the times, which have been collected, with so much zeal and
judgment, by the historian o f Washington.
T o the Memoir are appended the journals o f Major Shaw’s first two voy
ages to Canton. “ These Journals o f Major Shaw,” says the Preface,
“ came, after his death, into the possession o f his nephew and legal repre
sentative, Robert Gould Shaw, o f Boston. Their publication has often
been solicited, but has hitherto been withheld ; the present proprietor
doubting if a work not originally designed for the press could with propri
ety be given to the public. H e has, however, now yielded to the urgency
The First American Consul at Canton.
33
o f friends, and to the assurance o f judicious merchants, long and intimately
acquainted with the China trade, that their publication not only will be
practically useful, but is due to the memory o f their author, w ill redound
to his honor, and will gratify a wise public curiosity concerning the early
state and history o f this branch o f American commerce. Assuming all
the expenses, Mr. Shaw has transferred the copyright o f the book to the
Boston Marine Society, in aid o f whose funds he was o f opinion its pro
ceeds would be most appropriately applied; and to this object they are
devoted.”
W e hope that a brief sketch o f M ajor Shaw’ s life, and such extracts
from his letters and journals as our limited space will allow, may not be
uninteresting to our readers.
Shaw was a Boston boy and a North End boy. H e was educated at
the common schools and at the Latin school, then under the care o f Mas
ter Lovell. O f course, his heart was full o f patriotism, and his mind well
grounded in good learning. His father, Francis Shaw, an eminent mer
chant, designed the lad for his own pursuits; and, at the opening o f the
war, Samuel had lately entered a counting-house. His mercantile suc
cess, in after years, shows that the occupation was not uncongenial to his
tastes ; but the quick spirits o f youth perceived something o f more interest
than money columns in the stirring events o f the time. A tradition, preserved in the family, proves how keenly, at this time, he felt for the honor
o f his country. Boston, being held as a garrison town by the British, the
officers o f the army w ere billeted upon the inhabitants. The house o f
Francis Shaw was assigned, for quarters, to M ajor Pitcairn and Lieutenant
W ragg. A t the table the latter, in the presence o f Samuel Shaw, called
the Americans “ cowards and rebels.”
Shaw was indignant at the re
proach, and immediately challenged the lieutenant. Before the arrange
ments for the duel were completed, however, Major Pitcairn interfered,
and induced Lieutenant W ragg to offer an apology, which, being accept
ed, the affair was thus happily terminated.
On the 2d o f October, 1775, Shaw came o f age. W ith his father’ s
approbation, he immediately prepared to join the army, which W ashing
ton was then organizing at Cambridge. On the 1st o f January, 1776, he
received the commission o f lieutenant in the train o f artillery; and, in this
branch o f the service, he remained during the w hole o f the war.
On joining the army, Lieutenant Shaw was stationed at Prospect Hill,
a height overlooking Charlestown and opposite to Boston, which w ere both
in the possession o f the British. Nothing o f interest occurred here, save,
now and then, an irregular attack upon the outposts o f the enemy. A
characteristic anecdote o f G eneral Putnam is related, in connection with
one o f these skirmishes :—
“ A successful attempt had been made on Charlestown, and ten houses were
burnt. The expedition was carried on with great secrecy, hardly any person, be
sides those employed, knowing a syllable of the affair until they had the pleasure
of seeing the blaze. Among the prisoners taken was a woman, who, being something
fatigued, was, by General Putnam’s order, carried between two men part of the
w ay; but, this mode being found inconvenient, the General, with his usual affa
bility, cried ou t;— 1Here, hand her to m e;’ which being done, she put her hand
round his waist, and made this pious ejaculation as they rode off:— 1Jesus bless
you, sweet General! May you live forever !’ ”
For some time W ashington had been meditating a plan for dislodging
V O L . x v i i i .— n o .
i.
3
34
The L ife o f M ajor Samuel Shaw,
the enemy. Accordingly, on the night o f the 4th o f March, 1776, a pot
tion o f the army, in which was Shaw’ s company, took possession o f D or
chester Heights, a range o f hills commanding the harbor o f Boston. The
movement was successful. On the 17th o f March, the British troops
evacuated the city. From that time, the current o f the war was turned
in other directions.
Lieutenant Shaw went, with the main body o f the army, to the west
ward. In August, 1776, he was entrusted with the command o f Fort
Washington, an important post on the Hudson. About this time Colonel
Tupper, a partisan officer, with the galleys under his command, made an
attack upon two o f the enemy’ s ships, which, in the month o f July, had
succeeded in passing the American batteries, and ascending the river as
far as Tappan Bay. Lieutenant Shaw volunteered on the occasion, and,
in a letter to his father, he gives the following account o f the affair:—
“ It was a hazardous design, the force on our side being so much inferior. W e
had only six galleys, that could bring but eleven guns, in the whole, to bear against
two ships, one of twenty, the other of forty-four guns, assisted by three tenders,
with the advantage of spring cables, while we were obliged to work our little
fleet entirely with oars. Notwithstanding which, we engaged them within reach
of their grape-shot for near two hours, when, being much damaged, two men kill
ed, and fourteen wounded, we were obliged to retire, which we did without their
pursuing; though one of our galley's lay on the careen a whole tide in sight of
them. Five of the wounded fell to the share of the Washington, where I was on
board: which was hulled thirteen times, besides the grape-shot received in her
pails and rigging. You will, perhaps, wonder what business I had on board, it
being out of my sphere, which I readily acknowledge ; but the desire I had to see
an affair of that nature got the better of any other motive, and inclined me to
volunteer. It was no small encouragement to me, when I saw two other gentle
men come on board in the same capacity; one of whom was a merchant in the
city, and the other first aid-de-camp to General Washington. The commodore
treated us very politely, and, when the action came on, gave me the command of
the two bow-guns, which was sufficient employment for me, while my companions
had nothing to do but to look on.”
In October, 1776, shortly before the battle o f W hite Plains, Shaw left
Fort Washington, the capture o f which, in the following month, “ formed,”
says he, “ a pretty subject for H ow e to write upon. H e would, otherwise,
have had chagrin enough, since he has done so little towards subduing
A m erica.”
Between this time and August, 1779, Shaw was successively promoted
to the .ranks o f adjutant and brigade major in the corps o f artillery. By
his gallantry in the various actions at Trenton, Princeton, the Brandywine,
Germantown, and Monmouth, he gained the confidence and affection o f
General K nox, who, in August, 1779, made him his aid-de-camp. In this
station he remained till after the close o f the war. T h e friendship thus
formed between the young officer and his general continued, without interruption, until they w ere separated by death. In 1792, party spirit com
menced its opposition to the administration o f W ashington by violent as
saults upon the character o f General Knox, and other members o f the
cabinet. W e make a short extract from a letter written, at that time, by
Major Shaw to his early friend, to express his indignation at these attacks.
It relates an interesting incident o f the w a r :—
“ Happy must you feel— thrice happy am I— in the reflection, that, so long as
the American name shall last, yours will be handed down with distinction in the
The First American Consul at Canton.
35
list of the ‘ valued file and the artillery, which, formed under your auspices,
equalled every exigence of war, will be regarded as the child of your genius.
W ell do I remember the honorable testimony of the gallant Lafayette, amidst the
thunder of our batteries on the lines at Yorktown. ‘ W e* fire,’ exclaimed he,
with a charming enthusiasm, ‘ better than tho French,’ (and faith we did, too.)
T o this I made a suitable objection. His reply was, ‘ Upon honor, I speak the
truth; and the progress of your artillery is regarded by everybody as one of the
wonders of the Revolution.'’
In a letter written in June, 1779, Major Shaw gives the following ac
count o f the pecuniary situation o f an officer, at a time when the depre
ciation o f the continental currency, in itself a sufficient evil, had made the
army the prey o f every mean vice that avarice breeds and fosters :—
“ I wish, seriously, that the ensuing campaign may terminate the war. The
people of America seem to have lost sight entirely of the noble principle which
animated them at the commencement of it. That patriotic ardor which then in
spired each breast— that glorious, I had almost said godlike, enthusiasm— has
given place to avarice, and every rascally practice which tends to the gratification
of that sordid and most disgraceful passion. I don’t know as it would be too bold
an assertion to say, that its depreciation is equal to that of the currency— thirty
for one. You may, perhaps, charitably think that I strain the matter, but I do not.
I speak feelingly. Ry t'nc arts of monopolizers and extortioners, and the little, the
very little, attention by authority to counteract them, our currency is reduced to
a mere name. Pernicious soever as this is to the community at large, its baneful
effect is more immediately experienced by the poor soldier. I am myself an in
stance of it. For my services I receive a nominal sum— dollars at eight shillings,
in a country where they pass, at the utmost, for fourpence only. If it did not look
too much like self-applause, I might say that I engaged in the cause of my coun
try from the purest motives. However, be this as it may, my continuance in it
has brought me to poverty and rags; and, had I a fortune of my own, I should
glory in persevering, though it would occasion a sacrifice of the last penny. But,
when I consider my situation— my pay inadequate to my support, though within
the line of the strictest economy— no private purse of my own— and reflect that
the best of parents, who, I am persuaded, have the tenderest affection for their
son, and wish to support him in character, have not the means of doing it, and
may, perhaps, be pressed themselves— when these considerations occur to my
mind, as they frequently do, they make me serious; more so than my natural dis
position would lead me to be. The loss of my horse, by any accident whatever,
(unless he was actually killed in battle, and then I should be entitled only to about
one-third of his value,) would plunge me in inextricable misfortune; two years1
pay and subsistence would not replace him. Yet, the nature of my office renders
it indispensable that I should keep a horse. These are some of the emoluments
annexed to a military station.”
In 1781, Major- Shaw’ s younger brother, Nathaniel, decided to enter the
army. In a letter, encouraging the plan, Shaw gives a list o f the articles
necessary for an outfit; which, in deference to its statistical character, w e
extract. T h e reader will notice in the advice, “ superfine w ill be cheap
est,” a touch o f the peculiar thrift o f N e w England :—
Clothing, &c., necessary for a young campaigner:—
Beaver hat,................................................................ .........................................
Coat, faced and lined with scarlet— white vest and breeches— plain yel
low buttons— (superfine will be cheapest,)................................................
Three white linen vests and breeches.............................................................
Six ruffled shirts and stocks,............................................................................
Four pairs white cotton or linen hose,............................................................
15
60
25
60
10
* Lafayette being in the service o f the United States, always spoke as an American.
36
The L ife o f M ajor Samuel Shaw,
Boots,..................................................................................................................
Sword,.................................................................................................................
10
20
Total, silver dollars,..........................................................................
200
“ I f the above sum can be raised on my notes,” adds he, “ I can spare
it without injury to myself, and as much as w ill bring Nat. on to the
cam p.”
But we must close our extracts from these letters o f M ajor Shaw. W e
turn, with reluctance, from the vivid story o f “ the battles, sieges, fortunes,
he had p a s s e d f r o m the glad tidings o f victory at Trenton, and Prince
ton, and Monmouth ; from the painful description o f the mutiny o f the
Jersey and Pennsylvania lin e s; from the sad tale o f Arnold’s baseness
and Andre’ s untimely fa te ; and, especially, from those pages in which
he dwells so fondly upon W ashington’ s demeanor in that most perilous
hour, when, after their seven years’ apprenticeship, in want, and danger,
and neglect, officers and soldiers could bear up no longer against the
broken faith o f Congress and the injustice o f their countrymen. W e know
how feebly w e present the picture. W e have but borrowed, here a tint
and there a line, from the harmonious whole.
On the 19th o f April, 1783, just eight years from the first shedding o f
blood at Lexington, the cessation o f hostilities was proclaimed to the
army. T h e disbanding o f the troops was assigned to General K nox.
As a mem ber o f his military family, M ajor Shaw remained with him dur
ing the year, sharing in this delicate and arduous duty.
In the events w hich accompanied the dissolution o f the army, Major
Shaw took an active interest. H e was chosen secretary o f the committee
o f officers w ho organized the Society o f the Cincinnati, and the original
draft o f its constitution is said to have been from his hand. W ith G en e
ral K nox, he accompanied W ashington upon his entrance into the city o f
N e w Y ork after its evacuation by the British ; and he was present at that
solemn and august scene, when the officers o f the Am erican army took
their final leave o f their great chief, and when manly cheeks paid tribute,
in tears, to that affection, passing the love o f woman, which his stern vir
tues commanded, in the hearts o f those who had suffered and triumphed
at his side.
Shaw ’s military life was n ow over. H e was without occupation, and
in deb t; and his future fortunes w ere to be based upon the universal respect w hich his talents and his integrity had secured, and upon his cha
racteristic energy. W ith these, and the w inning manners which w ere
natural to his generous disposition, and to which the training o f the camp
had given dignity and polish, he was not likely to fall short o f success in
any pursuit.
Without delay, he turned his attention to those occupations for which
he had been destined in his-youth. A company o f capitalists had just
been formed, in the city o f N e w Y ork, for the purpose o f carrying on a
trade with China. Daniel Parker, Esq., a friqnd o f M ajor Shaw, and
agent for those concerned, offered him the situation o f supercargo. H e
accepted the offer, on condition that Captain Thom as Randall, with whom
he had formed an intimate friendship during the war, and who, like him
self, was “ out o f suits with fortune,” should accom pany him and share
the profits o f his agency. N o one, except Shaw himself, was to sacrifice
anything by this condition. It was readily agreed to ; and, on the 22d o f
The F irst Am erican Consul at Canton.
37
February, 1784, the two friends sailed from N ew Y ork, on the first voy
age ever made by an Am erican vessel betw een this country and China.
T h e ship in which they sailed was the Empress o f China, commanded by
Captain John Green. H er burthen was 360 tons. She was loaded
chiefly with ginseng, o f which she carried about 440 p icu ls; the value o f
■a picul (1331 pounds) in China being, at that time, from one hundred and
thirty to two hundred dollars.
H aving paid due honor to the Old Man o f the T ropics, by abundant
libations o f sea-water and g r o g ; and every green-horn having sworn
faithfully to observe those great laws o f morals and manners o f which that
deity has special cognizance, namely, that no man shall drink small beer
when he can get strong, unless he likes the small better; nor kiss the
maid when he can kiss the mistress, save under a similar and not less
wise condition, the voyagers arrived at St. Jago, one o f the Cape de
Y erde Islands. H ere they stopped several days, to obtain fresh provisions
and for repairs. A French brig, with a cargo o f slaves from Senegal,
w as anchored in the harbor. It seems that not even the sanction o f the
law was able wholly to clear the escutcheons o f persons engaged in this
“ abominable traffic.”
W h en the captain o f the b rig came on board o f
the Empress, Captain Green bade his people to bew are o f the French
sailors. “ These fellows are Saint Peter’ s children,” says h e ; “ every
finger a fish-hook, and each hand a grapnel.”
Shaw left St. Jago on the 27th o f M arch, and on the 18th o f July he
arrived in the Straits o f Sunda. H ere he found a French man-of-war,
the Triton, Captain d’Ordelin, bound to Canton. T h e gentlemen o f the
two ships, representing nations so closely united by good offices, met with
great cordiality. Captain G reen being, o f course, unskilled in the pas
sage, took advantage o f the experience o f Captain d’Ordelin, and sailed,
in company with him, from Java. On the 28th o f August the Empress
arrived at W ham poa, having been at sea one hundred and seventy-four
days since leaving N ew Y ork.
It is pleasing to notice the courtesy with which the Am ericans were
w elcom ed. On arriving at W ham poa, they w ere saluted b y all the ship
ping in the harbor. An officer came from the French vessels, with boats,
anchors, and cables, to assist them in getting a good berth. T h e Danish
sent an officer, with com plim ents; the Dutch, a b o a t; and the English,
an officer, “ to w elcom e their flag to that part o f the w orld.”
T h en fol
lowed national dinners, and visits o f congratulation. T h e French, sur
passing the rest in their kindness, gave them the use o f their factory and
a part o f their banksall, (a large building o f bamboo, for the storage o f
water-casks, spars, sails, & c ., and for the reception o f the sick,) during
their stay.
“ T h e Chinese themselves,” says M ajor Shaw, “ w ere very indulgent
towards us, though, ours being the first Am erican ship that ever visited
China, it was some time before they could fully comprehend the distinc
tion betw een us and Englishmen. T h ey styled us the New P e o p le ; and
when by the map w e conveyed to them an idea o f the extent o f our coun
try, with its present and increasing population, they w ere highly pleased
at the prospect o f so considerable a market for the productions o f their
own empire.”
From M ajor Shaw ’s Journal, w e take the follow ing account o f foreign
ships visiting Canton in 1783 and 1784 :—
33
The L ife o f M ajor Samuel SJmv,
Exclusive of the country ships returning to India, there sailed last year from
Canton and Macao forty-five ships for Europe, sixteen of which were English.
The present season the numbers were as follows (Dec. 27) :—
English, 9— French, 4—Dutch, 5— Danish, 3— Portuguese, 4. 25 for Europe.
1 for America.
American,........................
English country ships, 8,,
Danish snow, 1,............
In all.
35
The amount o f tea annually consumed by Great Britain and her de
pendencies at that time, is here stated to have been 14,000,000 pounds.
M ajor Shaw ’ s stay was marked by the occurrence o f what was called
“ the Canton w ar,” and by the honorable part w hich he took upon the
occasion. W e quote his narration o f the circumstances from a letter
written by him, after his return, to John Jay, who was then Minister of
the United States for Foreign A ffa irs:—
“ On the 25th of November, an English ship, in saluting some company that had
dined on board, killed a Chinese and wounded two others in the mandarin’s boat
alongside. It is a maxim of the Chinese law that blood must answer for blood,
in pursuance of which, they demanded the unfortunate gunner. To give up this
poor man was to consign him to certain death. Humanity pleaded powerfully
against the measure. After repeated conferences between the English and the
Chinese, the latter declared themselves satisfied, and the affair was supposed to
be entirely settled. Notwithstanding this, on the morning after the last confer
ence, (the 27th,) the supercargo of the ship was seized, while attending his busi
ness, thrown into a sedan-chair, hurried into the city, and committed to prison.
Such an outrage upon personal liberty spread a general alarm, and the Europeans
unanimously agreed to send for their boats with armed men from the shipping,
for the security of themselves and their property, until the matter should be
brought to a conclusion. The boats accordingly came, and ours among the num
ber; one of which was fired on, and a man wounded. All trade was stopped,
and the Chinese men-of-war wbre drawn up opposite the factories. The Euro
peans demanded the restoration of the supercargo, Mr. Smith, which the Chinese
refused, until the gunner should be given up. In the meanwhile, the troops of
the province were collecting in the neighborhood of Canton ; the Chinese ser
vants were ordered by the magistrates to leave the factories; the gates of the
suburbs were shut— all intercourse was at an end—the naval force was in
creased— many troops were embarked in boats ready for landing, and everything
wore the appearance of war. To what extremities matters might have been
carried, had not a negotiation taken place, no one can say. The Chinese asked
a conference with all the nations except the English. A deputation, in which I
was included, for America, met the Fuen, who is the head magistrate of Canton,
with the principal officers of the province. After setting forth, by an interpreter,
the power of the emperor, and his own determination to support the laws, he de
manded that the gunner should be given up within three days ; declaring that he
should have an impartial examination/before their tribunal, and if it appeared that
the afiair was accidental, he should be released unhurt. In the meantime, he
gave permission for the trade, excepting that of the English, to go on as usual,
and dismissed us with a present of two pieces of silk each, as a mark of his
friendly disposition. The other nations, one after another, sent away their boats,
under protection of a Chinese flag, and pursued their business as before. The
English were obliged to submit, the gunner was given up, Mr. Smith was re
leased, and the English, after being forced to ask pardon of the magistracy of
Canton, in presence of the other nations, had their commerce restored. On this
occasion, I am happy to remark that we were the last who sent off our boat, which
was not disgraced with a Chinese flag; nor did she go till the English themselves
thanked us for our concurrence with them, and advised to the sending of he?
The First American Consul at Canton.
39
away. After peace was restored, the English chief and four other gentlemen
visited the several nations, among whom we were included, and thanked them
for their assistance during the troubles. The gunner remained with the Chinese,
his fate undetermined.”
,
T h e unfortunate gunner was executed by the Chinese a few months
afterwards.
T h e bankrupt system o f the Chinese is peculiar. All payments are
required to be made before the close o f their calendar year. If, on the
last night o f the old year, a debtor has left an account unsettled, he is
visited at his house by his creditor, who seats himself) and, in unbroken
silence, “ watches the old year out and the new year in .”
W h en mid.
night is past the creditor rises, congratulates his debtor on the n ew year,
and retires. T h e insolvent has then “ lost his face.”
There is no credit
for him afterwards.
On the 26th o f Decem ber, 1784, the business o f the voyage being com
pleted, the Empress o f China set sail for home. Captain G reen deemed
it prudent to profit by the sailing o f a Dutch ship, and to keep her com
pany through the Chinese seas. T h e Dutchman, being a dull sailer by
right o f nationality, this confidence was repaid by a delay o f several days
and the loss o f an anchor. During the sixty years that have elapsed since
these occurrences, our ships have learned to go alone.
T h e Empress stopped at North Island for wood. There M ajor Shaw
met a young man who had left Europe with the intention o f spending his
days at Pekin. On reaching Canton, however, the impossibility o f ever
returning, i f he should once enter the capital, appalled him, and he re
fused to proceed. T h e mandarins w ere in trouble, for they had mention
ed his intention in their despatches to the court. H e gave, as his excuse,
that his father had died during his absence from home, and that his mother
had written to him conjuring him to return and provide for her support.
T h e mandarins admitted the piety o f this excuse ; but, deeming it insuf
ficient to satisfy the authorities, they ingeniously settled the matter by
reporting him sick in their next despatches, and afterwards officially ap
prising the court o f his death.
On the 10th o f May, 1785, the Empress o f China arrived in N ew
Y ork. Shortly after, Major Shaw addressed a letter to John Jay, relating
the occurrences o f the voyage. This letter was laid before Congress,
w ho directed Jay to announce to M ajor Shaw, “ that Congress feel a pe
culiar satisfaction in the successful issue o f this first effort o f the citizens
o f A m erica to establish a direct trade with China, which does so much
honor to its undertakers and conductors.”
T h e profits o f this voyage w ere $30,000, upwards o f 25 per cent on
the capital employed. M ajor Shaw ’s share o f this, however, after being
divided with his friend Randall, proved to be but a poor remuneration for
his time and services.
T h e period o f Shaw’ s absence had been one o f bereavement. His
father, to whom he was devotedly attached, and whose declining years he
had hoped to cheer with his presence and society, had died in 1784. A
few months afterwards his eldest brother d ie d ; and Shaw felt it to be his
duty to relinquish, for the present, the mercantile plans he had formed,
and to remain in Am erica, that he might attend to the settlement o f his
father’s estate.
,
General Knox was eager to manifest his kindness. He offered Shaw
40
The L ife o f M ajor Samuel Shaw,
the post o f first Secretary in the W a r Department, a station whose labors
w ere not inconsistent with the performance o f the duties he had assumed.
M ajor Shaw accepted the o ffic e ; and, shortly afterwards, accompanied
G eneral K nox on a tour, to inspect the magazines in the Southern States.
The success which had attended the voyage o f the Empress o f China
had attracted the notice o f m erchants; and, towards the close o f 1785,
it was proposed to M ajor Shaw, by Isaac Sears, Esq., and other gentle
men in N ew York, that he should take part with them in another enter
prise o f the same kind, and, in conjunction with Mr. Sears, should super
intend the business o f the voyage. T h e offers w ere liberal, and Shaw
was induced to leave his public station, and to return to a business which
promised him much success. In February, 1786, he was honorably dis
charged from the W a r D epartm ent; and, about the same time, he was
appointed by Congress Consul for the United States at Canton.
On the 4th o f February, 1786, he sailed from N ew Y ork in the ship
H ope, Captain James M agee ; his friend, Captain Randall, w ho, he had
arranged, should be concerned with him in this undertaking also, and Mr.
Sears, being his companions. In August they arrived at Cantop, where
M r. Sears died. Shaw returned to N ew Y ork in July, 1789, having,
during his absence, passed several months in Bengal. Nothing, proba
bly, in the life o f M ajor Shaw, w ill be more pleasing to the reader than
an incident which occurred after his return from this voyage :—
“ His brother, Francis Shaw,had died in the year 1785, leaving,besides daugh
ters, two sons, who were at this time about seven or eight years old. To the
widow of this brother, then residing in Goldsborough, Major Shaw, immediately
on his arrival in the United States, wrote : ‘ I beg you to put your two sons
under my care, that I may be to them instead of a father. If you consent, let
them accompany, at once, their uncle William to Boston.’ The offer was grate
fully accepted. They were sent, and from that time were regarded by Major
Shaw as his children. One of them was Robert Gould Shaw, now one of the
most eminent and prosperous merchants of Boston.”
At the time o f the publication o f the M emoir, this gentleman addressed
to Mr. Quincy the following graceful letter:—
“ I am, sir, the oldest of those fatherless boys, and I well remember how affec
tionately and kindly he received me. He told me, if I would be a good boy, that
I should never want a friend. I will not undertake to describe the influence that
his kindness had upon my mind. From that day to this, I have, as he promised,
never wanted a friend in time of need, nor have I ever forgotten, I trust, those
who in such times have been my friends ; by whose aid, protected by kind Provi
dence, I have been placed in a position to repay, in part, by kindness to others,
the debt that is so justly due from me.”
And most amply has the debt been paid. That germ o f human kind
ness, planted in the heart o f the child, has borne rich and abundant fruit,
in the large beneficence o f the man.
During Major Shaw’s absence on this voyage he had ordered a ship to
be built, on his own account, at Germantown, in Quincy. This ship was
launched in September, 1789, and was named the Massachusetts. She
was o f 820 tons burthen— larger than any merchant vessel previously
built in the United States ; and her model was pronounced, by naval com
manders abroad, “ as perfect as the then state o f the art would permit.”
In this ship, commanded by Captain Job Prince, Shaw sailed from B os
ton in March, 1790, on his third voyage to Canton. Before his departure,
The First American Consul at Canton.
41
his commission, as consul, was renewed by President W ashington. On
his outward passage he stopped at Batavia, to dispose o f some merchan
dise which he had purchased for that market. H e was there informed,
that, on account o f some supposed violations o f the revenue laws by the
Americans, all com m erce with that people had been forbidden by the home
government. Shaw immediately made a suitable representation, to the
governor-general and council, o f the injustice and the impolicy o f the
measure. W hat was the result o f this step, w e are not informed. It
seems, however, that the prohibition was regarded with as little favor by
the colonists as by the Am ericans.
M ajor Shaw returned to this country early in 1792. H e immediately
procured a ship o f his own, and prepared for another voyage. W hile he
remained at home, he paid his addresses to Hannah, the daughter o f W il
liam Phillips, Esq., “ o f a family distinguished for its virtues and its pros
perity.”
T h ey w ere married on the 21st o f August, 1792 ; but, auspicious
as their union seemed, their happiness was doomed to be o f short dura
tion. In a few months they parted; the one, to be hurried to an early
death ; the other, to treasure up the memory o f a few sunny hours through
a long night o f mourning— a night sad and lonely, yet not uncheered by
the great rewards that active charity bestows upon the heart from which
it springs, and by the glad contentment o f a steadfast trust in God.
In February, 1793, Shaw sailed for Bom bay and Canton. At Bom bay
he contracted a disease o f the liver, incident to the climate. H e pursued
his voyage to C a n ton ; but, obtaining no relief there, he sailed for home.
On the 30th o f M ay, 1794, he died at sea. T h e intelligence o f his sick
ness and o f his death came to Mrs. Shaw at the same moment.
Immediately after his marriage, Major Shaw had written this passage
in his Bible :—
“ Beneficent Parent of the universe ! as in the years that are passed, so in those
which are to come, may I rejoice in thy goodness, and, whether longer or shorter,
may I be satisfied with life, and cheerfully submit myself to the dispensations of
thy providence!”
In this temper and spirit he died. “ Not long before his death,” says
his physician, “ as I was standing by him, (we were alone,) he took hold
o f my hand and pressed it affectionately to his breast. He then sighed
heavily, and, casting his eyes on the miniature of his wife, that hung at
the foot o f the berth, sighed again, and said, ‘ God’ s will be done.’ ”
It was the close o f a useful and an honorable life. Washington, who
seldom erred in his judgment o f men, gave him this commendation :—
“ From the testimony of the superior officers under whom Captain Shaw has
served, as well as from my own pbservation, I am enabled to certify, that, through
out the whole of his service, he has greatly distinguished himself in everything
which could entitle him to the character of an intelligent, active, and brave
officer.”
Those qualities o f heart and mind w hich formed the intelligence, the
activity, and the courage o f the soldier, w ere not less conspicuous in the
sagacity, the enterprise, and the integrity o f the merchant. T h e esteem
in which he had been held during his life, and the impression produced
by his death, are w ell told in an obituary notice published in the Colum
bian Centinel o f the 20th o f August, 1794, from which w e take the follo w in g :—
42
The L ife o f M ajor Samuel Shaw, etc.
“ His fine natural talents, elegant erudition, and social benevolence, gained
him the esteem of a numerous acquaintance, and fitted him for extensive useful
ness to society. As an officer in the army, in which he served during the whole
of the late war, his merit was conspicuous. Though possessed of much romantic
ardor, he supported a dignity and consistency of character; was equally prudent
and brave, and ever attentive to the duties of his station.
“ In his character of American consul for the port of Canton, he was called to
act a part which required much discretion and firmness. On the occasion of
‘ the Canton war,’ as it was called, Mr. Shaw represented the American interest
in such a manner as to throw a lustre on his commission, and give him great
credit among the European merchants and other eminent characters abroad. At
his return, his conduct met the approbation of the representatives of the United
States in Congress.
“ He was considered as an ornament to his country, for his inflexible integrity,
and a greatness of heart which he displayed on every occasion. The virtues
which adorn the man, and wiiich he manifested in his youth, became more splen
did as he advanced in years, and engaged in public action. In the opinion of
some persons, his spirit was too exalted to be successful in the common concerns
of life. He did not love property for its own sake, but as the means of making
his benevolence more extensive. He disdained many of those arts of traffic,
which are daily practised, and deemed justifiable. His commercial dealings were
regulated by the strictest honor, refined by the principles of philosophy and
religion.
“ The engagements of commercial, and even of military life, did not seduce
him from a love of science. Though he had not the advantage of an academical
education, yet his classical merit was so conspicuous, that, in 1790, he was pre
sented with the honorary degree of Master of Aits by the university of Cam
bridge. This was done in his absence, and without his knowledge, at the solici
tation of several gentlemen of eminence in literature. About the same time he
was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
“ Had he lived a few years longer, his country might have derived much ben
efit from his abilities, his information, and his virtues. His zeal to make others
happy, would have endeared him still more to those who enjoyed his friendship,
and made those hearts beat with new sensations of pleasure, which are now
heavy with grief. The universal regret caused by his death is an evidence of
the great esteem in which he was held. All who knew him lament him with
expressions of sorrow equally lively and sincere.”
Gladly, as we close this imperfect sketch, would we pay our tribute o f
respect to him, who has given the hours o f his well-earned leisure to these
grateful labors. But it becomes us to be silent. It is not for us to appor
tion the measure o f praise that is due to one who has borne, with new
honor, so illustrious a name. Most pleasing w ill it be to those, his contem
poraries, who saw his great abilities and his untiring industry, in the years
when he held a lofty place in the councils o f the state ; most pleasing to the
thousands, still on the threshold o f active life, w ho have learned to love
him in that near relation in which he was ever a watchful guide and a
zealous friend ; to behold him thus filling up the full circle o f duty, and,
to the many labors, in which he has done good service to the living, add
ing this merited offering to the memory o f the dead.
/
The Commercial Cities o f E u ro p e: Havre.
43
Art. III.— T H E C O M M E R C I A L C I T I E S OP E U R O P E .
NO. I.— H A V R E .
IN T R O D U C T IO N — L O C A T IO N OF H A V R E — I T S G E N E R A L A P P E A R A N C E — C O M M E R C IA L
H A V R E — C A U S E S OF P R O S P E R IT Y — D E S C R IP T IO N
T IO N A N D F O R E IG N T R A D E — A R T IC L E S
OF
OF T H E
EXPORT
AND
E S T A B L I S H M E N T S OF
P O R T S — R O A D S — H A R B O R — B A S IN S — N A V IG A
IM P O R T — W H A L E
F IS H E R Y — ST E AM B O A TS—
O C E A N S T E A M E R S B E T W E E N N E W Y O R K A N D H A V R E — S H IP -B U IL D IN G — F A C IL IT IE S F O R B U S IN E S S .
I t is the fashion o f the world to travel, and it is the fashion o f travellers
to write books. A few shillings, judiciously expended, w ill put it in the
power o f any man, endowed with D ogberry’ s natural gifts, to learn what
companions one falls in with, in a diligence or a cafe ; what strategy is
requisite to enter a harem ; at what hour, and in what mountain-pass one
may count upon being met by banditti; what are the attractions, and what
the inconveniences o f life in the desert; into how many phonographic
shapes the familiar word bashaw can be tortured; what describable em o
tions one feels in the crater o f Vesuvius, as the earth bends, like thawing
ice, beneath him ; how surly John Bull is on the continent, and how
sprightly Jean Crapaud is everywhere, and a thousand other facts, as use
less as they are entertaining.
Seldom, however, do these amusing books furnish anything o f value to
us, commercial inquirers, beyond a few hints upon the retail trade o f C on
stantinople, or an eloquent denunciation o f the costly and unsavory messes
o f an Italian inn, suggestive to the economist o f that important law, that,
where profits come seldom, they must be large. A few travellers, and but
a few, have thought it worth their while to learn and report what share
various cities and countries are taking in that steady amelioration o f man’s
physical condition ; that still, but mighty revolution, in the relations o f in
dividuals and o f nations ; that making glad o f “ the wilderness and the sol
itary place ” which the enterprise that com m erce fosters, and the wealth
that it bestows, are, day by day, accomplishing.
It is our business and duty, as w ell as w e are able, to fill up this gap ;
and w e have thought that a series o f articles upon the Com m ercial Cities
o f Europe, made up from the most accurate sources within our reach,
might do something towards this end. Th ey w ill appear in successive num
bers o f the Magazine, and w ill resemble, in form and plan, those which we
are now publishing upon the Com mercial Cities o f the United States. W e
com m ence with an article upon Havre, for the material o f which, we are
mainly indebted to a contribution o f M. Edward Corbiere, (a resident o f
that city,) to the Dictionnaire da Commerce.
Havre, formerly called Havre de Grace, the great- Northern seaport o f
France, is situated in the department o f the “ Seine Inferieure,” in lati
tude 49° 29' 14" North, and longitude 0° 6' 38 " W est from G reenw ich.
It lies at the extremity o f the North bank o f the Estuary o f the Seine,
42 miles W est from Rouen, and 109 miles West-north-west from Paris.
Its fixed population in 1839, was about 28,000 ; its floating population,
about 5,000.
T h e appearance o f Havre is that o f a modern commercial city. It is
almost destitute o f those marks o f antiquity which give, to the cities o f
Europe, their ch ief interest for an American. It was founded towards the
latter part o f the sixteenth century, and is, therefore, but little older than
N ew York. T h e only buildings which connect it with the past, are the
44
The Commercial Cities o f E u ro p e: Havre.
church o f Notre Dame, the old Hotel de Villa, the Citadel, built by R ich
elieu, in 1564, and the tower o f Francis L , a round edifice o f freestone
about seventy feet in height, and eighty-five in diameter, defending the
entrance o f the harbor, and built in the time o f the monarch whose name
it commemorates. Even in that section which is called the “ Old City,”
com m erce has overgrown antiquity. T h e repeated renovations which
have been found necessary for the convenience o f business, have oblitera
ted almost every relic o f the past.
Havre is built upon a long plateau, parallel with the course o f Ihe Seine.
It is surrounded by a triple row o f walls and ditches, about three and a
half miles in circuit, through which the only entrances from the suburbs
are five narrow gates. As the city is commanded by many lofty points in
the neighborhood, these fortifications are utterly useless for its protection.
O f course they seriously interfere with its traffic. T h e streets are toler
ably regular, and the houses are arranged in good order. Numerous foun
tains adorn the city, which is supplied with water by pipes, leading from
the vicinity. The principal business street is the “ Rue de Paris,” run
ning North and South, from the Place de la Bourse to Ingouville gate.
A m ong the public establishments o f Havre, are a Tribunal o f Original
Jurisdiction, a Chamber o f Com m erce, a Bureau for the Registry o f Sea
men, a Health Establishment for the visiting o f ships, & c . Its manufac
turing industry is but trifling, when compared with its commercial import
ance. A tobacco factor)', a large sugar refinery, a saw-mill, a chain-ca
ble factor}', several foundries and shops for the construction o f steam-en
gines, comprise its principal manufacturing establishments. It is only as
a maritime city, that Havre deserves our attention.
The general causes o f the advancing prosperity o f Havre, are easily
ascertained. T h ey are the large and increasing business o f the neighboringeities, Paris, Rouen, Elboeuf, and Louviers, in whose progress Havre,
from its relative position, necessarily sh ares; the easy and cheap commu
nication which the Seine affords with the great centre o f business and
travel; and, above all, the remarkable and singular advantage w hich the
harbor possesses, in that the tide remains full there for several hours b e
fore falling. These causes are abundantly sufficient to make Havre the
port o f Paris, and the great maritime city o f France. T h e past thirty
years o f peace have done much to realize the saying o f Napoleon, that
.“ Paris, Rouen, and Havre, form but a single city, o f w hich the Seine is
the principal street.”
In order to make ourselves better understood in describing this inter
esting city, w e shall speak o f the various parts o f the port, and o f the dif
ferent branches o f industry, under separate heads.
R oads.
T h e roads o f Havre are included between Cape de la H eve to
the North, and to the South the plateau, upon which the city is built.
Cape de la Heve is a highland, situated about two and a half miles to the
North-west o f H a v r e ; its summit is about three hundred and fifty feet
above the level o f the sea. Upon it are two light-houses, fifty feet in
height, and about three hundred and twenty-five feet apart. In a clear
night their lights may be seen at the distance o f seven or eight leagues.
This promontory, being w ell lighted, and its shore free from dangerous
rocks, affords a safe and convenient landing-place to vessels bound into the
port, A smaller and feebler light is placed on the sand-bank at the mouth
o f the channel, w hich leads into the harbor. This light marks the ex
The Commercial Cities o f E u r o p e : H avre.
45
treme point o f the roads to the South ; it is only useful to coasters, as they
alone can venture to pass up the channel to the city during the night.
A chain o f rocks called “ H ecla,” and the “ Heights o f the Roads,” ex
tends from North-east to South-west along the shore, from Cape de la H eve
to the end o f the sand-banks o f the harbor. These rocks, which appear
above the surface o f the water at the ebb o f the spring tides, offer little
obstruction or danger to navigation. T h ey separate what are called the
Great Roads, (la G rande-Rade,) from the other channel, lying land
ward o f the former, and called the Little Roads, (la Petite-Rade.) T h e
depth o f the Great Roads at ebb-tide is from six to seven and a half fath
oms ; that o f the Little Roads, from three to three and a half. Coasters,
only, on account o f their light draught o f water, venture to anchor in the
Little Roads.
In winter, even the Great Roads afford but a very unsafe anchorage,
especially for large vessels, which are obliged to wait for a tide before en
tering the harbor. Ships bound in seldom anchor there, in the stormy
seasons, but lie o ff and on, keeping at a safe distance from the shore, and
waiting frequently a w eek or longer, either for a tide sufficiently high, or
for a change o f wind such as to permit them to enter the channel. The
Great Roads are exposed, without protection, to winds from the W est,
South-west, and North-west. W h en the w indcom es from the land, that is,
from the North-east, East, or South-east, the anchorage is somewhat more
safe ; though, in the stormy season, it is always hazardous. T h e stormy
winds are generally from the W est. T h e rise o f the tide upon the coast
is from twenty-two to twenty-seven feet.
H a r b o r . The harbor is a port de marie, or tide-harbor; that is, it is dry
twice a day, at every fall o f the tide. Its narrow entrance lies between
two long banks o f sand and gravel, extending from East to W est. T his,
the only exit for vessels, is kept clear by frequent excavations, and by
means o f a sluice, which receives the tide-water, and, being opened at
the ebb, sends a rapid current through the channel. T h e depth o f the
channel, at high water, varies constantly from ten feet, at the lowest neaptides, to twenty feet, at the highest spring-tides.
This narrow entrance, which is scarcely wide enough for four ordina
ry vessels to pass abreast, leads to the inner harbor, the form o f which is
a trapezium, rounded at the angles. This inner harbor is small, and, like
the channel at its entrance, dry at every fall o f the tide. It serves as a
refuge for a multitude o f coasters, w hich can take the ground without
damage. Large vessels, delicately built or deeply laden, only anchor
there for a short time. T h ey are placed in the basins during the same
tide with w hich they have entered the harbor. The port is so much fre
quented, and the narrow and crooked channel so constantly crowded, that
it is only by the greatest care, on the part o f the captain, that a ship can
be brought up to the city without accident.
A remarkable tidal phenomenon gives to Havre the important place it
holds among the ports o f the channel. T h e harbor is so situated, that the
Seine sweeps directly across its entrance, and thus prevents the water
within from issuing freely. T h e result o f this is, that the tide remains
full, in the harbor, for three hours together, after having attained its
maximum height. On other parts o f the coast it falls, as elsewhere, as
soon as it ceases to rise. This delay o f the tide, gives to ships entering
or departing, sufficient time o f deep water for all their purposes. Many
46
The Commercial Cities o f E u r o p e : Havre.
other ports o f the channel appear to be situated as favorably for com
m ercial purposes as Havre. This curious phenomenon, alone, gives it
its marked pre-eminence. Without this advantage to atone for its many
deficiencies, the port would be deserted.
B asins. Havre has three floating basins, the Bassin de la Barre, com
menced in 1800, and completed in 1 8 1 8 ; the Bassin du Commerce, or
d’Ingouville, also completed in 1818, and the Bassin du R oi, or the Old
Basin, which was constructed more than a century ago, and has been re
paired and reconstructed at various periods since.
Between the Old Basin (the smallest o f the three) and the Bassin de la
Barre, whose gates open towards the inner harbor, is the Bassin d’ In
gouville, which divides the low er city into two parts.
These three basins are by no means sufficient for the necessities o f the
p ort; together, they are capable o f containing nearly four hundred large
vessels, lying in tiers, three or four abreast, at the quays, and made fast
parallel with the sides o f the basins. But, under ordinary circumstances,
they do not contain more than one hundred and fifty or two hundred large
vessels at once. This number is quite large enough to occasion great in
convenience and confusion.
M . Corbiere complains that, at the time he writes, (in 1839,) the gates
o f these basins w ere too narrow to admit o f the entrance o f large steam
boats ; on account o f this, steamboats lying in the inner harbor were
obliged to ground at every fall o f the tide. Thus, exposed to heavy w est
erly winds, the}' constantly suffered damage, which they would have entire
ly escaped could they have taken refuge in a floating basin. A t that time
efforts w ere being made to construct a dock, similar in plan to the London
docks, with an entrance on the harbor. This, it was thought, would rem
edy the inconvenience, and would, also, avoid the necessity o f landing
goods upon the quays, as they are n ow landed, with no shelter but awnings.
