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H U N T’S
MERCHANTS’ MAGAZINE.
E s t a b lis h e d J u ly * 1 8 3 9 ,
BY FREEMAN HUNT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
VOLUME X X V I .
MARCH,
NUMBER III.
1852.
C O N T E N T S OF NO. I I I . ,
VOL.
XXV I.
ARTICLES.
A rt.
L COMMERCE OF FRANCE IN 1850.
pao b.
S3 3 § § 3
By D avid R. Jaques , o f the New York Bar........... 275
IL THE FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES. Chapter vii.—Our markets—'The West
Indies—History o f export to, &c.—Do. o f Europe—Do. o f South America—Table o f ex
port to the principal markets, 1789-1850.—Chapter viii.—Imports—Whence brought—
Effect.—Chapter ix .—Statistics of British American fisheries.—Reasons o f their present
efficient competition—Propinquity to ground—Cheapness of vessels—Of wages—o f living
—Cheaper mode o f curing—Faults o f American fisherman—Over-salting—Abuses o f
Massachusetts inspectorship, etc. By E. H a l e , Jr., o f N. Y ..................................................
III. A NATIONAL CURRENCY—REAL ESTATE ITS BASIS.—No. n. By N. H. C .........
IV. COMMERCIAL CITIES AND TOWNS OF THE UNITED STATES.—No. xxx.—St.
Louis, and her means o f advancement and wealth................................................................
V. THE CURRENCY—GOLD AND SILVER................ ................................................................
VI. LA W S RELATING TO DEBTOR AND CREDITOR IN WISCONSIN.............................
VII. FEARLESS FEAT OF A N AMERICAN WHALEMAN. By H enry G a r r e t t ................
J O U R N A L OF M E R C A N T I L E L A W.
Caso of libel by a consignee o f goods for a failure to deliver them according to contract............. 337
Homestead exemption law of South Carolina...................................................................................... 338
Action on a bill o f lading........................................................................................................................ 339
C O M M E R C I A L C H R O N I C L E A ND R E V I E W :
EM BRACING A FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL R E V IE W OF THE UNITED STATES, E T C .,IL L U ST R A
TED W IT H TABLES, ETC., AS FOLLOWS
Comparative trade for January and February—Distinctive features o f the season’s business—
Character of the American merchant, showing the value of lessons o f caution—Difficulties now
experienced resulting from heedlessness during past prosperity—State o f the country in the
South and West, with prospects for the future—Comparative prices o f breadstuff’s, and the
opening demand from abroad—Heavy payments due in March as compared with corresponding
receipts—Condition and prospects of the cotton and woolen manufacturing interests—Relative
cost o f raw materials—Difficulty of increasing wool crop—Propriety o f abolishing duties on
all raw materials and dye-stuffs—other obstacles to success in manufacturing—Return o f
federal stocks from abroad, with the reasons thereof, and a comparison o f prices at different
dates—Condition of the banks—Deposits and coinage for the month o f January at the Phila
delphia and New Orleans mints— Imports at New York for January—Imports o f dry goods for
tte same periou—Receipts of cash duties—Exports from New York for January—Summary o f
the leading articles of produce exported as compared with the same period o f 1851—Falling
off in general imports at New York, and throughout the United States—Decline in value o f
American coin at London, etc...................................................................................................... 340-345
VOL. X X V I.---- NO. III.
18
274
CONTENTS OF NO. III., VOL. XXVI.
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 .
PAOK.
Resources, taxation, &c., o f Pennsylvania................................................................. .............. .
346
Condition of the State Bank o f Indiana.—Fire insurance in Germany........................................... 347
“ Credit is Money ” ..................................................................................... ............................................. 348
Condition o f the banks of Boston.—London and Westminster B an k............................................. 349
Property and taxes o f Maryland......................................................................................................
350
The British post office packet service.—Public loans of Pennsylvania............................................. 351
Public debt of Pennsylvania.—Coinage of the Mint at Dahlonega................................................... 352
Coinage of the New Orleans Mint in 1851.—Debt and finances o f Michigan................................... 353
Funded debts of Maryland.............................................................................. .............. , ..................... 355
Finances of the United States.—Early currency of Maine.....................................................
355
United States Treasurer’s statement, January 26, 1852...............
.. ......................... .................. 356
COMMERCIAL
STATISTICS.
Imports at New Y o r k .. ............................... ................................. ............................
........................ 358
.........................366
Prices of cotton in Liverpool in 1851...................... .................................................... ........................ 361
The whale fishery of the United States....................................................................... ........................ 363
Commerce of Albany.......................................... , , ...................................................... ........................ 365
Exports from the port o f New York in 1851.—Agricultural productions o f the U. States in 1850. 366
........................ 368
Import, re-export, and consumption o f foreign merchandise of the United States, from ’21 to ’51 369
Imports^into New York in 1851.—Mackerel fishery of Massachusetts . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................ 379
NAUTICAL INTELLI GENCE.
Tidal signals at Dovor Harbor.—Youghal Light-House, South coast o f Ireland....... ..................... 371
Carysfort Iron Light-House, Florida Reef....................................................................... ..
371
Improvements in light-houses.—New methqjl of determining lo n g itu d e ....,............................... 372
COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS.
British law regulating'the carriage o f passengers in merchant vessels....... . . ......................... ..
773
R A I L R O A D , CANAL, AND S T E A M B O A T S T A T I S T I C S .
Passages of British and American Ocean Steamships................................................................. .... . 379*
Steam Marine of the United States.................................................................. ......................
382
Light locomotive engines on railways......................................... ............................ ...........................383
J O U R N A L OF MI N I N G AND M A N U F A C T U R E S .
Wages of labor in factories.—West Newton Silk Ribbon Manufactory.............. ................ ..............384
Manufacture of wrought iron in the United States.................................... ................ . . . ..............
385
Manufacturing establishments in the United States............................................................................. 386
Cotton ; facts in its history and manutacture....................................................................................... 386
Iron Mountain on Lake Superior................................................. ..................... « . . . ........................... 387
S T A T I S T I C S OF P O P U L A T I O N .
Occupations in Massachusetts....... ........................................... ............................................................ 388
Deaths in the United States in 1850........................... ......................................................................... 391
MERCANTILE MISCELLANIES.
Delving, diving, digging, dredging........................................................................................................ 392
Artificial leather................................................................................................................... ...................393
A successful commercial enterprise........................................ .................................................. ..........393
Vessels libeled for violation of the Passenger Law .......................................................................... 393
Vessels bored by worms............................................................. .........................................................393
The leading commercial ports of England.............................................................. .............................393
Anthracite coa l; its consumption in the coal region............................................................ ..............393
T H E DOOR T R A D E .
Botices o f 40 new Books, or new Editions.
594-40*
HUNT’S
MERCHANTS’ MAGAZINE
AND
COMMERCIAL REVIEW.
M A R C H ,
1852.
Art. I.— COMMERCE OF FRANCE IN 1850.*
T he annual report on the Commerce o f France during the year 1850 has
been published by the French government. W e are indebted for an early
copy to the polite attention o f our friend and correspondent at Paris, Mons.
D. L. Rodet. W e proceed to translate for the Merchants' Magazine the
summary exhibiting the general features o f French trade, which is prefixed
to the detailed tables comprising this elaborate report.
The technical terms used in this summary are explained in the general
observations accompanying it, which we translated at length in connection
with the report for 1848.f
In the report for 1849 an explanation was given o f the distinction be
tween official and actual values observed in these tables, and o f the manner
in which these values are determined. The official value corresponds gene
rally with what we understand by specific rates. Actual values, on the other
hand, are the average real rates prevailing during the year.
The care and minute accuracy with which the inquiries o f the Commis
sion are prosecuted, by which actual values are determined, were pointed
out in the report for 1849, and an account o f the labors o f this Commission
was given in the March number o f the Merchants' Magazine for 1851.
The general Commerce of France with her colonies and foreign powers in
1850, amounted, including imports and exports, to 2,705,000,000 francs,
official value.! This is 140,000,000 or 5 per cent more than the aggregate
* Tableau General du Commerce de la France, avec ses colonies et les puissances etrangeres, pen
dant l’annee 1850.
t See Merchants' Magazine, vol. xxii., p. 259.
X This is the amount according to the official values, established in 182fi as distinguished from
actual values which are revised every year.
Commerce o f France in 1850.
27(5
o f the previous year, 294,000,000 or 12 per cent more than the average of
the five previous years.f
According to the valuation o f 1850, the trade o f France, amounts to a
total o f only 2,555,000,000 francs. Comparing this with the total accord
ing to the official values o f 1826, we have a falling off o f 150,000,000 or 6
per cent. Comparing with the business o f 1847, 1848, and 1849, in like
manner, we have a diminution o f ten per cent with regard to the first, and
o f 18 and 11 per cent with regard to the other two.
O f the aggregate o f 2,705,000,000 francs, 1,174,000,000 francs are im
ports, 1,531,000,000 francs are exports. Compared with the business of
1849, the imports show an excess o f 32,000,000 or 3 percen t; compared
with the average o f five years, the excess is 5,000,000 francs. In exports
there has been a gain o f 108,000,000, or 8 per cent, on 1849, and of
288.000. 000, or 23 per cent, on the average o f five years.
According to actual rates, the total o f imports is reduced to 1,120,000
francs, and o f exports to 1,435,000,000 francs. Compared with the figures
given above, 1,174,000,000 and 1,531,000,000 francs, the difference is
54.000.
000 francs, and 96,000,000 francs, or 5 and 7 per cent. This differ
ence re ards General Commerce.
In Special Commerce, the aggregate total is 1,904,000,000 francs. The
aggregate for' 1849 was only 1,812,000,000 francs, that o f the five years
previous 1,709,000,000 francs. The increase, therefore, is 92,000.000 francs,
or 5 per cent, on the former, and 195,000,000, or 11 per cent, on the second
amount.
O f tLii amount o f 1,904,000,000 francs, there are of—
Imports..........................................................francs
Exports....................................................................
781,000,000
1,123,000,000
In 1849 there v e e of—
Imports...........................................................francs
Exports....................................................................
780,000,000
1,032,000,000
It thus appears that while imports have remained stationary, exports
have increased 91,000,000 francs, or 9 per cent. It may be well to call
attention to the fact that in 1849 there was a gain on 184 8 o f 40 per cent
in imports, and 24 per cent in exports.
In imports the five years’ average is 818,000,000 francs, in exports
891,000,000 francs; the result is a difference on the one hand o f 232,000,000
or 26 per cent in favor o f 1850, and on the other hand o f 37,000,000, or 5
per cent, against it.
The total o f Special Import trade at actual rates is ten millions beyond
the total o f official values ; that o f exports is 55,000,000 less, or 5 per cent.
Comparing actual rates o f 1850 and 1849, we have a difference in favor
•f The following table exhibRs in official values, and in periods o f five years, the course o f French
Foreign commerce during the last fifteen years.
Total
_
Imports. Exports. Total.
Millions.
2 d period.
3d period.
imports Exports. Total.
Imports. Exports. Total
Millions.
Years.
Millions.
1,066 2,187 1846 .......... 1.257 1,180 2,437
1,142
940 2,082 1847 .......... 1,343 1,271 2,614
1,187
992 2,179 1848
862 1 153 5,015
1,147 2,340 1849 .......... 1,142 1,423 2,56o
1,240 1,187 2,427 1850 ..........
1,174 1,531 2,705
9(16
808
937
947
1,052
961
758
956
1,003
1,011
Years.
1,867 1841........
1,566 1842 ........ .
1,893 1843 ........ .
1,950 1844 ........
2,063 1845 ........ .
4,650
4,689
9,329
Total .. .
.
1st period.
Years.
1836 . . .
1837 . . .
1838 . . .
1849 . . .
1 8 4 0 ... . .
5,883
5,332 11,215
Total . . .
5,778 6,558 12,336
Commerce o f France in 1850.
m
o f the former of these periods of 61,000,000 in imports, and 130,000,000
in exports, or 9 and 14 per cent.
COMMERCE BY SEA AND BY LAND.
O f the total aggregate of imports and exports, being 2,105,000,000 francs
official and 2,555,000,000 francs actual values comprehending the entire
movement o f French Trade, the proportion o f goods carried by sea and by
land is as follows ;
By s e a ..................................... francs
By land...............................................
Official value.
Actual value.
1,965,000,000
750,000,000
1,845,000,000
710,000,000
The proportion is 12 to 28 per cent, which is nearly the same as in 1849
and for the average of five years.
Official and actual values.
Imports by sea...............................
By land.............................
66
34
Exports by sea......................... ....
By la n d ...........................
77
23
MARITIME TRADE.
O f 1,955,000,000 francs, the total o f maritime trade, the proportion o f the
French flag, in official values, was 931,000,000, or 48 per cen t; that of foreign
flags 1,018,000,000 francs or 52 per cent. In 1849 the proportion was 51
to 49 per cent, and that for five years 52 to 48 per cent. Imports in French
bottoms reached 941,000,000 fr. in 1849, and the average for five years is
only 834,000,000.
O f this amount o f 931,000,000, 222,000,000, (official,) or 193,000,000,
(actual rates,) belong to privileged trade. This is 3 per cent less than,.the
previous year, 13 per cent less than the average.
The colonies, the Antilles, Cayenne, and Reunion, come in for five per cent
o f general C om m erce; other French possessions out o f Europe, including
Algeria, for 6 per cent, the W hale fishery 1 per cent. The balance is foreign
trade.
O f the foreign trade open to competition the following figures exhibit the
proportion o f French and Foreign flags.
French vessels, 1850 ............................................................ per cent
French vessels, 1849 ...........................................................................
French vessels average of five years................................................
Foreign vessels, 1850..........................................................................
Foreign vessels, 1849...........................................................................
Foreign vessels, average of five years..............................................
41
44
39
59
56
61
IMPORTS.
French vessels, 1850 ............................................................per cent
French vessels, 1849............................................................................
French vessels, average of
five y e a r s .....................................
Foreign vessels, 1850...........................................................................
Foreign vessels, 1849..........................................................................
Foreign vessels, average o f five years............................................
49
49
43
51
51
57
EXPORTS.
French vessels, 1850 ........................................................... percent
French vessels, 1849 ...........................................................................
French vessels, average of
five y e a rs ....................................
Foreign vessels, 1850...........................................................................
Foreign vessels, 1849 ..........................................................................
Foreign vessels, average of five years............................................
36
42
35
64
58
65
278
Commerce o f France in 1850.
The French flag has thus retained the proportion o f the previous year, 49
per cent, and gained 6 per cent on the 5 years’ average in the import trade.
In exports it has lost the ground gained in 1849, or 6 per cent. Taking
imports and exports together we find that the French flag has lost 3 per
cent on the amount of 1849, and gained 2 per cent on the average o f five
years.
IMPORTS AHD EXPORTS TOGETHER.
In the general Commerce of France, colonial and foreign, including im
ports and exports, England, the United States, Belgium, Switzerland, Sar
dinia, Spain, the German Union, Turkey, Russia, Brazil, placed thus in the
order o f importance, shared to the extent of from 15 to 2 per cent, and all
together 73 per cent. The English Indies, Two Sicilies, Low Countries,
Tuscany, the Spanish America possessions, and Mexico, come next, with 9
per cent. French colonies and possessions out o f Europe take 8 per cent, o f
which 3|- are for Algeria. The balance o f 10 per cent falls to some 32
points o f export or import. Last year Algeria was eighth in importance,
Martinique sixteenth, Reunion, Guadeloupe, Senegal, Saint Pierre and
Miquelon, and the whale fishery, the French possessions in India and
Cayenne, occupy the 21st, 22nd, 25th, 26th, 41st and 42nd places.
The total official value o f colonial and foreign trade is greater than the
total actual value, except as regards England, the United States, the Span
ish America possessions, Saint Pierre, Miquelon, and the Barbary States, as to
which the actual values are 7,000,000 francs, or 2 per cent, 9,000,000, or 2
per cent, 4,000,000, or 10 per cent, 9,000,000, or 34 per cent, and 2,000,000,
or 8 per cent.
As regards Special Commerce, French trade with the United States has
increased 2 per cent on 1849, and 20 per cent on the average o f 5 years.
W ith England trade has increased 14 and 39 per cent, with Belgium 17
and 28 per cent. W ith the German Union, French trade has increased 10
per cent, but it has not reached by 12 per cent the average o f 5 years.
The Russian trade, which had fallen in 1 8 4 9 ,1 6 and 31 per cent, has un
dergone further depression, to the extent o f 15 per cent on 1849, (42,000,000
to 50,000,000 francs;) the average o f 5 years being 71,000,000.
Trade with the Two Sicilies has slightly fallen off; that with Tuscany has
increased 5,000,000 and 3,000,000 francs at general and special rates. But
the trade with the Low Countries has lost the ground gained in 1 8 4 9 ;
instead o f 30,000,000 francs the total is but 24,000,000 fr., which is also the
average.
The official total o f the Special Import and Export Trade with Algeria is
81.000. 000 francs, against 86,000,000 in 1849 and the average of 87,000,000.
This decrease is at the rate o f 6 and 8 per cent. Reunion has gained
4.000. 000 and 3,000,000; Martinique has lost 6 and 5,000,000, and
Guadeloupe 4 and 9,000,000 francs, Senegal 2,000,000.
Valued at actual rates, both the general and special trade with England,
the United States, Spanish America Possessions, Saint Pierre, Miquelon, the
Barbary States exhibits a larger total than at official rates. In Special trade
this is the case with several other powers also, one o f the first o f these is
Belgium, the special trade with which amounted to 205,000,000 official, and
218.000. 000 francs actual value, the increase being 6 per cent. Trade with
the German Union increased 80,000,000 and 81,000,000. Trade with the
Two Sicilies, Austria, the Dutch Indies, Sweden, the Roman States, the Phil
Commerce o f France in 1850.
279
ippines, and two or three other inferior powers, exhibit like results, amounting
together to a difference o f 3,000,000 francs between the official and actual
values.
IMPORTS---- COUNTRY OF ORIGIN.
Total imports from Belgium into France are estimated at 158,000,000,
or 14 per cent more than in 1849, and 23 per cent more than the average
o f 5 years. In special trade that power stands second, the total being
105.000. 000 francs or 14 and 8 per cent.
The total o f general imports from the United States, was 137,000,000 fr.,
o f special 123,000,000 fr., or 22 and 13 per cent less on the one hand, and
IS and 6 per cent on the other.
Switzerland is third in general trade, the total being 134,000,000, to
123.000. 000 in 1849, and 108,000,000 fr. the average of five years. In
special trade it retains its place, the tenth. Swiss imports thrown on the
French markets amounted to 24,000,000, which is an increase o f 6 and 2
per cent.
The total o f imports from England is 122,000,000 and 70,000,000 francs,
which is a gain on 1849 o f 14 and 18 per cent, and on the average o f five
years o f 12 and 7 per cent.
Imports to the value o f 91,000,000 fr. were received from the Sardinian
States, of which 74,000,000 were consumed in the country. There is here
a falling off in both general and special trade, in the former of 9 and 2 per
■cent, in the latter o f 4 and 3 per cent.
The total o f imports from Turkey was 55,000,000 fr., general trade in
1849, and 33,000,000 special trade. On the other hand, the average o f five
years preceding 1850 is 56,000,000 and 40,000,000.
The general trade with Spain has increased from 35 to 50,000,000 francs.
The increase o f imports is 33 and 27 per cent on 1849, and 17 and 15 per
•cent on the average o f five years.
The total of the general import trade with the German Union in 1850
was only 45,000,000, while in 1849 it amounted to 51,000,000 and
30.000.
000 francs, but the special trade rose to 33,000,000 ; this is a falling
o ff o f 11 per cent on the one, and a gain o f 10 per eent on the other.
Compared with the average of five years, the decrease is 26 and 16 per cent.
Official value o f imports from the English Indies is 45,000,000, o f which
31.000. 000 francs are special trade. W e have here a gain o f 5 7 and 8 per cent
on 1849, and o f 42 and 22 per cent on the average o f five years.
As regards imports o f every class, in the general import trade, Russia
occupied the eighth place in 1849, and as regards imports for home con
sumption, or the special trade, the sixth plaee. In 1850 it stands 10th and
9th, the total values being 39,000,000 and 25,000,000 fr. This is a gain
o f 2 per eent in 1849 in general trade, but a loss o f 20 percent in special
trade, and it is a loss o f 40 and 55 per eent, compared with the average o f
five years.
The share of the ten powers above named in general trade is 75 percent;
an special trade 72 percent.
The general imports from the French colonies are but 5~ per eent o f the
whole, while they were 6 per cent in 1849, and the average is 8 per cent.
The total special trade with these colonies is 7^ per cent instead o f 9J per
cent in 1849, and 9 per eent the average o f five years.
Of the remaining 20 per cent, being the balance o f the import trade, about
380
Commerce o f France in 1850,
12 per cent fall to the Low Countries, the Spanish America Possessions, the
Two Sicilies, the Barbary States, Brazil, Norway, Rio de la Plata, and Tus
cany; this is the same proportion as in 1849, but it is one per cent less
than the average.
EXPORTS, OR COUNTRY OF DESTINATION.
The official value o f French exports to Great Britain was 295,000,000 fr.,
o f which 226,000,000 were special trade.
To the United States general exports amount to 273,000,000 francs,
special exports to 178,000,000 francs.
This is an increase as regards England o f 21 and 23 per eent compared
With the preceding year, and of 57 and 53 per cent compared with the aver
age ; and as regards the United States of 14 and 21 per cent, and 45 and
50 per cent.
General exports to Belgium amounted to 117,000,000 francs, o f which
all but 16,000,000 fr. are for articles o f French production. This is an in
crease o f general trade o f 18,000,000 on 1849, and 42,000,000 (56 per
cent) on the average. The increase o f special trade is 19 and 59 percent.
Exports to Spain amount 106,000,000 and 71,000,000 fr .; increase o f gen
eral trade 17 per cent, o f special trade 3 per cent.
The official value o f exports from France to Switzerland was 104,000,000
and 56,000,000 fr. The corresponding amounts for 1849 are 109,000,000
and 53,000,000, and for the average 103,000,000 and 49,000,000.
The demand from Sardinia amounted to 82,000,000, (general trade,) or
three millions more than in 1849, or than the average o f five years, and to
58.000. 000 special trade; which is a gain o f 5,000,000 and 10,000,000 fr.
French exports to the German Union, amounted in 1849 to 53,000,000
general, and 42,000,000 special trade.
The five years’ average was
64.000. 000 and 51,000,000.
Exports to Turkey increased from 34,000,000 and 19,000,000 in 1849,
to 36,000,000 and 23,000,000 in 1850, or 5 and 23 per cent. Compared
with the average of five years, the difference is 26 and 54 percent.
Brazil, which, leaving Algeria out of view, stands ninth in general and
special trade, imported 33,000,000 francs in goods of which 22,000,090 were
o f French production. This is a gain o f 2 and 5 per cent on 1849, and o f
5 and 17 per cent on the average of five years.
The total o f exports to Tuscany was 28,000,000 and 17,000,000, which is
an increase o f 24 and 28 per cent on the special and general trade of 1849
and the average of five years. 74 per cent o f general trade, and 71 per
cent of special trade fall to the ten powers just named.
The export trade with Mexico, Russia, Chili, and Rio de la Plata, was not
so great as in 1849. However it presents a total o f 72,000,000 in general,
and 58,000,000 in special trade, or 5 per cent o f the whole, which is higher
than the average o f five years.
The official value o f goods exported to Algeria was 88,000,000 and
76.000. 000fr., against 90,000,000 and 79,000,000 in 1849, and the five
years’ average o f 95,000,000 and 84,000,000.
The amount o f exports to Martinique, Reunion, Guadeloupe, Senegal, and
Cayenne, was 63,000,000, o f which 58.000,000 francs were goods o f French
origin. The aggregate of 1849 was 61,000,000 and 56,000,000, and the
average 62,000,000 and 56,000,000.
The improvement here belongs
entirely to Reunion, the exports to which increased about 6,000,000 francs.
281
Commerce o f France in 1850.
The aggregate exports to French Colonies and possessions, including
Algeria and the whale fishery, amounts to 10 per cent o f general exports
and to 12 per cent o f special exports. It was 11 and 14 per cent in 1849,
and the average is 13 and 16 per cent.
The following table exhibits the share o f the ten nations having the largest
dealings with France in the general and special import and export trade in
both official and actual values.
General Commerce.
Value.
Actual.
Special Commerce.
Value.
Official.
Actual.
19.3
17.8
7.7
6.9
6.8
5 .4
3 .6
2 .3
2.1
1.8
20.0
15.8
9 .0
6.3
5 .0
5 .2
4 .2
2 .0
1.9
1.6
Official.
England............................... per cent
United States.......................
B elgium ...............................
S p a in ...................................
Switzerland.........................
Sardinia...............................
German Union......................
Turkey..................................
B ra zil...................................
Tuscany...............................
COUNTRIES IMPORTED
21.7
19.9
7.9
6 .0
6.5
5 .0
3.6
2.2
1.9
1.7
22.4
18.1
9.3
5 .6
4 .7
4 .8
4 .2
2.1
1 .8
1.5
FROM AND EXPORTED TO.
The debit and credit account with these powers, and with Russia and the
Two Sicilies, taking special Commerce or trade in articles o f domestic pro
duction, and for domestic consumption, for the basis o f comparison is as fol
lows :—
Official values.
Debit.
Credit.
E n gla n d ...........francs
United States..............
Belgium........ ..............
Spain............................
Switzerland................
Sardinia.......................
German Union.............
Turkey........................
Brazil............................
Tuscany.......................
Russia..........................
Two Sicilies.................
70.000.
000
226,000,000
178.000. 000 123.000. 000
161.000. 000 105.000.000
71.000.
000 35.000.
000
56.000.
000 24.000.
000
58.000.
000 74.000.
000
47.000.
000 33.000.
000
23.000.000
44.000.
000
22.000.000
12.000.000
17.000.
000 10, 000,000
18.000.
000 25.000.
000
14,000,000
15.000.000
Actual values.
Debit.
Credit.
239.000. 000 73.000. 000
194.000. 000 122, 000,000
100.000.000
118,000,000
60,000,000
30.000.
000
50.000.
000 24.000.
000
52.000.
000 73.000.
000
46.000.
000 36.000.
000
23.000.000
40.000.
000
19.000. 000
11 .000 .000
16.000.
000 10, 000,000
18,000.000
20 , 000,000
13,000,000
17,000,000
From this table it appears that the value o f exports to England, the
United States, Spain, Switzerland, the German Union, Brazil, and Tuscany,
is considerably greater than the value o f the imports from those countries;
that as regards the Two Sicilies, the imports and exports are very nearly
balanced, and as respects Belgium, Sardinia, and Turkey, imports are consid
erably heavier than exports.
N ature of I mports . O f the official total o f imports, 1,174,000,000 fr.,
722.000. 000 were for raw materials, o f which 602,000,000 were for articles
consumed by the domestic manufacturers. This is an increase of 1,000,000
and 6,000,000 on 1849, and that year showed a gain o f 50 and 59 per
cent. The value o f articles o f consumption in the natural state, which was
182.000. 000 francs in 1849 in general, and 151,000,000 in special trade,
was 189,000,000 and 137,000,000 francs in 1850. There is here an in
crease o f 7,000,000, or 4 per cent, in general, and a decrease o f 14,000,000,
or 9 per cent, in special trade.
In imports of manufactured articles there has been an increase of
23.000.
000 and 9,000,000, 10 and 28 per cent.
282
Commerce o f France in 1850.
The results in actual value o f 1849 compared with 1850 show an increase
o f 54,000,000 francs in silk fabrics, 10,000,000 in hardware and haberdashery,
3,000,000 in glass and crystal ware, 4,000,000 in refined sugar, 7,000,000
in metal ware, and 2,000,000 in perfumery, dyes, and dyewoods.
B ounties . The amount o f bounties or exports, on drawbacks paid out of
the public treasury in 1850 was 25,458,572 francs. On this account there
were paid in 1849, 19,343,366 francs; increase 6,115,206 francs, which are
for refined sugars made from foreign raw sugars. The average is 18,692,988
francs.
There has been an increase in weight o f refined sugars exported, o f 58 per
cent since 1849, and 75 per cent on the average. In soaps the increase is
18 and 29 per cent, in woolen fabrics o f 2 and 21 per cent, and in woolen
thread o f 24 and 61 per cent.* There is a decrease o f 9 and 5 per cent in
cotton fabrics, and also in sheet lead, as well as in purified sulphur, in the
former o f 36 and 4 per cent, in the latter of 23 and 44 per cent.
The official total o f exports, with benefit of bounty, was.......... francs
Actual value.................................................................................................
268.222,392
185,929,480
The value o f these exports in 1849 was 278,012,000 francs, (official,)
183,748,000 francs, (actual,) deducting the value o f certain kinds o f fabrics
and threads.
The imports o f manufactured articles increased twenty-three millions and
nine million francs (ten ana twenty-eight per cent.)
A comparison o f the results o f 1850 with those o f 1849 and with the
average of five years, with reference to special Commerce, shows the follow
ing results:—
O f raw materials, o f silks there has been an increased importation to the
extent o f twenty-six million francs compared with the average ; in wool an
increase of seven million francs since 1849, and of thirteen million compared with the average o f five years; in coal, of five and six million fr.; and
also in hair used in spinning and in the hat manufacture; in woods, of six
million and one million francs; and in rawhides of two million and three
million. A difference o f six million francs, the same way, but only with
reference to the period o f five years, exists in regard to flax. On the other
and a falling off is noted o f eighteen million and eleven million francs in
leaf tobacco, o f four million and one million francs in indigo, and o f three
millons and one million in olive oil. French manufactures consumed in
1850, six million francs worth o f cotton more than the average of five
years, but nine million francs less than in 1849. Finally there has been
a falling off in the amount o f flax and hemp thread and rough castings
from eleven million and nine million francs, the average o f five years, to four
million and five million francs, although these amounts, are one million francs
beyond the total o f 1849.
O f articles o f consumption in the natural state, colonial and foreign sugars
first demand attention ; the official value of the former imported for home
consumption is three million and six million francs greater, and o f the latter
nine million and fourteen million francs less. In 1850, as in 1849, the
demand abroad for the cereals for consumption in France has been exceed
ingly limited, while the average imports for five years is seventy-one million
francs.
* The double figures in all cases refer to the two points of comparison, the preceding year ani the
average of five years.—Ed. Mer. Mag.
/
r
{
Commerce o f France in 1850.
283
O f manufactured articles, the value o f linen and hempen fabrics is two
million more than in 1849, o f watches, clock works and also machinery, one
million francs.
Comparing with 1849, and taking for a basis actual valuations, we find,
o f materials used in industry, an increase o f sixty-two million and sixty-four
million, as follow s:
1st. In special Commerce, o f twenty-one million francs in mixed cottons,
o f eleven million francs in silks, seven millions in woolens (declared values at
the Custom houses,) seven million francs in common woods, eight millions in
coals, four million francs in raw hides, two million francs in foreign sugars.
2d. O f articles o f consumption in the natural state, an increase o f four mil
lions in general imports arising solely from the increased valuation of salt fish,
and a decrease in special imports o f nine million francs, o f which seven mil
lion francs are for Colonial sugars, and two million francs for oleginous grains.
3rd. O f manufactured articles an increase o f thirty-three million and twelve
million francs, o f the latter five hundred thousand are for linen and hempen
fabrics, silks, watch works, and machinery ; the surplus, for those articles with
which France is usually supplied from abroad.
NATURE OF EXPORTS.
The official value o f general exports of articles in the natural state has
increased from four hundred and fifty-three million francs, the amount in
1849, and 383,000,000 francs, the average o f five years, to 484,000,000
francs, a gain o f 7 and 27 per cent for 1850 ; this increase has been exclu
sively in French goods, the exports of which have risen from 325,000,000
to 484,000,000 francs, or 9 and 45 per cent on 1849 and the aver
age. The increase in special trade alone, since last year, in actual values,
is 30,000,000 francs or 10 percent (32'.',000,000 against 292,000,000 fr.) O f
these differences in special trade (compared with 1849) 3,000,000 (official)
and 8,000,000 (actual) are for wines ; 18,000,000 francs for the cereals ;
2.000. 000 for eggs. The amount o f brandies and the spirit of wine, termed
trois six, was 23,000,000 fr. in official and 38,000,000 fr. in actual values.
This is a decrease since 1849 o f 19 per cent in official values, and 12 per
cent in actual values; but there is a gain o f 32 per cent on the average.
The official total o f manufactured articles o f every class exported in 1849
was 970,000,000 francs, in 1850 it was 1,047,000,000 francs. Increase,
77.000. 000 or 8 per cent. The gain on the five years’ average is 22 per
cent.
O f this total o f 1,047,000,000 francs, 799,000,000 are for special trade;
this amount the previous year was 735,000,000 francs, and the average
667.000. 0 0 0 ; increase, 64,000,000 (9 per cent) and 132,000,000 francs (20
per cent.) O f this increase 28,000,000 and 54,000,000 are for silk fabrics
and ferrets, 7,000,000 and 13,000,000 francs for hardware and toys;
6.000.
000 and 9,000,000 for glass and crystal w are; 4,000,000 for paper
and paper goods ; 6,000,000 and 5,000,000 francs for refined sugar; three
million francs for metal w are; two million or three millions for perfumery;
three millions or four millions for volatile oils; seven millions and eight
millions for dyes and dyewoods.
In these exports there is a decrease since 1849 o f about 10,000,000
francs, or 3~ per cent, according to the official rates o f 1826 ; at actual
rates, the increase is 2,182,000 francs, or 1 per cent, in 1850.
The value o f woolen thread and fabrics, the bounties on which are deter-
284
Commerce o f France in 1850.
mined either by value alone, or by weight and value combined, were as fol
lows :—Official values.
Actual values.
1850............................................... francs
1849 .........................................................
124,855,000
128,835,000
111,290,000
111,428,000
Decrease..........................................
8,480,000
188,000
C od a k d W h a l e F is h e r y .
The Cod Fishery yielded 376,132 metrical
quintals o f fresh and dry cod, oils, roes, <fcc., which is 3 per cent less than
in 1849, and than the average; this diminution is particularly in dry cods,
amounting to nearly 1 per cent of the total imports o f this class.
Exports o f cod, with benefit o f bounty, fell from 88,251 metrical quin
tals in 1849, and 75,576 metrical quintals, the average, to 62,070 metrical
quintals. This is a decrease o f 30 and 18 per cent, and affects chiefly ex
ports to the Antilles, and also to Italy.
W arehousing.
The quantity of goods warehoused in 1850 was
8,239,151 metrical quintals, worth, at the rates of 1826, 618,000,000
francs.
This is 24,757 quintals and 23,000,000 francs less than in 1849.
This apparent decrease is explained by the fact that hitherto the valuation
of many articles at the warehouses was determined by the gross weight of
articles, even when the duty was rated on importation by the net weight.
The department determined to regard only the net weight of ai tides on
which duty w:as levied by the net weight in adjusting warehouse accounts.
Hence a total reduction in weight o f 130,000 metrical quintals, of which
the official value is 30,000,000 francs. Adding this amount to the above
amount o f 8.239,115 metrical quintals, we have a total o f 8,369,115 quin
tals, or 105,207 quintals more than in 1849.
The warehouses o f Marseilles stand first in importance, as regards both
weight and value. Havre is second in both respects, but in 1849 it stood
first as regards value. Bordeaux is third as to weight, and fourth as to
value. Nantes, Paris and Dunkerque are next in order, as regards w eight:
Paris, Nantes and Dunkerque as regards value. Lyons is third as respects
value, but is only twelfth in weight of goods warehoused.
O f 42,300,000 francs, total value o f goods warehoused, Havre and Mar
seilles took 69 per cent in 1850 and 1849 ; Lyons 9 per cent in 1850, and
12 per cent in 1849 ; Bordeaux 8 per cent against 7.
T ran sit T rad e . Total weight o f foreign goods crossing French territo
ry w'as 319,724 metrical quintals, or 18 per cent less than in 1849, when
it was 388.594 quintals. The total value of the trade at the official rates
was 258,000,000 francs; in 1849, 254,000,000. Increase, 1 ] er cent.
The actual value was 235,000,000 in 1850, and 220,000,000 francs in
1849, showing an increase o f 7 per cent.
The transit o f silk fabrics increased from 67,000,000 francs, (official,) and
73,000 000, (actual,) to 74,000,000 and 90,000,000 francs ; that o f cotton
has fallen from 51,000,000 and 25.000,000 to 50,000.000 and 21,000,000
francs ; silk from 32,000,000 to 22,000,000 and 25,000,000 francs. The
value o f woolen fabrics increased 4,000,000 and 2,000,000 francs ; that o f
mixed 3,000,000, only at actual rates, however.
In weight, the decrease above noted affects castings, iron and steel, to the
extent o f 15,000 quintals ; coffee, 26,000 quintals ; refined sugars, 37,000
quintals.
In value, Switzerland is first as regards export transit trade, (into France.)
Commerce o f France in 1850.
285
Its share is 99,000,000 francs, (official,) and 97,000,000, (actual.) In 1849
the corresponding amounts were 100,000,000 and 93,000,000 francs.
Belgium and England, as in 1849, are second and third; the transit
trade with the former amounting to 61,000,000 and 50,000,000, against
42.000. 000 and 35,000,000; with the latter, to 35 and 29,000,000, against
36 and 28,000,000 francs.
O f countries importing, the United States stands first, Switzerland the
second, and England the third in importance in the transit trade. The
amount for the United States is 80,000,000, (official,) and 79,000,000 francs,
(actual;) for Switzerland, 48,000,000 and 43 ,000 ,0 00 ; for England,
47.000. 000 and 51,000,000 francs. In 1849 the value o f goods in transit
sent to the United States was 72,000,000 and 69,000,000 francs ; to Swit
zerland, 57 and 46,000,000 francs ; to England, 35 and 36,000,000 francs.
80 per cent o f the value of the goods entering, and 73 per cent o f the value
of goods leaving France in transit trade, fall to these three powers and Bel
gium.
The comparative quantity, in weight of goods in the transit trade with
these four powers, in 1849 and 1850, is as follows —
COUNTRIES EXPORTING.
1850.
Switzerland................................................. metrical quintals
B elgium ............................................................................................
England.............................................................................................
United States... . .............................................................................
25,836
28,852
39,428
51,658
1849.
21,229
11,701
37,409
51,714
COUNTRIES IMPORTING.
1850.
United States............................................... metrical quintals
Switzerland.................................................................................
England.................................................................................
Belgium ............................................................................................
1849.
20,255
206,319
16,611
286,760
19,1518,392
11,941
7,436
The principal articles exported or imported by these nations, through
France, are as follows
S
w it z e r l a n d
....
( Exported linen and hempen fabrics, cotton, woolen and silk fabJ rics, oils, hare and rabbit furs, sewing needles, and fire arms,
j
Imported silk, fabrics of every kind, watch works, wool and
(cotton, indigo, manufactured cork.
B e l g iu m
E
U
Exported silk, wool, cotton, fabrics of all kinds, iron, sheet-iron
and tin, cotton thread.
{
ngland
n it e d
Exported cotton and silk fabrics, silks, watch works, gold and
silver ware, jewelry, and prepared skins.
Imported cotton, coffee, sugar, iron and castings, oil, wool, leaftobacco, and manufactured tobacco, linen and hempen fabrics, cot
ton and woolen fabrics, indigo.
States. .
Imported silk and silk fabrics, cotton and woolen fabrics, watch
Exported
wool,
dyejewelry,
woods, quercitron,
tallow
and hogs’
works,
gold cotton
and silver
ware,
worked skins,
cut coral,
<fec.
lard, leaf-tobacco and vanilla.
Imported fabrics of all kinds, watch works, gold and silver ware,
jewelry, sewing needles, hare and rabbit furs, haberdashery, fire
( arms, and cutlery.
The total o f duties o f every kind collected by the Customs Department,
was 154,027,420 francs, as follows;—
286
Commerce o f France in 1850.
Import duties......................................................................................francs
Export duties................................................................................................
Navigation duties........................
Incidental duties and receipts........ ...........................................................
Tax on consumption of salt........................................................................
124,696,461
2,865,693
2,708,232
2,939 325
20,817,809
These receipts are less by 8,804,049 francs than those o f 1849 ; the di
minution being in the import duties and the salt tax, there being an increase
in the other branches o f revenue. The difference in the salt tax is nearly
6,500,000 francs, and in import duties more than 3,000,000 francs, which is
explained by the relaxation in colonial sugars and in coffees.
The receipts at the principal Custom-houses, and the proportion to the
aggregate in 1849 and 1850, are as follows :—
1849.
Marseilles.............. francs
Havre.............................
Paris...............................
Bordeaux.......................
Nantes...........................
Dunkerque....................
Rouen.............................
Other custom-houses..,
30,012,000 or
29.485.000
14.745.000
14.114.000 “
12.670.000 “
5.963.000 “
4.125.000 “
50.717.000 “
1850.
19 per cent.
Si
8
4
3
31
32.530.000 or 21 per cent.
26.111.000 “ 17
“
12.109.000 “ • 8
“
12.047.000 “ 8
“
11.498.000 “ 7 f “
5.929.000 “ 4
“
5.563.000 “ 3| “
48.240.000 “ 31
The decrease, it will be seen, is in the receipts at Havre, Paris, Bordeaux,
and Nantes, at the rate of 3, 2 j , 2 and 1,000,000 francs, while the increase
at Marseilles and Lyons amounts to 1,500,000 each.
S h ip p in g . The import and export trade o f France, colonial and foreign,
employed steam and sail vessels in 31,926 voyages, or 10 per cent more than
in 1849, and 5 per cent more than the average o f five years.
The measurement was 3,735,000 tons, or 13 per cent more than in 1849,
and 2 per cent more than the average.
O f these 31,926 voyages, 15,034 were made by vessels under the French
flag, the measurement o f which, according to the number o f voyages, was
1.625.000. 000 tons.
In 1849, these numbers were 14,364 vessels, and
1.596.000. 000 tons ; increase, 5 and 2 per cent. The share o f the foreign flags
has increased still more, or 14 and 23 per cent.
In the French colonial trade the number o f vessels is 10 per cent, and
the tonnage 14 per cent less than in 1849, and 26 and 29 per cent less
than the average o f five years.
The French flag has gained 3 and 15 pet cent on the European nations,
and 20 and 38 per cent on nations out o f Europe, in navigation open to
competition.
Voyages under privileged trade in 1850 were 10 per cent o f all flags, or
1 per cent less than during the periods o f comparison. O f foreign trade,
37 per cent belongs to the French fla g ; 2 per cent less than in 1840, and
4 per cent less than the average. O f the total tonnage, the proportion of
the French flag is only 32 per cent, in place o f 35 per cent in 1849, and 28
per cent the average.
Taking the entire trade, open and privileged together, 47 per cent o f the
voyages in 1850, and 44 per cent o f the tonnage, were under the French
flag, or 2 and 4 per cent less than in 1849. The average is 44 and 42 per
cent.
O f voyages by steam, 12 per cent in privileged navigation were under the
Frt nch fla g ; and 40 per cent in open navigation.
1,750 voyages by steam of vessels with cargo were performed under the
The Fisheries o f the United States.
287
French flag. 4,838 voyages were performed under foreign flags ; this is 21
to 13 per cent. The average o f five years is 30 against 70 per cent, and
the proportion in 1849, 32 to 68 per cent.
W ith the exception o f Belgium, Hanover, and Denmark, in the maritime
intercourse with European countries, the share of the French flag was less
in 1850 than in 1849. In the English trade only 29 per eent o f the ton
nage employed belonged to the French flag, against 35 per cent in 1849 ;
in the Spanish, 35 per cent, against 38 ; in the Tuscan, Roman and Sicil
ian, 38 per cent only, against 50 per c e n t; lastly, in the Turkish trade, 76
against 78 per cent.
O f countries out o f Europe, the United States o f America, Brazil, the
Spanish American possessions, the Barbary States, and Egypt have had the
most active maritime intercourse with France, as regards tonnage and the
relative share o f the French flag. The proportions between 1850 and 1849
are as follows :— trade with the United States, (Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
together,) 10 against 13 per cent; Brazil, 84 against 89. O f the trade
with the Spanish possessions, only 75 per cent, in place o f 65, fell to the
French fla g ; and in that with the Barbary States, 93 against 89 per cent.
In the Egyptian trade, French tonnage fell from 92 to 90 per cent.
The following table exhibits, in the order o f importance, the twelve pow
ers with which France carried on the most active maritime intercourse in
1850, and the proportion for each of the French f l ag:—
England...................
United States..........
T u rk e y .....................
Norway..................... .......................
Two Sicilies..............
Sardinia.............................................
Spain............................
Russia, (both seas).. . . ...................
Sweden.........................
1 Tuscany.........................
Low Countries..............
69 Spanish Antilles.......... ...................
28
76
It will be perceived that, with the exception o f Sardinia and the Spanish
Antilles, the year 1849 was more favorable to the French flag.
»
[>
Art. II.— THE FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES.
CHAPTER VII.
OUR M AK RE TS— TH E
W EST
I N D I E S — H I S T O R Y O F E X P O R T T O & C .— D O . O F E U R O P E — D O . OF S O U T H
A M E R IC A — T A B L E
«•
OF E X P O R T T O T H E P R I N C IP A L M A R K E T S ,
1789
tO
1850.
T h e W est Indies have always furnished the principal market for the fish
o f the United States ; without the W est Indian consumption, indeed, our
fisheries would have been insignificant, at nearly all times, in point o f com
mercial value, and would have been considered no further important than as
a source of support to a very small class o f our population. The situation
o f these islands, the nature o f the pursuits followed by their population, the
desirableness o f an extended trade with them, and the peculiar adaptation
o f fish as an article o f food for the laborers in tropical climates, all have
aided to sustain the W est Indies in the relation o f our great consumer.
It would be naturally expected that a community like the W est Indies
would not be a steady and uniform customer. O f the several means by
which Commerce is supported, that which rests directly upon the product of
288
The Fisheries o f the United States.
the earth is most precarious; and a people nearly exclusively devoted to
rural pursuits, would, therefore, be little likely to maintain a constant and
regular trade. The fact, as applied to the general Commerce of these is
lands, is sufficiently evident in their commercial history.
In conjunction
with this circumstance, the W est Indian market has been, as well directly
as indirectly,' disturbed by those wars which have periodically broken out in
Europe and extended to the new world. Frequent changes o f possessorship,
and with them as frequent changes o f policy, have been the result o f these
wars, or have occurred in time o f peace. Yet all these unfavoring circum
stances, considerable as they appear, have exerted but a limited effect upon
that market as regards the article in question, and the W est Indies have
really been the steadiest, the most regular, as well as the largest o f our cus
tomers. This fact evinces the healthy nature o f the trade, and shows that it
is founded on deep and mutual wants. The exports o f the W est Indies,
although for the greater part ordinarily designated luxuries, have become to
us, and are to all civilized communities, articles o f real and prime necessity,
and among the articles which we exchange for them, fish is one o f real ne
cessity in the W est Indies. The export thither was lowest during the late
war with England, when our fishermen were driven from their old grounds;
but the real diminution was neither so great nor so sudden as has occurred
on two occasions since. By referring to the table following, it will be seen
how steady was this export from 1789 (when the first regular record of the
statistics begun) down to about 1835. A very large diminution, above 40
per cent, occurred between 1835 and 1840, which was nearly recovered five
years later; but a much larger diminution, above 50 per cent, or from
$810,557 to $372,886, occurred between 1845 and 1850. The cause o f
this last diminution was owing somewhat to the state o f the islands, the
increase o f obstacles by the growing tyranny in the Spanish part o f them,
the decaying prosperity o f St. Domingo, and some others. But a more effi
cient cause still, was the growing competition o f the British American fish
ermen, who have become within a few years formidable rivals to our own,
not only abroad, but in our own ports, and the diminution from this and
ot e causes o f our yearly catch.
W hile the general state o f the W est Indian market has been so regular,
there have been many internal or local changes, and these o f a very mate
rial character. This variation, indeed, has been constantly going on. Some
of the local markets, standing in leading importance, have declined, some
gradually, others all at o n ce ; others, meanwhile, have in like manner
arisen, and others, o f a long known and accurate measurement have as
sumed a givatly enlarged capacity. W ith the frequent changes o f possessorship, before alluded to, it is impossible to classify the markets according to
their importance, in a scale ranged by the several colonial dependencies.
Those who are acquainted with these changes will obtain a proximate idea
o f the importance o f the several islands or groups as fish markets, by con
necting it with the statement we are about to present.
In 1789-90, the French islands took nearly the whole export to the
W est Indies, viz., $518,288 out of $574,397 o f dried and smoked, and
$90,818 out of $110,604 of pickled fish. Though nothing like this
rate was maintained, their consumption stood at a good figure, from
1800 to 1825, being most o f this time much ahead o f that o f any other
class of the islands. From 1825 it constantly and rapidly decreased, and
is at present o f the value of no more than a few thousand dollars. The
The Fisheries o f the United States.
289
Dutch islands are still respectable customers, though their consumption is
less than half what it was formerly. The Danish islands became important
markets about 1820, and attained their maximum about 1830, since which
they have been very fluctuating, but fast declining, on the whole. The
British W est Indies were considerable customers about ten years from 1800,
but have been o f consequence at no other time. The island o f Cuba came
rapidly forward after the close o f the war o f 1815, progressing at a rate that
promised well to repair the loss o f markets elsewhere. Between 1820 and
1825 she increased her imports o f our American fish, $36,109, equivalent to
30 per c e n t; from 1825 to 1830 the increase was $58,954, or above 35 per
cen t; between 1830 and 1835 it was $98,102, or 46 per cent. The con
sumption of Cuba has since been very fluctuating, rising above the highest
o f these periods, and sinking again in 1850 to one-third the amount of the
fifth year previous, lla yti arose at the same time with Cuba, and main
tained a larger market until near 1835, when it suffered like variations with
the Cuban market, with which it may now be placed on a fair average.
W ere the governments of these two islands o f a better kind, or at least
better administered, and were the social condition o f Hayti, especially, better,
they would quickly offer a much enlarged capacity.
Europe furnished us very desirable markets at the outset. In 1'789-90,.
she took between one-third and one-half as much as the W est Indies.
Nearly four-fifths o f this was taken by Spain, and about half of the whole
European export thereafter, until the continental difficulties and the general
war cut off nearly the whole trade, after which time it only gained a par
tial and brief revival, and soon became nearly extinguished. Erance, by the
necessities o f her condition, became suddenly a large customer about 1800
but with a change of circumstances, as suddenly ceased to be one. From
the patron, France became the oppressor o f our fishermen, by the enforce
ment o f those remarkable and unjust views regarding the rights and obli
gations o f neutrals. Portugal and Madeira were respectable customers in
1789, but soon declined, until, in 1821, Portugal took nothing, and her
colony but a trifle. Italy was a fair customer, considering the state of Italy,
in the beginning of the century, and continued so to about 1820, soon after
which her market became extir c t; about the same time the whole European
export dropped away. A t present the European custom is confined to a
few barrels and casks that are sent to Gibraltar, and one or two other places
up the Mediterranean.
As the European markets declined, some compensation, in addition to the
extension of the W est Indian markets, began to be found in the opening of
new ones on this continent, which until then had been neglected, on account,
chiefly, of the political agitations which were so unfavorable to Commerce,
and, indeed, to all quiet pursuits. The Spanish South American colonies
took fish to the value«t>f about $25,000 in 1820. The Portuguese domin
ions did still better, Brazil taking to the value o f $67,000 at the same time.
Brazil, although declining from 1825, continued far in the lead o f the other
South American communities, until about 1835, when the little colony of
the Dutch in Guiana, took the lead, and has since maintained it, at present
affording a market for about half our whole South American export.
A little increase within the last few years is seen in the export to Mexico,
which there is room yet further to improve. About 1845 a small lot was
sent to China, and the opening thus made has been kept and improved. A
VOL. x x v i.— n o. h i .
19
The Fisheries o f the United States.
290
few shipments have also recently been made to the South Sea and Pacific,
and a few also to the Cape o f Good Hope, and to British India.
W h at the future prospect in regard to these markets, and the opening of
new ones is, will be treated of in another place. W e here add the table
before alluded t o ; it is more defective than we could wish, owing to the inef
ficiency o f the data from which it is compiled. The figures, as far as given,
however, are correct, with at most but trifling exceptions. The defect is in
the want of the statistics for several of the years left blank against places put
down, and those for a few other places not included in the table. The several
footings, therefore, do not show the complete exports to any quarter,
although the correction needed is very trifling in the case of the W est In
dies. Another defect is in the necessity of embracing only the dried and
smoked fish, and the quantity in place o f the price, in the statement of
18 0 5 -1 5 inclusive:—
TABLE SHOWING THE
PRINCIPAL
MARKETS
FOR
THE
FISH
THEIR RELATIVE IMPORTANCE, FROM
French West Indies............ 8609,106
62,085
Dutch
“
...........
4,801
Danish
“
...........
1,189
British
“
...........
1,864
Spanish
“
...........
....
Swedish
“
...........
OF THE UNITED STATES, AND
TO
1850.
1820.
OO
T-H
1789-90.
Dry and pickled.
Value.
1189
1810.
1815.
Dried.
Qtls.
Dried.
Qtls.
Dried. Dr’d &. P’k
Value.
Qtls.
1800.
Dried.
Qtls.
36,103
20,218
9,003
141,420
11,388
1,115
66,022
35,121
8,158
55,676
15,115
1,339
2,363
2,087
55,456
23,632
20,845
23,597 $ 223,390
68,238
2 543
1.152
17,938
10,845
8,982
24,823
34,814
1,415
123,159
135,864
28,704
87,924
Other West Indies............
....
12,516
11,600
14,652
Total to W est. Indies . . .
685,001
244,363
254,737
119,035
11,298
806,150
Spain...................................
195,210
41,548
12',108
110,184
3,670
6’, 141
24,492
....
95,148
6,384
6,048
2,150
11,501
2,900
1,048
2,503
1,530
9,208
15
46,274
....
4,628
127,951
9,100
6^195
13,004
13,212
21,561
Total to E urope.............
253,554
144,493
251,683
124,731
20,304
60,960
Spanish S. A. Colonies____
Portuguese Am. Colonies...
....
....
....
....
—
—
—
24,823
61,416
Madeira, A c.........................
France .................................
Italy.....................................
Europe, generally..............
....
Total to South America
1835.
14,686
92,239
1880.
French West Indies........... 8191,011 $154,635
51,319
Dutch
“
............
64,020
120,112
Danish
“
...........
81,111
..........
British
“
.............
Spanish
“
...........
25,961
46,436
Swedish
“
...........
5,993
11,889
162,268
211,222
Cuba....................................
181,911
226,992
Hayti..................................
Other West Indies...........
39,433
28,915
Total to West Indies....
(
164,886
851,580
1815.
1840.
1845.
1850.
$60,019
67,069
89,529
1,230
88,842
1,023
309,324
269,083
3,500
$19,501
29,961
24,953
5,126
90,893
3,192
187,136
186,192
3,359
$11,916
30,181
53,904
149,224
1,828
314,182
237,124
10,932
$6,528
29.999
15,614
9,398
48,921
363
101,484
150,602
4,011
895,619
550,825 810,551
312,886
....
<v
291
The Fisheries o f the United States.
-Dried and IPickled.-—
1825.
Spain.....................................
Madeira, & c .........................
France .................................
Italy.....................................
815,743
1830.
81,121
1835.
3,444
807
144
1810.
1815.
1850.'
8373
907
20
86,078
160
288
1,359
#2,592
414
1,300
7,835
3,725
4,478
63
10,540
13,176
12,813
176
930
4,106
173
390
6,455
24,975
13,055
275
1,860
2,150
3,457
431
1,305
28,915
....
719
Total to E u rope.............
15,743
1,121
4,395
Columbia.............................
Venezuela...........................
H ew Grenada......................
Chili......................................
Brazil...................................
Dutch Guiana......................
French “
.....................
British “
.....................
Rest of South America.. . ,
10,900
2,273
2,272
69,017
7,794
2,826
765
2,174
Total to South America.
77,711
32,810
47,609
42,176
51,289
52,774
8,151
3,052
3,748
....
....
440
4,366
4,031
1,322
....
27,711
....
Mexico..................................
Africa...................................
China....................................
....
24,720
17,678
12,121
509
8,886
In the foregoing table, it will be seen, we have, as far as possible, em
braced the export both o f smoked, and dried, and pickled fish in one state
ment. The following table o f the exports to the principal markets, for
18 4 9 -5 0 , will show the general proportion o f each kind in tfie whole export,
as well as the proportion to each place, and the particular taste of each
market, or the adaptation to each o f either kind. It shows, also, the quan
tities exported in comparison with the value :—
French West Indies...............
Dutch
“
...............
Danish
“
...............
British
“
...............
Spanish
“
...............
Swedish
“
...............
Cuba.........................................
H ayti.......................................
Dutch Guiana.........................
French
“ .........................
British
“ .........................
Hew Grenada..........................
Venezuela...............................
Brazil.......................................
Argentine Republic................
Chili.........................................
South America generally......
Mexico......................................
Honduras.................................
Canada ...................................
Spain........................................
Canaries .................................
Cape of Good Hope...............
Africa, generally...................
British East Indies................
China.......................................
South Sea and Pacific............
Dried or smoked.
Cwt.
Dollars.
1,484
3,620
14,860
25,462
5,327
13,179
2,012
4,634
16,215
34,719
108
268
49,835
100,364
121,048
48,127
15,003
25,898
5,794
10,903
73
209
210
593
569
1,695
298
850
305
848
1,000
1,423
1,051
224
1,269
92
....
374
704
310
.119
2,852
3,826
3,106
815
2,592
264
....
1,010
1,920
715
329
Bbls.
568
870
537
1,088
2,801
24
1,708
7,212
619
264
100
516
80
120
43
130
62
371
243
....
12
40
379
1,182
48
10
Pickled.
Kegs.
98
53
58
165
100
200
49
..
Dollars.
2,908
4,537
2,495
4,764
14,202
95
7,120
29,554
3,017
1,218
300
2,864
455
525
186
431
.. ..
93
1
26
..
96
185
540
2,303
1,778
90
340
2,681
5,863
607
100
The total exports for the year were, o f fish dried and smoked, 168,600
292
The Fisheries o f the United States.
quintals, valued at $865,349 ; and 19,330 barrels, 1,228 kegs o f pickled,
valued at $91,445— together, $456,794.
All these exports of fish, let it be remembered, were made, and those nowgoing on are still made, in our own bottoms exclusively; so that beside the
real productive profit o f the fisheries, and their value in the maintenance and
extension o f our Commerce, they, more than almost any other item o f that
Commerce, devote their influence to the exclusive encouragement o f our
own shipbuilders, and the other classes connected with our general trade.
It is true, the fact is nearly the same with regard to most other articles sent
to the places to which the fish are exported, so far as these places alone are
concerned in the Commerce o f those articles; but this has no material bear
ing on the fact. I f our fish are adapted to those markets, in the carrying
to and from which we have least competition, the advantage is none the less
real from the circumstance that other articles, whose general profits are less
exclusive to us, participate with this in what is to them the instance, but ia
the general field o f the other.
W e annex a table o f the average price o f American codfish since the year
l Y 65. The prices down to 1830, are those at which our fish sold in foreign
ports, from that tim e; the rates given are those o f the City o f New York, as
gathered from the reports o f the mercantile journals ;—
AVERAGE PRICES OF AMERICAN CODFISH.
1 7 6 5 t o 1 7 7 5 . . . . p e r q u in t a l
1 7 8 6 t o 1 7 9 0 ..................................
1 8 0 5 ....................................................
1 8 1 0 ....................................................
1 8 1 5 ....................................................
1 8 2 0 ....................................................
1 8 2 5 ....................................................
1 8 3 0 ....................................................
$3 50
$3 a 6
i 1 8 3 8 .......................p e r q u i n t a l
1 8 4 0 .............................................
2 .5 0 a
2 a 3
1 8 4 6 ........................................................2.75
4
2.8 1 a
3 .1 4 1 8 4 6 .............................................
1 8 4 7 .............................................
3 .6 2 a
3
1 8 4 8 .............................................
2 .8 2 p
3
2 .5 0 a
2 .7 6 1 8 4 9 .............................................
2 .3 8 a
2 .3 0 i 1 8 5 0 .............................................
2.7 5
2.8 8
3.7 5
2 .6 2
2 .5 6
CHAPTER V III.
IM P O R T S — W H E N C E B R O U G H T — E FF E C T .
The cessation of the extraordinary advantages which our fishermen en
joyed at the commencement o f the century, resulting from the general poli
tical condition o f the world, accounts perfectly well for some considerable
part o f the abatement in question ; and other causes, as we have already
instanced, are found in the subsequent course o f political affairs, from which,
however, mixed results have been experienced. But that which o f late
years, and just at this time, is most prominent, is the rise and rapid pro
gress o f the competition, also alluded to, which has not only encountered
them in their foreign markets, but has recently, to their serious incon
venience, invaded them at home, carrying the war into Africa, and threat
ening nothing less than the total extinction of our fisheries. The progress
o f the encroachments o f the British Americans upon our market will be seen
in the following table o f imports since the year 1 8 2 0 -1 :—
1 8 2 0 -1 ........................
1 8 2 4 - 5 .......................
1 8 3 4 -5 . ...................
1 8 4 0 - 1 .......................
1 8 4 1 - 2 .......................
1 8 4 2 -3 , (9 m on th s).
..
Cod. Mackerel.
Qtls.
Bbls.
346
7
1,628
242
$29,316
116,459
58,812
1,411
57,457
1 8 4 8 -4 .........
1 8 4 4 - 5 .........
1 8 4 5 - 6 .........
1 8 4 6 - 7 .........
1 8 4 7 -8 .........
1 8 4 8 -9 .........
1 8 4 9 -5 0 ....
Cod. Mackerel,
$3,067 $261,013
280.519
9,646
..
9,313 279,515
..
25,711 442,357
535,128
. . 127,799
..
48,709 465,286
335,736
..
The Fisheries o f the United States.
293
Dried or smoked........
Mackerel........ ..............
Salm on.........................
Herring and shad........
A ll others.............. .......
GO
t-S
1
en
A n idea o f the quantities represented in these values, may be formed
from stating the quantities for a single year. Thus, the imports of the year
8, were 51,816 cwt. o f codfish, and 122,594 bbls. o f mackerel.
During the same period, there has been also a very large increase in the
imoorts o f other kinds of fish, some o f which were scarcely at all imported
in the early part o f the period, which has tended to aggravate the evil with
regard to cod and mackerel. The following are the imports > , l
kinds for the several years stated :—
1814—5.
1842-3.
1849-50.
1,628
242
1,540
....
....
$13,425
29,316
28,606
15,435
$1,411
37,457
26,933
2,048
3,704
$45,961
335,736
85,447
37,037
38,451
$86,782
$71,553
$542,632
T o ta l.............................................................
The places from which these fish were principally brought, is seen in the
following statement for the last three years :—
British American Colonies.........................
H olland.......................................................
England, Scotland, and Ireland..................
British West In dies...................................
Hanse Towns....................... ........................
1817-8.
1848-9.
1849-§0.
$813,742
4,148
1,736
4,122
2,047
$623,581
5,158
658
1,015
....
$532,663
5,177
2,164
427
1,182
Under a double invasion so strong as that we have set forth, undeniably
facilitated by the late revision o f the tariff, reducing materially the duties on
foreign fish, the interests of our fishermen could not possibly be maintained un
impaired. That the effects have not been far worse, is due to the unflinching
energy and tireless perseverance o f the fishermen themselves. To display an
other result connected with this matter, and more directly affecting another
party—the effect in regard to our shipping—we present the following statement
o f the character of the vessels in which these foreign fish were brou gh t:—
K.8 4 0 -1 ..............
1 8 4 1 - 3 .........
1 8 4 2 -3 ..............
1 8 4 3 -4 .... .
1 8 4 4 - 5 ...........
In American In Foreign
vessels.
vessels.
............ & U 1.27 3 &80.914
............
54,919
62,512
.............
50,570
21,043
_______
118,614
145,406
202,880
I * American In Foreign
vessels.
vessels.
1 8 4 5 - 6 ..............
1 8 4 6 - 7 ..............
1 8 4 7 - 8 .............. ............
1 8 4 8 - 9 ..............
1 8 4 9 -5 0 ...........
114,797
700,848
It will be seen that a fair part, and generally the greater part, of the
foreign fish brought in, came in American bottoms up to 1843. Since that
time, our scale is not merely up, but “ kicks the beam.” The amount o f
fish brought in foreign bottoms in 18 4 7 -8 , exceeded by 200 per cent the
highest of any year previous, and was, even in 1850, 200 per cent higher
than in any year before 1845, while that brought in American bottoms has
been at no time since as high as in 1840 and 1843, and ranges at less than
one-fourth o f that in foreign vessels.
CHAPTER IX.
S T A T IS T IC S
OF B R I T I S H
A M E R IC A N
F I S H E R Y — R E A S O N S OF" T H E I R P R E S E N T E F F I C IE N T
— P R O P IN Q U IT Y T O G R O U N D S — C H E A P N E S S O F V E S S E L S — O F
W A G E S — OF
C O M P E T IT IO N
L I V IN G — C H E A P E R
MODE
O F C U R IN G — F A U L T S O F A M E R IC A N F IS H E R M E N — O V E R -S A L T I N G — A B U S E S OF T H E M A S S A C H U S E T T S
IN S P E C T O R S H IP , E T C .
The British colonies are by their position the natural rival o f the United
The Fisheries o f the United States.
294
States in the fisheries, and whatever effective and permanent competition
should at any time arise, was to be expected from that quarter.
According to the statistics we have before given, the number o f vessels
and men employed by the British colonies on the Labrador coast in 1829,
with those from England, and their catch, compared as follows with those o f
the United States :—
Vessels.
Men.
British Provinces....................................... ............
England, Jersey, «fcc.. . . . .....................................
528
80
5,110
4,000
483,000
240,000
Gwt.
Total.................................................................
United States..................................................
608
1,500
9,110
15,000
673,000
1,100,000
M'Gregor estimates the total value o f the fishery o f the British colonies on
an average o f five years, to 1832, at £857,000 per annum. In 1837, the
value o f the exports o f New Brunswick in fish and oils, was £68,000.
The result o f the fisheries o f the island of Nova Scotia for the year 1850,
according to the statements o f the H alifax Sun, were as follows :—
EXPORTED FROM HALIFAX.
Dried fish...............................................quintals
Mackerel.................................................barrels
Herring................................................................
Alewives..............................................................
Salmon.......................................barrels. 340 tcs.
Other kinds and oil............................................
191,802
96,650
43,599
4,227
6,411
....
$95,901
120,815
80,519
4,958
17,089
4,948
Total......................................................................................
$274,225
Allowing for the small quantities shipped from other ports in the island,
and the home consumption, the value o f the fisheries o f Nova Scotia, at the
present time, cannot be set down at less then £300,000 yearly, equivalent
to nearly a million and a half o f dollars.
These few statistics will give some idea o f the extent and value o f the
fisheries of these colonies, whose large and growing rivalry with the United
States we are aUout to consider.
The circumstances that afford the British colonies the superiority to us in
a fair field, either in our own or a foreign market, are these :—
1. Their propinquity to the grounds. The distance o f these places from
us makes a long voyage, and requires an expensive outfit. In an expedition
so far, and necessarily so protracted, the comfort of our crews requires an
extent, variety, and cost o f preparation, that the colonist could neither pro
vide nor find o f service. It would, in fact, be only a burden to him, if
provided gratuitously.
2. Vessels are much cheaper in the colonies; but for the law o f the
United States denying registry to foreign-built vessels, British American
builders would draw a large patronage from the United States, to the great
detriment o f our own builders. I f our fisherman, therefore, sails in a vessel
o f equal quality with that o f the colonist, it costs the former much more
than the latter. But the fact is, there is a great difference in the quality o f
the craft used. Our fishermen must have much the better one. The colo
nist uses almost any sort o f a hulk that can be kept afloat, with little regard
to size, shape, rig, sailing qualities, or value. His bark is cheap itself, as
well as being cheaply fitted. In fact much the larger proportion o f the col
onial fishery is carried on in small open boats. The New England fisher
man must regard safety; he must have a vessel in which he can, without
The Fisheries o f the United States.
*
295
temerity, intrust his life ; he is particular in the choice o f form and size, to
adapt his vessel to its purpose ; the power of speed is not an object of indif
ference ; his pride further requires that in all these respects, as well in the
state of her spars, rigging, sails, and even her paint, his vessel shall be cred
itable to him.
3. Wages are lower in the colonies than in the United States. The
American fisherman can work at a trade at home, and as there is generally
a sufficiency o f employment in these trades, his wages at sea must be gra
duated by those he receives ashore. His sea wages are further sustained by
the demands o f the merchant, the whaling, and the naval service, for sea
men. In the colonies, except in a few towns o f the larger provinces, there is
but little business o f any kind other than the fishing, and this one having
thus nearly the monopoly of labor, wages are low. But the disparity is
made yet greater from the fact that the American fisherman expects some
thing better than he would make at home, as a compensation for his long
absence, and the deprivations and dangers of his sea life.
4. The standard o f living is much lower in the colonies, and the compar
ative cost o f outfit, &c., is therefore much less than in the United States;
that is, if the voyages were o f equal distance and duration, the British fish
ermen would accomplish it at far less expense. For the same reason a
smaller compensation is o f equal benefit to him, and he is as content with his
employment and its results as his nominally better paid rival.
5. The fish are more cheaply cured in the provinces.
The care
necessary in the case of those intended for drying, to preserve them for
the long time before they can be put in the hands of the curer, is almost
wholly saved. The fish are put on shore at short intervals, spread on the
rocks, and tended by the women and small children, while the men and boys
are catching more. Those taken by the American must be carefully salted
and packed do w n ; and on the arrival home, must be carefully washed,
boated, or hauled, usually both, to the yard where they are to be dried.
Here not a little work is to be done in the way of green-piling, flaking, dry
piling, re-flaking, re-piling, carting, and packing, o f which instead o f being
done “ all in the family,” must be paid for out o f the cured fish, the present
rate being one quintal in twelve for the curer.
The provincialists have now obtained a due sense o f their superior advan
tages, and like all other men, will not merely be unlikely to yield what they
have gained, but will struggle for more. W h at hightens something their
chances o f success, is the fact that they are gradually imbibing our own poli
tical principles and sympathies. They are, if not rapidly, yet surely acquir
ing an idea that their existence is no longer dependent on the protective
power o f the empire that claims their allegiance, and that they could manage
to take care o f themselves tolerably well were all connection with the British
government cut off. In the national feeling thus growing up, and the selfreliance which lies at its basis, is involved the stimulus to a broader and
deeper enterprise. They will be more awake than in times past, more sen
sible of what is going on, more appreciative of their capacities, and will offer
what we must accept, a hard struggle— a struggle not to regain what we
have lost, or to keep exactly what we have, but to save what we can.
But there is a balance o f the injury, not due to the colonists, but to the
faults of our own fishermen. They have, o f late years, become too careless.
The object of the skipper is to get a load and get home as quick as possible
— if he is an owner, it is for his immediate benefit to do so ; if he is only an
296
The Fisheries o f the United States . ,
employee, (seldom the case,) he secures the reputation o f a successful or a
lucky captain. H e has a certain amount of salt, and when this is used, he
is considered loaded. The more liberally the salt is put on, the faster the
fish piles rise, and the quicker the salt is gone, the quicker is the fare “ made
out.” Besides this, the skipper-owner remembers that the more salt the fish
are made to receive, the heavier they will weigh when dried. Salt is there
fore thrown in with a generous hand, and the fish lying thus, the first caught
four, and the last one month, a mean o f two months, are thoroughly im
pregnated with the saline virtue. The vitality, so to speak, o f the meat, its
strength and flavor, is completely destroyed; and the fish on being taken out,
are found to be o f a dead ashy color; instead o f the bright, wholesome hue
good fish should have, they are flaccid, so brittle as scarcely to bear hand
ling, and with hardly any smell, or taste, except that imparted by salt. The
slight washing that takes place preparatory to drying, removes, o f course,
only the grosser part of the salt adhering to the outside; if the fish are
water-horsed, that is, piled green, a little more is extracted from them by
pressure. In this state they are put on the flakes, when if the weather is
hot, it is impossible to prevent them from burning and curing unevenly.
They immediately curl up stiff and horny, and so rough as to cut and tear
the hands o f the men at work on them ) the outside being overdone before
the inside is fairly warmed. They must finally be taken off for cured, when
not properly more than half-cured, and at that, saZf-cured, instead of vwathercured. They will never spoil, it is true— and it is almost as likely they will
never be eaten. A good codfish, properly dressed, salted, and cured, and
well treated throughout, is an article o f decided luxury to eat, either raw or
cooked— but such as these cannot but be miserably poor in any condition.
A more uninviting article o f food , in a raw state, could hardly he set before
one, and such would be the thought of almost any one, whose hunger was
not excited to the actual starvation point. B y soaking, pounding, and boil
ing, a considerable part o f the salt may be extracted, and a tenderness re
stored to them— but the lost flavor— tbe departed vitality— can never be
restored.
W e do not mean to say that is exact] y the case with all the fish brought
into the United States by our fishermen. There are exceptions. Some
skippers take as good care of their fish as need be, and are rewarded with a
palatable and saleable article, when dried. Nor do all who oversalt them,
gauge their hand to the exact degree o f spoliation we have just described.
That, we admit, is an extreme case, but it is a very common extreme. Some
there are, who salt very judiciously— it may be said, just enough ; others do
only a little more, a little too much ; others a little more, which is an un
qualified too much ; the next degree is a good deal too much, and then is the
spoilt degree, which, only that it is the extreme, and cannot be exceeded,
would be supposed several degrees beyond, by those who now simply mur
der their fish with the class last spoken of. To classify the processes gene
rally, we need but say simply— oversalting is the rule, proper salting the
exception.
The injury resulting from the cause alluded to, has been long felt in the
trade o f the article— but coming on gradually has been only partially appre
ciated. It has, doubtless, caused our fish, wherever they have been sent, to
be lowered in estimation, and to be dropped by one after another of those
who had used them, causing buyers, the while, gradually to curtail their
The Fisheries o f the United States.
297
purchases, or has prevented an extension o f sale that might otherwise have
been attained.
In regard to pickled fish, the worst evil, probably, is in regard to the in
spection. The abuses in the cull and brand of mackerel have been so great,
that pickled fish from the United States have suffered much disrepute in
foreign ports, where buyers have often been subjected to heavy loss, by
giving too much credence to the brand. The same has happened, too, within
the country, until the evil has gone so far, and proved so vexatious, that no
attention is now paid to the mark. I f a merchant in Philadelphia buys a
lot o f mackerel in Boston, a reinspection must be made for his own satisfac
tion. O f course most of the mackerel packed or repacked in the United
States, are inspected in Massachusetts. The laws o f that State regarding
the inspection are very deficient, and much devolves on the judgment and
tact o f the Inspector General of pickled fish. The individual who for a num
ber o f years previous to the last, held that office, in that State, was entirely
incompetent to his duty, and nothing like a system was ever sustained, or
apparently thought about during his administration. To the complaints
o f his deputies and the fishermen on one hand, and the merchants of New
York and Philadelphia on the other, continually in his ears, he was either
stupidly silent or peevishly irritable. A t length annoyance on one hand, and
persuasions elsewhere, induced him to resign, when candidates for the office,
eminently qualified, and strongly supported by merchants, fishermen, and
others desirous o f a reform, came forward from Barnstaple, Wellfleet, Newburyport, and other fishing towns. But Governor Boutwell saw fit to over
look them all, with the body entire of their supporters, and to confer the
office on a Boston Lawyer, a gentleman whose sole motive in seeking it was
doubtless the expected emolument, and who is as well qualified, probably,
for the office as either o f his competitors would be, as a Boston paper re
marks, for a seat on the Supreme Bench o f the State. The new inspector
will, perhaps, perform all the duties discharged by the late one, if he makes
it a study to see how often he can find authority to reappoint his deputies
in all the seaports o f the State, so as to realize as much as possible from the
§5 per head appointing commission ; and how much individual and family
speculation can be built up and protected by a shrewd exercise o f inspecto
rial power. It is time, seriously, for the Legislature o f Massachusetts to
revise the laws o f that State in relation to fish inspection, and more than all,
to revise and reform the custom which has prevailed, rather than system, for
some years past. Let us see what has been done, and how it has been done,
and let some method be devised that will better these things ; or if that is
impossible, let the whole humbug o f inspection pass away as soon as
possible.
But whatever may be done in the case depending upon the action of a
legislature, and o f commissioned executive officiality, we hope in the other
case, an improvement will be made, as it is in the hands o f those whose in
terests are affected. “ Salt is good,” but how shall fish be made saleable
and eatable if oversalted ? The reform suggested, is almost the only mea
sure left that promises efficient results. O f increased duties upon the im
portation of foreign fish there can now be little hope, and were they raised
again to the standard o f the tariff o f 1842, they would prove inefficient, the
colonists having now gained that start, and acquired that experience, knowl
edge o f their own resources and our abilities, self-reliance, and ambition,
which will enable them in almost any event short of a prohibition to our
298
The Fisheries o f the United States.
markets, to be successful competitors. A t any rate, they cannot be deprived
by any action o f our government, o f the hold they have acquired in the foreign
markets, and even a prohibition would, therefore, but half cure the evil. Our
only resource is to endeavor to equal or excel our rival in the quality o f our
article. It will not do at all to go on in the old way. If we do the result
is eerta'n. Defeat, total and irremediable— to be driven out neck and heels
with utter rout and confusion, from the pursuit we have followed and flour
ished in for two hundred years ! One source of our popular income com
pletely and forever cut o f f ! One “ occupation gone 1” Our treaties with
England, primary and re-definitive, to secure which we had so much hard
and memorable negotiation, and risked so much in one instance (the peace
o f 1783) a dead letter! Our fishing vessels turned into the coasting trade,
to diminish the profits o f those already engaged in it— or allowed to rot at
the wharves. And our land occupations overfilled by the continual labors
o f those, who, at most, worked in them before but half o f the year ! Or, to
prevent this evil, our fishing towns deserted, and the demi-citizens o f the
ocean emigrating to the “ Far W est,” to manipulate with strange imple
ments the valley o f the O h io; and to search in the earth for the bulbs,
having, perhaps, in their estimation, some affinity to the products o f the sea,
but found in so different a place, and caught in so different a manner !
Let our fishermen be awake, and adapt themselves to the circumstances
existing, and those yet to come. In the present case, the British fish are
preferred, because they deserve to be preferred by all sensible people— and
as much here as anywhere, for our people are not patriotic enough to en
courage home industry by eating chips and bones when they can as well, and
as cheaply, have wholesome and palatable food. The reform proposed is
easily made. Our fishermen know as well as the “ Dagoes” and “ Bluenoses,” how to prepare fish well. They have as good judgment, as much
skill, and as much understanding o f the taste o f fish-eaters the world over.
Let the article be properly treated in the vessel, and nobody can doubt that
the curing will be quite as perfect on our fine brush flakes as on the bare
rocks and sands o f Newfoundland and Prince Edward’s.
The facts we have stated relating to the depression o f the fishing interest,
are no less true because there is no vehement outcry from the classes inter
ested, and no less deserving attention from the nature o f any one o f the
causes, if they are what we have stated them. Those engaged in some em
ployments under circumstances o f equal discouragement, would no doubt
raise a bigger clamor. There certainly are now interests suffering far less,
which, as the delegated, sometimes the paid, representatives o f which make
complaints far more piteous, and are regarded as eminently needful o f sym
pathy from the people, and corresponding sympathetic legislation from Con
gress. But fishermen are not the class to besiege the doors, and distract the
ears of legislatures, with cries for relief— they do not set afloat schemes for
revising and reorganizing tariffs— they do not attempt, by corrupt bargain
ing, and log-rolling plots, to effect the enactment o f special privileges to
themselves— they have no bawling agents and traveling emissaries, skilled
in political tactics, and fed by contributions, to take care o f their concerns—
they have never learned the habit o f looking to the lav} as the source of
production. The sturdy independence o f character nurtured on the ocean,
repels every such reliance, leaving to others to learn from experience the
futility o f all hope so conceived. W h at encouragement is voluntarily offered
them they gladly accept; but they waste little time and effort in endeavors
A National Currency— Real Estate its Basis.
299
to secure more. Their hardy energies are reserved for trial with the winds
and tempests of the ocean ; they seek the bounties of the great deep, and if
it give generously to their solicitations, they will freely give up to others
whatever may be caught with the bait o f metropolitan influence.
Art. III.— A NATIONAL CURRENCY— REAL ESTATE ITS BASIS.
N U M B ER II.
F
reem an
H
unt,
Esq., Editor Merchants’ Magazine :—
In the October number o f the Merchants' Magazine I contributed an arti
cle with the above title upon the subject of Banks, Specie and the Currency,
wherein I sought to elucidate a favorite, though novel theory. I endeavored
to expose the fallacy o f the omnipotence o f gold and silver as a medium of
exchange, contending, that as ultimates, they were incapable and insuffi
cient to answer the requirements of business. W ith an earnest conviction
o f the truth of my position I deprecated the present banking system as preg
nant with evil, and urged its speedy abandonment as the only means o f
guarding the commercial world from periodical panics and alarms. For
the justice o f my reasoning, I appealed to the experience of the last quarter
o f a century, and truthfully demonstrated the baleful influence o f these
money-making machines.
The prerogative o f creating equivalents is a sacred and responsible one,
and should be delegated to the wisest and best. To the aggregate worth
and intelligence o f the community, as represented in the sovereign authority
o f the State, should alone repose the high and honored attribute of creating
money. Entertaining these views I foreshadowed in the article referred to,
a plan o f State issues based upon the values of the nation, and redeemable,
not in the arbitrary material called gold and silver, alike insufficient and in
capable from its limited capacity and quantity, but in the farm and home
stead these State issues were created to represent.
The promise written upon the face o f bank paper is a mere fiction,
and the theory o f its having a metallic basis is an exploded humbug beneath
the dignity o f controversy. But the promises o f the State made in behalf
o f its people, and issued to represent the property of that people, will not
be impeached, every dollar of issue being but the figure o f an intrinsic reality
which is always ready for the hour of redemption. N o theory heretofore
broached by financier or legislator ever had in view such perfect and com
plete security as that system proposes. The specific guaranties are present
and in possession before an issue is made. A specific bond and mortgage
on specific property constitutes the basis o f every issue, and no change o f
government nor overthrow o f rulers, anarchy, or revolution, can affect or im
pair them. Convertible into all the essential elements of wealth, how supe
rior such a redemption to the symbol only of the reality!
Money is merely designed and intended to facilitate the exchange o f com
modities too permanent or cumbrous to be passed from hand to hand, and
in the fulfillment o f this function it is of little moment as to the material of
which it may be composed. The superiority o f paper or parchment over
every other fabric, from the facility o f transit and count, is unquestioned
/
300
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A National Currency— Real Estate its B asis.
at this day. The experience o f every hour attests this truth, and it only
needs the signet o f sovereignty and the assurance o f government, which
alone should create it, that among its archives are recorded the values which
stand pledged for its redemption, to command for it universal confidence
and circulation co-ordinate with specie. That it already meets the approval
and approbation o f all but those fiscal inquisitors sitting in the pride of
stately nothingness over the fortunes and destiny o f Commerce, the signs
around me are too significant to doubt. Exercising powers derived from the
legislation o f a dark period, unblessed with even the rudiments o f fiscal
science, unlearned and unlettered in the theory o f the currency, and guided
by no lights o f their own, they—
“ Grope their dull way on,
By the dim twinkling light of ages gone.”
I am aware that I will shock the gray-haired ideas o f the past, but my
mission is innovation, and the organ o f veneration is not large. I confess no
reverence for the errors o f by-gone days and I could never learn to appre
ciate what the world terms “ time-honored usages.” Perchance this erratic
and wanton fancy o f mine, not content to travel the shadows o f the valley,
would fain soar to mountain altitudes, from whence it can “ descry the
dawn whilst yet the unwakened world lies dark beneath.” The twilights of
the past no longer avail as guides for us whose ideas ever float on the stream
o f the future, anticipating and foreshadowing each day’s revelation. In this
century o f progress the mind has no limit to its vast conceptions. The
most striking phrenological development in the American character, is the
organ of ideality, and its controlling influence over every other development
is manifested in the yearning thought, the bold conception, the speculative
research, the grasping o f the reality ere the shadow is defined 1 It has bridged
the sea, it has channeled the desert, it has tunneled the mountain. It has
linked in silent converse the far extremes of our stretching territory, and an
nihilated space. It hails from the snow crests o f Nevada, and the granite
cliffs o f the Atlantic in an instant respond, as the electric wires in a nameless
accent record an answering salutation, and it pufls its own renown as the
whistling engine speeds over the iron roads o f Russia and Austria, with
“ Norris o f Philadelphia ” on its side. Our pathways are our own, we pio
neer the w orld!
W ith such prerogatives of greatness and such honored distinctions we
need not envy Europe the possession of the deceptive symbol o f wealth which
a darkling age seeks to treasure up. For these blessings we will gladly ex
change the shining scales o f our mountain streams, and sail each ocean
latitude for golden continents to dazzle the dotard vision o f the old world ! 1
And what are the grand results which flow from such an erroneous esti
mate o f this symbol o f wealth ? The iron heel o f tyranny is planted upon
progress, and oppression’s enervating shackles fetter the energies o f down
trodden masses. Cloistered vaults teem with gold and silver, whilst acres
are untilled, and famished thousands idle on the highways for want of har
row and ploughshare to cultivate the la n d ! Turn to the mass o f Europe,
and from the Neva to the Adriatic, the mind sickens at the spectacle haggard
humanity presents! Enterprise, prosperity, and every ennobling impulse
are alien terms, whilst hunger, rage, and fury make volcanoes of cities
whose swelling thunder grape-shot and bayonet can scarcely stifle!
Amazement silences the voice o f declamation when I think o f the woeful
A National Currency— Real Estate its Basis.
301
misapprehension which exists on the subject o f the currency. W hen men,
or those who have the figure and the name o f men, discourse o f the terrible
consequences which will result to the country from the shipment o f coin ;
when the query, within the capacity o f every school boy to answer, would
solve the problem, “ Is there nothing received in exchange for these dollars
we send abroad ?” A novice in fiscal science would give an answer which
might mantle with a blush such hoary ignorance. Assuredly each dollar
thus sent abroad returns to us in a thousand untold and unseen ways en
riching, refining, and embellishing, by science and art, each homestead of
our land. It has aided in building our cities, and the stately palaces and
towering blocks which adorn them ! It has developed the resources o f our
vast interior, and planted the harvest field where the prairy grass grew ! It
has builded our iron ways, excavated our inland channels and penetrated our
h ills! It has covered the ocean with our steamers, whose dusky forms
paddle the waters o f every latitude from the Polar to the Indian sea, and
modelled that little craft to outsail the channel’s pride, and to draw forth the
bravos o f the vanquished as the applauding peal announced the triumph o f
the Am erica!
These are some o f the great results which have flown to us from the ex
change we have made. Yet the Solons o f the bank parlor are startled
from their propriety when the official bulletin gives publicity to the specie
manifest of steamer or packet! It is fresh in our memory, and its recall at
this time may give force to the seeming novelty of our views, as an evidence
o f the baleful and pernicious consequences resulting from the obligation of a
gold and silver redemption, that the banks in l S S l , when seeking the sanc
tion o f the community to gloss over the disgrace o f a suspension, promised
an immediate relief o f the money market 1 In plain English, that they, the
banks, the depositories o f the only medium o f exchange, would disgorge;
and permit the public to have, what they, the banks, were expressly created
to furnish, a medium by which the community would be enabled to cancel
mutual indebtedness without the necessity o f the grocer transferring his
wares to the crockery man, and the tailor his to the shoemakers!
I am aware that it might be said that it is at the volition of the public
that the banks thus retain in their possession four-fifths o f the medium o f
exchange. I shall not attempt to gainsay so plain a truth. But is it not
the result o f fe a r which prompts the merchant and trader to keep large
balances lest they find no favor at the discount board ? A strange volition
if this be true, and who will gainsay it ? It is daily history! I f I err not,
it is an indispensable requisite toward the procurement o f accommodations.
It is the barometer o f favor, H ow palpable the viciousness o f such a sys
tem 1
But why the promise o f an easy money market in 24 hours after the sus
pension ? Plainly that the banks, relieved o f the obligation to redeem their
notes in gold and silver, would let their issues circulate. I never could see
the wisdom o f compelling a redemption in a material so circumscribed in
quantity as to preclude fiscal agents from providing Commerce with a suffi
cient medium to answer the requirements of business. If the symbol be so
highly prized, why cannot the reality secure a kindred and an equal estima
tion. The banks had other values, and no one questioned their ability to
meet their engagements! The whole error arises from the overweening and
fanatical estimation given to gold and silver, making ultimates o f a material
limited in quantity, insufficient and incapable, and requiring Commerce to
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A National C u r re n c y -R e a l Estate its Basis.
regulate itself to an arbitrary standard without elasticity, and consequently
unable to accommodate itself to the movements of business, and therefore
business is required to accommodate itself to i t ! Some future day will de
monstrate the truth of these remarks, and men will wonder as they contem
plate the retrospect.
There is plainly a radical, inherent, and incurable defect pervading the en
tire system, beyond the reach of medicine, and dissolution seems inevitable.
Perhaps the moral as well as the fiscal atmosphere may become more pure
when the rotten mass is groveling to the earth. From every feature of their
organization they are impotent of good. Literally “ lock-ups” — I know no
plainer term of that material which is the sole medium o f exchange, in the
absence of which one may be possessed of value an hundred fold exceeding
his indebtedness, yet be unable to cancel the smallest obligation from the
absence o f the only material by which he would be enabled to do so. Char
tered for the accommodation and benefit o f the community, they appear to
have reversed the intent o f their creation, and absorb both elements o f circu
lation. W ith a criminal complacency, they aver their innocence and mock
at the writhing pangs of business, struggling to accommodate itself to a con
traction, at once unnatural and agonizing. It is experimenting upon a con
vulsed animal in an exhausted receiver.
It is with extreme pleasure that I here bear willing testimony to the fact
o f there being worthy and upright men, without taint and above suspicion,
in the direction o f every bank, and it is a sad reflection that the example o f
custom and the force o f habit may so steel the sensibilities that men “ know
not what they do.” Should such care for the wellbeing of society, or prize
the mantle o f purity which covers their shoulders, they will hasten from
where infection riots amid corruption, for the purest may inhale contagion 1
It is the duty o f those to whom the public ascribe high and honorable mo
tives no longer to lend the influence o f their names to lull public feeling and
perpetuate a system so erring and deceptive.
Dismissing this portion of our subject, with the conviction that banks,
both of deposit and issue, should be resolved to their original elements, and
State notes substituted for the present bank paper, I shall proceed to no
tice some o f the few apparent obstacles which seem to preclude the system
from general favor and adoption. It has been suggested by some esteemed
personal friends of the writer that a redundant currency must inevitably fol
low the adoption o f State issues. W ith deference for opinions so respecta
ble, I solicit attention to some facts which may have escaped their observa
tion. My conviction is that we already have had a greater redundancy than
the public are aware of, though the fact is speciously hid from casual obser
vation. There is a kind of illegitimate medium afloat and in general use in
the circles o f business, in the form o f promissory uotes, other than required
for a legitimate credit business— checks, due-bills, accepted orders, and the
like, all substituted for a medium o f exchange, because o f the insufficiency
and absence o f the legal tender from the thoroughfares o f trade. I know of
no available statistics from whence could be gleaned the proximate quantity,
in numerals, o f these “ promises to pay,” but if they could be counted in
the volume of the currency, the swelling figures might puzzle the account
ant to cypher their denomination. This private emission generally makes
the circuit o f the locality from whence it is issued, answering the end of
money. In m y view, far greater detriment results to the community from
the circulation o f this bastard currency than would follow a realization of
A Notional Currency— Real Estate its Easts.
303
the fears regarding a redundant circulation arising from legitimate issues.
Give to owners o f capital facility to procure its representation in the curren
cy, and such illegal and irresponsible issues would not be resorted to. D o
away with this host o f money-makers, and confer upon the State the exclu
sive attribute o f creating equivalents; and, to guard against redundancy, re
strict the proposed issues to a per centage on values truthfully assessed.
I would remark in this connection that an expanded credit system is the
inevitable tendency o f this illegal issue. Parties embarking in trade, pos
sessed o f real estate not immediately convertible, issue notes for their pur
chases, perhaps without a dollar o f an available medium to provide for a
contingency. The facility with which credit is procured induces, in its turn,
corresponding facilities, and credit thus becomes enlarged and expanded, to
the detriment o f the general interests o f society. Could these owners o f
capital have procured a loan upon it, from the State, it would hqve enabled
them to make cash payments for their purchases ; and the immediate pres
ence o f means would prompt greater caution in the selection o f customers.
These are truths beyond misconception or gainsay.
Let us proceed to notice some comments and strictures made by M.
Louis Chitti, in the January number o f the Magazine.
It appears that
neither the plan proposed by “ Bacon,” nor that advocated by “ N. F. C.,”
meets the approval o f this distinguished economist and writer. And yet
we are on a kindred scent, and our quarry is the same. W e widely differ,
however, as to remedies. His is a money o f paper issued by the State, pos
sessed o f value in itself, intrinsic, and ultimate, and not convertible. Ours
is a paper money issued by the State upon bond and mortgage on real prop
erty, the medium itself being o f no value, but the representative, merely, o f
other values, and convertible, not to gold and silver, but to the farm and
homestead which they represent. It is scarcely necessary for us to point
out the errors o f an irredeemable money of paper, though its paternity be
the State. An indefinite issue must be the result o f such a system, as there
is neither limit nor bound to its creation. To make population the standard
o f its issue, without a specific pledge to justify its increase, would be vital
ly w ron g ; and the bitter past is too fresh upon the records to expect for
it a moment’s consideration or regard. I cannot conceive the policy or the
wisdom in endowing bits o f paper with an intrinsic attribute, and the world
will never confer an estimation upon them necessary to their becoming ultimates. Let. gold and silver continue to be the standard o f value, but not
the basis o f circulation. But let values, the result o f labor, as measured by
the standard o f gold and silver, be that basis, and let the Government, in its
sovereign right, create the medium with which to represent those values, in
the manner before proposed.
M. Chitti is correct in denominating these State issues a loan upon bond
and mortgage without interest; and is it not eminently conservative in its
every feature, or could a better mode be adopted, whereby the community will
be supplied with a medium o f exchange ? From his making no attempt to
prove it erroneous, I infer that his objections are not vital. Indeed, he la
bors rather to prove that the system o f State issues with mortgage guaran
ties is not his system of an inconvertible money of paper, and not that my
system is fallacious. H e brings no tangible argument to disprove the truth
of my theory. I plead, however, guilty to the charge which is the burden
of his complaint, that I have provided a guaranty for these State issues, and
required each emission to have a specific security, in the form o f a mortgage
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A National Currency— Real Estate its Basis.
upon real property, the labor required to produce which being the chief cri
terion o f its value.
In answer to another o f M. Chitti’s scruples in regard to the aggregate
o f money increasing as capitalists procure new loans, I would remark, that
owners o f real' property will be loth to encumber it unless there exists a
demand for money from quarters precluded from borrowing from the State,
to whom they can safely loan it at a remunerating rate upon personal secu
rity. Thus the amount o f money will not be increased unless there should
arise a demand for it. The risk incident to loaning on personal security will
require an interest to be paid for capital, and the possibility o f loss will de
ter many owners o f real estate from encumbering it, although not required
to pay the State interest thereon. Thus the excessive issues anticipated will
be avoided, and mutual indebtedness will be canceled by State notes, in
stead o f due-bills, checks, orders, promissory notes, and bank bills. Specie
will remain as now, occupying the same relative position.
M. Chitti is correct when speaking of “ Bacon’s ” plan o f a stock redemp
tion bearing interest, that it would be nothing less than requiring the “ State
to pay interest on its own money.” In my former article, published in your
Magazine for October, occurs the following passage, in allusion to this sub
ject :— “ It will be a novelty indeed when a State sovereignty shall be re
quired to pay interest on the currency it has caused to be created to repre
sent the values o f the people.”
That the adoption of this system will inure to the benefit o f the mass, a
moment’s reflection will render apparent. The price o f money will come
down, and the leeches of society cease their blood-sucking. The owners of
large capital will not possess privileges to the exclusion or detriment o f the
less affluent. Men will be enabled to realize on dormant values which will
give them ability to widen the sphere o f their usefulness, by embarking in
enterprizes giving employment to labor. The execution o f every useful im
provement will follow quickly its conception. The comforts of life will be
increased and cheapened. A renewed impetus will be given to manufactur
ing, from the low rates o f interest arising from abundant capital, enabling
them to compete with older countries. Our varied climate, susceptible of
growing all the elements o f manufactures— wool, cotton, and silk, will invite
industry, and impart fresh vigor to the faculties o f production. Every dis
tant place will be made near by the magic wand o f railway and canal, and
millions annually saved the nation, in the form o f interest and dividends paid
to foreign capitalists.
It is a question o f the gravest import, and one which must ere long claim
the attention, and perhaps the interposition, o f the Federal Government, the
fact o f the immense drain upon our country, in the form o f interest and div
idends, arising from our indebtedness to foreign holders o f our public and
private stocks. A considerable portion of the capital stock o f our railroad,
insurance, and other companies, is held by communities who expend their
dividends in alien lands. Thus the profits o f our people, and the freights
earned upon our public works, are taken from us to minister to foreign opu
lence and splendor. Is it not possible to avert this unnatural exhaustion by
legislation, giving to our home values a home medium which will represent
them, and preclude the necessity of paying for the use o f foreign means,
when we could create those means ourselves ? The guaranties, the securi
ties, the values, pledged for these foreign means, are here upon our own soil,
A National Currency— Real Estate its Basis.
30S
and the parental authority o f Government should interpose its conservative
arm to save the nation from such unnecessary depletion.
I do not wish to be misunderstood or misconceived upon the subject o f
foreign capital. In the infancy o f a country, before labor has created value
by leveling forests, by digging canals, by building bridges, railroads, and
cities, foreign capital is not only necessary, but its introduction is a positive
blessing-; and that people must be short sighted indeed who would refuse to
avail themselves o f its undoubted advantages. But it is another matter
when a nation has passed the stages o f infancy and the vigor o f manhood is
upon it— -when a people count by millions and not by hundreds— when labor
has circled a continent with 20,000 miles o f railway and' canal, when its
ships fill the harbors of every commercial mart, and its navy rides the victor
o f the seas, I repeat that it is another matter then, for labor has created col
laterals to justily domestic loans! It is certainly not asking too much of
the sovereign authority to give to home values the estimation which foreign
capitalists cheerfully confer, and consequently create such a form o f State issues
as will represent them in the currency ! This can readily be accomplished
by loaning on bond and mortgage such amounts as the State may in its
wisdom see fit. These issues having a basis taking precedence o f the stock
itself will effectually preclude the necessity o f resorting to foreign capital.
Thus the dividends and interest engendered by our public works and corpo
rations, will be kept from going abroad, and a prodigal and debilitating ex
penditure averted. I have no statistics at hand, but I would not trangress
the margin in computing the amount o f our public and private securities in
foreign hands at 60 millions sterling, to meet the annual interest on which
requires near 20 millions o f dollars! A ll sent out o f the country, not a
farthing of this immense sum retained to benefit a home creditor, as is the
case with the interest on the national debt o f England, by* which a colossal
nation has sustained itself for ages, and whose morning gun booms the notes
of empire from the Carnatic to the Canadas.