Great opposition was made to the plan by the notables, the city authori
ties, and even by the Chamber o f Com m erce. It was also intended, at
that time, to excavate an old and neglected canal without the walls o f the
city, called the Canal Vauban, and to make o f it a basin for the reception
o f small craft.
W hat was the result o f these plans, or what changes have since been
made in these respects, w e do not know. W e notice, however, in late
French journals, that a new dock called “ Florida,” has recently been
completed, for the use o f the transatlantic steamers o f Heroult and de H an
del. It was opened on the 14th o f October last, and, on that day, the
“ N ew Y o r k ” entered it in safety. The “ N ew Y ork ” is said to be the
largest ship anchored at Havre since the wars o f Napoleon, when the
frigate “ Grande Francois ” was stationed there.
On the arrival o f a ship, a place is allotted to her at the quay, at which
to discharge. W h en she has reached her berth, her cargo is landed and
placed under awnings, where it is weighed by the officers o f the customs.
After being weighed, the merchandise is transported upon carts to w are
houses, w hich serve for a fictitious entrepot, or to the real entrepbt o f the
customs, w hich is rented by the city, at a fixed tariff o f prices, to mer
chants intending to re-export immediately, or to warehouse the goods o f
which they are the owners or consignees.
N a v ig a t io n .
The foreign trade o f the port o f Havre furnishes employ
ment to from three hundred and twenty to three hundred and thirty French
The Commercial Cities o f E urtipe: Havre.
47
ships, besides about a hundred foreign ships o f all nations. These ves
sels, carrying on the trade o f Havre with the most distant parts o f the
globe, make, on an average, nearly two voyages a y e a r ; thus the foreign
trade o f the place requires more than six hundred voyages annually. W e
do not include, among vessels engaged in foreign trade, the steamboats o f
the regular lines, vessels sailing to distant French ports, nor even those
trading with foreign European ports.
Taking the mean figures o f the statistics o f the com m erce o f this port
to obtain an approximate result, w e learn that it employs from 170,000 to
180,000 tons o f shipping, and that the number o f seamen engaged is not
far from 8,000.
The principal articles o f merchandise exported from Havre, are arti
cles o f French manufacture, such as silks, hardware, plate, crockery,
fashions, glass, furniture, implements o f labor and o f art, paper-hangings,
hempen and linen fabrics, eatables, wines, liquors, grain, salted provisions,
bricks, tiles, & c . T h e value o f these articles is, for the most part, very
large in comparison with their bulk. Vessels transporting them, are sel
dom flilly laden, and, therefore, obtain but a moderate, and, generally, an
unprofitable freight. It is usually the case that ships sailing from Havre
for foreign ports, are obliged to make up the burthen necessary for their
safety by a large amount o f stone ballast.
T h e return voyage is more productive to shipping, and, in some meas
ure, compensates for the losses o f the outward passage. T h e ch ie f cum
brous articles o f import, are cotton, o f which Havre receives the larger
part o f that imported into France, sugar, coffee, rice, drugs, spices, indigo,
tea, wood, and, in general, all the colonial products. The constant and
active trade between Havre and the United States, the W est Indies,
Northern and Southern Europe, Brazil, M exico, Peru, India and China,
amounts annually to a value o f not less than 500,000,000 francs. T h e
duties upon these imports amount to 23,000,000 francs. T h e imports o f
Havre fall little short o f those o f Marseilles.
W h a m s F i s h e r y . This branch o f industry, which, in 1827, only em
ployed five or six vessels, fitted by a foreign house, and manned by mixed
crews, ow es the prosperity to w hich it has since attained to the ordinance
o f 1829, upon bounties and French crew s. T o show the rapid progress
made in this department o f maritime enterprise, in consequence o f that
ordinance, it is sufficient to say, that, in 1839, there w ere belonging to
the port o f Havre fifty whale-ships, measuring from 400 to 600 tons each,
manned by 1,500 chosen seamen, and importing annually 50,000 barrels
o f oil, and a proportional quantity o f bone, and that the value o f these pro
ducts is more than 4,000,000 francs.
S team boats.
Up to 1836, the whole steam navigation o f Havre was
effected by a few small boats employed in the L ow er Seine, and two steampackets running to Southampton. At present, however, it communicates
with nearly every com m ercial point in its vicinity, by regular lines o f
steamboats.
T h e ocean steamers now running to N ew Y ork, form a n ew bond o f
commercial and political union between France and this country. A s yet,
their voyages have been peculiarly unfortunate. T h e ships, however,
seem to be well adapted to their purpose— their passages have been safely
made, and their misfortunes have not been o f such a character as to cast
any imputation upon the skill o f their navigators. Nothing is needed but
48
The Commercial Cities o f E u ro p e: Havre.
increased experience, to avoid the errors which have marred the promise
o f the undertaking.
Doubtless, before long, these steamers will make
their passages with speed and directness.*
A large number o f steamboats are employed in the Seine, in towing
barges and coasters. The barges are towed by the boats o f the com pa
nies to which they belong. T h ey are used in carrying merchandise from
Havre to Paris, or from Havre to Rouen, from w hich place the goods are
frequently conveyed to Paris by land. A great part o f the merchandise
sent to Paris, is destined to the interior o f France, and to the markets o f
Italy. Most o f these barges are o f 300 or 400 tons burthen— a large ca
pacity, when w e consider the slight depth o f water, and the difficult navi
gation o f the Seine.
Four sailing packets leave Havre for N ew Y ork every month ; two for
Bahia, and one for Vera Cruz and N ew Orleans.
S h i p -B u i l d in g . The four or five ship-yards which Havre possesses,
are situated in the midst o f the military establishment o f the place, near
the sea-shore, and open to the roads. There, among the huts o f the sub
urbs, and at the extremity o f the muddy roads that lead from the narrow
gates o f the city, are built the ships which have given Havre its high repu
tation as a port o f naval construction.
T h e ships launched from the stocks at Havre are marked by their care
ful and delicate finish, and by their adaptation to the necessities o f the
voyage for which they are intended, and to the difficulties o f the harbors
w hich they are to navigate. T heir models somewhat resemble the A m er
ican type. In the building o f steamboats, constant improvement, both in
elegance and in nautical qualities, is manifest. W ages are high at Havre,
and ship-building is, consequently, dearer there than elsewhere. The
difference in price, however, is w ell paid for the peculiar intelligence and
skill o f the builders and laborers, and for the excellent quality o f the ma
terials used both in the building and the rigging o f ships.
I n s u r a n c e . There are ten Insurance Companies at Havre, which
take risks on goods and vessels to the amount o f from 30,000 to 80,000
francs on a single voyage. There are, also, about the same number of in
dividual underwriters, who take similar risks. An agent o f L loyd’s is
stationed there.
W e must not close without alluding to the promptness and facilities
with which business is carried on at Havre, and to the rare occurrence o f
disputes between merchants. T h is is mainly ow ing to a system o f rates,
long since established by the Chamber o f Commerce and the authorities
o f the city, under the name o f “ Tares et usages de la place,” which de
termines all cases o f doubt that are likely to arise from the multiplicity o f
business, and the conflict o f opposing interests. Thanks to this system,
to which time, and the experience o f its excellence, has given the moral
authority o f a judgment, rendered beforehand, upon all points o f difference
Which could be anticipated, legal contests have becom e rare at Havre,
and business is properly and am icably conducted.
* For the regulations, & c., o f the Ocean Steamers between Havre and N ew York, and
the Contract o f the Havre Company and French government, see Merchants’ Magazine,
Vol. X V I., for June, 1847, pages 617 to G19 ; also, for articles on the French Atlantic
Steamers, see Merchants’ Magazine for August, 1847.
L ife Insurance, etc.
49
Art. 17.— LIFE INSURANCE:
W IT H R E FE R E N C E
TO
P R E M IU M S , E T C ., O F L I F E
IN S U R A N C E
C O M P A N IE S .
As there are not in the United States any vital statistics worthy o f being
made the basis o f a calculation for premiums o f a Life Insurance C om
pany, the Carlisle Tables are usually adopted. These probably represent
our mortality very nearly, and are much to be preferred to the Northamp
ton T ables, which are generally employed in Great Britain by the socie
ties for Life Insurance. T h ey correspond so closely with the experience
o f the Equitable Society, after an existence o f forty years, that the pre
miums calculated according to that experience, and according to the C ar
lisle T ables, differ only 1 per cent at the age o f 20, I f at 30, 2 f at 40,
and 2 at 50. At the higher ages, the difference is more considerable.
It amounts to 7 f per cent at 55, 14 at 60, and 16 at 65. T h e greater
mortality, however, indicated by the Carlisle Tables, makes them more
suited for our coun try; since it is believed that, at the advanced periods
o f life, our mortality is greater than in England. I f w e examine our
census, and compare the number living at 60, and upwards, with those
living between 20 and 30, the excess, even in the Carlisle Tables, will
be very considerable. Supposing 100 to represent the number between
20 and 30, the comparison will be as follows :—
E x p e r ie n c e o p
Equitable Society.............................
Carlisle Tables..............................
New Hampshire.............................
Vermont...........................................
Connecticut......................................
New England.................................
Middle States...................................
Southern States................................
United States...................................
Between
20 and 30.
Between
Between
80 and
60 and
60 and 70. 70 and 80. upwards, upwards.
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
51
33
25
24
22
20
14
14
13
33
14
15
14
13
12
6
6
6
14
5
5
4
4
3
2
2
2
98
52
45
42
39
35
22
22
21
The small comparative number appearing in our census at the higher
ages, is caused in part by the immigration o f a large number o f persons
at the earlier and middle stages o f life, and in part by the increase in our
population from year to year, which brings a larger number o f young per
sons into the census than would take place i f the population were station
ary. These causes would possibly bring the durability o f life up to that
in the Carlisle T ables, but not up to the experience o f the Equitable
Society.
T h e w hole mortality in Carlisle was 1 in 4 0 ; and for Philadelphia, for
ten years, from 1 8 3 0 to 1 8 4 0 , it was 1 in 4 3 for the white population, and
1 in 4 2 for the white and colored. In Boston and in Charleston, the
reported mortality is less than in Philadelphia, but it is suspected that
some omissions are made, in all these places, in the reports o f the boards
o f health ; and a few mistakes o f this kind would bring the mortality up
to the standard at Carlisle.
These, and other reasons that might be given, show that the Carlisle
Tables are well chosen as the basis o f the premiums required by our Life
Insurance Societies. After the tables are selected, it is a mere question
o f mathematical calculation to determine the premiums for every different
age, provided the rate o f interest and the annual expenses o f the society
are known. These, however, are more or less uncertain. T h e expenses
V O L . X V I II .— n o . i .
4
50
L ife Insurance:
arc dependent, in part, upon the amount o f business done, and the rate
o f interest varies from year to year. T h e usual rate is 6 percent. Som e
times it is fully 7, even on long securities o f the best character ; and som e
times it is as low as 5, and even lower. Seven per cent State stocks,
whose character has never been seriously doubted, have been below par
occasionally, while 5 per cent stocks have at times been above par. This
last has not, however, occurred, except when they w ere merchantable in
Europe, where the rate o f interest is low er than here. As 6 per cent
United States stocks have usually been above par, the average rate has
been below 6, but certainly not as low as 5 per cent. T h e insurance
companies calculate their premiums at 4 per c e n t; but, when it is remem
bered that a separate allowance is made for the expenses o f the company,
and that much o f their funds is loaned on mortgages, at the legal interest
o f 7 per cent, sometimes at 6, and scarcely ever as low as 5, it would
seem wrong to use 4 per cent in their calculation o f premiums. The rate
o f interest may indeed fall, in the long period these contracts have to run,
but there is no reason to anticipate that the average will be below 5. In
England, where the rate on consols is between 3 and 4, the companies
use 3 per cent in their calculations ; but it is generally acknowledged that
this is too low , although it is nearer the usual rate there than 4 is in this
country.
In the mutual companies, which are the principal ones in the United
States, as all the profits are returned to the assured, it makes but little
difference whether 4 or 5 per cent is used in the calculations— but still, it
makes some difference. T h e rate o f interest does not afiect the premiums
when the insurances are for a single year, and but slightly when the ex
pectation o f life is sm all; but for long periods, the effect is greater. A
large portion o f the receipts from the younger members is composed o f the
interest received on their successive payments, and the rate thus becom es
o f importance. I f the company make 5 per cent, or more, on their a c
cumulations, and charge for policies at 4 per cent interest, a part o f the
payments made by the younger members is transferred, in the division o f
profits, to the older members. This transfer is not large, but justice
requires that the payments made by each should be, as near as possible,
according to the real value o f the risk. T h e excess paid by each ought
to be returned when the profits are divided. N o portion o f the extra pre
mium paid by one member should be put to the credit o f another. Although
w e cannot tell with perfect accuracy what the return to each ought to be,
w e must approximate to it as nearly as we can.
Let us illustrate this by an example. I f there were no expenses to be
taken into the account, the premiums for the different ages mentioned
below would be as follows :—
At
th e
ag e
of
40.
50.
60.
20 .
70.
#1 21 $1 64 $2 24 $3 21 $5 43 $9 09
1 34 1 79
2 42
3 43
5 64
9 30
II
9
8
7
4
2
1
an make 5 per cent on the payments by the
ass
,
, -emiums w ill meet the losses, according to the
Carlisle T ables. T h e second rates being charged, the difference w ill be
profits. I f an equal number be insured at each age, and the gains all
returned to the assured in proportion to each one’s payments, the actual
resulting cost to each one, and the per centage, too much and too little,
paid by each, w ill be as follows :—
W ith R eference to Premiums , etc., o f L ife Insurance Companies.
Actual premium..
Error per cent... .
51
$128
$171
$ 2 31
$ 3 27
$ 5 38
$ 8 87
6-44-)3-f2+
1—
2—
I f the numbers assured at the several ages be different, the amount o f
error may v a ry ; but, in every case, an excess w ill be charged to the
younger members. Thus, if the ages o f the assured should be about the
same as in the Equitable Society, or—
3 at
12 at
300 at
400 at
S00 at
X00 at
20
30
40
50
60
70
then the actual cost to each, after the distribution o f profits, and the error
per cent in the charge to each, w ill be as follows :—
A t t h e a g e op
20.
Actual premium..
$ 1 27
Error per cent..... •
5+
30.
40.
50.
60.
70.
$ 1 70
$ 2 30
$ 3 26
$ 5 36
$ 8 84
4 -f*
3-f*
2-f*
1—
3—
N one o f these errors are large, but they all show that, by reckoning the
rate o f interest too low — low er than the actual amount received by the
society from their investments— the younger members ax’e made to pay
too much, and the older members too little. W e do not recommend 5
per cent because it makes the premiums smaller, for that is not necessa
rily the case. After the premiums have been calculated on the basis o f 5
per cent, they may be increased in any ratio, even doubled, without work
ing any inequality to the several members o f the society. T h e objection
to 4 per cent as the basis is, that the profits derived from each policy are
not returned to the several members according to the actual gains derived
from each. I f the company shall make 6 per cent on their investments
instead o f 5, this inequality w ill be still more increased. I f they should
make less than 4, the burden and injury would fall on the older members
instead o f the younger. But as 5 approaches nearer than any other to
the probable rate at which the investments o f the company w ill increase,
this ought to be made the basis o f all calculations for premiums.
Besides the rate o f interest, the expenses o f the society have to be con
s id e r e d . These consist o f office rent, salaries, books, advertising, com
pensation to agents, physicians’ fees, exchange, postage, and some other
incidental expenses. Some o f these are proportioned to the number o f
the insured, and some to the amount o f the payments. T h e far greater
poi'tion is o f the latter kind, and it is not usual to make the assured pay
anything more than a single dollar for his policy, however large may be
the amount paid as premium. T h e age, and the sum insured, make no
difference as to expenses. This is the rule in savings banks, in banks o f
deposit, when they charge for transfers, and in trust companies— and it
seems founded in justice. A certain per centage is added to every pay
ment, to meet the expenses o f the company. T h e cost o f conducting the
business is borne by each, according to the amount paid into the treasury
for premiums, just as, in a common co-partnership, the expenses are paid
by each partner in proportion to his capital.
I f this principle be correct, the proper mode o f adjusting the premiums
is to calculate them, first, as if there were no expenses ; then increase
them all, by a certain per centage. This may be 10 or 12 per cent, or
more, according to the amount o f business done, and the econom y with
which it is transacted. But as 5 per cent is usually allowed as a compen
sation to agents on all the premiums obtained at a distance, and as it is
very important for every insurance society to scatter its business, and
therefore to have these distant agents, 10 per cent is as small an amount
52
L ife Insurance:
as can be expected. W h en the business is light, a larger per cent w ill
be n ecessary; but, as our mutual companies are already so well estab
lished that they are receiving $200,000, or more, per annum, this 10 per
cent will probably be sufficient. In the N ew Y ork Mutual Insurance
Company, the expenses o f the first four years have been 11 per cent on
their total receipts, which would make 13 or 14 on the first calculated
premiums. As the business increases regularly, this per centage w ill be
soon lessened.
Besides this addition to the calculated premiums for expenses, another
should be made to meet the chance o f the average mortality being higher
than that in the Carlisle Tables. W e are without any satisfactory sta
tistics in this country. In the several States o f Europe, there is not much
difference in the laws o f mortality. T h e ratio o f th,e deaths to the whole
population is pretty nearly the same in our cities as in those o f Europe.
But the greatest confidence cannot be placed in the accuracy o f all these
reports; and, though w e cannot say whether the expectation o f life is
low er or higher here than in Europe, prudence requires that our insurance
companies should increase their premiums to guard against the contingen
c y o f an excessive mortality in this country. Although it might be sus
pected that the superior comforts o f our population secure a greater dura
bility o f life here than abroad, this reason w ill not apply to the select
persons w ho purchase an insurance. M any reasons might be given
which make us suspect that the mortality o f our middling and upper classes
is higher than in Great Britain. Prudence requires, therefore, an ad
vance in the calculated premiums, on this account. In the mutual com pa
nies, this advance w ill be returned, i f there is no need for i t ;— in the
proprietary companies, it is necessary to secure the stockholders from the
risk o f lo s s ; and, i f not wanted, w ill enure to their advantage.
Still another addition must be made to the calculated premiums in mu
tual companies, to meet the excessive mortality o f particular seasons.
Som e o f them divide their profits every year, and reserve nothing out o f
the gains o f one year to meet the losses o f another. One season may be
healthy, and another sickly ; and all the losses o f the companies by an
excessive mortality, in any one year, must be met by the premiums o f
that year. T here is no accumulated or proprietary fund to draw from,
because their charters require that all the profits at the end o f each year
shall be divided among the assured. Th ese profits may be reserved by
the society, and only placed to the credit o f the members on the books ;
but still they are none the less appropriated, and put beyond any just
claim o f the directors, to meet extraordinary calls for the payment o f
policies. It is true, the laws o f mortality are very regular— much more
so than the risks at sea or from fire. In the city o f Philadelphia, between
the years 1830 and 1840, the deaths were in one year 33 per cent above
the average. T h is was the year 1832, when the cholera prevailed. But,
omitting that year, the deaths in 1835 were 1 5 i per cent above the
average, and in 1840 17 per cent below . B y taking a wide range, and
a large number o f lives, these fluctuations may be lessened, but they can
not be destroyed; and it is the duty o f the societies to ask an addition to
the calculated premiums to meet these variations. This is no actual loss
to the assured in mutual companies. In sickly seasons, or when the mor
tality o f the companies’ lives is unusually great from accidental causes,
the extra payments result in no profits ; while, in other years, the dividend
w ill be large. In proprietary companies, this increase is so much gain to
W ith R eferen ce to Premiums, etc., o f L ife Insurance Companies.
53
the stockholders. In companies which make their dividends o f profits
every five years, or longer, the fluctuations will be less, and a smaller
addition w ill be required.
W e have thus three sources o f additions to the calculated premiums—
for expenses, for fluctuations in the losses by deaths, and for the contin
gency o f an average mortality above the tables used in the calculation.
A ll these additions should be proportionate to the premium. T h e one for
variations from the average mortality should most evidently be so, for it is
merely a fund to meet excessive losses ; and, when not wanted, should be
both collected and paid back according to the same rule— that is, according
to the premiums for each policy. T h e addition to meet the contingency
that the average mortality might exceed what is given by the Carlisle
T ables, should be according to the same rule— for, as it cannot be seen
beforehand at what ages this excess is likely to take place, no reason can
be given why the addition should be greater at one age than another;
and, therefore, it should be made according to the rule by which the profits
are to be distributed— that is, in proportion to the premiums. T h e amount
o f these additions should be 25, or perhaps 30 per cent— 10 for expenses,
5 for the contingency o f excessive losses, and 10 or 15 for fluctuations
from year to year.
On a subsequent page, will be found two tables o f premiums, calculated
according to the Carlisle table o f mortality. The first column gives the
premiums at 5 per cent interest, and the second at 4. These have been
carefully computed, and will be found to agree with those obtained by Mr.
M ilne’s values o f annuities on a single life, calculated according to the
usual formula, except in one particular— the amount insured is presumed
to be paid by the company immediately on the death o f the assured, instead
o f six months after, as is usually supposed. This makes these premiums
greater than those usually obtained from the Carlisle Tables, by 21 per
cent in the first set, and 2 in the secon d ; or, more accurately, these pre
miums are to the common ones as 1 -fr to 1 -f-i-r, denoting, by 1 -fr, the
amount o f one dollar for one year, at the given rate o f interest.
T o these two sets o f premiums I have added 30 per cent, and placed
the results in the third and fourth columns— 5 for possible deficiency in
the Carlisle mortality, 15 for fluctuations from year to year, and 10 for
expenses. T h e fifth column is made up by increasing the expenses for
the younger policies. The far greater portion o f the expenses is propor
tioned, indeed, to the premium paid, and not to the time the policy has to
run ; but. some o f them being annual, are greater for those who long
remain in the society than for those who are members but a few years.
T h e amount added to the premiums in the fifth column, in addition to the
30 per cent before mentioned, is 4 per cent at the age o f 22, 3-t at 29, 2
at 51, and l i at 59 ; being one-tenth o f the expectation o f life at each
age. This addition is arbitrary ; but, as only a small portion o f the ex
penses is dependent on the duration o f the policy, it is evident that 14 per
cent on the youngest, and about 11 for the oldest, w ill conform closely to
the actual outlay ; supposing, as is nearly the case with some o f our com
panies, that the whole expenses are 12 or 13 per cent on the calculated
premiums, or 10 per cent on the resulting premiums. In the seventh
column are placed the premiums used by several o f the N ew Y ork socie
ties, and in the ninth those used by the N ew England Mutual Company.
In the sixth and eighth’s places, are inserted the differences between each
premium in the columns preceding them.
L ife Insurance:
54
Differences
2
C
D
$
*
o5
£-
2
®
£<
*< «
; CTQ_
•a
• D
227
163
167
172
177
182
188
194
200
206
212
4
5
5
5
6
6
6
6
6
177
182
188
193
198
204
211
217
224
231
5
6
5
5
6
7
6
7
7
*
• 's*
•s
• p_
:: o5
•5
174
178
183
188
194
198
203
209
215
221
213
219
225
231
238
246
254
263
272
282
233
239
245
252
260
268
277
286
295
305
218
224
230
237
244
252
260
269
278
287
6
6
6
7
7
8
8
9
9
9
236
243
250
257
264
275
281
290
305
311
5
7
7
7
7
11
6
9
15
6
228
234
242
249
257
266
274
284
293
304
242
250
257
265
274
283
293
303
315
328
291
301
310
320
330
342
354
367
382
399
315
325
335
345
356
368
380
394
409
427
297
307
317
327
337
348
360
374
389
406
10
10
10
10
10
11
12
14
15
17
320
331
340
351
363
373
387
401
417
449
9
11
9
11
12
10
14
14
16
32
316
327
339
352
365
381
396
413
431
450
321
338
355
373
393
415
438
463
490
517
343
359
377
395
415
437
460
485
511
538
418
439
462
486
511
539
570
602
637
672
446
467
490
513
540
568
598
630
664
709
425
446
468
493
519
547
577
610
644
679
19
21
22
25
26
28
30
33
34
35
460
475
490
524
549
578
605
627
650
675
11
15
15
34
25
29
27
22
23
25
471
492
515
539
566
594
624
657
692
728
543
567
592
619
649
681
717
757
564
588
614
641
671
703
740
780
706
737
769
804
843
885
932
982
733
764
798
833
871
914
962
1014
713
745
777
812
851
893
940
990
34
32
32
35
39
42
47
50
700
725
755
785
815
855
895
945
25
25
30
30
30
40
40
50
765
; a'
• S5
• 55
• e-
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
121
125
128
132
136
140
145
150
155
159
134
138
142
146
150
155
159
164
169
174
158
162
167
172
177
183
189
195
201
207
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
164
168
173
178
183
189
196
202
209
217
179
184
189
194
200
206
213
220
227
234
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
224
231
239
246
254
263
272
282
294
307
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
60
...........
61
...........
62
...........
63
...........
64
...........
65
...........
6 6 ...............
67................
*C
55
Dc
-td
aa
a“
: a*
•
1o
Differences
a
Carlisle 5 j
34 to 31
o
ocjg—
*a e.
2Q
n^
11
•
a
•
a
; a
•3
: g
•a
•
Q175
179
184
190
195
201
207
214
220
c
p_
a
o
3
p
W ith R eferen ce to Premiums, etc., o f L ife Insurance Companies.
55
In comparing either o f the five calculated columns with those actually
used by our companies, w e cannot fail to be struck with the differences
between them. T h e first increase with great regularity; while, in the
N e w Y ork Table, there are several places where the irregularity is stri
king. This is especially true at the ages o f 38, 49, and 53. N o one can
observe this without being satisfied that these are grossly erroneous. It
is utterly impossible that any law o f mortality, or any rate o f interest, can
give these three premiums. T h ey profess to be founded on the Carlisle
Tables, using 4 per cent as the rate o f interest; but they cannot be o b
tained from this source without the most arbitrary and unreasonable altera
tions. Other anomalies o f the same kind, though not to the same extent,
are to be found in this N ew Y ork T able ; and it is earnestly recommended
to the companies that use it to revise it carefully, and make it more con
formable to the demands o f science and justice. Another remark may bh
safely hazarded, concerning this table. T h e premiums for the younger
ages are too high, compared with those for the older. T h ey are too high
even i f our mortality is the same as at Carlis'e, and if 4 per cent is the
actual rate at which the companies increase their funds. But, as there is
some reason to suspect that the deaths at advanced ages are in a greater
ratio in the United States than at Carlisle, and as the investments here
bring more nearly 6 per cent than 5, this inequality is much greater.
T o the N ew England T able, neither o f these objections apply. T h e
increments follow each other with great regularity. T h e premiums accord
closely with the 5 per cpnt Carlisle T able, except that the advance is a
little greater at the later periods o f life. T h e following items o f com pari
son between those two tables and those o f Carlisle, w ill bring out the
defects o f the one, and the merits o f the other, in several particulars:—
N ew Y ork
premiums.
Average advance over the 5 per cent table............................
“
between the ages o f 20 and 4 0 ........
“
“
40 and 60.........
Greatest advance.........................................................................
Least advance...............................................................................
A ge o f the greatest advance.....................................................
“
least
“
............................................
Average advance over the 4 per cent table...........................
“
between the ages o f 20 and 40.........
“
“
40 and 60.........
Greatest advance..........................................................................
Least advance...............................................................................
A ge o f the greatest advance......................................................
“
least
“
...............................................
New England
premiums.
40
45
36
46
29
49
60
31
32£
31
37
24
49
60
42£
40
43£
46
40
49
27
£
28£
35
37£
27
60
29
T h e N ew England T able agrees well with the 5 per cent table, the
greatest increase being at the higher ages. T h e N ew Y ork T able agrees
with neither, though better with the 4 per cent than the 5 ; but its greatest
and least advance differ 13 percent, and both these are at the higher ages.
Variations in the per cent advanced on two ages immediately succeeding
each other, amount, in several places, to 1, 2, and 3 per c e n t ; and the
advance is greatest in the earlier than in the later ages o f the table.
As the mutual companies distribute their profits at stated periods, and
then almost begin again as a new company, it is easy for them to alter
their rates, especially if they reduce them. T o those using the N ew Y ork
T able, it is suggested to substitute the premiums in the fifth column above,
33
56
M r. Brooke, o f Sarawack, Borneo.
i f the Carlisle law o f mortality is adhered to. Most o f the premiums in
it are low er than theirs, and those w ho have already taken out policies
could thus he released from paying the old premium, and permitted to pay
the new. This column will give the fairest and justest premiums, unless
some tables o f mortality better adapted to our country than those o f C ar
lisle can be found ; and, until then, it is recommended for general adoption.
Art. Y.— MR. BROOKE, OF SARAWACK, BORNEO.
U ntil very recently, the Island o f Borneo has occupied a small share
o f public attention. It w as known to exist on the charts o f Eastern Asia,
and that was about all. True, the Dutch, for many years, had taken pos
session o f a considerable portion o f i t ; but the -world was not the more
enlightened on that account, for the Dutch are not over communicative
about their colonies, and the difficulty o f access into the interior o f any o f
them places them much in the condition o f a sealed book— the outside
m ay be seen, but the eye o f the vulgar is not allowed to pry inside.
H o w much longer Borneo would have remained a terra incognita, with
out the instrumentality o f Mr. Brooke, it is impossible to sa y ; but to him,
a private English gentleman, the honor o f devoting a superior mind, great
intelligence, and large fortune, in the great work o f civilization, is due.
Mr. James Brooke embraced a military life early, in India. His regi
ment being ordered to Birmah, during the late war, he was dangerously
wounded in the breast, which compelled him to return to England, his
native land, and ultimately to resign the service. H e joined the Royal
Y acht Club, and made several distant excursions in his vessel, the R oy al
ist, a schooner o f about 150 tons, for the benefit o f his health, which was
greatly undermined by his w ou n d ; and finally he determined to quit E u
rope, and all the elegances and refinements o f a world w hich he was so
eminently prepared to adorn, to devote him self to regenerate a people
known but to few . Mr. B rooke, whilst serving in India, had visited China,
and as Borneo lays near the usual ships’ route, the deserted condition o f
that immense and fertile island, and more especially, the depressed, de- x
graded, and wretched condition o f the Dyacks, supposed to be’ its primi
tive inhabitants, gave rise to sympathies which, instead o f becom ing more
faint, increased in intensity in m ore mature life ; and it was to enter on
this bold undertaking, that Mr. Brooke, in the Royalist, arrived at Singa
pore, in 1839.
T h e writer o f this, a citizen o f the United States, has known Mr.
Brooke well, from that time ; and it is to rebut certain uncharitable para
graphs, relating to his settlement o f Sarawack, which harm appeared in
the United States, and to set him in his own proper light before the A m er
ican public, that this notice is written.
T h ose who have attributed to Mr. Brooke the desire o f monopolizing
the products o f Sarawack, and acquire riches, could know but little o f
him, the man o f all others o f the purest philanthropy, and not o f mercan
tile speculation ; and those who have pointed out Sarawack as a new jew el
added to the colonial wreath, with which “ the grasping ambition o f
England” encircles the globe, must have made a very different publishment
had they themselves encountered the discouraging indifference with which
M r. Broolce, o f Sarawack, Borneo.
07
his applications to be admitted on the footing o f a British colony, or placed
under her protection, and allowed to display the national standard, w ere
received in London. So far from complying with his prayers, or entering
into views, exclusively philanthropic, only cold replies w ere returned, and
he w as left without a flag even to this day, and to sustain him self against
land and sea pirates, until the commanders o f the British forces on the
China station becam e sensible o f the impolicy o f allow ing so important
an outwork in the very centre o f the seas still infested by pirates: and
then, and only then, w as aid extended to his settlement. H e has now em
barked for England, and no one w ho knows him, or what are his designs,
can but wish him every success. But whilst he is journeying to the W est,
let us return to Sarawack.
N o sooner had Mr. Brooke made some necessary arrangements at Sin
gapore, than he proceeded to the scene o f his future actions. Borneo
proper, on the charts, or Bruni, as called by the natives themselves, and
Sarawack, also, are situated on the North-west coast o f the island, and
near the equator. Bruni is a floating town* o f considerable extent, and
there the sultan resides. Under the feudal system o f the M alays, the
rajah o f Saraw ack w as his vassal, though an independent prince living in
his own states. Sarawack has a sea-coast o f about sixty miles, and its
inland boundaries are remote and undefined. T h e settlement, or town, is
seated on a large river, navigable for ships o f a large size. T h e soil is
generally rich, and the climate very healthy. F or many years it had been
a place noted for its exports o f rich antimony ore, w hich abounds in the
country.
As has already been said, Mr. B rooke’s feelings w ere engaged in favor
o f the D yacks ; and it was to regenerate them that he entered into n ego
tiations, which w ere pending for some time with the rajah, for the cession
o f his sovereign and proprietary rights over the country, for a considera
tion in mone 3r. The sultan, at Bruni, w ho was suspected o f giving every
aid to the pirates, opposed the negotiations to his utmost, and subsequently,
when Mr. Brooke had obtained quiet possession o f the government, he
sent assassins to take away his life ; but so popular had the new ruler b e
come, that they dared not make any attempt.
T h e whole sea-coast o f Borneo, as is indeed that o f every part o f the
Malayan Archipelago, is governed by Mahommedans, composed o f Arabs
and Malays, who, by superior energy and intelligence, rule despotically
over the D yacks, whom they have subdued, and in subduing have de
stroyed all spirit o f resistance, and reduced them to a condition o f depen
dence and slavery. T h ey are compelled to labor, but the fruit o f it is
taken by their hard masters, and they are reduced to resort mostly to wild
plants and roots for their own daily sustenance ; and so fallen are they
that the last spark o f human ambition has departed from them. A cus
tom, which prevails in the native mountains, o f cutting o ff human heads
as tokens o f prowess, and without the possession o f a certain number o f
which the young I)yack cannot approach the chosen o f his heart, tends to
keep down the population o f the central lands o f that fertile country, w a
tered everywhere by large and small rivers.
It was to free this people from the oppression o f their Mahommedan
masters— to rouse them from the state o f stupor they had fallen into— to
* T he houses are built on rafts.
58
M r. Brooke, o f Sarawack, Borneo.
put new life into them, and give them energy, that Mr. Brooke purchased
the country. His first care was to establish a court, where justice was
done to the poor as equitably as to the rich, and every one was made to
understand that he could hold, without fear o f having it taken away, that
which was his own. H e called on all the petty D yack chiefs, and persons
o f note around him, and explained the change o f condition which had
com e over them, and bid them to adopt industrious habits now that they
had nothing to apprehend from the rapacity o f their late masters. One
by one he has cleared his territory o f that greatest o f all plagues, the petty
Malay rajahs and chiefs, and, also, o f that set o f vagabonds, the Hadjees,
or pilgrims, who have been to M ecca to be made holy, so as to return into
the country from w hence they came to pass the remainder o f their lives in
the practice o f detestable crimes, in idleness, and in exacting from the in
dustrious the fruit o f their hard earnings. T h e country is now free o f its
former oppressors, and in about four years mark the change. A country
which, under the former government, yielded scarcely rice enough for its
scanty population, this year exports 1,000 tons. T h e gold mines, which
w ere surrounded with danger, now are estimated to yield §10 0,00 0, and
birds’ nests § 20 ,000 , annually. Plantations o f pepper, gambier, and spices,
have been commenced, which w ill soon add to the exports ; and when the
Chinese, who now turn their attention w holly to the w orking o f the gold
mines, shall becom e agriculturists, the facilities o f obtaining waste lands
w ill bring out the resources o f the country on a large scale.
But the establishment o f Sarawack as a European colony, assumes im
mense importance, as an outpost in the very centre o f the seas infested by
those bold, daring, and merciless pirates, who prowl into every nook and
corner o f the Malayan Archipelago in quest o f booty, be it in human flesh
or merchandise. T h ere is very good reason for believing, that the sultan
o f Bruni was one o f their main supporters, as has already been said,
which, by the perseverance o f Mr. Brooke, he has renounced, by treaty
with England, and which his presence at Sarawack enables him to see is
honestly observed. Not only has he extended his influence over the ruler
o f Bruni, but over more distant ports, formerly noted as places for fitting
out piratical prahus, or in close connection with them.
A n instance o f the benefits o f that influence, o f a recent date, w ill find
an appropriate place here. T h e ship M ary Ellen, o f Boston, Captain
Dearborn, was unfortunately cast away a few months since, on her pas
sage from China to N ew York, on the Island o f Soobie South Natulas,
a small island laying near the coast o f Sarawack. T h e ship’ s company
succeeded in reaching the shore, and presented themselves to the ch ief o f
the island in a perfectly helpless condition, being unarmed. N ow it is
notorious (b y many well-known instances o f similar disasters) that, up to
the time o f the settlement o f Mr. Brooke on Borneo, the w hole crew o f
the Mary Ellen would either have been murdered, or else sold as slaves.
But what better fate awaited them n o w ! T h e Oorang-Kayah, or head
man o f Soobie, in the first place, sent to a distance to purchase rice, o f
w hich he had no supply, to feed the strangers ; then he sent over to Sara
w ack to notify M r. Brooke o f the event, and that the white men w ere un
der his protection; and finally, he fitted out one o f his ow n prahus, and
had all o f them conveyed to S ingapore!
Such are the results o f the efforts o f a single man, using his own re
sources, and his ow n resources only— and that man is James Brooke, one
M r. Brooke, o f Sarawack, Borneo.
59
o f those extraordinary creatures entrusted with a high mission, by a boun
teous Providence, to dispense light, civilization, and Christianity, am ong
benighted men. And yet this man, who devotes life, acquirements, and
fortune, to improve the condition o f his fellow-men— that man, too, finds
detractors, who, unable to comprehend the spirit o f philanthropy that moves
him, or his high calling, resort to vulgar abuse to bring him down to their
own level. But misrepresentation o f his motives w ill not discourage him,
or lessen his energy. H e w ill yet accomplish the task w hich he has set
to himself—that o f extirpating piracy from the Northern and Eastern coast
o f Borneo, and the adjacent islands. H e has already entered into com
munication with some o f the principal chiefs o f the places from w hence
they sally o u t; and it is to be hoped that, on his return from England, the
home government will put him in a condition to do by force, what he may
not be able to do by treaty. T o appreciate duly the extent o f the ravages,
even now committed by these daring marauders, it is only necessary to
peruse the Singapore “ Straits T im es,” or the “ Free Press,” o f the end
o f June o f the present year, where will be found the details o f an engage
ment, which the little “ Nem esis,” o f China celebrity, had, with a fleet o f
eleven prahus; and in the “ Free Press,” o f July 1, may be read the de
positions o f several rescued captives brought to Singapore, showing with
what perfect security they carry on their infamous trade from island to
island. Even poor little Poolo Soobie, on which our shipwrecked coun
trymen were so humanely treated, has been made to feel the weight o f
their vengeance, created, no doubt, by their new connection with Mr.
Brooke.
T h e time is not, perhaps, distant, when the M alay population o f Sara- wack will be suddenly and greatly increased. T h e freedom and security
enjoyed at that settlement, contrasts so favorably with the oppression un
der which the natives groan all around, that a strong disposition is mani
fested by the inhabitants o f the Anambas, Natulas, and other islands ad
jacent to that part o f Borneo, to abandon their native soil, and seek a par
ticipation o f the quiet o f Sarawack.
T h e amount o f misery which these islanders are made to suffer, by the
cruelty and rapacity o f their chiefs, is little dreamed o f in the W estern
hemisphere. A recent occurrence w ill show the every-day excursions o f
pleasure o f the young Malay nobles. A n eye-witness, it is, w ho speaks :—
Some time in the early part o f this year, three prahus, o f considerable
size, came to the Anambas from the Island o f Linga, (under Dutch pro
tectorate,) on board o f w hich w ere brothers and connections o f the young
sultan o f that island. T h ey came, apparently, to have a sky-lark; and
that they certainly had with the poor islanders, their vassals and subjects,
as all the islands about acknowledge themselves dependent on the sultan
o f Linga. T h ey helped themselves to all the young virgins, which they
took in turn to their prahus, during their stay there, and carried o ff about
twenty o f them, besides all the oil, cocoa-nuts, rice, and other things there
was room for in their boats, and returned to Linga with the booty.
Thus are these poor people exposed to the wholesale robberies o f the
professed pirates, who land, and carry away as many o f the people, large
and small, male and female, as they can lay a forcible hand on, as w ell as
all that is otherwise valuable ; and, on the other hand, their liege lords,
whom they dare not oppose, rob them o f that which is dear or precious.
60
The Consular System o f the United States.
Is it to be wondered at, that they should’ meditate to take refuge in a Chris
tian settlement'/
Before closing these remarks, a few words o f M r. B rooke’s personnel
may be interesting to those who have read them. H e was born in 1803,
and consequently is now about forty-four; somewhat above the ordinary
European h eigh t; o f a frank, open countenance, which bespeaks him
what he really is, every man’ s man— be he high in station, or occupying
an inferior position in life, still Mr. Brooke becomes, without effort, “ his
m an.”
Joyous with the gay— grave with the serious— he is always natu
ral. In an aquatic excursion, or at pic-nic, he will enter into the spirit o f
the thing with more spirit than any one else ; and so in a refined assem
bly o f ladies, he w ill be the object o f their predilection. Seated in a
library, no one w ill be better acquainted with the contents o f the books •
com posing it ; and he is as ready to discuss matters o f abstruse scien ce,,
theology, history, & c ., & c ., as he is the merits o f the last o f D ’Israeli’ s*
Jewish visions.
After dinner, at Sarawack, with his European household and friends
assembled around him, his practice is, to invite them to propose a subject
for general discussion and debate, and in this profitable manner a good
part o f the night is passed. On other nights, lie receives certain persons
o f note among the natives, with whom, seated and smoking until the ap
proach o f morning, the time is passed in listening to their wild historical
legends, or in instructing them in the ways o f civilization. H ighly en
dowed by nature— highly cultivated by study and intercourse with the
world— gifted with a kindly and sweet disposition— he is universally be
loved and respected by all classes o f men.
J. b .
Singapore, July, 1847.
A rt. VI.— 1T HE CONSULAR SYSTEM OP TIIE UNITED STATES.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE MERCHANTS’ MASAZINE, ETC.
S ir — Observing that you have given place in your columns to various
remarks on the consular system o f the United States, I would take the
liberty to submit to your notice the subjoined outlines o f a revision, by
w hich I think that the main objections to the present system may be ob
viated, without injury or injustice to a class o f public officers, second to
none in the value and importance o f their service.
T h e varied and important duties which devolve upon the consular agents
o f the government, are, unfortunately, not as generally known as they
ought to be ; hence arises the mistaken idea, that they can be performed
by any and everybody, and that the compensation for those services is
a useless charge upon the nation ; but I am confident that if the people
o f the United States did but know how very advantageous to all the in
terests o f the country a well-organized consular corps would be, they
would not hesitate to urge upon the representatives in Congress the ne
cessity o f prompt and careful attention to it.
It would occupy, I fear, too large a space, to attempt a detail o f the
various duties assigned to consuls by law, and by the long established
usages and customs o f nations ; suffice it to say, that they have to watch
over the maritime, commercial and manufacturing interests o f their couu-
T he Consular System o f the United Stales.
61
t r y ; to be the protectors, friends, and advisers o f their countrymen
abroad; to act as judges in some cases, and justices o f the peace in
others, and as notaries ; to be the administrators o f the intestate estates
o f their countrymen who may die within their consular districts, and o f
all property o f such as may have no other legal representative; to en
deavor to prevent frauds on the reven u e; to notice the infraction o f
treaty stipulations affecting the trade o f their country; to keep the gov
ernment advised o f all new laws and regulations within their districts.
JStTtrsq. added to the special duty o f preserving the discipline o f the com marine o f the country, and o f guarding the seamen o f the United
’^■■States from oppression and ill-usage, and o f aiding those o f them who may
£ bebomexkstitute, are duties sufficiently numerous and arduous, as to re^ Iquire, fcrVkheir faithful performance, all the intelligence, honor and pa
ly'U w tism T lij the best citizens o f the R ep u b lic; and I venture to say, that
\®.ltrfedJrateff States has no class o f public servants charged with so many
consuls are ; none, certainly, who receive less consideration.
\*/J^o\^sir, i f what I have said in relation to duties o f consuls, be true,
(aiTtiTv reference to the “ General Instructions o f Consuls, e tc.,” to be
found in the State Department, it will be found to be so.) it is obvious,
that to render tho class o f officers referred to efficient, they should be
chosen from the well-educated, respectable portions o f society ; they
should be citizens ow ing allegiance and fidelity to the cou n try; they
should be disconnected.froin com m ercial pursuits,; fpjd they should, by a
sufficient compcinaatiunj .bejrerjd'ired iitdeptettdferif ofi’ improper influences,
and capable o f supporting’ the dignity and honor o f the country which
they represent.
}••»•;• l
’ • j *■>, *
W ith this view o f the cash, J rnuyt confess 'gte&t surprise at the bill
brought in by a special committee o f la.st Congress ; and I must say, that
i f it becom es a law, there is great likelihood that the consular office would
not be tilled by the kind o f persons by Wlib'm alone its duties can be prop
erly fulfilled. W hat man competent to perform them, would leave his
country, bearing the expense and inconvenience o f removal, in many in
stances incurring the risk o f bad climates, assume all tho responsibilities
o f such an office, for a salary o f 81 ,500 or 8 2 ,000 a y ear? which, con
sidering all the disadvantages suffered by strangers in foreign countries,
and the expense o f living in many, is not equal to a clerkship in N ew
Y ork o f 85 00 to 88 00 per annum. E ven the highest salary o f 84,000,
provided for the consuls at Liverpool and London, is a mere pittance, con
sidering the extent o f their duties ; and that they must necessarily em
ploy cierks, whose salaries would be nearly equal to those proposed to be
allowed to their employers.
Bt it is said that the services o f consuls not being general in their ef.
feet . (w hich is certainly very erroneous,) the expense o f their support
shot, not be chargeable upon the whole country, but should be borne by
the I , iritime and com m ercial interests, only ; and out o f this arises the
difficulty o f an appropriation competent for the proper support o f this
bran :i o f the public service. In view o f this objection, and fearing the
imp, - ibility o f surmounting it, it has occurred to m e that a law based
upon ;e outlines referred to, might meet the difficulty; because, by the
provisions therein contained, the expenses for the support o f consuls will,
for th ■ most part, be paid by the shipping and com m ercial interests, as
they are now ; the position o f consuls in com m ercial districts, would not
The Consular System o f the United States.
62
be made worse, and that o f those in places o f smaller importance, would
be made much better ; and, excepting in the case provided for in the fifth
section, the consuls o f the United States would be citizens o f the United
States, not engaged in mercantile pursuits.
In conclusion, sir, permit me to observe, that a very objectionable fea
ture o f the bill referred to is, that o f making the consuls the collectors o f
fees for the benefit o f the United States. I f a tonnage duty shall be re
ceived as payment for the receiving and delivering o f ships’ papers, let it
be done at home, and thereby save the consuls the annoyance and risk o f
collecting and keeping government funds.
Having had some experience in the service referred to, I must say that
the United States, in her present position o f grow ing greatness, above all
other nations, requires, and should have, a well-arranged consular sys
tem, carried on by respectable independent citizens o f her own ; and with
the hope that such may soon be the case,
I am, very respectfully,
* * * *
O U T L IN E S
FO B T IIE
R E V IS IO N O F T H E C O N S U L A R S Y S T E M O F T H E U N IT E D
STATES
OF A M E R I C A .
1st. Abolish the fees payable to consuls by masters o f vessels for the
de-posit and delivery o f ships’ papers ; and in lieu thereof, levy a duty o f
one or one and a half cents per ton, on every vessel clearing for a foreign
port, from firry‘ por.t o f jth’e* 'Unitdd States, payable at the custom-house o f
such port, previous fos'clefirfin’ce.
‘
.'
2d. Let the sum produced by thy said duty b e appropriated to the sal
aries o f consuls; ar.d,j should’ there be any deficiency, let such deficiency
be supplied from the Annual appropriation‘to1the State Department for the
maintenance o f foreign relations
3d. Graduate the salaries o f consuls according to the number o f American vessels arriving at. the port to which they are respectfully appointed,
at the rate o f $ 4 for each v e sse l; adopting as a basis the average o f ves
sels so arriving for the last few years ; but in cases where the numbers
o f vessels do not amount to 250, make the salary $1,000 per annum.
4th. Make it obligatory on consuls, in consideration o f their salaries,
to take charge o f the ships’ papers, to assist the masters o f vessels in ma
king their entries and clearances, at the respective custom-houses ; to pro
tect seamen, and to perform all such other unpaid services as they are
n ow required to d o ; but for all other services as are at present paid for
by fees, allow the consuls to collect such fees for their own benefit.
5th. M ake it requisite that the consuls shall be citizens o f the United
States, and not be engaged in mercantile pursuits ; excepting in such
ports where the salaries do not exceed $1 ,000 ; then it shall be discre
tionary with the President, with consent o f the Senate, to appoint such
other person as he may deem proper.
6th. Let the appointments o f consuls be for a fixed term, subject to dis
missal for misconduct, and permit their re-appointment at the end o f such
term.
7th. Establish a Consular Bureau at Washington, from whence, under
directions o f the State Department, shall emanate all the necessary orders
and regulations o f the consular service ; and which shall furnish the con
sulates with a copy or compendium o f all the laws relating to their duties,
powers, and responsibilities.
State Tolls upon Railways.
63
A rt. VII.— STATE TOLLS UPON RAILW AYS.
U po n what principle does the Slate require tolls to be paid into the
public treasury, for the transportation o f property upon those railways
w hich are constructed and maintained entirely by private capital ? It will
scarcely be justified as a bonus or compensation for the granting o f a
charter, or for the right to exercise the proper business o f the association,
under its act o f incorporation. T h e day when such a reservation, alike
inconsistent with the fair reputation o f the State, and with the proper
business o f legislation, might have been tolerated, has long gone by. In
dividuals have the same right to construct a railroad, that they have to
build and establish a line o f steamboats or packets, or to erect factories,
mills, or even to buy and improve farms. In the construction and main
tenance o f a railway, the proprietors derive little from the act o f the le
gislature, except the convenient form o f vesting the property, giving per
petuity, and preventing a partition, or sale and distribution, in the event
o f the death o f the proprietors, or some o f them. Even to this end, a
charter would not b e necessary, but for the restriction upon private right,
w hich prevents the placing such property in trustees with a pow er o f suc
cession. It is a common opinion that the legislature grants the right to
take private property for the use o f the railway proprietors, and, therefore,
such terms, by w ay o f compensation, may be imposed for the grant, as the
legislature may deem proper to require, AVe 'lr:w.’e,'l>y "opr constitution,
declared that “ the pebpje of,tins State', in' tiro it' rig fit o f sovereignty, are
deemed to possess the original,and ultimate property in and to all lands
within the jurisdiction o f the $tate
and thpt^ when this right is asserted
“ for any public use,” that compensation ‘ shall he made, therefore, to the
individual whose property is thus taken. „ ’ It is not, then, the legislature
that grants, but “ the public use ” that 'demands the appropriation. I f tolls
are levied, it must, o f course, be upon those who use the railways ; that is,
upon the public, for whose use it is made. T h e question readily occurs,
how much is gained by this operation ? T h e constituted authorities decide
that the public use requires a railway upon a given route, and it is made
by the voluntary contributions o f the capital o f those who rely upon the
lowest rate o f compensation for that public use, that w ill remunerate for
the investment. I f tolls are required to be paid into the treasury, it is a
tax upon the public, for the public benefit. It would thus seem that the
tolls which are required for the transportation o f property upon the central
line o f railway through our State, can hardly be justified because o f any
thing granted by the legislature to the persons who make the railways.
It is not usual to require such tolls ; though the States o f N ew Jersey
and Maryland have reserved a portion o f the compensation derived from
the transportation o f passengers, because there the company is warranted
against competition. In these States the matter is exciting attention, and,
in the latter, there has been some modification o f the rate heretofore re
quired. T h e State tolls are practically a restriction upon the amount o f
business to be done on the central line, tending to impair the value, and to
diminish the usefulness o f the railways. It is quite inconsistent with en
larged and liberal views, to encourage the construction o f a great public
improvement, and then to restrict its usefulness.
It may be, that, in the first instance, it was not apprehended by the le-
G4
Stale Tolls upon Railways.
gislature that these tolls would, to a considerable extent, be a tax upon
the producers in the W estern part o f the State. In the recent published
tariff o f charges,* the several companies have now placed the tolls where
the matter will he seen and appreciated. By a late law, these companies
are not only required to pay toils upon all property transported upon their
railways, hut the distance is to be computed according to the length o f the
canal. Thus, from Schenectady to Albany, by railway, is 17 miles, while
the canal is 29 miles long between those places. So, from Syracuse to
Utica, the canal is 61 miles long, while the railway is 53 miles. From
Buffalo to Rochester, the canal is 95 miles long, while the railway is 74
miles. T h e tolls are to be computed upon the longest distances.
This is claiming a monopoly for the canal o f all the transportation
through the centre o f our State. Those who have heretofore exhibited a
commendable and earnest conviction that monopolies should be checked,
w ill here see one, perhaps, deserving their attention. W h ile this law remains in force, the charges for transportation upon the railways, so far as
the tolls are concerned, cannot be reduced. The farmers at the W est, and
the consumers o f their products at the East, have only to estimate the
canal tolls on all property transported by railway, and they w ill have the
amount they pay to sustain the State monopoly.
T h e N ew Y ork and Erie Railroad is now in rapid progress toward
completion. As yet, no tolls are required upon this line. It is said that
the capitalists.vrf BostpivtyiU .soon hav,e a_continuous line o f railway from
that city tq O jtdeiisbuigJvip pur Stale.; .H erej.jifeoj ,'ti® tolls are yet required. Both o f these roads' u’iil, to'sftme-exfenVeOmpfcte with the canal
and the central line1o f fail ways. WiMjtijlls be required upon property
transported upon thebv? : 'Vhc'milintenanfeev Uf the monopoly, and an equal
ity o f privilege, will, perhaps^ require that ‘ they should be. It probably is
not apprehended, by those engq^e'f? an either o f these roads, that tolls w ill
be imposed upon them. Should‘it result that they can successfully compete
with the canal, as is very confidently believed by many, either there will
be a general system o f tolls on all transportation, or, in ju stice, all w ill bo
exempt. T h e latter will be far the most likely to ensue ; and the State,
as the owner o f the canal, must so graduate its charges upon transporta
tion, as to be able to compete with the owners o f other lines. T h en the
public w ill be served in the best manner. T h e canal will be enlarged— ■
the locks doubled— and transportation reduced to the lowest remunerating
point. T h e railways will be improved, their expenses economized, and it
will be ascertained which has the benefit o f location. T h e legislature
and public sentiment should aid to place them all upon an equal basis as to
privilege and restriction, and leave to the enlightened proprietors the en
joym ent o f deserved patronage.
* For this tariff, see “ Railroad, Canal, and Steamboat Statistics,” in another part of
the present number o f the Merchants’ Magazine.
Labor and Other Capital, etc.
65
A rt. T i l l .— LABOR AND OTHER C A P IT A L :
TH E
R IG H T S O F E A C H S E C U R E D , A N D T H E W R O N G S TO B O T H E R A D IC A T E D .
F reeman H unt, E sq.— D ear Sir : Although it is universally admitted
that nearly ail wealth is the product o f labor, yet the laboring classes o f
all civilized nations have been, and are, as a body, poor. I f the natural
product o f labor be wealth, the natural result o f toil would be com petence
or wealth to those who performed the labor, unless something intervened
to deprive them o f their natural rights. M any philanthropic men have
endeavored to ascertain the causes o f the poverty o f producers, and many
reasons for it have been assigned, but not one o f them is sufficient to a c
count for it, and no practicable plan has been suggested for the removal
o f the evil.
I am about to publish a work entitled “ L ab or and Other C a p ita l: the
Rights o f each Secured, and the W rongs o f both Eradicated
in which
I expect to show the true and only means by which producers have been,
and are, deprived o f their just and natural reward, and to point out a prac
ticable remedy for the removal o f the evils. It will be my aim to ex
hibit those means so clearly that they w ill be understood not only by the
statesman and man o f science, but also by those w ho have hitherto b e
stowed little or no thought upon the subject, and who are now ignorant
o f the causes o f their frequent suffering, and often scanty means o f sub
sistence. W h en the causes are understood by w hich these evils are pro
duced, it w ill be clearly seen that the remedy proposed for their removal
is practicable, and entirely adequate to accomplish the purpose. A l
though the system is so simple that a school-boy may understand it, yet
it is sufficiently powerful to secure the reward o f labor throughout the
world, and to direct the destiny o f nations. The means necessary to put
it into operation are as easy and simple as the system itself. T h e adop
tion o f the system is so evidently the duty, and for the interest o f the pro
ducing classes, not only o f one, but o f all political parties, that when its
principles shall be once generally known, I doubt not that it will speedily
be put into operation.
Public opinion on this subject must be changed, and it must, and will,
undergo a complete revolution. It has been my aim in the forthcoming
volume so to exhibit the principles and the practicability o f the system
w hich it advocates, that they shall be as evident as a mathematical de
monstration, that all may see the bearings, and appreciate the importance
o f its adoption.
Although the system w ill secure to labor its reward, it will at the same
time protect the capitalist in all his rights in property, and it w ill in nowise
interfere with any disposal o f his property that he may deem for his advan
tage. It will not diminish any right to form contracts, and it w ill make all
contracts formed far more certain o f fulfilm ent; and, therefore, instead o f
encroaching upon the liberty o f man, it w ill add greatly to his freedom
and independence. It is, in fact, a system which is necessary to the per
petuation o f a republican government, to the security o f individual prop„ erty, and o f the general rights o f man.
T h e insertion o f this communication in your valuable periodical will
much oblige
Y our obedient servant,
G odek G ardwell .
N ew York, D ec. 13th, 1847.
V O L . X V I I I . ----- N O . I .
5
66
M ercantile Law Cases.
MERCANTILE
LAW
CASES.
FOREIGN ATTACHMENT— JOINT DEBTS— SECRET PARTNERSHIP— EVIDENCE OF
FOR
EIGN L A W S— L A W MERCHANT, ETC.
I n Superior Court of the city of New York.
Aspinwall.*
Charles Oakley vs. Howland &
W here a person w h o contracted a debt in his ow n name, had confessed judgm ent in a join t suit
against himself, and another sued as his partner, upon w hom process had not been served, w here
upon judgment had been entered against both, under the joint debtor act, and a foreign attachment
had been taken out against both, w h ich was dissolved upon the agents e f the defendant not served
giving a bond conditioned to pay the amount due by the defendants, jointly, in an action on such
bond, it was held that the debtor, so confessing judgment, w as not a competent witness for the
plaintiff, on the ground o f interest.
A witness w h o is him self liable for a debt, is not, in general, com petent to prove another a c o -co n
tractor w ith him.
A n account subscribed by the ostensible partner o f a com m ercial house, and dated w hile the partner
ship existed, is not competent evidence to show to w hat the joint business extended ; it not being
proved that such account actually existed during the existence o f the firm, except from its date.
A n entry by a deceased witness, against his interest at the time it purports to have been made, is not
admissible, without o t h e r e v i d e n c e that it was actually made at the time o f its date.
W here a com mission was awarded to a foreign country, on behalf o f the plaintiff, to obtain sworn
copies o f the record and proceedings o f the failure o f a commercial house, and o f the accounts be
tween the house and another, sought to be charged as a secret partner, and the plaintiff applied
to a court in such foreign country’ , to enforce the execution o f the commission, in pursuance o f let
ters rogatory accom panying the same, it was held that the record o f the proceeding on such appli
cation, was not admissible to show that such other person, w ho was the party in interest on the
part o f the defendant, appeared o f record, opposed the application, and defeated the execution o f
the commission.
A co-partner, after dissolution, m ay give a confession o f judgm ent in a suit against him and his part
ner, not served w ith process under the joint debtor act, w h ich will make the judgment evidence o f the
am ount o f the debt, in the same manner as i f he had liquidated an account, and let judgm ent go
by default.
In taking out a foreign attachment for a debt founded upon a judgment recovered, without service o f
process upon some o f the defendants, it is sufficient to state the debt to be founded o n th e ju d g m e n t .
w ithout mentioning the original debt upon w hich the judgm ent was recovered ; though that must
be p r o v e d , to establish the demand against those not served.
By the law merchant, recognized by the com m ercial world, a participation in the uncertain profits o f
trade, as a return for capital advanced, constitutes such participator a partner in the concern in
w h ich the capital is invested, and makes him liable to third persons, though he is to receive back
his w hole capital and profits, without deduction for losses or liabilities o f the concern.
Th ough it be proved that the law o f the country where a contract w as made, required all contracts o f
partnership to be reduced to public documents, and registered, still a secret partner o f a firm w h o
have not complied w ith such law, will be held liable to the creditors o f the firm, though the con
tract o f co-partnership be void, as between the partners.
W h ere the accounts current betw een a house and a person sought to be charged as a secret partner
show ed a division o f “ p r o f i t s o f c e r t a i n t r a n s a c t i o n s " annually, “ a s p e r d e t a ile d a c c o u n t s " rendered
w ith the accounts current, and the individual sought to be charged had d e s t r o y e d the detailed ac
counts, it was held, that such destruction, and the failure to prove w hat the “ certain transactions”
were, afforded strong grounds to infer that such profits arose from the general business o f the house.
W h ere a stipulation was entered into between the parties, agreeing that the defendants should w aive
a commission w h ich they had obtained, w ith a stay o f proceedings, and that the plaintiff”should de
duct a certain amount from his claim , for certain items, in respect to w hich, the defendants
should give no evidence on the trial, that the stipulation was made to avoid expense and delay, and
that it should net bind the plaintiff'as to the deduction, i f the defendants should further postpone
the trial o f the cause beyond the first w eek in March term, 1840, and the cause w as tried in the
first w eek o f March term, 1840, and a f t e r a n e w t r i a l a w a r d e d , the defendants again postponed the
trial, it was held, that the plaintiff was not bound te make the deduction, though defendants were
still precluded from attacking the items in question.
This was an action of debt on a bond given by the defendants as the agents of
John W . Baker, of Trinidad de Cuba, to dissolve a foreign attachment taken out
by the plaintiff in 1837, against said Baker, and John Young, upon which Ba
ker’s property in the city of New York had been seized.
The plaintiff’s claim was originally for goods consigned in 1828 to the house
of John Young, in Trinidad. That house failed in 1833, and in 1834 Young
came to New York, and was sued jointly with Baker, the plaintiff claiming to
hold Baker as a partner with Y'oung. The process was not served on Baker,
but Young gave a confession for $22,498 ; upon which, judgment was entered
* This highly interesting and important case has been carefully prepared for publication
in the Merchants’ Magazine, by II. P. Hastings, Esq., one o f the counsel in the case.
M ercantile L aw Cases.
67
against both defendants, under 2 R. S., 299, in respect to proceedings against
joint debtors, whereby the judgment in such case was declared to be good
to authorize an execution against the joint property of all the defendants, and the
individual property of those served with process, and conclusive evidence of the
liability of those served with process ; but only evidence of the extent of the de
mand after the liability should be established by other evidence, as against those
not served. The debt claimed on taking out the attachment, was founded upon
the judgment so recovered.
The bond in suit was conditioned to pay so much as Young & Baker were in
debted to the plaintiff at the time he became an attaching creditor, on account of
any debt claimed and sworn to by him as such attaching creditor.
The breach assigned, was, that Young & Baker were indebted on the judgment
above mentioned, and the issues joined all depended upon the question of Ba
ker’s joint liability with Young, for the debt upon which the judgment was re
covered.
The cause having been twice tried by jury, the first trial resulting in a verdict
for the defendants, which was set aside for the errors of the judge, and the sec
ond in a disagreement of the jury, it was now tried before Mr. Justice Sandford,
without a jury, by consent of parties.
Messrs. H. P. Hastings and J. A. Spencer, for the plaintiff, Messrs. P. B. Cut
ting and J. Prescott Hall, for the defendants.
The plaintiff gave evidence of the consignment of over $45,000 worth of goods
to Young, in 1828 and 1829, to sell on commission, and that, in 1831, he demand
ed an account and payment of the proceeds of the goods, which was refused—
The commencement of the suit and recovery of the judgment against Young
•& Baker as joint debtors, on service only upon Young—
The proceedings on the attachment and execution of the bond in suit by the
defendants—
That previously to the first trial, he demanded a discovery from the defendants,
under oath, of all letters and accounts passing between Young & Baker, from
1828 to 1833, inclusive, which had ever come into their possession ; in answer
to which, they gave an account current made by Young, between him and Ba
ker, at the close of 1827, and another in May, 1828, made by Young as surviving
partner of Young & Kennedy, on the decease of the latter; and two letters from
Young to Baker, one dated September 2, 1833, sending to Baker $7,700 bor
rowed, and another dated November 2, 1833, sending Baker more money, and
asking a little time to sell his property extra-judicially, and urging Baker not
to put him into bankruptcy— and swore they never had any others.
The plaintiff also gave in evidence, the accounts furnished by the defendants
on an order for a further discovery, made after the first, and before the second
trial, consisting of accounts current furnished by Young to Baker, every year,
from 1828 to 1831, inclusive; and also accounts current, purporting to have been
furnished by Baker to Young, and Young & Kennedy, from 1827 to 1833, in
clusive, annually. The material entries in these will be fully understood from the
opinion of the court.
Three letters of Baker to Young were also given in evidence, the contents of
which are also sufficiently stated in the opinion of the court.
The intimacy of Baker with Young’s affairs and business, and that Baker in
spected the books of Young, and the latter appeared to act under the advice of
the former, was also proved.
The plaintiff offered in evidence the deposition of Young, taken conditionally
in the cause, he having died since the last trial, to prove that Baker participa
ted in the profits of all his business. This evidence was objected to, on the
ground that Young was interested.
The defendants’ counsel insisted that the law in the State of New York was
settled by the case of Marquand vs. Webb, 16 John. R., 89, and Pearce vs. Kear
ney, 5 Hill, 82; that a witness who confesses himself liable for the plaintiff’s de
mand, is not competent to prove the defendant a contractor with him, having a di
rect interest to swear part of his debt on to another, and lessen the amount of his
liability.
68
M ercantile Law Cases.
The plaintiff’s counsel answered: First. That, admitting the general rule to be
as contended by the defendants’ counsel, it did not apply to this case, because Young
having confessed the judgment in a suit against Jjim and Baker jointly, was
estopped from denying that Baker was his partner ; and that, as the defendants
gave the bond in suit as agents of Baker, if they paid the debt, they could re
cover the amount they paid against Young, including costs, etc., and hence
Young’s interest was against the plaintiff.
Second. That the accounts between Young & Baker showed that, though
they were partners as to third persons in their joint operations, as between them
selves, Young was to pay all the debts, and allow Baker for all his capital and prd. fits; and consequently, if Baker should be obliged to pay this debt of the house, he
could recover the whole amount, including costs, against Young’s representatives.
The judge said if the question were open, he should find it difficult to reject
this deposition; but, with the express authorities above cited before him, he must
exclude it.
Annexed to this deposition, was a letter-press copy of an account, signed by
Young, dated December 31, 1832, which contained an account of operations for
1832, including commission business, and credited Mr. Baker $2,014 5J, the
exact sum charged Young by Baker, at the foot of his account current of same
date. The plaintiff proved that Young gave this paper to his attorney at the time
of confessing the judgment in October, 1834, and that the signature was genuine..
The account was then offered in evidence on the grounds—
First. That Young was the only-ostensible partner in the joint operations con
fessedly carried on by Young & Baker; and his acts and entries while the rela
tion subsisted between him and Baker, were equivalent to the acts of both, had
both been ostensible partners.
Second. That it was admissible as an entry by a deceased person against his
interest at the time.
Third. That as the other accounts showed that detailed accounts similar to
this were rendered to Baker with the accounts current, and Baker had not pro
duced the one which he did receive at the date in question, it was sufficient to
authorize a jury to find that the original, from which this impression was taken,
was actually sent to and received by Baker.
The judge held, that the date of the account was not evidence that it existed
in 1832; that the coincidence in the amount between this account and the charge
by Baker to Young was of little moment, and excluded the evidence.
The plaintiff also offered to prove, that in the fall of 1845, a commission was is
sued to three persons at Trinidad, one named by defendants, to examine several
witnesses on the part of the plaintiff, and take sworn copies of the record of the
failure of Young, and particularly of Baker’s account against him, in the bank
rupt court; and also of all accounts between Young & Baker in Young’s books
deposited in that court; that letters rogatory accompanied the commission, by
which any court in Trinidad was prayed to aid in the execution of the commis
sion ; that the name of H. P. Hastings was subscribed to the paper as counsel for
the plaintiff; that said Hastings went to Trinidad, and endeavored to execute
the commission ; that the commissioners all declined to a c t; that the public offi
cers refused to allow the inspection of the books of Young, or record of his fail
ure ; that a proceeding was instituted before the proper court, having cognizance
of the matter, to enforce the execution of the commission; that Baker appeared
on the record by his attorney, and opposed the application on the ground, amongst
others, that said Hastings was not duly authorized to appear for the plaintiff; that
after a motion to set aside said Baker’s appearance as a party litigant, which was
denied, thereby creating an open litigation which might last for years, said
Hastings took copies of said proceedings, official copies being refused ; and to
show this interference of Baker, the said copies were offered in evidence, on proof
that they were true copies.
The plaintiff insisted that this was competent evidence, as showing Baker’s de
sign to conceal the truth from the plaintiff, and would authorize an unfavorable
inference against him in weighing the other circumstantial evidence.
The defendants objected to this evidence, and it was excluded.
I
Mercantile. Law Cases.
69
The plaintiff having rested, the defendants’ counsel moved for a nonsuit, on the
grounds—
First. That if the partnership existed, it was dissolved by Young’s bankruptcy,
and after dissolution, Young could not confess a judgment so as to give it any
effect, as against Baker.
Second. That the judgment under the joint debtor act was of no effect what
ever, as a judgment against Baker, who was not served with process; and there
fore, such a judgment did not support the claim of the plaintiff as an attaching
creditor, which was on the judgment, and noton the original demand, which
must be proved before he can be charged.
The judge held that the statute extended to all joint debtors, and therefore
the dissolution was immaterial; and that a joint debtor served with process could
confess judgment with the same effect as if he had let judgment go by default;
that the statute did not exclude any mode of recovering judgment—
That the case of Merwin vs. Kumbel, 22 Wend., settled the law that such a
judgment was to be declared upon like any other, but must be supported by proof
aliunde of the joint liability of the defendants not served with process, and con
sequently the plaintiff was right in proceeding upon the judgment; and on proof
of a joint liability of Baker, the demand on the judgment would be established
against both Young & Baker.
The motion for a nonsuit was overruled, and the defendants excepted.
The defendants went into their defence on the merits— i. e., on the question of
partnership, but gave no evidence to show the account stated by Young on con
fessing judgment incorrect.
They gave in evidence a stipulation signed by the attorneys of the parties,
dated Feb. 19th, 1846, reciting that, after the plaintiff had brought his cause on
ready for trial in February term, 1846, the defendants had obtained a commission,
with stay of proceedings, to examine a witness at Trinidad de Cuba ; that by way
of compromise, and to avoid expense and delay, the plaintiff had agreed to deduct
from the judgment, as of the day of its rendition, the sum of $9,687, and the de
fendants waived their commission, and agreed that no evidence should be given
on the trial, as to the seizure, confiscation, or restoration of the plaintiff’s ship Marmion, and her cargo, on her second voyage, in May, 1828 ; and it was agreed “ that
this stipulation as to deduction, shall not bind the plaintiff, if the defendants shall
further postpone the trial of the cause beyond the first week of March term, 1846.”
The cause was tried in the first week of March term, 1846, but the verdict for
the defendants was set aside in February, 1847, and then at March term ; and
again, at April term, 1847, the defendants again postponed the trial for a witness
from Trinidad; and after the second trial, in June term, they again postponed the
trial from July to September term.
The amount depending upon the construction of this stipulation, was nearly
$19,000, including interest. The plaintiff refused to deduct, on the ground that
the condition of the stipulation was broken by putting off the cause, as above
stated. The defendants insisted that the condition applied only to the first trial
in March term, 1846, and that as the defendants then went to trial, they complied
with the condition, and there was an end of i t ; and so Oakley, J., held on the
second trial.
The plaintiff’s counsel now cited the following cases: Elton vs. Larkin, 1 Mo.,
and R., 196, and Doe vs. Bird, 7 Car., and Payne 6, showing that stipulations
respecting the trial of the cause applied to every trial the court might order, and
did not end with the first; and the court held that the plaintiff was not bound to
make the deduction.
The cause was fully summed up by each of the counsel.
The defendants’ counsel contended: First. That the plaintiff held the burthen of
proof, and must make out his case clearly, as he gave credit to Young alone.
Second. That the entering into a partnership without a written and registered
contract, would have subjected Baker to all the liabilities, and gave him none of
the rights of a partner, according to the code of commerce; and besides, have sub
jected him to a large penalty ; therefore, strong proof should be required to estabr
lish such illegal partnership.
70
M ercantile Law Cases.
Third. That the accounts of Baker, and letters of Young, given in evidence by
the plaintiff, were evidence in Baker’s favor, as well as against him; and that
they showed Baker a creditor, and not a partner, and that the profit he charged
Young, was on “ certain transactions” not embracing the commission business,
nor Young’s business in general.
Mr. Hastings, in closing the case on the part of the plaintiff, laying out of view
all the circumstantial evidence properly belonging to a jury, which had been fully
presented by Mr. Spencer, submitted the following views of the case as matter
of law :—
First. In establishing the co-partnership of defendants, the same strictness of
proof is not required as in respect to the co-partnership of plaintiffs, for the rea
son that every member of a firm has the means of proving who his partners are,
and what is the agreement between them; whereas, strangers are ignorant upon
the subject, and must make proof by the acts and admissions of the persons sought
to be charged. As against defendants, therefore, presumptive or prima facie ev
idence is sufficient to call upon them to show the real relation between them
selves. Whitney vs. Sterling, 14 John. It., 215; 2d vol. Star. Ev., 804, 807;
22 Wend., 276 ; Carey on Part., 136.
Second. In case of dormant partners, who studiously conceal their interest,
less evidence is required, than as against those who make no effort to conceal; as
evidence is to be weighed according to what it was in the power of one party to
have proved, or the other to have explained. 2 Cow. and Hill, Phil., p. 293,
310, 311; 3d vol. Star. Ev., 7 American Ed., 937.
Third. Where it is obvious that the defendant sought to be charged, has de
stroyed, or suppressed, or withheld evidence which would have completely exon
erated him, if not justly chargeable, the court and jury are bound to draw a
strong presumption against him, in weighing the evidence which the plaintiff has
been able to produce. Id., and also 7 Wend., 31; Owen vs. Fisk ; 2 Sim. and
Stuart, 606.
Fourth. When prima facie evidence of co-partnership, sufficient to carry a
cause to a jury, has been given, and the defendants fail to rebut it by evidence
which they might have produced, if not liable, the prima facie evidence becomes
morally conclusive.
Fifth. Where the defendants do attempt to explain, and even give evidence of
the original agreement between them, to show them not co-partners, it is still com
petent for the jury to find a partnership from all the circumstances, contrary to
the express agreement. 2 Hall, 351 ; Pr. Oakley, Justice.
Sixth. The facts of this case, with the application of the foregoing undeniable
principles, entitle the plaintiff to recover, beyond all controversy.
The plaintiff does not claim that Baker held himself out as a partner, or that
he ever gave credit to him. The case turns, then, upon proof of the actual rela
tion between Young & Baker.
The plaintiff has given evidence of the most satisfactory character, as against
Mr. Baker— i. e., his own accounts— that in May, 1828, when Young was poor,
he put into his hands $5,000 capital, and shortly after $2,900 more, to be in
vested in business, fo r profit, under Baber's advice, as to the business ; with a right,
on his part, to inspect the books, and to be secured, whenever Young’s affairs
were found in a bad state—
That up to January, 1829, upwards of $4,000 profits were made in the business
carried on with this capital, on account of both, which was divided between them,
share and share alike—
That a similar sum was made every year, and divided in the same manner, until
1832 inclusive, when Baker gave notice of his intention of withdrawing his cap
ital, and closing the accounts at the end of 1833—
That in 1833, there was no general account of profits, but several particular
adventures on joint account; and Young found his allairs in a bad state, and
failed, indebted to Baker, including profits, in about $18,000—
That during all this time, Young’s house was engaged in commission business,
and there is no evidence of any other.
M ercantile Law Cases.
71
These are the bold, undeniable facts; and what evidence has each party given,
in respect to what the business was which produced the profits divided with Baker ?
Mr. Baker has proved, by three witnesses, that they did not know any joint bu
siness between Young & Baker. This does not begin to prove anything for him
on this point.
Mr. Baker is entitled, I concede, to the benefit of the entries in his own ac
counts, and the expressions in his own letters, (if any,) given in evidence in his
own favor; but what expressions are there in his favor, on this point ?
The facts stated in the note at the foot of the account of May, 1828, that $5,000
is to be invested by Young, and that $4,000 profits flowed from the investment,
in eight months, and was divided between them, as stated in the next account,
are not qualified at all by the statement in the former, that Baker should approve
of the business, and that he should be secured promptly in case of difficulty, ex
cept to show that, inter se, Baker was to be a creditor, though they were partners,
as to third persons. Nor do the qualifying words added to the charge of profits
in the next account, tend to show anything inconsistent with partnership. If the
charge had been only “ to half profits,” or “ to half profits of business,” there
could be no doubt it would, of itself, prove partnership of Baker in Young’s busi
ness. Would the substitution of “ transactions” for business, have shown any
thing different ? Not at all. Does the addition of the word “ certain,” make it
any more evidence that special adventures, and not the ordinary business of
Young’s house, were intended ? Not at all. That word “ certain,” is often used
in a very uncertain and indefinite sense, as every lawyer knows. It is never
used as synonymous with special, or particular. These words, therefore, prove
nothing for Baker, except a disposition to mystify.
The whole expression is just as applicable to Young’s business as a commis
sion merchant, as to anything else ; and, therefore, is no qualification of the plain
admission of participation in the profits of Young’s business.
The same may be said of all the similar debits in the accounts of Baker.
Baker has given not one word of evidence that the business in which he was
interested, was not all the business of the house of John Young.
But what has the plaintiff shown ? By Baker’s own letters, after all these
transactions, that these profits “ corresponded” to Baker “ for the transactions of
that y e a r t h a t if anything appeared in Young’s books in regard to the notes of
these transactions at the foot of the accounts, and the creditors presented them
selves, Baker could not be secured; that the accounts should be made without
mention of “ transactions,” because the creditors would demand them ; and finally,
not only that Baker was interested in Young’s transactions, ( not certain or spe
cial transactions,) but it would probably appear in Young’s books. Can any
stronger proof than this be given, to show that these transactions were the busi
ness in general, and not particular operations, or adventures ?
If there can, is it not found in the fact, that the accounts current constaritly
specify particular transactions ?
What might Baker have proved, and what was he called upon to prove, to an
swer this charge ?
First. The suit has been pending ten years, during all which time Baker has
been at Trinidad, where were, and are, the books and papers of Young, and had
full opportunity to find and procure, as well as to keep and preserve, all the evi
dence, to rebut the allegation of partnership.
Second. From 1828 to 1833, he was interested with Young, had access to, and
actually often examined his books.
Third. At the end of each year, he received from Young detailed accounts of
the transactions which gave him his profits, besides the amount of profits cred
ited in general account current; and on the receipt of the last one containing a
general credit— i. e., 31st December, 1832, he intended to wind up the business at
the end of 1833, and therefore had every motive to preserve all evidence which
would explain or answer the credits of profits, so as not to show his participation
in Young’s business generally.
Fourth. He destroyed the detailed accounts, and has refused to produce Young’s
72
M ercantile Law Cases.
general accounts current for 1832-’ 33, and has failed to prove a single special
adventure not contained in the accounts already produced, by any evidence ;
whereas, if any took place, the proof was easy, independent of the detailed ac
counts.
Fifth. W hy destroy, and why not prove, except from the motive which the law'
presumes, that both accounts and proofs would be directly against him, if produced 7
Sixth. Again, he has not proved that these same detailed accounts which he
destroyed, are not in Young’s letter-books, or amongst his papers ; and the reg
ular books would show the special adventures, if there be any, and the nett profits
of each.
This proves the case in law stronger than the possession of stolen goods con
victs the possessor, who fails to prove how he came by them, of larceny.
S an d fo rd , ,T.— By the law of this State, and, as I understand it, by the law mer
chant recognized and acted upon throughout the commercial world, a participation in
the uncertain profits of trade, renders one a co-partner, in respect of the liabilities
of the concern to third persons. And when money is advanced to a merchant,
and the premium or profit for its use is not fixed and certain, but is dependent
upon the accidents of trade, the person making the advance, will be liable as a
partner to such merchant’s creditors ; although he is not to risk any part of his
advance, or share in the losses of the trade.
There are exceptions to this rule in many countries, but they are to be found
in the enactments of statutes and codes. Such are’ the special or limited
partnerships in this State, the partnership en ccmmandite and anonymous,
allowed by the Code de Commerce in France, and the similar special partnership
en la commandite----------and anonymous, for which provision is made in the Codigo de Commercio of Spain.
In respect of these limited partnerships, the laws of the countries authorizing
these, require the observance of certain forms and acts of publication and registry,
to make them complete. The Spanish code requires similar acts, in the forma
tion of general partnerships. It does not, however, appear, by the testimony before
me, that there was any law in force in Cuba, requiring the observance of these
acts, when the partnership is alleged to have been entered into between Baker &
Y oung; or until May, 1829, when the Codigo de Commercio was promulgated.
The Ordinanzas de Bilbao, ordained in 1737, so far as the fact is proved, were
local in their operations i and I have no historical information that they extended
beyond the province of Biscay, and the adjacent regions of Old Castile and New
Leon.
If it had been shown that the laws of Cuba in 1828 were the same as they ap
pear to have been after May, 1829, it would not have affected the question in isgue. A violation of the regulations prescribed, would have been visited upon the
offending partners, and not upon merchants trading with them. Thus, by the
28th article of the Codigo, if the partners neglect to register the instrument of
partnership, it shall be of no effect between the parties thereto to demand any
rights under it; but it shall not thereby be rendered ineffectual in favor of third
parties who may have contracted with the partnership. The same rule prevails
in France. (Code de Commerce, Art. 39 to 44.) Such being the law, the liability
of Mr. Baker does not depend upon proof of the formation of a registered partner
ship, or of any written instrument. If the plaintiff has shown by evidence, that
Baker participated in the profits of the commission business conducted by Young,
at the city and port of Trinidad de Cuba, and where Young received the plaintiff’s
consignment, the law merchant fixed upon him the liability of a partner, in respect
of that consignment. The case is then narrowed to the simple question, whether
Mr. Baker did, or did not, participate in those profits at the time designated.
This, of course, must be determined hy the evidence. It appears that prior to
1828, Young was transacting business as a commission merchant at Casilda, the
port of Trinidad de Cuba, and also in the city of Trinidad ; and he had had deal
ings of various kinds with Mr. Baker, by means of which, he was Baker’s debtor in
the sum of $1,336 21 at the close of the year 1827. One of these transactions
was a speculation in a cargo of boards, for which Baker advanced over $3,000 to
Mercantile Laic Cases.
73
Young, in April, 1827, and he was credited in December with $492 50 for half the
profits on the adventure. In January, 1828, Young became the partner of Hector
Kennedy, in the same commercial business. Mr. Baker furnished $5,000 to Ken
nedy, which was entered by him in his account as a loan to Kennedy, and consti
tuting Kennedy’s capital; the balance due from Young formed apart of this $5,000.
Kennedy died in April, or early in May, 1838 ; but in the meantime, Baker’s ac
count with Kennedy & Young had so far extended, that there was a balance due
to him of $12,384 03, including the loan of Kennedy’s capital. With a trifling
exception, the charges against the firm were for sugar and coffee furnished Baker.
Young continued the business in his own name from Kennedy’s death, until his
own failure, in the fall of 1838. The first consignment of the plaintiff wap made
in February, 1828, and nearly the whole cargo remained in Young’s hands
after the death of Kennedy. The second cargo was consigned to Young, in May,
1828 ; the third, at the close of the year, and the last in the spring of 1829.
Mr. Baker, after the death of Kennedy, continued to advance to Young large
sums in money, and extensive invoices of property. He appears to have been a
man of very extensive means, and enjoying a high pecuniary, as vvell as personal
reputation. During the era of the plaintiff’s shipments, he was in habits of close
business intimacy with Young, visiting his'eounting-room, often examining his
books, and advising about his business.
From the accounts produced by Baker, it appears that as often as once a year,
Young rendered to him detailed accounts of the transactions between them.
Those of Baker against Young, contained charges for the money advanced and
property delivered by Baker to Young, sundry small items of debit, and for the
gains on several adventures, which are designated ; and in every instance, down
to the close of 1832, there is, at the end of each periodical account, a charge
slightly varying in its phraseology, in different years, hut substantially as follows:
“ T o half the profits coming to me from certain transactions in which Young
interested me, the nett proceeds amounting to $ ------ ,” (the amount stated ;) and
referring, in several instances, to a liquidated or detailed account furnished to him
byYonng. The sums charged to Young for these profits, range from $2,014 05J
to $2,311 04, in the five periodical balances to which my observation applies.
The corresponding accounts by Young against Baker, were produced under or
ders for discovery, except that of December 31st, 1832, which was withheld, and
contained a corresponding credit for profits, as per detailed accounts rendered.
Here are entries made by Mr. Baker himself, show'ing a regular interest in the
profits of certain transactions of Young, continuing for a period of five years.