In conclusion I would remark that I deem it a matter for self-congratula
tion, that the views embodied in my previous article have met not only the
approbation of private circles but the favorable notice o f distinguished writers.
Public opinion is the forerunner o f law, and before many moons roll by, a
potential voice will be heard at every capitol demanding an abridgment of
chartered privileges. From hall and Senate Chamber an edict will go forth
responsive to the popular will, more potent than the musket’s thousand-fold
rattle by which the monkey despots o f other lands force their measures upon
an unwilling but terrified people!
There is a deep significance in the many voices already on the records in
condemnation o f the present fiscal system. The seeming miracle o f a coinci
dence o f views upon the part o f Chitti, Bacon, aud others, is but a silent
though eloquent forerunner o f those ever-existent truths which the Almighty
withholds from the travailed thoughts o f man until he wills their develop
ment. It is an omen o f the truth o f my theory, and bids us hope that the
small hours of the night o f error have already past and the dawn is not far
off.
n. f
c.
.
vo r.. xxvi.— no. hi.
20
306
Commercial Cities and Towns o f the United States.
Art. IT.— COMMERCIAL CITIES AND TOWNS OF TEE UNITED STATES.
NUMBER XXX.
ST. LOUIS; AND HER MEANS OF ADVANCEMENT AND WEALTH.
Freeman H unt, E sq., E d i t o r
o f th e M e r c h a n ts ' M a g a z in e , etc.
To tell o f the greatness and growth o f cities, and, at the same time, to
furnish proofs in detail, so as to satisfy the most skeptical reader, are charac
teristic merits o f a journal so much relied on as yours. To send therefor a
document just published by the editors o f the M issouri Republican, accom
panied by a few remarks in a general way upon subjects not treated o f in it,
so that from the whole you may be enabled to draw correct conclusions as
to what St. Louis has been engaged in during the past year, may not be un
acceptable to you.
This “ Annual Report,” so ably and correctly prepared by Messrs. Cham
bers & Knapp, speaks alone o f the “ Commerce o f S t. Louis in 1851,” and,
confining itself strictly to the subject, notes without comment the arrival at
this port during the year, o f no less than twenty-five hundred steamboat
cargoes, all discharged here— o f the payment by our merchants to the Gov
ernment, o f nearly three hundred thousand dollars in duties collected at the
custom-house here, upon direct importations from Europe and the W est In
dies ; and besides other statistics o f interest, giving us a list o f home imports,
the aggregate value o f which may safely be estimated at from twelve to fif
teen millions o f dollars.
The commercial growth o f St Louis is far from being all that she may be
proud of— manufactures, the mechanic arts, agriculture, and last, though not
least, internal improvements, are each receiving the attention and giving em
ployment to numbers o f her citizens, as well as affording a large return upon
the capital invested in them.
Already a population of nearly one hundred thousand find comfort, inde
pendence, and wealth h ere; and yet the riches o f this region— its inexhaust
ible fertility o f soil and boundless mineral resources, are comparatively un
touched.
St. Louis combines and possesses more elements o f true and lasting
greatness than any other city o f her age in ancient or modern times, and
her people are fully capable o f and actively engaged in developing her won
derful resources. In a circuit o f less than ninety miles around the city,
confined to that part within the State o f Missouri, she can procure sufficient
iron, coal, lead, and probably copper, to supply the wants o f the Union for
ages. These are no random assertions, but truths, well known here and
acted upon. H ad they been better known abroad, then the capital, the la
bor, and life that have been wasted in far-off lands might have found a cer
tain, large, and fitting reward much nearer home.
If we could but cast from our minds the delusive yet enchanting visions
that distance and imagination lend to remote scenes o f enterprise, and look
at the boundless wealth that Providence has here placed within our reach—
did we but use a tithe o f the energy and means to obtain it that we devote
to questionable undertakings and rash schemes, how little would we have to
complain of fortune.
In illustration o f my remarks relative to the immediate resources of St.
St. L o u is: its Means o f Advancement and Wealth.
301
Louis, I know o f no one whose authority would sooner be relied on, or
whose language is more to the point, than those o f the Hon. Lewis F. Le
vin, late Senator in Congress from Missouri. In a letter addressed by him
to the Chairman o f the Committee on Commerce, he sa ys:—
“ It will be found in a report made in the year 1835 by the United States Ge
ologist that in a certain location in W ashington County, Missouri, (less than
ninety miles from St. Louis,) a micaceous oxyd o f iron is found, yielding at least
seventy-five per cent o f the purest and finest iron, o f an indefinite amount. It
exists in the form o f a vein, at least 500 feet broad from east to west, and in the
other direction 1,900 feet, when it disappears from the superficial soil. It reap
pears, however, in parts o f the adjacent country, and always in connection with
the scienitic chain o f hills that rise in an isolated position amid the galiniferous
secondary limestone, where the lead mines are worked.
“ This vein may be said to enlarge on the eastern side, and, strictly speaking,
extends upwards o f 3,000 fe e t; but the character, there, is less metallic. The
formation, however, is very ponderously impregnated with metal, most o f which
yields 50 per cent o f very superior iron; and it is probable, judging from analo
gy which experience has established, that this vein becomes richer as it descends
many thousand yards toward the inferior crusts o f the earth. This ferruginous de
posit must be o f great antiquity, for upon an examination o f the adjacent coun
try, immense deposits o f the oxyd o f iron, o f a productive and valuable quality,
are found in a countless number o f localities together with rich b og ore.
“ The s u p e r f i c i a l contents o f the great vein o f what is emphatically called the
‘ Iron Mountain,’ and which is situated near the sources o f the St. Francois river,
would, it could easily be shown, justify heavy expenditures to open communica
tions to these ferruginous deposits. But when we add to them the subterranean
contents, which most certainly exist at depths equal to a n y mines that have been
worked in any part o f the world, and which most probably descend much low er
than any generation o f man we can look to will follow , w e are compelled to use
the term in d e fin ite when we speak o f their contents, a n d m o s t c o n fid e n t ly a s s e r t
th a t th is p a r t o f N o r t h A m e r i c a w i l l o n e d a y h e a s c e le b r a te d f o r i t s i r o n m i n e s a s
S w e d en n o w is ."
These are truths that our railroads will soon enable each one to verify in
less than four hours from the time he leaves St. Louis, while at the same
time he will perceive that not only this mountain o f iron, but a still larger
one in the vicinity, called the “ Pilot Knob,” are no longer the wondrous
monuments unnoticed save in the descriptions o f travelers, but now the
great central points for Vulcan’s fires and forges to act upon— making rich
our citizens now engaged there, and destined to enrich thousands o f others.
“ In the calcareo-silicious hills o f the southern part o f Missouri, lead is found
sometimes near the surface, while in other places rich veins are dis
covered, dipping profoundly into the bow els o f the earth, amply rewarding the
laborer for his trouble and expense in follow ing them through caves and sinuos
ities in the rock.
'■ There are also many deposits o f blend ore o f zinc, o f copper, cobalt, man
ganese, alum, sulphur, saltpetre, sulphate o f iron, arsenic, sal-ammoniac in enor
mous masses, marbles o f exquisite beauty, while crystals o f radiated quartz, sul
phate o f barytes and o f lime, glitter in the sunbeams over hill and valley. Over
this extensive region Providence has scattered blessings with unbounded profu
sion, awaiting but the industry o f man for their fullest developments.”
everyw h ere,
In describing another part o f the country adjacent, and still nearer to St.
Louis— St. Genevieve county, famed for its lead mines and marble quarries—
and again briefly referring to the iron region, I am fortunate in being able
to use the language of other most respectable authorities— of A . Valle, Esq.,
and Dr. James H. Relfe, addressed by them in letters to the editor o f the
308
Commercial Cities and Towns o f the United States.
Gazetteer o f the State o f Missouri. The names o f these gentlemen are a
sufficient guaranty for the fidelity o f the description. “ The produce (of St.
Genevieve county) is principally corn, wheat, oats, and tobacco. The climate
is healthy. The greatest resources o f this section o f country are its minerals,
which are found in great abundance ; copper, lead, iron, salt, and zinc, and
several other minerals unknown. I received ten thousand pounds of red
copper, which I sold in New York, and have been informed that it was of
excellent quality. The copper ore is abundant, and yields a good per cent.”
“ Lead ore is found from five to eight miles back from this place, and
our lead mines are pronounced by English and German miners richer, easier
worked, and at less expense, than the famed mines o f Galena. I ship an
nually from this place three million pounds o f lead.” “ There are quanti
ties o f beautiful white and variegated marble twelve miles back o f this place,
(St. Genevieve,) said to be nearly as handsome as the Italian marble. The
quarry has been opened, but not worked. The ridge in which it was found
is upwards o f a mile in length, and is supposed to contain a solid bed. There
are immense caves o f white sand, resembling snow, within four miles o f this
place, o f which large quantities are sent to Pittsburg and used in the man
ufacture of flint glass.” “ The valley o f Bellevue must be considered as the
center o f the iron region o f Missouri, affording productions o f that mineral
far surpassing, in quality and in quantity, any other portion o f the globe
now known. It is much to be regretted that the few mineralogists who
have visited our section o f the State have examined it so superficially, and
been content to report our productions o f lead, and noticed only the iron to
be found at one o f the sources o f the St. Francois river, generally called the
‘ Iron Mountain.’ That, to be sure, is a prodigy, and strikes the observer
with astonishment. It is literally a mountain o f magnetic iron, so pure in its
quality as to ) I Id from seventy to eighty per centum uuder the ordinary
process for converting ore into malleable iron.”
“ There is much variety in the iron ore o f this region. Occasionally
masses are found in which a considerable portion o f copper is blended, and
I should think, frequently so rich with copper as to justify a process o f sep
aration. Five miles south o f the mountain is a magnificent pyramid o f the
micaceous oxyd o f iron. It rises abruptly at the head o f the valley to an
elevation of two hundred and fifty and three hundred fe e t; its base is a
mile and a half in circumference ; competent judges say it will yield eighty
per cent. The immense quantity o f rich ore which this country affords, ren
ders it o f no value to individual proprietors ; for, believe me, there is more
to be found on three or four townships of land than would supply the con
sumption o f the United States for a thousand years, and this can be ob
tained without mining. The purity o f the ore is such that any ingenious
blacksmith can forge from it any article o f cutlery, giving it a fine temper,
after the manner he would work a piece o f steel.”
The agricultural riches o f Missouri, about to be developed by her great
lines of railroad, and which are destined to make St. Louis the granary o f
the W est, if they are not so marvelous as the minerals in regard to quan
tity, are yet equal to any to be fou n d in the United States, whether we con
sider the depth and richness o f the soil, its great and unsurpassed fertility,
or the variety o f its products.
If St. Louis during the last ten years has increased from a fraction over
sixteen thousand inhabitants to a fraction under one hundred thousand, with
ou t the impulse o f railroads, and notwithstanding a combination o f calami
St. L ou is: its Means o f Advancement and Wealth.
309
ties such as never before tried an American city,— what must be her prog
ress, and what her population, during the next ten years, when, independ
ent o f other causes o f increase, she will have more railroads concentrating
within her limits than Boston now has. To say that she will then have half
a million of inhabitants, and be the third city in the Union in size, would be
only relying upon what the past and present is proving, and what the future
indicates unerringly. The reader fond o f statistics may learn that she du
plicates her population every fo u r y ea rs* and can easily calculate the result
at the period alluded to.
The people o f this State have decided for themselves what, under Provi
dence, shall be their destiny. They have entered upon measures o f publie
improvement whose vastness is only equaled by the wisdom which has
planned th em ; and such is her solid wealth and credit, and the fixed pur
pose o f her people, that they will certainly carry out what they have begun.
She will not be stopped, either, by any failure on the part o f Congress to
do her justice in the application made by her for a fair share o f the public
lands, but will push to completion her great railroads— “ The Pacific,” “ The
Hannibal and St. Joseph,” “ The St. Louis and North Missouri via. St.
Charles,” and, besides numerous smaller ones, the St. Louis and Ohio City
railroad, by which she will connect herself with the Gulf of Mexico by the
Mobile and Ohio railroad, connecting Mobile Bay with the mouth of the
Ohio.
Knowing her own wealth, as well as the activity and proverbial industry
o f her citizens, St. Louis views with no jealous eye the efforts made in the
State o f Illinois and elsewhere to carry out railroad enterprises, such as the
Central railroad, from Chicago and Dubuque to Cairo, and the various cross
lines that are being extended from the Lakes to the Mississippi— the latter,
profitable as they may be to the parties interested, will yet mainly benefit
S t. Louis, by converting the thinly inhabited country through which they
pass into populous and flourishing districts, connected with St, Louis by in
tersecting roads, whose people will resort to her to exchange their products
for her manufactures o f iron, glass and cotton, and for the various supplies
which now reach her from the W est Indies, from the South and the East—
while the Central railroad, by developing a still greater region, comparative
ly unimproved, and, (to use the words o f the Hon. Robert Rantoul, Jr.,)
“ sparsely settled,” extending through Illinois from north to south, will, as it
were, create and open to the trade o f St. Louis a populous belt o f country
in front and to the right and left o f her, the main road through which will
be reached in less than two hours’ time by her railroad to the East via V in
cennes, to be commenced in February.
By virtue o f railroad connections, St Louis will thus be made the imme
diate center o f Commerce and Manufactures for no less than a million and a
half o f people— the population o f Illinois being over nine hundred thousand,
and that o f Missouri seven hundred thousand— while in ten years, without
any stretch of the imagination or deviation from the known laws o f progres
sion, we may expect to see her with a population approaching half a million,
and the acknowledged capital and exchange mart o f four millions o f people.
c. H . H.
In accordance with our general custom, and in order to preserve the statistics
* See the views o f one of the ablest contributors to the Merchants’ Maaaiine, J. W . Scott, Esq.,
of Ohio, in Vol. xxv., pp. 652-565.
310
Commercial Cities and Towns o f the United States.
o f the Commerce o f St. Louis, we present the readers o f the M e r c h a n t s ’ M a g
a z i n e with a brief review o f the markets for the past year, accompanying which
are tables showing the monthly receipts o f principal articles o f import, a com
parative statement with previous years, the tonnage o f the Port o f St. Louis, &e.
These tables have been compiled with great care to accuracy, and are strictly re
liable.
Before entering into a review o f each o f the important staples o f our trade,
we congratulate our readers that the Commerce o f the Port o f St. Louis, not
withstanding the general suspension o f business during the months o f June and
July, in consequence o f the high water and inundation o f principal shipping
points upon the upper rivers, presents a degree o f healthfulness truly gratifying
to every citizen having an interest in the rapid improvement which has been made
in our commercial resources. Our import tables for the year 1851, will show,
compared with the year 1850, a decrease in the receipts o f several principal ar
ticles o f trade; nam ely: flour, wheat, lead, &c., but an increase in the re
ceipts o f a majority o f the products o f the country tributary to this port.
W ith these remarks, we shall proceed briefly to review the principal articles o f
import and comparative prices during the year.
T obacco. The receipts o f this important staple, exceed the receipts o f last
year 1,316 hhds. The market has been active throughout the year, and an im
provement in prices for the better grades has been manifested. The respective
grades, however, have been superior to those o f the previous year. In the follow
ing comparative statement, we give the prices for 1850, and a general view o f the
opening and closing prices for the past year. The various grades that are offered,
and prices obtained for inferior lugs to good shipping and manufacturing leaf,
renders a general view o f the comparative prices o f each month, nominally spec
ulative. The receipts during the year were 10,371 hhds., o f which about 9,500
hhds. were inspected at the two warehouses o f our city. About 500 hhds. are
at present in store, 250 o f which are in the hands o f manufacturers and ship
pers.
STATEMENT FOR THE TEAKS 1850 AND 1851.
1851.
January...
February..
March . . . .
A p ril.........
May...........
J u n e .........
J u ly ..........
August . . .
September
October__
November.
December.
1850.
$ 2 00 a 5 50 J a n u a ry ................
2 50 5 50 F eb ru a ry ..............
M a r c h ...................
....
•
. . A p r i l ...................... .............
M a y ........................
....
3 00 12 00 J u n e ......................
. . J u l y ....................... ............
A u g u s t .................
S ep tem b er........... ............
O c to b e r.................
N o v e m b e r............
2 25 6 00 D e c e m b e r ............
.........
.........
.........
.........
4 45
4 45
5 00
7
12
13
8
10
13
9
15
8
00
75
00
20
45
50
50
35
00
50
H emp. The receipts o f this staple article during the last, year, greatly exceed
the receipts o f any previous year since 1847, and exceed the receipts o f the
year 1850, bv 4.504 bales. The market, throughout the year, has not been char
acterized by that firmness which was experienced in 1850, and although the qual
ities offered have been superior, the general average o f prices shows a uniform
decline. The stock in warehouse and upon the market at present is about 3,000
bales, in addition to which manufacturers have on hand about 1,200 bales. The
market for the past month has been quiet, in consequence o f the close o f nav
igation, and we quote as nominal closing rates, $ 78 a $92 per ton, for good to
choice lots. The annexed statement o f monthly average prices will give a ready
view o f the state o f the market during each month o f the year, compared with
the prices o f the year previous:—
S t. L o u is :
its M e v n s o f A d v a n cem en t a n d
311
W e a lth .
MONTHLY PRICES PER TON IN 1850 AND 1851.
1850.
January.....................................
February...................................
March........................................
April..........................................
May............................................
J u n e .........................................
J u ly...........................................
A u gu st.....................................
Septem ber...............................
October......................................
1851.
January...
February.. .............................
March . . . .
A pril........
May...........
J u n e ........
J u ly ..........
August . . . ...............................
September
October.. .
.............................
December. .............................
80 105
95
90
85
82
95
80 95
90
85
75 85
78 92 December.................................
$120al25
90 105
87 90
85 93
80 90
85 89
80 90
80 86
75 90
85 93
83 92
85 95
Lead. The receipts o f this article have been gradually declining since 1845,
and compared with the receipts o f 1850, show a decline o f 69,931 pigs. T he
demand for home consumption has materially increased, and the exports have
greatly fallen off. In consequence o f this falling o ff in the receipts, prices have
been steady, at a slight advance, holders at the close being firm at $ 4 25 to
$ 4 30 per 100 lbs. The stock at present on the market slightly exceeds 25,000
pigs, o f which, about 1,200 is o f lower mines. The total receipts by river during
the last year (including the upper and lower mines) amounts to 503,571 pigs.
T he annexed table will furnish a comparative statement o f the monthly prices
for the year 1850-51:—
1851.
January..................
February................ .........
March.....................
April.......................
May......................... ........
J u n e ....................... ........
-Inly......................... ........
A u gu st...................
Septem ber.............
October...............
November..............
December............... ........
1850.
4
4
4
4
4
37Ja4
37J 4
40 4
25 4
15 4
25 4
25 4
25 4
20 4
05 4
124 4
25 4
40
40
45
35
20
30
30
30
25
10
15
30
January.................. .........
February................
March..................... ........
April....................... ........
May.........................
J u n e .......................
J u ly ......................... .........
A ugust...................
Septem ber............. ........
October .................
November............... ........
December............... ........
$3 92 a 3
95 4
4 37 4
4 70 4
58 4
00 4
4 15 4
10 4
4 10 4
25 4
4 25 4
4 30 4
95
00
50
75
60
35
20
15
15
30
30
40
In connection with the above statement we may remark, that in addition to the
receipts there given, about 18,000 pigs have been received by wagons, all o f
which were from the lower mines.
Received by river during the year....................................... pigs
Received by wagons.......................................................................
503,571
18,000
Total from both Bources........................................................
521,571
F lour. T he receipts by river during the past year fall short 98,826 bbls., com
pared with 1850, and the market closed with a lighter stock on hand than we
have ever before noticed.
This, together with the advances South, and the markets on the Atlantic coast,
caused prices at the close o f the year to advance. It will be observed, from the
comparative statement which follow s, that there has been a gradual decline
throughout the year:—
312
Commercial Cities and Towns o f the United States.
1851.
1850.
January..................
February................
March.....................
A pril.......................
May.........................
J u n e .......................
J u ly ......................... .........
A u gust................... ........
Septem ber.............
October................... ........
November............... .........
December............... .........
87 a 4
75 4
60 4
50 4
50 4
60 4
3 75 4
3 75 4
60 4
3 50 4
3 40 4
3 75
4
50
60
50
50
50
50
50
50
37
50
60
75
January.................. . . . .
February.............. ___
March................... ___
A pril....................... ___
May......................... ___
J u n e ..................... ___
J u ly...................... ___
A ugust...................
September............. ___
October................... ___
November............
December............. ___
75 a 5
90 5
374 5
00 5
621 6
00 6
25 5
75 4
00 4
75 4
3 80 4
4 00 4
$4
4
5
5
5
6
4
3
4
3
12i
25
50
371
00
35
25
00
371
121
25
50
Including 45,000 bbls. received by wagons, 193,892 bbls. received by the
river, and about 450,000 bbls. estimated to have been manufactured by our citymills, we have a grand total o f 668,892 bbls. as the amount upon the market
during the last year. In connection with this, we annex the following remarks
in regard to flouring mills and the quantity o f flour manufactured in this city in 1851.
The mills mentioned in the following table, manufactured during the year just
ended, 450,823 barrels o f flour; the greater portion of which was exported. The
amount of flour manufactured this year cannot be taken as a fair average criter
ion o f that usually manufactured by the city mills. Almost every one o f our
mills has been idle several months, some having remained so for various unto
ward causes, more than half the year. We give the total manufacture o f flour
as reliable and correct. W e intended to add the exact proportion of flour ship
ped and flour sold in the city', but were prevented, in part, by the impossibility of
obtaining the figures from two or three establishments; and, again, because o f
the inaccuracies which must appear in such statement, even were the relative
amounts from all o f the mills furnished. A large proportion o f the flour sold
here is shipped by the purchasers so soon as delivered, leaving no data whereby
to ascertain the relative city trade and exportation. Thus, the following figures
were given us in one m ill: “ Total amount flour manufactured during the year,
32,000 bbls.; shipped, 15,075 bbls.; sold in the city', 16,925 bbls.; ” and to.tbis
is added in explanation, “ o f the 16,925 bbls. sold here, 14,565 bbls. were shipped
by the purchasers.” In the other mills, the disproportion is not so striking; but
the present instance is quoted to show the utter impossibility o f arriving at the
correct relative estimates o f the shipments and city sales.
Name of mills.
Location of mills.
Nome o f owners.
Missouri . . . .
Pacific...........
Park..............
United States
Saxony ........
Phoenix.........
Planter’s ____
Choteau..........
Atlantic.........
Nonantum....
Franklin........
O’Fallon........
S ta r...............
Washington..
E agle.............
Empire...........
Cherrv-street.
Magnolia . . . .
Union.............
St. Charles-street.. . .
Corner 3d and Cedar.
Thirteenth.................
South Seventh...........
Lombard....................
B a rry .........................
Franklin A ven ue.__
Eighth.......................
P lu m .........................
South Fourth.............
61 Franklin Avenue.
Hazel & Fourth........
South L e v e e .............
Seventh .....................
Main and Bates........
North Broadway.. . .
Cherry.......................
North St. Louis.........
North Levee..............
Joseph Powell.................
W. G. McEh-oy...............
Backland & C o ............... .
A. W. F a gin ....................
Leonharat & Shuricht . .
H. & S. B. Pilkington.. .
Win. T. Hazard...............
Wm. T. Hazard...............
Ball & Chapin.................
Henry Whitmore.............
Geo. P. Plant & C o..........
Jos. G. Shands..................
A. D. Pomeroy & C o........
Charles L. Tucker............
Denuis Marks.....................
Robinson & Goodfellow ..
J. B a tt................................
Hendrick’s .........................
Ed. Walsli..........................
Runs of
stone.
4
5
4
4
2
4
2
3
4
2
3
2
1
3
2
4
3
' 2
2
Capacity
per day
in bar
rels.
500
500
260
350
100
140
160
126
250
125
80
80
250
120
150
300
100
100
200
Total number o f flouring mills, 19; aggregate runs o f stone, 56; capacity o f
313
St. L o u is: and her Means o f ■Advancement and Wealth.
daily manufacture, 3,880 bbls. W e have failed to mention the Telegraph Mills
— which might with propriety be called a city mill— on account o f its location
without the city limits, and the Diamond Mill near Bremen, because o f the diffi
culty o f obtaining its report. The figures o f the latter, however, would make no
material difference in the results given below.
W heat. The receipts during the year, fall short 91,366 bushels, compared
with the year 1850. This deficiency is not so great as in flour. The demand
has been steady, and throughout the year there has been very moderate change
in prices. T he annexed statement will show, that until the close o f the year,
there has been a gradual decline, compared with the monthly prices o f 1850:—
1851.
1850.
January ................
February ..............
M arch...................
A pril.....................
M ay......................
J u n e .....................
J u ly ......................
A u gu st.................
Septem ber...........
October.................
November.............
December.............
S0i
80
80
80
85
78
80
80
70
76
75
82
January..............
February ............ .................
80
.................
.................
.................
95
90
80
...............
...............
...............
..............
.................
70
60
60
65
75
A pril...................
May.....................
J u n e ...................
J u ly....................
August...............
September........
October...............
November...........
December...........
1
1
1
1
1
15
05
20
25
27
25
95
90
85
80
82
86
In the above comparative statement, w e have not included the inferior grades,
confining ourselve.n altogether to fair, prime, and choice qualities. W e quote as
the nominal closing rates, inferior, 60 a 7 0c.; fair to good, 73 a 77c.; and prime
and choice 80 a 85c. per bushel.
The following statement, furnished us by the clerk o f the Millers’ Exchange,
shows the lotal quantity o f sacks aud barrels o f wheat received, and the quanti
ty o f sacks from each river; also a total quantity o f flour received from all sour
ces. Between this statement and our own statistics there are slight discrepan
cies :—
Dates.
January...............
February.............
M arch.................
A p ril...................
May.....................
June....................
July.....................
A u gu st...............
Septem ber........
O ctober...............
November..........
December..........
Totals.............. .
Sacks.
Barrels.
28,661
24,704
64,468
67,754
1,248
613
1,296
1,539
3,222
1,971
1,174
2.558
1,573
1,414
701
669
17,978
121,961
85,422
110,753
Mississippi
river.
Illinois
river.
Flour.
23
2,245
7,676
12,021
11,480
10,217
6,107
16,959
8,755
10,778
9,489
2,050
10,772
5,360
18,791
27,444
43,519
8,200
17,501
27,007
27,323
27,701
26,730
16,858
17.S66
17,099
38,001
28,289
35,406
25,607
27,927
77.995
49,3 44
72,274
60,253
32,006
15,848
8,846
14,119
20,595
21,972
13,275
8,469
15,893
19,062
26,115
18,553
7,590
97,800
256,846
482,067
185,337
Missouri
river.
Corn. Our comparative table o f receipts will show a gradual increase during
the past three years; and for the last year nearly doubling the receipts o f 1850.
During the spring and summer, the bulk o f the receipts were damaged. Our
monthly statement o f prices, in which is embraced fair mixed to prime yellow
and white lots, shows a steady decline throughout the year. The market closed
at 36 to 36}c. for mixed; 37 to 38c. for pure yellow, and 39 to 40c. for pure
white lots in new gunnies.
314
Commercial Cities and Towns o f the United States.
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF MONTHLY PRICES.
1881.
1850.
January ......................
February....................
March..........................
A pril...........................
May.............................
J u n e...........................
J u ly ............................
A ugust.......................
Septem ber.................
October.......................
November...................
December....................
46
40
40
38
36
43
40
38
40
36
40
January ......................
February....................
March......................... ...........
April........................... ...........
M ay.............................
J u n e ........................... ...........
J u ly ............................ ...........
A ugust....................... ...........
Septem ber................. ...........
October....................... ...........
November...................
December................... ...........
40
48
45
60
60 623
58 64
58 61
50 52
52^ 55
48
46 55
45
44
O a t s . The receipts for the year comprise 7 9 4 ,4 3 1 bushels, against 6 9 7 ,4 3 2
bushels during the year 1 850, showing an increase o f 9 6 ,9 9 9 bushels. T he
prices have varied, opening at 4 5 a 5 0 , and closing at 3 0 a 32c. The stock o n
hand at present is estimated at 6 0 ,0 0 0 bushels.
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF MONTHLY PRICES DURING THE YEARS
1851.
1850.
January.......................
February.....................
M arch..........................
A pril...........................
May............................. .
J u n e........................... .............
Ju ly............................
August..........................
September.................................
October....................... .............
N ovem ber................. .............
December...................
31
26
25
26
150
63
47
40
37
33
31
26
27
26
27
32
January.................... ..
February. . ; ............... ............
March......................... .............
April........................... .
M ay............................ .............
J u n e........................... .
J u ly ........ ................. .............
A ugust.......................
Septem ber................. .............
October....................... .
November ................. .............
December................... ............
a 44
45
46
47
58 60
56
53 55
53
37 40
38
40 42
45 50
43
44
Barley. During the early part o f the year prices ruled high ; and the stock
on the market, which consisted almost entirely o f prime and choice Kentucky
and Ohio, was taken at 873c. to $1 00 per bushel. Until May the receipts from
the upper rivers were light, and, corresponding with the subsequent increased re
ceipts from this source, prices declined, and continued uniform to the close, rang
ing from 45 to 60c. per bushel, ineludin; sacks. W e annex the monthly prices
for the years—
1850.
1851.
January....................
February..................
March........................ ........
A pril.........................
May........................... ........
J u n e ......................... ........
July........................ .........
A ugust..................... ........
Septem ber............... ........
October ................... ........
November................. ........
December.................
00 January..................... cts.
00 February........................
75
60
58
55
45
45
50
55
90
85
65
60
70
60
55
55
60
60
March..............................
April...............................
May.................................
June ................................
July.................................
A ugust...........................
September.....................
October .........................
November......................
December.......................
1
1
1
1
80 a
95
00
10
15
00
95
75
65
60
623
65
90
1 05
1 10
1 15
1 20
1 10
1 00
80
70
85
85
873-
R ye. There has been little demand during the year, and prices have slightly
varied— the market opening at 60 a 65c. and closing at 55 a 60c. per bushel. The
receipts are about 7,500 bushels. W e annex the monthly prices for the years—
315
S t. L o u is: and her Means o f Advancement and Wealth.
1851.
1859.
January................ .
February ..............
March....................
A p ril.....................
May....................... .
J u n e .....................
J u ly ......................
A ugust..................
September............ .
October..................
November.............
December..............
60
60
60
65
60
80
65
50
60
January....................
February ..................
March.......................
April..........................
M ay..........................
J u n e.........................
J u ly..........................
A ugust.....................
Septem ber...............
October.....................
November.................
December................
60
55
70
75
87* 1 00
75
70
75
70
60
55
65
60
55
50
50
60
..........
50
..........
..........
..........
..........
...........
..........
Castor Beans. Increased receipts have caused a decline in prices, and during
the year, as will be observed by our comparative monthly statement, hereto an
nexed, there has been a material falling off. At the rates given, there has been
a steady demand.
MONTHLY PRICES PEE BUSHEL DURING THE YEARS
1851.
January..................
February................ ___
March......................
A pril.......................
M ay.........................
J u n e .......................
J u ly ........................
A ugust...................
Septem ber.............
October...................
November..............____
December...............
1850.
January.................. ___
February ................
March......................
April....................... ____
May.........................
J u n e .......................
87* J u ly........................ ___
1 10 August...................
80 September..............
65 October................... ____
November............... _____
65
December............... ____
al
1 10 1
1
1
1
75
50
15
12
05
00
00
$2 20 a .t
A.
25 2
50 2
2 60 2
55 2
75 i
1 70
i
60 i
i
1 45
1 35
i
1 25
i
1 30 i
37*
50
60
65
60
80
75
70
50
40
30
35
Flaxseed. The receipts by river have not exceeded 11,000 bushels, and prices
have fluctuated during the year, as will be observed by the following statement
o f monthly prices. There has been a steady demand for home consumption, and
the market closed firm at $1 30 to $1 35 per bushel.
MONTHLY PRICES DURING THE YEARS
1851,
January. . .
February..
March . . . .
A pril........
May...........
J u n e ........
J u ly ..........
A u gust__
September
October . .
November.
December.
1S50.
January............................
February ..........................
March.................................
April.................................
May...................................
1 60 J u n e.................................
1 55 J u ly..................................
1 12* August..............................
1 25 Septem ber.......................
1 35 October.............................
1 30 November.........................
December........... ..............
$1 60 a 1 65
.... ....
..........
1
1
1
1
1
1
55
60
00
20
30
25
..........
?i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
45 aL1
40 1
50 1
55 1
50 1
80 1
30 1
25 1
10 1
25 1
45 1
50 1
50
50
55
60
55
35
35
30
20
30
50
55
Potatoes. The market has greatly fluctuated during the year— opening at
$1 15 a $1 20 per bushel, and closing at 70 a 75c Received during the year,
73,642 sacks and 4,747 bbls. The following will exhibit the comparative month
ly prices during the years—
316
Corjimercial Cities and Towns o f the United States.
January.................. .............$1 15 a 1 20
February ................
March...................... ............
00
95
A pril.......................
May.........................
J u n e .......................
J u ly ........................
A u gust...................
September............. ............
30
37
October ................
November...............
December...............
•January..............
February ............ ..............
March..................
April...................
May..................... ...............
J u n e................... ..............
J u ly.................... ..............
August................ ...............
Septem ber........ ..............
...............
November...........
December...........
45
75
80
80
75
46
50
55
50
70
80
1 00
85
85
SO
65
45
90
05
H a t . Received by river during the year, 23,717 bales. G ood and prime
Timothy was sold in January at 60 to 65c., but gradually declined to 45 to 50c.,
when a scarcity o f receipts had a tendency to raise the price to 55 to 60c., at
which figures we quote the market. A comparative monthly review o f prices in
1851 and 1850, hereto annexed, will afford the general range o f the market:—
1851.
January......................
February.................... .
March..........................
April............................ ............
May.............................
J u n e........................... .
J u ly ............................
A ugust....................... .............
Septem ber..................
October....................... ..............
November................... .............
December...................
1850.
60
50
45
45
a 65
70
65
65
65
68
65
55
60
60
50
60
January.................... .
February.................. .
March.........................
April.....................................
May........................... ..........
J u n e......................... .
Ju ly......................................
August..................... .........
September...............
October..................... ...........
November................. ...........
December.................
80
75
80
80 1 00
1 10 1 20
85
80
75
85
80
65
55
60
62*
65
76
W hisky. The receipts o f raw whisky, by river, during the year, comprises
47,991 bbls., showing an increase upon the receipts o f 1850, o f 22.032 bbls.
T he extremes o f the market were in 1851, 1 8 f to 231c., against21 to 27*c. during
1850. Tlie follow ing will exhibit tiie average monthly prices for raw, during the
years—
1850.
1851.
January..............................cts.
February .................................
March.......................................
A pril.......................................
M ay.............................................
J u n e ........................................
J u ly .........................................
A u gu st...................................
Septem ber.............................
October...................................
November...............................
December...............................
22 a 23
22* 23*
20 21
18$ 19
19
20* 21
18$ 19
19* 19*
21$ 22
20 20$
20* 21
21* 22
January.............. ............cts.
February............ .................
March..................
April...................
May..................... .................
J u n e ...................
J u ly ....................
August...............
September........
October...............
November..........
December...........
22* a 23
22* 23
23*
23
23* 24
27*
26
26*
26
25*
22
23
S ugar . Received during the year, 29,276 hhds., 20,854 bbls., and 15,833 bxs .
which exceeds the receipts o f 1850, (throwing the bbls. into hhds.,) about 8,000
bhds. Prices have ruled steady, as will be seen by the annexed monthly state
ment. The market for fair to prime qualities closed firm at $ 5 25 to $ 6 00 per
100 lbs.
S t. L o u is : and her Means o f Advancement and Wealth.
January................
February ..............
March...................
April.....................
May.......................
J u n e.....................
J u ly......................
A ugust.................
Septem ber..........
October.................
November............
December.............
1850.
1851.
___
$5 00 a 5
50
5
25
5
5
5 00
G
5 75
00
6
00
6
6
75
6 121 7
00
6
6
5 75
6
5 ‘25
___
___
___
317
871
75
75
75
75
75
60
50
00
75
50
00
January..................
February................
March.....................
April.......................
May......................... ........
J u n e ....................... ........
Ju ly.........................
August .................
September............. .......
October................... ........
November..............
December............... ........
4
5
6
6
4
121a5 00
00 5 00
35 4 75
25 4 50
62.V 5 50
50 6 00
75 6 25
00 G 50
25 7 00
25 7 00
75 6 25
75 5 75
Molasses. The receipts comprise 40,231 bbls. o f all descriptions, during the
year. Louisiana Sugar House, at the close, was selling at 32 to 34c. in limited
quantities, and St. Louis brands at 36 to 40c. per gallon. The follow ing state
ment o f monthly prices refers to prime New Orleans and plantation only:—
1851.
1850.
J anuary...................... .
February.................... .
March.........................
A pril........................... .
May............................. ............
J u n e ........................... .
J u lv............................
A ugust....................... ............
September................. .............
October....................... ..............
November...................
December........ ..
35
82
30
29
29
32
31
34
37
35
34
34
33
31
.31
31
January...................... . ...cts.
February.................... ...........
March......................... ..........
April...........................
Mav.............................
J u n c ...........................
Ju ly............................
A ugust.......................
Septem ber.................
October......................
November...................
December...................
25 a 26
25 26
24 25
241
30
33
34
35
34
S3
32
31
Coffee. The receipts o f the past year are 101,904 saclts, showing an increase
upon the receipts o f 1850, o f 28,231 sacks. The market during the year has
greatly fluctuated,as will be seen by the following statement:—
MONTHLY PRICES DURING THE YEAR
January.............. ___
February ............ ___
March.................
April...................
May..................... ........
J u n e ...................
$11
11
11
10
10
00 a
50
25
75
00
11
12
11
11
10
50
25
50
00
25
75
1851.
July.........................
August....................
September.............
October...................
November..............
December...............
........
$9 25 a 9 50
........
9 121 9 00
.........
.........
8 25
8 50
8 75
9 00
S alt. The market has been steady during the year, and the demand active.
In January, G. A. sold at $1 10 to $1 20, and continued to advance steadily up
to the close. W e quote as closing rates— G. A. in bleached sacks at $1 50 to
$1 55. T . I. dull at 50 to 60c., and market well supplied; and Kanawha brisk
at 30c. per bushel. The receipts the past year, o f all descriptions, comprise
46,260 bbls. and 216,963 bags against 19,158 bbls. and 261,250 bags during the
year 1850.
H ides. Received during the year, o f all descriptions, 99,736, which shows an
increase o f about 5,000 compared with the year 1850. the market opened at 9
to 9Jc. for dry flint; 7 to 7|c. for dry salted; and 4 to 4Jc. for green salted. In
April and the tw o succeeding months, sales were made at 10c., 81c., and 41e,
These prices, with but slight variation, prevailed until October, and the market
closed at 8c. for dry flint; 7c. for dry salted; and 3| to 4c. for green salted.
Feathers. There has been very little variation in the price o f this article,
and the supply has been about equal to the demand. The range for good live
feathers has been from 28 to 32c. A t the close, we quote at 30 to 32c.
Lakd. T he market for prime No. 1, in bbls, and tes. opened at 6| to 7c., and
continued to advance until November.
Prices then ruled at 81 to 9c., and
318
Commercial Cities and Towns o f the United States.
gradually declined to the close, when 7 f to 8 }e. were the market rates.
The receipts by river during the year comprise 13,465 csks., 37,743 bbls.,
and 14,450 kgs. W e annex a statement o f the monthly prices o f good and
prime No. 1 per 100 lbs., during the years 1851 and 1850:—
1851.
January.................. . . . .
February ................ ___
March.....................
A pril....................... ___
___
J u n e ..................... ___
J u ly....................... ___
A u gust................... ___
September........... ___
October...................
November............ ___
December.............
1850.
75 a 7 00 January..................
50 8 00 February ..............
50 7 871 March......................
50 7 75 April.......................
9 00 May.........................
50 8 75 June .....................
25 9 00 J u ly......................
00 9 121 A ugust...................
00 6 25 Septem ber...........
12A 9 00 October...................
8 50 10 00 November.............
7 75 8 25 December.............
$6
7
7
7
8
8
8
9
9
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
84 50 a 5
4 50 5
25 6
50 5
4 15 6
35 7
6 00 7
6 25 6
5 50 6
5 624 6
6 00 7
6 70 7
50
50
50
80
00
65
00
75
12*
25
00
10
P ork. The receipts o f the past year o f barreled pork, slightly vary from the
receipts o f 1850, and the bulk o f the sum total, as will be seen by reference to
our monthly statement o f receipts, is the product o f the year 1850. Up to the
present date, compared with the last packing season, there is a falling o ft'o f some
20 to 25,000 head o f hogs slaughtered at the establishments in and about the
city. W e annex a statement o f the monthly prices o f mess pork during the
year, remarking that clear and prime have had the usual average above and below
these figures:—
January..
February
March . .
A pril___
M ay........
J u n e___
810
11
11
12
14
13
50 a l l 00 J u ly ...................... . . . .
00 11 50 A ugust.................
25 11 75 September...........
50 13 25 October.................
25 14 60 November............ ___
25 13 50 December.............
813 25 a 14 00
14 25 14 50
15 00 15 25
15 00
12 00 12 50
12 50
The decline at the close o f the year is caused by the new crop coming upon
the market. In salted and pickled meats the market closed firm, holders being
indisposed to operate to any great extent. W e quote dry salted and pickled
shoulders at 5 to 5-Je.; ribbed sides at 6J- to 6-Jc.; and hams at 6£ to 6Jc. per lb.
Our table o f imports will show the quantity o f each description received by
river during the year.
B ale R ope and B agging. Received during the year 34,088 coils o f the former,
and 2,845 pieces o f the latter. The market closed at 5 $ to 6c., and 12J to
13c.
B eesw ax . T he market opened in January at l&J- to 20c., and continued
steady at these figures until June. From that period to the close prices ranged
from 20 to 22c., according to quantity.
T allow . A prime article has been in steady demand, prices ranging from 5.|
to 6fc., during the yea r; the market closed at 6Jto 6^c. per lb.
B utter . Received during the year, 2,009 bbls. and 7,598 kegs and firkins.
Prices have considerably varied, good shipping ranging from 11 to 14c.; and roll
and good table from 14 to 18c. per lb.
C heese . The market, until toward the close, has been bountifully supplied ;
W estern Reserve has ranged from 6 A to 7|e., and English dairy at 11 to 13c.
per lb.
S undries . W e give under this head the closing rates o f articles not enumer
ated above, nam ely: Dried Apples at $1 75 to §2, and Peaches at $2 12| to
$2 25 per bushel. Castor Oil at 50 to 55c., and Linseed Oil at 65 to 70c. per
gallon. W hite Beans at 81 90 to $1 95 per bushel. Clover Seed at $6 50 to
87, and Timothy Seed at 82 to $ 2 25 per bushel.
M anufactured T obacco. Although the marked increase o f home manufac
ture, a commensurate demand has kept down stocks in first hands. There is not
St. L o u is : and her Means o f Advancement and Wealth.
<
319
more now on hand than will supply the current demand for the next several
m onths: meanwhile, stocks must decrease, as the manufacturers will for awhile
he entirely idle, owing to the seasons. Missouri manufactured is daily growing
in favor, and the productiveness o f our soil, and in consequence o f the reason. able rates o f leaf, it behooves the consumers to look to their interest, in the rel
ative costs o f the Missouri and Virginia tobacco. W e quote country Missouri
7 to 18; City Missouri 9 to 30, ns extremes.
R emarks . Annexed w e publish, in tabular form, statements showing the
monthly receipts o f the principal articles o f produce & c., for the year, together
with a comparative statement for the five years preceding. Also, statements re
specting the tonnage and number o f arrivals at this port, &c. The total number
o f arrivals o f steamboats and barges is 3,003, o f which 375 were barges, name
ly :—
January..
February
March . .
A pril___
M ay........
June . . .
21 J u ly ................................... barges
45 August ..........................................
71 September...................................
41 October.........................................
51 November ...................................
2 December......................................
barges
6
12
IS
15
66
27
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT SHOWING TOE MONTHLY ARRIVALS OF STEAMBOATS AT THE PORT
OF ST. LOUIS, FROM N E W ORLEANS, THE OHIO
R IV E R , ILLINOIS R IV E R , UPPER MISSIS
SIP P I, MISSOURI R IV E R , CAIRO, AND OTHER POINTS, DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS, VIZ :
1847, ’4 8, ’4 9, ’50,
and
1851.
New Orleans.
Ohio River.
1847. 1848. 1849. 1850. 1851. 1847. 1818. 1849. 1850. 1851.
January .........
F ebruary__ _
March.............
April...............
M a y................
J u n e ...............
J u ly................
August...........
September___
October...........
November___
D ecem ber.. . .
22
15
48
77
93
49
67
24
28
22
32
23
29
26
53
47
22
30
30
26
48
51
49
35
13
32
38
36
22
19
21
17
31
26
27
31
18
35
45
27
20
24
12
23
15
20
36
28
20
22
29
31
40
25
13
23
22
27
29
19
8
16
28
41
61
37
41
37
30
67
42
22
li
12
38
43
37
44
48
55
42
43
48
8
5
18
58
65
38
38
13
16
33
40
43
39
12
26
64
61
47
52
82
28
36
40
65
30
13
22
45
62
59
34
28
45
34
37
47
31
Total...........
502
426
313
301
300
.430
429
406
493
457
MONTHLY ARR IV AL OF STEAMBOATS---- CONTINUED.
Illinois River.
Upper Mississippi.
1847. 1848. 1849. 1850. 1851. 1847. 1848. 1849. 1850. 1851.
January .........
February __ _
March.............
A pril...............
M ay................
J u n e...............
J u ly ...............
August...........
September. . .
October...........
N ovem ber... .
D ecem ber.. . .
9
8
85
91
106
60
58
41
45
57
60
38
26
32
73
67
82
53
55
71
64
70
63
34
14
19
82
63
42
56
33
62
87
70
93
65
12
55
91
70
69
83
56
75
63
63
98
53
23
36
78
63
78
37
30
61
54
52
83
39
4
8
41
74
128
91
81
51
57
80
69
33
24
20
48
76
67
75
51
75
66
82
66
47
2
4
79
117
73
77
63
67
77
87
100
61
13
80
60
76
78
49
48
63
59
81
28
10
12
65
65
97
56
48
61
63
56
77
29
Total...........
658
690
686
788
634
717
697
806
635
639
320
Commercial Cities and Towns o f the United States.
MONTHLY ARR IV AL OF STEAMBOATS---- CONTINUED.
Cairo and other points.
January .........
February . . . .
March.............
A p ril..............
M a y ...............
June................
July................
August...........
September.. . .
October..........
November . . .
December . . . .
l
14
32
63
48
45
32
23
31
16
9
l
l
19
33
38
39
34
40
39
36
42
5
..
3
44
63
50
43
19
28
41
34
21
9
l
7
35
58
57
42
32
45
45
26
32
10
Total...........
414
327
355
390
A TABLE, SHOWING THE MONTHLY
ARRIVALS
FLAT BOATS, W IT H T H EIR RESPECTIVE
ETC., FOR THE YEARS
1850
AND
CO
Missouri River.
1847. 1848. 1849. 1850. 1851. 1847. 1848. 1S49. 1850.
32
28
46
48
22
85
34
35
25
5
16
16
16
13
39
21
38
24
46
52
31
28
29
22
45
32
43
29
33
43
85
104
54
71
19
22
87
30
32
33
16
22
30
30
29
39
19
18
22
30
27
25
15
36
33
30
19
16
25
17
35
23
43
13
15
32
33
22
20
14
301
348
590
S39
290
294
OF
STEAMBOATS
TONNAGE,
AND
BARGES,, KEEL
AND
W HARFAGE, HARBOR MASTER’S FEES,
1851.
Arrivals of steamboats
and barges.
January..................................
February ...................... ........
March........................... ........
A pril...............................
M a y.............................. .........
J u n e...............................
J u ly........................................
A ugust...........................____
September.....................____
October...........................
November...................... ____
December.......................
1850.
1851.
1850.
1851.
64
173
400
112
154
354
315
414
210
162
269
258
244
347
164
3
9
29
15
16
20
3
0
3
1
13
3
2
1
4
5
13
2
0
1
7
1
7
0
3,003
215
43
312
218
276
259
412
Total...............................
Arrrivals o f keel
and flatboats.
2,332
MONTHLY ARRIVAL OF STEAMBOATS, ETC.---- CONTINUED.
Tonnage of steamboats
and barges.
1850.
January ......................
February ....................
M arch.........................
A p ril...........................
May.............................
J u n e ...........................
J u ly.............................
A u gust.......................
Septem ber.................
October.......................
November...................
Decem ber...................
___
___
___
___
___
___
14,129
37,241
81,969
79,505
71,825
72,984
43,196
1851.
23,942
29,013
71,819
73,069
98,371
57,938
40,273
62,842
59,066
57,729
73,441
35,637
Wharfage.
1850.
$683
1,825
4,091
3,865
3,566
4.048
3,137
3,518
3,870
4,267
5,718
2,601
80
50
90
75
15
92
10
87
48
15
46
00
1851,
$1,777
2,002
5,630
5,048
6,974
3,066
2,493
4,809
4,132
4,132
5,159
2,927
52
17
49
94
42
85
91
99
72
49
09
45
321
S t. L o u is: and her Means o f Advancement and Wealth.
MONTHLY ARRIVAL OF STEAMBOATS, ETC.— CONTINUED.
Harbor Master’s fees.
January ..................