During all that time. Young’s regular business was that of a commission mer
chant. There is no evidence that he was engaged in other transactions to any
considerable extent, save those designated in the accounts produced. Indeed, I
do not remember but one, (independent of his house in town, and his purchase of
land from Mr. Baker at Casilda,) which is not specially entered, and the profits
charged in Mr. Baker’s accounts. During the whole period, Baker was advan
cing money and valuable plantation produce to Young, without any charge for
interest, and he was advising him in business, a frequent inmate of his countingroom, and frequently inspecting his books of account. What were those “ cer
tain transactions” of Young from which Baker was deriving a constant profit, un
less they were his mercantile transactions ? If they were not, was it net incum
bent on Baker to have proved the fact by the production of Young’s detailed ac
counts furnished to him, or by the books of Young, containing all his business
transactions? Baker was apprised as long ago as 1837, that the plaintiff was
attempting to charge him as the secret partner of Young. His letters in 1833, to
which I will presently refer, show that he understood perfectly weil that the books
and papers of Young would be resorted to as proof of his partnership; and this as
surance was made doubly sure, by the plaintiff’s application in this suit for a dis
covery of the accounts and correspondence in Baker’s possession. W hy, then, did
he not produce Young’s books and detailed accounts, to explain the hidden mean
ing of the entries of the profits in his own accounts ? It is answered, that the de
tailed accounts were destroyed after Baker had established his demand in the
74
M ercantile Law Cases.
bankrupt court at Trinidad. The reason assigned is, that he no longer considered
them of any consequence. The documents before me show that Mr. Baker is a
man of business, of abundant intelligence, very exact and methodical in his trans
actions, and it is difficult to avoid an unfavorable inference from an act so unusual,
as the destruction of the accounts' rendered of extensive operations of a mercantile
character, within a year after they are closed. (1 Greenleaf Ev., 537.) But where
are the books of Young ? The testimony shows that on his failure, all his books
and papers were seized, and remained thenceforth in the court of bankruptcy.
They are at Mr. Baker’s place of residence, and he might, by a commission or
otherwise, have produced on the trial conclusive evidence from those books and
papers, showing to what transactions Young’s detailed accounts crediting him
with these profits, actually referred.
It is said that a resort to those documents was equally open to the plaintiff; and
his possession of some original letters of Baker to Young, shows that he might
have produced more testimony of the same character, if it would have answered
his purpose.
To this it may be answered, that the production of two or three papers is not
any warrant for me to believe that the plaintiff could have abstracted from the files
of the bankrupt court in Cuba, all the documents that he thought proper. Nor is
it so clear that a resident of New York can obtain evidence from the records of
a civil law tribunal under the Spanish government, to use against a Spanish resi
dent at the place where they are kept, with the same facility that the latter might
obtain it, if he thought proper. But it is sufficient to say, that the plaintiff, after
proving the entries under consideration, had aright to rely on the inferences which
result from them, and to call on the adverse party to rebut those inferences, if tho
facts would enable him to overcome their force. See Whilney rs. Sterling, 14
Johns. ; 1 Greenleaf Ev., ss. 78 to 80 ; Thompson vs. Kalbach, 12 Serg., and R.,
238. Has Mr. Baker produced evidence which repels the inferences drawn from
the entries in his accounts, or has he explained these entries satisfactorily ? In
stead of exhibiting to the court Young’s books and papers, he has called three wit
nesses, residents of Trinidad, and two of them intimate with Young, who testify
in eflect that they knew nothing of any partnership between Young and Baker.
This testimony, wholly negative in its character, is not such as the case demand
ed from Baker, and is of very little weight.
On the part of the plaintiff, there is other testimony strongly corroborating the
inference which he claims from the charge made by Baker for half the profits of
“ certain transactions.” Of this description is the entry in Mr. Baker’s accounts
at the foot of the balance-sheet of Kennedy & Young. Baker there says, he has
agreed with Young to leave $5,000 of the balance then due to him in Young’s
hands for two or three years, or as long as convenient, on condition that it should
be invested only in transactions which Baker should approve; that Baker was to
have access to his books whenever he pleased, and in the event of any embarrass
ment in Young’s individual affairs, he should secure Baker in due season, for all
the funds of his then in Young’s hands, so that Baker should not suffer loss.
This entry contained every element of an agreement to furnish capital, with a
participation in the profits, and without any risk of loss, except the expression of
the division of profits; and this element was proved to have existed by the actual
division of profits made every year in the form heretofore stated. Such is the ar
gument of the plaintiff and it is one to which, on the testimony in the case, I can
find no satisfactory answer. The next entry of cash to Young’s debit, of any mag
nitude, is $2,970, on the 31st of November, 1829, “ delivered to him to be invested
in certain transactions which offered profit.” This certainly looks like a further
advance of capital on the terms and for the purposes stated in the entry, upon
which I have just commented; with the addition of a direct avowal of the intended
participation in the offered profits.
Further proof is furnished by Mr. Baker’s letters. These reflect ligllt upon the
acts of the parties in 1828 and 1829, as well as subsequently ; for the books show
that there was no intervening charge. In one dated January 29, 1833, in which
he comments upon Young’s account rendered for 1832, he insists on being cred-
Mercantile Law Cases.
75
ited for the price-of the lots in Casilda, which was not yet due, and requests Young
to make a sequel of the account current, “ with the introduction of the items omitted,
as well as the amount which may correspond to me (him) for the transactions of the
year.” He adds, “ he would prefer our closing all our accounts at the end of this
year.”
On the 2d of November, 1833, Young wrote to Baker respecting his difficulties,
and urging an extension of time from his creditors. This letter undoubtedly
treats Baker as a creditor, and all the accounts show he was such creditor to a
large amount. But it is in perfect harmony with the conclusion that he had been
interested in the profits of Young’s house, though not liable for losses.
In his answer to this letter, or a similar one, in which Young proposed to give
him some security, Baker, on the 30th of November, suspending his decision as to
Young’s proposal, made use of some remarkable expressions. He said, “ Should
anything appear in your books relative to a note at the foot of your account cur
rent, in case your creditors present themselves against you, any security in my
favor would not, in my opinion, be valid. You can, however, should this not be
the case, secure me on your house in town, and in any other manner you think
best, the amount you may suppose from my observations to be due to me.” The
only note at the foot of Young’s account to which this letter could have referred,
is the one showing the terms upon which the $5,000 was left with Young in
May, 1828.
A note without date, but evidently following the one of 30th of November, is still
plainer in its import. Mr. Baker says, “ on reflection, would advise that our ac
counts be made out without any mention of transactions, as I am certain, in the
event of your securing me, it will be demanded by the c r e d i t o r s a n d after his
signature, he added, “ your books may probably express my having had interest in
your transactions.”
It is scarcely possible to account for all this solicitude as to the contents of
Young’s books, the desire to avoid affording to Young’s creditors any clue to a
knowledge of those entries, on the supposition that Baker’s interest in his affairs
had been limited to a few occasional speculations in specific and distinct trans
actions. It is the natural language of a man who was conscious that he had in
curred a serious legal liability by his implication in the affairs of a failing house,
and who was attempting to forestall the means by which that liability might be
established against liim.
I have now brought together the leading circumstances and arguments bearing
upon the great point of the case. I have considered them with the care and de
liberation due to the importance of the cause, and with no little anxiety on account
of the peculiar manner in which it has become my duty to decide upon the facts
in issue. The absence of proof by Mr. Baker of the true meaning of the statedly
recurring entries of the profits made by Young on transactions not designated,
when it is so apparent such proof was in his power, has borne on my mind with
great force; and, connecting those entries and the want of evidence in explanation
of their meaning with the other sections upon which I have commented, the situ
ation and conduct of the parties, and the letters from Baker to Young, I cannot
resist the conclusion, that during the whole period, from the death of Kennedy, to
the failure of Young, Mr. Baker participated in the profits of the house of Young.
And while this rendered him liable as a partner to the commercial creditors of
Young, I am equally clear, that, as between himself and Young, he was to have
all his capital restored to him without any division by the losses of the concern.
The plaintiff having established the joint indebtedness of Baker & Y'oung, for
which the judgment was recovered in 1834, the statute fixes the amount of the
liability. It is neither more nor less than the amount of the judgment. 2 R . £>.,
377; S. L., 23 Wend., 293.
The sum due on the judgment recovered in 1834, exceeds the penalty of the
defendants’ bond. My judgment will therefore be entered in the usual form, for
the penalty, $44,985 78.
76
Commercial Chronicle and Review.
COMMERCIAL CHRONICLE
AND REVIEW.
THE COMMERCIAL EMBARRASSMENT OF ENGLAND OWING TO TIIE TJNSKrLFULNESS OF HER MO
NIED INSTITUTIONS— IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF THE UNITED STATES, IN
1847--- INFLUENCE
OF
EUROPEAN COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS OS THIS COUNTRY----COINAGE---- CONDITION OF THE NEW YORE
CITY BANKS IN AUGUST AND NOVEMBER,
1847— THE
COUNTRY BANKS---- DIVIDENDS OF NEW
YORK BANKS FOR SEVERAL YEARS---- LIST OF FAILURES IN EUROTE TO 1 9 l n NOVEMBER---- MODE
OF TRANSACTING BUSINESS BETWEEN ENGLAND AND THE UNITED STATES— RATES OF BILLS OF
EXCHANGE, ETC., ETC.
T he past has been an eventful era in the history of commerce, and the last six
months will be memorable for the discredit into which England lias fallen in re
gard to the rest of the world. The continued difficulties in England, growing out
o f causes to which we have before alluded, have produced their effect to a greater
or less extent upon the United States ; and, in the midst of unexampled prosperity,
the commercial community were suddenly deprived of their usual facilities, and
the solvency of many firms jeopardized, while some few gave way to the pressure.
After a year of such unparalleled trade as has been enjoyed, the condition of mer
chants generally was sound, and there was no valid reason why they should so
suddenly have been cut off from the resources on which, unfortunately, they com
monly rely to meet their obligations. If the merchants, as a body, are dependent
upon corporate institutions for facilities in their business, it is certainly the pro
vince of those institutions to understand the general operation and effect of com
merce, and to exercise great foresight and circumspection in the conduct of their
affairs. It does not appear, however, that there has in any degree been exercised
that skilfulness in the management of money affairs that the public have a right
to expect at this day; and to this want of skill, to a very great extent, is to be as
cribed the distress which the dealers have undergone in the last ninety days. The
business of the Union, as we have remarked, has been of great magnitude during
the past year, and uncommonly healthy. This is manifest in the official tables
of the imports and exports of the Union, which give results as follows :—
IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
IM P O R T S .
EXPO RTS.
Specie.................................
§150,637.464
6,166,039
1,845,119
Total................................
§158,643,622
Goods.............
S pecie............
§129,424,349 Domestic g o od s..................
24,121,289 Foreign goods.....................
Total imports.
Duties............
§146,545,638
26,347,790
This table gives the remarkable fact that the aggregate value o f goods and
specie imported was less than the exported value of domestic produce by four
millions, and the aggregate exports exceeded the imports by the large sum o f
§12,102,984; which, were the import and export values the actual amounts real
ized from, and paid for goods, would, in addition to the very large earnings of the
ships for freight, suppose serious losses to the national commerce. These returns
were made up, however, to the close of June, to which time the prices in Eng
land had been well sustained, and the exports yielded doubtless considerable sums
in excess of the valuation here. It is probable, however, that a much larger
quantity than usual went forward on foreign account; by reason of which, the
export value would represent more nearly the actual amount realized to the coun
Commercial Chronicle and Review.
77
try by the sale of the produce ; yet, it would seem that, after the close of the fiscal
year, a large sum was due the country— a supposition sustained by the low rates
at which exchanges ruled at the close of the year. The amount of bills running
-upon England was very considerable ; and, as the imports continued large, as the
fall season progressed, the demand for them increased in a manner to raise their
value as a remittance. Two circumstances, however, grew out of the revulsion
in England, which tended to deprive the market of bills as a means of discharging
the debts due England. These were the diminished prices and purchases of pro
duce in England, and the discredit of the houses on which the bills were running.
By these means, very considerable sums due the United States by England, ceased
to be applicable to debts due England for goods. In the phrase of the stock
market the “ mutual contracts would not apply.” If England, from any cause,
faltered in her payments, the United States continued theirs. When British credits
were no longer a reliable remittance, importers fell back upon specie, and the banks
became immediately endangered. Their danger consisted in the extent to which
specie would be substituted for discredited bills, until the maturity and payment
of the latter should .return the precious metals to the bank vaults. During the
year, the movement of specie had been immense. The imports were, as seen
above, $24,121,289 ; of this, $22,276,170 had been retained in the country, and
nearly all coined into American money. The federal government, during the
eleven months ending with November, has for loans and dues received $48,667,886
in specie, and disbursed it, making, an amount of $97,335,772 ; of this amount,
$23,000,000 was mostly in foreign coins, sent to the mint for coinage. While
this immense movement of specie has taken place, the amount in the New York
banks varied from $7,798,186, August, 1846, to $8,103,499, August, 1847; an in
crease of $305,313 only, although their loans had swollen much beyond the move
ment of last year. The specie held by the banks wras not American coin, but
mostly those foreign coins best adapted to exportation. Hence, when the packet
of the 4th of August brought news of the English failures, and each succeeding
boat brought more disastrous news, it became very evident that, in default of bills
for remittance, the specie in the banks would be resorted to, and they had not in
creased their store during a year of large imports, nor had they protected them
selves against an export demand, by changing their foreign coin into American
money. Hence, it became probable that a serious drain would result, and it was
their duty to prepare for it by a gradual curtailment o f their extended loans. In
our October number, in speaking of the returns of the city banks for August, as
compared with the previous November, we remarked:
“ The city banks have increased their loans nearly 20 per cent, while a dimi
nution has taken place in those of the country; yet a great increase has taken
place in the circulation of the latter. This large amount of city loans produces
an extra demand for money, and causes tightness in the market whenever the
banks loan less than they receive, and this is always the case when they have
reached a maximum.”
The line of discounts in August was immense, as compared with former expe
rience ; and, while the aspect of affairs was such as we have described it, it was
the duty of far-seeing and sagacious bankers to have prepared for it by commen
cing a gradually stringent policy— simply by being less liberal than before. This
appears not to have been attempted at all. The following is a table of the city
bank returns, comparing the loans of each bank, August and November:—
Commercial Chronicle and Review.
78
LEADING FEATURE OF NEW YORK BANKS FOR NOVEMBER, 1847.
A ugust, 1847.
—*November, 1847.---Loans.
Specie.
Circulation.
Loans.
Banks.
D o lla r s .
American Exchange..............
Bank o f America....................
a
Commerce...............
New Y ork...............
“
State o f N ew Y ork
Bowerv (new b a n k )...............
Batchers and Drovers’ ............
Chemical..................................
C ity ...........................................
Fulton .....................................
Greenwich...............................
Leather Manufacturers’ .........
Manhattan...............................
Mechanics’ ..............................
Mechanics’ Association.........
Mechanics and Traders’ .......
Merchants’...............................
Merchants’ Exchange............
National....................................
Dry D ock ..................................
North R iver.............................
Phoenix.....................................
Seventh W ard.........................
Tradesmen’s.............................
Union........................................
D o lla r s .
3,598,791 2,777,201
3,773,440 3,515,386
4,656,884 4,020,255
2,380,913 2,124,156
3,826,240 3,128,389
498,921
1,233,822 1,164,717
856.694
1,174,422
1,766,201 1,488,740
1,644,952 1,386,498
457,564
477,568
1,338,444 1,327,595
2,286,171 2,097,925
3,204,605 3,029,299
484,775
547,174
530,500
534,854
3,680,057 3,572,230
1,870,625 1,708,481
1,523,501 1,512,747
373,321
386,316
1,318,215 1,262,784
2,294,528 2,144,951
1,096,988 1,051,424
999,348
997,023
2,496,678 2,211,687
Total..................................... 48,030,987
« November........................................
“ August.............................................
“ November, 1846............................
“ August,
“ .............................
Deposits.
D o lla r s .
D o lla r s .
D ollar 8.
785,164
700,006
599,892
634,473
733,260
20,274
115,366
93.034
215,464
171.024
33,760
154,428
215,973
673,263
176,998
58,526
793,284
112,614
169,337
15,690
177,749
505,238
145,585
156,255
546,842
262,642
243,097
216,085
493,855
339,904
153,976
290,475
242,375
193,905
236,413
154,165
259,885
48,068
565,457
361,285
160,084
333,373
292,669
209.713
69,459
443,445
390,439
300,762
260,708
484,346
1,858,663
1,427,192
1,661,316
1,898,588
1,694,950
391,924
625.668
606,269
1,004,179
856,598
205,298
646,757
1,222,082
1,748,220
567.668
342,065
2,227,046
738,158
912,571
50,680
954,759
1,454,671
544,949
586,151
1,530,639
................................................................................
43,733,010
8,103,499 7,606,581 25,757,061
48,030,987 10,769,732 6,838,475 27,892,482
38,533,810
7,113,070 6,192,514 22,812,755
40,390,248
7,798,186 5,926,881 21,166,623
The course of business, it appears, is generally for the city banks to curtail in
the November quarter, and for the country banks to expand. The former are ex
posed to a prompt demand for specie, and the latter are without any guide. It
appears that the city banks, for the November quarter, 1846, contracted their loans
$1,856,438. In the same quarter this year, with every reason for greater cir
cumspection, they reduced the amount but $4,297,977—-that is to say, in No
vember, 1847, after three months of anxiety and alarm, in which individual mer
chants were too prudent to trust sterling bills, and the banks in consequence had
lost $2,666,233 of their specie, their loans were $5,199,200, and their circulation
$1,414,067 higher than on the same day of the previous year. The deposits were
$2,944,306 greater. The liabilities for deposits and circulation were $4,358,373
higher than in November, 1846, and this was based on $5,199,200 more, of loans
due the banks. In this position they suddenly took an alarm at the amount of
specie shipped between the 1st and 16th of November, and rigorously curtailed
their movements, refusing the most undoubted paper. The specie, in some cases,
had, indeed, been reduced alarmingly low ; some that had reported over $700,000,
now were brought down to $200,000. The specie in all the city banks was
reduced to less than $5,000,000 in the second week in December. The com
mercial public have, however, great reason to complain of this conduct; the
more so, that the affairs of the banks for three months remain entirely concealed
from each other, as well as from the public. The country banks of the State
made returns for the same period as follows:—
Commercial Chronicle and Review.
Loans.
Specie.
79
Circulation.
Deposits.
1847—November..............
$36,525,519
$1,004,421 $18,630,675 $9,339,757
August...................
32,709,690
1,213,392
19,253,208
8,888,592
1846—November..............
33,416,381
1,925,314
16,076,008
7,816,441
August...................
28,262,238
875,123
11,958,675
7,943,932
It is observable that the movement of those institutions is the reverse of those
in the city ; and that they enhanced their loans $3,815,826 in that quarter of
anxiety. Now, the country banks and merchants take their cue to a great extent
from the city institutions. If they loan liberally, as they did through the November
quarter, the country banks do so likewise, and the merchants enter freely into obliga
tions. The city banks are governed by the specie movement; and that, under
the absurd system of secrecy, each institution only knows of itself, and what di
rectors teir each other privately. When, as in the November quarter, they act
erroneously, and lead the community into extended obligations, and then turn
suddenly round, influenced by panic, and refuse to lend at all, the commercial
community is ruthlessly sacrificed to a false system. Had the city bank returns
been published weekly, as was desired o f the legislature by leading houses, the
constant drain of specie, as each successive packet admonished of, increasing
cause of distrust, prudent merchants would have restrained their operations ; and
the banks of the State, instead of having a discount line of $80,000,000, would not
have reached $70,000,000, November 1st. This would not have operated so well
for bank profits, but it would have been cheaper and safer for the public. The pack
ets of November 4th and 19th brought advices of some amelioration in the market
of London, with some advance of breadstuff's and firmness in cotton, with such ge
neral advices as should have imparted more confidence in bills. Unfortunately, how
ever, she brought news of the failure of a French house, the branch of which here
had sold francs to some extent, taking notes in payment, which notes had been dis
counted by some of the banks; and this circumstance, added to their panic, making
them still more rigorous in their movements, the best paper of the city was hawking
about at 1i a 14 per cent per month interest; and, in some instances, even higher.
In some cases, large amounts of good paper was offered for small sums at this
rate. The dividends of the institutions for the past year have been as follows :—
DIVIDENDS OF THE NEW YORK BANKS FOE 1844-5-6-7.
Ban es.
Capital.
Div.
1844.
1845.
1846.
Amount. Div. Amount. Div. Amount.
Dollars, p. ct. Dollars, p. ct.
Bank o f New York§
Merchants’ f ..............
Mechanics’ * ..............
U n ion *......................
Bank o f America||..
C ity*...........................
PhoenixII.....................
North River||............
Tradesmen’s!!............
Fulton*......................
Butch, and Drovers’ }
Mech. and Traders’ *
N ational^.................
Merch. Exchanged. .
Leather M anufac.}...
Seventh Ward||........
State*........................
Bank o f Commerce||
Mech. Associationt.
Americ’ n Exchange*
Manhattan C o .}.......
1,(300,000
1,490,000
1,440,000
1,000,000
2.001,200
720,000
1,200,000
655,000
400,000
600,000
500,000
200,000
750,000
750.000
600.000
500,000
2,000,000
3,447,500
632,000
1,155,400
2,050,000
T ota l......................
23,084,100
Dollars, p. ct.
4 4
80,000 4 3
80,000 4
31 3.1
104,300 4 4
119,200 4
3.1 31
100,800 3£ 4
108,000 4
4" 4“
80,000 4 4
80,000 4
3 3
120,072 3 3
120,012 3
31 3£
50,400 3£ 4
54.000 4
3" 3
72,000 3 3
72,000 3
31 31
45.850 31 3|
45,850 31
5 5“
40,000 5“ 5
40,000 5“
5 5
60,000 5 5
60,000 5
31 4
37,500 3* 4
37,500 4
31 31
14,000 31 31
14,000 4
3“ 3“
45,000 3“ 3 l
48,750 3 j
31 3*
52.500 31 3?,
52,500 31
31 31
42,000 31 31
42,000 31
21 2?,
25,000 3“ 3“
30,000 3 l
21 2£
100.000 3 3
120.000 3
3“ 3
196,485 3 3
196,465 3
3* 31
44,240 3J 3£
44,240 4
2| 3"
63,527 3“ 3
69,324 3
........................................................... 3
6.13 1,373,600
6.31
1,433,907
4
4
4
4
3|
4
3
31
5
5
5
4
31
4
3*
3^
3
3
4
3
3
1847.
Amount.
Div.
Dollars, p. ct.
80,000
119,200
115,200
80,000
150,078
57,600
72,000
45,850
40.000
60,000
45,000
16.000
52,500
56,250
42 000
35,000
120,000
206,850
50,560
69,324
61,500
7.09 1,554,912
Dollars.
5
5
100,000
4
4
119.200
4
4
115,200
5
5
1Q0,000
3!
3* 140,084
4"
4
57,600
3
3
72,000
31 4
45,850
5“ 10
60,000
5
5
60.000
5
5
50,000
41 5
19,000
31 4
55,750
4
4
60,000
3|
3£
42,000
3.1 31
35,000
3"
3“ 120,000
3
31 223,871
..
3|
22,120
3*
3l
80,878
.............................
..
. . 1,572,173
* Dividend paid May and November, t Dividend paid June and December. } Dividend paid Febru
ary and August. $ Dividend paid April and October. || Dividend paid January and July.
80
Commercial Chronicle and Review.
The Mechanics’ Association was obliged to pass a dividend, as also the Man
hattan, which works but slowly out of its difficulties.
The advices from England, down to the 19th of November, were of some re
lief in the market, produced mainly by the arrivals of specie from all quarters,
which the fictitious operations in exchange had brought about. There were no
signs, however, that the great causes of the late revulsion were permanently re
moved, or that it had yet spent its force. Although the failures were no longer
of great magnitude, they still continued. In our last we gave the list down to
the 4th— the following are the names to the 19th:—
Abbott., Nottingham, and Co., wareh’ semen, London.
Ainsworth, David, manufacturer, Manchester.
Arkell, A., Stock Exchange, London.
Blake, G. and J., soapboilers, Liverpool.
Brancker, J. B., and Son, brokers, Liverpool.
Breebaart, N., merchant, Amsterdam.
Carter and Baines, merchants, Liverpool.
Campbell and Batty, yarn and goods ag’ ts, Glasgow.
Clarke, J. P., merchant, Leicester.
Cohen (Judah) and Sons, W . I. merchants, London.
Coleman and Todd, sharebrokers, Liverpool.
Cowsill, P., calico printer, Manchester.
Ewing, Anderson, and Aird, merchants, Manchester,
Glasgow, and Calcutta.
Farrand, Robert, corn factor, London.
Figgis and Oldham, wholesale druggists, Dublin.
Flood and Lott, bankers, Iloniton.
Gundry and Co., bankers, Bridport.
Hargreaves and Co., merchants, Liverpool.
Johnson, Cole, and Co., E. T. merchants, London.
Just, Z., manufacturer, Manchester.
Kaye, W illiam Henry, merchant, Huddersfield.
Kershaw, Holland, and Co., manufact’ rs, Manchester.
M'Kenzie, D., jun., East India merchant, Glasgow.
Marsland, Veltmann, and Co., Mane, and Stockport.
Napier, David, ironfounder, Glasgow.
Ogilvie, Clark, and Co., comm, agents, Glasgow.
Palengat and Co., corn merchants, Bayonne.
Pattison and M'Gibbon, calico printers, Glasgow.
Pendleton, J. T . Harvey, merchant, Manchester.
Rotham and Co., bankers, Amsterdam.
Roothaan and Co., bankers, Antwerp.
llupe, J. H., and Son, sugar refiners, Amsterdam.
Ryder, W ienholt, and Co., E. I. merchants, London.
; Thurburn and Co., East India and Egyptian mer
chants, London.
' Trueman and Cook, brokers, London.
|Young, G. and C., calico printers, Glasgow.
It is to be remarked that the names given, come under the general head, “ mer
chants and bankers.” The failures in smaller operations are much more nu
merous ; as thus, from the 6th to the 17th November, inclusive, there have been
gazetted in England 116 bankrupts, and 62 insolvents; and in Scotland 30
bankrupts.
It is natural that the non-payment of a vast number of bills drawn on England
and sent back to the colonies, as well as other countries, together with the failure
of so many firms, greatly diminishing the demand for money, while the receipt of
specie for debts due England was increasing the supply, should produce ease. In
fact, England was collecting debts and paving nothing; hence an apparent ease
in the market was produced. At the date of our last, we mentioned that the gov
ernment had authorized the Bank of England so far to violate the charter act of
1844 as to issue notes in excess of the amount secured by the stock and bullion
in the issue department. It appears, however, that the bank prudently abstained
from using that provision prior to the meeting of Parliament, which was called
for the 18th of November, and proceeded to business on the 23d. The French
loan of 250,000,000 francs was also adjusted by the award to the house of Roths
child, who took it at 75.25 for a 3 per cent stock, payable in instalments of
12,500,000 francs each for November and December, and 10,000,000 francs per
month thereafter until the whole should be closed. This would require twenty
months to complete the payments, and the interest on the whole amount was to
commence at once. The announcement of this loan, spread over, a long time,
and the favorable nature of its terms to the government, produced a better feeling,
and made the markets of the continent easier; so much so, that a great deal of
paper that would cortanand money at 8 per cent per annum in London, was dis
counted in Amsterdam and other cities at a much less rate. All those circum
stances only produced temporary relief. The facts that a great deal of food would
Commercial Chronicle and Review.
81
be wanted; that trade was paralyzed by want of money; that mills were idle
only for the want of means; that deferred bills are not settled, still presented
themselves in the back ground, ready to exercise an adverse influence as soon as
recovered confidence should stimulate enterprise. The state of Ireland was such
as to give rise to the liveliest fears, and corn had advanced considerably for that
market; while cotton had become firm under a slightly renewed demand, but was
checked by accounts of increasing supplies on this side.
There seems to be a radical error in the mode of transacting business between
the two countries, which in some measure aids the revulsions brought about by
bank panics. W e allude to the total absence of counter-exchange. Specie is
now, and has been freely shipped from the Atlantic ports; while bills have ruled
as follows in New York:—
BILLS IN NEW VORK.
Francs.
Sterling.
November 1
“
16
“
24
December 1
“
4
“
11
“
16
8| a
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
a 9J
a 10
a 104
a 104
a 104
a 104
5.23J a 5.224
5.25 a 5.224
5.25 a 5.224
5.25 a 5.224
5.25 a 5.224
5.25 a 5.224
5.27 a 5.25
Amsterdam.
404 a 404
404 a 404
404 a 404
Antwerp.
Hamburgh.
Bremen.
40 a 404 354 a 35J 784 a 784
404 a 404 35J a 36
784 a 784
40| a 404 354 a 36
784 a 79
40 a 404 40 a 404 35| a 36
784 a 79
40 a 404 40 a 404 354 a 36
784 » 19
40 a 404 40 a 404 35| a 36
784 a 79
40 a 404 40 a 404 354 a 36
784 a 79
These rates are nearly nominal for undoubted bills, but a large supply is upon
the markets, which will command no price. While bills are quoted here at 9 a 104,
they are dull in New Orleans at 4 a 6, with checks on New York 1 discount,
which gives a price here o f 5 a 7 per cent for bills, or 4 a 34 per cent under the
market rate. The last quotation for bills on Amsterdam, in London, was 12.034 ;
and the price here is 404. This bill, remitted to London, is thought equal to a
sixty day sterling bill at 4.86, say 1094- At the same date, Hamburgh sight bills
were at 14.1; and, as the price here is 354, it is equal, as a remittance to Lon
don, to a sterling bill at 5.00, say 1124; also, on Paris, the price in London, at
short date, being 25.75, and the quotation here being 5.23, gives an equivalent of
4.88, for sterling sixty day bills. There is a very great discrepancy in all these
modes of remittance, but the most expensive of all is at present adopted, to some
extent, v iz : by sending specie. The operations between the two countries are
considerably cramped, for the want of a system of counter-exchange, such as
exists between all other countries having commercial dealings with each other.
This colonial system of always drawing upon Europe at sixty days’ sight for pro
duce sold there, requires change. Ordinarily, when sixty day bills can be readily
discounted at a low rate of interest, the difference between sight and sixty days
is not important, but the practice of always remitting for goods from this side, in
stead of the seller on that side drawing for the amount, as the seller on this side
draws for produce, leads to great inconvenience and risk. At this moment, for
instance, when means of remittance are so uncertain or expensive, the importer
here should simply order the seller there to draw upon him, and sell his bill there.
This cannot now be done; such a thing as drawing on the United States is scarcely
known at all in any of the markets of Europe; but it is time that they began to
entertain some notion of the importance and stability of American merchants.
Were this the case, when the manufacturer offers his bill on the United States,
the buyer of cotton or other produce would purchase the bill, and transmit here
V O L . X V I I I . -----N O . I .
6
82
Commercial Statistics.
with his order. Merchants would then have a broader field of action. Between all
the cities of Europe, exchanges are reciprocal. A London merchant draws on
Paris or Vienna, and reciprocally his correspondent draws on him with equal fa
cility ; or, rather, at all the places, bills or acceptances on any point, can be had
for almost any sum. It is not the practice of bankers to draw when a bill is
wanted, an operation nearly allied to kiting. By these means dealers can always
have the advantage of the markets. If a merchant wishes to remit from Paris
to Hamburgh, he may buy a bill on that city in Paris ; bat it may be the case that
a bill on himself can be sold to better advantage in Hamburgh, than he can buy
one in Paris on that city. Hence he directs his correspondent to draw on him,
or remits his acceptance. The United States has no advantages of this character.
Since the introduction of steam navigation, New York is near to Paris and Lon
don, as the latter city formerly was to Lisbon, and there is no reason why a coun
ter-exchange should not be established.
COMMERCI AL
STATISTICS.
C O M M E R C E OP T H E P O R T OF N E W Y O R K .
T he following tables o f the exports, imports, & c., o f the port o f New Y ork, prepared
with much pains and expense, are derived from the “ Evening Post.” The present tariff
law, enacted by the. last session o f Congress, went into operation on the 1st of December,
1846.
One year o f its existence, o f course, expired on the 1st o f December, 1847.
On
the 1st o f January, 1847, the law for the deposit o f merchandise in public warehouses
took effect. T w elve months o f its operation have passed, and being a part of the revenue
system, this and the tariff act have exercised a joint influence upon each other.
From
the tables, it will be seen that the increase o f commerce at N ew Y ork is, in imports,
$26,979,296, and in exports, $18,597,340 ; showing a total increase in the commerce of
the port o f $45,576,640.
The increase o f revenue actually paid to the government ex
ceeds $3,000 ,000 ; and, adding to this sum the amount due upon merchandise in the
warehouse at present, the increase o f revenue is almost $4,000,000.
T he imports at the port o f N ew Y ork reach nearly one hundred millions, ($96,447,104 ;)
and although N ew Y o rk is not the great outlet for the country, the exports o f domestic
merchandise alone amounts to $47,800,086, and the entire exports to $53,421,986. The
amount o f the duties collected and due exceeds $21,000,000.
The imports for twelve
months, commencing with the 1st o f December', 1846, (upon the adoption o f the tariff
o f 1846,) compared with the previous year, are as follows:—
December..
January.....
February...
March........
May..
June.
1846-7.
1845-6.
$4,878,655
6,068,999
7,409,637
8,177,141
13,723,526
7,933,713
6,638,280
rease............
$4,076,672
5,263,010
4,749,091
9,812,494
6,440,815
5,488,397
5,873,655
184G-7.
1845-6.
$9,106,399
13,574,041
9,122,500
5,166,992
4,647,221
$6,195,709
8.457,124
5,883,816
3,800,235
3,426,790
T otal........ . $96,447,104
.
26,979,296
$69,467,808
July............... .
August......... .
September....
October.........
N ovem ber...
The imports were made up o f dutiable goods, free goods, and specie, in the following
proportions:—
83
Commercial Statistics.
VALUE OF MERCHANDISE AND SPECIE IMPORTED INTO NEW YORK IN EACH MONTH OF
AND
1816-7.
1845—6.
1846-7.
D U T IA B L E .
1845—6.
1846-7. 1845-6.
$558,185
376.905
474,360
1.092,476
2,228,878
1,300,751
1,239,006
729,235
826,815
600,849
991,449
719,215
$61,346 $78,496
90,874
43,221
1,235,122
96,779
1,329,458
62,225
3,397,064 106,544
1,326,697
27,286
547,813
29,122
294,219
54,879
44,882
195,555
10,044
94,546
69,809
100.773
58,915 139,392
FR E E .
December...... $4,279,813 $3,439,991
January.........
5,499,682
4,842,884
4,177,952
February.......
5,889,387
M arch............
6,060,746
8,657,793
A p ril..............
8,339,429
4,105,393
4,160,360
5,868,261
M ay...............
J une...............
4,605,527
5,689,109
7,950,602
5,411,595
July................
7,585,427
August........... 12,974,196
September.....
8,111,845
5,272.923
4,753,836
October...........
2,738,977
N ovem b er....
4,117,164
2,588,163
1846-7
1845-6.
$537,496
478,443
285,128
786,937
1,987,033
738,755
401,358
861,578
404,290
916,109
312,383
471,142
S P E C IE .
T otal......... $79,534,070 .$57,567,005 $8,180,652 $11,138,124 $8,732,382 $762,679
Increase.... 21,967,065 ......................................................................................................
TABLE OF EXPORTS FROM THE PORT OF NEW YORK IN
1846-7.
December... ...
January.......
February....
March.........
April...........
May.............
Ju ne............
1846-7
1845-6.
$4,465,521
3,192,626
3,468,009
4,146,896
3,933,674
4,159,864
7,256,299
Increase............
$2,796,314
2,122,606
1,972,545
1,909,598
2,828.880
3,114,549
4,062,249
July.............. .
August.........
September....
October........
N ovem ber...
AND
1845-6.
1846-7.
1845-6.
$6,337,341
5,045,108
3,216,752
4,064,360
3,635,545
$3,119,295
2,678,627
2,628,825
3,794,931
3,796,227
Total........ . $53,421,986 $34,824,646
.
18,597,340
T he exports consisted o f domestic merchandise, foreign merchandise, and specie; and
were respectively as follows:—
1845-6.
SPECIE.
$133,786
21,762
$73,728
126,700
4,000
257,781
243,887
73,558
519,599
291,041
158,000
134,330
27,670
80,463
66,000
57,589
2,255
350,925
70,350
674,548
1,455,946
7,681
1846-7.
December............ .
January..................
February................
March....................
April.....................
May.......................
July........................
August...................
September..............
October..................
.November........... .
Total..................
Dec.
Free........
Dutiable...
Jan-—Free........
Dutiable...
Feb..—Free........
Dutiable...
Mar.— Free........
Dutiable...
Apl-—Free........
Dutiable...
May—Free........
Dutiable...
June— F ree..........
1846-7.
1845-6.
DOMESTICMERCHANDISE.
$4,211,300
$2,516,733
3,043,552
1,939,412
3,384,733
1,673,242
3,768,574
1,463,529
3,737,018
1,998,836
3,673,393
2,529,096
6,810,203
3,745,687
6,687,681
2,876,015
4,812,063
2,413,782
2,672,452
2,238,401
3,151,238
3,354,142
1,907,879
3,510,269
$3,262,592
$1,569,007
$47,860,086
$30,259,144
FOREIGN MERCHANDISE.
1846-7.
1846-7.
1845-6.
1845-6.
$65,876
$43,822 June—Dutiable . $123,358 $223,504
42,735
188,345
101,973 July —Free ....
40,414
Dutiable
79,255
29,273
36,857
122,403
52,357
49,073
124,575 Aug.— Free....
39,484
Dutiable
114,688
167,772
15,579
52,248
46,843
63,695
120,355 Sept.— Free ....
82,309
Dutiable
146,532
305,860
51,355
66,216
81,722
83,082
122,072 Oct.„— Free....
74,199
Dutiable
156,852
45,713
114,927
296,240
77,385
195.518 Nov.— Free__
54,558
60,357
Dutiable
217,162
217,930
97,711
85,850
230,760
208,562
Total........... . $2,299,308 $2,996,505
188,399
93,058
Commercial Statistics.
84
VALUE OF MERCHANDISE REMAINING IN WAREHOUSE AT THE FORT OF NEW YORK ON THE
DECEMBER,
1ST OF
AND ACCRUING DUTIES THEREON.
D uties.
A m ount.
Duties.
A m ount.
$202,826
192,150
758,044
673,749
379,787
1847,
$35,590 at 15 per cent,
$5,338
at 100 per cent, $^02,6^0 00
1,699
“
76,860 00
16,993 “ 10
40
“
<(
14
5
227,413 20
287 “
30
"
“
168,437 25
25
“
K
$758,546
75,957 40 $2,259,426
20
“
50
30
35
00
AGGREGATE IMPORTS FOR TWELVE MONTHS.
1845-6,
1846-7.
Dutiable goods.
Free goods......
$79,534,070 Dutiable goods
8,180,652 Free goods......
$57,567,005
11,138,124
Total merchandise..
Specie..............
$87,714,722 Total merchandise................
8,732,382 Specie..............
$68,705,129
762,679
Total............
Merchandise warehoused....
$96,447,104
2,259,426
$69,467,808
Total...........
Total.............
$98,706,530
Duties received......................................................................................
Increase o f dutiable goods in 1846-7..............................................
Decrease o f free goods........................................................................
Increase o f specie................................................................................
Increase o f duties received................................................................
Duties received and due..................................................
Increase in duties received and due...................................................
$20,532,025
24,226,491
2,957,472
7,969,703
3,155,918
21,290,571
3,918,464
AGGREGATE EXPORTS FOR TWELVE MONTHS.
1845-6.
1846-7.'
Domestic merchandise.........
Foreign merchandise, free...
“
dutia.
$47,860,086 Domestic merchandise.........
769,121 Foreign merchandise, free...
“
dutia.
1,530,187
Total merchandise.
Specie.....................
$50,159,394 Total merchandise.
3,262,592 Specie.....................
Total...................................
$53,421,986
Total.
33,255,649
1,569,007
...
Increase in domestic merchandise exported
Decrease in foreign free
“
“
dutiable
“
Increase in specie exported...........................
$30,259,144
789,741
2,206,764
$34,824,646
$17,600,942
20,620
676,577
1,693,585
E X P O R T A N D C O N S U M P T IO N OF C H A M P A G N E W IN E .
A n official report, made by the directors o f the indirect taxes for the department o f the
Marne, furnishes the following information as to the trade in champagne between the 1st
o f April, 1846, and the 1st o f April, 1847. T he produce is divided between the arrondissements o f Chalons, Epemay, and Rheiras. On the 1st o f April last there were, in the
cellars o f the wholesale dealers, 18,815,367 bottles o f this wine, v iz : Chalons, 4,604,237
bottles; at Epemay, 5,710,753 ; and at Rheims, 8,500,377. T he number o f bottles sold
and delivered between the 1st o f April, 1846, and the 1st o f April, 1847, were, at Chalons,
2,497,355 ; at Epernay, 2,187,553; at Rheims, 4,090,577; making a total of 8,775,485
bottles. These quantities were thus distributed:—
From—
T o go abroad.
T o other departm’ ts. W ithin the department.
Bottles.
Bottles.
Bottles.
Chalons...........................
E pem ay..........................
Rheims............................
1,074,214
806,663
2,831,038
753,175
386,425
1,215,766
669,066
994,465
43,773
Total................
4,711,915
2,355,366
1,707,304
Thus twice as much champagne wine is sent abroad as is consumed in France.
85
Commercial Statistics.
P R O G R E S S O F T H E A M E R IC A N C H E E SE T R A D E .
The “ Detroit Free Press,” the State paper o f Michigan, furnishes the following state
ment o f this new and rather important branch o f trade:—
T he cheese trade is rapidly augmenting in this country. The foreign exports of it have
become a prominent article o f supply for distant climes. Up to 1840, there was but a
small quantity shipped, and that principally on foreign account. That year, Messrs.
Goodrich & Co., o f N ew York, and the Messrs. Green, o f Boston, made the experiment
o f large consignments to England. O f course, they met with the usual prejudices, the
market before having been furnished with foreign cheese from Ireland and Holland. By
perseverance, the American article gradually came into favor, until it has now reached a
heavy consumption. It fills part o f the cargo o f almost every vessel that leaves our sea
ports for Liverpool. The statistics o f export, as will be seen by the following, betoken a
still further extension, which is worthy the attention o f the farmers o f this State:—
1840............................. .lbs.
1841.............................
1842
..................
1843
..................
723,713
1,748,781
2,456,677
3,440,144
1844...........................
1845..........................
1846...........................
7,433,145
7,941,187
8,675,390
This foreign export trade has now reached over a million o f dollars annually.
to fifty-two countries. Our heaviest customers, in 1846, w ere:—
England...................... .lbs.
W est Indies................
Cuba.............................
Canadas....................... ......
6,744,690
807,040
227,276
185.915
Hayti.........................
British Guiana..........
Scotland....................
Venezuela................
It goes
150,046
162,420
88,041
40,812
Until within five years, cheese has usually been kept on sale in our Eastern cities by
grocers and produce-dealers, with a general assortment o f other products. A total revo
lution in this respect has taken place. In New York and Boston, extensive houses, ex
clusively for cheese, are doing a large business. Several commission houses are now
solely engaged in it.
T he farmers o f our State seem to have neglected this important branch o f the dairy.
Every other saleable product is produced here in abundance ; why not add this to our list
o f exports ? W e certainly possess the grazing land. Still we do not make 20 per cent
o f the cheese consumed in the State. Daily it is shipped here from Buffalo, and goes into
the interior o f this State. Ohio also sends her hundreds o f tons to our markets. Neither
Western N ew York nor Ohio possesses more advantages for its manufacture than our
own farmers. W e are told that, at the prices it has borne for the last five years, it is much
more profitable than butter. In fact, for three months in the year, butter does not sell at
any higher price. A ll dairy-women agree that two pounds o f cheese are made easier than
one pound o f butter. Y et it is neglected.
In several towns near Buffalo, (Hamburgh and Collins,) it is the principal business o f the
farmers, and all who have embarked in it have greatly added to their wealth. Chautauque
County farmers have increased their cows for cheese-making; Herkimer County, N. Y .,
produced 8,000,000 lbs. in 1845, according to the State census; St. Lawrence, 9,000,000
lbs. In Alleghany County, heretofore, lumber was the principal production ; nearly every
farmer now turns out his five to twenty casks o f cheese in the fall. All the Southern tier
o f counties in that State are largely embarking into it. The census o f 1835 gives the
quantity made in the State at 36,000,000 lbs. Ohio has doubled her exports o f it within
five years. Indiana cheese is now becoming known in the market.
A s a sample o f its increase, we give the following statistics of the amount that arrived
at tide-water on the Hudson River,from the canal collector’s books:—
Year.
Lbs.
1834
.
6,340,000
1835
.
9,586,000
1836
.
14,060,000
1837
.
15,560,000
1838
.
13,810,000
1839 ........14,530,000
1840 .........
18,820,000
Exported. Year.
..........
...........
..........
..........
..........
..........
723,713
1841..........
1842..........
1843..........
1844..........
1845..........
1846..........
Lbs.
14,170,000
19,004,000
24,334.000
26,672,500
29,371,000
34,812,513
Exported.
1,748,781
2,456,677
3,440,144
7,433,145
7,941,187
8,675,390
Here is a large quantity, but a ready market is found. The increase o f foreign exports
is large. LTp to last fall, the duty on it in England was $ 2 42 per 100 lbs. Sir Robert
Peel’s new tariff reduced it to $1 per 100, which will cheapen it to British consumers.
86
Commercial Statistics.
The prices range in Liverpool, according to quality, from $ 1 0 to $ 1 5 per 112 lbs., and
for three years past, the London market has never been overstocked but three or four times,
which has lasted but two to five weeks. It is getting introduced into all circles, and
driving the Dutch article out o f market. Mr. Coleman, in his Agricultural Tour in Eu
rope, says he found it gracing the tables o f the lords and nobles, v\here, five years Ago, it
had never found its way. He dined with a marquis, who treated him to American cheese,
American apples, American cranberries, and American cider in bottles.
It is now exported to the East Indies in boxes, found in Calcutta, and goes, with other
notions, to the celestials o f China. None but the real skim-milk grindstones, however,
can stand a hot climate.
P E N N S Y L V A N IA C A N A L C O M M E R C E .
The following tables show the comparative quantity o f the leading articles which ar
rived at, and were cleared from Pittsburgh, by the Pennsylvania Canal, during the fiscal
years 1846 and 1847, commencing December 1st and ending November 30th. W e have
prepared the tables from statements made in the Pittsburgh Gazette.
im p o r t s .
A r t ic l e s .
1847.
1846.
A le, & c ........bbls.
Anvils........... lbs.
Ashes..................
Chinaware..........
Coffee..................
Clay, German....
Drugs...................
Drv goods...........
Fish.....................
Groceries............
Hats and shoes..
Hardware............
Iron, blooms......
18,478
297,773
230,300
5,046,218
9,927,605
853,920
789,207
23,201,074
5,977,891
7.833,925
2,690,881
14,501,693
14,942,390
14 Iron, p ig ....... lbs.
Castings....
418,498
Bar & sheet
4.957,454
Nails, & c ..
10,920,993 Leather...............
1,100,291 Oats........... bush.
514,941 Paints.............lbs.
12,651,818 Salt............. bush.
bbls. 19,600 Span, whit’g, lbs.
6,933,856 Steel.....................
2,049,540 Tobacco, leaf__
10,522,463 T in......................
13,890,707
B acon ............lbs.
B eef and pork....
Buffalo robes......
Butter...................
Cotton.................
Dry goods...........
Earthenware......
Flour........... bbls.
Glassware__ lbs.
Groceries.............
Hardware...........
12,713,427
41,225
478,862
747,645
1,056,138
410,735
69,484
297,940
229,227
1,978,822
246,887
21,661,236 Hemp.............lbs.
19,620 Iron, Pig.............
Castings . .
B lo o m s .. .
800,265
Nails..........
1,000,971
Steel..........
228,692
50,952 Lead....................
156,402 Lard and lard oil
270,797 T allow ................
1,779,889 Tobacco, le a f .. .
239,353
A
r t ic l e s .
1847.
184 G.
21,979,353 1
15,410,966
124,662 {
4,397,268
2,833,879
575,402
15.886,711
386.225
312,239
21,360
19,080
382,293
107,352
137,240
165,415
522,901
559,532
169,501
197,171
1,613,876
784.172
1,029,814
1,087,880
EXPORTS.
3,311,618
1,287,886
65,537 ;
2,675,341
250,910 1
13,836
333,702
82,735
50,760
549,416
.319,732
188,078
325,985
2,929,2^6
5,319,378
62,946
291.313
14,777,059 24.696,742
-
T H E O H IO H OG T R A D E .
The Chief Clerk o f the Auditor’s Department furnishes the Cincinnati Atlas with a.
complete list o f the number o f hogs assessed in the several counties of the State o f Ohio
in the year 1846, their value according to the assessment, and the number and value as
sessed in eleven counties (all from which returns have been made) in 1847. It will be
borne in mind that the assessment is made on all which are six months old on the 1st o f
June, and necessarily embraces nearly all which would be fattened the following fall and
winter.
In 1846 the whole number in the State was................................................
Value o f same...................................................................................................
1,405,094
$2,238,876
W e note the eleven counties from which returns have been made this season, comparing
the number and assessed value with those o f the preceding year:—
Commercial Regulations .
87
1816.
No. o f Hogs.
C o u n t ie s .
Allen .................
Clark...................
Clinton................
Columbiana........
Guernsey.............
Hamilton.............
Harrison ............
Highland ...........
Huron................
Summit..............
T ota l ............ ...
1847.
Value.
C o u n t ie s .
Allen....................
Clark...................
Clinton....... ........
Columbiana.........
Guernsey.............
Hamilton...........
Harrison.............
Highland...........
Huron................
111112
$9,112
43,778
52,248
20,091
23,853
64,005
19.967
55,332
18,602
9,825
17,074
203,608
$333,997
11,744
19,492
26.188
17,095
02 442
ill,494
14,877
28,444
12,729
7,990
Summit ..............
Total ............ ...
No- o f Hogs.
Value.
13,646
24,211
39,592
17,871
27,741
38,275
13,874
44,794
14,838
8,207
13^974
$13,328
53,498
105,474
28,936
35,710
97,446
38,899
88,018
24,420
11,680
23,479
261,026
$513,886
It will bo seen that, in all the counties named, which are scattered in different parts o f
the State, there is considerable increase this season over the previous year. The aggre
gate increase in these eleven counties is 57,418 hogs, or about 22 per cent. This per
centage, added to the number estimated to have been packed in Cincinnati the past year,
would swell the number the coming season to about the same that was packed there in
1845-6.
C 0 M M E It C I A L
REGULATIONS.
R E G U L A T IO N S FO R T H E T R A D E A N D H A R B O R OF M A C A S S A R .
A rt . 1. Vessels entering or leaving these roads are bound to show their colors.
For square-rigged vessels, the Dutch flag, in return, will be hoisted on shore.
T he harbor-master will send the following report in blank to the ves3el3, to be filled up
by the master:—
The master o f the vessel arrived is requested to fill in answers to the following questions:
The nation to which the ship belongs? Her name? T he name o f the commander?
Number o f the crew ? How many guns ? From where arrived? The date o f depart
ure? The ports touched at during the voyage? W here bound? Specification o f cargo?
Names o f the passengers, their country, profession, age, and last abode? I f any danger
ous disease on board ? I f any important news?
Art. 2. T he master o f the vessel, or other person in charge, is to deliver in, within
twenty-four hours after his arrival, personally, or through his agent, at the harbor-master’s
office, the passport and other papers belonging to the vessel, which documents will re
main with the said harbor-master until the vessel’s departure. All mails, packets, letters,
etc., are to be delivered to the harbor-master immediately on the vessel’s arrival.
Seamen permitted to land from merchant ships or vessels, on liberty, are to be furnished
with tickets o f leave, from the master or person in charge o f the vessel to which such sea
men may belon g; but this regulation is not to be considered applicable to men who may
come on shore for a short time on duty or business.
Art. 3. T he master attendant i3 entitled, as often as he may deem it expedient, to go on
board any vessel lying in the roads, and to muster her crew. This regulation is espe
cially applicable to country ships and native craft, in the event o f being suspected o f acts o f
piracy, or meddling with slave trade, and the said harbor-master will then extend his
search a3 far as he may think proper. O f all important circumstances he will give in
formation to the governor.
Art. 4. Repealing the government notification published in the Staatsblad o f 1838, No.
21, the limits o f the road have been fixed upon as follows:
T o the north, from the sandy bank in front o f Boni, in a straight direction as far as the
coa9t; and to the southward, from the southern point o f the sandy bank called “ Groote
Lely,” (bearing a sea-mark,) in a straight direction to the eastward as far as the coast.
Art. 5. Vessels are to take their berth within the limits o f the road, as before described,
and generally to follow’ such directions as the harbor-master may deem expedient.
Art. 6. Vessels loaded with gunpowder or ammunition, are to anchor to the eastward
of, and close to the sandy bank called the “ Groote Lely,” and not to proceed further,
until the said gunpowder has been transported to the government stores selected for that
purpose.
88
Commercial Regulations.
The master or other person in charge o f such vessel, is to give a declaration o f the gun
powder and ammunition he has on board to the harbor-master, within twenty-four hours
after his arrival. In case o f breach o f this rule, the gunpowder, etc., will be confiscated,
and the captain further liable for any accident which may arise from his neglect.
T he master o f the vessel being desirous to bring the gunpowder and ammunition to the
government store, a permit will be given to him or his agent, free o f expense. T he said
articles will be kept at his disposal in any quantity. Government, however, will not be
responsible for the risk o f transport, or in the magazines.
Permits for the delivery o f gunpowder and ammunition from the government maga
zines, will be obtainable (gratis) at the harbor-master’s office, daily, (Sundays and holi
days excepted,) from 8 o’clock in the morning, till 2 o’clock in the afternoon.
The store-keeper will also be on duty from 8 in the morning, till 2 in the afternoon,
at the said magazines, for the reception o f the articles, as above mentioned.
A ny such gunpowder or ammunition, however, is not to be imported within the limits
o f the town, without special permission o f the governor; but with necessary precaution,
it may be exported beyond the limits o f the roads, provided the boat or vessel on which
it has been loaded does not pass through the space in the roads allotted to merchant ves
sels not having the said articles on board.
Vessels preferring to keep their gunpowder, etc., on board, and to anchor close to the
“ Lely bank,” are nevertheless to follow such directions as the governor may from time
to time deem expedient.
Art. 7. Masters, or othor persons in charge o f vessels, boats, etc., are warned not to
throw over any stone or other ballast, under a fine o f /1 0 per last (equal to two tons) on
the size of the vessel per register.
It is likewise forbidden to take sand from the banks called “ Groote en Kleine Lely,”
Boni, Gossong, Ponjo, and from the banks situated to the northward of the same, under
a fine o f from /2 5 to /1 0 0 , at the discretion o f the magistrate.
Art. 8. The harbor-master is bound to use his endeavors to recover the anchors which
may be lost in the roads; the owner in event o f recovery paying the expenses incurred,
and a salvage o f one-third o f the value.
Art. 9. Anchors which may not be reclaimed, after having been advertised three times
in the Java Courant, will be sold by public auction to the highest bidder. The sale, how
ever, will not take place until the anchors have been exposed publicly at Macassar, du
ring a period o f one year. After deduction o f what is due to the harbor-master, the nett
proceeds will be made over to the public treasury.
Art. 10. N o vessel is allowed to sail, before the harbor-master shall have attested and
retained her papers, and also furnished her with the necessary port-clearance, or certifi
cate o f being allowed to proceed on the intended voyage.
T o native craft, and vessels belonging to the Dutch possessions, who are furnished with
passports from native princes, or with annual passports from the Netherlands Indian gov
ernment, no separate port-clearance will be given, but the authorization for leave will be
notified on the same document.
Art. 11. The harbor-master will not deliver the said documents, unless the intended
departure will have been duly notified to him 24 hours previously— the following docu
ments exhibited: First, a certificate from the magistrate, certifying that the local laws
and regulations have been adhered to. Second, the muster roll.
A ll such certificates, and also the port-clearance, will be given gratis, and free for
any charge o f stamps.
Native craft and small vessels will announce their intended departure two hours before
they start, by hoisting a blue Peter.
Art. 12. Vessels starting without port-clearance, will be stopped and fined w i t h / 10
per last, o r / 5 per ton register.
In case o f any such vessel succeeding in making her escape, due notice will be given
to all public officers throughout Netherlands India, in order to enable them to levy the
above fine whenever the master o f such vessel may return to Netherlands India, in the
same, or in any other vessel.
Art. 13. A written statement shall be delivered at the harbor-master’s office, by the
master, supercargo, or agents o f square-rigged vessels, as to the goods they wish to have
landed, to load or tranship, mentioning the port whence the goods have been shipped,
and the port the merchandise taken on board is destined for.
For native and other Asiatic traders, a verbal declaration, to be delivered at the harbor
master’ s office, will be sufficient.
Art. 14. O f all imports and exports o f opium within the limits stipulated with the opi
um farmer, a wrritten declaration to the magistrate, and also the farmer, shall be delivered
Commercial Regulations.
89
by the owner or consignee o f the opium. This rule will be strictly enforced, in order to
maintain the said farmer in his rights.
Art. 15. The importation and exportation o f broken chests o f opium will be permitted,
but only under such rules and conditions as the governor o f Celebes may think proper to
establish, and the broken chest sealed by the public officers appointed by him for the
purpose.
The importation o f prepared opium is strictly forbidden. In the event o f any breach
o f the regulations specified in this and the preceding article, the opium will be forfeited,
and a fine levied o f fr o m /5 0 0 to / 5 , 000, at the discretion o f the judge.
Art. 16. Goods imported from Macassar into the other ports o f Netherlands India,
will be considered as imported from a foreign country, and consequently be liable to the
duties levied on goods actually so imported. But this regulation will not be applicable to
articles being the produce o f the Eastern Archipelago. On goods exported for Macassar
from the other ports o f Netherlands India, the same duties will be levied as if they were
exported for a foreign country.
Art. 17. The second paragraph o f the government notification of 31st December, 1826,
Staatsblad 48, being hereby repealed, it will be lawful for any Dutch or foreign vessel to
export goods from Macassar to all such ports in Netherlands India where they can be
legally admitted, and also to export from those ports goods for Macassar.
P O R T C H A R G E S A N D T A R I F F O F P O R T O RICO.
FORT CHARGES ON FOREIGN VESSELS IN PORTO RICO.
American vessels, $1 Macoquino per ton ; British, French, Danish, Dutch, and other
nations, 68| cents per ton ; anchorage, $ 2 ; fiallast, entry on a sloop, schooner, or brig,
$ 1 2 ; do. do. do., bark, or ship, $ 8 ; balanza duty on the above charges, 1 per cent. The
one-fourth part o f said charges payable in Spanish gold, with premium, which is regula
ted to the value o f the doubloon. The above charges ore made by all the custom-houses
in the island.
*
LOCAL CHARGES ON FOREIGN VESSELS AT PONCE.
Harbor-master’s fees, including pilotage in and out, $ 2 4 50 ; health visit, $ 4 50 ; if the
vessel is in observation or quarantine, extra vi.-its are made, (each) $ 4 5 0 ; interpreter’ s
fee, $ 8 ; American vessels pay consul’s fee for register, $ 4 — Spanish gold, $ 4 50 ; stamppaper, to enter and clear with cargo, $ 8 75 ; fort-pass, $ l 50. Lighterage loading is 31$
cents per hhd. or puncheon ; discharging is by the load, and equal to 5-100 per barrel.
Stone ballast taken from on board without charge ; do. put on board at $ 1 per ton.
LOCAL CHARGES ON A FOREIGN VESSEL IN ST. JOHN’ S.
Harbor-master’s fees, including pilotage in and out, $ 2 5 ; for each time the vessel
changes her position in port, $ 2 ; health visit, $ 4 5 0 ; interpreter’s fee, $ 8 ; light-house
dues, 3-100 per ton on all ves-els up to 150 tons, and over 150 tons, 1-100 per ton for
such excess. Blanks, for permit, 50 cts.; custom-house clearance, without cargo, $ 1 25 ;
do. do. do., with cargo, $ 9 2 5 ; fort-pnsa, $ 2 ; boat for pilot, 25 cts.; wharfage, for first
three days, $ 4 ; do., every succeeding day, is $ 1 per day. American vessels pay consul’s
fee, $ 4 —Spanish gold, $ 4 50 ; port regulations, 25 cts.
LOCAL CHARGES ON A FOREIGN VESSEL IN MAYAGT7EZ.
Harbor-master’s fees, including pilotage in and out, $ 2 5 5 0 ; for each time the vessel
changes her position in port, $ 2 ; health visit, $ 4 5 0 ; interpreter’s fee, $ 8 ; fort-pass,
$ 2 25 : American consul’s fee for deposit o f register, $ 4 — Spanish gold, $ 4 50 ; cus
tom-house clearance, and stamp-paper, $ 9 7 5 ; light-house dues, 3-100 per ton on all
vessels up to 150 tons, and over 150 tons, 1-100 per ton for such excess. Lighterage, per
hhd. or puncheon, 25-100 from shore to the vessel. N o charge for lighterage, when pro
duce goes direct from the estates to the vessel.
Note.— Sugar and molasses pay $ 1 per hhd. or puncheon, from the estate to the wharf,
or to the vessel, which is charged in the invoice.
LOCAL CHARGES ON A FOREIGN VESSEL IN GUAYASIA.
Harbor-master’s fees, including pilotage in and out, $1 9 50 ; health visit, $ 4 50 ; in*
terpreter’s fee, $ 8 ; fort-pass, $ 1 5 0 ; custom-house clearance, $ 8 75 ; lighterage, 51-100
per hhd. or puncheon. American consul’s fee for deposit o f register, $ 4 , Spanish gold.
Note .— Coast lighterage averages about $ 1 per hhd., but, when produce is brought near
the port, no charge is made.
Commercial Regulations .
90
IMPORT DUTIES ON THE PRINCIPAL ARTICLES OF TRADE AT PONCE, TORTO RICO.
Flouiy wheat................ ............. bbl.
Com m e a l,.......... .......
te
u
............ bbl.
...TOO lbs.
Potatoes,....................... ............. bbl.
Apples,..................... ..
Onions,......................... ....1 0 0 lbs.
Cod or scale-fish,.........
Beef— mess or prime,. ........... bbl.
Pork, “
••
M ackerel,.....................
Herrings— dry, salted, or pickled..
Hams, A m . ,............... .. .1 0 0 lbs.
# 5 59
1 21
4 8-1
i 21
1 39
1 92
o 31
54
72
63
88
i 92
3 60
96
84
2 75
L a r d ,................................
100 lbs.
$3
3
3
7
3
. 100* 1lbs.
Tobacco— manufactured,
“
leaf..................
Lumber— pitch-pine,....... .........M.
“
w'hite pine,__
Shingles o f all classes,...
4
4
3
4
4
Cheese, A m .,...................
Candles— sperm,..............
Shooks,..............................
Empty ca sk s,..................
W ood hoops.....................
81
81
06
72
04
09
09
28
80
80
72
4 32
18
37
6 01
ESPORT DUTIES.
Sugar, per 100 lbs., 13 2-5 cents ; molasses, free ; coffee, per 100 lbs., 28£ cents. The
one-fourth part o f import and export duties, is payable in Spanish gold. T he duty on
f-ome articles varies, in different parts o f the island, a trifle from per centages levied for
local purposes. Sales o f provisions are usually made at 60 to 90 days credit. Lumber
and coopers’ stock, 3 to l months credit, in crop, and 6 months out of crop.
T H E T A R I F F O F J A M A IC A .
SCHEDULE OF DUTIES, WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION ON THE
20t HSEPTEMBER, 1847.
A le, beer, cider, porter, or perry, per tun......................................................
87 s.
Asses, per head....................................................................................................
5s.
Beef and pork, salted or cured, and all cured meat, per bbl. o f 200 lbs..
20s.
Bread or biscuit, per cw t...................................................................................
4s.
Bricks, per M ......................................................................................................
4s.
Butter, per cwt....................................................................................................
12s.
Candles, wax, spermaceti, or composition, per box o f 56 lbs...................
5s.
“
tallow', per box o f 56 lbs...................................................................
2s.
Cattle, neat, per head........................................................................................
4s.
Cheese, per cw t...................................................................................................
7s.
Cocoa, per cw t....................................................................................................
108 .
Coffee, British, jx t cw t........................... .................................
20s.
Drugs
80 s. per cent ad valorem.
Fish, dried or salted, per cu t................................................
Mackerel, pickled, per barrel.......................................
4s.
A le wives and herrings, pickled, per bbl....................
Pickled fish, uot otherwise described, per bbl......... .
Salmon, wet or salted, per b b l...................................
•“
smoked, per cw t.............................................
.........................
10s.
Herrings, smoked, per box..........................................
............................
Gd.
Fish, smoked, not otherwise described, per cw t................
............................
4s.
Flour, wheat, per bbl..............................................................
.........................
6s.
Grain, per bushel.....................................................................
..............................
3d.
G inger.................................................................. ....................
80s. per cent ad valorem.
Il ims, bacon, dried beef, tongues, and sausages, per cwt
..........................
10s.
Horses, mares, and geldings, per head...........................................................................
.........................
20s.
Indigo, per lb .................................................................................................
.............................
„ ..................
3d.
Lard, per cw t......................................................................................................................
.........................
7s.
M eal, or other flour, not w heat, per barrel...................................................................
.............................
Is.
Molasses, per cwt...............................................................................................................
.........................
3s.
Mules, per head..................................................................................................................
..........................
10s.
Oil, blubber, fins, and skins, the produce o f fish, and creatures living in the sea.
100s.
per cent ad valorem.
Preserved meats, soups, vegetables, fish, and all other provisions, in tin cases or
other packages..........................................................................
80s. per cent ad valorem
Commercial Regulations .
91
Rice, per cw t......................................................................................................................
4s.
“
undressed, per bushel..............................................................................................
1 ?.
Salt, per cw t........................................................................................................................
9d.
Sheep and goats, per head...............................................................................................
2s.
Soap, per box o f 56 lbs.....................................................................................................
2s.
Spirit5— Brandy, rum, (except the produce o f this island.) gin, whiskey, and all
other spirits and cordials, per gallon..........................................................................
65 .
Sugar, refined, per lb.........................................................................................................
2d.
Swine, per head..................................................................................................................
2?.
T ea, per lb...... ................................................................................................................
ls Tobacco, manufactured................................
640s. per cent ad valorem, and 3d. per lb.
“
unmanufactured.................. ..........
480s. per cent ad valorem, and 3d. per lb.
W ines, in bulk or bottled, per tun, 290s. and 140s. per cent ad valorem,, and 2s. 6d. per
dozen for every dozen quart bottles wine.
W ood — Per M. feet pitch pine, by superficial measure o f one inch thick.............
12v.
“
white pine or other lumber, by sup. meas. o f one inch thick
8s.
8s.
Shingles, cypress, longer than twelve inches, per M .................... ...............
Boston chips, and all shingles not otherwise enumerated or described,
per M ................................................................................................................
4s.
W ood-hoop«, per M .................. .........................................................................
Is.
Staves, heading, red or white oak, or ash, per M ........................................
2s.
Glass and silk manufactures.......................................................
40.?. per cent ad valorem.
Cotton, linen, woollen, leather, paper manufactures, mock jewelry, hardware,
clocks and watches, corks, cordage, and oakum...............
40s. per cent ad valorem.
A ll goods, wares, and merchandise, plantation supplies, clothing, and effects of
40s. per cent ad valorem.
every description not previously enumerated......................
Except the following, which shall not be liable to any duty under this act:—
Coals, coke, coin, bullion, books and printed papers, diamonds, fresh fruit and vegetables,
hay and straw, oil, meal or cakes, as food for cattle, mulberry and other plants, cotton,
wool, ice, fresh fish, turtle, poultry, fresh meats, leeches, gums, resins, tortoise-shell,
guano and other manures, singing birds, dogs, specimens o f natural history, army cloth
ing, slates, regimental necessaries, raw hides, hemp, flax, and tow, sarsaparilla, and
dyewoods.
Molasses and unrefined-sugar o f foreign manufacture, are prohibited.
N C W D U T IE S A T P O R T S P A IN .
The following is a table o f the new duties for this port, which will go into operation
on January 1st, 1848:—
Flour, per bl>I. o f 195 lbs., 5 s.; meal, or other flour not wheolen, per bbl., I s .; do. do.,
per puncheon, 4 s .; crackers, and other breadstuff?, per bbl., 7£cJ.; corn, per bush , 2 ^ d .;
black-eyed peas, do. d o .; meat, salted or cured, per 100 lbs., 4s. 2 d .; fish, dtied o r sal red,
do., I 3. ; do., pickled, do., 2s. 6 J .; lard, do. d o .; cheese, do., 5s.; soap, do., Is.; candles,
tallow, do., 2 3. Id .; do., wax, sperm, composition, and all others, do., Cs.; sugar, refined
or raw, do., 5 s .; rice, do , 2 s .; butter, per lb., f J .; tea, do., 2 J .; oats, per bush., 2 £ d .;
tobacco, leaf or manufactured, per lb.. 3 d .; malt-liquor, in wood, per 64 galls., 5s. 4d. ;
do., in bottles, per doz., qt. bottles, and in proportion, 6 1 .; spirits turpentine, per gali., I d .;
tar, per bbl., 6d .; pitch, do. d o.; coal, per hhd., Is. ; building-lime, do. d o.; bricks, p er'
1 ,0 0 0 ,1 s .; lumber, white,spruce, and pitch pine, per 1.000 feet, Gs. 3d .; shingles, per
1,090, Is .; sliooks, per bundle, 6 d .; staves, per 1,000, 10s.; neat-cattle, each, 2s. l a .;
horses, mares, geldings, colts, and foals, each. £ 2 ; mules, 10s ; asses, 2s.; carriages, on
springs, four-wheeled, £ 7 ; do. do., two-wheeled, £ 4 ; muskets, guns, and fowling-pieces,
5 s.; gunpowder, loose, in kegs, per lb., 2 d .; do., in canisters, 5d. ; articles o f silk manu
facture, per £ 1 0 0 , ad. val., £ 7 10 s.; non-enumerated articles, per .£100, ad. val., £ 3 10s.
E xemptions .— Coin, bullion and diamonds ; printed books ; guano, or other manure ;
steam-engines and appurtenances; sugar-pans, and apparatus used for the manufacture o f
sugar or other produce ; temper-lime, and draining-tiles. All live stock, except horses,
mares, geldings, colts, toals, mules, asses, and neat-cattle. Provisions and stores o f every
description, imported for the use o f Her Majesty's land or sea forces.
Upon all sugar, molasses, rum, cocoa, coffee, cotton, indigo, and other produce export
ed from this colony, per £ 1 0 0 ad. val., £ 3 10s.
Upon all ships and vessels coming to and entering at this colony, the following duties
92
Commercial Regulations.
on tonnage, viz:— upon every ship or vessel o f 50 ton and upwards— for every ton o f the
registered tonnage, Is. 6 d.
No duty o f tonnage shall be payable on any vessel entering and clearing in ballast.
The following goods landed upon any public wharf or quay, in the town of Port
Spain, the following rates o f wharfage to be paid by the importer:— On every thousand
feet o f lumber, staves, or staves in shook, thousand bricks, and thousand shingles, Is.
T R IN ID A D T A R IF F A N D T O N N A G E DU E S.
The following tariff has been passed by the Council o f Government o f Trinidad, in lieu
o f the Imperial duties ; the abolition o f the latter having been agreed upon in the passing
o f an ordinance to that effect:—
TABLES OF DUTIES ON IMPORTS— PASSED IX COUNCIL, OCTOBER
1, 1847.
TABLE I.
Upon all goods, wares, and merchandise, imported into this Colony, the following duties:—
£
I
Flour, per barrel o f 196 pounds.................................................. .........
-Meal, or other flour not wheaten, per barrel.....................................
“
“
per puncheon...............................
Crackers and other breadstuff's, per barrel.........................................
Corn, per bushel.......................................................................................
Black-eyed peas, per bushel..................................................................
Meat, salted or cured, per 100 pounds.................................................
Fish, dried or salted, per 100 pounds..................................................
Fish, pickled, per 100 pounds.................................. ............................
Lard, per 100 pounds.......................................................... .................
Cheese, per 100 pounds..........................................................................
Soap, per 100 pounds.............................................................................
Candles, tallow, per 100 pound4...........................................................
“
wax, sperm, comp «sition, and all others, per 100 pounds
Sugar, refined or not, per 100 pounds.................................................
Cocoa, per 100 pounds............................................................................
Coffee, per 100 pounds..........................................................................
Chocolate, per pound..............................................................................
Molasses, per gallon...."..........................................................................
R ice, per 100 pounds..............................................................................
Butter, per pound....................................................................................
T ea, per pound.........................................................................................
Olive oil, per dozen bottles.....................................................................
“
per dozen half bottles............................................................
“
per dozen flasks.......................................................................
Spirits and strong waters, per gallon.................................................. .
Oats, per bushel....... ......................... ...................................................
T obacco, manufactured or unmanufactured, per pound..................
Spirits o f turpentine, per gallon...........<...............................................
Tar, per barrel..........................................................................................
Pitch, per ba rrel......................................................................................
Coa's, per hogshead.................................................................................
Building lime, per hogshead..................................................................
Bricks, per 1000....................... .............................................................. .
Pan tiles and other roofing tiles, per 1000.................................. ...
Paving tiles, per 100.................................................. .\....................... .
Marble tiles, per 100..........................................................................
Lumber, white, spruce, and pitch pine, per 1000 feet..................... .
Shingles, per 1000...................................................................................
Shooks, the bundle.................................................................................
Staves, per 1000................. .......................................... ..........................
Neat cattle, each.....................................................................................
Horses, mares, geldings, colts, and foals, each.................................
Mules, each...............................................................................................
Asses, each.............................................................................................. .
Carriages on springs, four-wheeled, each...........................................
“
two-wheeled, each.............................................
0
8. i.
0
1 0
0 4 0
0 o ?4
0 0 24
0 0 24
0 4 2
0 1 0
0 o 6
0 2 6
0 5> 0
0 1 0
0 2 1
0 G 0
0 5 0
0 5 0
0 5 0
0 0 1
0 0 G
0 2 0
0 0 0i
0 0 2
0 1 0
0 0 6
0 0 4
0 2 0
0 0 24
0 0 3
0 0 1
0 0 6
0 0 G
0 1 0
0 I 0
0 1 0
0 2 1
0 1 0
0 2 1
0 G 3
0 1 0
0 0 6
0 10 0
0 2 1
2 0 0
0 10 0
0 2 1
7 0 n
4 0 0
]
5
Commercial Regulations .
93
£
Muskets, guns, and fowling pieces............................................................................
Gunpowder, loose in kegs, per pound..............................f ......................................
In canister....................................................................................... .-............................
Articles o f silk manufacture, per jCIOO ad valorem..............................................
Non-enumerated articles, per £ 1 0 0 ad valorem ....................................................
s.
d.
0 5
0 0
0 0
7 10
3 10
0
2
5
0
0
EXEMPTIONS.
Coin, bullion, and diamonds; printed books; guano, or other manure; steam-engines
and appurtenances; sugar pans, and apparatus used for the manufacture o f sugar, or other
produce ; temper lime and draining tiles. All live stock, except horses, mares, geldings,
colts, foals, mules, asses, and neat cattle.
Provisions, and stores o f every description, imported for the use o f Her Majesty’s land
or sea forces.
TABLE II.
Upon all sugar, molasses, rum, cocoa, coffee, cotton, indigo, and other produce exported
from this colony, per £ \ 00 ad valorem.............................................................. £ 3 10 0
TABLE III.
Upon all ships and vessels coming to, and entering at the colony, the following duties
on tonnage:—
Upon every ship or vessel o f 50 tons and upwards— for every ton o f the registered tonnage
o f such ship or vessel............................................................................................. .£0
1 6
Upon every ship or vessel o f 25 tons and upwards, but under 50 tons— for every ton o f
the registered tonnage o f such ship or vessel................................................... £ 0
1 3
A nd upon every ship or vessel under 25 tons— for every ton o f the registered tonnage of
such-ship or vessel..................................................................................................
£0
0 3
Provided always that no such duty or tonnage shall be payable in respect o f any vessel 0
entering and clearing in ballast; and provided that where any ship or vessel, of which the
registered tonnage shall be less than 50 tons, shall enter more than twice in one and the
same year, the tonnage payable upon, or in respect o f such vessel, for every entry after
the second in the same year, shall be 3d. sterling per ton, and no more.
T H E C O N S U L A R S Y S T E M OF F R A N C E .
In a former part o f the present number o f this Magazine, will be found some important
suggestions for the re-modelling o f our consular system.
They come from a highly re
spectable gentleman abroad, whose long experience as a consular agent o f the United
States entitle his suggestions to the highest respect.
Our national legislators would do
well to examine the ordinance o f the king o f the French, in regard to the consular system
o f that kingdom, lately published in the “ Journal des Debats.” It certainly furnishes
some suggestions that would be o f value in legislating in Congress on the subject. The
Washington correspondent o f the Baltimore Sun gives the substance o f the French king’s
ordinance, as follows :—
“ A regular system o f instruction and advancement is introduced, well calculated to
render consuls respectable even without large salaries. They are to be brought up like
diplomates in a regular school, to which none are admitted who have not previously passed
a regular examination in regard to their knowledge on law, science, and commerce.
W hen they have passed this examination, they are to be admitted as consular pupils,
(eleves, consul,) and placed with some consular agent to acquire the practical duties and
routine o f the business o f consuls. After a number o f years, and a second examination,
they are promoted from consular pupils to consular agents, and thence, as opportunities
may occur, from that post to a consulate o f the second rank, from which at last they be
come consuls o f the first rank, and consuls-general.”
The Paris correspondent truly says, “ Such a system is admirably calculated to pro
duce men who will command respect, and whose spelling, at least, need not be corrected
in the State Department.”
He might have added, that it would promote purity among
politicians, by removing the temptations at present offered to men to become merely par
tisans, in the shape o f consulships ; for it is well known our consuls are not appointed
merely for their fitness, but mainly to reward their party services.
94
Railroad , Canal , and Steamboat Statistics,
RAILROAD, CANAL, AND STEAMBOAT STATISTICS.
L I T T L E M IA M I (O H IO ) R A IL R O A D .
T his road, extending from Cincinnati to Springfield, a distance of 84 miles, was first
opened in 1841.
The capital stock o f the company is divided into 20,000 shares; the
par value o f each share is $ 5 0 .
The dividends are payable in June and December.
original cost o f the road was $1,262,000.
T he flat rail is used.
The
W e give below a table
o f distances, rates o f fare, & c .:—
Places.
Miles.
Cincinnati..........................
Columbia...........................
Clearfield...........................
M ilford.............................. .
Loveland’s......................... .
.
44
9
14
23
27
32
Places.
Miles.
Marion................ ...............
Freeport............ ..............
Corwin............... .................
Stony Valley.... ..................
Xenia..................
.................
.................
37
45
51
58
Fares.
.$0
0
0
0
0
0
10
25
35
55
70
so
74
84
Fares.
$0
1
1
1
1
1
2
90
15
25
40
50
75
00
Freight Rates.— Coal, iron, sugar, salt, Hitter, groceries, and dry goods, $3 20 per
ton, through ; lumber, $ 3 50 per M .; corn and grain, 7 cents per bu?hel; light and bulky
merchandise, $ 4 per ton, through; four-wheeled carriages, 4 cents per m ile; horses, 4
cents per mile.
This road shows pn increase in its receipts for the month of October, 1847, over the
R eceipts o f the same month in 1846, o f $ 2 ,8 2 0 ; o f which increase $2,775 is on receipts
from passengers, and .$ 15 only on freight receipts.
M IC H IG A N C E N T R A L R A IL R O A D .
C33T OF ROAD, ETC.---- PLACES THROUGH WHICH IT PASSES— DISTANCES— RATES OF FARE AND
FREIGHT— MERCHANDISE TRANSPORTED OVER THE ROAD IN
1847.
This road was built by the State o f Michigan at a cost of about $2,500,000, and was
first opened February 1st, 1846. It cost the present company, having been disposed o f to a
corporation, principally o f Eastern capitalists, $2,000,000. The stock is divided into
22,000
shares, and the par value is $ 1 0 0 .
Dividends are payable on the 1st of June and
1st o f December in each year. The II rail is used, weighing 61 pounds per yard.
road extends from Detroit to Kalamazoo, a distance o f 146 miles.
The
W e give below a tabular statement of the distances, rates o f fares in first-class cars, e tc.:—
P laces.
D etroit...........................
Dearborn.........................
W ayne............................
Ypsiianti.......................
Geddes’ M ills...............
Ann Arbor....................
Delhi...............................
S cio ................................
Rates.
10
18
30
34
38
44
40
49
04
Gross Lake.....................
Leoni..............................
Michigan Centre...........
Jackson..........................
67
70
74
77
Fares.
Places.
Sandstone...........................
35 Gedley’s..............................
0 60 C oncord.............................
1 0(1 Bath Mills..........................
1 10 Newburgh Mills...............
1 25 Albion................................
1 40 Marengo..................... .......
1 50 Marshall.............................
1 50
1 75
2 (10
o 00 Galesburgh.........................
o 10 Comstock...........................
2 28 Kalamazoo.........................
2 30
Rates.
Fares.
83
®2 50
88
2 65
91
2 75
93
2 80
95
2 85
97
2 90
104
3 15
109
3 25
3 45
115
123
3 70
133
4 00
137
4 10
142
4 25
140
4 40
%
Freight Fate*.— Coal, iron, and manures, 39 cents per 100 lbs.; lumber, 25 cents per
100 feet; shingles, 63 cents per M .; corn and grain, 39 cents per 100 lbs.; heavy mer
Railroad , Canal , and Steamboat Statistics .
95
chandise, such as salt, butter, sugar, beef, pork, and fish, § 1 per bb l.; groceries, 39 cents
per 100 lb s.; dry goods, 55 cents per 100 lbs.; flour, per barrel, 6G cents; wheat, per
hundred pounds, 33 cents; whiskey, beer, and cider, $ 1 10 per barrel. For lesser dis
tances than through, the above rates are charged pro rata. N o parcel is taken on this
road, from one station to another, for less than 12$ cents.
Vehicles, 95 cents per 100
pounds; horses and cattle, $ 1 35 each; hogs and calves, $ 1 64 each ; sheep, $ 1 10
each.
Mr. J. W . Brooks, Superintendent o f this road, furnishes* the following statistical table,
showing the business o f the road for the year ending September 1, 1847:—
ACCOUNT OF IMPORTS AND EXPORTS, BY THE MICHIGAN CENTRAL RAILROAD, FROM SEPTEMBER 1,
1846, TO SEPTEMBER 1, 1847.
A rticles.
Imports.
Merchandise.........lbs. 12,263,748
Agricult, productions.
181,844
A shes..........................
Apples.........................
355,895
Leather.......................
164,664
Lime............................
126,062
Plaster.........................
130.178
127.179
Shorts..........................
223,585
Hides...........................
5,837
Vehicles......................
78.394
Furniture.....................
390,692
Bark.............................
7,000
Grass seed..................
3,873
Coal.............................
533,315
Pig iron......................
433,135
Butter..........................
1,290
Sal aeratus..................
275
C om ............................
560
W o o l.....................
1,112
Empty barrels............
73,960
Barley..........................
1,550
Cranberries................
Beans..........................
Rags............................
Mint oil...............
Tobacco...................
Exports.
820,690
184,424
470,964
19,131
8,696
7,987
5,250
30,968
50,005
125,841
14,948
113,669
6,038
24,120
35,215
3,387
15,471
362,136
428,927
45,566
19,860
16,294
10,086
12,169
A rticles.
Potatoes..........
Tallow.............
Peas..................
Cattle................
Coffee...............
Buckwheat.....
S oap................
Lard.................
Potash..............
Eggs.................
Oil cake..........
Beeswax..........
Hogs.................
Linseed oil......
F ish.................
Beer..................
C ider................
P ork................
Whiskey..........
Beef..................
High w ines....
Flour................
Salt...................
Shingles........... . M.
W heat............. bush.
Lumber.............
Imports.
Exports.
13,268
150
225
3,000
150
315
388
2.841
4,118
47,270
9,691
5,760
322
1,396
6
1,106}
455 J
581
73
135J
185
6,6914
878
2,179
380,931
4
180}
12
8254
1,831}
19}
481
384,614
570
86,756
42,936
For the earnings o f this road since its purchase in September, 1846, to 1st o f May,
1847, and other particulars, see Merchants’ Magazine for November, 1847.
W E S T E R N A N D A T L A N T I C R A IL R O A D .
This road, built by the State o f Georgia, extends from Atlanta to Dalton, a distance
o f 100 miles, and was opened in 1847.
and flange.
T he flat bar rail is used 50 miles, the rest bridge
The following table shows the distances, rates o f fare, &c., from Atlanta to
D alton:—
P laces.
A tlanta..........................
Boltonville.....................
Marietta........................
Noonday.........................
Acworth..........................
Allatoona.......................
Cartersville....................
Miles.
8
20
25
35
40
50
Fares.
$0
1
1
1
2
2
50
00
25
75
00
50
P laces.
Hamilton.......................
Kingston........................
Adairsville....................
Oothcaloga...................
Resaca...........................
Dalton...........................
Miles.
55
60
70
80
85
Fares.
$2
3
3
4
4
5
75
00
50
00
25
00
T he following are the rates o f freight, as adopted by the State o f G eorgia:—
Iron, 15 cents per 100 pounds, through; lumber, $1 per M. for first ten miles, and 25
Railroad , Canal , and Steamboat Statistics.
96
cents for every additional ten m iles; corn and grain, 8 cents per bushel; heavy merchan
dise, such as sugar, salt, and butter, 25 cents per 100 pounds; dry goods, 40 cents per 100
pounds; light and bulky merchandise, 8 cents per foot, through. N o parcels are carried
to any point o:i this road for less than 25 cents.