February............................
March......................
April...................................
M ay......................... ..........
J u n e .......................
J u ly........................ .
A ugust................... ..........
September.............
October...................
November..............
December...............
Total................ _____
$ 106
120
337
302
418
184
149
288
247
249
309
175
146 04
309 26
285 29
211 13
|2,7S5 43
Paid into City Treasury.
1851.
1850.
1850.
65
13
83
94
46
01
63
60
96
95
54
65
$ 629
1,670
3,764
3,556
3,280
3,839
2,948
3,907
3,638
3,917
5,375
2,444
$2,8 92 35
1851.
10
46
55
49
86
71
88
74
25
12
35
94
$1,6 70
1,882
5 ,292
4 ,746
6,555
2,882
2,344
4,621
3,884
8,884
4,849
2,752
$ 3 8 ,38 2 4 4
87
04
66
00
96
84
28
39
76
54
55
80
$ 45 ,26 6 69
From the monthly reports o f the Lumber Master,
made officially to the City Register, we derive the following statistics o f the lum
ber trade, for the year 1851:—
T
he
L um ber T
rade.
Months.
Lumber.
Feet.
January.................................
February...............................
March....................................
A pril......................................
May........................................
J u n e ......................................
July........................................
A u gu st.................................
Septem ber...........................
October..................................
November..............................
December..'...........................
203,205
348,423
622,818
1.883,563
1,311,637
2,283,632
1,936,963
3,355,193
1,491,772
1,049,982
1,632,928
700,000
Total..............................
16,820,016
Shingles.
Laths.
Coopers’ stuff.
Pieces.
.................................................................*64,000
........................................ 40,000 34,600
........................................ 300,000 78,000
1,375,000
250,000
201,000
750.000
247,000
650.000
25,000
550.000
...............
...........
650.000
500,000
76,800
1.160.500
356,500
1.078.500
175,000
471,500
1.531.500
261,500
60,000
7,805,500
1,265,000
1,835,900
Add to the above about 7,000,000 feet not measured or included in the report,
and about 15,000,000 feet estimated to have been cut by the different mills o f
this city and suburbs, and w e have, as a grand total o f lumber manufactured :—
Received by river................................................................feet
Cut by city m ills.......................................................................
23,820,016
15,000,000
Reported from same sources last year...................................
38,820,016
29,676,099
Increase in 1851................................................................
9,143,917
W e next append a comparative statement o f the different descriptions for the
last five years:—
1847 .................................
1848 ..........
1849 .............................
1850 .............................
1851 .............................
Lumber.
Shingles.
Laths.
16,017,850
22,137,209
24,188,651
14.676,099
16,820,016
13,098,800
15,851,500
7,334,500
4,316,000
7,805,500
2,817,000
2,598,915
1,290,500
283,000
1,265,000
The following statement, kindly furnished us by W . W . Green, Esq., Collec
tor o f the Port o f St. Louis, shows the importations o f foreign merchandise,
& c., during the past year:—
Port of S t . L ouis, January 3, 1852.
A s requested, I make the follow ing report o f importations o f foreign merchanv o l . x x v i.— n o . m .
21
322
Commercial Cities and Towns o f the United States.
dise into this port, in 1851, the amount o f duties collected, &c., as follows,
namely:—
Foreign merchandise imported into St. Louis in the year 1851, and en
tered here, the foreign value o f which amounts to..............................
Foreign merchandise entered at other ports in 1851, and now in trans
portation under bond for the payment of duties at St. Lpuis, the en
tries being received, the foreign value of which is..............................
Amount of duties on foreign merchandise collected in 1851.................
Amount of duties unpaid on foreign merchandise—on goods in store,
31st December, 1851 ..............................................................................
Amount of duties unpaid on foreign merchandise in transit from other
ports, destined to this port......................................................................
$757,509 00
107,902 00
239,318 68
8,261 89
32,679 20
Amount of duties paid and accruing on merchandise imported for this
port in 1851...............................................................................................
$280,259 77
Of the above, exclusive of the said merchandise in transit, there was
imported from England, merchandise, the foreign value of which . .
From France...............................
From Germany and Holland.......................................................................
From Spain and dependencies.....................................................................
From Brazil.................... .................................................... ........................
$406,113
38,404
23,239
220,770
68,983
^Total foreign value...........................................................................
$757,509
The general description o f merchandise imported, entered for consumption
and warehoused in the year, and foreign value thereof, is as follows, namely:—
Sugar and molasses................
Hardware, A c .........................
Railroad iron...........................
Earthenware............................
Tin plates, tin, iron, copper, Ac.
Dry goods and fancy goods. .
$289,753 Brandy, wines, gin, cordials, Ac
133,401 Burr stones.............................
100,211 Drugs and medicines.............
98,786
81,482
Total.....................................
24,287
Hospital money collected at this port in 1851............................................
Ditto expended in this port in 1851 for the relief of sick and disabled
boatmen...................................................................................................
TABLE SHOWING THE QUANTITY
THE YE AR
1851,
January .............
February ...........
March.................
A p r il.................
M a y ...................
June...................
J u ly ...................
August...............
September.........
October..............
N ovem ber.........
December..........
Total...............
In sp ected in 1849..
In sp ected in 1 85 1 .
OP
LIQUORS,
OILS,
MOLASSES,
$24 ,71 2
2,259
2,618
$757,509
$2,941 03
3,441 44
ETC., INSPECTED DURING
AS REPORTED BY THE INSPECTORS TO THE CITY REGISTER.
Whisky.
Bbls.
4,288
4,252
6,921
6,683
6,760
2,887
3,775
4 ,992
6,470
5,621
5,416
4,017
61,082
Molasses.
Bbls.
IFfbbls.
3,084
137
384
2,090
924
4,406
748
4,543
625
5,715
346
3,174
726
4,062
328
2,952
4 34
1,686
28
854
502
3,267
301
1,899
37,722
5,488
Bbls.
466
508
303
461
608
473
806
432
417
781
659
425
Oils.
Turpentine. Liq’rs. Yin’gr.
Casks.
Bbls.
Pkgs. Bbls.
..
..
73
2 44
•.
284
61
100
60
110
509
26
19
83
94
32
82
142
95
60
18
133
22
60
84
119
231
7
165
171
40
7
41
..
157
5
62
..
52
..
16
3
27
39
213
40
•
5,639
Whisky.
25,668
61,082
..
285
1,273
Molasses.
21,113
40,4 84
1,666
358
Oils.
3,310
6,924
Imports into St . Louis during the past tear . The following table com
prises all the important and many o f the minor articles o f Merchandise, Grocer
ies and Produce, received by the river during the past year, from all sources. It
has been compiled with great care to accuracy, and to merchants and others, it
will be a source o f ready reference, as to the extent o f the trade to this port
during the year:—
S t. L o u is: and her Means o f Advancement and Wealth.
January. February. March.
Articles.
A l e ........ ...............bbls.
2,221
455
238
Apples, green.................
323
631
2,907
Bacon. . . .casks & hhds.
722
366
4,272
Bacon. . .
...
1,068
260
....
Bacon . . .
5,697
....
Bagging..
54
107
Bale rope
602
4,558
325
Barley and malt, .sacks
7,140
5,242
3,405
Beans, w. and c . . . .bbls.
64
120
65
Beans, w. and c . . . sacks
391
106
157
Beef . . . ,
831
B e e f.. . . ,
726
1,001
20
Beeswax. .............. pkgs.
10
81
48
Beeswax. __ bbls. <fc bxs.
2
82
Butter___................ bbls.
170
318
312
Butter. . . .kegs & firkiss
264
492
246
Candles.,.
220
759
120
Cheese..
2
99
3
3,022
Cheese...
410
663
221
45
Cider.. . . , ................ bbls.
17
Corn........
119,662 165,544 222,199
128
1,155
Cotton yarn............ bags
190
7,094 12,422
Coffee ..
5,384
2,116
Dried apples.. sks & bbls.
982
9,017
821
310
Dried peaches...............
484
868
826
Flaxseed, . . bbls. <k sks.
54
7,232 14,827
Flour........
15,848
40
76
Feathers .
47
1,308
790
2,482
H ay........
H em p... .
1,078
4,796
27
3,446 22,476
H ides... .
5,540
Iron........
395
921
1,132
2,962
Lard........
3,657
2,987
Lard.........................bbls.
3,426 12,173
6,130
2,322
1,807
Lard........
1,670
1,621
4,731 18.724
Lead. . . . .................pigs
1,196
471
2,169
Leather..
2,661
Molasses . ...............bbls.
3,843
4,166
2,421
3,736 14,138
Nails . . . .
68
Oakum.. .
60
842
Oats........
20,886 55,410 102,834
Oil, linseed.............bbls.
114
135
215
Oils, other kinds.............
110
207
400
Onions. . . .sks and bbls.
74
82
91
P o rk .. . . . casks and tcs.
1,982
4,740
3,010
Pork........................ bbls. 11,831 12,672 24,736
Pork, bulk................ pcs. 38,918 272,553 321,045
....
Pork, pickled...........tons
....
....
Potatoes.
3,818
610
322
Potatoes.................. bbls.
459
473
600
Powder .,
5,625
7
Rice........
320
404
380
B ye.........
111
13
280
Salt..........
125
660
957
Salt.........
810
6,919
12,941
Starch. . .
110
161
350
Soap . . . .
175
529
67
Sugar... .
1,821
5,582
3,997
S u ga r... .
165
304
2,614
Sugar.. .
364
118
995
T allow ..., .tcs. and bbls.
17
137
175
Tar.......... ...............bbls.
606
843
1,403
April.
2,014
722
4,206
42
359
3,628
1,080
265
351
2,015
178
66
69
156
218
541
71
4,492
64
337,011
355
9,513
4,114
927
407
19,456
71
2,970
9,461
18,605
744
1,617
7,922
2,489
73,620
1,465
5,038
13,492
156
130,179
71
220
20
1,957
34,176
107,343
108
14,413
2,500
1,624
499
1,018
2,574
10,483
25
440
4,536
1,764
1,322
209
683
323
July.
May.
June.
3,078
162
320
162
....
4,020
696
320
67
18
12
2,700
330
175
120
432
4,603
3,256
3,453
8,454
4,393
1,184
198
251
10
175
347
585
...
197
14
40
84
5
61
23
15
77
197
259
498
604
679
303
250
104
40
3
33
1,594
2,230
1,713
186
8
313,477 169,731 159,889
1,000
1,345
1,299
7,007
5,989
9,581
1,119
135
281
204
232
197
135
187
65
28,519 13,848
3,740
45
51
72
8,720
1,789
1,851
12,142 12,064
6,350
8,931
2,745
3,629
825
461
770
1,262
176
440
1,175
523
180
906
245
382
73,072 48,330 -65,158
1,004
649
690
5,482
4,952
3,875
9,263
4,875
1,414
30
100
100
100,627 58,408 64,969
49
157
68
321
113
491
10
18
387
358
99
6,676
267
748
24,128
450
...
....
...
10,988
5,402
1,924
259
16
57
64
2,751
900
27
34
294
218
184
106
13,146
8,377
759
16,350 27,500
8,704
80
50
356
251
79
35
2,045
3,497
1,003
1,570
1,645
713
2,452
4,105
1,115
63
82
74
204
553
530
324
Commercial Cities and Towns o f the United States.
Articles.
January. February. March.
Tar............................ kegs
Tobacco...................hhds.
T obacco.....................bxs.
Tinplate.........................
Rope., .tarred <SsManilla
Vinegar.................... bbls.
W h e a t.................... bush.
W hisky.................... bbls.
W o o l........................bales
639
27
31
296
36
10
61,720
2,529
18
IMPOSTS
Articles.
May.
June.
July.
346
300
2,037 1,768
758
413
849
705
61
42
20
252
94,948 107,179
3,520 2,324
427
590
INTO ST. LOUIS— CONTINUED.
August. Sept’ber. October. November, December.
332
A le .................... ...............bbls.
1,015
Apples, green..
319
B acon................. casks & hhds.
25
Bacon.................
Bacon.................
372
Bagging............
4,366
Bale rope..........
1,654
Barley and malt,
5
Beans, w. and c.
732
Beans, w. and c..
. •.
Beef..................tierces & casks
Beef...................
io
B eesw ax...........
16
Beeswax............ .bbls. & boxes
100
Butter................ ...............bbls.
266
B utter............... kegs & firkins
193
Candles..............
2
Cheese................
2,400
Cheese...............
13
Cider................. ...............bbls.
144,206
Corn...................
Cotton y a rn .. . .
1,034
9,071
Coffee ...............
142
Dried apples.. . .sacks & bbls.
. 207
Dried peaches..
218
Flaxseed...........
Flour................. ...............bbls. 16,653
106
Feathers...........
1,242
H a y .................
8,660
Hemp................
3,360
Hides................
888
Iron...................
254
Lard...................
768
Lard..................
643
Lard..................
63,711
Lead...................
Leather.. . .packages & boxes
868
2,494
Molasses........... ...............bbls.
2,004
N ails.................
5
Oakum...............
43,070
O ats..................
156
Oil, linseed__ _ ...............bbls.
88
Oils, other kinds
bbls.
Onions............... .sacks
596
116
Pork...................
1,340
Pork.................. ...............bbls.
Pork, bulk........
. . •
39
Pork, pick led..
3,402
Potatoes. -------35
Potatoes........... ...............bbls.
April.
1,852
1,246
711
478
39
218
672
1,356
664
735
1,319
846
1,320
849
525
265
275
495
203
157
30
2
54
161
50,913 122,622 140,135 192,087
3,592 5,920
4,879
4,960
15
11
19
39
270
611
402
..•
..•
277
2,399
11,859
8
662
10
•. .
17
29
525
30
2,143
68,322
305
8,511
14
165
523
19,158
190
982
7,894
4,253
360
133
1,581
94
57,070
873
1,020
1,180
33
64,376
124
195
7,630
13
411
...
4,748
121
68
2,120
369
30
...
459
3,709
23,087
2
48
134
5,417
378
26
...
186
2,536
50,857
826
608
1,761
346
4,366
14
9
23
28
210
134
1,440
2,029
....
165
43
25
6,712
1,145
1
7
52,120 45,866
....
....
14,289
8,405
68
987
628
249
640
784
22,543 21,390
123
139
2,000
3,160
2,292
438
5,401 16,453
...
345
6
94
726
1,538
30
2,766
41,681 58,264
959
1,406
1,730
2,473
985
1,024
98
....
60,717 77,027
171
203
113
45
9,073
4,118
448
2,201
107
. •.
2,047
....
14,605 12,560
269
237
709
397
621
16
...
196
793
3,669
3,136
43
1,023
2,024
12
5
76
247
69
4,964
20
42,782
451
4,638
700
151
139
8,678
40
1,423
264
4,897
304
877
1,601
1,096
7,589
658
2,497
3,330
....
15,938
60
20
88
2,238
8,848
2,335
670
21
Total.
10,031
14,305
16,791
1,564
6,627
2,746
34,088
101,674
1,730
4,205
5,640
8,872
388
338
2,009
7,598
2,763
321
31,488
582
1,840,909
7,262
101,904
18,648
4,576
4,064
193,892
1,000
23,717
65,866
99,736
7,145
14,465
37,743
14,450
503,571
12,409
40,231
67,862
1,490
794,421
1,513
2.823
21,800
15,298
103,013
768,819
147
73,462
4,747
S t. L o u is: and her Means o f Advancement and Wealth.
Powder..
Rice........
Articles.
R y e ..........
Salt......... ....................... bbls.
Salt.......
Starch . . .
Soap.......
Sugar. . .
Sugar___
Sugar.. . ,
Tallow...
Tar.........
Tar ___
Tobacco .
Tobaco...
Tin plate.
Hope........ . tarred and Manilla
Viuegar..
Wheat...
Whisky... .......................bbls.
W o o l....
August. Sept’ber. October. November. December. Total.
14,194
4
1,553
759
907
...
2,820
221
273
61
40
277
7,450
392
2,856
1,516
756
46,250
1,692
8,899
824
2,373
5,964
216,933
23,254
17,689
8,704 11,287
12,292
2,233
225
214
184
185
288
1,686
62
17
31
...
29,276
596
1,279
2,600
725
1,595
20,854
2,570
1,849
964
4,037
1,959
15,835
2,252
1,338
64
1,047
671
1,444
80
335
198
57
79
6,899
185
345
185
100
1,260
5,965
...
...
200
393
1,680
719
150
108
10,371
1,597
8,380
912
480
685
1,200
437
7,105
53
386
803
547
507
1,797
221
114
180
13
651
109
13
...
1,700,708
176,349 226,455 194,677
80,758
4 ,684
2,202
47,991
3,685
3,996
5,700
1,128
6
120
...
75
117
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT, SHOWING THE IMPORTS INTO ST. LOUIS OF EIGHTEEN
PRINCIPAL ARTICLES OF
tears, namely,
325
PRODUCE,
PROVISIONS,
GROCERIES,
1851, I8 6 0 , 1849, 1848, 1847,
and
ETC., FOR
1 846 —
OF
THE
THE PAST SIX
c o m m e n c in g
Ja n u a r y
1ST, AND ENDING DECEMBER 3 1S T , OF EACH YEAR.
1851.
1850.
Wheat . . . ,
1,700,708 1,792,074
Flour........
793,892 292,718
Corn...........
1,840,909 968,028
O a ts........
794,421 697,432
Barley and malt.........
101,674
69,488
Pork..........
15.298
2,969
P ork........ . bxs & bbls. 103,013 101,762
Pork, bulk..
768,819 449,556
Pork, bulk.
147
S a lt...........
216,933 261,230
Salt...........
46,250
19,158
Hemp . . . . ,
65,366
60,862
L e a d .........
503,571 573,502
Tobacco. . .
10,371
9,055
Beef...........
5,640
2,586
B eef..........
8,872
6,049
Hides........
90,736
94,228
W hisky.. .
47,991
25,959
Sugar........
29,276
25,796
Sugar . . . .
20,854
5,034
Sugar........
15,833
11,328
Coffee........
101,904
73,673
Molasses. .
40,231
29,518
L ard........
14,465
61,535
L a r d ........
37,743
17,925
Lard..........
14,450
11,549
Bacon . . . .
16,701
30,035
Bacon . . . .
1.564
1,320
Bacon. . . .
49,321
6,629
1849.
1848;
1847.
1846.
,792,535 2,194,789 2,432,377 1,838,926
306,412
387,314
308,568
220,457
305,383
699,693 1,016,318
688,649
252,291
243,700
202,365
95,612
46,263
55,502
57,380
10,150
13,862
97,642
43,692
48,981
291,709
23,553
46,290
590,293
9,879
10,687
12,336
68,902
29,085
26,501
204,741
38,809
47,270
705,718
9,014
9,369
7,806
62,097
29,758
26,116
106,302
41,380
72,222
749,128
11,015
5,735
4 ,720
71,877
22,239
12,671
177,724
58,948
33,853
730,829
8,588
1,716
63,396
29,882
11,603
7,348
14,812
20,111
6,752
67,353
29,214
58,279
15,801
18,845
16,280
3,245
78,842
21,943
67,339
6,579
14,180
29,423
6,622
77,767
21,554
32,021
2,150
8,595
14,425
1,289
65,128
14,996
26,462
14,730
11,803
1,648
326
The Currency— Gold and Silver.
Art. V.— THE CURRENCY— GOID AND SHYER.
The tardiness with which great speculative truths often make their way
in legislative bodies, would form a curious chapter in the annals o f human
knowledge. Is it that these bodies share in the ignorance o f their constitu
ents, or, from flattery or timidity, show it a respect they do not feel. Be
this as it may, the progress o f truth is sometimes marvelously slow ; and
Error may not seldom boast o f its hundred victories on the battlefield o f
legislation, before Truth finally prevails. Adam Smith had demonstrated
that the corn laws o f England, instead o f securing to the people a more
certain supply o f bread, made it scarcer and dearer, nearly three-fourths o f a
century before the British parliament profited by his reasoning. It has been
almost as long since Bentham conclusively proved that usury laws, (which,
by the way, had the sanction o f Adam Smith,) besides other objections to
them, increased the very evil they were meant to cure. Beccaria had shown,
that severe punishments were less efficacious in repressing crime than mild
ones, because they were more uncertain, some forty or fifty years before
Pennsylvania had the honor o f first testing his wise and humane system by
a penitentiary; and, lastly, though Locke, as far back as 1691, had made it
clear that a double standard o f value is both absurd and inconvenient, it was
more than a hundred years before the legislature o f his country conformed
to his theory. Very few States, have, however, yet followed her example—
most o f them seeming to think that a single standard, which they aim at in
all other measures, would be unsafe in a measure o f value.
W e have adopted this mistaken policy, and have found the inconvenience
o f it. A t one time gold was rated too high by la w ; then it was rated too
low, and now it is confessedly too high again; and in all those discrepancies
between the legal and the market relative value o f the precious metals,
which no regulation can permanently prevent, the undervalued metal is sure
to be drawn out o f circulation, by being exported, hoarded, or melted up.
This is the case at present with silver.
But the Secretary o f the Treasury proposes to remedy the mischief by
adopting the English monetary system, by making silver a legal tender for
no sum exceeding ten dollars, after subjecting it to a heavy seignorage, and
making gold the sole legal tender for all sums exceeding that amount.
W ithout doubt this course would remedy the evil for the time. The coun
try would be adequately supplied with silver coin, which would not be ad
vantageously exported. The remedy, however, would be but temporary.
The immense yield of gold from the mines o f Siberia, o f California, and of
Australia, leave no doubt that gold will continue to depreciate, and thus, in
no long time, the silver currency, notwithstanding its proposed adulteration,
will be, as at present, worth more than its legal price in gold, in which case
it will, as at present, be withdrawn from circulation. The legislature must
then resort to the same expedient, o f the further debasement o f the silver
coin— for if it is wise now it will be wise then— and continue to repeat the
same legislative botching, as gold continues to grow cheaper, until they dis
cover that they must do at last what they ought to have done at first.
But again: is this a time for imitating the English system in making
gold the principal legal tender, when, in addition to the arguments used by
Locke and others, in favor o f silver as the sole standard o f value, the recent
unprecedented influx o f gold, insuring its great depreciation, no longer
The Currency— Gold and Silver.
327
leaves a doubt o f the unfitness of that metal as the measure o f value ? Nay,
besides the injustice which the depreciation of gold will cause in England,
to the whole mass of creditors, public and private, that depreciation will in
a few years drive out o f circulation all its silver currency, in spite o f its high
seignorage, and thus that country will be obliged to rescind the very system
that we, forsooth, are now invited to imitate.
Is there then no remedy for this evil, and are we forever doomed to such
a course o f legislative tinkering ? B y no means. The remedy within our
reach is at once simple and sure. Let there be but one standard of value,
and one legal tender, for all sums, great and small, and let that be silver.
This would not preclude a seignorage to a moderate extent; for if it exceed
certain limits, others will insist on sharing the profits o f the government,
and the country will have a redundancy o f the spurious coin— not a much
less evil than a scarcity o f coin.
But to this plan two objections will be likely to present themselves. The
first is, that if we make one metal the sole standard o f value and legal ten
der, we shall be deprived o f the use o f the rejected metal, and each o f them
has its own advantages as a currency. The objection would be a valid one
if the assumed consequence were to be inferred. But this is in contradic
tion to all experience; Bussia has but a single standard, which is silver, and
yet gold, according to Storck, readily circulates there as currency. W e
ourselves have sometimes refused to make foreign coins a legal tender; but
there never was a time when such coins have failed to pay debts, to pur
chase goods, and to perform all the functions o f m oney; and, a fortiori,
this would be the case with the coins struck at our own mint, and with
which our citizens have always been familiar. It is altogether an illusion to
suppose that the making o f gold and silver coins a legal tender, can give
them any additional value except by overrating them. Holland and Bel
gium have both lately adopted silver as the only standard, without waiting
for it to rise in value, and without doubt gold coins are used there as else
where, in all large payments and in many small ones.
The other objection is, that as silver now commands a premium o f about
three per cent, debtors would have to pay that much more than if they paid
in gold. A sufficient answer to this objection on the score o f justice would
be, that since the difference in the legal prices o f the two metals results from
the fall o f gold rather than the rise o f silver, the creditors, in getting this
three per cent, would receive no more than their due : but as, by the delay
in the legislature in preventing this injustice, the debtors have now the legal
right to the benefit, I would do as the world has always done, take the side
o f the debtor, and let the loss fall on the party best able to bear it. This
may be done by providing that all debts may be discharged by three per
cent less in silver (supposing that to be the actual difference) than in gold.
If, then, the legislature make the silver dollar the sole standard of value,
and leave the price o f gold to be regulated by the market, to secure its ready
circulation and determine its rate, the Treasury Department might, twice a
year, or oftener, declare at what rate it should be receivable in public dues,
and payable by the government. As to the gold coins, two plans have
been suggested.
One is to let the coins be struck off o f a given weight without any regard
to their value in dollars— as in ounces, half ounces, quarter-ounces, and
perhaps as low as one or two pennyweights— by which plan, after a while,
contracts would often be made payable in ounces o f gold, and no loss could
328
Laws relating to Debtor and Creditor in Wisconsin.
ensue that the parties had not been willing to risk; and every one would
then be made to see that the precious metals are, in fact, a merchandise,
and are obedient to all the laws o f buying and selling— an ignorance of
which simple truth has been the source o f much false reasoning on the sub
ject o f money.
The other plan,* supposing there would be a practical inconvenience in
using gold coins which would be rated in irregular sums of dollars and frac
tions o f a dollar— as, for instance, an ounce of gold at $18 30— proposes to
strike off gold coins, as at present, o f the nominal value o f $5, $10, and $20,
and let the Treasury Department determine their value from time to time
by a per-centage deduction, in case o f their depreciation ; which would afford
a simple and easy mode o f adjusting payments in gold. In either way
gold would then be as readily and nearly as extensively used as at present,
for all purposes of currency.
In this, as in all other human concerns, some inconvenience is unavoid
able, and we have only to choose that course which is the least liable to ob
jection.
T.
Art. VI.— LAWS RELATIVE TO DEBTOR AND CREDITOR IN WISCONSIN.
Since the publication o f the Digest o f the laws relative to debtor and
creditor in Wisconsin, in vol. vi. o f the Merchants' Magazine, the whole
judicial system, and nearly all the laws relating to the collection o f debts,
have been entirely changed, by the adoption o f a State Constitution, and
the revision of the statute laws consequent thereon.
COURTS.
The judicial power o f the State is vested in a supreme court, circuit
courts, county courts, and justice courts.
The supreme court, the highest tribunal in the State, and exercising ap
pellate jurisdiction only, is composed of the six circuit judges, who meet in
bank in December and June at the seat o f government.
The State is divided into six judicial districts, in each o f which a circuit
judge is elected by the people o f the district, for six years; and the dis
tricts are so arranged that a new judge is elected every year.
The circuit courts have original jurisdiction in all criminal matters, and in
all civil matters when the value in controversy exceeds one hundred dollars.
They likewise have chancery jurisdiction, and the judges exercise the duties
o f chancelor in their respective circuits.
The terms are held semi-annually.
A county judge is elected in each organized county for the term o f four
years, who has concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit court in civil matters,
where the matter in controversy does not exceed five hundred dollars; they
also have appellate jurisdiction from justices’ courts, and perform the duties
o f probate courts.
Terms o f the county courts are held quarterly.
Justices o f the peace have cognizance o f civil matters where the amount of
the claim does not exceed one hundred dollars.
I owe this suggestion to an ingenious young gentleman in the Mint, Mr. Robert M. Patterson, jr.
Laws relating to Debtor and Creditor in Wisconsin.
329
The United States District Court sits at Milwaukee on the first Monday
» o f January, and at Madison on the first Monday o f July.
There are also two special terms held at Milwaukee in the spring and fall.
PROCESS.
Actions are those usually brought at common la w : pleadings and de
fences the same as in the English practice, and the decisions o f their courts
are recognized as authority with us.
Suits for the recovery o f a debt or damages may be commenced either by
summons or by filing declaration with the clerk, and entering a rule requi
ring defendant to plead within twenty days after service o f a copy o f the
declaration and notice o f such rule, personally on defendant.
A person cannot be sued in any other county than the one in which he
resides or in which he may be found, unless there are two or more defend
ants, in which case action may be brought in the county in which either o f
them lives.
Personal actions, in actions ex delicto, may be commenced by capias
when the plaintiff makes affidavit that he has a claim for damages over one
hundred dollars.
Personal actions may also be commenced by capias in cases o f claims for
damages, other than those upon contract, when an order for bail shall be
indorsed on the writ by a judge o f any court o f record.
W hen arrested on a capias, the body o f the defendant is kept in custody
until discharged according to law.
A creditor may also proceed by attachment against his debtor, upon
making, or causing to be made, an affidavit o f the amount o f the indebted
ness as near as may be over and above all offsets, and that the indebtedness
is also due upon an express or implied contract, or on a judgment or decree,
and also making affidavit—
1. That the defendant has absconded or is about to abscond from the
State, or that he is concealed therein to the injury o f his creditors, or
2. That the defendant has assigned, or disposed of, or concealed, or is
about to assign, dispose of, or conceal his property, with intent to defraud
his creditors, or
3. That the defendant has removed or is about to remove any o f his
property out o f the State with intent to defraud his creditors, or
4. That he has fraudulently contracted the debt respecting which the
suit is brought, or
5. That the defendant is a non-resident o f the State, or
6. That the defendant is a foreign corporation, or
7. That the defendant has fraudulently conveyed or disposed o f his prop
erty, or a part o f it, or is about fraudulently to convey or dispose o f the
same with intent to defraud his creditors.
The property attached may be receipted by the defendant upon executing
a bond, with two or more sufficient sureties, to the officer attaching.
The defendant in attachment may also, by plea or answer, deny the ex
istence o f any one or more o f the material facts alleged in the affidavit re
quired to commence the suit, and it shall then be incumbent on the plaintiff
to prove the truth of the facts so traversed to the satisfaction o f the court.
I f the court finds this issue for the defendant the attachment is quashed, but
the plaintiff, upon paying costs, may be allowed to proceed as in ordinary
summons.
330
Laws relating to Debtor and Creditor in Wisconsin.
The garnishee or trustee process is also in force in this State, and third
persons may be compelled to answer under oath all questions put to them,
touching the property, credits, and effects o f defendant in their possession.
TRIAL AND EVIDENCE.
The practice in the circuit courts o f this State is nearly similar to the
practice as it existed in the State o f New York, previous to the adoption of
their present system.
The ancient statute o f amendments has been re-enacted here.
W h en suit is upon any written instrument, purporting to be signed by
any person, it is proof that it was so signed, unless the person by whom it
purports to be signed shall deny the same by his oath or affidavit.
If the parties, in their declaration or plea, allege that the opposite par
ties, or third persons, were partners at any particular time, such averments
shall be taken for true unless expressly denied by affidavit.
Either party may call upon the other to be sworn on the trial o f the
cause, and if said adverse party shall refuse to be sworn and testify, or to
produce his deposition, the party giving the notice may himself be sworn.
Account books are prim a facie evidence for the party offering them, upon
oath “ that they are his account books,” kept for that purpose, “ that they
contain the original entries of charges for articles delivered or work per
formed, that such entries are just to the best o f his knowledge and belief,
that said entries are in his own handwriting, and that they were made at or
about the time the articles were delivered, the work or other services were
performed, or the materials were found.”
W hen the entries are in the handwriting o f an agent or clerk, he may be
admitted in like manner to verify the same. But such books are not evi
dence o f any item o f money delivered at one time over five dollars, or of
money paid to third persons, or for rent.
Suits commenced by declaration, in which a plea has been filed, are for
trial the first term thereafter, and can only be continued by an affidavit of
merits, and that due diligence has been used to prepare for trial.
Judgments are consequently generally obtained at the first term after
suit brought, unless a crowded docket prevents a trial.
In the United States District Court an affidavit o f merits is required to
every plea o f defendant in actions founded on contract. Upon an ordinary
note o f hand, therefore, no defence can be admitted, and judgment is almost
uniformly obtained at the first term after suit is commenced.
JUDGMENTS---- EXECUTIONS.
Judgments are a lien upon the real estate o f defendant (not exempt from
execution) as soon as rendered, but upon personal property only after levy.
Execution issues forthwith upon rendition of judgment against the prop
erty o f defendant, but against the body only in cases o f tort, returnable at
the next term o f the court.
After the expiration o f two years judgment must be revived by application
to the court before execution can issue.
A homestead consisting o f forty acres and the dwelling house and appur
tenances thereon, to be selected by the owner, and not included in any town
plot, or city, or village, or instead thereof, at the option o f the owner, a lot of
land in a city or village, not exceeding one quarter o f an acre with the
dwelling house and appurtenances, owned and occupied by a resident o f the
Laws relating to Debtor and Creditor in Wisconsin.
331
State, is not subject to execution upon any debt contracted since January
1st, 1849.
A dwelling bouse upon leased land, occupied by the owner, is also ex
empt.
The following personal property is also exempt from attachment or execu
tion :—
Family library, family pictures, pew in a church, rites of burial for the
dead, all wearing apparel o f debtor and his family, all beds, bedsteads, and
bedding used by the debtor and his family, all stoves and appendages kept
for use, all cooking utensils, and other household furniture not exceeding
two hundred dollars in value:
Two cows, ten swine, one yoke o f oxen and one horse, or, in lieu o f one
yoke and a horse, a span of horses, ten sheep, and the wool from the same,
either raw or manufactured, the necessary food for all the stock mentioned in
this section for one year’s support, either provided or growing, or both, as the
debtor may choose, also one wagon, cart, or dray, one sleigh, one plough,
one drag, and other farming utensils, including tackle for teams, not exceed
ing fifty dollars in value:
The provisions for the debtor and his family necessary for one year’s sup
port, either provided or growing, or both, and fuel necessary for one year:
The tools and implements, or stock in trade o f any mechanic, or miner, or
other person, used and kept for the purpose o f carrying on his trade or busi
ness, not exceeding two hundred dollars in value: the library and imple
ments o f any professional man, not exceeding two hundred dollars in value;
all of which articles shall be chosen by the debtor, his agent, servant, clerk,
or legal representatives.
REDEMPTION.
Real estate sold upon execution is subject to be redeemed by the judg
ment debtor or his representative, at any time within two years from the
sale, upon payment o f the amount for which it was sold and ten per cent
interest.
Judgment creditors o f the judgment debtors may also redeem the prem
ises sold, within three months after the expiration o f the two years, by pay
ing the purchaser the amount o f his bid and seven per cent interest.
In the same manner any third, or other judgment creditor, may redeem
o f the creditor who became the last purchaser.
INSOLVENCY.
Insolvent debtors may be discharged from their debts upon executing an
assignment o f all their property real and personal, except such as may be
by law exempt from execution, for the benefit of their creditors, and petition
ing the circuit court for a discharge.
The forms required by statute in reference to schedules o f property, list
o f creditors, etc., etc., are nearly similar to those in general use during the
life of the late general bankrupt law of the United States.
It is not supposed that any discharge under our State insolvent laws will
release from a debt contracted out o f the State.
BILLS OF EXCHANGE.
Damages are allowed upon foreign bills, duly protested for non-payment
or non-acceptance, payable without tlje limits of the United States, at the
rate o f five per cent, together with exchange and legal interest.
332
Laws relating to Debtor and Creditor in Wisconsin.
Upon bills payable out o f this State, but within the United States, and
not in an adjoining State, duly protested, etc., damages are allowed at the
rate o f ten per cent with legal interest, costs, and charges.
Upon bills payable out o f this State, but within some State adjoining
this, duly protested, etc., five per cent damages are allowed, with charges, etc.
The holder o f any bill or note, instead o f bringing separate suits against
drawers, makers, indorsers, etc., may include all or any o f said parties in one
action, and proceed to judgment and execution in the same manner as
though all the defendants were joint contractors; but each defendant is en
titled to the same defense as if he had been sued separately.
Bills and notes payable at sight, or at a future day certain, in which there
is not an express stipulation to the contrary, are subject to three days’ grace.
But bills, notes, and drafts, payable on demand, are not subject to grace.
The general rules and customs o f the Law Merchant, with reference to
bills, notes, and drafts, are recognized by our statutes, and enforced in the
several courts o f the State.
Lost notes may be recovered upon by proving the loss and contents there
o f ; but to entitle the plaintiff to recovery he must first execute an approved
bond to defendant to save him harmless from the lost note.
STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS.
Actions in ejectment must be commenced within twenty years after the
right to the land in question accrued.
Every action o f debt founded on any contract or liability not under seal,
except such as are brought upon the judgment o f some court o f record,
all actions o f assumpsit or on the case founded on any contract or liability,
all actions for waste, replevin, or trespass, must be commenced within six
years after the cause o f action accrued.
These provisions do not apply to a note signed in presence o f an attesting
witness, nor to the bills o f a bank.
Actions for slander, assault and battery, false imprisonment, and actions
against officers, are limited to a shorter time.
A ll other personal actions may be commenced within twenty years after
the cause o f action accrued.
I f any person entitled to bring any o f the above actions should be a
minor, feme-covert, insane, imprisoned, or absent when the cause o f action
accrued, such person may commence suit within the times above limited,
after the disability is removed.
If the cause of action arose without this State upon a simple contract
more than six years previous to the commencement o f the suit, or upon a
sealed or attested instrument in writing, or judgment or decree o f any
court, more than ten years before the commencement o f the action, the de
fendant may plead the statute in bar.
The statute cannot be pleaded if it is shown that the defendant has
changed his name, or been known by any different name, within the pre
vious six years.
CONVEYANCES.
Conveyances o f land are made by deed, signed, attested by two witnesses,
and acknowledged before a judge, commissioner, notary public, or justice,
and recorded in the county where the land lies.
Deeds made out o f the State may be executed according to the laws of
Laws relating to Debtor and Creditor in, Wisconsin.
333
the State where made, and should be acknowledged before any officer au
thorized by the laws o f such State to take acknowledgments, or before a
commissioner appointed by the Governor o f this State, but, except in case
o f said commissioner, the deed should have attached the certificate of the
clerk of a court o f record o f the county where the acknowledgment was
made, under seal of his office, that the person whose name is subscribed to
the acknowledgment was at the date thereof, such officer as he is therein
represented to be, that he believes the signature of such person subjoined
thereto, is genuine, and that the deed is executed and acknowledged ac
cording to the laws of such State or district.
Conveyances not recorded are void against subsequent purchasers in good
faith.
A conveyance o f land exempt by law from execution, is totally void un
less the wife of the grantor, if he has one, joins in its execution.
A scroll or other device used for a seal by the grantor, has the same
force" as if a seal had actually been impressed.
Bonds, contracts, and agreements concerning any interest in lands under
seal, attested, and acknowledged, and recorded, take precedence o f subse
quent deeds, and operate as a lien upon the lands described, according to
their import and meaning.
Lands upon which the taxes are unpaid, are annually sold for the taxes,
and if not redeemed within three years from the sale, with interest at the
rate o f twenty-five per cent, a deed is made by the county to the purchaser
or his assignee.
INTEREST.
Seven per cent is the legal interest, but any rate that parties may agree
upon, not exceeding twelve per cent, is valid.
Since April, 1851, the reservation o f more than twelve per cent renders
the whole contract void.
For about eighteen months previous to April last we had no law restrict
ing the amount o f interest that could be taken, and parties could take and
give any rate that they could agree upon.
LIEN.
Judgments are a lien upon all real estate o f the judgment debtor, except
exempted property, within the county where the record or a certified trans
cript thereof shall be filed.
Mechanics and others engaged in furnishing labor or materials for the
construction o f buildings, have a lien upon the building for the value o f the
labor or material.
MORTGAGES
Executed by husband and wife are sufficient to convey their rights in
real estate.
The usual method o f foreclosure is by bill in chancery. A decree is as
easily obtained as a judgment at law. After the decree the premises mort
gaged are sold upon six weeks’ advertisement without redemption.
A s a general thing it is easier to realize upon a mortgage than upon any
other security that must be litigated.
MARRIED WOMEN.
The real estate o f a married woman is not subject to the disposal o f her
husband.
334
Fearless Feat o f an American Whaleman.
A female married since February, 1850, has control over both her real
and personal property.
A married woman may receive by inheritance, gift, grant, or devise, from
any person other than her husband, any real or personal property, or any
rents, issues, and profits thereof, and may control and dispose of the same,
and in neither o f these last cases is the property subject to the disposal of
her husband, or liable for his debts.
Art. VII.— FEARLESS FEAT OF AN AMERICAN WHALEMAN.
Freeman H unt, E sq.,
E d i t o r o f th e M e r c h a n ts ' M a g a z in e , e t c .
:—
S ir:— The printed article accompanying this, giving a narrative of the remarkable
feat of Benjamin Clough, third mate of whale ship Sharon, was cut from the Boston
M e r c a n t il e J o u r n a l, in which it was republished from the Flew Bedford Mercury. It
was laid by carefully, as worthy of preservation and deserving of an imperishable
record, among the many fearless deeds o f sailors and whalemen, as one s u r p a s s in g a l l
i n d a n g e r , that danger plainly in view, and executed with so much coolness and de
liberation. The deed was so noble and bold, that I have ever since kept M. Clough in re
membrance, hoping that some time I should see him, and, as curiosity might prompt,
test the science of physiognomy, and “ and with greedy ear devour up his discourse
also learn his subsequent history, how much of deserved good fortune had attended
him.
A gentlemen of Hew Bedford, of whom I have made inquiries, informs me that
Mr. Clough is now in command of a new, first rate ship of 600 tons, called the Niagara,
built purposely for him; and that the ship was cleared at Hew Bedford the 9th of this
month for the north Pacific, on a whaling voyage, by Messrs. N. Church & Son, of
Fairhaven.
The article is inclosed to you in hopes that you will republish it in your Magazine,
as it so nearly falls in with its scope and design. It will give the deed a renewed and
more extensive promulgation. As it is now published in newspapers only, and in very
few libraries, bound up with others without index, it will seldom, if ever be seen. In
your M e r c h a n t s ’ M a g a z in e , it will be accessible in the best form, and become a record
that cannot and should not be overlooked.
Captain Benjamin Clough was born in Monmouth, Maine, and will be twenty-eight
years old next March. This will be his third voyage as master of a whale ship.
Inquiries will undoubtedly arise in the minds of the readers of this narrative about
the boy Manuel, for his aid in this rescue. He cannot be passed by and forgotten.
He better deserves a silver pitcher than some who have obtained one. A ll informa
tion concerning him, now obtainable, is that he went home to the Western Islands on
the return o f the Sharon, and that Captain Clough has had no tidings of him since.
Y our obedient servant,
B oston,
HENRY GASSETT.
February, 1851.
M U R D E R O F C A P T A I N N O R R I S OF T H E W H A L I N G S H IP S H A R O N , O F F A I R H A V E N , A N D R E C A P T U R E
T H E S H I P F R O M M U T I N E E R S , B Y M R . B E N J A M IN C L O U G H , H E R T H I R D O F F I C E R .
OF
The Sharon having been some time cruising for whales in the vicinity o f the
Caroline Islands, put in at Ascension the 15th October, 1842, for wood, water,
and recruits. The requisite supplies being obtained, preparations were made to
Fearless Feat o f an American Whaleman.
335
proceed upon the voyage, when eleven o f the crew deserted, and being secreted
and protected on shore, all efforts to retake them were fruitless. The ship sailed
again on the 27th October, with a crew o f seventeen men, all told, four o f whom
were natives o f King’s Mill group, and tw o o f other islands in the South Sea.
The intention was to touch at Bay o f Islands or Port Jackson to make up the
compliment o f men. On Sunday, November, 6th, lat. 2° 20' N., Ion. 162° E.,
whales where raised and both boats lowered in chase, leaving Captain Norris, a
Portuguese boy named Manuel Jose dos Reis, who acted as steward, and three o f
the King’ s Mill Islanders on board. The boatssoon succeeded in capturing a
whale, which the ship ran down to and took along side— they continuing in pur
suit o f others. A t 3 o’clock P. M., the mate’s boat being about a mile and a
half from the ship, her signal was discovered at half-mast, and he immediately
pulled towards her. The singular and unaccountable management o f the ship
for some time previous, had already been remarked by those in the boat, and ex
cited the liveliest apprehensions as they approached her. Coming up upon her
quarter within speaking distance, the boy who was aloft and had cut the main-top
gallant halyards, told Mr. Smith, the mate, that the islanders had killed Captain
Norris and were in possession o f the ship. Just then one o f them, armed with
a cutting-spade and entirely naked, leaped upon the taffrail, and brandishing his
weapon with most furious and menacing gestures, dared the crew to com e on
board. The other tw o were also naked and stationed one at each side o f the
ship, where they had collected all the whaling craft, billets o f w ood, hammers,
belaying-pins, in short, everything that would serve as a missile or offensive wea
pon, determined to repel any attempt to board. T he fourth native o f the same
islands was in the boat, and one o f the mutineers addressed him in his own lan
guage, telling him, it was supposed, what they had done and inviting him to join
them. H e made a gesture o f disapproval, upon which the other caught up the
cook ’ s axe and hurled it at him with such precision o f aim, though a ship’s length
distant, that it cut through the back o f his shirt as he stooped to avoid the blow.
A shower o f missiles followed, thrown with such force that the bone belayingpins were broken into several pieces on striking the boat, but fortunately no one
was seriously injured by them. T he mate then ordered Manuel to cut the main
top-gallant sheets and main-topsail halyards, and to go forward on the stay and
cut the halyards o f the head-sails and clear them from the yards, which was done.
The task o f retaking, the ship was evidently one o f extreme difficulty and danger,
for the mutineers had the advantages o f position and a plentiful supply o f arms,
with the resolution and skill to use them effectively, so that the second mate and
his crew, who had in the meantime come up, were called to consult upon the best
course to pursue. It was proposed that both boats should advance and board the
ship, one upon each side, at the same tim e; but Mr. Smith, upon whom by the
melancholy catastrophe on board, the responsibility and duties o f master had
devolved, thought that a proper regard for the interest o f the owners as well as
for the safety o f the men under his command, required him to avoid all personal
risk, for which reason he proposed that both crews should take the other boat and
proceed to the ship, leaving him alone to await the issue. This proposal met
with no favor, the men declaring a wish rather to start for the nearest land— five
or six days’ sail distant— and the second mate relishing it so little that he suffered
his boat to drop astern out o f talking distance. Mr. Clough, the third mate, who
acted as Mr. Smith’s steersman since the ship was short manned, had darted his
lance several times at the naked savage on the rail, but for want o f sufficient
warp it fell short three or four feet at each trial; he requested therefore, that
the boat might be pulled within reach, as the fellow kept his position without
flinching and insolently defied him ; but the mate thought the danger too great,
and refused to gratify him. H e then offered to go on board over the bows, if
the boy would cut the fore-royal stay and let the end fall overboard, so that he
could ascend it to the jib-boom with a lance-warp in his teeth : but the boy Man
uel had become so exhausted by fright and fatigue that he was unable to get up
to the royal-mast-head to execute his part o f the task.
His next plan and the one he executed was, that both boats should pull ahead
336
Fearless Feat o f an American Whaleman.
of the ship, and when it was quite dark, taking every precaution to avoid exciting
the suspicion of the mutineers, he would jump into the sea, and passing close by
the side of the ship, enter her by the cabin windows. The ship and boats were
surrounded by sharks, attracted probably by the carcass o f the whale killed in the
morning, to defend himself against which he took a boat-knife in his teeth, and
let himself into the water as silently as possible. At the same moment the ship took
aback and it became necessary to swim; but to “ strike out” and make the best
o f his way would cause a sparkling o f the water, and betray his approach to the
look out, so that he was obliged to “ walk water,” by which scarcely any agita
tion was made and almost as little progress. It was a tedious passage o f more
than an hour and a half in duration, terminated at length by diving under the
ship, seizing the rudder at the heel, and ascending by the after part o f it to the
starboard cabin window, through which he made his entry. Two large sharks
were close to the boat when he left her, and kept him company the whole time
without offering to molest him, and the knife, which luckily had been useless, he
left upon the transom as he got in at the window.
He then divested himself o f his clothing, that the enemy might have no advan
tage over him on the score o f nakedness should they come to close quarters, and
applied himself to listening to the movements upon deck; as these indicated that
there were yet no suspicions o f his presence, he then proceeded to search for
arms and ammunition. Two cutlasses were soon found, and amongst all the
muskets, two only were fit for service, so far as he could judge by careful hand
ling— it was too dark to see; every locker in the cabin was then ransacked for
powder and ball, which being found, the muskets were loaded and placed with
the cutlasses at the foot of the cabin stairs; while engaged in loading a fowling
piece, he heard a step in the gangwuiy and some one descended the stairs, hitting
the arms at the bottom and knocking them down upon the floor. Mr. Clough
ran to the spot, but unable to see anything, groped about by the intruder’s feet till
he caught hold of a cutlass, with which he ran him through the body; as he drew
it out a struggle ensued for the weapon, and both fell to the floor; the officer
luckily uppermost; planting his knees upon his breast he took out one o f his eyes,
and with a good deal o f trouble brought the edge o f the sword to bear upon the
back o f his neck, and made an attempt to cut off his head; he pulled it back and
forth several'times but it was an awkward operation, for the other kept hold o f
the sword and struggled violently, wounding Mr. C. severely by twisting the
blade several times in his hand. After a while he became quiet, and supposing
him to be dead, Mr. C. got up, but the other immediately rose and struck about
furiously with the cutlass, hitting him at almost every pass, until, exhausted prob
ably by loss of blood, he uttered a slight groan and fell upon the floor. Going
again to the stairs, the officer saw another in the gangway with a cutting-spade
pointed towards him, when, feeling for a loaded musket he succeeded after snap
ping twice, in putting a ball through his heart. At the same moment the spade
dropped or was thrown down, taking effect in the thick part o f Mr. Clough’s arm,
and the blood gushed so violently from the wound that he supposed the artery to
be severed, and began to give way to unpleasant reflections, when the third came
to the gangway, armed also with a spade, and endeavored to look into the dark
ness below : Mr. Clough made several ineffectual attempts to gain another mus
ket, but his right hand and left arm were both disabled— the man stood still a
few minutes, then dropped his spade and walked forward. Mr. Clough now
hailed the boats, which were so near that he could hear the conversation going
on amongst the men. He told them that two o f the mutineers were dead, him
self dangerously wounded, and urged them to hasten on hoard. They said
they did not believe more than one had been killed, as they had heard but one
gun and did not consider it prudent for them to come near him ; so the wounded
man had to sit down and suffer his blood to flow, for his right hand had become
so stiff and sore that he could not use it to place a bandage on his arm. More
than half an hour having elapsed since the hail, and no further news being heard,
the boats ventured alongside. A light being struck and brought into the cabin,
the floor was found covered with the blood o f both combatants. The man who
Journal o f Mercantile Law.