Horses, through, $ 5 ; two-wheeled car
riages, $ 3 ; four-wheeled carriages, $ 6 ; special engine and one car, $7 5.
T he annual report o f the Western and Atlantic Railroad presents a very flattering ex
hibit o f its affairs.
follows:—
T he monthly receipts o f this road for the past year have been as
Freight.
1846— October.............................
November........................
December........................
1847— January............................
February...........................
March...............................
April..................................
M ay...................................
June..................................
July...................................
August..............................
September.......................
Amounting to.............
$4,178
3,055
4,417
3.695
4,630
7,201
7,208
4,103
2,994
3,792
2,401
5,475
14
91
09
92
50
91
43
97
43
03
98
88
$53,156 19
Passengers.
$2,275
1,305
1,992
1,561
1,648
2,167
1,966
1,854
2,270
3.306
5,562
3,558
65
55
24
52
64
18
50
82
86
55
84
18
$29,470 53
Total.
$7,925
4,933
6,980
5,828
6,850
9,910
9,746
6,530
5,836
7,670
8,536
9,605
22
89
75
87
56
51
36
22
72
01
26
49
$89,483 86
The expenditures and nett income o f the road for the past year were as annexed:—
Total receipts for the year ending September 30, 18 47.............................
Total current expenses.......................................................
$51,953 07
6,500 00
Deduct amount due at the close o f last year.................
$89,483 70
$45,453 07
6,228 73
37,806 93
------------------$89,48 3 70
Amount paid for use o f cars.
Profits.......................................
T he aggregate cost o f the Western and Atlantic road up to the 30th o f September,
1847, was $3,305,165 88, which was expended as follow s:—
Amount expended to September 30, 1846....................................................
Expenditure during 4thquarter, 1846..............................................................
“
1st
“
1847.............................................................
“
2d
“
“
“
3d
“
“ ,...........................................................
Scrip redeemed...................................................................................................
$3,192,694
51,384
22,805
7,179
26,602
4,500
09
36
74
32
37
00
T otal..................................................................................................$3,305,165 88
This road, running, as it does, through the interior o f Georgia, and connecting the wa
ters o f the Atlantic with those o f the Tennessee river, forms a very important link in the
great chain o f roads which will soon connect with the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
P H IL A D E L P H IA A N D R E A D IN G R A IL R O A D .
A COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF THE BUSINESS ON THE PHILADELPHIA AND READING RAILROAD,
FOR THE MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 3 0 t H,
1845.
Travel...........................
Freight on goods................................
“
coal....................................
Miscellaneous receipts........................
Transportation United States m oil...
T otal....
Coal transported.
$9,610 26
4,63 6 84
117,582 98
25
783 34
$132,613 67
100,221 19
1846.
$15,384
10,948
181,719
117
783
47
54
92
73
33
$208,953 99
126,347 04
1847.
$14,872
11,481
186,133
223
783
72
12
46
05
33
$213,493 68
142,727 04
97
Railroad, Canal, and Steamboat Statistics.
C O M P A R A T IV E F A R E S O F R A IL R O A D S IN T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S .
A9 the comparative rates o f fare on railroads is a subject o f some interest, we avail our
selves o f the labbrs o f Mr. Minor, the industrious editor o f the American Railroad Jour
nal, as exhibited in the following tabular statement o f the principal railroads in the United
States, giving their length, through fare, and rates per mile, from which it will be seen
that the N ew Y ork and Erie Railroad charges the lowest rate, namely, 1-72 cents per
m ile; the Harlem next, and then the Long Island Railroad.
The N ew England roads
all range below three cents, except the N ew Haven, Hartford, and Springfield, which is
one-tenth over. A nd the next lowest, after the N ew England roads, is the W eldon and
Wilmington, N . C., which is a fraction less than 24 cents— quite too low for a country so
thinly populated, though high enough for many o f the more northern lines.
From this statement, it will be seen, that the railroads in the State o f N ew Y ork, di
verging from the city o f N ew Y ork, charge lower rates than any other roads in the coun
try ; and we presume the managers o f those roads have been influenced by the belief that,
where there is a dense, and, to a certain extent, confined population, the true plan is to
put the rates o f fare low, and thus induce the masses to use the road. This, we are fully
convinced, is the true policy, and we believe it will ultimately prevail.
N am e, C om m encem ent, and
T e r m in a t io n .
Length. Thro’h fare. Cents,
M ile s .
Eastern Railroad— Boston to Portland.....................
Boston and Maine— Boston to Portland.................
“
Lowell— Boston to Lowell.....................
“
W orcester— Boston to W orcester........
“
Providence— Boston to Providence.......
Fitchburgh— Boston to Baldwinsville.......................
Fall River— Boston to Fall River..............................
Old Colony— Boston to Plymouth............................
Western— Worcester to A lb a n y ...............................
Nashua and Lowell— Lowell and Nashua...............
Concord— Nashua to Concord...................................
Norwich and W orcester.............................................
New Haven and Springfield......................................
Bridgeport.......................................................................
N ew York and Harlem..............................................
N ew Y ork and Erie....................................................
Long Island................................................. .................
Camden and Amboy— New Y ork to Philadelphia.
N ew Y ork and N ew Brunswick...............................
“
Philadelphia......................................
Reading— Philadelphia and Pottsville......................
Philadelphia and Baltimore.........................................
Westchester and Columbia........................................
Philadelphia, Lancaster, and Harrisburgh................
“
Germantown, and Norristown..........
Harrisburgh and Chanibersburgh..............................
Baltimore and Ohio— Baltimore to Cumberland.....
“
Washington.........................................
“
Susquehannah......... ...........................
Washington and Richmond, (including porterage)
Louisa— Gordonsville...................................................
Richmond to Petersburgh...........................................
Winchester and Potomac............................................
Petersburgh and Roanoke— W eldon.........................
W eldon to W ilm ington...............................................
Wilmington to Charleston by steamboat.................
Gaston and Raleigh.....................................................
South Carolina— Charleston to Augusta.................
Columbia— Branchville to Columbia.........................
Georgia— Augusta to Atlanta....................................
VOL.
X V I I I . ----- N O .
I.
7
105
110
26
44
42
71
53
374
156
15
34
60
62
98
53
87
95
90
33
88
92
97
32
107
17
56
179
40
71
133
50
224
32
63
1614
87
136
68
171
$ cts.
3 00
3 00
0 65
1 25
1 25
1 75
1 35
1 00
3 75
0 40
0 80
1 50
1 87
2 00
1 00
1 50
2 00
3 00
0 75
4 00
3 00
3 00
0 75
4 00
0 40
2 12
7 00
1 60
2 13
5 50
3 25
1 00
2 00
3 00
4 00
4 00
4 00
6 75
3 38
7 00
per
mile.
2.85
2.72
2.5
2.8
2.97
2.46
2.54
2.66
2.27
2.66
2.35
2.5
3.00
2.04
1.88
1.72
2.1
3.33
2.27
4.54
3.26
3.01
2.34
3.73
2.38
3.78
3.91
4.00
3.00
4.13
65
4.34
6.25
4.76
2.48
4.6
4.96
4.97
4.09
Railroad , Canal , and Steamboat Statistics .
98
Name, Commencement, and Termination.
Athens branch........................................................ ......
Western and Atlantic—Dalton...............................
Central—Savannah to Macon........................................
Macon and Western—Atlanta............................... ......
Montgomery and West Point..................................
......
Albany and Schenectady...................... ................. ......./
Greenbush and Troy.............................................. .......
Troy and Schenectady............................................
Utica and Schenectady...........................................
Utica and Syracuse................................................ ......
Syracuse and Auburn............................................. ......
Auburn and Rochester............................................ ......
Rochester and Attica............................................. ......
Attica and Buffalo...................................................
Buffalo and Niagara Falls......................................
Lockport and Niagara Falls...................................
Michigan Central—Detroit to Kalamazoo.............. ......
Detroit and Pontiac................................................
Erie and Kalamazoo— Toledo to Adrian...................
Southern Michigan— Monroe to Hillsdale................ ......
Mad River— Sandusky to Belle'ontaine.................... ......
Little Miami— Cincinnati to Springfield....................
Lexington and Ohio..............................................................
Mansfield and Sandusky.........................................
Madison and Indianapolis...................................... ___
Length. Thro’h fare. Cents,
Miles.
39
191
101
60
47
17
6
20 A
78
53
26
77
44
31A
22
24
146
25
33
70
102
84
28
56
86
$ cts.
1
5
7
4
3
3
0
0
0
3
2
1
3
1
0
0
0
4
1
1
2
3
2
1
1
3
95
00
00
00
00
00
50
20
50
00
00
00
00
56
94
75
75
40
00
00
00
25
00
25
50
00
per mile.
5.00
5.00
3.65
3.96
5.00
6.38
2.94
3.33
2.43
3.84
3.77
3.84
3.89
3.54
2.98
3.4
3.12
3.00
4.00
3.00
2.85
3.18
2.38
4.46
2.67
3.48
It will be found that the railroad companies in the above list adopting the lowest rates
o f fares, pay the largest dividends. A n unanswerable argument in favor o f low fares.
T H E R A IL R O A D S Y S T E M OF T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S .
NUMBER OF MILES COMPLETED IN EACH YEAR, AND CAPITAL INVESTED IN RAILROADS.
The “ Cincinnati Chronicle ” furnishes the following statement o f the railroad move
ment in the United States from 1830 to 1847:—
Railroads have already become o f such great utility, and the centre o f so much capi
tal, that their condition, profits, and progress, in the United States, have become a matter
o f general interest. There is another point o f immense and, at present, incalculable im
portance. They are the chief means (in connection with steamboats) by which the whole
commerce o f the earth— its movement and its population— are to be connected together,
and the ends o f the world literally united. In this point of view, no man can over-esti
mate their value. A vast amount o f the ignorance, the ill will, the jealousies, and the
hostilities o f mankind, in ages past, have been the result of a want o f social intercourse.
Steam steps in, under the influence o f science, to break up this great source o f evil, by
bringing men and brethren together. T he differences which divide mankind— so long
and so greatly exaggerated by distance and imagination— become less, as men learn that
they are made o f the same flesh and blood, are subject to like infirmities, and are capable
o f the same great achievements. T he powerful influence o f an intelligent Christianity is
made to have its just effect, in illuminating the darkness o f ignorance, and stimulating
the stupidity o f indifference. In this aspect, steam, applied to locomotion, is a great m o
ral instrument. If it lends some aid to evil, it lends more to good. In fine, its great
social result is to bring the dissevered parts o f humanity together, and, so far as intercourse
can go, to make a brotherhood o f the human race. So its effects on commerce are equally
great. It diminishes the time and expense o f carriage, and therefore renders the produce
o f distant climes more easy o f access to the masses o f people. Consumption is increased,
and the merchant and the producer both find their interest in the result. Science, also,
finds new problems to solve in the various experiments and wants occasioned by the de
mands o f steam machinery. Such is the general effect o f the introduction o f steamboats
and railroad locomotives, (both in principle the same thing,) one being used on water and
the other on land.
Railroad , Canal, emcZ Steamboat Statistics.
99
The construction and increase o f railroads in the United States during the last fifteen
years, exceeds by far anything heretofore known in the world, as to public works or mon
uments. “ Doggett’s Railroad Guide ” for September, 1847, has a table o f railroads now
in operation; and, by comparing those tables, we arrive at the following summary of the
amount o f railroad construction in each year, and the amount o f capital invested:—
Years.
183').......
1831........
1832........
1833.......
1834........
1835........
183G.......
1R37
1838........
1833........
Miles completed.
155
17
23
151
864
287
3164
237
5714
3404
Capital.
$2,510,009
1,462,966
509,000
4,094,000
2,838,638
11,750,000
7,587,114
6,682,578
14,508,693
12,736,000
Years.
Miles completed.
Capital.
2794
1834
277}
509}
410
484
205
$4,350,000
5,400,000
6,613,654
11,090,000
19,094,294
9,186,000
2,410,000
1840......
1841......
1842......
1843......
1845......
1846......
1847......
Total.
V
5,740
$122,525,937
The amounts are set down to the year in which the railroad was opened* for use. This
does not show in what years the work was done. Thus, in the year 1844 there is no new
road set d o w n ; but in that year a great deal o f railroad work was done.
The grand result shows, that in seventeen years five thousand miles of railroad have
been constructed in the United States, at an expense o f one hundred and twenty millions
o f dollars. This is unprecedented in the history o f civil constructions. It demonstrates,
beyond any other fact, the gigantic growth, the unceasing industry, and cumulative power
o f capital, in this new and vigorous nation.
T he present annual investment., in railroad constructions, is about fifteen millions o f
dollars. The actual saving, in the expenses o f transportation, probably greatly exceeds
this. In this way railroads on good routes (and in our new country nearly all are good)
thus act as savings banks. They cannot explode, and they thus both save and accumu
late property, with little danger o f waste or diminution.
U N IO N C A N A L , P E N N S Y L V A N IA .
T he Annual Report o f the Union Canal Company, made at their annual meeting, N o
vember 15th, 1847, shows a favorable state o f affairs. The assignment has ceased, and
its affairs are again in the hands o f the company.
T he capital stock consists o f 13,511 shares, at $2 00 each......................
And a fraction o f shares, amounting to........................................................
$2,702,200 00
42,421 40
Making the entire capital................................................................................. $2,744,621 40
Extensive repairs have been made to the works during the past year. T he canal con
tinued open until December 5th, 1846, and opened on the 30th March, 1847. The trade
on the canal has increased during the past year, as will be seen by the following table,
showing the annual business since the completion o f the canal:—
Years.
Tons.
Tolls received.
Years.
Tons.
Tolls received.
18,124
$15,512
1828..........
1838........... ..
126,870
$123,575
20,622
16,676
1839............ ..
1829 .........
138,568
135,163
35,133
41,094
1840............ ..
1830..........
115,292
110,855
59,970
59,137
1831..........
1841............
83,624
66,601
59,061
47,645
1842...........
1832..........
83,106
57,477
85,876
103,4G2
1843...........
1833 .........
53,538
84,536
119,870
1844...........
79,871
1834..........
56,580
118,978
135,254
1845........... ..
102,593
1835.......... ....
60,036
117,136
133,025
1846...........
1836....... . . ...
62,682
110,032
107,590
139,256
1847........... ..
91,356
1837.......... . ...
T he Pine Grove coal trade is also slowly, but steadily increasing. The following is
the yearly statement, in tons commencing November 1st and ending October 31st:—
3,500
1838.............
1843.........
15,000
1833.............
22,000
1839...........
20,8851844.............
6,911
1834.............
29,000
14,000
1840...........
20,500
1845.............
1835.............
35.000
12,000
1841............
19,500
1846.............
1836.............
55,500
32,500
17,000
1842...........
1847.............
1837.............
60,499
100
Railroad, Canal, and Steamboat Statistics.
STATEMENT OF THE TONNAGE WHICH PASSED THE UNION CANAL FROM NOVEMBER 1, 1846, TO
NOVEMBER 1, 1847.
A r t ic l e s .
Tons. Cwt. Qrs.
A rticles.
Tons. Cwt. Qrs.
Flour, 23,470 barrels......
Grain, 34*2,176 bushels...
Iron....................................
Iron ore.. .........................
Anthracite coal................
Bituminous coal...............
Charcoal............................
Lumber, 25,010,994 feet.
Shingles, 6,869,193.........
Whiskey, 337 barrels....
Salt, 40,614 bushels........
T obacco............................
Plaster...............................
2,200
8,707
8,202
9,512
62,549
2,702
258
25,233
3,066
45
1,087
76
1,793
6
i
2
9
18
8
7
15
16
12
3
17
7
7
3
3
2
0
0
1
0
0
1
2
0
1
Lime, 43,056 bushels ....
Seeds.................................
Leather.............................
Butter................................
Nails..................................
Fish, 2,204 pounds.........
Merchandise.....................
Cordwood, 2,782 cord s..
Sundries............................
T otal............................
1,537
3,313
58
66
57
13
299
550
3,725
4,197
14
15
o
6
12
8
13
1
17
18
1
1
0
0
2
0
0
0
3
2
139,256
18
3
SO U TH C A R O L IN A R A IL R O A D .
This road, which extends from Charleston (S. C.) to Hamburgh, was first opened in
the year 1830. Its length is 136 miles. It cost the present company $2,000,000, divided
into 29,000 shares. Dividends are payable on the 1st o f January and 1st o f July. It is
laid with the flange rail. The following table shows the places through which it runs, and
the distances and fares, from Charleston to Hamburgh:—
Miles.
Towns.
Fares.
T owns.
M id w a y .......................
Charleston............................
13
> nJ8
Ladson’s y ^ A ..
' -22
Summervffl£....C/;~.
.
31 mile jtura-outp,-.*.-------il\
• 4'S
63'
Branch v ilm ^ ....... —
Miles.
$3
4
4
5
$ 0 63
0 88 Blackwell......................
1
1
2
3
06 Williston........................
63 A iken.............................
38
00 Hamburgh..................... . . . .
50
00
50
00
6 00
136
6 38
6 75
The following'stBteuAeiW^ef'tlie number of passengers conveyed upon this railroad be
tween Charleston, Hamburgh, and Columbia, with the amount received for freight and
passengers from the 1st o f January to the 31st o f December, 1846, is derived from the
last annual report o f the Directors:—
Months.
January..............
February...........
March................
April...................
M ay....................
June....................
July.....................
August...............
September..........
October...............
November..........
December...........
Number of
passengers.
4,349
3,706
4,584
15,667
4,597
3,855
3,421
3,269
3,624
5,092
5,033
6,839
Amount for
passengers.
$13,859
13,303
16,309
19,153
14,919
11,462
10,094
9,147
11,788
17,684
18,412
21,303
03
79
80
78
83
87
08
34
46
65
04
53
Amount for
freight.
$18,876
19,725
30,608
26,674
22,018
12,773
14,283
15,224
31,563
60,899
55,868
43,174
14
29
26
09
50
29
13
86
60
46
91
39
Total
amount.
$32,735
33,029
46,918
45,827
36,938
24,236
24,377
24,372
43,352
78,584
. 74,280
64,482
17
08
06
87
33
16
21
20
06
11
95
92
Total..............
64,136
$177,444 20
$351,689 92
Received for through tickets sold by Georgia Railroad Company the
past year..
$529,134 12
Total freight and passage................................................. ..............
Transportation o f mails for the past year..................................................
Rents, storage, and other minor sources....................................................
$531,334 79
39,746 76
7,999 97
Total receipts for the year.
12,200 67
$589,081 52
101
Railroad , Canal , and Steamboat Statistics.
The number o f bales o f cotton received in Charleston by the railroad, from 1st January
to 31st December, 1846, was...............................................................................
186,271
GENERAL STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES FOR THE YEAR 1846.
Gross receipts from all sources in first half year.....................................
Ordinary current expenses for same time...................................................
$251,741 36
193,592 21
Nett profits for the first half year...................................................
$58,149 15
Gross receipts from all sources second half year
$337,340 16
224,578 96
Ordinary current expenses for same time.................
Nett profits for second half year.................. ................................. 112,761 20
Nett profits for the year 1846.........................................................
$170,910 35
T he following is given by the Auditor as the property statement o f the South Carolina
Railroad Company, December 31, 1846:—
D r.
T o stock— For $ 3 5 per share on 34,800 shares.....................................
**
Instalments forfeited..................................................................
T o surplus income..........................................................................................
T o balance o f indebtedness........................................................................
$2,610,000
312,417
40,708
2,765,090
00
65
52
74
$5,728,216 91
By purchase o f Charleston and Hamburgh Railroad, embracing road,
machinery, & c .......................................................
$2,714,377 50
By purchase o f land attached thereto....................
59,741 30
“
negroes..............................................
11,963 19
By construction o f Columbia branch.........................................................
By lands purchased since January, 1844...............
$5,083 83
By less to credit Aiken lands...................................
35 35
By
By
By
By
negroes purchased since January, 1844..............................................
suspense account......................................................................................
rail iron purchased..................................................................................
improvement o f depots..........................................................................
“
property......................................................................
By shares in the railroad...............................................................................
By amount due on pay-rolls and bills not charged, but forming part o f
the balance o f indebtedness....................................................................
T o ta l......................................................................; ...........................
$2,736,081 99
2,863,654 49
5,048
800
8,490
15,773
8,680
30,437
40
48
00
00
97
29
49
00
9,210 60
$5,728,216 91
Freight Bates.— Iron, 25 cents per 100 pounds, through; lumber, $ 1 50 per M. feet
for first ten miles, and 25 cents every additional ten m iles; com and grain, 7 cents per
bushel, through; heavy merchandise, such as sugar, salt, and butter, 25 cents per 100
pounds, through; light and bulky merchandise, 8 cents per foot, through; horses, $ 8
ea ch ; two-wheeled carriages, $ 6 each ; four-wheeled, $ 1 0 each.
N o parcels are taken
on this road for less than 25 cents.
F R E I G H T T A R I F F , IN C L U D IN G S T A T E T O L L ,
ON THE LINE OF RAILROAD BETWEEN ALBANY, OR TROY- AND BUFFALO, FOR THE WINTER OF
1847-8.
This tariff is made by the several companies between Albany, T roy, and Buffalo, with
reference to the law o f the Legislature, which requires the railroad companies to pay to
the State canal tolls, distance being reckoned by the canal distances from place to place.
Railroad, Canal, and Steamboat Statistics.
102
TO LLS
From A lbany or
Troy, to
Canal
d is ta n ce s .
M ile s .
Railroad
P E R 100 LBS.
distances. 1st c l a s s . 2d c l a s s .
M ile s .
C e n ts .
C en ts.
100
RATES PER
L B S ., T O L L S
IN C L U D E D .
c la s s .
1 st c la s s .
$
cts.
2d
$
3d class.
cts.
C e n ts.
10
0 38
0 33
22
95
54
Utica...................
li
0 44
0 38
25
110
Rome..................
6*
0 44
29
13
0 51
128
7
Canastota...........
0 54
0 46
31
134
14
8
Chittenango......
0 51
34
84
0 60
Syracuse.............
148
15
*
*
*
0 66
38
165
0 57
Junction.............
*
*
*
0 69
0 60
40
174
Auburn...............
190
19
0 75
0 65
43
215
11
Seneca Falls......
20
0 77
0 66
44
219
193
11
W aterloo............
200
0 79
0 68
45
21
12
Geneva...............
226
*
*
*
208
0 83
0 71
47
Vienna................
*
*
*
222
0 87
0 75
50
Canandaigua.....
0 81
252
134
0 94
54
Rochester...........
269
24
*
*
*
1 06
0 92
283
58
Batavia...............
*
*
*
65
296
1 12
0 97
A ttica.................
33
1 25
73
Buffalo................
364
328
18
1 09
1st Class.— Merchandise generally, including the following articles, viz: Furs, sheep’s
pelts, butter, poultry, sheep and hogs, oysters in kegs, leather (loose), stoves,t hollow ware!
and castings generally, boots, shoes, wool, glass ware,t sheet and hoop iron, cotton waste,t
eggs,t lemons,t oranges,t medicines,t machinery,! wooden w are,! mineral and Congress
water,! carboys,! and all unspecified articles.
2d Class.— Domestic manufactured articles, on account o f the manufacturer, including
cotton and woollen cloths, carpeting, warps, leather in boxes or rolls, paper,! paper hang
ings,! hides, cotton and wool pressed in bales, hemp, cheese,! lard, tallow, sumac, spirits
turpentine, sugar, molasses, oils, nails, rags, camphine, hops, fresh fish,! dried fruit, oysters
and clams in shells,! oakum, flax, clover and. grass seed, spikes, bar and boiler iron and
steel, domestic salt in bulk, crockery in casks or crates,! window glass, peas, beans, oil
cake, tar, pitch, rosin, tobacco, unmanufactured.
3d Class.— Salted fish, pork and beef in barrels, fresh pork and beef,! domestic spirits,!
live cattle, pot and pearl ashes, pressed hay, water lime, sand, pipe clay and plaster in
barrels, marble,! grindstones, wheat, rye, corn, oats, flax seed, and barley in bags or casks.
S pecial R ates .— Piano fortes, each, 4 cents per m ile; horses, in lots o f six or more,
4 cents per mile each; in smaller lots, G cents per mile each ; furniture, and all light and
bulky articles, per 8 cubic feet, or 100 pounds, at option o f the Company, £ cent per mile ;
double carriages and sleighs, each, 6 cents per m ile; single carriages and sleighs, 4 cents
per mile each, which must be properly secured from damage by fire and weather, or will
not be received by the Companies, except at the owner’s risk o f fire, weather, or chafing.
Flour, green apples,! and potatoes,! per barrel as 100 pounds first class rates. Twentyfive cents will be charged for receiving and delivering any article without regard to weight,
and each single article will be estimated to weigh not less than 100 pounds. Cattle, sheep,
and hogs, for less than one eight-wheel car load, £ cent per mile per 100 pounds.
no
125
146
153
171
M ISSO U R I R IV E R — IT S T R IB U T A R IE S A N D IT S S T E A M B O A T S .
T he Missouri River rises within one mile o f the head waters o f the great river o f the
Oregon. It opens the “ gates o f the R ocky Mountains” at a point 411 miles above the
head o f its navigation. The following are some o f its principal tributaries, each navigable
from 100 to 800 miles:—
Yellowstone River..........................................
Chienne..................................................
W hite................................................................
Big Sioux.........................................................
Platte................................................................
Kanzas.............................................
Grand................................................................
L a M ine...........................................................
Osage..................................................
Gasconade........................................................
800 yards wide at its mouth.
400
44
44
300
“
“
110
“
44
600
“
44
233
“
14
190
“
44
70
44
44
397
41
44
....
44
44
* Undetermined. ! At owner’s risk, as to damage from fire, weather, breakage, cha
fing, decay, or other circumstances, from which the articles are liable to receive injury.
Railroad, Canal, and Steamboat Statistics.
103
The length o f the Missouri, from its source to its mouth, is 3,096 miles, and no sub
stantial obstruction impedes its navigation from its mouth to the falls, 2,000 miles. Con
sidering the Missouri as one river from its sources to the Gulf o f Mexico, it is the longest
in the world.' Its average rapidity is nearly twice that o f the Mississippi, as the average
level o f its valley is nearly twice more elevated than that o f the Mississippi. T he first
year a steamboat navigated the Missouri, was 1819. The following is an exhibit o f the
number o f steamboats engaged in the trade o f that river from 1838 to 184G:—
Year.
1838 ................................................................
1839 ............................................... ..................
1840 ................................................................
1841 ................................................................
1842.................................. ................................
1843...................................................................
1845 Arrivals at St. Louis from the Missouri....
1846
“
“
“
“
....
No. o f Boats.
N o. o f Trips.
17
35
28
32
29
26
...
...
96
141
147
162
88
205
249
256
The Santa Fe trade, and the fur and Indian trade, as well as the domestic commerce
o f that-river, are very important and extensive ; and there are those who anticipate the
period when that .stream will be made a great artery o f the trade between the United
States and China, and the East Indies. The trade between St. Louis and Santa Fe is
estimated at $500,000 per annum. T he fur trade o f St. Louis is valued at $300,000 per
annum.
B O S T O N A N D P R O V ID E N C E R A IL R O A D .
T he Boston and Providence Railroad Company was incorporated in 1831, and the road
opened for travel in 1835. It is 43 miles in length, and originally cost $2,109,500. The
annexed table exhibits the receipts, expenses, nett income, and dividends, in each o f the
past six years, or from 1841 to 1846, inclusive:—
RECEIPTS, EXPENSES, NETT INCOME, AND DIVIDENDS OF THE BOSTON AND PROVIDENCE RAILROAD,
FOR SIX YEARS.
Year.
Receipts.
Expenses.
Nett income.
Dividends.
1841.............
1842.............
18 43.............
1844.............
1845.............
1846.............
$230,821
236,468
233,388
350,629
360,875
$122,000
112,824
125,375
113,835
152,802
169,679
$108,821
123,644
108,013
169,866
197,827
191,196
$1,645,882
$796,515
$899,367
6 per cent.
6
6
64
“
7
8
39J
“
W IL M IN G T O N A N D R A L E IG H R A IL R O A D .
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF THE ANNUAL RECEIPTS, EXPENDITURES, AND PROFITS OF THE WIL
MINGTON AND RALEIGH (N. C.) RAILROAD COMPANY, TOGETHER WITH A STATEMENT OF THE
RATES OF FARE.
Years.
1841
1842
1843
1844
1845
1846
1847
Receipts.
...............
...............
...............
...............
...............
...............
...............
$297,228 39
211,977 48
226,172 99
289,533 75
288,493 45
317,822 49
331,480 20
Expenditures.
$241,945
180,892
148,166
203,633
212,091
289,682
259,912
34
65
17
24
20
45
60
Profits.
$52,283
31,084
78,006
85,900
76,402
28,140
71,567
Rates of Fare.
05
83
82
51
25
04
60
$ 2 0 00
13 00
13 00
13 00
12 00
12 00
10 00
W e commend this table to the attention o f the President and Directors o f the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad Company, as an argument in favor o f low rates o f fare, seeing that
Mr. McLane is in favor o f increasing the fare between this city and Baltimore.
Sable o f instructive results.
It is a
Nautical Intelligence,
104
NAUTICAL
INTELLIGENCE.
N O R T H E R N A P P R O A C H E S T O T H E P O R T OF LIV E R P O O L .
CHANGES IN THE BUOYING, LIGHTING, AND BEACONING OF THE APPROACHES TO THE PORT OF
LIVERPOOL.
T he Trustees o f the Liverpool Docks and Harbors do hereby give notice, that the fol
lowing changes in the lighting, beaconing, and buoying o f the northern approaches to this
port, will take place on and after the night o f Tuesday, the 2d November, 1847:—
CROSBY LIGHT-HOUSE.
A new light tower has been erected nearly half a mile N. E. by N. o f the present Cros
by Light-house. T he light therefrom will be exhibited, for the first time, on the evening
o f the above date, and be continued every night from sunset to sunrise.
The light on this tower will be stationary, o f a red color, elevated 96 feet above the
sea at half-tide level, and will be visible between the bearings o f S. S. E. and N. E. by
E. \ E., which limits will indicate lespectively when a vessel is Westward o f Mad Wharf,
and when she is abreast o f the Crosby Light Vessel, and ought to shape her fairway course
up the Crosby Channel.
T he Formby Light Vessel will be moved 170 fathoms N .b y W . £ W . o f her present
position, into 35 feet at low water. W hen brought in a line with the new Crosby Shore
Light, she will lead in from seaward through the Victoria Channel, on a course o f S. E.
by E. £ E . ; and, when brought in a line with the Crosby Light Vessel, she will lead in
through the half-tide Swashway, on the bearing o f S. S. E. f E.
CROSBY BEACON.
The Crosby Shore Beacon will be moved nearly half a mile N. £ E. o f its present posi
tion, on a line with the Crosby Shore Light and Formby Light Vessel.
The Bell Beacon will be moved about 170 fathoms S. W . of its present position into 25
feet at low water, with the Formby Light Vessel and Crosby Shore Light in one, and
bearing from the N . W . Light Ship N . E . 4 E. four miles.
V. 4. Red (Can) Buoy, with perch, will be moved nearly a quarter o f a mile N . W . by
N. o f its present position, into 21 feet at low water, Formby Light Vessel bearing N. E.
by E. about one-sixth o f a m ile ; C. 1. Red, (Can,) S. S. E. $ E. nearly one and a half
miles.
Formby Northwest Sea Mark will be moved one and one-eighth o f a mile N. N. E. i
E . o f its present position, and a new Beacon will be erected on the Mad Wharf. These
Beacons, when brought into one, on the bearing o f S. E. by E. \ E., will lead from Form
by N. W . Buoy up the fairway o f the entrance o f the Old Formby Channel.
B U O Y S O N T H E P O T O M A C R IV E R .
A CORRECT LIST OF THE BUOYS PLACED ON THE POTOMAC RIVER, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF TIIE
SUPERINTENDENT OF LIGHTS.
1. Craney Island Buoy is put down in 21 feet water, Southeast point o f the shoal, and
W est side o f the channel.
2. Maryland Point Buoy, 19 feet water, South side o f the channel.
3. Matompkin Buoy, on the extreme point o f the shoal, South side o f the channel, in
18 feet water.
4. Dade’s Shoal Buoy, in 21 feet water, South side o f the channel.
5. Port Tobacco Buoy, in 16 feet water, North side o f the channel.
6. Lower Cedar Point Buoy, on the extreme end o f the shoal, in 20 feet water, East
side o f the channel.
7. Broad Kettle Bottom Buoy, on the East side o f the channel, in 30 feet water.
*8. Buoy o f Swan Point is in 30 feet water, in the channel.
*9. Centre Buoy is below Swan Point, in 26 feet water, in the channel.
*10th Buoy found already placed.
11. Ragged Point Buoy is in 30 feet water, on the extreme end o f the shoal, South
side o f the channel.*
* T he widest part o f the channel from Swan Point to Cobb’s Point, lies to the North
o f the Buoys, the course being North-west by W est, from the lower Buoy to the upper, in
4$ to 5/athoms water.
Journal o f Banking, Currency, and Finance.
105
JOURNAL OF BANKING, CURRENCY AND FINANCE.
A L A W R E L A T IN G T O B A N K IN G IN N E W YO R K .
following “ A ct to amend an act entitled ‘ an act to abolish the office o f Bank
Commissioner, and for other purposes, passed April 18th, 1 8 4 3 /” passed the legislature
T
he
o f N ew York December 4th, 1847:—
T he people o f the State o f N ew Y ork, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact
as follows:
‘
§ 1. The third section o f the act entitled “ A n act to abolish the office o f Bank Com
missioner, and for other purposes,” passed April 18th, 1843, i3 hereby amended so as to read
as follows:
It shall be the duty o f the Comptroller, Secretary o f State, and Treasurer, on or before
the first Tuesday o f January, April, July and October in each year, to fix upon and de
termine some Saturday in the quarter o f the year then ended, in respect to which every
incorporated bank, banking association, and individual banker in the State, shall make a
report o f the character hereinafter specified. Immediately after each determination o f
such Saturday, the officers hereinbefore named, shall cause notice thereof to be published
daily for six successive days in such newspaper published in the city o f Albany as shall
for the time being have the publication o f legal notices under the act entitled “ A n act to
provide for the public printing,” passed March 5th, 1846, or shall serve a copy o f such no
tice upon each incorporated bank, banking association, or individual banker in the State,
by delivering the same to some officer or clerk thereof, at their respective places o f busi
ness, or by depositing the same in the post-office, directed to each o f such banks, banking
*associations and individual bankers, or some officer thereof, at their places o f business
respectively.
It shall be the duty o f every incorporated bank, banking association, or individual
banker in the State, on or before the first day o f February, May, August, and November,
o f each year, to make and transmit to the Comptroller a quarterly report, which report
shall be made on the oath o f the president and cashier, and shall contain a true statement
o f the condition o f the bank, banking association, or individual banker making such re
port, before the transaction o f any business on the morning o f the day specified in the
notice o f the Comptroller, Secretary o f State, and Treasurer, next preceding the date o f
such report, in respect to the following items and particulars, to wit:
Loans and discounts, overdrafts, due from banks, due from directors o f the banks or
banking associations making the report; due from brokers, real estate, specie, cash items,
stocks and promissory notes, bills o f solvent banks, bills o f suspended banks, loss and
suspense account, capital, circulation, (distinguishing that received from the Comptroller
from the old outstanding bills,) profits, amount due to banks, amount due to individuals and
corporations other than banks, amount due to the Treasurer o f the State, amount due to
the commissioners o f canal fund, amount due to depositors on demand, amount due not
included under either o f the above heads. And it shall be the duty o f the Comptroller
to publish such reports together in the newspaper printed in the city o f Albany, in this
section before named, accompanied with a summary o f the items o f capital, circulation
and deposits, specie and cash items, public securities and private securities; and the sep
arate report o f each bank, banking association and individual banker, shall be published
in a newspaper published in the county; if a newspaper is published in the city or town
in which any bank is situated, such publication shall be had in such papers in which
such bank or banking association, or banking-house o f such individual banker shall be
situated, at the expense o f such bank, banking association, or individual banker.
§ 2. Section four o f the act in the first section o f this act referred to, is hereby
- amended so as to read as follows, to w it :
The Comptroller shall publish the reports and summary required by the third section
o f this act, together in one paper, on or before the twenty-fifth day o f August, Novem
ber, February, and May, in each year; and the expense o f such publication shall be
defrayed by a per centage assessed upon the capital stock o f all the banks and banking
associations, and individual bankers doing business under the “ A ct to authorize the
business o f banking,” passed April 18th, 1838, or o f any act amending the same in the
State; and i f any such bank, banking association, or individual banker shall fail to fur
nish to the Comptroller its quarterly report in time for such publication, it shall forfeit and
pay to the Comptroller the sum o f one hundred dollars, to be applied by him to the
106
Journal o f B anking , Currency , and F inance .
expense o f publishing the quarterly reports. And if any bank, banking association, or
individual banker, shall neglect or refuse to make the quarterly report required by the
third section o f this act, for two successive quarters, it shall forfeit its charter, (if an in
corporated bank,) and its privileges as a banking association or individual banker, if
organized or doing business under the act o f April 18th, 1838, in this section before re
ferred to ; and every such bank, banking association, and individual banker may be pro
ceeded against, and its affairs closed in any manner now required by law in case o f an
insolvent bank or banking association.
§ 3. Whenever, in the opinion o f the Comptroller, there shall be good cause to report
that any bank, banking association, or individual banker, has made an incorrect or im
perfect quarterly return, or is in an unsound or unsafe condition to do banking business,
it shall be his duty to have the books, papers, and affairs o f such banks, banking associa
tions, or individual banker, examined by some competent person to be designated by
him, who shall examine fully into his books, papers, and affairs forthwith, and report to
the Comptroller on oath the result o f such examination; a copy o f which report shall be
forthwith published in the manner prescribed in the first and second sections o f this act,
in respect to the publication o f quarterly returns. The reasonable costs and expenses of
every examination shall be defrayed in the manner prescribed in the second section o f this
act, for paying the expenses for publishing quarterly returns.
§ 4. A ll individual bankers and all banking associations, which are now or shall be
hereafter engaged in the business o f banking, under the provisions o f the act entitled “ An
act to authorize the business o f banking,” shall be subject to taxation on the full amount
o f capital actually paid in, or secured to be paid in, as such capital by them severally, at
the actual market value o f such securities, to be estimated by the Comptroller, without any
reduction for the debts o f such individual banker, or banking association ; but in no case
shall the capital o f any such banking association, or individual banker, be estimated at a
less sum than the amount o f circulating notes delivered to such banking association, or
individual banker, and not returned to the Comptroller ; and, in case the capital o f such
banking association has been reduced by the surrender o f any securities to the stockholders
thereof, and the certificates o f stock held on account o f such securities being surrendered
to such banking association and cancelled, such banking association shall not be subject
to taxation upon such part o f its capital.
§ 5. Nothing in this act contained shall apply to any bank or banking association which
has reduced its capital stock in violation o f the 28th section o f an act entitled “ A n act to
authorize the business o f banking,” passed April 18th, 1838.
B A N K S , A N D B A N K D IR E C T O R S :
WITH ESPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE DRY-GOODS TRADE.
The suggestions put forth by the editors o f the “ D r y -G oods R eporter ,” the able ad
vocate o f that interest, in the following paragraph, are certainly worthy of consideration:
The ignorance existing among bank officers and directors, in reference to the securities
offered them in the regular way, in the shape o f business paper for discount, is, in our
opinion, all but criminal. It is difficult to account for it. The general idea is, that banks
were created to go hand in hand with the safe business of the day ; to “ give and take,”
in the daily transactions which legitimately transpire between their customers and them
selves ; and it is presumed that their relations, kept up with a proper knowledge and
spirit, would enable the depositor to establish a sort o f reciprocal intercourse, which would
at times be o f advantage to him. So far as dry-goods merchants go, we can see no real
ization o f these anticipations ; so far as they are concerned, we may easily account for it,
by reference to the board o f directors. There are, it seems, in all the banks o f N ew Y ork,
but thirty-nine dry-goods merchants that may be considered in business, out of three hun
dred and forty directors. On reference to the names, it will at once be discovered that
the gentlemen who compose this number, do not consider themselves charged with this
peculiar interest, and are, in their associations and sympathies, as strongly connected with
other interests, in various ways, as with dry-goods. W e have no doubt, if called upon to
keep a special eye to the particular accounts, they would render essential service; but
we do not believe they particularly interest themselves in obtaining information which
would serve those with whom they have no business connection, and in whom they have
no special interest.
W o have no hesitation in saying, that a fair representation, in our banks, o f intelligent,
unprejudiced dry-goods men, placed in them, with an understanding that they would at
107
Journal o f B anking , Currency , and F inance.
tend to the duties o f the office they assume, would do much for the interest and welfare
o f the institutions, as well as the great body o f dry-goods merchants, who are now, and
ever have been, cast aside in all the facilities bestowed by our banks.
C O N D IT IO N OF T H E B A N K S IN M A S S A C H U S E T T S .
The following statement exhibits the condition o f one hundred and nine banks in Mas
sachusetts near the close o f 1847:—
DUE FROM BANES.
Capital stock paid in.......................................................................................
Bills in circulation o f five dollars and upwards........................................
“
“
less than five dollars...............................................
Nett profits on hand.......................................................................................
Balances due to other banks........................................................................
Cash deposited, including all sums whatsoever due from banks not bear
ing interest, its bills in circulation, profits and balances due to other
banks excepted............................................................................................
Cash deposited bearing interest....................................................................
Total amount due from banks......................................................................
$32,113,150
14,719,422
2,476,940
3,499,582
7,263,202
Of)
00
25
77
08
10,265,555 13
764,715 76
71,102,647 10
RESOURCES OF THE BANKS.
Gold, silver, and other coined metals intheir banking houses................
Real estate........................................................................................................
Bills o f other banks incorporated in this State...........................................
“
“
“
elsewhere...............................................
Balances due from other banks....................................................................
Amount o f all debts due, including notes, bills o f exchange, and all
stocks and funded debts, except balances due from other banks........
Total amount o f resources o f the banks....................................................
Amount o f dividends since the last annual returns, viz: In April, 1847
“
reserved profits at the time o f declaring the last dividend.
“
debts due each bank, secured by pledge o f its stock...........
“
“
and unpaid, and considered doubtful...................
3,943,973
1,062,950
3,030,765
232,698
5,571,240
58
21
20
24
79
57,260,938
71,102,567
1,059,345
2,035,108
730,613
213,605
97
99
00
93
56
59
Average dividends o f banks in Boston, in April last, a fraction less than 3 44-100 per cent.
“
“
“
out o f Boston, in April last, a fraction over 3 32-100
“
“
“
all the banks, in April last, a fraction less than 3 39-100
“
D IS C O V E R Y O F A G OLD M IN E IN M IC H IG A N .
A gold mine has just been found near Tecumseh, Michigan. A correspondent o f the
Buffalo Courier says the mine is situated in the east bank o f ihe river, but a few feet above
the water, the bank rising to the height o f twenty-five or thirty feet, and so precipitously
that the mine cannot be reached from above, but only by crossing the river. The gold is
found principally in ore mixed, though it. is said to be very rich, and many suppose it will
yield 35 per cent o f the pure article. A few lumps have been found,xweighing from half
an ounce to an ounce and a half, which has been pronounced pure. It is stated that a
company has been organized to work it, Mes®s. Blanchard, Hewit, and Blood, acting as
directors, and that quite a gold mania has sprung up in that section o f country.