337
had first entered the cabin was reclining on thetransom, still grasping the cutlass,
and with it the boat-knife left by Mr. Clough when he came on board; one o f
his eyes hung upon his cheek and his body was covered with g o re ; he was still
alive, but did not move, and made no noise but a kind o f suppressed groan. One
o f the men stabbed him twice with a boat-spade, and Mr. Smith discharged a mus
ket at him ; he was then caught by the hair, dragged upon deck, and thrown into
the sea. The deck presented a shocking spectacle, all dabbled and tracked with
clotted blood— the mangled and headless body o f the unfortunate captain wa3
lyin g there, as was that o f one o f his murderers, which was unceremoniously thrown
over the side, while the remains o f Captain Norris were collected and reserved
for burial the next day. The surviving mutineer jumped overboard and swam
some distance from the ship, but returned during the night and hid himself in the
forehold. W hen the crew attempted to take him out the next day he made some
show o f resistance, but at last came upon deck and surrendered himself; he was
put in irons and taken to Sydney, where he was left in prison when the ship
sailed.
The Sharon completed her voyage, under the command offMr. Smith, more suc
cessfully than could have been expected after such a melancholy and disheartening
interruption, Mr. Clough remaining on board as second mate. T o his daring and
almost unaided exertions are to be attributed the return o f a valuable ship and
cargo, and, what is far more important, the preservation o f the surviving crew,
from the miserable fate which must have overtaken them had they persisted in
seeking the nearest land in their boats. The owners o f the Sharon have shown
their appreciation o f his services by giving him the command o f a fine, ship, and
it is to be presumed that other parties who have escaped a heavy loss, will not
withhold such a testimonial o f their approval, as will at once gratify him and incite
others, under like circumstances, to emulate his conduct.
JOURNAL OF M E R C A N TIL E L A W .
CASE OF LIBEL BY THE CONSIGNEE OF GOODS, FOR A FAILURE TO DELIVER THEM
ACCORDING TO CONTRACT.
In United States District Court. In Admirality. Before J u d g e K a n e ; Penn
sylvania, July 25th, 1851. Heinrich W iener v s . the Rafael Arroyo.
The facts in this case sufficiently appear, in the opinion o f the Court, as fol
lows :—
Judge K . Schleicher & Co., manufacturers a t ---------- , sent certain goods to
Bremen, to be there shipped by Bachman, a forwarding merchant, to the libel
lant, W iener, at Philadelphia. T he city o f Bremen is not accessible to large
vessels, and it is the practice, in consequence, to transport goods that are intend
ed for exportation, by lighters to Bremen-haven, some miles lower down the
W eser, where they are received on ship board.
T he bill o f lading is signed when the goods are delivered to the lighterman;
and as it is known with certainty beforehand whether the ship will be able to car
ry all the goods that come down for her to Bremen-haven, the custom is said to
prevail o f giving the master a memorandum o f defeasance called a “ R e v e r s ,”
by which the bill o f lading is declared to be null as to the part o f the cargo not
actually taken on board. Bachman sent down the goods by a lighter, taking
from the master o f the “ Rafael Arroyo ” a clean bill o f lading, in which W ien
er was named as consignee, and executing at the same time the customary
“ Revers.” The goods, however, were either not received on board the vessel in
consequence o f her being already full, or they were landed again after she had
proceeded some miles, in consequence o f her being obliged to return to have her
cargo restowed. T he bill o f lading came to the libellant by the vessel, with a
letter o f advice from Bachman, which, however, made no mention o f the “ R evers; ”
VOL.
x xv i.— no .
h i.
22
338
Journal o f Mercantile Law.
but the goods o f course were not delivered in Philadelphia according to the terms
o f the bill. They arrived in another ship some weeks afterwards, and while
this suit was pending.
So far as third persons are concerned, the master and his vessel are bound ab
solutely by the terms o f the bill o f lading. N o agreement or understanding be
tween the parties to the shipment can vary or affect this liability. Stille vs. Tra
verse, 3 W. C. C. R. 43. The asserted usage o f the port o f Bremen may in
terpret and define the reciprocal engagements o f the shipper and the carrier, for
the bargain between them must be understood as made with reference to it. But
as to the rest o f the world, the bill o f lading is a negotiable instrument, known
as such to the law merchant everywhere, and the obligations which it imports
appear upon its face.
T he real question in this case is whether the libellant had a property in the
goods before their arrival and delivery to h im ; for if he is merely the represen
tative o f the shipper, his rights may perhaps be restricted by a reference to the
Bremen usage.
In general, it is true, that as against the shipper, a factor consignee has not
such a property until the goods are actually in his possession, even though he be
also a creditor; unless there has been some act o f appropriation to his use by
the shipper, something to indicate that the shipment was intended for the protec
tion at least o f the factor. Kinlock v s . Craig, 3 D. &.. E. 122, 787; W alter vs.
Ross, 2 W . C. C. R. 287.
But as between the carrier and the consignee, the law is different. The fac
tor consignee acquires by the execution and delivery o f the bill o f lading, a
qualified or contingent interest, which it is not in the power o f the carrier, nor,
except under certain circumstances, o f the shipper, also to divest or question.
See Anderson vs. Clarke, 2 Bing. 20. The right o f the consignee to sue in assumsit or in trover at his election assumes this.
N ow the fact is not disputed that the libellant was at the time o f shipping, and
has since continued to be, in advance to the shippers; and there is nothing from
which we can infer that the shipment was not intended to secure him for his
current advances.
T he shipper does not stand in his way. The decree therefore must be for the
libellant for co sts; the goods having since been delivered to him. P . C ., de
cree accordingly.
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION LA W OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
T he follow ing “ A ct to increase the amount o f property, exempt from levy
and sale,” was passed at the annual session, and ratified on the 16th December,
1851.
AN ACT TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM LEVY AND SALE.
I. B e i t e n a c te d by the Senate and H ouse o f Representatives, now met and
sitting in General Assembly, and by the authority o f the same, That the follow
ing property, in addition to that now exempted by law, to w it:— to each family
the dwelling house, and houses appurtenant thereto, together with 50 acres o f
land, and also one horse, and twenty-five dollars worth o f provisions, be, and the
same are hereby exempted from levy and sale, under fieri facias and assignment
under mesne or final process: P r o v i d e d , that the said exemption shall not in
clude, or extend to any property situate within the limits o f any city or town
corporate o f this State. And p r o v i d e d further, that the value o f the said real
estate shall not exceed the sum o f five hundred dollars.
II. That in all cases, where the landed property o f the debtor shall exceed
fifty acres, three Commissioners shall be appointed by the clerk o f the court,
upon the application o f either the plaintiff or defendant in the execution, whose
duty it shall be to lay off to the debtor fifty acres o f land, including the home
stead, which shall always be done most favorably and beneficially for the family
339
Journal o f Mercantile Law .
for whose benefit the provision is m ade; the remainder o f whose land may be
liable as in other eases.
III. And if the said fifty acres, including the homestead so laid oflf, shall exceed in value, by the estimate o f said Commissioners, or a majority o f them, the
sum o f five hundred dollars: then and in all such cases, the said Commissioners
shall proceed to lay otf such quantity less than fifty acres, as hereinbefore pro
vided, the value o f which shall not exceed the said sum o f five hundred dollars,
the remainder o f which may be sold as in other cases.
IV. That the said Commissioners shall make a full return under their hands
and seals, o f their proceedings in the premises, together with a plat or some
other concise description o f the lands laid off by them, to the clerk o f the court,
and shall be entitled to receive a compensation for their services, not exceeding
one dollar each, per day, to be paid by the defendant; and the clerk o f the court
shall keep a suitable book, in which the appointment o f the Commissioners, to
gether with their return, and all other proceedings in the case, shall be recorded,
for which services, the said clerk shall be entitled to receive in like manner, from
the defendant, the sum o f three dollars.
V . That this A ct shall take effect, from and after the first day o f March next,
in relation to all debts thereafter contracted.
ACTION ON A BILL OF LADING.
In the Supreme Court o f Louisiana, November, 1851.
Frost and owners o f Steamboat Concordia.
Lewis Bond
vs.
S. W .
A bill of lading which acknowledges the receipt o f goods in good order, throws the burden of
proof upon the carrier, and its recital canot be overthrown or qualified except by evidence o f a very
clear and convincing character.
This is a suit for damages alleged to have been sustained b y the plaintiff on a
lot o f cotton, which was shipped on the steamboat Naomi on the Hatchee river,
for New Orleans, with the privilege o f reshipping, was discharged at Memphis,
and reshipped on the steamboat Concordia, consigned to the plaintiff's factors
here. T he Concordia gave a bill o f lading, in which the cotton is receipted for,
as in good order and condition. The bill stipulated freight from Memphis to
New Orleans at one dollar a bale— the consignees to pay also a sum o f $ 106 87,
amount o f freight and charges, advanced by the Concordia to the Naomi. Upon
the arrival o f the cotton at New Orleans, it was found that fifty bales were dam
aged by water. The consignees refused to pay defendants their bill o f freight
and charges; but received the cotton, with the exception o f five bales, which the
defendants retained to reimburse themselves, and subsequently sold without the
plaintiff’s consent. The plaintiff brought suit, and claimed forthe five bales short,
loss o f weight caused by picking fifty damaged bales, costs o f picking, &c.
There was judgment in the fourth district court for the plaintiff, for the
whole amont claimed, and the defendants appealed. The cotton was damaged
on one side only, and the principal contest between the parties was, whether this
damage occurred before or after the shipment on board the Concordia. It was
contended for the defendants, that the bill o f lading was not conclusive against
the vessel, and was open to explanation.
Slidell, .lus;ice— Held that the receipt throws the burden o f proof on the vessel,
and that its recital cannot be overthrown or qualified, except by evidence o f a
very clear and convincing character.
The court concurs with the district judge, that the evidence preponderates in
favor o f the plaintiff, and that it was not shown that the damage had occurred
before the shipment on the Concordia.
It was also contended for the defendants, that the damage, if shown to have
occurred on board the Concordia, arose rather from the usual practice o f carrying
cotton on deck, and not from any fault on the part o f the carrier; but no evidence
was introduced sufficient to show that the damage was the necessary consequence
o f a mode o f trausportation to which the shipper assented. In the plaintiff’s bill o f
damages, there is an item for loss o f weight in picking amounting to 1,713 pounds,
340
Commercial Chronicle and Review.
for which defendant is charged $205 56. The cotton picker testified that he
kept the cotton p'eked from the damaged bales, dried it, sold it, and got the
money for it, and that the damaged cotton which he kept is considered part o f
the price o f picking. The court considered that if the defendants are made to
pay for the sound value o f the cotton damaged, it would he unreasonable not to
allow them for its proceeds; that although the amount in the case is not large, it
involves the justice and reasonableness o f a practice, the propriety o f which is
questionable; and that as the evidence in this branch o f the case is unsatisfactory,
the case should undergo further investigation. Judgment reversed, and case re
manded for a new trial.
COMMERCIAL CHRONICLE AN D R E V IE W .
C O M P A R A T IV E
TRADE
FOR
B U S IN E S S — C H A R A C T E R
C A U T IO N — D I F F IC U L T IE S
P R O S P E R IT Y — S T A T E
JA N U AR Y
OF
TH E
NOW
OF T H E
AND
F E B R U A R Y — D I S T IN C T I V E
A M E R IC A N
E X P E R IE N C E D
R E S U L T IN G
C O U N T R Y IN T H E
FROM
P R IC E S OF B R E A D S T U F F S , AND T H E
nEAVY
IN
OF
PAYM ENTS
DUE
P R O S P E C T S OF T H E
RAW
M ARCH AS COM PARED
COTTON
M A T E R I A L S — D I F F IC U L T Y
D U T IE S ON A L L
RAW
M A T E R IA L S
AND
OF
AND
THE
W O OLEN
W IT H
WOOL
D Y E -S T U F F S — O T H E R
AT NEW
M ONTH OF JA N U A R Y A T T H E
P H IL A D E L P H IA
OBSTACLES
Y O R K F O R JA N U A R Y — IM P O R T S OF D R Y
GOODS
AND
TH E
FOR
TH E
OF P R O D U C E
E X PO RTE D AS COM PARED W IT H
R A L IM P O R T S A T
NEW
Y O R K , AND
TH E
TH R O U G H O U T
S A M E P E R IO D OF
TH E
U N IT E D
D U R IN G
FROM
OF
PAST
FO R
TH E
ABROAD—
R E C E I P T S — C O N D IT IO N
TO
OF
C OST
A B O L IS H IN G
S U C C E S S IN M A N U
REASO N S T H E R E O F , AND A
B A N K S— D E P O S IT S
N E W ORLEANS
C A SH D U T IE S — E X P O R T S FR O M N E W Y O R K FO R JA N U A R Y — S U M M A R Y
SE A SO N ’ S
LESSON S
IN T E R E S T S — R E L A T IV E
CRO P— P R O P R IE T Y
C O M P A R IS O N O F P R I C E S A T D I F F E R E N T D A T E S — C O N D IT IO N OF T H E
FOR TH E
TH E
OF
PROSPECTS
DEM AND
C O R R E S P O N D IN G
F A C T U R IN G — R E T U R N OF F E D E R A L S T O C K S F R O M A B R O A D , W IT H
AGE
W IT H
O P E N IN G
M A N U F A C T U R IN G
IN C R E A S I N G
VALUE
H EED LESSN ESS
SO U TH AND W E S T ,
F U T U R E — C O M P A R A T IV E
AND
FE A TU R E S OF
M E R C H A N T , S H O W IN G
SAM E
AND
COIN
M IN T S — IM P O R T S
P E R IO D — R E C E I P T S
OF T H E
L E A D IN G
1851—F A L L IN G
OF
A R T IC L E S
O F F IN G E N E
S T A T E S — D E C L I N E IN V A L U E
OF
A M E R IC A N C O IN A T L O N D O N , E T C .
Since our last the spring trade has been more active throughout the country,
although in amount the sates are still far behind the corresponding period o f
last year. In our large commercial cities, the sales o f dry goods from first hands
for January, were only about 50 per cent o f the amount sold during January,
1851; and in most other articles o f trade the sales exhibited a corresponding re
duction. T he comparison for February is far more favorable, and in many items
a portion o f the January decrease has been recovered. A marked feature o f the
trade this season is the caution evinced b y buyers, showing that the lessons o f
the past have exerted a most salutary influence. One o f the greatest faults in
the character o f the American merchant is too much self-reliance, accompanied
with a sanguine temperament, which often leads him into a sphere too large for
his means. There are very few sufficiently cool to resist the temptation o f doing
all the business which legitimately offers, and this is the rock on which a great
many make shipwreck. W e have had several years o f prosperity, and public
confidence has been so general, that those whose business was far too extended
for their capital, have not felt the consequences o f their presumption. During
the present season, their position has been troublesome, and not a few have felt
that if safely over this crisis, they w ould not again venture beyond their depth.
A s a consequence o f this, the purchases since the spring trade opened, have been
made in very small lots, and with greater caution. One o f the most ominous
signs o f trouble has been the difficulty o f making collections throughout the
country.
The falling off in the means realized through this source, w e have
Commercial Chronicle and Review.
341
ascertained b y a careful average to be about 25 per cent at the South, and about
33J per cent at the W est. In both sections, however, the returns are improving.
The rapid decline in cotton, which took away the spirit o f Southern merchants,
has been checked, and a lower estimate o f the crop has given more firmness to
the price o f this staple in all the markets o f the world. Farther fluctuations may,
and doubtless will, occur, but the large sales made both at the nor.h and south
show that present rates have been made the basis o f extensive operations, in the
belief that a fair average price had been attained.
Similar causes have operated
to strengthen public confidence in the financial ability o f the W est. The scarcity
o f money either to remit, or to buy produce, with the very low prices o f the
latter, which disinclined all parties to send forward their surplus, occurred just
at the setting in o f a very severe winter, which shut up all the more ordinary
channels o f communication, and left the merchants on the seaboard without a
large portion o f the means they expected to derive from their maturing sales.
The rivers and canals are still, to a great extent, ice-bound, and the produce is
locked up in the granary far from m arket; but the demand has improved, and
there are some indications that the old w orld is again to be fed by the new.
Even if no farther rise in breadstuffs should be realized, or even a concession be
made from present rates, should an opening be found abroad for $20,000,000 of
flour and grain, this quantity could easily be spared from our western surplus,
and the whole country be relieved. Flour is fully $1 00 per barrel higher in our
Atlantic cities than at the close o f autumn, and this difference will draw out
large quantities o f cereals when navigation is once more resumed. The month
o f March will undoubtedly be the trying period with the jo b b e rs ; but if confi
dence b e maintained no commercial disasters need be anticipated. T he fact that
large payments are due, as shown by the notes held by the banks, proves also
that large receipts may be expected, and the one will fully balance the other.
The money realized for the paper falling due will furnish ample accommodations
for those having the payments to make, and will be applied to this end if nothing
occur to justify a farther contraction, or to create a greater stringency in the
m oney market.
The manufacturing interest throughout the country is, on the whole, in a
more hopeful condition, although the exceptions to a general prosperity are still
numerous.
The decline in the price o f cotton, from the excessive rates o f last
year, has not been accompanied by a corresponding decline in the value o f
fabrics, so that the cotton spinners are generally doing better than last year. In
the woolen business the prospect is less cheering. There has been some decline
in the price o f the raw material, but much less than manufacturers had reason to
expect. T he w ool crop is less under the influence o f supply and demand than
crops taken from the produce o f the earth. T he average price o f this staple for
the last two years has been fully 10 cents per pound, above the fair market
value as compared with other crops o f the same cost. It is not easy to increase
the production o f w ool in a single year. The only way to effect any marked
difference in the supply, is to save the thousands o f sheep and lambs annually
slaughtered for food. The high price o f mutton, as an article o f provision, has
more than counter-balanced the inducement to spare the sheep for the wool, and
thus with a largely increased consumption o f w ool, the demand has continued
sufficient to prevent any serious decline.
In justice to our manufacturers, the
342
Commercial Chronicle and Review.
duty on w ools ought to be at once removed. The protectionists who seek to
aid the manufacturer, and the advocates o f free trade can both unite in this
measure, and it ought to be carried at once. The same principle ought also to
be extended to raw silk, and to all articles o f dye-stuffs and chemicals used in
manufacturing.
There is still another difficulty in the way o f manufacturers; the outside
machinery is too cumbersome. It is notorious that while stockholders in large
manufacturing establishments have found the business a poor investment, nearly
all others connected with the production have grown rich, or at least gained a
competence. T he unnecessary expenses attending the getting up, and carry
ing on o f a large establishment, are often quite sufficient to swallow up the
profits.
During the month past a considerable amount o f federal stocks have been re
turned here, from abroad, for sale.
A t first this excited some attention, as
many supposed that fear o f the future foreign policy o f our government led
European bondholders to distrust our national securities. It has since been
ascertained that these returned bonds are but proofs o f greater confidence in the
permanence o f our prosperity. T he high price o f United States Stocks as
compared with equally safe city and railroad bonds, has induced many foreign
ers to sell out the former to invest in the latter. N ot a few o f our government
bonds were taken below the present quotations, and the tempting prices now
obtained, in connection with the favorable opportunities offered for investments
believed to be fully as secure, are having their influence upon bondholders. W e
annex a comparison o f the price o f United States 6’ s o f 1867 at the correspond
ing period o f the last four years:—
February 23d.........................
1849.
1850.
1881.
1852,
111£
112f
115J
115J-
T he banks throughout the country are in a very healthy condition, and it is
believed will be able to sustain themselves without any farther contraction o f
their loans and discounts. The institutions established for the sake o f mere
circulation have been more closely watched, and their business has been less
profitable.
W e annex our usual monthly statement o f the deposits and coinage at the Phil
adelphia and New Orleans mints for the month o f January:—
DEPOSITS FOR JANUARY.
NEW
ORLEANS.
P H IL A D E L P H IA .
From California.
Total.
From California.
Total.
Gold...................................
Silver.................................
$669,167 05
4,469 17
$680,580 78
9,473 88
$4,041,000
17,650
$4,160,500
17,650
T otal....................... .
$663,636 22
$690,054 66
$4,058,650
$4,178,150
GOLD COINAGE.
Pieces.
Double eagles....................
Value
Value.
$795,000
173,930
13,020
31,320
112,884
174,505
$3,478,600
130,200
156,600
282,210
174,505
39,760
$795,000
605,659
$4,222,116
Half eagles........................
Quarter eagles...................
Gold dollars......................
Total gold coinage...
Pieces.
39,750
Commercial Chronicle and Review.
343
SILVER COINAGE.
Pieces.
Value.
24,000
$12,000
Dimes..................................
Total silver coinage..
24,000
$12,000
Pieces.
Value.®
125.000
100.000
* $ 1 2 ,5 0 0
5,000
225,000
$17,500
274,149
$2,741
1,004,808
$4,242,356
COPPER COINAGE.
Cents...................................
Total coinage.........
63,750
$ 807,000
The receipts o f California gold sinee the opening o f the year have disappointed
the expectations o f the public, the whole amount up to this present writing
(about the close o f February) not having reached $7,000,000. Correspondents
in San Francisco, however, seem not to have lost their courage, and are still
quite sanguine o f sending forward large amounts during the spring months.
The year has opened with a decline in the value o f our foreign imports, which
will be very acceptable to those who judge b y this comparison o f the prosperity
o f the country. A t New Y ork the falling o ff as compared with the previous
year, for the month o f January, was about $3,500,000, or move than one quarter
■of the entire receipts, as will be seen by the follow ing com parison:—
IMPORTS FROM FOREIGN PORTS AT NEW YO RK FOR JANUARY.
Year.
Dutiable.
1852........................
1851........................
1850........................
$10,168,963
13,732,764
11,446,496
Foreign.
Specie.
$1,041,456
937,650
437,270
$104,736
210,455
433,882
Total.
$11,315,155
14,880,869
12,317,648
Notwithstanding the lateness o f the trade, more goods have been withdrawn
iffom warehouse during the month than have been entered, showing that the
stock in bond has actually decreased; this is a state o f things which has not
happened before during the month o f January, since the present bonded system
was adopted:—
WAREHOUSING MOVEMENT AT NEW Y O RK FOR JANUARY.
Year.
Entered warehouse. Withdr’n f'm warehoua
1852.................................................
1851.................................................
1850.................................................
$1,281,594
1,611,847
950,753
$1,684,652
1,024,246
902,965
T he decline in the imports from the corresponding month o f last year, o f threeand-a-half millions, as shown above, is only about half o f it in dry goods— this
will be fully seen in the follow ing comparative statem ent:—
IMPORTS OF D RY GOODS ENTERED FOR CONSUMPTION, AT THE PORT OF N E W YORK, DURING
THE MONTH OF JANUARY.
Manufactures of w ool.........................
Manufactures of cotton......................
Manufactures of silk...........................
Manufactures of fla x .........................
Miscellaneous dry go od s...................
T o t a l...........................................
1850.
1851.
1851
$1,585,186
1,774,838
2,061,815
1,055,755
270,898
$1,600,098
1,843,441
4,032,002
692,138
640,204
$1,306,322
1,308,452
2,970,633
569,16"
451,218
$6,748,492
j$8,707,883
$6,605,811
Commercial Chronicle and Review.
344
W ITHDRAW N FROM WAREHOUSE DURING THE SAME PERIOD.
1852.
1851.
1850.
Manufactures of w ool.........................
Manufactures of cotton.......................
Manufactures of silk...........................
Manufactures of fla x .........................
Miscellaneous dry goods.....................
$94,513
190,243
149,029
40,889
26,031
$105,827
254,224
106,370
109,935
53,950
$214,102
280,601
291,886
121,635
22,320
Total.............................................
A dd entered for consumption . .
$500,705
6,748,492
$630,306
8,708,883
$930,544
6,605,811
Total thrown upon the market
$7,249,197
$9,338,189
$7,537,355
T he falling o ff has been pretty uniform in woolens, cottons, silks, and linens,
as far as it relates to the goods entered directly for consumption, which comprises the bulk o f the importation. There have been more dry goods entered
-
for warehousing than usual, particularly o f silks— the trade in staple silk fabrics
not having opened until the 1st o f February:—
ENTERED FOR WAREHOUSING DURING THE MONTH OF JANUARY.
1852.
1850.
1851.
Manufactures of w ool...............................
Manufactures of cotton.............................
Manufactures of silk.................................
Manufactures of flax................................
Miscellaneous dry goods...........................
$79,830
295,557
116,006
56,145
8,012
$139,656
222,412
206,005
54,355
42,253
$184,111
208,856
837,357
66,839
24,402
Total...................................................
$555,550
$664,681
$1,321,565
T he exports from New Y ork for January, also show a considerable decline
from the corresponding period o f 1851, in the articles o f domestic produce other
than specie, although the aggregate total is greater:—
<
EXPORTS FROM NEW YORK, TO FOREIGN PORTS, FOR JANUARY.
Year.
1862............................
1851............................
1850.............................
1849............................
Domestic produce. Foreien mer’dise.
$2,419,296
3,152,744
2,715,320
2,109,095
$384,987
473,979
456,851
152,590
Specie.
$2,868,958
1,266,281
90,361
122,582
Total.
$5,673,191
4,893,004
3,262.532
2,384,267
T he follow ing comparison will show the relative shipments o f the different
articles o f produce comprised in the above statement for the first two periods
named, and will be found,very interesting in this connection. W e have com
piled it from official entries expressly for the readers o f the M agazine:—
EXPORTS OF CERTAIN ARTICLES OF EOMESTIC PRODUCE
FROM
PORTS, FROM JANUARY 1 , TO FEBRUARY
Ashes— P ot................................. .................................. bbls.
Pearl..........................................................................
Beeswax......................................................................... lbs.
B r e a d s tu ffs —
Wheat flour................................................................. bbls.
Rye flour............................................................................
Corn m eal...........................................................................
W h e a t.................................................................... bushels
Rye......................................................................................
Oats.....................................................................................
Corn.....................................................................................
Candles— Mould..........................................................;.boxes
Sperm...................................................................
C o a l.................................................................................. tons
N EW
YORK,
TO
FOREIGN
22.
1851.
1852-
3,953
775
57,051
1,298
77
43,141
80,660
153
4,126
52,664
....
548
47,029
5,913
213
410
69,667
337
3,734
121,810
3,003
919
68,267
7,826
190
3,885
I
345
Commercial Chronicle and Review.
1851.
39,147
Naval Stores...................................................................bbls.
gallons
Oil— W hale.....................................................
Sperm ..........................................................................
Lard..............................................................................
Linseed
Provisions—
30,403
118,033
89,978
97,381
___
56,255
202
70,130
7,781
13,023
13,980
2,378
Pork.......................................................................bbls.
4,322
3,958
682,594
231,144
1,035,325
260,744
5,967
790,856
3,182
402,927
75,823
5,816
4,514
628,408
80,512
311,269
240,628
7,417
237,522
2,680
283,500
36,528
Beef.....................................................................................
9
1852.
Ootton............................................................................ bales
Hops.................................................................................
Cut meats..............
lbs.
Bntter............................................................................
Cheese...........................................................................
Lard.................... ...............................................................
Rice.............................................................................. tcs.
Tallow...................................................
lbs.
Tobacco—Crude........................................................pkgs.
Manufactured ............................................lbs.
Whalebone..................... ................................................
__
It will be seen from the above that the decline since January 1st, in the ex
ports o f flour from New York, has been fully made up by the increase in wheat.
In corn there has also been an increase, and most other articles o f domestic
produce exhibit a favorable comparison. In our last we gave a similar statement
for the year 1851, and w e propose to continue it throughout the current year
as a matter o f grow ing interest to our readers. Our predictions o f a decline in
the imports, in the face o f the estimates o f the Secretary o f the Treasury, anti
cipating a continuance o f the large amounts received last year, have been fully
■verified. T he imports at N ew Y ork for January as given above, show a falling
o ff o f about 83,500,000, and the decline in February will swell this difference to
nearly, or quite 86,000,000.
This decline at the port where two-thirds o f all the
imports o f the country are received, is a fair index o f the business o f the whole,
and shows that our foreign commerce will regulate itself without those restraints,
which those who think their will stronger than the laws o f demand and supply,
would impose.
Supposing the same comparative difference to have extended to
other parts, and the decline throughout the United States in tw o months would
equal $8,000,000, or at the rate o f about $50,000,000 for the year. This is a
reduction o f nearly 25 per cent on our entire im ports; but this ratio o f decrease
is not likely to continue throughout the year.
The news brought b y the Cambria o f a decline o f Id. per ounce in the price
paid by the Bank o f England for American gold coin, has had a tendency to
check the shipments o f specie, and to increase the relative value o f exchange.
The reason given for the decline is the increased quantity o f alloy said to be
detected by assay, but the truth o f this theory is very doubtful.
The price now paid is £ 3 16s. H d. which will make a difference o f nearly
in the net return o f shipments as compared with bills o f exchange.
l
346
Journal o f Banicing, Currency, and Finance.
JOURNAL OF B A N K IN G , CU RR ENCY, AND FIN AN CE.
RESOURCES, TAXATION, ETC,, OF PENNSYLVANIA.
STATEMENT SHOWING THE VALUATION OF REAL AND
COUNTIES OF THE COMMONWEALTH, TAXABLE
MENT OF TAX THEREON FOR THE YEAR
PERSONAL ESTATE IN THE SEVERAL
FOR
STATE
PURPOSES, AND THE ASSESS
AS
FIXED
BY
1851,
THE
REVENUE
COMMIS
SIONERS AT THEIR LAST TRIENNIAL MEETING---- ALSO, THE POPULATION OF EACH COUNTY,
ACCORDING TO THE CENSUS OF 1 8 5 0 , AND THE
THE SAME YEAR.
Counties.
A da m s.................................
A llegh en y...........................
Armstrong............................
Beaver .................................
Bedford............................
B e rk s...................................
Blair.....................................
Bradford...............................
Bucks...................................
Butler...................................
Cambria...............................
Carbon .................................
Center..................................
Chester.................................
Clarion.................................
Clearfield.............................
Clinton..................................
Columbia.............................
Crawford................ ...........
Cumberland.........................
Dauphin...............................
Delaware..............................
Elk.......................................
Erie.......................................
Fayette................................
Forest...................................
Franklin...............................
Fulton...................................
Greene...................................
Huntingdon.........................
Indiana.................................
Jefferson..............................
Juniata.................................
Lancaster..............................
Lawrence..............................
Lebanon...............................
Lehigh.................................
Luzerne ...............................
Lycoming.............................
M cKean...............................
M ercer.................................
Mifflin...................................
Monroe.................................
Montgomery.......................
Montour...............................
Northampton......................
Northumberland................
P e r r y ................................. .
Philadelphia......................
P ik e .....................................
Valuation.
8,489,166
5,176,352
539,404
13,708,659
3,057,500
136,589,627
TAXABLE
INHABITANTS
THEREIN,
FOR
Assessment
of tax.
Population.
$14,372
74,785
6,690
11,072
6,736
68,730
12,554
10,883
51,746
8,051
3,450
6,685
15,620
66,966
5,019
3,384
5,854
15,050
9,142
32,843
30,577
26,441
1,201
11,966
16,161
25.981
138,290
29,560
26,689
23,052
77,129
21,777
42,831
56,091
30,346
17,773
15,686
23,355
66,438
23,565
12,586
11,207
17,710
87,849
34.327
35,754
24,679
3,531
38,742
39,112
5,761
25,067
6,002
5,727
4,545
15,949
4,556
8,763
13,151,
7,490
3,642
3,742
4,945
14,784
5,087
2,672
2,346
6,670
8,130
7,558
7,683
5,253
876
8,434
7,888
36,867
2,179
8,918
16,664
7,788
3,003
8,253
94,293
8,659
23,993
26,225
15,827
11,096
1,636
10,663
12,745
4,832
50,983
39,904
7,567
22,136
24,786
27,170
13,518
13,029
98,944
21,079
26,071
32,479
56,072
26,257
5,254
33,172
14,980
13,270
58,291
13,239
40,235
23,272
20,088
408,762
5,881
9,312
1,716
4,447
6,637
5,540
2,622
3,112
23,240
4,425
5,949
7,286
11,027
6,141
1,213
7,729
3,252
3,052
13,422
42,362
13,895
9,375
432,331
2,079
Taxables.
9,285
4,643
4,455
79,259
1,198
341
Journal o f Banking, Currency, and Finance.
VALUATION OF REAL AND PERSONAL
Counties.
Valuation.
Potter...........................
Schuylkill....................
Somerset.....................
Sullivan........................
Susquehanna................ .
T io g a ...........................
Union............................
Venango.......................
Warren..........................
Washington. ................
Wavne......................
Westmoreland...............
Wyoming.......................
York...............................
Total.......................
ESTATE, ETC.— -CONTINUED.
Assessment
of tax.
Population.
1,955
27,522
8,617
1,109
7,928
4,904
18,242
3,948
3,757
28,394
4,219
23,480
2,754
82,384
6,048
60,713
24,416
3,694
28,688
23,987
26,083
18,310
13,671
44,939
21,890
51,726
10,655
57,450
1,348
12,935
5,642
820
6,222
5,228
6,197
4.027
3,145
10,030
4,363
11,853
2,401
13,083
$1,529,757
2,311,786
491,977
Taxables.
CONDITION OF THE STATE BANK OF INDIANA,
COMPARATIVE VIEW OF THE LIABILITIES AND RESOURCES OF THE STATE BANK OF BGDIANA,
1847-51.
LIABILITIES.
Capital owned by Ihe State...
“
“
individuals.
Circulation...............................
Individual deposits.................
Due to the State......................
Bank balances.........................
Dividends unpaid...................
Funds to cover losses.............
Profit and loss..........................
Balances between branches...
Total liabilities................
Nov., 184a
$982,404
1,100,506
3,552,210
452,625
81,646
82,293
21,581
527,800
125,454
71,420
Nov., 1850.
$1,008,604
1,074,346
3,421,445
556,433
46,231
112,175
27,662
750,678
131,860
6,168
Nov. 15,1851.
$1,006,604
1,076,403
3,772,193
630,036
42,035
123,817
27,807
806,914
216,257
15,809
$6,997,937
$7,135,602
$7,717,875
Nov., 1847.
$968,054
1,114,820
3,606,452
555,774
134,200
34,545
25,710
463,444
77,176
69,150
$7,039,324
RESOURCES.
Bills discounted.......................
Bills of exchange.....................
Suspended debt.......................
Bank balances...........................
Branch “
.........................
Heal and personal estate........
Funds i n t r a n s i t u ...................
Sinking fund & Treas’y notes..
Indiana and U. S. bonds....
Notes of other banks.............
Coin on hand...................
Eastern Funds.........................
Total resources...............
$1,574,722
1,464,076
460,115
1,081,195
81,272
873,460
247,700
337,555
36,000
299,250
1,083,980
$1,647,620
1,791,320
442,600
227,040
148,640
382,076
231,156
241,106
71,000
147,451
1,273,896
394,025
$1,709,935
2,414,961
270,213
148,861
$1,522,258
2,835,267
264,102
499,736
364,233
247,048
108,486
324,827
266,301
224,842
1,197,880
449,153
334,286
1,245,408
425,590
$7,039,324
$6,997,937
$7,135,602
$7,717,875
FIRE INSURANCE IN GERMANY,
Fire insurance, in so far as the p r i v a t e companies, ( D i e P r i v a t v e r s i c h e r u n g s G e s e ll sch a / ten ,) are concerned, is fully established in Germany, and in its management, with
respect to the insured, is carried on in a spirit of justice and liberality, and knowledge
of affairs, found in few other countries. From the very active competition which ex
ists amongst the native companies,—not to speak of foreign companies to which the
*48
Journal o f Banking, Currency, and Finance.
liberty of operation lias been conceded,— it is almost generally taken advantage of by
the population, with the exception only of the inhabitants of the chief towns in Aus
tria ; namely, Vienna, Prague, and Pesth; as also people of the fourth rauk, being pet
ty tradespeople, day-laborers, handicraftsmen, small cultivators of land, and cottagers ;
the first, because they are believed to dwell in fire-secure buildings; and the last, be
cause, on account of their small property, the costs of insurance would come higher to
their share than the just premiums, and they are impressed with the idea that they
could not afford the outlay; neither does it happen that the companies seek to draw
the latter to them, however great in other respects may be their hunting after insurance.
The condition of the German private insurance companies may in general be looked
on as normal, though the pernicious custom “ not to make the premium reserve depen
dent on a full and careful account, but on the close of the year to reserve an arbitrary
sum/ is not yet laid aside by two of the companies.— L o n d o n A s s u r a n c e M a g a z in e .
« CREDIT IS MONEY,”
F reeman H unt, E sq., E d i t o r o f th e M e r c h a n t s ’ M a g a z i n e , e t c :—
H e a r S i r :— Observing an article on money by M. Chitti, published in the late
number of your journal, I send you a copy of a letter addressed some time since to a
distinguished statesman, in consequence of a previous conversation in which I asserted
“ credit to be money.” Of course I use the word credit in the financial acceptation.
Respectfully yours,
ROBERT HARE.
D ear S ir .— In support of the opinion yesterday expressed to you that credit is
money, I would urge that specie is money, only so far as it commands credit, or the
belief of the holder that it will pass for a certain value. O b v io u s ly , credit, derived
from c r e d o (I believe) or cr ed itu m , (believed,) implies the belief entertained respecting
the realization of a promise or expectation excited. Nothing can act as money which
cannot create such an expectation as that above defined. I offered to pay a farmer
for a quarter of veal with a quarter eagle; he objected; and only agreed to receive it
upon my giving credit to it, which it previously wanted with him, by promising that if
it did not pass, I would give him other money. He took the gold therefore, not be
cause he trusted to it, but because he trusted i n m e. Of course he would have taken
a bank note, under the same impression.
People are governed altogether by their knowledge and experience of the certainty
with which anything, tendered them as good money, will be received as such in the
market; and hence, bank notes are more readily taken in those parts of the country,
where they are believed to be good, than gold coin of which the dealers concerned
are not judges, while they have no means at hand of either testing or weighing.
A piec^ of coin might be made to resemble gold by alloying copper with platina,
or a piece of platina plated with gold might be in circulation for ages, and would pass
only by the credit it commanded. A goldsmith would be a loser who should buy it
to melt up, but no person would lose by holding it as money, so long as its credit
should be sustained by its fallacious exterior. Of course whenever any other substance,
or substitute for specie, can produce the same credit as specie does, whether genuine or
spurious, so as to produce in the holder the impression that it will pass, it will have
equal competency to perform the part of good money.
I f it be said, that in this respect confidence in the competency of gold is more likely
to be sustained, is more durable, and that it has in this respect a peculiar universality,
this is only proving that the best means of establishing a currency capable o f produc
ing durable and universal credit is to employ hard money. It may be said that p a p e r
money is more liable to lose its credit. This is an argument against the use o f the
paper money, but does not disprove that credit is money, since so long as the paper
has credit it performs the office of money as well as coin, and passes in consequence o f
a qualification common to both, and when coin ceases to have credit, it ceases to be
competent to perform the office of money.
Whenever a knowledge of the coinage and its mechanical qualities does not intui
tively create confidence, whenever a resort must be had to assay, it becomes bullion,
not money. It will then have no more value than the price of its metallic constituent
in the form of an ingot.
Hence it strikes me that credit (embodied in a bank note, check, or draft) may act
as money without the aid of specie, but that specie cannot act as money without the
aid of credit
Journal o f Banicing, Currency, and Finance.
349
The idea of the holders of notes generally, is not to exchange them for specie, the
immediate idea is to pass them in payment of what they may owe, or as the price of
what they may buy. Reference to specie is almost always ideal, as we refer to the
digits to express numbers abstractly; when associated with silver or gold, they ex
press both number and value abstractly. Ten dollars conveys an abstract idea as
much as the No. 10. The digits are associated with these metals as they may be associ
ated with the liquid or solid measurement in which an ideal resort to solidity or
fluidity is made, in like manner.
If the precious metals are preferable as a means of interchange, it is only because
they are the simplest and surest means of inspiring confidence, or creating credit, in
other words, of creating and supporting the belief that they will pass in the market for
their alleged value. Coin does not pass on account of its intrinsic value, but in conse
quence of the belief that it has an intrinsic value. False coin will pass better with
this belief, than real coin without it.
But a piece of gold may be in circulation for a hundred years, without benefiting the
holders by any of those metallic properties to which it owes its value. It will have done
nothing for them which good bank notes would not have accomplished, whatever may
be said of trade. Yet so long as paper passes for the value at which it is taken, those
who thus receive and pay it away lose nothing.
It is the holder of a note which depreciates while he holds it, that suffers. A ten
dollar bill which is taken for nine specie dollars is virtually a nine dollar note, and an
swers to the taker an equally good purpose.
CONDITION OF THE B A M S OF BOSTON.
CONDENSED
STATEMENT
OF
THE
CAPITAL,
LOANS OF THIRTY BANKS !IN BOSTON, AND
FOE
THE YEAES
CIRCULATION, DEPOSITS,
ONE
HUNDRED
BANKS
PROFITS,
COIN, AND
IN
INTERIOR
THE
;
1847-51.
LIABILITIES.
Sept., 1848.
Sept., 1849.
Capital................... .
Circulation.....................
Circulation under $5 . . . .
Profits on hand1..............
Due other banks............
Deposits.........................
Deposits on interest. . . .
$32,985,000
10,807,193
2,888,837
3,737,434
4,083,650
8,094,970
470,016
$34,630,011
13,014,194
2,686,741
3,011,996
4,720,816
9,875,317
746,415
$36,925,050
13,984,953
3,020,873
4,627,660
6,549,930
11,176,827
442,085
$38,265,000
16,365,195
3,329,603
3,824,608
*7,003,441
12,969,775
870,129
Total liabilities.......
$62,567,100
$68,685,490
$76,727,378
$82,627,651
Sept., 1850.
May, 1851.
RESOURCES.
Gold and silver..............
Real estate.....................
Notes of other banks . . .
Notes out of the State..
Due from Banks............
Total loans.....................
Dorchester and M. B. loss.
Total resources.......
$2,578,030
1,073,116
2,130,578
206,240
8,469,034
53,110,102
$2,749,917
1,126,162
3,416,074
321,077
4,472,950
56,599,310
$2,993,178
988,236
3,715,848
332,673
5,335,003
63,330,024
32,416
$2,478,858
998,214
5,837,836
397,951
6,550,238
66,341,109
23,450
$62,567,100
$68,685,490
$76,727,378
$82,627,651
LONDON AND W ESTM IN STER BANK.
We are indebted to James W illiam: Gilbaet, Esq., the general manager of this
bank, for an official copy of the report of the directors to the proprietors at the halfyearly meeting, January 21st, 1852, from which it appears that the net profits of the
bank, during the last half-year, amount to £41,993 7s. 9d. Out of these profits the
directors declared a dividend for the half-year at the rate of 6 per cent per annum, on
the paid up capital of £1,000,000. They also, at the same time, declared a bonus of*
* Including an error o f $1,520 in the statement of the Adams Bank.
Journal o f Banking , Currency, and Finance.
350
eight shillings per share—being equal to 2 per cent on the capital. After these pay
ments, the report shows a surplus fund amounting to £104,152.
Under the efficient management of Mr. Gilbart, this bank has attained a position
second to no similar institution in Europe. The London and Westminster Bank, as we
have before remarked, is the largest of its class in London, and second only in impor
tance to the Bank of England.
The subjoined statement shows the debit and credit account, or condition of the bank
on the 31st December, 1851:—
DEBTOR.
To
To
To
To
proprietors for paid up capital.......................................................£1,000,000 0 0
amount due by the bank for deposits, circular notes, &c............. 4,Oil,298 9 11
rest or surplus fund......................................................................
112,158 13 4
net profits of the past half-year..................................................
41,893 7 9
Total........................................................................................£5,831,450 11 0
CREDITOR.
By Government stock, exchequer bills, and India bonds..................£1,054,018 10 0
By other securities, including bills discounted, loans to customers, <fcc. 4,123,485 4 5
By cash in hand...................................................... ..........................
653,946 16 7
Total...................................................................................... £5,831,450 11
0
PRO PE RTY AND TAXES OF MARYLAND^
We are indebted to the Treasurer of the State of Maryland for an official copy of
his annual report for the fiscal year ending first of
In m this re
port we derive the subjoined tabular statement:—
SHOWING THE ASSESSED VALUE OF REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY, W IT H
THE
AMOUNT
OF LEVY MADE THEREON, IN EACH SEPARATE COUN T!, AND BALTIMORE CITY, FOR THE
YEAR
1851.
The Counties and B ltimore City.
Allegany..................................
Anne Arundel.........................
Howard..................................
Baltimore city.........................
Baltimore county.....................
Calvert.....................................
Carroll....................................
Caroline....................................
Charles....................................
Cecil.........................................
Dorchester..............................
Frederick.................................
Harford....................................
Kent........................... .............
Montgomery.............................
Prince George’s........................
Queen Anne’s ..........................
Somerset.................................
Saint Mary’s ...........................
Talbot.......................................
Washington.............................
Worcester................................
Total.................................
Assessed value of
property for 1851.
$3,949,216
5,754,769
3,410,772
*70,305,140
*13,406,400
2,073,357
6,632.733
1,492,162
3,355,539
5,248,415
4,131,535
18,193,276
4,799,076
3,699,512
5,202,277
9,400,791
3,916,736
3,354,735
3,869,908
4,422,683
11,728,660
3,540,396
$191,888,088
Amount o f levy
for 1851.
$9,873
14,386
8,526
175,762
33,516
5,184
16,581
3,730
8,388
13,121
10,328
45,483
11,997
9,248
13,005
23,501
9,791
8,386
9,674
11,056
29,321
8,850
Specific Tax
for 1851.
04
92
93
85
00
09
83
40
84
01
83
19
76
78
68
97
84
84
77
70
65
99
$111 15
$479,720 91
$1,426 22
6 38
41 36
200 79
413 60
186 65
179 70
116 62
170 07
* From the counties thus marked, no returns have been received, they are from returns o f former
years.
f
351
Journal o f Banking, Currency, and Finance.
THE BRITISH POST OFFICE PACKET SERVICE.
A Parliamentary paper just issued shows the estimate for the Post Office packet
service for the coming year as compared with that for the twelve months which will
terminate on the 5th of April. The increase in the amount of contracts is £98,135,
caused chiefly by the new lines for Ireland, Brazil, and the Cape. On the other hand
there is a diminution of £52,875 in the expense of Queen’s vessels employed, so that
the total augmentation is limited to £45,260. The total amount for 1850-51 was
£764,236 ; for 1851-2, £809,496.
PUBLIC LOANS OF PENNSYLVANIA.
STATEMENT SHOWING THE SEVERAL LOANS OP
CENT INTEREST---- PERIODS WHEN
THE
COMMONWEALTH----THEIR
REIMBURSABLE---- AND
KATES PEE
AMOUNTS, AS THEY SEVERALLY
STOOD ON THE 1ST DAY OF DECEMBER, 1 8 5 1 ---- FROM THE
OFFICIAL
REPORT
OF
THE
AUDITOR-GENERAL.
Loans, &c.
Stock loan per act of April
((
t(
April
u
u
April
t<
«<
March
M
U
Dec.
it
U
April
M
((
Dec.
«
it
March
a
a
March
tt
a
March
a
a
March
a
a
March
a
a
April
a
a
Feb.
a
a
March
a
a
March
a
a
April
a
a
April
a
a
Jan.
a
a
Feb.
a
a
March
a
a
March
a
a
June
«(
a
June
a
tt
July
ti
u
a
a
a
a
a
a
Jan.
April
June
Jan.
March
May
May
May
July
March
April
May
April
Jan.
April
April
Loan (relief) “
Stock loan
“
a
tc
Int. certificts “
a
a
Stock loan
“
Int. certificts “
Stock loan
“
a
a
a
a
Inc. PI. loan “
Total....
2,
1,
9,
24,
18,
22,
7,
1821 ____
1826___
1827___
1828___
1828___
1 8 2 9 ....
1829___
IS, 1830. . . .
21, 1831___
28, 1831___
30, 1831___
30, 1882___
5, 1832___
16, 1833___
1, 1833___
27, 1833___
5, 1 8 3 4 ....
13, 1835___
26, 1839___
9, 1839___
16, 1 8 3 9 ....
27, 1839___
7, 1839___
27, 1839___
19, 1839___
23, 1840___
8, 1840___
11, 1840___
16, 1841___
4, 1841___
4, 1841___
5, 1841___
6, 1841___
27, 1842___
7, 1843___
29, 1844___
31, 1844___
16, 1845___
22, 1847___
11, 1848___
10, 1849___
Rate of int
6
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
6
5
5
5
6
5
H
5
5
5
5
5
6
5
5
5
Reimbursable.