C O IN A G E O F T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S M IN T .
It will be seen by the following passage from the President’s message, that he repeats the
recommendation contained in his annual message o f 1846, for the establishment o f a
branch mint o f the United States in the city o f N ew Y o rk ; a measure which we have
advocated for several years, as will be seen by reference to former volumes o f the M er
chants’ Magazine.
“ During the past year, the coinage at the mint and its branches has exceeded twenty
millions o f dollars. This has consisted chiefly in converting the coins o f foreign countries
into American coin.
4
108
Journal o f M ining and Manufactures.
“ The largest amount o f foreign coin imported has been received at N6w Y o rk ; and
if a branch mint were established at that city, all the foreign coin received at that port
could at once be converted into our own coin, without the expense, risk, and delay o f
transporting it to the mint for that purpose ; and the amount re-coined would be much
larger.
“ Experience has proved that foreign coin, and especially foreign gold coin, will not
circulate extensively as a currency among the people. The important measure o f ex
tending our specie circulation, both o f gold and silver, and o f diffusing it among the peo
ple, can only be effected by converting such foreign coin into American coin.”
JOURNAL OF MINING
AND MANUFACTURES.
Q U IC K S IL V E R M IN E S O F ID R IA .
T
he
“ Harbinger,” a paper devoted to the interests o f the Associative Movement in this
country, publishes an interesting account o f an excursion from Trieste to the quicksilver
mines o f Idria, which the editors o f that journal translate from the “ Weser-Zeitung,” an
excellent journal, published in the city o f Bremen. The account, says the Harbinger,
gives a painful, though true idea o f the condition o f the laboring classes in the present
age ; the extremest instance anywhere to be found. “ Even the needle-grinders o f Eng
land, and the laborers in the white lead manufactories of our own country, in one o f
which, as we know, the established practice is to kill off* an Irishman a month, are not
subjected to influences so horribly destructive o f life as these poor workmen in the quick
silver mines o f Idria.
* W ilt thou ever rove and wander,
W hen all is beauty at thy home V ”
W e regret that we cannot find room for the entire article. From it, we learn that the
entrance to the mines is in the centre o f the town, hewn in the rocks, and 216 feet in
length; when this is passed, you descend into the apparently bottomless abyss.
T he en
tire depth is 816 fe e t; there are 900 stone steps and a few hundred ladder-rounds which
lead to i t ; 270 persons labor there by day, and by night about 100; in the whole estab
lishment 640 workmen are employed.
T he total product annually is 4,000 cwt. o f pure
quicksilver, 1,000 o f which are used in the manufacture o f vermilion, an establishment of
which is also in Idria.
Formerly, the yield o f the mines was greater, but then the price
was much lower than now ; the product has been decreased with the express design o f
raising the price to its present high rale.
in Trieste.
It is now 200 gilders— delivered free o f charge
“ The smelting is kept up during the six winter m onths; in the summer it is suspended,
as in the warm season it produces diseases through the whole place, among both men and
animals. The ore which is excavated yields from ^ to 80 per cent o f pure quick
silver. The common yield in other mines is about 20 per cent. After the pure quick
silver has been taken from the furnace, it i^vashed, poured into bottles o f double sheep
skin, containing usually forty-one pounds each, and two such bottles are put in one wicker
flask.
“ The wages o f the laborers are divided into three classes, and amount to from 8 to 17
kreuzer (4 to 8$ cents) a day. Besides this, what vegetables and grain they want are
supplied to them at a moderate fixed price, which, in years o f scarcity, offers an advan
tage. T he third class, at 8 kreuzer, is the most numerous; and the first, at 17, the least
so, as it contains only one hundred laborers.
“ During the time o f smelting, the furnaces are cleansed twice a week. It takes a
single workman a whole night to clean one furnace, and for this he receives four to five
gilders, ($ 2 00 to $ 2 50.) From this high pay, in comparison with the 8 to 17 kreuzer,
for eight hours’ labor in the shafts, we can judge the nature o f the work and its con
sequences.
44 T o marry, is only permitted to laborers o f the first class, a permission which is almost
Journal o f M ining and M anufactures .
1 09
always made use of. The brides usually bring with them a bit of land, and a few cows,
as dowry, which contributes to the support o f the family, as the 17 kreuzer alone are of
course not sufficient. They live chiefly on a milk diet, as this is both the cheapest and
most wholesome against the influence o f the quicksilver. The emaciation o f the father
does not seem to be inherited by the children ; at least I saw among them no very ill-look
ing ones. The women have also a very healthy appearance, being quite handsome. But
the workmen, on the other hand, all look very ill, and can be told from other men at the
first glance. Their cheeks are all fallen in, their complexion sickly and yellow, and some
times a yellow-green— their gate tottering— and their hands tremble ; from this they never
recover.”
M E T A L P L A T E FOR S H E A T H IN G SH IPS.
PATENT GRANTED TO GEORGE FREDERICK MUNTZ, ESQ., M. P-, FOR AN IMPROVED MANUFACTURE
OF METAL PLATES FOR SHEATHING THE BOTTOMS OF SHIPS OR OTHER VESSELS.
This invention relates to the sheathing metal described in the specification of a patent
granted to the present patentee, October 22, 1832, which metal is composed o f copper and
zinc, in such proportions, that, whilst the copper is to a considerable extent preserved, suf
ficient oxidation is produced, by the action o f the sea-water on the metal, to keep the
ship’s bottom clean ; 60 parts o f copper are used in this mixture to 40 parts o f zinc ; and
it has been found that this proportion o f copper could not be reduced without exposing the
alloy to injury, from the zinc being separately acted on.
The present improvements con
sist in combining a suitable metal or metals with the copper and zinc, so that the mixture
may contain a less proportion o f copper than that above named ; and at the same time
a sufficient degree o f oxidation may be produced, and a separate action on the zinc pre
vented.
The patentee describes an alloy o f copper and zinc with another metal, which he has
found to possess the same power o f oxidation as the metal described in his former specifi
cation, and yet with an important reduction in the quantity o f copper employed, and con
sequently in the cost o f producing the metal.
The alloy consists o f 56 parts copper, 4 0 f
parts o f zinc, and 3^ o f lead ; and, in making the alloy, the patentee uses an additional
quantity o f zinc, on account o f the loss o f that material which occurs during the operation,
so as to obtain an alloy containing the different metals in the above proportions. The
lead is said to act a very important part in the alloy, as, without it, the combination o f 56
parts o f copper with 40| o f zinc, would not produce an alloy which would oxidize suffi
ciently to keep the ship’s bottom clean.
The alloy, after being cast into ingots, is rolled
into sheets (by preference, at a red heat,) which are then to be annealed ; and, if desired,
the sheets may be cleaned with a mixture o f sulphuric and nitric acids, properly diluted.
The patentee does not confine himself strictly to the above proportions, for the quantity o f
copper may be increased (which will, however, increase the cost o f the sheathing metal,)
or it may be decreased to a slight extent ; but it must not be reduced to 50 per cent o f the
alloy produced. Although lead is mentioned in the above description, any other suitable
metal may be used in place o f it, but not with equal advantage.
M A N U F A C T U R E OF W H IS K E Y F R O M C O R N IN OHIO.
The Courier, o f Batavia, has an interesting article in relation to the amount o f flour
and whiskey made in Clermont county, and the amount o f corn and wheat consumed in
their manufacture, the cost, & c. In the county, it states there are nine distilleries in ac
tive operation, consuming about twenty-seven hundred and fifty bushels o f corn per day !
The average price at which this corn W as purchased, during the past year, may be set
down at 25 cents per bushel. T he cost o f the daily consumption of corn at these distille
ries would be a trifle less, than six hundred dollars, or one hundred and eighty-one thou
sand dollars per yea r!
The whiskey manufactured at these establishments amounts to about ten thousand gal
lons per day, or three million gallons per year! the value o f which, at 18 cents per gallon—
which has been, perhaps, about the average price for a year past— would amount to the
sum o f five hundred and forty thousand dollars.
These establishments feed and fatten, in the course o f a year, not less than thirty thou
sand hogs, averaging 250 pounds each, which, at four dollars per hundred, would amount
to three hundred thousand dollars.
The consumption o f wheat, at these establishments, is set down at about one hundred
Journal o f M ining and M anufactures .
no
and fifty thousand bushels per annum, making about thirty thousand barrels o f flour yearly.
In order to give a clearer conception o f the business these immense establishments carry
on, both as regards the labor performed and the money expended, a few of the leading
items that enter into the account current o f these nine manufactories is thus presented:—
Corn, 725,000 busheis at 25 cents................................................... $181,000
W heat, 150,000 bushels at 75 cents..............................................
37,500
Hogs, 30,000, at $ 3 ...........................................................................
90,000
Whiskey barrels, 75,000, at $ 1 ......................................................
75,000
Flour barrels, 30,000, at 35 cents...................................................
10,000
Total.....................................................................................
$393,500
T he cash realized may be set down in round numbers as follows:—
For W hiskey.......................................................................................
Flour.............................................................................................
Pork.....................................................................
$540,000
105,000
300,000
T otal.....................................................................................
$945,000
It is not claimed that accuracy is arrived at in the above statement, but that it approxi
mates the truth. The cost o f hands, fuel, & c., & c., is not included above; but, allowing
one-third « f the product for the use o f capital, land, machinery, and profit, and valuing
labor at 50 cents per day, the result would show that about four thousand persons are daily
employed, in some way or other, immediately and remotely, with the business created by
the nine distilleries o f this county.
It is worthy o f remark, says the Courier, that with the immense quantity o f liquor manu
factured in Clermont county, there is not a licensed retailer o f spirits within its borders.
P A S S A IC M IN IN G C O M P A N Y .
One o f the editors o f the American “ Mining Journal, and Railroad Gazette,” recently
visited the works o f this company, in N ew Jersey, near the city o f N ew York. This
company, it appears from the Journal, are “ working on the same ridge, and near the old
Schuyler mines o f the N ew Jersey company. The Passaic mine was worked to consid
erable extent before the Revolutionary war, and from appearances, we are led to suppose,
with no inconsiderable success. T he water level was driven nine hundred feet through
the solid rock, and several shafts were sunk, but the prosecution o f the work was aban
doned on the breaking out o f the war.
The present company proceeded to work with
an ample capital in the beginning o f the month o f August o f the year 1847, and have,
since that time, cleared out the old works, and erected the proper buildings and ma
chinery for mining. T he steam-engine is o f the kind called the “ beam-engine,” o f forty
horse-power, with flue boilers, and works cast iron lifting-pumps nine inches in diameter.
T h e building enclosing the works, is sixty feet square, and there is also a blacksmithshop, office, etc., on the ground, the whole being surrounded by a fence-wall twelve feet
in height.
The main shaft is heavily timbered with white oak, both for frame-work and
0 planking.
T he indications below, so far as we were enabled to judge, are o f a very sat
isfactory character; much ore, containing a low per centage of copper, having been left by
the former miners after it had been raised. The gentlemen interested in this mine, are
making large outlays, with evident good management, and a thorough knowledge o f the
business in which they are engaged.”
N E W LOOM F O R T H E M A N U F A C T U R E OF C O T T O N .
Mr. Edward Norfolk, o f Salem, Mass., has invented a loom, simple in its mechanism,
noiseless in its operation, and capable, he says, o f causing a saving o f 15 per cent in the
manufacture o f cotton. The motion o f the shuttle is derived directly from the lathe with
a positive accelerated motion, and moves, therefore, directly at the speed o f the lathe
without noise. A girl can tend six o f these lathes as easily as four o f the common move
ment.
Ill
Journal o f M ining and M anufactures .
G R Y L L ’S S T A T IS T IC S O F C O PPER ORES.
T he following statement o f copper ores sold from each mine, British and Foreign, is
derived from Gryll’s Annual Mining Sheet, from June 30th, 1646, to June 30th, 1847:—
Minks, &c.
Agar, W heal.......................................
Alfred C onsols...................................
Andrew, W heal, and Nanjiles........
Anna, W heal......................................
Barrier.................................................
Bedford United M ines......................
Botallack.............................................
Brewer, W heal...................................
Bucketts, W heal................................
Buller, W heal.....................................
Busy, W heal.......................................
Camborne Vean.................................
Cam Brea Mines................................
Cam Perran........................................
Charlestown United Mines..............
Clifford, W heal...................................
Comfort, W heal..................................
Condurrow..........................................
Consolidated Mines...........................
Cook’s K itch en.................................
Copper House Slag............................
Creeg Braws.......................................
Dolcoath..............................................
East W heal Crofty............................
East P ool.............................................
East Relistian....................................
East Seton..........................................
Ellen, W heal......................................
Fowey Consols...................................
Friendship, W heal............................
Godolphin............................................
Gorland, W heal..................................
Grambler and St. Aubyn..................
Hallenbeagle.......................................
Hanson Mines...................................
Harriet, W heal..................................
Harvey’s Ore......................................
Holmbush............................................
Jane, W heal.......................................
Jewell, W heal....................................
Kayle, W heal......................................
Lanivet Consols..................................
Levant..................................................
Maiden, W heal...................................
Maria, Fanny, and Josiah, W ls......
Mark Valley........................................
North W heal Basset..........................
North Downs......................................
North P ool..........................................
North Roskear....................................
Par Consols.........................................
Penstruthal..........................................
Perran St. George.............................
Poldice.................................................
Prosper and Friendship, W ls...........
CORNWALL.
Ore front
each mine.
21 c i o t s .
202
791
383
48
554
1,244
181
379
672
185
152
3,330
8,465
174
184
277
759
990
9,659
87
158
1,033
1,990
3,674
560
51
162
643
6,510
2,576
332
56
1,310
392
245
774
142
1,125
75
810
157
1,094
1.013
297
14,195
680
432
314
961
5,552
5,489
44
1,897
1,996
3,037
Amount
in money.
£
s.
d.
974
3,709
2,046
90
2,579
7,597
1,059
972
3254
580
441
16,908
52,809
776
3,462
1,370
2,821
3,864
58,276
240
306
4,984
9,777
21,153
2,234
291
951
3,862
33,693
20,435
1,353
284
6,929
1,261
1,165
3,162
230
6,972
216
3,934
909
5,718
7,849
1,284
90,224
2,272
2,125
1,871
4,336
32,488
34,523
325
8,601
8,414
14,697
19
11
15
2
15
0
7
12
9
13
4
5
8
7
10
19
11
17
17
1
18
18
2
12
11
11
6
4
2
8
4
2
0
8
2
12
11
11
3
9
0
5
9
8
10
16
6
12
15
9
9
19
12
11
2
6
0
0
0
0
0
6
0
0
6
0
6
6
0
6
6
0
6
0
0
0
0
6
6
0
6
6
6
0
6
0
0
0
6
6
0
0
6
0
6
0
6
6
6
6
0
6
0
0
6
0
6
0
0
0
Price
,per 21 cwt.
£ s. d.
4 16
4 14
5 5
1 17
4 13
6 2
5 17
2 11
4 10
3 2
2 18
5 1
6 5
4 9
18 16
4 19
3 14
3 18
6 0
2 15
1 19
4 16
4 18
5 15
4 0
5 14
5 17
6 0
5 3
7 18
4 1
5 1
5 6
3 4
4 15
4 1
1 12
6 4
2 17
4 17
5 16
5 5
7 15
4 6
6 7
3 7
4 18
5 19
4 10
5 17
6 6
7 8
4 10
4 4
4 17
6
0
6
6
0
0
0
6
0
G
6
6
0
0
6
0
6
0
6
0
0
6
6
0
0
0
6
0
6
6
6
6
0
6
0
6
6
0
6
0
0
6
0
6
0
0
6
0
6
0
0
0
6
6
0
112
Journal o f M ining and Manufactures.
TABLE—CONTINUED.
Providence Mines..............
Redruth Consols................
Rodney, W heal.................
Ruby, W heal......................
Seton, W heal......................
Sisters, W heal....................
South W heal Basset.........
South Caradon....................
South W heal Francis.........
South Roskear....................
South Tolgus......................
South T ow an......................
St. Agnes Consols..............
St. Andrew, W heal...........
Sundry small mines...........
Tincroft................................
T ing Tang Consols............
Treleigh Consols................
Tremayne, W heal..............
Trenow Consols..................
Trenwith, W heal...............
Tresavean............................ ........... f.
Trethellan............................
Tretoil...................................
Treviskey.............................
United Hills.........................
United M ines.......................
Virgin, W heal......................
Vyvyan, W heal...\.............
Wellington M ines..............
W est Basset.........................
West Caradon.................... .
W est Fowey Consols..........
W est Wheal Jewell.............
West W heal Treasury.......
West Trethellan................. .
Williams’s East Downs......
162
109
707
101
5,183
1,088
2,137
4,282
1,689
996
106
715
473
37
750
5,096
511
2,443
968
985
49
5,178
1,334
607
1,569
3,497
11,696
954
268
91
51
4,250
174
1,143
398
321
59
480 9
670 3
2,902 14
844 15
33,544 8
7,119 10
10,905 19
27,890 2
20,121 5
5,357 7
578 19
2,840 14
1,289 18
28 13
4,077 8
22,522 15
2,123 16
15,886 19
5.243 15
5,757 16
309 1
21,493 13
4,525 19
2,533 10
11,887 3
14,578 15
57,062 11
4,813 12
950 10
608 18
282 8
30,206 0
854 7
4,369 3
2,048 5
1,054 12
292 16
2 19
6 3
4 2
8 7
6 9
6 11
5 2
6 10
11 18
5 7
5 9
3 19
2 14
0 15
5 8
4 8
4 3
6 10
5 8
5 17
6 6
4 3
3 8
4 3
7 11
4 3
4 17
5 1
3 11
6 14
5 10
7 2
4 18
3 16
5 3
3 5
4 19
0
6
0
0
6
6
6
6
0
6
0
0
6
6
6
6
0
0
6
6
0
0
0
6
0
6
0
6
6
0
6
0
0
0
6
6
0
6
0
0
0
6
0
0
6
6
6
0
6
6
6
6
6
0
0
6
0
0
0
0
6
6
6
6
0
0
0
6
0
0
6
0
6
6
WALES.
Australia..............................
Bally murtagh........................
Beerhaven.............................
Burra Burra..........................
Chili.......................................
C obre.....................................
Copiapo.................................
Cuba.......................................
Cronebane............................
Holyford................................
Kanmantoo...........................
Kapunda................................
K a w -a w ................................
Knockm ahon.......................
Lackamore.............................
Llandidno..............................
Montacute.............................
New Zealand....................... .
Pennsylvania.........................
Recompensa ...................................
Santiago................................
Sundry small mines.............
T igro n y .................................
Victoria .............................................
256
2,012
6,025
2,900
6,800
13,731
838
6,044
1,383
298
295
1,395
176
4,635
84
434
265
137
305
407
3,336
901
324
303
4,231
6,290
44,939
53,044
170,074
163,853
17,935
71,356
6,170
6,130
4,338
27,674
1,718
29,402
774
2,378
4,605
1,633
2,670
1,596
48,305
5,300
1,483
457
17
9
9
14
8
6
10
18
17
18
19
17
15
9
4
19
19
9
3
13
14
3
8
5
6
0
6
0
6
0
6
0
6
0
6
6
0
0
6
6
6
0
6
0
0
6
6
0
'
16
3
7
18
25
11
21
11
4
20
14
19
9
6
9
5
17
11
8
3
14
5
3
1
10
2
9
6
0
18
8
16
9
11
14
17
15
6
6
0
0
0
6
0
0
0
6
0
0
6
7 0
4 6
9
7
18
15
18
9
17
13
10
6
6
6
0
6
6
6
0
0
Journal o f M ining and M anufactures .
113
B R IT IS H N O R T H A M E R IC A N M IN IN G C O M P A N Y .
T he silver mine o f the British North American Mining Company, known as Colonel
Prince’s Location, is attracting considerable notice at present, in consequence o f the ascer
tained extent o f the vein, and the exceeding richness o f the ore.
The tl American M i
ning Journal” states, on what is deemed good authority, that “ the vein has been distinctly
traced for more than three miles on the north shore o f Lake Superior, opposite Spar
Island; and that the metalliferous portion is from three to five feet in width. The cap
tain o f the mine has sunk a shaft into the silver-bearing portion several feet, with increased
richness o f the ore as he descended ; and it would really seem, from the developments al
ready made, that the mine o f this company is the richest silver mine in the world. The
depth o f the vein cannot, o f course, be determined; but i f the experience o f those who have
worked silver mines elsewhere can have any application to this mine, the extent of its
wealth cannot well be overrated.
W e have just seen a number o f specimens o f ore taken from this mine, which are said
to be a fair average o f several barrels recently forwarded to the office o f the company, in
Montreal. They are very rich, containing, we should judge, near 12 per cent silver.
W e also saw a bar o f pure silver weighing about five pounds, smelted from the ore, and
abotfc forty pounds o f the ore, which had been roasted and pulverized preparatory to smelt
ing. There is a large force now at work on the mine, and it is the intention of this com
pany to have one hundred to ii3 o f ore ready for shipment on the opening o f navigation in
the spring.
A considerable quantity is now on its way to Montreal, where it is daily ex
pected. The annual report o f this company was published in the ninth number o f the
“ Mining Journal.”
U SE FU L T A B L E S O F D R Y M E A SU R E S.
The following tables o f dry measures, which are selected from the Prairie Farmer, arc
worthy attention. They will be found sufficiently correct for all practical purposes. The
first table is cubic boxes, and the first column o f inches and decimals of inches are the
cube root (or sides o f the boxes) o f the cubic inches contained in each box, which is the
second column o f inches, & c. The second table is oblong boxes, and the first two col
umns o f inches are the width and length o f the bottom, and the third column o f inches,
& c., are the height o f the boxes. As the inches on most measures o f length are divided
into eighths, & c., the decimals o f inches in the tables can be reduced into 8ths, 16ths,
and lOOths, if wanted. The rule for laying out boxes is thus:— Divide the cubic inches
in the measure or box wanted by the area o f the bottom, and the quotient will be the
height. Thu3 for a peck, as in the table, 8, multiplied by 9, is equal to 72 ; 537.6, divid
ed by 72, is equal to 7.466; .466, multiplied by 32, equals almost 15-32 o f an inch, equal
to 7 and 15-32 inches high, which is near enough for common use ; and so o f all the rest.
FIRST TABLE, OF CUBIC BOXES.
In d ies.
1. box 2.0327 eq’ i
4C
»(
|(
«l
it
«
<<
«l
it
*4
it
i(
ii
3.2268
4.0655
6 4537
8.1311
10.2445
12.9074
16.262
18.611
20.480
22.070
23.454
24.691
25.8148
26.848
27.808
Ct
tl
(l
(l
(<
ii
(C
tc
ii
a
ii
(i
(
t
il
“
V O L . X V I I I . ----- jNTO. I .
SECOND TABLE, OF OBLONG BOXES.
Cubic inInches.
Inches.
to 1 gill, eq’l to
8.4 A box 2 by 3 and 1.40 high, is eq’l to 1 bush.
tt
Cl
it
1 p in t ,
33.6
3
4
2.80
1 pint.
it
67.2
3.36
4 ii 5
1 qrt.
1 quart, it
it
(C
6 “ 8
268.8
5.60
“
Jpk.
4 peck,
tc
ii
it
537.6
1 peck,
8
9
7.466
1 pk.
tl
<<
it
11
1075.2
10
£ b u -h.,
0.747
J bush.
<<
it
2150.4
13 “ 15
1
“
11.028
t
“
it
ii
13.44
4300.8
16 ii 20
2 “
2 “
ii
ii
ii
6451.2
18
24
14.81
3 “
3 “
it
li 20 “ 28
8601.6
16.36
4 “
4 “
ii
li
«<
20
32
16.80
10752.0
5 “
5 “
it
it 22 “ 32
18.327
6 “
12902.4
6 “
li
ii
36
15052.8
22
19.003
7 “
7 “
it
a
it
37
20.238
17203.2
23
8
“
8 “
a
tc
24 U 38
21.221
19353.6
9 “
9 “
ii
li
22.40
24 Cl 40
10 “
21504.0
10 “
8
Journal o f M ining and M anufactures.
114
S C H N E B L Y ’S R O T A R Y S T E A M -E N G IN E .
This newly invented steam-engine possesses, as we learn from experienced engineers,
the following advantages over the ordinary engine:—
1. The Rotary motion is original and complete, without any waste o f power or possi
bility o f interruption, like the “ stopping on the centre,” well known to all who work with
steam.
2. This engine occupies not more than one-third the room required by the old ones.
3. It is less than half the weight o f an ordinary engine of equal power— a vital con
sideration in steamboats, on railroads, &c.
4. It requires much less fuel— a fact o f great importance, in view especially o f the rapid
extension and increase o f Ocean Steam Navigation.
5. It costs considerably less money than any other engine o f equal capacity.
This last is a circumstance quite adverse to what is usual. Generally, when a machine
is invented to save labor or fuel, or to increase power, it must encounter the drawbacks o f
increased cost. Manufacturers anu operators o f machinery are weary of looking at in
ventions which promise to save them so many hundred dollars per year, but require an
immediate outlay o f thousands to effect i t ; but here is an invention which economizes not
only in future, but first cost, giving treble power from the same weight of metal and on
the same area o f space, while you have less to pay for it than for any other o f equal force.
IM P R O V E M E N T S IN T H E S C R E W -W IN C H .
The London Mining Journal furnishes a description o f this useful tool, which has just
• been registered by Messrs. Smith and English, o f Princes-street, Leicester-square, which,
while it possesses all the powers and capabilities o f the old screw-handle screw-winch,
can be applied in a considerably less time, is equally effective, and much more econom
ical.
The fixed jaw and handle is the same as usual, only the latter has a serrated rack
on its upper surface. The moveable jaw has a corresponding rack in the upper face o f
the slot, and is furnished at the bottom with a pin, which makes a quarter revolution;
having on one portion o f its circumference a flat surface, and worked by a trigger.
W hen
this flat surface is uppermost, the jaw slides easily; but, on depressing the trigger, the
cylindrical face o f the pin bites against the handle, and fixes the jaw by the aid of the two
racks.
It works with the greatest rapidity.
C O PPE R M IN E S OF CUBA.
W e learn from a late London journal, that a company is in course o f formation at
Madrid, with the object o f working some copper mines in Cuba.
It demands that it
should have, during a period o f forty years, the privilege of importing into Spain copper
ore free o f duty, and then, again, the same privilege o f exporting abroad.
It also demands
that a duty should be imposed on all other companies exporting from Cuba.
This matter
had been referred by the government to the royal council, by whom it was decided, with
a majority o f eight votes to seven, that the privilege o f free importation from Cuba should
be granted, but for twenty-five years only.
Senor Burgos, an influential member o f the
council, has also a considerable interest in the company.
A N A M E R IC A N C H IN A W A R E M A N U F A C T O R Y .
W e learn from the Philadelphia Inquirer that a gentleman named Ridgway, from
Staffordshire, England, has established a manufactory o f china and queensware, on the
Big Sandy river, in Western Virginia, within a mile and a half o f the Ohio river. This
manufactory is already the nucleus o f a new town, which is rapidly rising around it; while
further to the eastward, and especially in Tazewell, Cabell, and Logan counties, extensive
settlements o f farms and vineyards are also in progress. There are valuable mines of
bituminous and cannel coal in the same region, with salt, iron ore, gypsum, lead, and
limestone, in abundance.
Journal o f M ining and Manufactures.
115
M E T A L S A N D O R E S O F -A M E R IC A .
W e find this brief statement o f metals, etc., in a late number o f the “ American Mining
J o u rn a l—
At the last meeting o f the Association o f American Geologists and Naturalists, Dr. T .
C. Jackson, the president o f the society, in an essay on the subject, explained the state in
which the metals and ores o f America are found.
G old, nearly pure. The author explained the different methods o f washing and sepa
rating the metals in the United States and Brazil, and that the greatest gold deposit in the
world is in the eastern slope o f the Oural mountains.
Silver, in the pure or native state, is found in many places, but more generally in
combination, as with copper, lead, zinc, etc. Native silver and native copper, are occa
sionally found in the same specimen. Such is the case with the metals as they occur in
the Lake Superior copper.
Native Copper occurs in the igneous rocks, as the basalt, greenstone, amygdaloid, etc.
T in has not yet been found in quantities which justify the attempt at working it in the
United States. The only known localities are in New Hampshire.
L ead, as an ore, is next in value to copper. It is generally found in combination with
sulphur, constituting the galena, or sulphuret o f lead. In the Western States, the lead is
nearly a pure sulphuret, but often contains a little silver, amounting to £ per cent. Five
to seven pounds o f silver have occasionally been obtained from a ton o f lead ore.
IM P R O V E M E N T IN S M E L T IN G COPPER.
It is stated in the London Mining Journal, that a patent has been obtained for a pro
cess o f smelting copper ores, whether consisting o f the oxides, sulphurets, or carbonates,
on a principle entirely new, and by which pure merchantable copper can be produced at a
cost o f .£5 per ton.
The trials of methods now in operation at Swansea, Dartmoor, etc., and the success which
appears to have followed Mr. Bankart’s experiments, render the present invention o f great
interest to every one at all connected with the copper trade; and we shall endeavor to
give the fullest and most clear account o f the process, that the materials with which we
may be furnished will enable us to do.
A N E W M IN E R A L — S U L P IIA T O -C H L O R ID O F COPPER.
Professor Connel remarks amongst some minerals which were lately put into his hands
by Mr. Brooke for chemical examination, there was one which he found to consist o f sul
phuric acid, chlorine, copper, and a little water. Although he had not enough material to
determine the proportions o f the constituents, there can be no doubt that it consists o f sul
phate and chlorid o f copper, with a little water. It occurs in small but beautiful fibrous
crystals ; which, according to Mr. Brooke, are hexagonal prisms, having the angles re
placed, and thus belong to the rhombohedral system. Their color is a fine blue— pale
when the fibres are delicate, but much deeper where they become thicker. Lustre, vit
reous— translucency, considerable— locality, Cornwall. T he mineral is associated with
arseniate o f copper. T en specimens are at present known ; one is in the British Museum.
R E L A T IV E W E IG H T OF M E TA L S .
T he following table comprises a list o f the metals generally known, with their relative
weight, as compared with that o f water, which is allowed to weigh one thousand ounces
per cubic foot:—
Platina.....................
Gold.........................
Mercury..................
Lead.........................
22,000
19,000
13,000
11,352
Silver.......................
10,484 Cast iron...................
Copper....................
8,788 Zinc............................
Brass...........................
3,397Tin..............................
Wrought iron.........
7,778 Antimony..................
7,208
7,190
8,091
6,700
116
M ercantile M iscellanies .
RECIPE F O R D Y E IN G BLU E A N D G R E E N .
W e copy the following method for dyeing blue and green from the <£ Southern Cultiva
tor,” which assures us that there is no imposition in the plan, and that any person follow
ing it will find it to prove entirely satisfactory. It is, moreover, a cheap and simple
method:—
Take one pound o f pounded logwood, boil it in a sufficient quantity o f water until all
the substance is out o f it, then take about half a gallon o f the liquor and dissolve one
ounce o f verdigris, and half an ounce o f alum in it, boil your yarn in the logwood water
one hour, stirring it and keeping it loose. Take out your yarn, mix the half gallon that
contains the verdigris and alum, then put your yarn into the mixture, and boil it four
hours, stirring and keeping it loose all the time, and taking it out every hour to give it air,
after which dry it, then boil it in soap and wrater, and it is done. The above will dye six
pounds o f cotton yarn an elegant deep blue: after which put in as much yarn into the
same liquor, and boil it three hours, stirring as above, and you will have a good pale blue,
or boil hickory bark in your liquor, and you will have a beautiful green.
MERCANTILE
MISCELLANIES.
P O L IT IC S A N D P O L IT IC A L E C O N O M Y .
W e have heretofore published in the pages o f the Merchants’ Magazine, several ex
tracts from Mr. Parker’s celebrated “ Sermon o f Merchants,” which we have reason to
believe have been well received by our readers generally. The Pulpit o f to-day, should
be made the medium o f enforcing, freely and fearlessly, social reforms ; and if the clergy
expect to retain their power o f doing good, or wish to secure the approbation o f their own
consciences, and the veneration and esteem o f honest, noble-minded men, they will
riot timidly withhold their highest convictions o f truth and duty.
The time when
“ fig-leaved” dogmas apparently satisfied the slumbering wants o f men and women, is fast
passing away, and they are beginning to aspire after a higher and more practical, tangible
form o f godliness. The Pulpit o f to-day, must take up the golden rule o f the Gospel, and ap
ply its catholic spirit and teachings to the peculiar circumstances o f the times.
The States
man in the Legislative Chamber, the Merchant in his Counting-House, or on ’Change, the
Mechanic in his work-shop, and the Farmer in the field, must become high priests in the
consecrated Temple o f social, political, and commercial reform. W ere this the place, we
should be glad to extend our remarks, suggested by the publication o f a discourse deliv
ered at an ordination in Newburyport, by the Rev. W illiam Henry Changing, entitled
the “ Gospel o f T o-D ay
in which the preacher takes a broad view o f the ** converging
tendencies o f our age,” rapidly, but comprehensively viewing the various forms o f their de
velopment. The discourse, we understand, was listened to with intense interest ; and
we trust that it will find many earnest readers, as we feel quite sure that no true and
generous-minded man can resist the force and influence o f the pure truths and lofty elo
quence which pervades its every page and paragraph. W e shall be pardoned, we trust,
for introducing in this place a brief extract, the most appropriate for those o f our ,£ parish”
o f merchants and statesmen who make legislation and political economy their study.
Liberalism is a movement so profound in its principle, so universal in its scope, that it
would be profanation to compare with it the aristocratical republicanism o f ancient days,
or the middle ages. Its idea is the inalienable rights o f man, as m an; it reveres the sacred
ness o f persons. Bom in the Protestant recognition o f the freedom due to individual con
science, nurtured by Christian views o f duty and destiny, it has grown with the growth,
and strengthened with the strength, o f modem society, till its clear voice is heard every
where, demanding that each nation shall be a congress o f kings, where all members o f
the state are honored as sovereigns. How the conviction, that government is the em
bodiment o f the collective wisdom o f the people, has gone forth from the American and
Mercantile M iscellanies .
117
French revolutions, to shatter and sweep away the strong-holds o f privilege ! Autocrats
and monarchs make ready to come down from their toppling eminences, as they hear
afar the earthquake tread o f the rising millions. “ Constitution!” “ Trial by Jury!”
“ Free presses!” “ Suffrage !” “ Representation !” these are the mighty words,at whose
utterance phantom-forms o f old abuses fold their robes o f darkness round them and pre
pare for flight, while young faces o f hope smile out from clouds made radiant by the good
time coming. The Chartist plants his Saxon foot upon the floor o f the British Parlia
ment, and the yoke o f the Norman baron is broken ; and, from the heaps o f blood-stained
ashes where she sits in chains, Poland shall yet arise, and, putting o ff her weeds o f mourn
ing, welcome home her scattered orphans. Very slow, but very sure, draws nearer the
day o f Jubilee, when every dispossessed hireling shall reclaim his birthright. The law of
liberty must rule the world. But who so well as the citizen o f this republic can tell the
dangers and temptations o f democracy? Notoriously, the strongest passion trained under
our institutions, is a conceited self-love. W e are a restless, jealous, aspiring, ostentatious,
opinionated people. A jostling crowd, we rush to every open door o f opportunity, all
eager for the first chance, in honor preferring ourselves. Rude familiarity, or affected
exclusiveness, is put on in place o f respectful courtesy. Each measures himself on his
stilted pretensions, as his fellow’s equal. W e choose for legislators, not the wise and up
right, whom worth makes modest, but the pliant demagogue, who can most easily be
bribed to serve our interests; and the fickle multitude, in its rush for emolument and
party power, tramples on the sanctity o f the law.
T he reverent desire o f sanctions for order, finds its expression in Legitimacy , which
now, throughout Europe, props its tottering claims by the failures o f this professedly free
nation to fulfil its boasts. Each Sabbath-day, myriads o f serfs ask benedictions on ty
rants, as their “ Fathers on Earth,” while far away in the mines o f Siberia, the exile ut
ters his dying malediction beneath the knout; and young heads, grown white in the
dungeons o f Spielberg, are lifted to gaze through grates upon the sky, as the prayer is
whispered, “ How long! 0 Lord, how long!” Yet who is insensible to the truth o f the
doctrine, which even radicals are brought by experience to acknowledge, that govern
ment in its very essence is Divine ? W hat right can there be in the universe, to rule, un
derived from Supreme justice? Can imagination form a conception o f hell so vivid as
that which the infuriated recklessness o f a mob actually presents?
Is it not clear as
the day, that true liberty is found only in obedience to law? And is there any one 60
dead to the noblest feelings o f humanity, as not to have experienced the deep joy of
loyal service? The foundations o f legitimacy, in the principles of human nature and the
system o f Providence, are too firm ever to be shaken. In every heart there is an in
stinctive longing for leaders worthy o f chivalric devotedness. The Divine plan o f soci
ety is evidently that o f honorable distinctions, not o f levelling equality. And the very
reason for ridding earth o f the decrepit hereditary executives, and the puppet-show aris
tocracies o f the past, is, that the time has come when God’s delegated rulers—his mon
archs animated by genius, his nobles entitled by goodness, step forward to take the 6eats
o f power, which shadows have too long usurped. More and more does each day make
it apparent that the only true warrant o f authority, is usefulness. Very strange, grotesque,
even, are the symbols o f the change which this most obvious, yet most forgotten, truth is
working. The old trappings o f rank are kept as are show-dresses in a theatre or carnival,
but the wearer varies with the hour. T he bankrupt patrician's blood is merged by mar
riage in the grandchild o f the rich plebeian; and the peaceful weaver, who clothes a peo
ple with his cottons, walks in state among the armor-suits o f buried knights who once
set their mail-clad heels upon the necks o f peasants. Meanwhile, the transfer o f power
goes on, from the idler to the worker, from the spendthrift to the producer. The strong
hand o f industry plays with the bauble o f a sceptre, which a grasp would crush, because
it is still a convenient token o f influence ; but that strong hand, in fact, guides the sec
retary’s pen and the marshal’s baton. The kings behind the thrones o f the old world,
are bankers; and a vote o f the broker’s board gives its cue to the ministerial budget.
Even in this popular government, the forecast o f a shrewd merchant or monopolizing
manufacturer suggests the plan, which, commended by eloquence to the scheming fancy
o f the business world, determines at length, in legislative halls, the measures, character,
fate, o f the republic. In a word, who does not know, that, in the process o f supplanting
m ock power, feigned legitimacy by real legitimacy, money is now the ruler over men ?
It is the era o f Political Economy. Thanks, however, to the rapid developments of
civilization, this era is on the wane. W e are in the last phasis o f free competition ; and
joint-stock corporations begin to swallow up with rapacious maw those who have fattened
upon respectable swindling, ironically designated commercial speculation. Wonderful
a g e ! when pufls and advertising pave the way to public confidence ; when, by the jug
Mercantile M iscellanies.
118
glery o f swift exchange, he who yesterday was penniless, is to-morrow a millionaire ;
when the bankrupt who meets but a tenth o f his obligations, is admired as prudent, while
the honest trader, who pays all his debts, is pitied for ruinous improvidence ; when the
“ whole duty o f man” resolves itself into the ingenious rule o f keeping up appearances.
But a truth, never again to be forgotten, has this age o f steamboats, railroads, magnetic
telegraphs, manufactories, and chemistry applied to agriculture, taught; even this— that
the appropriate sphere o f the politician, is the production, distribution, and expenditure o f
wealth. The most trusted statesman o f to-day, is the man o f largest, soundest, quickest
business judgment. Even now, the legislative orator is chiefly valuable for his skill in ex
plaining to popular apprehension the bearings o f reports, in which hard-working commit
tees condense the results o f statistical tables, and the testimony of practical men. Is the
time distant, when the dilatory and expensive system o f filtering the experience o f fann
ers, mechanics, operatives, through the meshes o f legal quibbles, will resolve itself into
some simpler mode o f calling together in council the industrials o f the land ? By com
mon consent, all civilized states are coming to acknowledge— the most civilized first—
that the one problem o f politics, strictly so called, is, in our day, the Organization o f In
dustry. He is a superfluous legislator who cannot throw some light upon that question.
And it rapidly becomes more evident, that if the theorists o f the nations cannot answer
the Sphinx’s riddle, “ W hy does the poverty o f the masses grow with the accumulation
o f riches by the few ?” the people themselves will practically solve it, by a re-distribution
o f landed property, and a new sliding-scale o f wages, graduated according to labor and
skill, as well as capital; and, above all, a system o f equitable commerce, whereby the
mere go-between will not absorb both the worker’s gains and the consumer’s means,
while adulterating the article o f transfer. Many most pregnant lessons o f wisdom has this
era been teaching, to those who will listen, by its failures and frauds, monopolies and repu
diations, its men made cheap, and bread made dear; its iron-limbed, fire-fed monsters,
battling with the muscles and nerves o f hungry human beings ; its laborers underbid by
each other in the market for a master; its children privileged to toil for starving parents,
who seek in vain for honest employment. And among these lessons, stands this, as A l
pha and Omega o f social prudence, that man is more than a money-making machine,
and though bound to nature by his physical frame, he is yet more bound to his race by
kindly affections, and to the spiritual world by reason and conscience. Y e s! the final
word o f Political Economy* is, that the law o f “ supply and demand” is a delusive guide,
even a devilish incantation, unless fulfilled and interpreted by the two central laws o f Hu
manity and o f Heaven, “ Thou shalt love thv neighbor as t h y s e l f “ Thou shalt love the
Lord thy God with all thy heart, and mind, and strength.”
T H E C O M M E R C IA L IN S T IT U T E , O F C IN C IN N A T I.
W e know o f no commercial school in this country, in which mercantile law is taught
as a branch o f commercial education, except the institution o f Messrs. Gundry and Bacon,
at Cincinnati, the prospectus o f which lies before us.
In the law school o f Harvard University, and that o f Yale College, there is a distinct
Mercantile Department, or course o f lectures on Commercial Law, for the benefit o f those
who intend to become merchants.
There is certainly the same, or equal propriety, and
the same utility, in introducing a legal department into a commercial school, as in teach
ing commercial jurisprudence in a law school.
This novel, as well as excellent feature o f Messrs. Gundry and Bacon’s establishment,
is but one o f many evidences afforded by their prospectus o f their large and enlightened
views o f the true end and aim o f mercantile education. Their entire system is compre
hensive.
With a thorough course in penmanship as the first requisite, (if not higher than
all others, at least prior— a pre-requisite,) their plan embraces Book-keeping by Double
Entry, Commercial Calculations, Commercial Correspondence, and Commercial Law.
In
their instructions upon commercial law, Mr. Gundry, who has charge o f the department,
follows, we perceive, the excellent method o f Smith, in his Compendium o f Commercial
Law, treating the subject under the heads o f the Persons, Property, Contracts, and Rem e
dies, o f the Mercantile Relation.