June
1, 1841
Decern. 1, 1846
Decem. 1, 1850
Decem. 1, 1853
January 1, 1854
Decem. 1, 1854
Bank ckart’r loan
March 4, 1858
July
1, 1856
March 28, 1861
July
1, 1856
July
1, 1860
July
1, 1860
July
1, 1858
April 10, 1863
July
1, 1858
July
1, 1862
July
1, 1865
July
1, 1859
July
1, 1864
July
1, 1864
July
1, 1868
August 1, 1859
June
27, 1864
5
July
5
January 1, 1865
August 1, 1864
5
5
6
6
0
5
6
6
6
5
5
5
5
6
6
July
1, 1868
1, 1870
August 1, 1846
July Nov. 1847
May
4, 1846
Bank ch’t’r loans
June
1, 1846
August 1, 1843
August 1, 1846
March
1, 1849
August 1, 1846
August 1, 1855
Bank ch’t’r loans
April 11, 1853
April 10,1879
Amount.
$20,322 99
286,760 31
988,202 42
1,973,154 86
770,903 97
2,146,529 83
50,000 00
3,977,805 89
2,437,161 06
118,300 00
294,029 43
2,283,950 37
298,436 06
2,516,195 06
198,200 00
628,232 06
2,243,711 91
949,604 98
1,162,201 49
1,239,931 32
91,851 79
467,125 43
47,798 10
1,115,505 17
2,043,641 77
826,550 18
810,943 37
1,907,763 98
800,000 00
22,335 06
650,163 00
526,791 06
909,677 01
30,624 69
58,183 14
53,861 90
61,473 99
4,478,040 26
69,500 00
161,688 45
400,000 00
$40,017,102 36
The loan per act of 20th April, 1846, for the construction of the outlet lock at Wells’
Falls (originally $20,000, and now amounting to $12,500) is not embraced in the fore
going table, for the reason that the faith of the Commonwealth is not pledged for its
352
Journal o f Banking , Currency, and Finance.
redemption. It is payable out of a fund arising from tolls on boats passing through
said lock, and in that fund there was, on the 1st of December, 1851, applicable to a
further payment of the principal and interest of said loan, the sum of $8,620 53.
The loans over due, as well as those becoming due, may be thus stated, viz :—
Amount over-due and unprovided fo r .................................................. $3,081,159 69
When reimbursable.
1853
1854
1855
1856
1858
1859
1860
1361
1862
1833
.............................
.............................
.............................
.............................
.....................
.............................
.............................
...........................
.............................
.............................
When reimbursable.
$2,134,843
2,917,433
4,478,040
2,731,190
7,022,233
1,209,999
2,582,386
118,300
2,243,711
198,200
31
80
26
49
01
59
43
00
91
00
1864 .............................
1865 .............................
1868 .............................
1870 .............................
1879 .............................
Amount of b’k charter &,
oth. loans provided for
3,258,231
1,776,155
2,510,767
1,907,763
400,000
65
16
20
98
00
Total.........................
$40,017,102 36
1,446,685 88
PUBLIC DEBT OF PENNSYLVANIA.
STATEMENT SHOWING THE INDEBTEDNESS OF
THE 1 s t DAY OF
DECEMBER,
THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA ON
1851--- DERIVED
FROM
THE
REPO RT
OF THE AUDITOR-
GENERAL.
Funded debt, v iz:—
$2,314,023 51
6 per cent loans..............
6 per cent loans..............
36,704,484 03
198,200 00
4^- per cent loans..............
-------------------$39,216,707 54
Total funded debt
Unfunded debt, viz
Relief notes in circulation........................................
$650,163 00
Interest certificates outstanding................................
150,231 82
Ditto unclaimed.........................................................
4,448 38
Int. on outstand’g <£euncl’m’d certificates, when funded
9,752 91
Domestic creditors....................................................
82,932 74
$897,528 86
Total unfunded debt...................................... .........................
Total public debt ..........................................................$40,114,236 39
By the 55th section of the act of 15th April, 1851, the State Treasurer was author
ized to borrow, on temporary loan, $98,000, to be applied to improving the curves on
the Columbia Railroad. This was done. But as the amount is reimbursable out of
the proceeds of the sale to the Reading Railroad Company, of the Schuylkill viaduct
and the railroad leading therefrom to the city of Philadelphia, and is a mere anticipa
tion of some of the instalments from that company, it is not embraced in the above
statement, nor in the table of loans.
COINAGE OF THE MINT A T DAHLONEGA.
The coinage at the Branch Mint at Dahlonega, for 1851, was as follows :—
Pieces.
Value.
62,710
11,26£
9,882
$313,550
28,160
9,882
83,856
Total.
The deposits of gold for the year were :—
From California......................$214,072 50 Promiscuous...
From South Carolina...........
3,236 03 From Georgia..
From Alabama...................
2,104 72
From Tennessee.................
2,250 60
Total.
From North Carolina...........
1,971 21
$351,592
Half eagles.................................................
Quarter eagles.............................................
Gold dollars......... ........................................
.
$950 56
154,722 96
$379,308 6S
Journal o f Banking, Currency, and Finance.
333
COINAGE OF THE NEW ORLEANS MINT IN 1851.
We give below a statement, derived from the officers of the Mint, of the deposits
and coinage at that establishment for the year ending January 1, 1852 :—
STATEMENT OF THE DEPOSITS AND COINAGE AT THE BRANCH MINT, N E W ORLEANS, DURING
THE YEAR
1851.
DEPOSITS.
Gold, of which $3,769,682 45 was from California ...........................
Silver, of which $60,600 54 parted from California g o ld ..................
$8,928,060 51
96,560 65
Total deposits................................................................................
$9,124,621 06
GOLD COINAGE.
Pieces.
Double eagles......................................................
Eagles...................................................................
Half eagles.....................................................
Quarter eagles................................................
Gold dollars..........................................................
Total gold coinage.................................
Value.
315,000 $6,300,000
263,000
2,630,000
41,000
205,000
148,000
370,000
290,000
290,000
1,057,000
$9,795,000
402.000
$ 201,000
SILVER COINAGE.
Half dollars.................................................. ..
Quarter dollars..............................................
Dimes..............................................................
Half dimes ....................................................
Three-cent pieces..........................................
88,000
22,000
400.000
860.000
720,000
40.000
43.000
21,600
Total silver coinage.................................
2,470,000
$327,600
Total coinage..........................................
8,527,000
$10,122,600
By reference to the above statement, it will be observed that the amount coined
exceeds that of deposits by nearly one million of dollars.
DEBT AND FINANCES OF MICHIGAN.
The funded and fundable debt of the State not yet due is as follows:—
General fund bonds, due May, 1856......................................................... $100,000
100,000
University bonds, due July, 1858...........................................................
Detroit and Pontiac Railroad bonds, due July, 1858..............................
100,000
Penitentiary bonds, due January, 1859....................................................
20 000
Ditto, 1860...............................................................................................
40,000
180,000
FuU paid $5,000,000 loan bonds, due January, 1863..............................
Adjusted bonds, due January, 1863.........................................................
275,732
Internal Improvement warrant bonds, due January, 1870..................
234,200
00
00
00
00
00
00
83
00
Total............................................................................................. $1,049,932 83
The part paid of the $5,000,000 loan bonds outstanding, will, if funded
previous to January, 1853, amount t o ................................................ 1,503,336 30
Bonds issuable for outstanding internal improvement warrants, sa y.. . .
15,000 00
Making the total funded and fundable debt not yet due............$2,568,269 13
The amounts due the educational funds are considered permanent loans, and will
probably so remain—at least until ffie other portion of the State indebtedness shall
have been cancelled.
Amount due primary school fund...............................................
Amount due university fund....................................................................
Amount due Normal school endowment fund..........................................
$238,252 18
22,608 39
2,220 06
Total due educational funds..............................................................
$263,080 63
VOL. X X V I.---- NO. III.
23
354
Journal o f Banicing, Currency, and Finance.
FUNDED DEBTS OF MARYLAND.
We compile from the annual report of the Treasurer of the State of Maryland, for
the fiscal year ending December 1st, 1851, to the General Assembly of Maryland, the
following statement of “ Funded Debts contracted by the State, as of 1st December,
1851:”—
Amount.
Debts.
$30,000
30,000
81,984
21,705
6 per cent debt, 1835..............
6
“
“
1843..............
6
“
“
1845..............
6
“
“
1846..............
00
00
15
52
<t$163,689 67
5
“
“
1821.
6
5
5
6
tt
“
tt
tt
1821
1826
1834
1836
5
tt
tt
tt
tt
“
“
630,000 00
$27,947 30
30.000 30
20.000 00
20,000 00
C97.947 30
<73,000 00
1842
$294,636 97
5
5
5
“
“
“
“
“
“
1827...............
1830...............
1833...............
5 per cent sterling debt, 1838..
$256,189
115,811
125,000
--------..............
$497,000 00
3,200,000 00
e3,697,000 00
5 per cent currency debt, 1833
5
“
“
1827..
5
“
“
1830..
5
6
6
5
5
«
“
“
“
“
fBOO,000 00
$262,500
234,500
$497,000 00
125,000 00
“
“
1833
1834
“
1835
sterling debt, 1838,
“
1838
2, 000,000 00
35,000 00
3,162,222 22
1,375,000 00
g l , 194,222 22
4}
6
3
5
6
(C
tt
tt
tt
tt
currency debt,
“
“
“
“
$ 100,000 00
1,000,000 00
1830.
1834.
1837.
1838.
1839.
500,000 00
88,710 97
543,334 34
£2,232,045 31
5
6
“
“
$60,000 00
160,000 00
sterling debt, 1838
currency debt, 1839
7220,000 00
5
5
5
6
“
“
“
“
sterling debt, 1838 ........................................................
“
1838..........................
$60,000 00
currency debt, 1839.........................
81,463 77
“
1841...........................
11,300 37
j l , 000,000 00
£152,764 14
Total
M
$15,290,668 64
a For account of the State’s Tobacco Warehouses in Baltimore.
b For the service o f the Medical
Department of the Baltimore University.
c For the service o f the Maryland Penitentiary.
d For account of the Washington Monument in Baltimore.
e For account o f the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad.
f For account o f the Baltimore and Washington Railroad.
g For account o f
the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
A For account o f the Baltimore and Susquehanna Railroad,
x For account of the Annapolis and Elk-Ridge Railroad.
j For account o f the Susquehanna and
Tide Water Canals.
k For account o f the Eastern Shore Railroad.
Journal o f Banking, Currency, and Finance.
355
FINANCES OF THE UNITED STATES.
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES OF THE UNITED STATES, EXCLUSIVE OF TRUST FUNDS, FROM
OCTOBER
1,
TO DECEMBER
T reasury D epartm en t, R
81, 1851.
e g is t e r ’ s
O f f ic e ,
January 30, 1852.
RECEIPTS.
From customs......................................
Sales of public lands...............................................................
Incidental sources.....................................................................
Loan of 1847, (treasury notes funded)..............................
Total....................................................................................
$9,601,509
589,043
34,289
3,400
40
82
02
00
$10,228,242 24
EXPENDITURES.
Civil, miscellaneous, and foreign intercourse.....................................
$4,809,656 94
Pensions.................
$163,246 67
Indian affairs..........................................................
1,604,598 84
---------------1,768,845 51
Army proper, <fcc....................................................
$1,925,277 78
Fortifications, armories, &c.....................................
332,742 66
------------------------------------ 2,258,02044
Navy...................................................................................................
2,604.509 37
Interest, <fcc., on public debt and treasury notes...............................
1,813,290 33
Reimbursement of treasury notes......................................................
3,550 00
Redemption of stock loan of 1847 ....................................................
1,070,450 00
Redemption of stock loan of 1843.....................................................
445,637 50
Premium and commission on purchase of stock loanof 1847...........
167,999 55
Premium and commission on purchase of stock loanof 1843...........
2,063 87
Total...................................................................................
$14,943,023 51
EARLY CURRENCY IN MAINE.
Long before any permanent settlements were made on the shores of Maine, there
was an extensive Commerce carried on with tlie Indians of that territory by the fleets
which annually came from Europe for fish and peltry. In such intercourse, cash was
scarcely known. The natives were ready to barter large amounts of skins for beads,
knives, hatchets, and blankets, and especially for tobacco, powder, shot, guns, and
strong water. Philanthropists, who desired the highest welfare of the red man. and
sought to bring him under the salutary restraints of the Gospel, according to the pro
fessed purpose of every charter for American colonies, perceived that the most of such
merchandise tended to demoralize and render him a dangerous neighbor. They peti
tioned and obtained restrictions. Their benevolent action, as usual in attempts to sup
press gainful but deleterious customs, caused much excitement among the numerous
traders, who set more by their own interest than they cared for others’ ruin.
The article of peltry, so abundantly offered by the natives and so eagerly sought by
foreigners, was received and passed as cash by the colonists.
Another commodity, adopted by them from the aborigines, for a similar end, was
wampum. This was brought from Manhadoes, afterwards New Y’ ork, on a voyage
thither in 1628. It is thus described by Governor Bradford:—“ That which in time
turns most to our advantage is, their now acquainting and entering us into the trade
of wampum. By which and provisions, we quite cut off the trade both from the fish
ermen and straggling planters. And strange it is, to see the great alteration it in a
few years makes among the savages. For the Massachusetts and others, in these
parts, had scarce any, it being only made and kept among the Pequots and Naragansetts, who grew rich and potent by it.; whereas the rest, who use it not, are poor and
beggarly.” Here we have the position, long assumed by the great body of the civil
ized, that a circulating medium, aside from the fruits of the field and of the chase,
tends to enrich and strengthen a people, confirmed by the experience of men in a state
of nature.
Roger Williams, in his observations on such money of the New England Indians,
gives the succeeding account:—“ Their own is of two sorts, one white, which they
make of the stem or stock of the periwinkle, when all the shell is broken off; and of
356
Journal o f Banking, Currency, and Finance.
this sort, six of their small beads, -which they make with holes to string their bracelets,
are current with the English for a penny. The second is black, inclining to blue, which
is made of the shell of a fish, which some English call hens—poquahoek ; and of this
sort, three make an English penny. One fathom of this their stringed money is worth
five shillings.”
UNITED STATES TREA SU R E R ’ S STATEM EN T, JANUARY 2 6, 1852.
t r e a s u r e r 's s t a t e m e n t , s h o w in g
th e
amount
at
h is
o e e d it
in
the
tr e a su r y, w it h
ASSISTANT TREASURERS AND DESIGNATED DEPOSITARIES, AND IN THE MINT AND BRANCHES,
B Y RETURNS RECEIVED TO MONDAY, JANUARY
26, 1852,
THE AMOUNT FOR W H ICH DRAFTS
HAVE BEEN ISSUED BUT W ER E THEN UNPAID, AND THE AMOUNT THEN REMAINING SUBJECT
TO DRAFT.
SHOWING, ALSO, THE AMOUNT OF FUTURE TRANSFERS TO AND FROM DEPOSITA
R IES, AS ORDERED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY.
Amount on
Treasury of United States, Washington...
Assistant Treasurer, Boston, Mass..............
Assistant Treasurer, New York, N. Y ........
Assistant Treasurer, Philadelphia, Pa........
Assistant Treasurer, Charleston, S. C.........
Assistant Treasurer, New Orleans, L a . __
Assistant Treasurer, St. Louis, Mo..............
Depositary at Buffalo, New York...............
Depositary at Baltimore, Maryland............
Depositary at Richmond, Virginia..............
Depositary at Norfolk, Virginia..................
Depositary at Wilmington, North Carolina.
Depositary at Savannah, Georgia...............
Depositary at Mobile, Alabama..................
Depositary at Nashville, Tennessee ..........
Depositary at Cincinnati, Ohio...................
Depositary at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania__ _
Depositary at Cincinnati, (late)...................
Depositary at San Francisco......................
Depositary at Little Rock, Arkansas.........
Depositary at Jeffersonville, Indiana..........
Depositary at Chicago, Illinois....................
Depositary at Detroit, Michigan................
Depositary at Tallahassee, Florida.............
Suspense account.........................$2,486 66
Mint of the U. S., Philadelphia, Penn.......
Branch Mint of U. S., Charlotte, N. C........
Branch Mint of U. S., Dahlonega, Ga.........
Branch Mint of U. S., New Orleans, L a .. . .
Drafts
heretofore drawn
but not yet paid,
Amount
deposit.
though payable, subi. to draft.
$187,834 90 $14,487 57 $173,347 33
650,850 67
68,600 08 582,250 59
1,561,850 85 238,564 95 1,323,285 90
687,109 06
57,282 99 629,826 07
111,458 18
34,567 70
76,890 48
405,162 50 244,924 83 160,237 67
625,514 52
78,864 60 446,649 92
108,767 73
513 35 108,254 38
35,062 19
5,940 61
29,121 58
20,958 96
637 00
20,321 96
54,994 14
118,385 04
63,390 90
2,024 63
2,024 63
55,375 67
2,228 00
63,147 67
41,345 03
5,762 84
35,582 19
40,346 14
1,602 72
38,743 42
19,603 38
1,765 75
17,837 63
1,624 87
1,437 51
187 36
3,301 37
3,301 37
549,391 09 345,662 75 203,728 34
38,242 71
9,775 76
28,466 95
65,066 55
17,402 69
47,663 86
53,446 09
6,452 52
46,993 57
51,568 44
10,123 68
41,444 76
17,873 56
4,315 00
13,558 56
2,486 66
5,684,690 00
5,684,690 00
32,000 00
32,000 00
26,850 00
26,850 00
960,000 00 200,000 00 760,000 00
Total.................................................... 12,055,704 13 1,410,418 13 10,647,772 46
Deduct suspense account...................................................................
2,486 66
Add difference in transfers..............................................................
$10,645,285 80
1,481,460 00
Net amount subject to draft............................................................. $12,126,745 80
Transfers ordered to Treasury of the United States, Washington.
Transfers ordered to Assistant Treasurer, New York....................
Transfers ordered to Assistant Treasurer, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Transfers ordered to Assistant Treasurer, St. Louis, Missouri.......
Transfers ordered to Depositary at Norfolk, Virginia......................
$360,000 00
400,000 00
575,000 00
50,000 00
120,000 00
$1,505,000 00
Transfers ordered from Mint of the United States, Philadel., Pa..
23,540 00
357
Commercial Statistics.
COM M ERCIAL STATISTICS.
IMPORTS AT NEW YORK.
The imports at New York, of the under-mentioned articles, for the three years past,
from January 1, to December 31, have been as follows:—
Articles.
Brandy.................... hf. pipes
Brandy....... qr., casks, bbls.
Coal. ................................tons
Cochineal.......................... cases
C ocoa................................ bags
Coffee........................................
Cotton............................... bales
D u c k ........................................
D u c k .............................. pieces
Earthenware. . . .cts., & casks
F i g s . . ............................ drums
G in ...................................pipes
H e m p ...............................bales
H em p.................................tons
Hides................................ bales
Hides....................................No.
Iron, bar............................ tons
Iron, pig...................................
Iron............ r .................... bdls.
In digo.............................. cases
I n d ig o ....................... ceroons
Lead................................... pigs
Molasses........................... hhds.
Molasses.........................tierces
Molasses............................bbls.
Olive Oil...........................casks
Olive Oil......... boxes <Ss bskts.
Pepper...............................bags
Pimento___ ■...........................
B a g s ................................. bales
R a i s i n s . . . . . .................. casks
Raisins.............................boxes
Raisins............................drums
R ice................................ tierces
R u m ........................puncheons
S a lt .............................. bushels
Saltpetre............................bags
Sugar..................
hhds.
S u g a r.............................tierces
Sugar.................................bbls.
Sugar............................... boxes
Sugar.................................bags
Tin...............
slabs
Tin.................... plates it bxs.
Tobacco............................ hhds.
Tobacco................... bales, Ac.
Wines............... butts & pipes
Wines.......... hhds. & hf. pipes
Wines...............quarter casks
W ines................................bbls.
Wines............................... boxes
W o o l................
bales
Foreign
Coastwise.
1851.
Total.
1850.
1851.
13,970
381
33,340
560
57,896
. . . .
2,196
3
8,182
1,442
495,012
62,331
930
456,637
470
280
2,710
11,237
39,427
127
191,537
77,350
4,9S7
13
41,645
19,476
1,289
112
772
326
1,132,154
203,628
51,47 8
1,227
50,138
3,680
673,880
6,207
1,772
286
729
3
310,458
176,538
72,972
12,650
4,402
1,247
4,130
39,797
1,414
. . . .
26,805
152
..................
5,684
13,292
2,004
25,894
3,844
24,243
1,035
460,677
32,041
2,076
960
..................
42,433
1,176
81
2,269,590
10,180
46,952
5,687
126,019
21,448
1,666
58
8,089
36,268
189,499
3,599
155,076
13,733
11,951
8,544
314,643
1,000
252
14,827
27,222
428
2
1,371
17,279
401
42,040
917
9,371
720
69,774
1,514
39,166
10,692
14,351
33,900
57,896
2,201
9,624
557,343
457,567
700
13,947
39,554
268,887
5,000
61,121
1,401
1,098
1,335,782
52,405
53,818
679,587
2,058
732
486,996
85,622
5,649
43,927
1,414
26,957
5,684
15,296
29,738
25,278
492,718
3,036
42,433
1,257
2,279,770
52,640
147,467
1,724
44,357
193,098
168,809
20,495
315,643
15,079
27,650
1,373
17,680
42,957
10,091
71,288
49,858
Total.
1850.
17,327
80,796
80.054
1,350
11,514
382,986
451,164
772
7,687
34,579
119,298
3,643
63,773
749
692
1,436,070
54,746
43,089
506,223
1,949
1,426
443,931
68,816
5,645
46,320
709
60,146
61,087
12,857
34,218
9,319
363,293
2,095
40,717
1,821
1,986,570
13,521
116,848
1,811
35,019
132,814
61,260
39,689
275,527
16,391
27,873
3,518
16,655
49,221
11,936
49,584
34,138
358
Commercial Statistics.
THE TOBACCO TRADE.
From the annual circular of Messrs. Charles D. De Ford & G o., of Baltimore,
dated February 2, 1852, we compile the following statement of the tobacco trade in
that city and for the United States:—
STATEMENT OF MANUFACTURED TOBACCO.
Stock in
factors’ hands.
Receipts.
Stock for
the year.
11,000
Sales.
January 1, 1848 .........packages
11,000
54,000
48,000
1849 .........................
23,000
46.000
69,000
60,000
1850 .........................
9,000
50,000
59,000
41,000
1851 ......................
12,000
51,000
' 63,000
50,000
1852 .....................
13,000
.........
.........
.........
The stock of manufactured tobacco in factors’ hands in Baltimore, at the above date,
it will be seen, is 1,000 packages m o r e than at the same time last year, and less by
1,800 packages than the average for the past five years.
The following list presents the extreme prices of manufactured tobacco last year and at
this date, which are n o m i n a l :—
Fancy . . . .lb. lumps
Unchanged. Fine 5’s <fc8’s.. .lb. l’ps 28 a 30 to 19 a 22c.
E x tra ....................... 30 a 35 to 25 a 30c. Good 5’s & 8's. .lump 20 a 25 to 14 a 17c.
Fine..........................
28 a 30 to 20 a 25c. Common 8’s.............. 18 a 20 to 10 a 13c.
Good......................... 23 a 28 to 15 a 20c. Com. 16’s, 18’s, & 20’s 15 a 16 to 9 a 10c.
Common................... 19 a 22 to 10 a 12c.
The stock of manufactured tobacco in factors’ hands in the United States, at this
date, may be safely estimated at 10,000 packages, and is not well assorted to meet
the spring trade.
The gradual decline in the price of manufactured tobacco has deterred dealers, for
several months past, from purchasing more than sufficient to fill their orders, and we
do not think they will alter their course before the autumn trade. In the unsettled
condition o f the market, stocks must increase in factors’ hands, and may have an unfa
vorable influence on prices, as in 1848 and 1849.
W e do not consider the quantity of manufactured tobacco from 80,000 hhds. of Vir
ginia tobacco more than adequate to meet the wants of the various markets, and leave
the necessary stock in factors’ hands at the close of the year.
After a full review of the markets in this country and Europe, with a comparison of
the s t o c k s of leaf and manufactured tobacco— the probable crops to come into the
market, and the consumption— we are induced to express our opinion that the down
ward tendency of those articles is not justified by the a c tu a l condition of the markets,
or by the facts which alone should govern prices.
INSPECTIONS OF LEAF TOBACCO.
Amount of tobacco on hand in warehouses in Baltimore and on shipboard,
January 1, 1851....................................................................................... hhds.
Amount insp cted, 1851.......................................................................................
Stocks by inspections................................................................................
Received from Dist. of Colurn., not inspected here, but included in shipm’ts
Shipped to foreign ports, 1851............................................................................
Shipped coastwise and for home consumption, 1851........................................
Total...........................................................................................................
On hand January 1st, 1852................................................................ .
The kinds inspected during the year 1851:—
Maryland.......................................................................................................hhds.
Ohio.........................................................................................................................
Kentucky................................................................................................................
Pennsylvania...................................................................................................... >
Virginia
......................................................................................................... j
Total
10,611
42,142
53,359
651
34,124
2,548
31,329
16,030
25,013
16,798
878
53
42,142
359
Commercial Statistics.
The shipments to foreign ports for 1851, are as follows :—
12,654 Russia............................... hhds.
Hamburg....................................
4,154 West Indies...............................
Africa..................................................
Bremen........................... •hhds.
Rotterdam.......................
Amsterdam^................. ...........
France........................... .
Spain...............................
Austria..........................
England..........................
Total.......................................
602
175
166
24
34,124
TABLE OF LEAF TOBACCO INSPECTIONS IN BALTIMORE, FOR THE LAST FIVE TEARS.
Years.
Maryland.
Ohi®.
.....................hhds.
.............................
.............................
.............................
.............................
34,680
23,490
30,689
27,085
25,013
15,219
9,702
13,664
13,965
16,798
772
703
1,248
783
931
50,571
33,906
45,601
41,833
42,742
Average for past 5 yrs.
28,171
13,869
887
42,930
1847
1848
1849
1850
1851
Ky. & oth. kinds.
Total.
EXPORTS OF LEAF TOBACCO FROM THE PORT OF BALTIMORE FOR T B E LAST F IV E YEARS.
Years.
Bremen. Rotterdam. Amsterdam. France. Other piacfes.
1847 .....................hhds.
1848 ...............................
1849 ...............................
1850 ...............................
1851 ...............................
22,967
7,819
12,787 7,910
18,821 13,783
15,864 7,814
12,654 9,694
Average for past 5 yrs.
16,018
9,404
STATEMENT OF
Total.
11,888
8,103
8,725
5,973
4,154
9,413
4,959
9,562
8,177
2,327
1,895
131
1,033
6,540
5,292
53,482
38,890
51,924
44,368
34,124
6,668
6,887
2,978
44,557
LEAF TOBACCO.
Stocks of leaf tobacco in Europe, December 31st, 1851 ...................hhds.
Ditto in United States, December 31st, 1851.................................................
61,000
38,000
Total stock in hand December 31st, 1852................................................
99,000
Estimate for the crop to come in 1852, as follows, v iz :—
Maryland and Ohio..................................................................hhds.
Virginia.............................................................................................
Kentucky and other Western States.............................................
Total crop ...............................................................................
40,000
39,000
75,000
............
164,000
Total stock for 1852............................................................................
Consumption of Europe for 1852............................................................ hhds.
Consumption of the United States—Maryland Ohio.................
5,000
Ditto, Virginia,.................................................................................
28,000
Ditto, Kentucky................................................................................
18,000
T o ta l.........................................................................................
.......... .
253,000
120,000
Total.....................................................................................................
Stock in Europe and in the United States, January 1st, 1852.....................
171,000
82,000
51,000
By reference to our circular of last year, it will he seen that our estimate of the
whole crop of tobacco in the United States for the year 1851, was 128,000 hhds., and
is about the quantity produced, although the a c tu a l inspections amount to 138,000 hhds.,
in c lu d in g all the tobacco r e im p e c t e d . It will be observed that at this date there remain
in first hands less by 9,000 hhds. in Europe, and 2,000 hhds. in the United States, than
at the commencement of 1851.
The demand for cl ewing tobacco in the United States, manufactured from Virginia,
leaf tobacco, is inert a-trig, and has this year reduced the exports from Virginia to 4,420
Including 350 hogsheads shipped via New York.
Commercial Statistics.
360
hhds., and the entire crop, in a few years, will be required for the home manufacturers.
It is worthy of remark, that, in consequence of the gradual advance in the price of
Virginia manufactured tobacco, they have begun in the Western States to manufacture out
of Kentucky and Missouri leaf. Virginia manufactured tobacco will be found^throwing out
of view extreme prices resulting from a peculiar state of the market, to have gradually
and regularly advanced in price since 1830. From 5,000 to 10,000 hhds. of Kentucky
and Missouri leaf are required by the manufactories in the Western States for chewing
tobacco, about half of which is of the finest grade.
SUGAR TRADE OF THE UNITED STATES.
For the subjoined statement of imports, exports, stocks, and consumption of sugar,
from 1st o f January, 1801, to 31st December, 1851, we are indebted to the New York
S h ip p in g L i s t : —
RECEIPTS OF FOREIGN, FROM 1ST JANUARY, 1 8 5 1 , TO 31S T DECEMBER, 1 8 5 1 .
Hhds. & tcs.
Barrels.
Boxes.
Bags.
A t New Y o r k ........................................
Boston................................................
Philadelphia.....................................
Baltimore...........................................
New Orleans.....................................
Other ports........................................
127,667
11,571
27,648
17,044
350
6,168
8,257
1,223
5,085
2,542
188,411
82,906
34,971
3,597
28,619
11,071
154,954
88,126
53,907
8,310
Total receipts in United States..........
Add stock at all the ports, Jan. 1,1851.
190,448
3,525
17,427
349,575
20,261
310,617
7,102
1,986
Total supply............................................
Deduct export from all the ports in 1851
193,973
2,951
17,427
2,904
369,836
6,542
317,719
1,344
1,986
191,022
9,367
14,523
Deduct stock at all the ports, Jan. 1, ’52
363,294
31,446
316,375
27,425
1,986
303
321
Cases.
303
,,,,
....
1,683
5,320
....
—
Total consumption of foreign............ 181,655
14,523 331,848 288,950 1,683
Or about....................................................
tons
201,405
Add crop of 1850-51, Louisiana, Texas, <fcc., the bulk of which came to
market in 1851, and assuming the stock, 1st of January, each year, to
be equal......................................................................................................tons
120,331
Would make the total consumption in the United States, from January 1,
1851, to December 31 ,18 5 1 .................................................................. tons
Consumption of foreign in 1850.........................................................................
Add crop of Louisiana, Texas, Florida, &o., 1849-50.....................................
321,*736
160,210
141,592
Would make the total consumption of 1850..................................................
Excess in 1851......................................................................................................
301,802
19,934
STOCK 1ST
OF
JANUARY.
,- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1852.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - v- - - - - - - - - 1851.- - - - - - - - - - ,
Ports.
Hhds., &c.
Bxs.
Bags. Cases. Hhds., &e.
A t New Y ork......................... 4,141
13,512 26,105 303
Boston.................................
774
10,013
........
7,541
1,320 . . .
Philadelphia..................... 1,852
Baltimore...........................
250
................................
New Orleans.............................................................................
Other ports.........................
350
400
........
Total s to ck .................
9,367
31,466
27,425
303
1,213
400
1,287
600
.......
425
Bxs.
Bags.
8,835 3,798
7,514 3,054
2,900
250
....................
700
___
312
____
3,525 20,261
7,102
The above statement we believe to be a correct exhibit of the quantity of raw,
clayed, <Stc., sugar, taken from the ports for consumption in the country. It will be ob
served, we do not include the receipts of European refined sugar, being unable to
361
Commercial Statistics.
obtain any reliable data for them, and we do not embrace in our exports any foreign
or domestic refined sugar, having confined ourselves wholly to the descriptions noticed.
The quantity of sugar made here from molasses is large, and the production of the
maple tree the last season is estimated at 17,500 tons.
PRICES OF COTTON IN LIVERPOOL IN 1851.
For the subjoined statement of the quotations of cotton wool in Liverpool, at the
close of each week in the year 1851, we are indebted to George Holt & Co., Cotton
Brokers, Liverpool. W e also annex, from the same reliable source, the weekly amount
of sales, and proportion on speculation at the close of each week.
JANUARY.
10th.
Upland, fa ir ............
New Orleans, fair ..
Sea Island...............
Pernambuco.............
Maranham...............
E gyptian.................
Surat........................
West India...............
17th.
Ha n
8*
8*
10* 20
8
9
n
8j
7* i i
4
6*
6
8*
7 fa
7*
10*
8
7
7
4
6
28,160
1,590
Amount of sales___
Proportion on speculation__
24th.
7#
8
20
9
8£
11
6*
8*
21,100
1,920
7 fa
31st.
7*
7* a 7*
n
s
n
n
10*
8
7
7
4
6
20
9
8f
11
6*
8*
10*
8
7
7
4
6
20
9
8*
11
6*
8
23,630
1,250
26,540
2,290
FEBRUARY.
Upland, fa ir ............
New Orleans, fair . .
Sea Isla n d...............
Pernambuco.............
Maranham...............
E gyptian .................
Surat........................
West India...............
7th .
14th.
'if a 7 f
7 a 7*
n
n
10
20
s i
n
7
7
4
6
Amount of sales. . .
Proportion on speculation. . .
8*
11
6*
8
23,350
1,720
n
10
7£
7
7
4
6
21st.
7 a 7*
H
n
n
20
8£
8*
10*
6*
8
10
7|
7
7
4
6
20
8£
8*
10*
6*
8
24,700
1,390
33,640
5,430
28th.
7 f a 7f7£
7£
10
20
7|
8£
7
8*
7
10*
4
6*
6
8
39,460
9,810
MARCH.
14th.
7th .
Upland, fa ir.............
New Orleans, fair . .
Sea Island...............
Pernambuco.............
Maranham...............
E gyptian .................
Surat.........................
West India...............
Amount of sales.. . .
Proportion on speculation.. .
7f a 7 f
7f
7£
10
20
8|
H
7
7
4
6
8*
10*
6*
8
35,640
6,560
21st.
28th.
7* a 7*
7*
7£
10
20
7*
8f
7
8*
7
10*
4
6*
6
8
7* a 7*
7f
7£
10
20
7£
8f
6£
Sf
7
10*
4
6*
6
8
31,180
2,990
42,630
10,100
7 f a 7*
n
n
10
7£
6£
7*
3£
6
20
8f
8f
10*
6*
8
47,710
14,360
AP R IL .
11th.
17th.
7* a 7*
7 a 7
4th .
Upland, fa ir.............
New Orleans, fair . .
Sea Island...............
Pernambuco.............
Maranham...............
Egyptian..................
Surat.........................
YVest India...............
Amount of sales....
Proportion on speculation. . .
7* a 7$
7f
7£
10
20
7*
8£
6|
8§
7
10*
3*
6*
6
8
37,380
4,420
H
10
n
e§
7
3*
6
H
20
s i
8}
10
6*
8
28,600
1,600
25th.
6|a 6 f
n
n
n
n
10
7*
6f
7
3*
6
20
8*
8*
10
6*
8
10
20
s*
8*
10
6*
8
25,400
2,560
n
6f
7
3*
6
28,770
2,700
362
Commercial Statistics.
MAY.
2d.
Upland, fair............ ..pence
6Ja 6 f
New Orleans, fair .
1
• 6*
Sea Island.............
. 10
20
Pernambuco...........
.
n
Maranham.............
Si
•
Egyptian................
.
7
10
Surat.......................
H
•
H
West India.............
8
Amount o f sales .. ...b a les
Proportion on speculation.
16th.
9th. '
6 a 6!f
5 } a 51
6f
6-J• 61
61
10
20
10
20
7
81
7i
Si
6*
11
61
71
6 f 10
61 10
3
5|;
3
6f
6
8
6
8
29,050
3,510
32,100
3,010
45,750
8,120
23d.
5f a 5f
6f
61
10
20
7
81
61
71
6
10
21
51
6
8
30th.
5 } a 51
6#
61
9
20
7
81
61
71
6
10
21
61
6
8
41,270
4,860
51,080
5,040
JUNE.
Upland, fa ir ...........
New Orleans, fa ir..
Sea Island...............
Pernambuco...........
Maranham.............
E gyptian...............
Surat......................
West India.............
Amount of sales...
Proportion on speculation.
6th.
5 f a 5|
6f
61
9
20
1
8i
6i
n
6
10
21
5i
6
8
13th.
5 1a 6
61
6}
9
20
7
81
61
71
6
10
21
51
6
8
20th.
5f a 6
61
61
9
20
6f
§1
51
8
6
91
21
51
6
8
27th.
& 5-J
61
61
9
20
61
81
51
8
51
91
21
5
6
8
45,230
4,630
46,810
3,200
53,600
8,010
34,350
1,450
4th.
Bf a 6 i
6
6i
9
20
61
81
51
8
51
9
21
4£
51
8
11th.
51a 5 f
51
6
81 20
6
81
5
8
51
9
21
41
51
8
18th.
51a 5 f
51
6
81 20
6
81
5
8
51
9
21
41
51
8
25th
51 a 6 f
61
51
8
20
6
8
5
71
51
9
21
41
51
71
30,670
1,200
34,230
1,300
39,210
470
45,620
1,480
JULY.
U pland, la ir ..........
New Orleans, fa ir..
Sea Island...............
Pernambuco .........
Maranham..............
Egyptian................
Surat.......................
West India.............
Amount of sales...
Proportion on speculation.
AUGUST.
Upland, fa ir ...........
New Orleans, fair..
Sea Island...............
Pernambuco...........
Maranham.............
Egyptian................
Surat......................
West India.............
,pence
Amount of sales...
Proportion on speculation.
1st.
51 a 5 f
H
5f
8
20
6
8
5
7f
51
9
21
41
51
71
8th,
51 a 5 f
5f
5f
8
20
8
6
71
5
9
51
41
21
71
61
15th.
61 a 51
51
6f
8
21
6f
8
4f
71
5
9
21
41
51
71
22d.
61 a 5 f
5f
5f
8
21
51
8
4f
71
5
9
21
41
51
71
29th.
5 f a 51
51
6
8
21
51
8
41
71
61
9
21
41
51
71
69,770
9,830
59,190
8,570
47,090
7,830
67,980
10,270
57,270
14,290
12th.
51 a 51
5-J 6
9 21
6
81
5
8
51 9
21 4 f
51 71
19th.
51 a 51
51 6
9 21
6
81
5
8
51 9
21 41
51 71
26th.
5| a 51
51 6
9 21
6
81
5
8
51 9
21 4 }
61 71
61,640
10,480
36,860
2,320
39.360
3,580
SEPTEMBER.
5th.
Upland, fa ir ..........
New Orleans, fa ir..
Sea Island...............
Pernambuco...........
Maranham...............
Egyptian................
Surat.......................
West India.............
Amount o f sales...
Proportion on speculation
5J
....
___
H
8
7-1
21
61
41
71
3,580
363
Commercial Statistics.
OCTOBER.
8th.
17 th.
24th.
Upland, fa ir .............pence
New Orleans, fair...............
Sea Island.........................
Pernambuco.......................
Maranham.........................
E gyptian...........................
Surat...................................
West India........................
3d.
5| a 51
5£ 6
9 21
6
81
5
8
51 9
21 4|
61 n
5 fa 5 1
5£ 6
9 21
6
81
5
8
51 9
21 4 f
51 n
51 a 5 f
6 f 5£
91 21
6
8
4 f Vf
5
9
21 41
5
V
5 a 6J5 f 51
101 21
6
8
41 Vf
5
9
21 41
5
V
31st.
5 a5
51 51
101 21
6
8
41 Vf
5
9
21 41
5
V
Amount of sales.. . .bales
Proportion on speculation.
33,680
2,900
29,990
1,820
29,610
680
40,940
1,960
46,100
1,850
5 a 51
51 5 f
101 22
6
8
41 VI
51 9
21 41
5
V
NOVEMBER.
7th.
14th.
Upland, fair..........................
New Orleans, fair...................
Sea Ldand.............................
Pernambuco...........................
Maranham.........................
Egyptian................................
Surat .....................................
West India.............................
5 a5
51 51
101 21
6
8
4£ VI
5
9
21 41
5
V
5 a5
51 51
101 21
6
8
4 f VI
5
9
21 41
5
V
21st.
5 a5
51 51
101 21
6
8
41 Vf
5
9
21 41
5
V
Amount of sales....................
Proportion on speculation...
58,820
5,880
V0,640
15,550
40,650
6,960
28th.
59,240
H,390
DECEMBER.
5th.
12th.
19th.
24th.
Upland, fair............................
New Orleans, fa ir .................
Sea Island.............................
Pernambuco...........................
Maranham..............................
Egyptian................................
Surat...........................
West India.............................
5 a 51
51 51
101 22
6
8
41 VI
51 9
21 41
5
V
a5
51 51
11 22
5 f Vi
41 VI
5
9
21 41
5
V
4J a 5
5
51
10 22
61 VI
41 VI
5
9
21 41
41 V
41 a 5
5
51
10 22
51 Vi
41 VI
5
9
21 41
41 V
Amount of sales....................
Proportion on speculation...
39,3V0
8,710
31.V80
6,380
28,030
6,120
4 -}
34,360
5,920
THE WHALE FISHERY OF THE UNITED STATES,
We have published in former volumes of the M e r c h a n ts ' M a g a z in e , full statistics of
the whale fishery of the Uuited States, and we now copy from the W h a le m a n 's S h i p
p i n g L i s t (New Bedford) a full and interesting summary of the whale fishery for the
year 1851, together with complete tables of exports and imports of oil. The state
ments of the S h i p p i n g L i s t upon this subject may be confidently relied upon :—
Notwithstanding many disasters, a reference to these tables will show that 1851 has
been a year of great prosperity to the trade. The number of arrivals has been very
large, and the aggregate of oil imported greater than in any year since 1847, notwith
standing which, the prices for all varieties have been well sustained, and the market
active.
1he amount of tonnage employed in the trade has been considerably increased
during the last year, in t-pite of numerous losses in the Arctic seas. The number of
vessels employed in the service at present is as follows, namely :— 558 ships and barks,
27 brigs, and 35 schooners, being an increase over last year of 56 ships, 3 brigs, and 8
schooners. This number is large, but it still falls below that of 1846, when there were
678 ships, 35 brigs, and 22 schooners in the trade.
The intelligence from the Arctic fleet, in 1851, has been of a disastrous character,
for, in addition to a very considerable loss of shipping, the average catchings
have been smaller than in any previous year. This will seriously affect the importa
tions of whale oil in 1852; and from the best estimate which we can now make, the
Commercial Statistics.
364
amount during the present will hardly exceed 100,000 barrels, and may fall considera
bly below that figure. In addition to this, the accounts from the sperm whale fishery
are not encouraging, and there is a probable prospect that importations during the
year to come will not exceed 65,000 barrels.
The general conclusion to which we come is, that the business has been pushed, by
the enterprise of our merchants, to nearly if not quite its utmost limits, unless new
grounds are discovered, which does not at present seem probable. Still the prospect
of a fair remuneration and return to those now engaged in it is good, though the policy
of extended investment would be very doubtful.
IMPORTATIONS OF SPEEM AND W H ALE
OIL, AND WHALEBONE, INTO
THE
UNITED
1851.
Ships and Brigs and Sperm Oil. Whale Oil.
Bbls.
Barks Schooners. Bbls.
89
5
45,150
155,711
13
9,480
15,385
1
48
14
2
7
4,040
1,769
3
2
1,747
2,581
STATES
in
Ports.
New Bedford...........................
Fairhaven.................................
W estport.................................
Mattapoisett............................
District of New Bedford........
Edgartown................................
Nantucket..................................
Falmouth.................................
B oston .....................................
Beverly.....................................
Lynn.........................................
Warren.....................................
Newport...................................
Stoningtou.................................
Mystic........................................
New London...........................
Sag H arbor.............................
Greenport..................................
Cold Spring..............................
New Y o r k ...............................
112
3
13
1
1
6
..
1
1
2
8
6
26
4
7
4
2
10
2
..
24
6
1
..
..
..
,.
2
,,
..
..
3
1
1
1
Truro..........................................
Total in 1851...................
Imports for 1850...........................
“
1849 .........................
“
1848 .........................
“
1847 .........................
“
1846 .........................
“
1845 .........................
“
1844 .........................
“
1843 .........................
“
1842 .........................
“
1841 .........................
Average for 11 years...........
197
60,565
2,874
16,601
.........
2,911
6,842
250
135
168
1,262
1,310
163
2,914
133
839
217
2,042
60
175
210
175,460
3,810
3,385
2,719
229
280
___
2,740
2,789
1,765
15,859
15,757
67,508
11,066
13,486
11,591
___
Whalebone.
Pounds.
2,349,000
97,100
14,400
12,000
2,473,400
44,000
38,000
24,300
9,300
... . .
28,700
59,100
12,200
125,000
168,800
609,000
67,200
115,100
130,000
42,400
8
___
51
99,591
318,483
Sperm Oil.
Whale Oil.
Barrels.
Barrels.
200,608
92,892
248,492
100,944
280,656
107,976
313,150
120,753
207,493
99,217
157,917
272,730
139,594
262,047
166,985
206,727
161,041
165,637
159,304
207,348
244,434
128,793
3,916,500
Whalebone.
Pounds.
2,869,200
2,281,100
2,003,000
3,341,680
2,276,939
3,167,142
2,532,445
2,000,000
1,600,000
2,000,000
2,544,364
1851.
127,581
To Rotterdam............. gallons
145,251
Amsterdam........................
EXPORTS OF W H A LE OIL FROM THE PORT OF N E W BEDFORD IN
To Bremen...................gallons
Falmouth, (Eng.,) & a m art
S tettin ...............................
Total exports in 1851___
“
“ 1 8 5 0....
“
“ 1849___
“
“ 1848___
“
“ 1847___
“
“ 1 8 4 6....
345,353
107,693
87,423
r
813,401
109,451
233,775
538,446
309,487
1,004,661
<
265
Commercial Statistics.
EXPORTS FROM BOSTON IN
Sperm Oil...................... gallons
1851.
43,797 | Whale O il..................... gallons
New Bedford...........................
Fairhaven...............................
Mattapoisett............................
Westport.................................
Nantucket...............................
Edgartow n.............................
Other places, (estimate).........
T o ta l..................... *.____
108,179
1, 1852.
STATEMENT OF THE STOCK OF W H A LE OIL ON HAND, JAN U ARY
Sperm Oil.
7,500
1,850
500
3,400
4,000
Whale Oil.
19,500
4,500
17,250
36,500
2,200
1,300
9,000
Of the stock of whalebone on hand, January 1, 1852, we have been unable to form
any estimate. The following table will show the amount of oil and whalebone on
hand from 1851 to 1845, inclusive:—
Pperm Oil.
Barrels.
January 1, 1851.........................
1850........................
1849.........................
1848........................ .........
1847........................ ........
1846........................ ........
1845........................ .........
Whale Oil.
Barrels.
W’ halebone.
Pounds.
14,062
13,000
20,936
29,126
7,775
5,221
12,950
5,696
14,613
40,701
32,992
242,000
400,000
934,600
921,500
112,800
211,000
unknown
COMMERCE OF ALBANY,
The Albany E v e n in g J o u r n a l furnishes from the books of the harbor master the num
ber of vessels arriving at the port of Albany, during the year 1851; and their esti
mated tonnage, to which we annex the figures of the previous season:—
1850.
Number.
Tons.
1851.
Number.
Schooners..........................
Sloops............................... .
Barges................................
Steamers...........................
Propellers.........................
Scows.................................
Brigs...................................
25,100
19’594
17,542
16,234
898
800
380
322
301
129
42
8
12
Total................
80,548
814
Tons.
25,600
18,182
18,500
16,574
1,324
630
...
80,810
Although the returns show a decrease in the number of vessels ascending and de
scending the river, there is a slight increase in the aggregate tonnage of the past, over
the previous season.
The following is the total amount of tonnage for each year since 1837 :—
1838
...............................tons. 36.721 1845
.............................. tons. 70.985
1839
...................................... 40,369 1846
...................................... 71,011
1840
...................................... 89,416 1847
...................................... 97,019
...................................... 77,983
...................................... 50,797 1848
1841
...................................... 79,122
1842
...................................... 49,356 1849
1843
...................................... 55,354 1850
...................................... 80,548
1844
...................................... 65,507 1851
...................................... 80,810
During the greater part of last year freights were abundant, and all description of
vessels were kept in service. Sail vessels made more trips, and remunerating prices
were paid. To show the dispatch, we give the movements of a single propeller, as
shown by the books of the agent, G. M. Griffin. The propeller Albany, rated at 235
tons, made, between April 8th and December 12th, 32 trips between Hartford and
this city— distance 680 miles ; making in the aggregate for the season, her running at
22,000 miles. Her cargoes have averaged 285 tons. This multiplied by the number
of trips, shows an aggregate o f 9,121 tons.
366
Commercial Statistics.
EXPORTS FROM THE PORT OF NEW YORK IN 1S51.
1851.
Specie and
bullion.
$1,266,281
1,007.689
2 368,861
3,482,182
4,206,135
6,462.367
6,004,170
2,673,444
3,490,142
1,779,707
6,033,996
MONTHLY SUMMARY OF EXPORTS FROM THE PORT OF NEW YORK FOR THE YE AR
Mouths.
January.................
February................
March......................
A pril.......................
M ay.........................
J u n e.......................
J u l y .......................
August....................
September..............
October...................
November..............
Domestic
merchandise.
$3,152,744
2,585,786
3,976,198
4,561,770
4.402,052
3,778,289
3,188.027
3.259.594
2.593,986
2,702,382
2,451,511
Total...................
$36,642,460
Foreign merchandise.
Dutiable.
Free.
$51,584
$422,395
60,930
295,567
316,494
29.121
320,981
60,904
361,015
113,371
56,435
265,290
2,311
284,397
22,974
334,549
134,271
316,047
106,626
358,292
62,368
397,597
$4,072,628
$689,995
$36,774,924
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS OF THE UNITED STATES IN 1850.