W e know o f no better text-book that could be used
than this excellent work, a new American edition o f which, by the way, has just been
Mercantile M iscellanies .
119
published, under the able editorship o f Mr. Holcombe, o f the Cincinnati Bar, and was no
ticed in a late number o f the Merchants’ Magazine.
Such are the evidences which Cincinnati is yielding us, that her zeal for the growth of
intelligence among her merchants keeps pace with the growth of their material prosperity.
The long list o f pupils whose names are signed to a testimonial o f their confidence in
Messrs. Bacon and Gundry as teachers, proves at once the extent o f their labors and the
satisfaction they have given.
W e congratulate the young men o f the W est upon the opportunities a commercial school
like this affords them o f a true preparation for the duties and privileges o f the noble call
ing o f the merchant;— a calling which, if entered upon and pursued with thorough prepa
ration and large views, is truly useful as well as noble; but if used only as a gainful art
o f petty shifts and devices, is a disgrace to the man and a curse to the community.
T H E D R Y -G O O D S C LER K .
We copy from the <£Dry-Goods Reporter,” a weekly sheet, devoted almost exclusively
to that branch of trade, the following communication of an intelligent correspondent, which
contains-suggestions deserving the attention of merchants and clerks generally:—
N o single subject connected with the dry-goods trade demands a more serious consider
ation than the present condition o f the clerks engaged in its various branches. Upon the
honesty, capacity, and exertion o f the clerk, the success o f the merchant greatly depends.
His good or bad conduct may either make or mar our present plans or future prospects.
These, we believe, are truisms which are generally admitted. It behooves us, then, as
sound and discreet merchants, to do all in our power to promote his interest; and, as one
step toward the attainment o f so great a desideratum, we would suggest that an associa
tion o f dry-goods clerks should be formed, under some appropriate name, which society
should embody all the points o f the present system o f odd-fellowship, together with the
addition o f the following, viz:—
That each and every clerk, when thrown out o f employment through any cause, save
and excepting misconduct, should be entitled to draw a certain sum weekly, for six weeks.
N o qualifications should be necessary to entitle any one to membership, except honesty
and morality; these two points o f character should be rigidly insisted o n ; and the most
effectual manner by which we could arrive at the first qualification, would be to require
from the applicant a certificate o f honesty from each and every employer he has ever lived
with, and for the second, inquiry and report. Should an application be made by a person
coming from any country-town or other city, let him produce a certificate from his former
employer, and that employer’s good standing be vouched for by the mayor or selectmen
o f said town or city.
A ll who are conversant with the trade, more especially o f the large cities, are aware
that the amount lost annually by the dishonesty o f clerks, amounts to a very large sum.
N ow this dishonesty operates as seriously to the disadvantage o f the honest clerk as to the
employer. The tinsel and glare o f a city life draws towards it not only the ambitious
country-clerk, but the city is also, the refuge o f the distressed, and the El Dorado o f the
rogue. The new world is standing with outstretched arms, and wooing towards her the
denizens o f every clime. And we are proud to say that, among the multitude o f foreigners
who are thronging our marts o f trade, there are many whose thorough business education
is highly advantageous to us ; yet, with this beneficial class, come many whose biography,
correctly written, would show that “ they had left their country for their country’s good.”
Suppose, for example, a young man is detected in pilfering from his employer in Europe
— he has been heretofore a valuable clerk; his history, from youth to manhood, is identified
with the success o f the house whose confidence he has outraged— the feelings o f that house
will, notwithstanding his errors, lean towards him, and the thought that transportation
would riot retrieve their loss, but merely gratify their revenge, will induce them, even when
unswayed by Christian principles, to exclaim, “ go, and sin no more.” In fact, instances
are not wanting to prove that compromises have been effected in Europe with persons who
were steeped to the very gills in crime, and legal proceedings quashed, on the condition that
the culprit would emigrate to America. This culprit prepares himself, and goes to a friend—
and no man is so degraded that he has not, at least, one friend— he tells him that he is about
to leave the country, and emigrate to America ; and, through the ignorance o f this friend o f
the cause o f his emigration, or under the solemn promise o f entire reformation, he obtains
a letter o f introduction to a respectable firm on this side o f the Atlantic. He com es: his
Mercantile M iscellanies .
120
gentlemanly appearance, his perfect acquaintance with the details o f the trade, as drawn,
probably, from his experience in first-class houses in Europe, are strong recommendations.
His letter o f introduction gives him a reference, and he easily obtains a situation. And
thus this man, who was an ingrain villain before he left his native land, becomes one o f
the dry-goods fraternity, and his superior accomplishments enable him to successfully carry
out his nefarious practices.
N ow , I submit it, is it not for the interest o f the honest young man, (whether native or
foreign born,) that the rogues o f the business should be ferreted out, and driven from the
trade? W ould not the profession rise, in point o f respectability, in consequence? Is it
not the case, that a stigma is cast upon all engaged in the business by the conduct o f these
evil-doers? A nd if so, let us, by adopting some method o f self-defence, draw a distinct
line between them and U3. The benefits o f the proposed plan would be innumerable. No
clerk would be subject to imposition from an employer, and he would be taken care of,
when sick, from a fund that his own means had created ; and a good understanding would
be maintained between the clerks employed and the various stores. Thorough merchants
could be employed to deliver series o f lectures upon subjects connected with the business.
The rogues being driven from the business, as they inevitably would be, the demand for
clerks would be greater, and the pay proportion ably increased.
T he advantages to employers are fully equal to those offered to clerks; as, in case o f
such a society going into operation, the employer would be certain o f having honest clerks.
Recommendations, as to a man’s capability, are o f little account, os conversation and trial
will prove this; but an all-important knowledge is requisite— which a series o f years alone
could prove— and that is proof that he is honest. Under the operation o f the proposed
plan, a young man applies for a situation : the first question put to him would be, “ Are
you a member, in good standing, o f the Dry-Goods Association?” I f the answer is yes,
and he produces his certificate, the merchant is perfectly posted up as to his honesty, and
the engagement is effected with perfect confidence on both sides. An obligation should
be entered into by each member belonging to the association, to expose any malpractices
on the part o f any clerk belonging to the society. Each accused member should be sus
pended, but allowed a trial by his peers, and, if found guilty, expelled ; and, if innocent,
fully reinstated in his former good standing. All employers should be allowed to join,
upon payment o f such sum as may be agreed upon, but debarred from the privilege o f a
vote ; but still their initiation fee would serve to swell the receipts o f the treasury ; and, by
joining, the employer would be enabled at all times to judge o f the truth of the statements
o f a person applying for employment. The jobbers and importers are interested, inasmuch
as the present clerk is to be the future merchant, and in the character and standing o f said
clerk, they are at least interested prospectively.
C O N S U L A R R E G U L A T IO N S OF T H E REPU BLIC OF U R U G U A Y .
Department of State, Washington, Nov. 29th, 1847.
The following articles from the consular regulations o f the Oriental republic o f Uru
guay, are published for the information o f those whom they may concern, v iz :
18. Captains o f vessels, foreign and national, sailing from ports where consuls o f the
republic are established, and bound for ports o f the republic, are required to have their
manifest o f cargo, or statement that they are in ballast, their letter o f health, and roll o f
equipage, certified by such consul.
Under this provision will be comprehended the passports o f passengers, as well as of
powers o f attorney, judgments, protests, certificates, and all other papers to be used ju
diciously.
19. Captains who contravene the provisions o f the preceding article, will be subjected
to the payment o f the consular fees, which should have been paid at the place o f their de
parture, and to other requisites and penalties determined by law.
P H IL A D E L P H IA B O A R D O F T R A D E .
A t a quarterly meeting o f the members o f the Board o f Trade, held on the 21st o f
October, 1847, it was
Resolved, That the Quarterly Meetings o f the Association be dispensed with ; the mem
bers having the privilege o f attending the stated meetings o f the Board o f Directors.
It was also Resolved, That the Directors o f the Board be requested to take into con
sideration the propriety o f petitioning the Legislature, at its next session, for the repeal
o f the law which imposes half pilotage upon vessels trading to our port; and (should they
deem it expedient) adopt such measures as may be necessary in the premises.
The Book Trade.
THE
1.
BOOK
121
TRADE.
— The Pictorial History of England: Being a History of the People , as well as
History o f the Kingdom. Vol. III. Royal 8vo., pp. 885. N ew Y o r k : Harper &
Brothers.
The third volume o f this magnificent work has just been completed by its enterprising
publishers. The present volume embraces a period o f nearly one hundred years, from the ac
cession o f James I., in 1603, to the Revolution, in 1688. A prominent feature in the present
work is, that it furnishes a history o f the people, their manners, morals, habits, etc., as well as
o f the kingdom. It is, moreover, profusely illustrated with engravings illustrative of the
monumental records, coins, civil and military costumes, domestic buildings, furniture and
ornaments, cathedrals, and other great works o f architecture, sports, and other illustrations
o f manners, mechanical inventions, portraits o f kings and queens, and remarkable histori
cal scenes, derived from paintings and drawings made at the periods they are designed to
illustrate. This history belongs emphatically to the people, and is evidently better calcu
lated to impart a correct knowledge o f the history o f England, than any work o f the class
yet published.
2.
— Outlines o f General History, in the Form of Questions and Answers. Designed as the
Foundation and the Review o f a Course of Historical Reading. By R ichard Green
Parker, A . M ., author o f “ Aids to English Composition.”
12mo., pp. 411. New
Y o rk : Harper & Brothers.
Mr. Parker, the author o f this admirable manual, has enjoyed a large experience as a
teacher in the city o f Boston, so famed for the excellence o f her public schools. Mr.
Parker justly repudiates the old method o f studying history ns a mere exercise o f the mem
ory, and enforces its higher department', as philosophy teaching by examples. He pre
sents the “ Outlines o f History” in a very abbreviated form, unencumbered with tedious de
tails ; aiming throughout at something higher than a bare recital o f facts. Nations here
pass before us as individuals, while individuals themselves are unnoticed, except as far
as they influenced a whole nation. The amount o f valuable information added in the
form o f notes, cannot fail o f shedding light upon the general subject.
3.
— The Poetical Works o f Oliver Goldsmith; Illustrated by Wood Engravings,
from Designs o f C. W. Cope, Thomas Cheswick, J. C. Horsley, R. Redgrave, and
Frederick Taylor, Members of the London Etching Club.
With a Biographical
Memoir, and Notes on the Poems. Edited by BoltOx
V Corney, Esq. New Y o rk :
Harper & Brothers.
Goldsmith, who attempted almost every species o f composition with varied success,
is almost the only poet whose admirers are as universal almost as the human race. In his
poems, which were the produce o f his choicer hours, says one o f his biographers, we have
almost every variety o f gratification. The Hermit dwells in the memory as the most
finished o f modern ballads ; the tact, the humor, the airy elegance o f Retaliation , mu^t al
ways delight the cultivated m ind; while the Traveller, and the Deserted Village, which
address themselves to a wider circle, and involve questions o f superior moment, finely exem
plify his own recorded idea o f poetic excellence, and “ convey the warmest thoughts
in the simplest expression.” W hat more can we, or need we say ; except? perhaps, that
the present edition is the most perfect and beautiful that has ever been produced on this
side o f the Atlantic— an admirable imitation o f its English original.
4.
— Harpers' Illustrated Catalogue o f Valuable Standard Works, in the Several De
partments o f General Literature. 8vo., pp. 160. N ew Y ork : Harper & Brothers.
T h e present catalogue o f the most extensive publishers in the world, will commend it
self to the notice o f persons desirous o f forming or enriching their literary collections, as
an aid in the choice o f books. The collection w'hich it comprises, covers a wide range o f
works, occupying every department o f literature, the selection o f which has been governed
by a rigid critical taste ; while the beauty o f their typographical execution, and their ex
ceeding cheapness, in most instances, are alike unprecedented. The catalogue is profusely
illustrated with engravings from the numerous works o f these enterprising publishers. W e
discover in the arrangement and classification o f the catalogue, traces of Mr. Saunders*
taste, skill, and industry— qualities which seem to grow with his grow’ th, and strengthen
with his strength.
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5 .— Miscellanies to the Graefenberg Water-Cure; or, Demonstration of the Advantages
o f the Hydropathic Method of Curing Diseases as Compared with the Medical.
Translated by C. H. M eeker, A. M ., M . D., Member o f the “ Scientific Hydropathic
Society o f Germany.” pp. 262. N ew Y ork: Published under the direction o f Drs.
Peirson and Meeker, 18 and 20 Eighteenth-street.
The results o f the hydropathic method of-curing diseases, since its permanent estab
lishment as a system, have been o f too marked and positive a character, to be overlooked,
or treated irreverently. The benefit that we have ourselves derived from this mode of
treatment, has inspired us with a degree o f confidence in its efficacy that we never pos
sessed in any other system. The translator informs us, in his preface, that the author o f
the w'ork passed three years among the Indians o f the American wilds, in strictly observ
ing nature, and the effects o f a life o f original simplicity. T he present work o f Rausse
will be found, as says the translator, to give “ a true picture o f the nature o f diseases,
astonishing us with the sense o f the reality that most o f the so-called acute diseases are,
in truth, a blessing rather than a misfortune, under a correct hydrapeutic management;
detailing, in particular, and drawing a strict line o f antithetical distinction between the
medical and hydiiatic (or water) method o f treatment and cure ; representing, from
all recognized principles and laws o f physiology, the injuriousness o f the medical method,
and the advantage and lasting benefit accruing from the hydriatic treatment o f disease.’ ,
The fact that the sale o f this work was prohibited in the Austrian dominions, through
the influence o f the members o f the medical profession, is, to our mind, pretty conclusive
evidence o f its excellence. It is written with remarkable clearness ; divested, in a great
measure, o f learned technicalities, so that the statements can be readily comprehended
by the unprofessional reader. It furnishes, in short, a true pathology o f disease, at once
philosophical and rational. W e are deeply indebted to Drs. Peirson and Meeker, two o f
the most experienced and accomplished hydropathists in the country, for introducing so
valuable a treatise to our notice.
b.— Ma-Ka-Tai-M e-Kia-Kiak; or, Black Hawk, and Scenes in the West.
A National
Poem : In Six Cantos. Embracing an Account o f the Life and Exploits o f this
Celebrated Chieftain; the Black Hawk W ar; a Legend o f the Illinois Tribe o f
Indians, Showing the Manner in which they became E xtin ct; a Succinct Description
o f the Wisconsin and Lake Superior Countries, and their Rich Minerals; the Mas
sacre of Chicago, and Other Deeply Interesting Scenes in the West. By a W estern
T ourist.
12mo., pp. 299.
N ew Y ork :
Edward Kearny.
The author of this poem is lame, and blind o f one eye, a circumstance in his histoty
which entitles him to our warmest sympathy ; or, in other words, he is, in the Gospel
acceptation o f the term, our neighbor— and his efforts to obtain an honest livelihood, will,
we trust, secure for his work the encouragement it deserves. The design o f the work is
comprehensively set forth in the title-page quoted, and in the preface. It portrays, we
quote from the latter, things as they were in the early settlement o f Wisconsin and
Northern Illinois, when civilization first dawned upon the beautiful forests and prairies, and
the cultivation o f the luxurious soil com m enced; and shows this country’s natural and
abundant resources. Its fruitful mines of silver, lead and copper, where men dig for hidden
treasure in the bowels o f the earth, and become rich ; together with those o f the Lake
Superior country, where now is the rush o f those who wish to make their fortunes; the
cheapness o f the soil, which produces so bountifully both the necessaries and luxuries of
life ; the prospect o f entering into business with a small capital, and the chances for spec
ulation afforded by early and choice locations; the almost certain prospect o f bettering
one’s condition and circumstances by a change o f place, and o f living in the enjoyment o f
health, peace and competence in another clime, are certainly matters that come home to
the business and bosoms o f every one. Many o f the author’s descriptions are quite graphic.;
and, in matters o f history, he has taken pains to inform himself thoroughly, so that his nar
rative may be relied upon for its general accuracy. W e shall endeavor to refer to this inter
esting work again ; but, in the meantime, we commend it, and the author, to the generous
sympathies o f our readers, a class o f men proverbial for their liberality.
7 .— Fruits of Western L i f e ; or, Blanche, and other Poems.
A rnell. 12mo., pp. 216. N ew York : J. C. Riker.
By Daniel R eeve
The far and free W est is rich in the material for poetic inspiration, and we rejoice at
every indication o f intellectual progression from that region. The present collection o f
poems furnish a favorable specimen o f Western genius. The poems are generally cha
racterized by purity o f sentiment, and an easy, natural, and graceful style; and, by the
earnestness o f tendency manifested by the author in their production, we feel quite sure
that he will accomplish more for the growing literature o f the W est.
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8. — The Opal: a Pare Gift for the Holy Days. 1848. Edited by Mrs. Sarah J. H ale.
N ew Y o rk : J. C. Riker.
It is refreshing to take up an annual like the present, where all concerned in its pro
duction seem to have exerted their best efforts, and with a degree o f success that reflects
the highest credit on the artists, the contributors, the publisher, and the country. The
sound judgment, pure and elevated taste, and good sense, which constitute a few o f the
more prominent traits o f Mrs. Hale’s character, were never more strikingly manifested
than in the conduct o f “ The O pal” o f 1848; and Mr. Riker acted wisely in securing
these qualities for the production o f a work so appropriately designated “ a Pure Gift.”
It is truly remarked by the editor, in her brief but pertinent preface, that the plan o f the
Opal has, from the first, been distinct, and o f a far more elevated tone than that o f any
other popular gift-book, either American or European. “ T o give a work o f pure moral
sentiment, united with the most elevated literary character, has been the aim. Grace in
style, and refinement in the ideas, were inseparable from such a plan,” in the hands of a
lady “ so good and so gifted” as Mrs. Hale. The illustrations, nine in number, from ori
ginal designs, were engraved by Sartain, an artist whose merits are too well known and
too generally appreciated to require puffing. The “ presentation ” plate is exquisite, and
the illustrated title-page is one o f the sweetest things o f the kind that we have ever seen.
Indeed, there is not an illustration in the volume that falls below mediocrity. Mrs. Hah
has contributed several poems, which are among the best that she has written. The k te
hour at which we received this annual, prevents us from more than naming a few o f the
contributors, whose productions add so much to the value and interest o f this, in our view,
the gift-book o f the season. Am ong the lady writers, we notice the names o f Miss Han
nah F. Gould, Mrs. E. F. Ellet, Mrs. E. Oakes Smith, Mrs. Frances S. Osgood, Miss
Mary Gardiner; and among the masculine, N. P. Willis, Bishop Potter, Rev. Dr. Durbin,
Henry W . Longfellow, H. T . Tuckerman, T . S. Arthur, William Gilmore Simms, J.
Bayard Taylor, James J. Jarvis, and many others o f scarcely less celebrity. What more
can we say ; except, perhaps, that the present issue surpasses any o f the preceding volumes.
9.— Posthumous Works o f the Rev. Thomas Chalmers, D. D ., L L . D. Edited by the
Rev. W illiam H anna, L L. D. Vol. I. 12mo., pp. 422. New Y ork : Harper &,
Brothers.
The first volume o f these works is entitled “ Horse Biblicse Quotidianse ; or, Daily Scrip
ture Readings.” These were commenced by the author about six years ago, and were
continued until the time o f his death. A portion o f the Bible was read every day, and
the reflections which it suggested were immediately written in a few brief paragraphs.
They comprise his first and readiest thoughts upon each verse. These “ Readings” com
mence with Genesis, and extend to Jeremiah. The work will extend to three volumes.
The present edition is printed on fine paper in elegant style, uniformly with the English
edition.
10. — The Philosophy of Life, and the Philosophy of Language; in a Series o f Lec
tures. By F rederick Von Schlegel. Translated from the German, by the Rev. A .
J. W . Morrison, A . M. 12mo., pp. 549. New Y o rk : Harper & Brothers.
Fifteen o f the lectures in this volume are designed to give, as far as possible, a full and
clear exposition of the Philosophy o f Life, the most interesting topic that can well engage
human attention. The five opening lectures treat o f the soul, first o f all, as forming the
centre o f consciousness; and secondly, o f its co-operation with mind or spirit in science
— the acquisition o f a right knowledge o f man and nature, and of their several relations
to the Divine mind. These are followed by three lectures, which treat of the laws o f
Divine wisdom and Providence, as discernable in outward nature, in the world o f thought,
and in the history of mankind ; and in the last seven, the author traces the development
of man’s mind or spirit, both within himself and in science and public life. The ten lec
tures on the Philosophy o f Language, more fully carry out the views advanced by Schlegel
in the lectures which precede them on the Philosophy o f Language, and which were de
livered two years before, at Vienna.
11.— The Boy's Winter B ook; Descriptive o f the Season, Scenery, Bural Life, and
Country Amusements. By T homas Miller, author o f “ Beauties o f the Country,”
“ Rural Sketches,” etc. W ith thirty-six illustrations. N ew Y o rk : Harper & Brothers.
One o f a very attractive series o f books for boys, describing the peculiarities o f the
seasons. The illustrations are extremely beautiful, and the sketches well calculated
to improve the taste, and inspire a love for the beautiful and picturesque objects o f nature,
manifested in the changing seasons o f the year, as it moves on its glorious course.
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12. — The Odd-Fellow*s Offering, far 1848. Edited by James L. R idgley and Pascal
Donaldson. New Y o rk : Edward Walker.
Let no one be deterred from examining this beautiful book o f the season on account of
its title ; for it inculcates those heavenly virtues o f the Order, Friendship, Love, and Truth,
so mighty in their mission to man in all times and all seasons. W e entered the Order,
and we admire its principles ; but we outgrew its forms, and therefore left it. Some o f its
rite9 are beautiful and impressive. Let them remain for such as need them ; and, if ne
cessary to perpetuate the absolute morality o f the Order— the Brotherhood o f Man,
we should be the last to rend the veil o f their Temple, or deter others from entering it—
for \ye view it as a type o f an Order to come, that shall embrace the whole human Race
in the bonds o f a common Brotherhood. The present is the sixth annual issue ; and, in
every respect, exhibits a great improvement on those that have preceded it. Its propri
etorship has fallen into the hands o f Mr. E. W alker, an Odd-Fellow indeed, and (we
quote from the editors’ preface, endorsing all that is said from personal knowledge,) a gen
tleman o f deserved merit; who enters upon his new enterprise, lending to the work that
pride, enthusiasm o f character, and liberality, for which he is proverbial wherever known,
and which has justly acquired for him a high rank among the tasteful and successful pub
lishers o f N ew Y ork. The volume is beautifully printed, and handsomely bound ; and its
illustrations, twelve in number, are appropriate— the designs for, and execution of which,
are by artists already distinguished in their profession.
— A Defence o f Phrenology; Containing— I. An Essay on the Nature and Value of
Phrenological Evidence; II. A Vindication o f Phrenology against the attack of
Dr. John Augustine Smith; III. A View o f Facts relied on by Phrenologists as
Proof that the Cerebellum is the Seat o f the Reproductive Instinct. By A . Board-
13.
12mo., pp. 222. N ew Y o rk : Edward Kearny.
The design of this work is systematically set forth in the title-page quoted. O f the truth
o f the general principles o f Phrenology, we entertain little or no doubt. The philosophy
o f it is beneficent; and the language well adapted to express and convey a definite know
ledge o f character. The idea, that it leads to Materialism and Atheism, is as absurd as
that Geology, or any o f the natural sciences, tend to that result. But this is not the place
to discuss the merits o f the system. Mr. Boardman has done that with ability, and in a
manner that will be satisfactory to its adherents, if it do not convince the sceptical. W e
commend the study o f Phrenology to all who would cultivate an acquaintance with the
most important branch o f human investigation— a knowledge o f one’s self; and we are
persuaded that they will find Mr. Boardman’s work an important aid in the matter.
m an.
14. — The Gem of the Season, for 1848.
Leavitt, Trow &, Co.
W ith twenty splendid illustrations.
N ew York :
O f all the presentation-bocks for the present year, this is the most profusely illustrated
o f any that we have met w ith : and, what is more, all the embellishments have the merit
o f high sources and an elegant execution. Several o f them, as The Family o f Cromwell,
T he Citation o f Wickliffe, and the portraits o f Dr. Chalmers, Victoria, Leigh Hunt, W a l
ter Savage Lander, & c., have an enduring historical and literary interest, not ordinarily
possessed by the ephemeral annuals o f the day. The engravings, however, are not confined to biography or history; but romance and sentiment find expression in such engra
vings as Paul and Virginia, Maternal Felicity, The Gipsey Mother, The Disconsolate,
Auld Robin Gray, and several others. In short, it is a gift-book consecrated to kindly
offices, that cannot fail o f gratifying the sense o f beauty, and at the same time ministering
to the purest impulses o f friendship, and the demands o f the cultivated intellect.
— A Practical Treatise on HcaHhy Skin; with Rules for the Medical and Domes
tic Treatment o f Cutaneous Diseases. By E rasmus W ilson, F. R. S., Consulting
15.
Surgeon to the St. Pancra’s Infirmary, etc., etc. W ith Notes by T . S. L ambert, M . D.,
Professor o f Anatomy and Physiology in Pittsfield Institute ; author o f a Popular Trea
tise on Bathing.
The present treatise has the merit o f being written with great clearness, its language
being adapted to the comprehension o f the popular reader. The subject is one of great
importance, and unusual interest. Believing, as we do, in a great measure, in the appli
cation o f the “ water-cure” to all manner o f diseases, and more especially those o f the
skin, we are glad to find a celebrated practitioner o f the alopathic school awarding so
large a place to the principles o f Pressnitz. The American editor, who has added some
valuable notes, and who, in a few particulars, differs widely, and wisely, we think, from
the text o f the author, declares that “ there is not, in the English language, a single work
so valuable as this.”
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The Boole T rad e .
16. — The Thousand and One Nights; or, The Arabian Nights' Entertainments. Trans
lated by Edward Foster. With an Explanatory and Historical Introduction, by G. M.
Bussey. Carefully Revised and Corrected, with some Additional Amendments and
Illustrative Notes from the W ork o f E. W . L ane. Illustrated with twenty large en
gravings from designs by Demoraine, and numerous smaller wood-cuts. In 3 volumes
12mo., pp. 1170. New Y o rk : Charles S. Francis & Co.
The standard character o f these entertaining romances, and the universal popularity
they have enjoyed for, we had almost said, centuries, supersedes the necessity o f criticism
at this time. Elegant and superbly illustrated editions have been published in England ;
and some very bad— and, until the present, none very good— in this country. A n edition
o f a universal favorite, like this, has long been a desideratum ; and no pains or expense
seem to have been spared in its “ getting up.” The translation of Mr. Foster is unques
tionably the best that we have; and the explanatory and historical notes impart an addi
tional value to the work, that we in vain look for in the badly-printed editions o f former
years. The engravings, typography, paper, binding, and, indeed, the entire external
material o f the work, are highly creditable to all concerned in its production.
By A ugustus
12mo., pp. 332. N ew Y o rk : C. S.'Francis
Co.
This work, comprising a series o f letters, written in Paris, while the author was pur
suing the study o f medicine, to the editor o f the Newark Daily Advertiser, in which print they
originally appeared, attracted very general attention at the time, and were favorably
noticed by the periodical press throughout the country. The author appears quite sensible
o f the fact o f his treading a beaten path ; but he has contrived to impart a vivacity and
freshness to his descriptions o f social life and manners, that will charm that class o f read
ers who are ever seeking for novelties. The over-much fastidious will, perhaps, carp at some
o f the Doctor’s apparently faithful delineations o f French morals and manners; but the
“ pure, to whom ail things are pure,” will find nothing that need cause a blush. The let
ters are written in an easy, graceful style ; and on the whole, Dr. G. has furnished the
best delineation o f the characteristics o f the French people that has been published for n
long time.
17.
— Old Wine in New Bottles; or, Spare Hours of a Student in Paris.
Kinsley Gardiner, M. D.
18. — Rainbows for Children. Edited by L. M aria Child.
tions. N ew Vork: Charles S. Francis.
With twenty-eight illustra
Mrs. Child expresses the wish in her preface, that these fairy storks were written by
herself; but says they are not. “ The author,” she adds, “ merely intended them for
the private amusement o f a few juvenile relatives; but the manuscript accidentally met
my eye, and I was so charmed with the freshness and beauty o f the stories, that I begged
permission to publish them. Their liveliness and simplicity, will render them great favor
ites with children, while more mature minds will often perceive a wise significance within
the poetic beauty o f the style.” W e have no fear o f endorsing all that Mrs. Child has
said; for, in all that pertains to young humanity, or Church o f Humanity, we consider
her— and we say it with- all due respect for the present Pope o f Rome— infallible. T he
Jllustrations are faultless.
19. — The Rural Cemeteries o f America; Illustrated in a Series o f Picturesque and
Monumental Views, in Highly Finished Line Engraving. By James Smillie, Esq.
W ith Descriptive Notices by N. Cleaveland. New York : R. Martin.
Our readers must, ere this, have become pretty well acquainted with the character and
merits o f this enterprise, as we have frequently described the former numbers, and ex
pressed our unqualified admiration as to its rare excellence, as a w’ork o f art. The ninth,
now before us, contains three views from the “ Mount Auburn Cemetery ;” including a
View from the Mount, Loring’s Monument, and Central Square, with appropriate letterpress illustrations. Mr. Martin, the enterprising publisher, deserves well of our countrymen
for his efforts to introduce a style o f engraving and pictorial illustration in this country
that will not suffer by comparison with the best similar productions of Europe. W e hope
he may be encouraged to go on in his noble work o f illustrating the many beautiful buryingplaces scattered over a country so rich in rural beauty and magnificent scenery.
20. — The Flowers Personified; or, “ Les Fleurs Animees.”
By T axile Delford.
Translated by N. Cleaveland. New Y o rk : R . Martin.
The eleventh part o f this exquisite work, so rich in its illustrations, and so fanciful
and poetic in its representations o f the floral world, is equal to any of its predecessors.
Indeed, it is the most beautiful work o f the kind that has ever been reproduced in the
country.
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— The Sibyl; or, New Oracles from the Poets. By C aroline G ilman , author o f
“ Recollections o f a New England Housekeeper,” “ Recollections of a Southern Matron,”
“ Love’s Progress,” “ Stories and Poems for Children,” “ Verses o f a Life-time,” etc.
12mo., pp. 312. N ew Y o rk : W iley & Putnain.
21.
It will !>e recollected, perhaps, that we noticed, in the pages o f this Magazine, a simi
lar work, by Mrs. Gilman, entitled “ Oracles from the Poets,” published in the fall of
1845. The present volume resembles very much that in design, but its execution evident
ly cost the compiler a vast deal more labor. The two volumes o f the “ Oracles” form a
very complete work, where the young may become familiar with something in an attrac
tive form from the whole range o f poetry, and where the more advanced may refresh
themselves with a glimpse o f their old favorites, while being introduced to the minds that
are rising around them. The game o f Sibyl is composed o f eighteen subjects, in the
form of questions, which are answered from more than two hundred poets. The first
division pertains more particularly to the persons and affections, the second to the tastes.
It is a delightful book, elegantly printed, and beautifully bound, after the manner o f the
annuals.
22. — The Rose : Its History, Poetry, Culture and Classification. By S. B. Parsons.
Royal 8vo., pp. 280. New Y o rk : W iley & Putnam.
The design o f the present work “ has been to throw around the culture o f the rose a
halo o f pleasant thoughts and associations.” For the classical scholar, the early history of
the rose, and its connection with the manners and customs o f the two great nations o f a
former age, will impart to it no slight interest; whilst the various poetic effusions which
the auth >r has strung together in a multifarious garland, will clothe this favorite flower
with additional charms, in the eyes o f many, and render it more attractive with the gen
tler sex ; to whom pre-eminently belong the culture and care o f flowers. Mr. Parsons,
the author, is a commercial gardener, at Flushing, near N ew York, and his book will be
found valuable to many on that account. The work is divided into twenty-seven chapters.
The eight first are devoted to the early history o f the rose ; fables respecting its origin ; lux
urious use o f the rose in ceremonies and festivals, and in the adornment of burial-places;
the perfumes and medical properties o f it, and some general remarks. Chapter V III.,
which occupies about one-quarter o f the volume, embraces almost every poetical effusion
in the language that refers to the rose. The remaining chapters furnish full information
on all points connected with its culture, its propagation, multiplication, diseases, and
classifications, etc. It is the most elaborate, and, if we mistake not, the most comprehen
sive work that has ever been published in this country on that subject.
23.
— Biographia Libraria; or, Biographical Sketches of My Life and Opinions.
By
Samuel T aylor Coleridge. From the second London edition. Prepared for publica
tion, in part, by the late Henry Nelson Coleridge; completed and published by his
W idow .
2 vols., 12mo.
W iley & Putnam’s “ Library o f Choice Reading.”
This, the latest, and to us the most interesting o f all Coleridge’s works, is probably
the most complete edition that will ever be published ; embracing, as it does, the correc
tions and additions o f the son, and afterwards o f the widow of that son— the daughter, by
marriage, o f the distinguished poet. Biography has ever been our favorite study and
recreation; and, in our opinion, no kind o f reading, is more instructive— a remark that
applies with increased force to auto-biography, where we can enter, as it were, into the
interior life o f the subject, and become familiar with the hopes, joys, sorrows and trials of
the individual man, under every circumstance o f his existence. There is not, in our
judgment, a more valuable work in the whole catalogue o f books comprised in W iley &
Putnam’s “ Library o f Choice Reading.”
— Hebrew Tales; Selected and Translated from the Writings o f Ancient Hebrew
Sages. To which is prefixed an Essay on the Uninspired Literature of the Hebrews.
24.
By H yman Harwitz, author o f “ Vindicae Hebraicse,” etc., etc.
12mo., pp. 171.
N ew Y o r k : Spalding & Shepard.
This, the first o f the publishers’ “ Select Library,” consists o f a series o f interesting
tales, anecdotes, etc., selected and translated from the writings o f the ancient Hebrews,
who flourished in the five first centuries after the destruction o f Jerusalem— writers known
to the learned by the names o f the Talmud, Medrarhim, etc. Although the chief aim,
and ultimate object o f this publication, is moral improvement, the translator, in order to
render it entertaining, has introduced several facetiae and tales o f a less grave character.
T he work is unsectarian, enforcing only “ the religious and moral truths on which the
best interests o f all men, o f all names and persuasions, find their common basis and ful
crum.”
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25. —A Campaign in New Mexico, with Colonel Doniphan.
By F rank S. E dwards, a
Volunteer. With a Map o f the Route, and a Table o f the Distances Traversed. Phila
delphia: Carey & Hart.
O f all the narratives touching Mexico, and the events growing out of our difficulties
with that Republic, written and published during the last eighteen months, this is the most
interesting to us, from the fact that its pages are not entirely occupied with accounts of
blood and carnage, and the horrors o f the battle-field. Mr. Edwards has embodied,
in an agreeable-form, his observations during part o f a campaign with “ the Xenophon o f
the nineteenth century,” and given us many interesting incidents, besides a fund o f informa
tion connected with the habits, manners and customs o f the people of New Mexico. The
work is written in a chaste and scholarly, but unostentatious style ; and is doubtless a faith
ful narrative o f the circumstances and events o f the campaign. It deserves, and we trust
it will find a wider circle o f readers, than the many catch-penny glorification “ histories”
o f the events, and o f the “ heroes” engaged in this anti-Republican, anti-Christian war.
26. — The Drama in Pokerville; The Bench and Bar of Jurytown, and other Stories.
By “ E verpoint,” (J. M. Field, Esq., o f the St. Louis Reveille.) With eight illustra
tions, from Original Designs, engraved expressly for this work, by F. O. C . Darley.
Philadelphia: Carey &, Hart’s Library o f Humorous American Works.
W e shall be pardoned for saying, in the outset, that the plan o f this series o f works is
not o f the most elevated character; nevertheless, in the hands o f a true humorist, like
Mr. Field, it may be made the instrument o f “ shooting folly as it flies,” and in that way
become a teacher when only amusement appears on its surface. Hydropathia and Carey
&, Hart’s Humorous American W orks will, we venture to affirm, effectually cure hypo
chondria in man and hysteria in woman. The illustrations by Darley are capital.
27. — Tales fo r the Rich and Poor. By T . S. A rthur. 18mo. N ew Y ork : Baker &
Scribner.
The design o f these tales will readily be inferred from the general title o f the series, as
well as from the titles given to the volumes already published, v iz : “ Rising in the W orld,”
“ Keeping up Appearances,” and “ Riches have W ings.” The author is a close observer
o f society, as it exists in our own country, and seems to have studied human nature from
the every-day walks o f life ; and, in the form o f fiction, he draws faithful narratives o f the
former, as well as truthful delineations o f the secret springs o f the latter. T he teaching
o f such books, is o f the most salutary kin d ; and the universality o f the lessons, in a form
so generally interesting, cannot fail o f securing for the author a wider “ parish” o f attentive
listeners than that enjoyed by any o f the numerous sects in religion, or different schools
of philosophy.
28. — Miscellanies; Embracing Reviews, Essays, and Addresses. By the late T homas
C halmers , D. D., and LL. D. 8vo., pp. 544. N ew Y o rk : Robert Carter.
T he present work consists o f reviews, essays, and a few occasional discourses, pertain
ing to matters in morals, religion, political economy, and philosophy, collected and pub
lished since the author’s demise. Chalmers sustained about the same position— the high
est— in the Presbyterian, that our Channing did in a widely diverging denomination o f the
Christian church. Both have exerted a powerful influence in the church, and in the great
philanthropic movements which so.strongly mark the present century. The volume before
us will necessarily secure a standard character, like everything from the giant intellect
o f the author; who, whilst he has added another to the catalogue of the world’s great
men, has gone up another and a majestic on-looker to the “ cloud of witnesses.”
29. — Evangeline; a Tale of Acadie. By Henry W adsworth L ongfellow. 12mo.,
pp. 163. Boston: W illiam D. Ticknor & Co.
W e are so much indebted to Longfellow for his noble “ Psalm o f Life,” two or three
verses o f which are scarcely ever out o f our mind, that we should be very loth, were we
competent, to criticise “ anything from his pen.” The metre is not, however, agreeable
to our taste, which is no disparagement to the poet, as our taste is not very classical or
good. Nevertheless, we took up “ Evangeline,” and did not lay it down until we came
to “ the end,” on page 163; and wre hope that the playful humor, genial pathos, and
graphic descriptions with which it abounds, will afford others the same pleasure that we
have derived from the perusal o f this beautiful production.
30. — Facts and Fancies for School-Day Reading; A Sequel to “ Morals and Manners."
By Miss S edgwick, author o f “ Home,” “ Poor Rich Man,” etc. N ew Y ork and
London: W iley & Putnam.
Sixteen short tales, aptly illustrating some moral virtue, or social duty, in the happy
manner o f this deservedly popular writer.
123
The Boole Trade..
31. — The Crown of Thorns; a Token for the Sorrowing.
ton : A . Tompkins.
By E dwin H. C hapin * Bos
This pretty miniature volume contains six essays o f a consolatory character, in which
the author sets forth, in his own peculiar and beautiful style, the Christian view o f sorrow,
and the Christian consolation in loneliness. There are also essays on resignation ; a dis
course on “ T he Mission o f Little Children,” written by the author just after the death o f
a dearson. ‘ ‘ Upon its pages,” its amiable author “ has poured out some o f the senti
ments o f his own heartfelt experience, knowing that they will iind a response in the heart
o f the sorrowing, and hoping that the hook may do a work o f consolation and o f healing.”
32. — Memoir of the Ter. Charles F. Torry, who Died in the Penitentiary o f Maryland ,
where he was,C)nfined for Showing Mercy to the Poor. By J. C. L ovejoy. l2m o.,
pp. 364. Boston: John P. Jewett & Co.
The circumstances connected with the melancholy fate o f poor Torry, are familiar to
most o f our readers. His imprisonment and sufferings were at the time, recently, matters
o f public notoriety. The present volume not only records these events, but furnishes a
clear and succinct account o f his early life, bringing it down to the period o f his death.
The volume, moreover, embodies the more interesting portions o f his correspondence, par
ticularly the letters that passed between him and his friends, while in prison. W e see, by
a note appended to the title-page, that the copyright has been secured to Mrs. Torry, who
was left in destitute circumstances.
— The Rose, oi'Affection s Gift, for 1848. E dited by E m il y M a r sh all . With ten ele
gant steel engravings. New York : D. Appleton & Co. Philadelphia: G. 8. Appleton.
Although this “ rose” blossoms at the close o f the year, without the usual puffing o f
larger and more pretending volumes, it is really one o f unusual excellence and beauty—
the literary matter proceeding, as it does, from some o f the ablest pens of the present
literary era, and the spirited embellishments being executed by some o f the best artists and
engravers in the world. The tales and sketches comprised in this volume, are various in
character, including the romantic, the pathetic, the humorous, and the didactic; while the
poetry— lyric, moral, and heroic— is not less various.
34. — Hone Liturgiew. 12mo., pp. 204. New Y o rk : Stanford & Swords.
3 3.
This work is divided into two parts. The first, embracing a series o f letters from
Richard Mant, D. D., Lord Bishop o f Down and Connor, points out the extent, evil, and
remedy for liturgical discrepancy. The second part embraces the obligations, means, and
security against error, whether “ popish or puritanical,” by the same eminent prelate. The
Rev. W . D. Wilson, a divine o f the Episcopal Church, in the United States, has added a
number o f notes, and made some additions, the better to adapt it to the case o f the
American church.
35. — Chambers' Miscellany of Useful and Entertaining Knowledge. Edited by W illiam
C hambers. Boston: Gould, Kendall & Lincoln. N e w Y ork : Berford & Co.
This publication, the ninth part o f which has been published, is to be completed in
thirty numbers, forming ten volumes, o f over five hundred pages each. W e venture to
say, that no work heretofore published embodies so much reading, so well adapted to the
tastes and occupations o f “ the million,” as the five thousand pages o f Chambers’ Miscel
lany. It embraces much that will interest the most intellectual student, and instruct the
humblest mechanic or laborer in the land.
33.— The Fortunes of Col. Torlogh O'Brien. A Tale of the Wars of King James.
With illustrations by “ P hiz.” Philadelphia : Carey & Hart.
W e have not, as the staid conductor o f a commercial magazine, found time to read the
fortunes o f O’Brien, except through the humorous illustrations o f the inimitable “ Phiz,”
from which one can almost read the story.
Foreign Immigration.— W e have had the pleasure o f examining the proof-sheets o f a
forthcoming work with the above tide, prepared by Jesse Chickering, M. D., author o f
“ A Statistical View o f the Population o f Massachusetts,” who has heretofore contributed
several valuable papers on the hanks o f that State, etc., to the pages o f the Merchants ’
Magazine, which were extracted from our Journal by John McGregor, M . P., as Secre
tary o f the British Board o f Trade, in his parliamentary document on the United States,
and published by command o f Her Britannic Majesty. The subject is one o f deep interest
to this country, end Dr. Chickering has treated it with great ability. The tabular state
ments o f this eminent statician, illustrative o f his positions, compiled with great care
and labor, furnish a vast amount o f statistical dut», pertaining to the subject of immigiation,
o f great value for present an i future reference. On that subject, indeed, we consider it a
complete text-book for the statesman and political economist.
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