The subjoined statement of the agricultural productions of the several States, etc.,
is derived from an official copy of the United States census for 1850:—
Acres
of land
States.
Maine.........................
New Hampshire.. . .
V erm ont...................
Massachusetts...........
Rhode Island............
Connecticut...............
New Y ork.................
New Jersey...............
Pennsylvania.............
Delaware .................
Maryland...................
District of Columbia.
Virginia.....................
North Carolina..........
South Carolina........
Georgia......................
Florida.......................
Alabam a...................
Mississippi ...............
Louisiana...................
Texas.........................
Arkansas...................
Tennessee .................
O hio...........................
Michigan...................
Indiana......................
Illinois.........................
Missouri.....................
Io w a ..........................
W isconsin.................
California...................
Minnesota.................
Oregon.......................
U tali..........................
New M e x ico .............
Total
improved.
2,019,593
2,251.388
2,322,923
2,127,924
337,672
1,734.277
12,285,077
1,770,337
8,619,631
524,364
2,797,905
17.083
10,150 106
5,443.137
4,074,855
6,323,4 26
349,423
4,387,088
3,489,640
1,567,998
635,913
780,333
5,087,057
6,068,633
9,730,650
1,923,582
5.019,822
5,114.041
2.911,422
814,173
1,011,308
34,312
5,035
135,357
15,219
161,296
Value o f
farming im-
plements and
machinery.
$2,363,517
2,314,125
2,774,959
3,173,809
473,385
2,043,026
22,217,563
4,267,124
14,931,993
471,385
2,463,443
40,220
7,021,658
4,056,006
4,14 3,709
5,901,050
675,885
5,066,814
5,759,738
11,326,310
2,095.308
1,594,941
5,351.178
5,388,092
12,716,153
2,764,171
6,748,722
6,349,826
8,977,449
1,202,978
1,701,047
88,593
15,981
183,403
78,495
78,217
Value of
live slock.
$9,831,488
8,871,901
11,292,748
9,619,964
1,4 06.636
7,353,996
74,672,356
10,678,264
42,146,711
1,718,386
7,997,634
71,573
3.3,607,962
17,837,108
15,060,015
25,727,408
2,945,668
81,558,686
19,303,593
10,983,508
10,263,086
6,728,254
29,134,193
29,898,386
43,276,187
8,005,429
22,398,965
24,817.954
19,764.672
3,602,769
4,594,717
3,456,725
103.859
1,875,989
533,951
1,504,497
Bushels
o f wheat.
367,980
185.658
493.666
29,784
39
40,167
13,073,357
1,508,216
15,482.191
466,784
4,494,680
17,370
14,516,950
2,147,899
1,066,278
1,085,7 S4
1.225
292,4 29
215,181
84
42,448
193,902
1.63-8.470
2,184.763
14,967,056
4,918,706
6,626,474
9,433,965
2,943,840
1,442,074
4,292.208
98,282
3.422
228.882
103,401
196,575
Bushels o f
Indian
corn.
1,741,715
1,573,670
1,625.776
2,326.167
516,133
1,996,462
17.844,808
8,605,396
19,707,702
2,888,896
11,104.631
65.280
35.538.582
28,286,999
16,272,308
30,428,540
1,993.462
28,485.966
21,836,154
10,915.051
5,796,735
8 857.296
52,137.863
58,922.788
59.788,750
5.620.215
52.887,564
57.179.283
35,709,042
8,475,027
1,983,378
90,082
Id.665
2.928
9,144
355.795
112,042,000 151,820,273 652,705,238 104,799,230 591,586,053
<
867
Commercial Statistics.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS OF THE UNITED STATES---- CONTINUED.
States.
M aine...............
N. Hampshire .
Vermont...........
Massachusetts..
Rhode Island ..
Connecticut. . . .
New York . . . .
New Jersey . . .
Pennsylvania...
Delaware.........
Maryland........
Dis. o f Columbia
Virginia...........
North Carolina.
South Carolina.
Georgia............
Florida___ . . .
Alabam a..........
Mississippi . . . .
Louisiana.........
Texas ...............
Arkansas...........
Tennessee........
Kentucky..........
O h io .................
Michigan..........
Indiana.............
Illinois.............
Missouri...........
Io w a .................
Wisconsin........
California..........
Minnesota........
O regon.............
Utah..................
New M exico...
Ginned
cotton,
Tobacco,
Wool,
bales of
Wine,
pouuds of. 40U lbs. each pounds of. gallons of.
1,366,866
306
50
1,108,476
35
3,492,087
140
119,306
576,736
4,122
842
111,937
1,383,932
512,529
3,346
70,222
10,021.507
6,483
375,932
517
857,619
4,784,367 23,839
52,887
85
21,199,281
477,438
2,099
15,000
863
56,516,492
2,767 2,850,909
4,280
10,801
915,289
12,058,147
98 028
73,235 300,901
487,243
3,680
420,123 494,023
988,802
664
982,584
45,078
23,235
10
163,605 560,360
14
637,829
48.349 494,774
301
556,057
23,922 163,034
105,393
60,770
55,945
122,118
94
224,164
10
64.987
181,427
20,144,380 192,635 1,840,833
204
55,765,259
1,669 2.246,168
4,202
10,480,967
10,089,607 44,834
2,225
2,047,364
1,443
1,035,146
5 2,602,763 13,004
844,129
8 2,129,139
2,343
17,038.364
1,635,182 10,193
2,012
420
363,398
768
68
243,065
1,000
4,800
260
325
29,596
8,897
1,118
32,641
2,053
....
Cheese,
Butter,
pounds of.
pounds of.
2,201,105
8,488.234
6.977,056
3,196,563
6,755,006
12,128,095
7,124,461
7,825,337
296,748
1,066,625
4,512,019
6,620,579
82,043,823 49,785,905
500,819
9,070,710
40,554,741
2,395,279
3,187
1,034,867
4,206,160
3,925
14,869
11,126,795
434,850
95,043
4,144,258
4,810
2,979,975
46,391
4,640,074
18,324
375,853
3,961,592
30,423
4,388,112
20,314
1,148
685,136
92,018
2,319,574
1,854,104
28,4-10
8,130,686
179,577
228,744
10,115,267
34,180,458 21,350,478
7,043,794
1,012,551
12,748,186
666,986
1,283,758
12,605.554
7,762,124
201,597
1,933,128
198,444
888,S16
440,961
705
150
1.100
211,734
36,030
74,064
82,646
101
5,887
Total............. 199,532,494 2,474,214 52,422,797 141,295 312,202,286 103,184,585
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS OF THE UNITED STATES— CONTINUED.
Hemp,
States.
Maine...................
New Hampshire..
V erm ont.............
Massachusetts. . .
Rhode Island.. . .
Connecticut.........
New Y ork...........
New Jersey........
Pennsylvania.. . .
Delaware.............
Maryland.............
Dist. of Columbia.
Virginia...............
North Carolina . .
South Carolina . .
Georgia...............
Florida.................
Hemp,
water-
Hay, dew-rotted rotted, Flaxseed,
tons of. tons of. tons of. bush. of.
794.780
362
. . .
....
598,854
94
763,579
307
645,749
5
72
73,353
499,706
9,775
3,714,734
81
20 53.824
429,119
12,353
1,826,265
686 43,627
173
30.159
16
838
145,070
63
2,816
1,974
370,177 3,450 1,149 53.333
145,180
13
478 38,183
25,427
11
23,427
585
2,620
. . . .
. . . .
. . .
Value
Cane sugar, o f home*
Maple sugar, hhds. of made manpounds of. 1.000 lbs. ufactures.
87,541
8510,998
1,292,429
393,455
261,589
5,159,641
768,596
210,076
26,098
37,781
188,995
10,310,764
1,277,170
5,886
110,350
2,218,644
755,104
32,809
47,740
111,828
75
1,223,905
2,166,073
27,448
2,008,884
i
150
909,546
200
1.273 1,888,093
50
47,411
74,362
. . .
368
States.
Alabam a........
Mississippi.. . .
Louisiana........
Texas...............
Arkansas..........
Tennessee . . . .
Kentucky........
Ohio................. . .
Michigan.........
Indiana...........
Illinois..............
Missouri...........
Iow a ................
Wisconsin . . . .
California........
Minnesota . . . .
Oregon.............
Utah................
New Mexico . .
Commercial Statistics.
Hemp,
Value
Hemp, waterCane sugar, o f home
Hay, dew-roited rotted, Flaxseed, Maple sugar, bhds. of made mantons of. Lons of. tons of. bush. of. pounds of. 1,U00 lbs. ufactures.
31,801
12,517
2
....
8,327
3,924
72,942
405
115,296 37,16S
1,360,636
628
394,717
40
402,791
794
586,011 1,099
116,284 17,061
84,598 1,200
295,927
2,038
2,069
373
....
4,288
70
....
54
21
16
145
695
535 19,405
2,685 80,458
464 185,598
14
1,186
775 35,803
1,828 11,873
4,014 13,439
80
2,182
100
834
473
28
278
260 262,486
7,017
8,825
159,647
388,525
4,521,643
2,423,897
2,921,638
246,078
171,943
70,680
661,969
110
1,890,258
1,165,195
138,173
265,526
644,928
3,168,116
2,487,493
1,696,601
354,936
1,647,200
1,218,211
1,662,749
202,533
57,506
2,500
2,950
5
...............
1,304
6,031
T o ta l........... . 13,605,384 62,182 13,059 567,749 32,759,263 318,644 2
“ The great amount of labor requisite to the extraction of the returns of agriculture,
will admit, at this time, of presenting but limited accounts, though, perhaps, to some
extent, of the most important separate interests.
“ The returns of the wheat crop, for many of the Western States, will not at all in
dicate the average crop of those States. This is especially the case with Ohio, Indi
ana, and Illinois, from which, especially the former, the assistant marshals return a
‘ short crop,’ to the extent of 50 per cent throughout the whole State. The shortness of
the wheat crop in Ohio, in 1849, is verified by returns made during the subsequent season,
by authority of the Legislature. The causes which affected the wheat crop in those
States were not without their influence in reducing that of Western Virginia and
Western Pennsylvania to some considerable extent.”
THE BRITISH TEA TRADE.
T h e su b ject o f the tea trade, in all its bearings, has b een alm ost exhausted in form er
num bers o f the Merchants’ Magazine , b u t w e cannot resist the tem p ta tion o f publishing
fro m the circular o f Messes. L itteedale, the subjoined tab le, sh ow in g its extraordinary
increase in th e U n ited K in g d o m :—
Imported.
1833 ............. ..............lbs........................
1834
.....
................... 1
7,029,207
1835
.....
7,336,389
1836............... ...................
7,120,531
1837............... ...................
4,165,567
1838............... ...................
4,629,337
1839............... . . .............
4,612,837
1840............... ...................
1841.............
7,433,948
1 8 4 2 . . . . ___ ...................
1843________ ...................
5,062,206
9,846,200
1844............... ...................
1845............... ...................
13,514,087
1846............... ...................
18,000.000
13.025,701
1847............... ...................
1848...............
1849............... ...................
9,197,340
9,117,726
1850............... ...................
1851...............
Exported.
921,550
639,990
505,233
1,123,272
984,675
1,233,897
688,242
1,212,310
492,597
842,529
769,930
575,534
1,000,906
628,696
1,144,184
1,366,020
1,011,203
Total
Total delivery of
delivery, the U. Kingdom.
32.084.080
(^36,150,656
4,948,329
j 38,732,038
5,999,207
53,412,099
4,568,935
35,341,454
6,222,890
34,929,470
6,402,088
38,446,199
6,572,494
34,636,012
5,619,864
41,166,030
6,788,054
43,066,039
6,840,368
44,981,607
46,677,000
8,388,534
48,427,000
11,956,148
51,000,000
13,560,991
60,793,649
12,730,559
52,231,006
13,320,426
55,300,000
13,410,046
56,400,000
11,820,024
59,000,009
14,112,247
369
Commercial Statistics.
The imports for tlie year, into the United Kingdom, will be about *72,000,000 lbs.
against 48,300,000 lbs. in 1850. Deliveries, 59,000,000 lbs., against 56,400,000 lbs, in
1850. Stocks, 48,000,000 lbs., against 34,500,000 in 1850.
We perceive here that the importations in a single year have increased 23,*700,000
lbs., or an increase within 7,000,000 lbs. of ihe e n t i r e importations into the United
States during the year 1851.
IM PORT, R E-E XPO R T , AND CONSUMPTION OF FOREIGN MERCHANDISE OF THE
UNITED STATES, FROM
1821
TO
1851.
STATEMENT EXHIBITING THE VALUE OF FOREIGN MERCHANDISE
AND CONSUMED ANNUALLY, FROM
1821
TO
1851,
IMPORTED, RE-EXPORTED,
INCLUSIVE---- AND ALSO THE ESTIMATED
,
POPULATION, AND RATE OF CONSUMPTION PER CAPITA, DURING THE SAME PERIOD.
-------- VALUE OF FOREIGN MERCHANDISE.-------- N
Years
ending
September 30.
1821.
1822.
1823.
1824.
1825.
1826.
1827. ...........
1828. ...........
1829 ...........
1830. ...........
1831. ...........
1838 ...........
1833 ...........
1834 ...........
1835 ...........
1836
1837 ...........
1838 ...........
1839 ...........
1840 ...........
1841 ...........
1842 ...........
1843*..........
1844 ...........
1845- ...........
1846 ...........
1847 ■...........
1848- ■...........
1849- •______
1850
18511
Imported.
79,484,068
88,509,824
71,924,227
70,876,920
103,191,124
101,029,266
108,118,311
126,521,332
149,895,742
140,989,217
11.3,717,284
102,092,132
107,151,619
127,956,177
100,162,087
64,755,799
108,435,035
117,254,564
121,891,797
146,545,638
154.998,928
147,857,439
Con-
Re-exported.
Consumed
and on
hand.
Population.
21,302,488
22,286,202
27,543,622
25,337,157
32,590,643
24,539,612
23,403,136
21,595,017
16.657,478
14,387,479
20,033.526
24,036,473
19,822,735
23,312,811
20,504,495
21,746,360
21,854.963
12,452,795
17,494,525
18,190,312
15,499,081
11.721,538
6,552,707
11,484,867
15,346,830
11,346,623
8,011,158
21,132.315
13,088,865
14,951,808
9,738,695
41,283,236
60,955,309
50,035,649
55,211.850
63,649,432
60,434,612
56,080,932
66,914,807
57,834,049
56,489,441
83,157,598
76,989,793
88,295,576
103,208,521
129,391,247
168,233,675
119,134,255
101,264,609
144,597.607
38,951,207
112,447,096
88,440,549
58,201,092
96,950,168
101,907,735
110,345,174
138,534,480
133,866,613
134,768,574
163,184,510
205,987,300
9,960,974
10,283,757
10,606,540
10,929,323
11,252,106
11,574,889
11,857,672
12,220,455
12,543,238
12,866,020
13,286,364
13,706,707
14,127,050
14,547,393
14,967,736
15,388,079
15,808,422
16,228,766
16,649,108
17,069,453
17,612,507
18,155,561
18,698,615
19,241,670
19,784,725
20,337,780
20,870,835
21,413,890
21,956,945
22,500,000
23,500,000
eunipi’n
per
capita.
$4
5
4
5
5
5
4
5
4
4
6
5
6
7
8
10
7
6
8
5
6
4
3
5
5
5
6
6
6
7
8
54
22
19
61
20
77
41
76
61
39
25
61
25
09
93
93
53
23
68
21
38
87
11
03
15
42
60
25
13
25
75
THE COMMERCE OF BELFAST, IRELAND.
The total value of the annual exports from Belfast, linens and linen yarns, muslins
and other cotton manufactures, cured provisions, flax and tow, Ac., is about £5,600,000.
The chief imports are grain, timber, flax, flaxseed, and sugar. The most important
branch of Commerce is the cross-channel trade ; but there is, also, an extensive trade
with the United States ana Canada, the West Indies, the Mediterranean, the Baltic
Arehangel, and o f late a limited traffic with China and the East Indies. In 1850 the*
shipping of the port numbered 4,490 vessels, tonnage 624,113, yielding a revenue of
£29,012. The gross produce of Customs’ duties during the same period was
£352,658 ; the amount of postage collected in the town, £7,246 7s. 3d.; the stamp
duties received on the Belfast collection, £26,991; and the inland revenue collected in
the district, £206,278.
* Nine months to June 30.
no. h i.
vox., x x v i.—
t Year to June 30,
24
370
Commercial Statistics.
IMPORTS INTO NEW YORK IN 1851.
W e give below a statement of the value of the imports of merchandise, distinguish
ing the dutiable and free, and the specie and bullion, also the value of merchandise
entered and withdrawn from warehouse, together with the cash duties received in each
month of the calendar year 1851:—
MONTHLY SUMMARY OF IMPORTATIONS INTO THE DISTRICT OF NEW YORK IN THE YEAR 1851.
Months.
Withdrawn
Entered
Dutiable
Free
Specie and
from
for
merchandise, merchandise, bullion, warehouse, warehouse,
Cash
duties
received.
January................ $12,708,518 $937,650 $210,455 $1,024,246 $1,611,847 $3,511,610
February...........
9,442,007 1,208,036 164,031
899,438 1,240,329 2,658,835
March................. 10,651,142
982,530 270,505 1,068,437 1,181,925 3,124,811
A p r il.................
8,546,184
555,386 521,665 1,144,068 1,238,313 2,547,582
M a v ...................
8,952,711
785,326 111,443
858,519 1,148,428 2,504,640
June...................
8,097,631
668,716 121,234
717,633 1,043,345 2,305,185
J u ly ................... 12,373,199 1,027,481
81,143 1,167,644 1,022,725 3,558,400
August............... 11,279,000
638,334 186,503 1,252,245 1,358,089 3,234,764
September.........
8,384,172
366,153 115,572 1,669,304
864,916 2,609,832
October ...........
5,765,795 1,548,720
23,165 1,602,436 1,204,994 1,958,516
4,399,085
415,838 218,473 1,377,100
938,056 1,488,740
Novem ber.........
December..........
5,042,399
552,797
25,367 1,117,723 1,027,115 1,576,294
Total............... 105,641,847 9,636,967 2,050,056 13,900,793 13,880,022 31,079,209
MACKEREL FISHERY OF MASSACHUSETTS.
The following tabular statement is obtained through the returns made by the dep.
uty inspectors to C h a r l e s M a y o , the inspector general of fish for the commonwealth
of Massachusetts, for the year 1851, and therefore may be relied upon as correct. It
shows at a glance the extent and localities of that branch of commercial enterprise,
the number of vessels owned in Massachusetts and other States engaged in the mack
erel fishery, and which have packed their mackerel in the State of Massachusetts, the
amount of tonnage, and the number of men and boys employed on board these vessels.
Men
Men
Where owned.
Vessels. Tonnage. & trya.
Vessels. Tonnage. & b’ys.
Where owned.
596
85 Orleans.................
5
336
Boston...................
54
761
6
12
97 Plymouth...........
561
Beverly.................
65
1,918
339 Provincetown........
61
Barn>table.............
4,322
688
259
42
4
47 Rockport...............
1,537
Brewster...............
283
74
14 Salem.....................
1
2
80
Charlestown..........
9
13
19
1,346
230 Scituate.................
716
Chatham...............
119
661 Salisbury.............
2,885
Cohasset............... .
44
305
48
16 Truro ...................
3.626
Dartmouth.............
117
581
5,411
3,096
585 W ellfleet.............
Dennis...................
852
170
23 Y armouth...........
990
Eastham................
169
—
—
1
71
10
Essex.....................
853 53,712 9,117
13,639 2,326
Gloucester.............
3,019
3,231
577 Maine.....................
H arw ich...............
446
2,492
491 N. H am pshire....
515
Hingham...............
84
Rhode
Island.........
479
167
33
71
Lynn......................
Connecticut...........
23
45
8
1,551
255
Manchester........... . ' 1
1
5 Maryland...............
141
80
25
Marblehead...........
—
—
420
65
Martha’s Vin’d___
6
940
3
168
30
Nantucket.............
59,417 9,998
4,343
67
707
Newburyport........ .
The whole amount of mackerel inspected in Massachusetts in 1851 was 329,242
barrels, of which amount 140,906 barrels were caught at Bay Chaleur, or in the
British waters; and on the shores of the United States, or in American waters 188,336,
showing a total of 329,242 barrels caught during the year 1851. The reader is referred
for further information on this branch of industry, to the interesting series of papers
relating to the “ Fisheries of tne United States ” in the present and preceding num
bers o f the M e r c h a n ts ’ M a g a z in e .
Nautical Intelligence.
NAUTICAL
3Y1
IN T EL LIG EN C E.
TIDAL SIGNALS AT DOVOR HARBOR,
Hotice is hereby given, that on and after the first day of January, 1852, the following
tidal signals will be exhibited at Dovor harbour instead of those now in use:
D e p t h o f w a te r o n ebb a n d f l o w b y in d e x a t n o r th p i e r — 7 to 10 feet. D a y s ig n a ls —
Red flag with a black ball under at the customary staff on the south pier. N i g h t s ig
n a ls — A small low red light on the north pier, and a similar light on the outer ex
tremity of the south pier. D e p t h o f w a te r o n ebb a n d f l o w b y in d e x a t n o r t h p i e r — 10
to 13 feet D a y s ig n a ls —Red flag on the same staff. N i g h t s ig n a ls — The lights
now in use, viz.: two large red lights on the signal staffs of the south pier, and the
^Jjove-mentioned small low red light on the north pier. D e p t h o f w a te r o n ebb a n d
f l o w b y in d e x a t n o r th p i e r — 13 feet and upward. D a y s ig n a ls —Red flag with a
black ball over on the like staff. N i g h t s ig n a ls —Lights as above.
A brilliant green light projecting its rays toward the harbor’s mouth will be exhib
ited throughout the night, by the clock-tower in the inner part of the harbor, and will
show midway between the piers.
No signal to ships in general will be made between seven feet at ebb and seven feet
at flood, by the index board, and whenever, at other times, the harbor is inaccessible
to vessels, the flag (if in the day) will be pulled down, and (if at night) the light or
lights on the south pier will be extinguished, and only upon the former being rehoist
ed, or the latter relighted, can the harbor be entered.
By order of the honorable warden and assistants of Dovor harbor,
G. T. THOMPSON, Registrar.
D ovor,
S e p t.
1 1 ,1 85 1.
YOUGHAL LIGHT-HOUSE, SOUTH COAST OF IRELAND.
►
A light house has been erected on the Western side of the entrance o f Youghal
harbor, county Cork, from which a light was exhibited on the night of the 1st of Feb
ruary, 1852, and will thereafter be lighted every night from sunset to sunrise.
Specification given of the position and appearance of the light by Mr. Halpin, in
spector of light-houses.
Youghal harbor light-house is erected on the west 3ide and within entrance of the
harbor, in lat. 51° 56' 34" N., and long. 7° 50' 33" W., and bears—
From Black Rocks (East Point) N. E. f E., distant 2§ nautic miles.
From Capel (or Cable) Island (East Point) N. E. by N., distant of- nautic miles.
From Bar Rocks (S. W. Point) N. by E. f E., distant I f nautic miles.
From Black Ball Ledge (N. E. Point) N. by W. f W., distant I f nautic miles.
From Black Ball Head N. W. f W., distant f- nautic miles.
From Ferry Point S. W. f S., distant f nautic miles.
The lantern is 78 feet over high-water level. The light will be a fixed bright
light, open to the harbor and seaward to S. W. by S., and in clear weather will be
seen at the distance of two leagues.
The tower is circular, of a light stone color.
The bearings stated are magnetic— var. 27° 50' W.
N o t e .— Capel Island, on the West side of Youghal Bay, bears from Ballycotin
Island flashing light E. f N., distant 6 miles, and from Mine Head intermitting light
W. f S., distant 12 miles.
CARYSFORT IRON LIGHT-HOUSE, FLORIDA REEF.
Thi3 light-house is now nearly completed. The reef selected for the site of this
li°bt-house is about eighty-five miles east from Key West, and nine miles from the
nearest land. A more desirable location cannot be found, as it stands on the most
eastern shoal of the reef, near what is called the Elbow, and within half a mile of the
unfathomable waters of the Gulf Stream. The entire structure is of iron. The plan
of the base is octagonal, consisting of eight angles and one center pile of wrought iron.
These piles, twenty-five feet long and eight inches in diameter, were driven by blows
of a ram weighing two thousand pounds, into the solid coral bank, until an iron shoul:
*
372
N autical Intelligence.
der attached to the end of each, brought up on dirks which have a large bearing sur
face, and through which they were driven. These piles are imbedded ten and twelve
feet below the surface, which is coral rock and sand. The structure is composed of a
series of iron pillars, the lower of which stands perpendicular, being ten leet above
high-water mark. Upon the heads of the lower tiers are cast-iron sockets, or couplingboxes, in which are placed the heads of the second series of pillars, departing from the
perpendicular at an angle of 10J degrees, thus narrowing the building as it rises, and
presenting the frustum of a cone, with a base fifty feet in diameter. About forty feet
above high-water mark, the pillars are inclosed by two rows of cast-iron plates, inside
of which are laid two floors, and the whole covered in with a roof. The lower of the
rooms thus formed is intended for water and stores, while the upper serves as a dwel
ling for the keeper. From the roof of these rooms ascends a cylinder tower, inclosing
the stairway to the watch-room and lantern. The hight of the entire structure, that is,
from the heel of the center pile to the silvered ball above the lantern, is 128 feet.
The light, which will be revolving, it is calculated can be seen thirty miles— the at
mosphere being sufficiently clear for it to penetrate that far. In addition to the radial
and periphery ties, or braces, by which the center and angle piles are attached to each
other, the whole is secured by tension bracing, tightened by a lever and turnbuckle,
which make it perfectly tight. An ornamental gallery is arranged around the dwel
ling-house, giving it a light and airy appearance.
IMPROVEMENTS IN LIGHT-HOUSES,
A plan of much importance to commercial interests has been put forward by Mr.
George Wells, of the British Admiralty, for giving a telegraphic character to various
light houses. The evils of existing light-houses are alleged to b e :— “ 1. Their unne
cessary elevation, which gives them the appearance of being at a greater distance
than they really are. 2. In giving colored lights to some, which is worse than useless,
as in hazy or foggy weather the density of the atmosphere creates such an optical
illusion as completely to vary all descriptions of color, and consequently to lead the
seamen to agitation, and thence too often to destruction. 3. The general insufficiency of
the light, and its similarity in appearance, which not unfrequently misleads the mariner
as to the actual locality of the light-house and the course of his ship; as was evi
denced, amid many other instances, in the disaster that befell the Great Britain,
though under the guidance of a most experienced sailor.” And the following is the
remedy proposed:— “ The process of the proposed change in the existing light-house
is exceedingly simple, and the expense of it comparatively trifling, bearing in mind
the security it would insure, being no more than the cutting of four or more circular
apertures in all the present structures, just below the lantern, and fitting the openings
with glazed sashes of ground plate-glass, painted so as to leave the initial of the particu
lar light house bold and distinct, The length of the letter being three times the size
of the light of the lantern, would be more clearly visible, and leave no doubt as to
what the light house is and where situated. “’Tisthe few moments lost in thinking
what light house it is, that allows the ship to be drawn by wind or current upon the
iron-bound rock, where all are lost.’ This alteration is suggested for the existing light
houses, but where it might be necessary to construct new ones it would be better they
should not be carried to the present altitude, as the nearer the light is level to the eye,
the less probability would exist as to any mistake in the distance of it.”
NEW MODE OF DETERMINING LONGITUDE.
The P a c i f i c publishes a new method of determining longitude at sea, by observation
independent of the chronometer, discovered by Rev. Tyler Tliacher, on his late
passage to San Francisco. This method of determining longitude by a single observa
tion of any heavenly body, seen by night or day, either on meridian, or at any angle
with the meridian, is perfectly geometrical, and as obvious and certain in its results as
any case whatever in spherical trigonometry. He employs the same observation also
to fix the Jpngitude. The method by which this is done is partly geometrical and partly
arithmetical, but is plain and certain. The certificates from the master and the first
mate of the ship Capitol, show the discovery was made and tested by Mr. Thacher
during the late voyage to that State. Mr. Thacher is now preparing for the press a
work which will contain his discovery, so important to mariners and to the whole
commercial world.
Commercial Regulations.
373
COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS.
BRITISH
LAW REGULATING THE
CARRIAGE
VESSELS.
OF PASSENGERS IN
MERCHANT
W e give below extracts, (embracing the substance,) of the British law regarding the
carriage o f passengers in merchant vessels:—
S ection 1. Repeals laws inconsistent with this Act.
Sec. 4. This Act shall extend to every passenger ship proceeding on any voyage
from the United Kingdom to any place out of Europe, and not being within the Medi
terranean Sea, and on every colonial voyage as hereinafter described, but not to any
steam vessel carrying mails under contract with the government of the country to
which such steam vessel may belong.
Sec. 8. The master of every ship, whether a passenger ship or otherwise, fitting or
intended for ihe carriage of passengers, or which shall carry passengers upon any
voyage to which this Act extends, shall afford to such emigration officer as aforesaid at
any port or place in her Majesty’s dominions, and, in the case of British ships, to her
Majesty’s consul at any foreign port or place at which such ship shall be or arrive,
every facility for inspecting such ship, and for communicating with the passengers, and
for ascertaining that the provisions of this Act, so far as the same may be applicable
to such ships, have been duly complied with.
Sec. 9. No passenger ship shall be allowed to clear out or proceed on any voyage
to which this Act extends until the master thereof shall have obtained from the Emi
gration Officer at the port of clearance a certificate under his hand that all the require
ments of this Act, so far as the same can be complied with before the departure of
such passenger ship, have been duly complied with.
Sec. 10. No ship shall be allowed to clear out or shall proceed on her voyage with
a greater number of persons on board (including the master and crew, and cabin pas
sengers, if any,) than in the proportion of one person to every two tons of the regis
tered tonnage of such ship, nor, whatever may be the registered tonnage of such ship,
with a greater number of passengers on board, exclusive of bona fide cabin passengers,
than in the following proportions to the space occupied by such passengers and appro
priated for their use, and unoccupied by stores, not being their personal lugg tge;
(that is to say,) on the main deck, and on the deck immediately below the same, or in
any compartment of either, appropriated as aforesaid, one passenger for every twelve
such clear superficial feet; or if such ship is destined to pass within the tropics, and
the duration of the intended voyage, computed as hereinafter mentioned, exceeds
12 weeks, one passenger for every fifteen such clear superficial feet: Provided always,
that no passenger shall in any case be carried on an orlop deck; and if there shall be
on board of any ship at or after the time of clearance a greater number either of per
sons or of passengers than in the proportions respectively hereinbefore mentioned, the
master of such ship shall be liable, on such conviction as hereinafter is mentioned, to
the payment of a penalty not exceeding £5 nor less than £2 sterling for each person
or passenger constituting any such excess.
Sec. II. For the purposes of this Act two children, each being under the age of
fourteen years, shall be computed either as one person or as one passenger, as the
case may require, except in the case hereinafter mentioned, but that children under
the age of one year shall not be included in such computation.
S ec. 12. The master of every ship, whether a passenger ship or otherwise, carrying
passengers on any voyage to which this Act extends, shall, before demanding a clear
ance for such ship sign two lists, setting forth the name and other particulars of the
ship, and of every passenger on board thereof; and the said lists, when signed, shall
be delivered to the officer of the customs from whom a clearance of the said ship shall
be demanded, and such officer shall thereupon countersign and return to the said
master one of such lists, hereinafter described as the master’s list; and the said master
shall exhibit such last mentioned list, with any additions which may from time to
time be made thereto, as hereinafter directed, to the chief officer of her Majesty’s Cus
toms at any port or place in her Majesty’s possessions, or to her Majesty’s consul at
any foreign port at which the said passengers or any of them shall be landed, and shall
deposit the same with such chief officer of customs, or such consul, as the case may be,
at the final port or place of discharge.
374
Commercial Regulations.
S ec . 13. If at any time after such lists shall have been signed and delivered as
aforesaid there shall be taken on board any additional passenger, in every such case
the master shall, according to the form aforesaid, add to the master’s list the names
and other particulars of every such additional passenger, and shall also sign a separate
list, made out according to the form aforesaid, containing the names and other parti
culars of every such additional passenger ; and such last mentioned list, when signed,
shall, together with the master’s list to which such addition shall have been made, be
delivered to the chief Officer of Customs as aforesaid, and thereupon such officer shall
countersign the master’s list, and shall return the same to the said master, and shall
retain the separate list; and so on in like manner whenever any additional passenger
or passengers may be taken on board ; or if no Officer of Customs shall be stationed at
the port or place where such additional passenger or passengers may be taken on
board, the said lists shall be delivered to the Officer of Customs at the next port or
place at which such vessel shall touch or arrive and where any such officer shall be
stationed, to be dealt with as hereinbefore mentioned.
Sec. 14. No passenger ship shall be allowed to clear out or proceed on her voy
age unless she shall have been surveyed, under the direction of the Emigration Offi
cer at the port of clearance, but at the expense of the owner or charterer thereof, by
two or more competent surveyors, to be duly authorized and approved of by the said
colonial land and emigration commissioners for each port at which there may be an
Emigration Officer, and for other ports by the Commissioners of Customs, nor unless it
shall be reported by the same, or by two other surveyors to be appointed as aforesaid,
that such passenger ship is in their opinion seaworthy, and fit in all respects for her
intended voyage: Provided always that the precautions for ascertaining the sea
worthiness of ships and their fitness for their intended voyages respectively shall be
the same for foreign as for British ships.
Sec. 15. In every passenger ship there shall be lower or hold beams of adequate
strength, forming part of the permanent structure of such a ship, and also a second
deck or platform not less than one and a half inches in thickness, properly laid upon
the lower or hold beams, or substantially secured to the same, at least three inches
clear above the bottom thereof; and further, that there shall be between the upper
and the second deck or platform a bight of at least six feet, and a like bight be
tween such second deck or platform and any deck beneath it, if used for carrying
passengers ; and that there shall not be more than two tiers of berths on any one deck
in such passenger ship, and that the interval between the floor of the berths and the
deck or platform immediately beneath them shall not be less than six inches, and that
the berths shall be securely constructed, and of dimensions not less than after the rate
o f six feet in length and eighteen inches in width for each passenger; and that not more
than two passengers, unless members of the same family, shall be placed in any one
berth; and that no berths occupied by passengers during the voyage shall be taken
down until forty-eight hours after the arrival of such ship at the port of final discharge
unless all the passengers shall have voluntarily quitted the ship before the expiration
o f that time.
Sec. 16. For the purpose of insuring a proper supply of light and air in every pas
senger ship, the passengers shall at all times during the voyage (weather permitting)
have free access to and from the between decks by the whole of each hatchway situate
over the space appropriated to the use o f such passenger : Provided always, that if
the main hatchway be not one of the hatchways appropriated to the use of passen
gers, or if the natural supply of light and air through the same be in any manner
unduly impeded, it shall be lawful for the Emigration Officer at the port of clearance
to direct such other provision to be made for affording light and air to the between
decks as the circumstances of the case may, in the judgment of such officer, appear to
require ; and in case of noncompliance with any such directions the owner, charterer,
or master of such ship shall be liable, on such conviction as hereinafter is mentioned,
to the payment of a penalty not exceeding £50 nor less than £20 : Provided also, that
no passenger ship having on board as many as 100 passengers shall clear out or
proceed on her voyage without having on board an adequate and proper ventilating
apparatus, to be approved by the Emigration Officer at the port of clearance, and
fitted to his satisfaction.
S ec. 17. Every passenger ship shall carry a number of boats according to the fol
lowing scale: (that is to say,) two boats for every ship of 100 tons and upward;
three boats for every ship of 200 tons and upward, in case the number of passengers
shall exceed fifty ; four boats for every ship of 500 tons and upward, in case the
number o f assengers shall exceed 200 : Provided always, that one of such boats shall
Commercial Regulations
.
375
in all cases be a long boat, and one shall be a properly fitted life boat, and that each
of such boats shall be of a suitable size, to be approved by the Emigration Officer at
the port of clearance, and shall be seaworthy, and properly supplied with all requi
sites for use ; provided also, that there shall likewise be on board two properly fitted
life buoys, kept ready at all times for immediate use.
S eo. 18. No passenger ship shall be cleared out or proceed to sea until it shall b e
proved to the satisfaction of the officer from whom a clearance of such ship may b e
demanded that she is manned with a proper complement of seamen for the intended
voyage.
S eo . 19. N o p assenger ship shall clea r ou t or p ro ce e d on her v o y a g e i f there shall
be on b oard as ca rg o any gu n p ow d er, vitriol, guano, green hides, o r any other article
lik e ly to endanger the safety o f the ship or th e health or lives o f the passengers, or i f
a n y part o f th e ca rg o shall be on d eck.
S ec . 20. For the purposes of this Act, the following shall be the number of weeks
deemed necessary for the voyage of any ship carrying passengers from the United
Kingdom to the under mentioned places respectively ; (that is to say,) to North Amer
ica, except the West coast thereof, ten weeks; to the West Indies, ten weeks; to any
part of the East coast of the Continent of Central or South America Northward of the
25th degree of South latitude, except British Guiana, twelve weeks ; to the West coast
of Africa, twelve weeks ; to the Cape of Good Hope or the Falkland Islands, or to any
part of the East coast of South America Southward of the 25th degree of South lati
tude fifteen weeks ; to the Mauritius and to the Western coast of America South of
the Equator, eighteen weeks; to Ceylon, twenty weeks; to Western Australia, twenty
weeks ; to any other of the Australian Colonies, twenty-two weeks ; to New Zealand
and to the Western coast of America North of the Equator, twenty-four weeks: Pro
vided nevertheless, that for the like purposes it shall be lawful for the said colonial
land and emigration commissioners, acting by and under the authority of one of her
Majesty’s principal Secretaries of State, from time to time, by any notice in writing
issued under the hands of any two of such commissioners, and published in the London
Gazette, to declare what shall be deemed to be the length of voyage from the United
Kingdom to any o f the said hereinbefore mentioned places, or to any port or place
whatsoever, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding.
S ec . 21. No passenger ship shall be allowed to clear out or to proceed on her voy
age until there shall be supplied, by and at the expense of the owner or charterer
thereof, and properly stowed away on board under hatches for the use of the passen
gers during the voyage, pure water, and wholesome provisions in a sweet and good
condition, of a quality to be approved by the Emigration Officer, and in quantities suf
ficient to afford the allowances to each passenger as hereafter provided; and if any
person shall fraudulently obtain a clearance for any passenger ship which shall not be
then stored with the requisite quantities of such water and provisions as aforesaid, he
shall be liable, on such conviction as hereinafter is mentioned, to the payment of a
penalty not exceeding £100 nor less than £50.
S ec. 22. In every passenger ship the water to be laden on board, as hereinbefore
required, shall be carried in tanks or casks to be approved of by the Emigration Offi
cer at the port of clearance : Provided always, that all such casks small be sweet and
tight, of sufficient strength, and properly charred inside, and shall not be made of fir
or soft wood staves, nor be capable severally of containing more than 300 gallons each,
and shall have been filled with water for the space of twenty-four hours at least, before
the same shall be put on board.
S eo. 23. Before any passenger ship shall be cleared out the Emigration Officer at
the port of clearance shall survey or cause to be surveyed by some competent person
the provisions and water hereinbefi re required to be placed on board for the con
sumption of the passengers, and shall ascertain that the same are of good quality and
in a sweet and good condition, aud shall also ascertain, that over and above the same
there is on board an ample supply of water and stores for the victualling of the crew
of the ship and all other persons, if any, on board : Provided nevertheless, that if any
passenger ship shall be destined to call at any intermediate port or place during the
voyage for the purpose of taking in water, and if an engagement to that effect shall be
inserted in the bond hereinafter mentioned, then it shall be sufficient to place on board, *
at the port of clearance such supply of water as may be requisite, according to the
rate hereinafter mentioned, for the voyage of the said ship to such intermediate port or
place, subject to the following conditions; (that is to say,)
1st. That the Emigration Officer signify his approval in writing of the arrangement,
to be carried among the papers of the ship, and exhibited to the chief Officer ol
376
Commercial Regulations.
Customs, or to her Majesty’s Consul, as the case may be, at such intermediate port or
place, and to be delivered to the chief Officer of Customs, or to her Majesty’s Consul,
as the case may be, on the arrival of the said ship at the final port or place of dis
charge.
2d. That if the length of either portion of the voyage, ■whether to such intermediate
port or place or from such intermediate port or place to the final port or place of dis
charge, be not prescribed in or under the provisions of this Act, the Emigration Officer
at the port of clearance shall in every such case declare the same:—
3d. ’That the ship shall have on board at the time a clearance is demanded tanks or
water casks of the description hereinbefore mentioned, sufficient for stowing the quan
tity of water required for the longest of such portions of the voyage as aforesaid:—
Sec. 24. In addition to and irrespective of any provisions of their own which any
passengers may have on board, the master of every passenger ship shall make to each
passenger during the voyage, including the time of detention, if any, at any port or
place before the termination of such voyage, the following issues of pure water and
sweet and wholesome provisions : (that is to say,) of water at least three quai ts daily,
and of provisions at the rate per week of two and a half pounds of bread or biscuit,
not inferior in quality to what is usually called navy biscuit, one pound of w beaten
flour, five pounds of oatmeal, two pounds of rice, two ounces of tea, half a pound of
sugar, and half a pound of molasses : Provided always, that such issues of provisions
shall be made in advance, and not less often than twice a week, the first of such issues
to be made on the day of embarkation : Provided also, that potatoes, when good and
sound, may be substituted for either the oatmeal or rice, in the proportion of five
pounds of potatoes to one pound of oatmeal or rice ; and that in ships clearing out
from the port of Liverpool, or from Irish or Scotch ports, oatmeal may be substituted
in equal quantities for the whole or any part of the issues of rice.
Sec. 2(3. No passenger ship carrying as many as 100 passengers shall clear out or
proceed on her voyage unless there shall be on board a seafaring person who shall be
rated in the ship’s articles as passengers’ cook, to be approved by the Emigration Offi
cer at the port of clearance, aud engaged for the purpose of cooking the food of the
passengers, nor unless a convenient place for that purpose shall have been set apart
on deck, and a sufficient cooking apparatus, properly covered in and arranged, shall
have been provided to the satisfaction of the said Emigration Officer, together with
a proper supply of fuel adequate in his opinion for the intended voyage.
Sec. 27. It shall not be lawful for any passenger ship having on board as many as
fifty persons, if the length of the intended voyage, computed as hereinbefore men
tioned, shall exceed twelve weeks, nor, whatever may be the computed duration of
the voyage, for any passenger ship having on board as many as 100 persons, except
she be bound to North America, (including in both cases the master and crew, and
cabin passengers, if any,) to clear out or proceed on her voyage, unless there shall be
on board, and rated on the ship’s articles, some person duly authorized by law to
practice in the United Kingdom, as physician, surgeon, or apothecary, and whose name
shall have been notified to the Emigration Officer at the port of clearance, and not
objected to by him ; and further, that no passenger ship bound to North America
having on board as many as 100 persons, exclusive of the master aDd crew, and cabin
passengers, if any, shall clear out or proceed on her voyage without having on board,
and rated on the ship’s articles, such duly authorized medical practitioner, whose name
shall have been notified to the Emigration Officer at the port of clearance, and not
objected to by him : Provided nevertheless, that if in any ship bound to North Amer
ica there be appropriated on the second deck or platform, or in the poop, (if any,)
instead of twelve clear superficial feet, as hereinbefore required, fourteen clear super
ficial feet, unoccupied by stores not being the personal luggage of the passengers, for
each passenger on board, counting for this purpose each child above the age of one
year as one passenger, then and in such case, but not otherwise, it shall be lawful for
such ship to clear out and proceed to sea without having on board a medical practi
tioner as aforesaid.
S ec. 28. In every passenger ship there shall be furnished and laden on board, at
the expense of the owner or charterer thereof, a medicine chest containing a supply of
medicines, instruments, and other things proper and necessary for diseases and acci
dents incident to sea voyages, and for the medical treatment of the passengers during
the voyage, including an adequate supply of disinfecting fluid or agent, together with
printed or written directions for the use of the same respective!) ; and that such
medicines and other things shall be good in quality, and, in the judgment of the
Emigration Officer at the port of clearance, sufficient in quantity for the probable ex-
Commercial Regulations.
377
igencies of the intended voyage, and shall be placed under the charge of the surgeon,
when there is one on board, to be used at his discretion.
S ec. 29. Except as hereinafter provided, no passenger ship shall clear out or
proceed on her voyage until some medical practitioner, to be appointed by the Emi
gration Officer at the port of clearance, shall have inspected the medicine chest of the
said ship, and also all the passengers about to proceed in her, and shall certify to the
said Emigration Officer that the said i-hip contains a sufficient supply of medicines, in
struments, and other things requisite for the medical treatment of the passengers
during the intended voyage, and that none of the passengers appear to such medical
practitioner likely, by reason of being affected by any infectious or other disease, to
endanger the health of the other persons about to proceed in such vessel.
S ec. 30. In case any such medical practitioner shall notify to the Emigration Offi
cer at the original port of clearance, or at any other port or place in the Uuited King
dom into which the vessel may subsequently put, or in case the said Emigration
Officer shall be otherwise satisfied, that any person about to proceed in any such pas
senger ship as aforesaid is likely, by reason of being affected by any infectious or
other disease, to endanger the health of the other persons on board, it shall be lawful
for such Officer to reland or cause to be relanded any such person, and such members
of his family, if any, that may be dependent on him : or as may be unwilling to be
separated from him ; and no passenger ship shall clear out or proceed on her voyage
so long as any such diseased person shall be on board.
Sec. 31. Provides that passengers so relanded may recover passage money.
S ec. 32. Provides for the return of passage money and compensation to passengers
where passage is not provided for them according to contract.
S ec. 33. Provides for subsistence in case of detention.
Sec. 34. Provides that in case of wreck, <fcc., passengers shall be provided with a
passage by some other vessel; and in default, may recover compensation by summary
process.
S ec. 35. The master of any ship, whether passenger ship or otherwise, shall not
land or cause to be landed any passenger, without his previous consent, at auy port or
place other than the port or place at which such passenger may have contracted to
land.
Sec. 36. Every passenger in a passenger ship arriving at the end of his voyage
shall be entitled for at least 48 hours next after his arrival to sleep in such ship, and
to be provided for and maintained on board thereof in the same manner as during the
voyage, unless in the further prosecution of her voyage such ship shall quit the port or
place within the above mentioned period.
S ec. 38. If any passenger ship shall, after having obtained her clearance, be detained
in port for more than seven days, or shall, after having been to sea, put into or touch at
any port or place in the United Kingdom, it shall not be lawful for any such passenger
ship to proceed on her voyage until there shall have been laden on board, at the ex
pense of the owner, charterer, or master of »uch ship, such further supply of pure
water, wholesome provisions of the requisite kinds and qualities, and medical stores, as
may be necessary to make up the full quantities of those articles herein before required
for the use of the passengers during the whole of the intended voyage, nor until the
master of the said ship shall have obtained from the Emigration Officer or his Assis
tant, or, where there is no such officer, or in his absence, from the officer of Customs at
such port or place, a certificate to the effect as the certificate hereinbefore required to
enable the ship to be cleared ou t; and in case of any default herein the said master
shall be liable, on conviction, as hereinafter mentioned, to the payment of a penalty
not exceeding £100 nor less than £50 ; and further, if the master of any passenger
ship so putting into or touching at any port or place as aforesaid shall not within 24
hours thereafter report his arrival, and the cause of his putting back, and the condition
of his ship and of her stores and provisions, to the Emigration Officer, or, as the case
may be, to the officer of Customs at the port, and shall not produce to such officer the
official or master’s list of passengers, such master shall for each offence be liable to the
payment of a penalty not exceeding £10 nor less than £2.
Sec. 42. It shall not be lawful, in any passenger ship, to sell to any passenger
during the voyage any spirits or strong waters; and that if any person shall during the
voyage, directly or indirectly, sell or cause to be sold any spirits or strong waters to
any such passenger, he shall be liable for every such offence, on such conviction as
hereinafter mentioned, to the payment of a penalty not exceeding £20 nor less
than £5.
Sec. 43. And for the more effectually seeming the due observance of the several
*
‘S
Commercial Regulaticms
.
requirements as well of this Act as of any rules or regulations which may at any time
be prescribed by any order in council as aforesaid, and also for the better securing
the due payment of all penalties which the master of any passenger ship may be ad
judged to pay, under or by virtue of the provisions of this Act or of any such order
m Council, be it enacted, That before any passenger ship shall clear out or proceed on
any voyage to which this Act shall extend, the owner or charterer, or, in the absence
of such owner or charterer, one good and sufficient person on his behalf, to be approved
by the chief officer of Customs at the port of clearance, shall, with the master of the
said ship, enter into a joint and several bond in the sum of £1,000 to Her Majesty, her
heirs and successors, the condition of which bond shall be, and that the said ship is in
all respects seaworthy, and that all and every the requirements of this Act, and of the
Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners acting in the manner prescribed by this
Act, and of any order in Council passed in virtue of this Act, shall in all respects be
well and truly fulfilled and performed, and, moreover, that all penalties, fines, and
forfeitures which the master of such ship may be adjudged to pay for or in respect
o f the breach or nonperformance of any of such requirements as aforesaid shall be
well and truly paid ; and in Scotland such bond shall be deemed and taken to be a
probative deed: Provided always, that such bond shall be without stamps: provided
also, that no such bond shall be put in suit, and that no prosecution, suit, action, infor
mation, or complaint shall be brought, under or by virtue of this Act, upon or by rea
son ot the breach of any of the requirements thereof, in any of Her Majesty’s posses
sions abroad, after the expiration of 12 calendar mouths next succeeding the termina
tion of any such voyage as aforesaid, nor in the United Kingdom, after the expiration of
12 calendar months next after the return of the said ship or of the said master to the
United Kingdom.
S ec. 44. Provides that no person may act as passage broker in respect of passengers
to North America without a license.
Sec. 47. Provides that contract tickets must be given in respect of passages to
North America.
S ec. 50. In every ship, whether a passenger ship or otherwise, fitting or intended
for the carriage of passengers, or which shall carry passengers on any voyage to
which any o f the provisions of this Act may for the time being extend, if every such
facility for inspection shall not be afforded as hereintofore required, and that if any
such passenger ship shall clear out or proceed on her voyage before the master shall
have obtained a certificate as hereinbefore required that all the requirements of this
A ct have been complied with, or if before a clearance be demanded for any ship,
whether a passenger ship or otherwise, such lists of passengers, or if at any time
during the voyage all such additions to the master’s lists, or if such additional or sepa
rate lists, as hereinbefore required, shall not be duly made, signed, and delivered to the
proper officer, or if any such list or any additions to the same shall not be duly exhib
ited to or deposited with the proper officer at any port or place as hereinbefore re
quired, or if any of such lists or the additions thereto respectively shall be willfully
false, or if any passenger ship shall clear out or proceed on her voyage without having
been duly surveyed as hereinbefore required, or if the lower or hold beams at any
time during the voyage in any such passenger ship shall not form part of her perma
nent structure, or if the second deck or platform shall not be of the thickness and laid
or secured in such manner as hereinbefore required, or if the bight between such
second deck or platform and the upper deck, or between such second deck or platform
and the deck beneath it, when used for carrying passengers, shall be less than six feet,
or if there shall be more than two tiers of berths on any one deck, or if such berths
shall not be securely constructed, or shall not be of such dimensions as hereinbefore
required, or if there shall not be such an interval between the deck and the floor of
the berths as hereinbefore required, or if any o f the berths shall be taken down con
trary to the requirement in that behalf hereinbefore contained, or if the passengers
shall not have free access to or from the between decks in the manner hereinbefore
required, or if any passenger ship carrying as many as 100 passengers shall clear out or
proceed on her voyage without having on board such adequate ventilating apparatus as
hereinbefore required, or if there shall not be provided boats and life buoys of such de
scription and number as hereinbefore required, or if any such passenger ship shall pro
ceed on her voyage without being properly manned, or shall have on board as cargo any
articles likely to endanger the safety of the ship or the health or lives of the passen
gers as hereinbefore mentioned, or if any part of the cargo shall be carried on deck, or
if in any passenger ship at any time during the voyage there shall not be on board
properly stowed away under hatches for the use and consumption of the passengers^
,
379
Railroad Comal, and Steamboat Statistics.
such water and provisions, and of description, quantity, and quality, as may be required
by or under the provisions of this Act, or if such water and provisions shall not be is
sued in the quantities and in manner hereinbefore required, or if the water shall not
be carried in such tanks or casks as hereinbefore required, or if there shall not be on
board of any ship carrying as many as 100 passengers at all times during the voyage
such passengers, cook and place for cooking and cooking apparatus as hereinbefore re
quired, or if any passenger ship carrying as many as 50 persons on any voyage of
which the computed length shall exceed 12 weeks, or any other voyage, except to
North America, as many as 100 persons, or (except as hereinbefore excepted) on any
voyage to North America as many as 100 passengers, shall clear out or proceed on
her voyage without having on board, or shall not at all times during the voyage have
on board, such medical practitioner as hereinbefore required, or if there shall not be on
board of any passenger ship such medicines, instruments, and medical apparatus, and
such printed or written directions for the use of the same, as may at any time be re
quired by or under the provisions of this Act, or if any passenger ship, except as
hereinbefore provided, shall clear out or proceed on her voyage before such medical
inspections of the medicines and passengers shall have taken place, and such certificate
o f the medical inspector shall have been granted as hereinbefore required, or if any
diseased person on board any such passenger ship, or the members of his family, shall
not be relanded as hereinbefore required, or if any passenger shall without his previous
consent be landed at any place other than the place at which he may have contracted
to land, or if any passsenger shall not be allowed to sleep »nd be maintained on board
the ship after arrival for the period and in manner hereinbefore provided, or it there
shall not be kept on board copies of this Act, or if one of such copies shall not be pro
duced on demand, as hereinbefore required, then and iu every such case respectively
the master of every such ship, or, as the case may be. of every such passenger ship,
shall be liable for and in respect of each and every such offence as aforesaid, on such
conviction as hereinafter mentioned, to the payment of a penalty not exceeding £50
nor less than £ 5 .
S ec . 51. enforces th e penalty on falsifying or forgin g form s o f ap p lica tion for free
passages, or th e certificates in su p p ort thereof.
S ec , 52. Prescribes forms for the recovery of penalties and compensation moneys.
HAIL510AD, CANAL, AND STEAMBOAT STATISTICS.
PASSAGES OF BRITISH AND AMERICAN OCEAN STEAMSHIPS.
In the M e r c h a n ts ' M a g a z in e for September, 1851, (vol. xxv., pages 3 3 1 - 3 1 9 , ) and in
the number for Novembtr, 1851, (vol. xxv., pages 635-689,) we published full statis
tics o f the British and American Ocean Steamers from January to June, 1851. We
now present, from tables prepared by the C o u r ie r a n d E n q u i r e r , the several trips of
each line since that date, the amount of specie taken to Liverpool on each voyage, and
the passengers carried from port to port to the close of the past year. The statemest
is also valuable as a matter of reference, showing the relative speed of the different
steamers, and the average of time consumed by the two lines during this period of
six months. We have in the recapitulation the subjoined result, namely :—
FOURTEEN TRIPS OF THE COLLINS LINE FROM LtyERPOOL.
Total time occupied.................................
Average time per trip................................
Quickest trip since July, by the Baltic....
Longest
“
“
“ Atlantic .
Average number of passengers, 106.
THIRTEEN TRIPS OF THE CL
Total time occupied....................................
Average time per trip.................................
Quickest trip since July, by the A frica ...
Longest
“
“
“ Europa..
Average number of passengers, 101.
Days.
158
11
9
13
OL.
161
12
10
16
Hours. Min.
21
15
8
00
IS
40
17
80
4
9
6
20
15
00
00
00
380
Railroad, Canal, and Steamboat Statistics.
THIRTEEN TRIPS OF THE CUNARD LINE TO BOSTON.
Hours. Min.
Days.
Average time per trip...............................
Quickest trip since J uly, by the Asia.. . .
Longest
“
“
“ Canada.
Average number of passengers, 74.
151
11
10
13
10
15
4
12
00
00
30
00
142
10
10
12
10
23
4
9
45
00
45
00
160
11
10
14
18
11
9
8
45
22
30
L.
Average time per trip.............................
Quickest trip since July, by the Baltic..
Longest
“
“
“ Baltic.
Average number of passengers, 63.
FOURTEEN TRIPS OF THE CUNARD LINE TO LIVERPOOL.
Total time occupied..........................................................................
Average time per trip......................................................................
Quickest trip since July, by the Africa...........................................
Longest
“
“
“ Europa........................................
Average number of passengers, 69.
00
80
00
THIRTEEN TRIPS OF THE CUNARD LINE TO LIVERPO OL FROM BOSTON.
140
Total time occupied..........................................................................
Average time per trip......................................................................
10
Quickest trip since July, by the Asia............................................
9
Longest
"
“
“ Cambria......................................
12
Average number o f passengers, 35.
Specie shipped per Collins and Cunard steamers from New York, July
1st to January 1 s t.....................................................................................
Specie shipped per Cunard steamers from Boston, July 1st to Jan. 1st.
20
00
20
45
21
00
$19,069,089
2,431,632
FOR LIVERPOOL FROM NEW YORK— COLLINS L IN E.
Name of
Steamship.
Date.
July 5 ............
1 9 ............
Aug. 6 ............
Sep.
Oct.
N ov .
Dec.
1 6 ..........
30 ..........
1 3 ............
2 7 ..........
1 1 .............
2 5 ............
8 ............
2 2 ............
6 ............
2 0 ............
No. o f
passengers.
Specie.
121
$1,086,890
70
668,000
70
100,000
68
413 ,00 0
37
537,626
70
275,000
90
552,862
78
22,000
39
400,000
46
799,804
1,096,644
59
35
842,500
40
371,500
D.
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
11
11
12
11
11
Time.
H.
10
4
10
8
21
20
7
19
20
00
9
6
18
M.
15
45
15
35
30
00
00
00
15
00
00
00
00
FROM LIVERPOOL TO NEW YORK --- COLLINS LINE.
Date.
J u ly 9 ............
2 3 ............
3 0 ............
Aug. 6 ..........
2 0 ............
Sep.
3 ...........
1 7 ............
O ct
1 ........
1 5 ............
2 9 ............
Nov. 1 2 ............
2 6 ............
Dec. 1 0 ............
2 4 ............
Name of Steamship.
No. of
passengers.
117
132
36
148
176
194
97
189
143
91
62
50
61
44
D.
12
10
11
9
11
10
10
13
11
Time.
H.
4
17
19
13
14
17
17
17
00
10
19
10
11
12
9
5
00
13
11
M.
45
30
39
40
30
30
00
30
00
00
00
00
00
00
Railroad , Canal, and Steamboat Statistics.
381
FOB LIVERPOOL FROM NEW YORK---- CUNARD LINE.
Name of
Steamship.
Date.
July 2 ..........
16..........
30..........
Aug. 13..........
27..........
Sep. 10..........
24.........
Oct. 8 ..........
22..........
Nov. 5 ..........
19..........
Dec. 3 ..........
17..........
31..........
No. of
passengers.
91
90
154
69
71
76
55
73
60
29
54
62
29
64
Time.
Specie.
H.
3
9
1
1
10
00
19
15
10
18
D.
950,328
1,001,543
641,000
415,000
857,000
997,000
535,000
494,000
880,000
945,000
1,295,992
1,425,000
1,120,000
847,000
ii
10
11
11
10
11
11
10
10
12
13
11
11
14
o
8
14
3
M.
00
30
15
00
30
00
00
00
30
00
00
00
00
00
FROM LIVERPOOL TO NEW YORK— CUNARD LINE.
Date.
Name o f Steamship.
July 5 ...........
19 ............
Aug. 2 ............
” 16 _______
30 ............
Sep. 13 ............
27 ............
Oct, 11 ............
28 ............
Nov. 8 ............
22 ............
Dec. 6 ............
20 ............
No. of
passengers.
D.
107
112
109
163
128
144
124
110
115
101
40
32
32
10
12
10
12
12
10
12
13
11
11
13
16
12
H. M.
20 00
5 00
6 00
5 30
4 00
20 00
20 15
20 30
17 00
3 00
10 00
20 00
21 00
Specie.
D.
Time.
H.
M.
575,000
185,000
50,000
50,000
230,000
ii
10
10
10
10
10
10
11
11
10
12
9
11
00 00
00 00
15 45
15 30
7 00
15 00
10 30
7 00
10 00
10 00
21 00
20 45
10 00
Time.
FOR LIVERPOOL FROM BOSTON— CUNARD LINE.
Name of
Steamship.
Date.
July 9 ............
23 ............
Aug. 6 ............
20 ............
Sep. 3 ............
17 ............
Oct 1 ...........
16..........
29..........
Nov. 12..........
26..........
Dec. 10..........
24 ..........
No. of
passengers.
101
48
35
25
28
32
37
33
23
20
16
40
800
150,000
178,500
603,000
409,332
15
FROM LIVERPOOL FOR BOSTON— CUNARD LINE.
Date.
July 12........
26........ .
Aug. 9 ........
” 23........
Sep. 6 ........
20........
Oct. 4 ..........
10........
Nov. 1 ........
15.........
29........
Dec. 1 3 ..........
2 7 ..........
Name o f Steamship.
No. o f
passengers.
D.
Time.
H.
19
6
2
3
17
M.
60
80
108
121
137
72
96
106
41
53
31
32
ii
10
10
12
10
11
12
11
7
15
12
10
13
13
15
00
28
11
00
15
45
15
SO
6
00
10
16
00
4
30
10
12
00
00
30
382
Railroad , Canal, and Steamboat Statistics.
STEAM MARINE OF THE UNITED STATES,
A t the last session of Congress the Senate, by resolution, directed the Secretary of
tho Treasury to collect and report statistics, exhibiting officially the external and in
ternal steam marine of the United States. The aggregate results far exceed in mag
nitude and importance the most extravagant estimates and anticipations. These re
liable facts and statistics were recently reported to the Senate by the Secretary o
the Treasury. W e take the subjoined statement from the report.
The steam marine of the United States on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and the
Gulf of Mexico, is as follows
From Passamaquoddy bay to Cape Sable there are 46 ocean steamers; 274 ordinary
steamers; 66 propellers, and 80 ferry boats. Tonnage 154,270 tons. High pressure
steamers 116; tow pressure 342. Humber of officers and crew 6,348. Passengers
annually 33,114,782. Average miles traveled 8,118,989. These statistics refer to the
year ending July 1, 1851.
The steam marine on the Gulf of Mexico, from Cape Sable to the Rio Grande, con
sists of 12 ocean steamers; 95 ordinary steamers; 2 propellers. Tonnage 23,244,
High pressure 97 ; low pressure 10. Humber of officers and crew 3,473. Passengers
during the year 148,700. Humber of miles traveled 1,360,380.
The steam marine on the Pacific coast consists of 37 ocean steamers; 13 ordinary
steamers. Tonnage 37,986. High pressure 3 ; low pressure 47. Officers and crew
1,949. Average miles traveled 79,209.
The aggregates of the external steam marine are:—•
Ocean steamers 96; ordinary steamers 382; propellers 6 7 ; ferry boats 8 0 ; total
625. Total tonnage 212,500. High pressure 213; low pressure 412. Officers and
crew 11,770. Annual passengers 33,342,846. Of the annual passengers 24,009,650
were by ferry boats.
The shipwrecks in the United States on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and Gulf of
Mexico, during the year ending July 1, 1851, were 50 ships; 59 brigs; 190 schooners ;
9 sloops and 20 steamers. Total 320, of which 278 were by tempest, 14 by fire, 15
by collisions, 19 by snags and 2 by explosion. The number of lives lost was 318.
The “ human movement ” by steamboat, on the principal tide water lines was as
follows:—
Passengers.
On Long Island Sound.........................................................................................
On Hudson River.................................................................................................
Between Hew Tork and Philadelphia by steamers........................................
On Potomac and James Rivers and Chesapeake B a y .............................. ...
Gulf of Mexico....................................................................................................
Pacific coast..........................................................................................................
302,397
995,100
840,000
422,100
169,508
79,209
In 26 districts on the Atlantic coast, there were 160 vessels lost, valued at
$1,559,171, and on which insurance was paid to the amount of $968,350.
In Hew York the marine insurance paid was..............................................
In Philadelphia...............................................
In Boston............................................................................................................
$3,520,161
906,616
504,865
The total marine (not inland) insurance paid during the year is estimated at
$6,227,000.
The inland steam marine of the United States comprises three grand divisions—the
Horthern Frontier, the Ohio Basin, and the Mississippi Valley.
Steamers. Tonnage.
Horthern Frontier has..............................
Ohio Basin.................................................
Mississippi Valley.....................................
164
348
255
69,165
67,601
67,957
Total.......................................................
767
204,723
Officers
and crew.
Passengers.
2,885
8,338
6,414
1,513,390
8,464,967
882,693
17,607
5,860,950
Of the passengers 2,481,915 were by ferry boats, and in additon to the above there
were 1,325,911 passengers by railroads, 86,000 by canals, and 27,872 by stages on the
Horthern Frontier line of travel, and 265,936 railroad and 28,773 stage passengers on
the Ohio Basin line.
383
Railroad, Canal, and Steamboat Statistics.
TRAVEL TO AND FROM INLAND COMMERCIAL CENTERS
Pittsburgh (last yea r)......................................... Passengers.
St. Louis....................................................................................
Buffalo.......................................................................................
Chicago......................................................................................
466,856
367,195
622,423
199,883
Total......................................................................................
1,656,957
The resideut population of these four cities is hut 217,966.
The travel to and from Buffalo “ comes and goes ” as follows:—
By ordinary steamers................................................................
Propellers.....................................................................................
Perry Boats..................................................................................
Buffalo and Rochester Railroad................................................
Niagara Railroad.........................................................................
Erie Canal....................................................................................
157,257
14,300
26,280
262,386
119,200
43,000
Total.........................................................................................
622,423
St. Louis has 131 steamers; New Orleans 109 ; Detroit 47 ; Buffalo 42 ; Pittsburgh
12. During eight years ending July 1, 1851, the tonuage in the Buffalo districts has
increased 19,217 tons; in Presque Isle 2,117 ; Cuyahoga 4,563, and in Detroit 14,416.
The steamboat tonnage on the upper lakes has more than quadrupled in eight years,
and on the Mississippi valley it has doubled in nine years.
The steamboat disasters on the Mississippi and tributaries since the introduction of
steam, to the year 184S, are by collision 45; fire 104; snags 469 ; total 618. The
original cost of the boats £9,899,748; deficiency in value $5,186,757; final losses
$4,7] 9,991. The loss in 1849 is stated at $2,000,000.
Losses on the lakes aud rivers during the year ending July 1, 1851, by tempest 35;
fire 30 ; collision 18; snags 32. Persons lost on the lakes 67, and on the rivers 628 ;
total 695.
The average tonnage of lake steamers is 437 tons; of the Ohio basin 206; of the
Mississippi valley 273.
Of the 568 ordinary steamers on the rivers, 317 are enrolled in the districts o f the
Ohio basin, and 241 in those of the Mississippi valley.
Of the 147 ordinary steamers and propellers on the lakes, 31 are enrolled on the
lakes Champlain and Ontario and the St. Lawrence, 66 on lake Erie, and 60 at
Detroit aud the lakes above.
Of the 164 steam vessels on the lakes, 105 are ordinary steamers, 52 are propellers,
and 43 are ferry boats.
Of the 601 steam vessels on the rivers, 558 are ordinary, and 43 are ferry-boats.
With but two very slight exceptions, there is an uninterrupted line of steam nav
igation from the waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence to those of the Gulf of Mexico,
a distance of about 28,000 miles, and upon which is employed, for the purpose of trade
and travel, a steam tonnage of 69,166 tons. The Ohio basin forms, in itself, a cross
section of about 1,100 miles in length.
The steam marine of Great Britain and her dependencies, is stated to consist of
1,184 boats with 142,080 tonnage ; while the inland steam marine of the United States
consists of 766 boats, with a tonnage of 204,723 tons— showing that, exclusive of the
steam tonnage of the Atlantic and Pacific seaboard and the gulf coast, the inland
steam tonnage exceeds that of Great Britain and her dependencies by 62,643 tons.
LIGHT LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES ON RAILWAYS,
On the 3d of August, 1851, says the B u r y P o s t , an engine called the Little Eng
land was forwarded to the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway, under a guaranty that
she was to work their express trains between Edinburgh and Glasgow, consisting of
seven carriages, to keep good time as per time bill, and not to consume more than ten
lbs. of coke per m ile: if she did that to the satisfaction of Adie, the company’s engineer,
they should purchase her for £1,200. Mr. Adie placed one of the best engines belong
ing to the company, called the Sirius, to run from the opposite end, at the same hours,
and with a similar train, in order to compare the one with the other. They worked
well, the Sirius starting the morning trip from Edinburgh, and the Little England
from Glasgow. They then changed; and the Sirius started from Glasgow and the
384
Journal o f M ining and Manufactures.
Little England from Edinburgh, thus making n fair division of the work, and the re
sult proved that the small engine kept better time than the larger one. Her consump
tion o f coke was 81b. 8 oz. per mile, while that of the Sirius was 291bs. 1 oz. per mile.
The Little England would frequently run a mile in sixty seconds, and sometimes less.
She started with less slipping, and could be brought to a stand in much less distance
than the larger engine. She is now running the express trains between Edinburgh
and Glasgow, consisting of five carriages, with a consumption of only 6^1bs. of coke per
mile. During the heavy gales and bad weather which prevailed in the early part of
January she was the only engine upon the line which kept time.
JOURNAL OF M IN IN G AND M ANUFACTURES.
WAGES OF LABOR IN FACTORIES.
The following table of wages is taken from the census of the United States ; it dis
tinguishes those paid to females and males, and the difference between those of one
State and another. We do not vouch for its veritableness, even although it is a “ Cenbus
R ep ort.”
Wrought
Cotton Factories.
Female.
Iron Works. Male.
$ 0 42
$ 0 30
0 55
0 19
0 53
0 30
0 73
0 42
0 60
0 43
1 23
0 19
0 55
0 28
0 84
0 48
0 50
0 26
States, &c.
A la b a m a ..................................
A rk a n sa s..................................
C olu m b ia Dist. of.................
C on n ecticu t.............................
D ela w a re..................................
F lorid a .......................................
G e o r g ia ....................................
I llin o is ......................................
Indiana......................................
I o w a ...........................................
K e n tu ck y ..................................
M aine........................................
M a ry lan d ..................................
M assachu setts........................
M ic h ig a n ..................................
M ississip p i...............................
M issouri....................................
N e w H a m p sh ire ...................
N e w J e rs e y .............................
N e w Y o r k ................................
....
....
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
55
06
59
27
....
....
0 58
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
....
....
Verm ont...............................
Virginia.................................
Wisconsin.............................
1 22
0 81
0 59
0 39
6 47
0 38
....
Highest.................................
Lowest...................................
Mean.....................................
1 29
0 39
0 97
1 2 7*
0 39
0 65
1 01
North Carolina.....................
Ohio.......................................
Pennsylvania........................
Rhode Island......................
South Carolina....................
Tennessee .........................
i.
54
42
97
68
70
44
64
65
71
63
42
35
46
37
52
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
19
38
50
36
37
24
44
28
49
31
25
W oolen Factories.
Male.
Female.
....
i is
0 93
0 71
0 50
0 65
....
....
0 92
0 55
....
....
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
83
43
58
86
70
88
82
0 42
0
0
0
0
0
{
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
28
37
95
80
68
77
74
79
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
43
44
45
54
44
....
25
55
32
45
27
42
39
58
....
....
0
0
0
0
....
0
0
0
0
0
0 52
0 19
0 35
1 23
0 43
0 82
69
77
94
70
85
23
77
44
37
....
0 77
0 23
0 44
WEST NEWTON SILK RIBBON MANUFACTORY.
About a year ago, the manufactures of silk ribbons was commenced in West New
ton, (Mass.)”four power looms were put in operation with foot power. The average
number of pieces of ribbon woven at the same time, on each loom, are twelve, which
have proved successful. Six more looms have been added to operate with steam
power. The ribbons which have been made, have proved, for color and beauty,
equal to any which are imported.
T
*
State.
New Hampshire..
V erm ont...............
Massachusetts. . . .
R h od e IsJand........
C on n ecticu t.............
New Y o r k ...............
New Jersey..........
Penn sylvania..........
Delaware..............
Maryland..............
Virginia................
North Carolina... .
South Carolina___
g Georgia...............
Florida................
Alabam a.............
Mississippi...........
Louisiana............
Texas...................
Arkansas..............
Tennessee...........
Kentucky............
Ohio......................
Michigan..............
Indiana...............
Illinois.................
Missouri...............
Iow a....................
....
....
....
9,200
100
2,500
120
....
....
...
....
....
....
755,050
176,000
620,800
11,696
2,000
13,675
826
1,600
2,900
9,151
62,038
17,000
60
....
3,150
42,100
1,204
$14,495,220 251,491
Value o f
No. hands Average wages
Tons o f Value of
raw material employed,
per month.
wro’t iron other
used.
M es. Fe s. Males. Females, made. products.
§ 5 ,6 0 0
6 . . $ 3 2 00
....
110
66,194
31 05
57 . .
2,045
221,194
260 . .
22 50
6,720
111,750
220 . .
26 00
2,650
858,780
374 . .
31 59
....
6,325
$5,000
....
838,314
1,037 . .
26 00
13,636
195,000
320,950
593 . .
27 78
...
8,162
5,488,391
6 ,764 7 27 68 $7 50 182,506 219 ,50 0
....
19,500
60 . .
2 4 19
550
439,511
668 . . 23 33
....
10,000
591,448
1,295 . .
2 3 62
....
15,328
28,114
173 14 10 37 5 28
850
Value o f
entire
products.
$ 1 0 ,40 0
163,986
428 ,32 0
222,400
667,560
1,423,968
629,273
8,902,907
55,000
77-1,431
' 1,254,995
66,980
76,600
5,986
26
1
11 35
5 00
90
...........
15,384
30,000
8,000
14 ••
20 00
....
100
...........
7,500
731 55
183
708
15 20
32 06
33 61
10,348
3,070
14,416
38,800
22,755
385,616
180,800
604,493
5 00
280,000
466,900
670,618
299^700
1,076,192
....
85,000
4,426
22
27 45
4 00
175
11,760
24JS09
101
963
68,700
9,834
2
33,344 78,787 538,063 14,510,828 $9,698,109 13,178 79
30 00
278,044 $468,300 $16,747,074
385
T o ta l..........
Tons, Tons,
Tons,
Bushels,
Capital Tons, pig blooms ore
mineral
coke and
invested
metal.
used.
used.
coal.
charcoal.
§4 ,0 0 0 '
145
....
....
....
50,000
62,700
750
525
2,625
337,000
610,000
7,030
....
....
11,022
78,500
208,000
3,000
....
....
6,000
629,500
7,081
1,644
....
6,062
783,600
1,131.300
8,530
13,908 5,554,150
. . . . 44,642
1,916,843
10,430
. . . . 14,549
4,507 1,994,180
7,620,066 163,702
20,405
325,967 3,939,998
16,000
510
60
....
228,000
780,650 10,172
3,389
10,455
246,000
791,211
17,296
2,500
....
66,515
103,000
103,000
4,650
357,900
Journal o j M ining and M anufactures.
VOL. X X V I.— NO. III.
MANUFACTURE OF WROUGHT IRON IN THE UNITED STATES.
386
Journal o f M ining and Manufactures.
MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES.
The following tabular statement of the number of manufacturing establishments in
operation in 1850, derived from the census o f that year, probably falls far short of the
actual number:—
NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS IN OPERATION.
States.
Maine...............................
New Hampshire.............
Vermont..........................
Massachusetts................
Rhode Island .................
Connecticut.....................
New York....................... .
New J ersey...................
Pennsylvania ..................
D elaw are.........................
Maryland.........................
Virginia.............................
North Carolina...............
South Carolina..................
Georgia........................... .
Florida..............................
Alabama...........................
Mississippi.......................
Louisiana...........................
T e x a s ...............................
Arkansas...........................
Tennessee..........................
Kentucky..........................
O h io .................................
Michigan...........................
Indiana.............................
Illinois...............................
Missouri............................
Iowa...................................
Wisconsin.........................
California.........................
District of Columbia........
Total..........................
____
Cotton.
Woolen.
Castings.
12
36
61
72
119
45
149
249
41
380
8
38
121
1
..
3
25
26
26
68
20
60
323
45
320
13
16
54
5
6
4
..
..
.,
1
#,
4
25
130
15
33
16
1
1
9
___
158
___
86
___
1
1
io
8
8
2
mt
16
20
183
63
14
29
6
3
15
1
2
1,094
1,559
1,391
Wrought
Pig iron. iron.
i
i
3
6
..
13
18
10
180
..
18
29
2
,.
3
.,
3
,.
,,
2
8
6
1
18
60
53
131
2
17
39
19
.,
3
f.
1
r.
,,
23
21
35
1
2
2
5
42
4
11
,.
3
2
1
.
..
377
422
COTTONFACTS IN ITS HISTORY AND MANUFACTURE,
The following statistical facts in the history of Cotton, will no doubt prove new to
the most of our readers, and instructive to all. As facts for future reference, they are
invaluable:—
U p to the begining of the eighteenth century, the small amount of cotton imported
into England was from Cyprus and Smryna.
The annual average importation into England, the five years inclusive from 1700 to
1705 amounted to 1,171,000 pounds.
In 1730, Mr. Wyatt first spun yarn cotton by machinery.
In 1733, on the 25th November, the trustees for the settlement o f Georgia, were
presented with a paper of cottonseed by Mr. Phillip Miller, of Chelsea, England, which
reached Georgia in March, 1734.
In 1735, the first cotton was sent to Holland by the Dutch colony of Surinam, in
South America.
In 1741, raw cotton imports into England amounted to 1,900,000 pounds.
In 1742, at Birmingham, England, the first cotton spinning mill was built; its motive
power was mules or horses.
In 1760, only £200,000 was the entire value of manufactured.cotton goods in Eng
land.
Journal o f M ining and Manufactures.
38 1
In 1761, Arkwright (afterwards knighted) obtained the first patent for his spinning
frame.
In 1767, the spinning-jenny was invented by James Hargrave, which spun eight
threads instead of one. Raw cotton imports this year were about 3,000,000 pounds.
In 1774, a bill prohibiting the exportation of machinery employed in the manufac
ture of cotton received the royal assent of England. Five years after, the mule-jenny
was invented.
In 1781, Ireland first exported cotton goods to England, having sent over 239 pounds
raw cotton, mixtures of cotton and manufactures, to the value of £157, and 17,338
pairs o f cotton stockings.
In 1782, England received her first cotton from Brazil. The same year England re
ceived 11,828,000 pounds imports, and exported 421,000 pounds, setting down the
quantity manufactured at 11,500,000 pounds.
In 1785, Rev. Mr. Cartwright invented the {lower loom. The same year Watt’s
steam-engines were first introduced as the Motive power in driving machinery in cot
ton manufactories.
The following year, chlorine was first used for bleaching.
In 1787, the first cotton-spinning machinery was set up in France.
In 1789, short staple cotton began to be cultivated in the South, and sea island cot
ton first introduced here.
In 1790, at Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Mr. Slater erected a cotton mijl—the first
in America.
In 1792, Eli Whitney o f Hew Haven, Connecticut, then residing in CKtrgia invent
ed his first cotton gin.
,
'■ „
In 1798, Switzerland introduced cotton mills. The United States exported this
year, 9,300,000 pounds. Prices in England from 22d. to 23d.; in American,exports
amounted to $3,500,000.
In 1802, New Hampshire built her first cotton factory. Two years after, the first
power-loom was introduced into the United States, at Wheltham, Massachusetts.
In 1822, first cotton factory erected at Lowell, Massachusetts. The following year
Egypt first exported cotton to England.
In 1826, Roberts, in England, invented his self-acting mule-spinner.
In the meantime, from £100,000, the value of cotton manufactures in England in
1760, it increased in little more than half a century, to over £34,000,000.
In 1841, the Eastern States had invested in cotton manufactures a capital of
$40,612,984.
On some future occasion, I will bring up the last ten years, and give a short history
o f the progress o f manufactures in the Southern States.
THE IRON MOUNTAIN ON LAKE SUPERIOR.
W e find in the Detroit T r ib u n e , the subjoined statement of this celebrated moun
tain of Iron, on the borders of Lake Superior
The property known as the Iron Mountain on Lake Superior has changed hands,
and is now owned by the Sharon Iron Company, in Pennsylvania. They purpose, in
the spring, to build a plank road from the mountain to the lake shore, and their esti
mated cost of iron, when made into blooms at Sharon, (about seventy-five miles south
of Lake Erie,) is made up as follows :—
Quarrying, or picking up in loose blocks............................... perton,
$0 25
Transportation to lake shore...................................................................
1 00
Transportation from lake shore to Erie, Pennsylvania.....................
2 00
Transportation from Erie to Sharon....................................................
1 00
Converting into blooms...........................................................................
12 00
Total cost of blooms........................................................ per ton,
$16 25
Juniata blooms (the best made in Pennsylvania, but by no means equal to blooms
made from this ore) now sell, in Pittsburgh, from fifty-five to sixty dollars per ton.
Iron enough to build Whitney’s Pacific railroad might be taken from the Mountain,
and not be missed. It lies three miles from the lake shore. It exists there in such
abundance, and is of such an extraordinary quality, that in a late report of the United
States Geologists, this prophecy was made in regard to it. Says the report:—
“ This region possesses an inexhaustible supply of iron ore of the very best quality,
removed from twelve to thirty miles from the lake shore, with a soil by no means
sterile, with a heavy growth of maple, yellow birch, pine, and oak; and it is to this
source that the Great West will finally look for the finer varieties of bar iron and steel.
388
Statistics o f Population, etc.
STATISTICS OF POPULATION, & c .
OCCUPATIONS IN MASSACHUSETTS.
For the following table of occupations in Massachusetts we are indebted to Hon..
A m a s a W a l k e r , Secretary of the Commonwealth, who has prepared the eighth an
nual Registration of Births, Marriages, and Deaths in Massachusetts, from May 1,1848,
to January, 1850, with great care, skill, and industry. It is a most interesting and
useful document.
STATEMENT EXHIBITING THE NUMBER, W IT H T H EIR AGGREGATE AND AVERAGE AGES, OF P E R
SONS HAVING PURSUED DIFFERENT
MONTHS BETWEEN MAY
1, 1848,
VOCATIONS, W HO HAVE DIED DURING THE TWENTY
AND DECEMBER
31, 1849--- ALSO,
A LIKE STATEMENT FOE
THE FIVE PREVIOUS YEARS.
(THESE ABSTRACTS INCLUDE ONLY PERSONS OVER TW ENTY YEARS OF AGE.)
TW ENTY MONTHS.
FIVE YEARS.
From May 1 , 1848, to Dec. 1 , 1849.
W h o le
A
L
Occupations.
...............
o k io u l t u e is t s
a b o r e r s
......................................
number.
1,507
1,038
A g g reg a te
age.
94,021
44,951
A vera g e
age.
62.39
43.31
From May 1, ’ 4 3, to Apr. 3 0, ’48.
W h o le
number.
3,467
1,245
'A g g r e g a t e
age.
A v era g e
age.
223,440
58,680
64.45
47.13
1,318
630
69
11,645
136
183
178
1,125
2,810
...
341
20,724
575
776
398
133
480
447
104
4,783
89
82
86
256
291
360
24 6
159
487
69
172
223
1,156
1,798
946
671
8,081
3,646
47.07
48.18
69.00
53.41
46.33
36.60
59.33
41.67
46.83
....
48.71
49.57
63.89
64.67
39.80
44.33
60.00
44.70
34.67
57.63
44.50
27.33
43.00
85.33
48.50
40.00
85.14
39.75
48.70
34.50
43.00
44.60
50.26
69.93
43.00
47.93
35.01
41.91
MECHANICS.
Bakers...............................
Barbers...........................
Basketmakers.................
Blacksmiths.....................
Bookbinders....................
Brickmakers...................
Brushmakers...................
Butchers..........................
Cabinetmakers...............
Calico Printers...............
Cardmakers.....................
Carpenters......................
Carriagemakers...............
Caulkers and Gravers . .
Cigarmakers...................
Clock makers....................
Clothiers.........................
Combmakers...................
Confectioners...................
Coopers ...........................
Coppersmiths.................
Cutlers.............................
Dentists...........................
Distillers.........................
Druggists Apothecaries
Dyers...............................
Engravers.......................
Founders.........................
Furnacemen...................
Glass Blowers.................
Glass Cutters.................
Gunsmiths.......................
Harnessmakers...............
H atters...........................
Jew elers.........................
Leather Dressers...........
Machinists.........................
Manufacturers.................
19
13
3
99
7
3
2
16
28
2
5
243
13
12
4
803
607
120
4,781
310
142
109
886
1,253
86
224
11,894
537
775
182
42.26
46.69
40.00
48.29
44.28
47.33
54.50
55.31
44.89
43.00
44.80
48.94
41.31
64.68
45.50
...
5
2
1
43
5
2
6
9
4
3
2
3
11
21
17
14
6
68
63
185
83
38
2,629
37.00
41.50
88.00
61.14
28
11
1
218
3
5
3
27
60
7
419
9
12
10
3
8
10
3
83
2
3
2
3
6
9
...
...
....
....
159
115
309
340
31.80
67.50
51.50
37.78
....
7
220
83
71
145
693
845
822
665
259
2,103
2,696
65.00
27.67
35.50
48.33
63.91
40.24
48.36
40.36
43.17
36.26
4
4 2 .7 9
10
2
4
5
23
80
22
14
88
87
389
Statistics o f Population, etc.
OCCUPATIONS IN MASSACHUSETTS— CONTINUED.
FIVE YEARS.
TWENTY MONTHS.
Occupations.
M a son s..................................
M e c h a n ic s ...........................
M illers...................................
M illw r ig h ts ........................
N a ilm a k e r s ........................
O p e r a tiv e s ...........................
P a in ters...............................
P a p erm a k ers......................
P ianofortem akere..............
P o tte r s ..................................
P o w d e r m a k e r s .................
P u m p and B lock m a k ers.
P rinters................................
R e e d m a k e r s ......................
R ig g e r s .............................
R o p e m a k e r s ......................
S a ilm a k ers ..........................
S h ip w rig h ts ........................
S hoecutters..........................
S h oem a k ers........................
S ilv e r s m it h s ......................
S te v e d o re s ........................ ..
S t o n e c u t t e r s ......................
S to v e D ealers.....................
T ailors...................................
T a llo w C hand lers............
Tanners and C u rriers. . .
T in s m ith s ............................
T o b a c c o n is ts ......................
T ru n k m ak ers......................
U p h olsterers......................
W e a v e r s ..............................
W e lld ig g e r s .......................
W h e e lw r ig h t s ....................
W h ip m a k ers.......................
W o o l S orters ......................
W o o d T u rn ers...................
T o t a l.................................
From May 1, 1848, to Dec. 1,1849.
Average
W hole ' Aggregate
age.
age.
number.
2,602
67
45.65
2,842
65
43.72
496
55.11
9
315
6
52.50
243
34.71
7
41
1,355
33.05
2,431
41.91
58
545
49.55
11
1
30
30.00
1
71
71.00
2
22
1
5
16
9
. 34
5
826
2
2
29
4
34
1
25
10
3
4
1
14
1
24
3
3
1
1,581
129
784
32
276
905
505
1,795
172
14,551
82
125
1,178
116
1,468
44
1,140
348
160
139
64
577
56
1,343
150
123
69
64.50
35.64
32.00
55.20
56.56
56.11
52.79
34.40
44.64
41.00
62.50
40.62
29.00
43.18
44.00
45.60
84.80
53.33
34.75
64.00
41.21
56.00
55.96
50.00
41.00
69.00
72,229
From May 1, M3, to Apr. 30, ’48.
Whple
Aggregate Average
age.
age.
number.
94
48.80
4,587
79
45.16
3,467
25
1,586
63.44
9
432
48.00
14
37.14
520
60
1,816
30.27
90
3,829
42.54
13
695
45.72
1
24
24.00
1
80
80.00
4
123
30.75
8
535
66.87
24
915
38.12
3
22
6
48
159
1,127
341
2,825
63.00
51.23
56.83
58.25
686
28,961
42.28
60
2,629
43.82
48
7
39
9
2,277
392
2,032
321
47.44
56.00
52.05
35.67
17
1
67
3
7
3
861
25
2,433
89
316
144
50.65
25.00
42.93
29.67
45.14
48.00
45.62
2,678
124,014
46.30
38.00
35.68
48.50
50.79
35.04
46.93
6
69
221
2,273
36.83
32.94
243
12^27
5*1.14
135
5,973
44.24
MERCHANTS.
Booksellers
Clerks........
Grocers . . .
Merchants .
Pedlars
Traders__
Total___
P
au pers.
..
1
53
14
107
25
87
38
1,890
679
5,434
876
4 ,0 8 3
287
13,000
45.30
453
20,894
46.12
68
3,831
66.05
124
8,691
69.28
2
10
70
8
36
5
48
337
4,477
93
2,003
192
24.00
33.70
57.39
46.50
55.64
38.40
PROFESSIONAL MEN.
Artists..............
Civil Engineers
Clergymen___
Editors.............
Lawyers..........
Musicians.........
10
l
37
4
19
4
439
23
2,049
122
1,142
1 94
43.90
23.00
55.38
30.50
60.10
48.50
390
Statistics o f Population, etc.
OCCUPATIONS IN MASSACHUSETTS— CONTINUED.
TWENTY MONTHS.
Occupations.
Physicians................
P r o fe s s o r s ...............
S tu d e n ts ...................
T e a c h e r s .................
T o t a l ....................
FIVE TEAKS.
From May 1, 1848, to Dec. 1,1849.
From May 1, ’43, to Apr. 30, ’48Whole
Whole
Aggregate Average
Aggregate
Average
number.
age.
age.
age.
age. ^ number.
45
10$
6,682
64.12
2,599
57.76
..
....
48.75
195
4
22.44
370
718
16
23.12
32
37.42
2 ,694
14
501
72
35.79
160
7,439
49.59
846
16,439
47.51
PUBLIC MEN.
Baggage Masters...........
Bank Officers...................
Brakemen.......................
Brokers...........................
Chimney Sw eeps...........
Comedians.. . .................
Cooks................................
Drivers.............................
Drovers...................... - . ..
Engineers and Firemen..
Expressmen.....................
Fencing Masters..............
Ferrymen.........................
Gentlemen.......................
Innkeepers......................
Judges and Justices........
lig h t house Keepers . . .
News Carriers.................
Pilots.................................
Public Officers.................
E. R. Agents <fc Conduct’s
Sextons ...........................
Sheriffs and Constables .
Soldiers.............................
Stablers...........................
Teamsters.......................
Ticket Masters...............
Victualers.......................
Watchmen.......................
Weighers and Gaugers..
1
3
4
2
1
2
1
5
1
10
1
1
1
29
34
8
x 1
1
4
6
5
2
4
•5
12
34
1
5
9
1
25
187
119
88
35
49
50
244
35
338
46
28
58
1,839
1,542
195
38
28
295
345
205
90
229
214
458
1,478
44
241
416
67
25.00
62.33
29.70
44.00
35.00
24.50
50.00
• 48.80
35.00
33.80
46.00
28.00
58.00
63.41
45.35
65.00
38.00
28.00
73.75
57.50
41.00
45.00
57.50
42.80
38.37
43.47
44.00
48.20
46.22
67.00
-. .
63
31.60
...
....
6
2
164
108
27.33
54.00
2
,.
,.
.,
.,.
....
....
....
21
2
744
78
35.43
39.00
55
37
3,873
1,891
70.42
51.11
...
....
....
....
3
87
207
2,136
69.00
57.68
4
234
68.50
9
30
372
1,184
..
41.33
39.60
...
....
8
397
49.62
..
.,
,,
,.
,.
.,
...
...
...
...
..
,,
..
....
....
....
....
....
...
...
....
....
...
....
••
...
....
T o t a l......................... :
189
9 ,126
48.28
216
11,451
63.01
Seam en ...........................
225
10,505
46.79
826
34,617
41.91
30.93
42.88
55.18
32.50
28.00
27.40
31.67
48.14
38.00
40.43
33.75
86
45
1,147
17
12
153
42
14
16
62
39
3,855
1,304
59,657
597
669
4,285
1,880
610
585
2,553
1,099
44.82
28.98
52.01
35.12
55.75
28.00
44.76
43.57
36.56
41.16
28.02
43.87
1,633
77,093
47.23
FEMALES.
D o m e s t ic s . . .
D re ss m a k e r s .
H ou sek eep ers.
M illin e rs .........
N u r s e s ............
O p e r a t iv e s .. .
S eam stresses.
S h o e b in d e r s ..
S traw braid ers
T a iloresses. . .
T e a c h e r s ____
T ota l
14
8
84
4
1
35
3
7
2
7
8
433
343
4 ,635
130
28
959
95
337
76
283
270
173
7,589
\
<
Statistics o f Population , etc.
/
391
RECAPITULATION.
TWENTY- MONTHS.
Occupations.
Agriculturists..............
Laborers.....................
Mechanics...................
Merchants .................
Paupers........................
Professional Men........
Public M en .................
Seam en.......................
<
T o ta l.......................
Females...................
FIVE YEARS.
From May 1,1848, to Dec. 31, 1849. From May 1, ’43, to Apr. 30, ’48.
Whole
Whole
Aggregate Average
Aggregate Average
number.
age.
age.
number.
age.
age.
94,021
62.39
223,440
64.45
3,467
44,961
43.31
47.13
1,245
58,680
72,229
45.62
2,678
46.30
124,014
13,000
453
46.12
287
45.30
20,894
58
3,831
66.05
124
69.28
8,591
4959
346
16,439
47.51
150
7,439
9,126
48.28
216
1,451
53.01
10,505
46.79
826
41.91
34,617
255,103
7,589
50.67
43.87
9,355
1,633
488,126
77,093
52.18
47.23
The foregoing table is intended to illustrate the influence of different vocations on
health and longevity. The number from the different classes of persons is so limited
in most cases, however, that it would be unsafe to take the average ages given, as the
representative number expressing the general law. When observations upon the va
rious points shall become sufficiently extensive, important results may be deduced in
relation to the value of life under different occupational circumstances.
There are a few of the more common pursuits of life that include a sufficient num
ber in the table to furnish statements which closely approximate the truth. Thus, of
a g r i c u l t u r i s t s o r fa r m e r s , we find nearly five thousand (4,974) with an average age of
fi3.83 years. Of ordinary la b o r e r s there were 2,283, many of whom were probably
foreigners, with less healthy habitations than the home of the planter. With the la
borer we find the average age to be only 45.39, being 18.44 years less than the average
life of the husbandman. A similar disparity is noticed, also, in examining the number
o f each of those classes which were furnished by the separate years.
Again, let us compare the two trades, c a r p e n te r s , who are not confined by their la
bor to one place, or to in-door influences, and the s h o e m a k e r , who is subject, under
present arrangements in most workshops, to serious influences, tending to deteriorate
health and abridge life. The 662 carpenters lived an average age of 49.28 years,
while the 1,011 shoemakers enjoyed an average life of only 43.04 years, being 6.24
years less than their more fortunate brethren just alluded to, and 20.79 years less than
the highly favored farmer. This difference, though quite sufficiently important to ar
rest attention, receives additional claims to notice, wnen we consider that the race
which finds a goal at such unequal distances, does not commence prior to the 21st
year o f life. Taking the extreme cases, we find the farmer and the shoemaker, at the
age of 20, with a prospect of living 43.83 years extended to the former, while that of
the latter is curtailed to only 23.04 years, showing a difference of nearly 100 per cent.
Laying aside all considerations more elevated than those of merely a pecuniary ele
ment, and we find the farmer paying the same premium for life or health assurance
as those of other callings in life, although the latter may have no chance of living
much more than one-half as long as the former. But there are other and far higher
considerations, which, it is believed, will commend themselves to the interested.
DEATHS IN THE UNITED STATES IN 1850.
The following table of deaths in the several States and Territories of the United
States for the year ending 1st June 1850, is derived from the last census:—
TABLE OF DEATHS DURING THE YEAR ENDING
1ST JUNE, 1 85 0 .
Ratio to
No. of the No.
Deaths. living.
Maine.........................
New Hampshire.. . .
V ermont....................
Massachusetts...........
Ehode Island............
77.29
74.49
100.13
51.13
65.83
No. o f
Deaths.
Connecticut.............
New Y ork...............
New Jersey.............
Pennsylvania...........
Delaware.................
Ratio to
the No.
living.
64.18
69.85
75.70
81.63
75.71
392
M e r c a n tile
Maryland...................
Virginia..................... . . .
North Carolina.......... . . .
South Carolina..........
Georgia......................
Alabama...................
Mississippi.................
Louisiana...................
Texas.........................
Florida.....................
Kentucky..................
Tennessee.................. . . .
Missouri.....................
Ratio to
No. of the No.
Deaths. living.
9,594
60.77
19,053
74.61
85.12
10,207
83.59
91.33
84.94
69.63
42.85
69.79
93.67
64.60
11,759
85.34
55.81
M isc ella n ies .
Arkansas.........................
Ohio.................................
Indiana.............................
Illinois.............................
Michigan..........................
Iowa.................................
Wisconsin.........................
California.........................
Minnesota.......................
Oregon.............................
Hew Mexico....................
Utah.................................
District of Columbia.. .
Ratio to
No. of the No.
Deaths. living.
70.18
2,987
68-41
28,949
77.65
12,728
73.28
11,619
88.19
4,520
94.03
2,044
2,884 105.82
....
30
47
1,157
239
846
202.56
282.82
53.15
47.61
61.09
M E R C A N TIL E M ISCELLANIES.
DELVING, DIVING, DIGGING, DREDGING.
In the days when we went digging— when “ revolving an old tin pan,” filling up a
cradle, or “ a 1ocking of the same,” was a pretty, if not a pleasant pastime, amid the
sylvan shades of the piney glades on the banks of the Americano— there came great
projects into the land for the development of the wonderful wealth of the placer.
Human ingenuity, together with a great amount of Connecticut invention, had been
suspended from the manufacture of Planetarium printing presses, patent wooden clocks,
and perpetual motion n achinery, to be concentrated and applied for the production of
apparatus for gold-digging in newly-discovered California. The science of mechanics
was tasked to its utmost, and all manner of complicated power produced, which was
intended
“ To dig the mountains down,
And drain the rivers dry,”
Then went forth the expedition of conquering gold-seekers. The world never saw such
a spectacle since the days when Old Spain was haunted with visions of El Dorado.
From the frozen lakes of Maine to the southern shores of Florida, legions were assem
bled, and armies o f gold hunters organized, companies formed, and leaders elected,
Charters and constitutions, framed and fashioned after the model instruments of the
model republic were solemnly adopted. There was the Madawaska Mining and Mer
cantile Company ; theWachita Washing, Delving, and Dry-Digging Association; the
Okahumky Diving, Draining, Dredging and Trading Union; and the Tallahassee DryMining, Mountain- Scaling, River-Dragging, Valley-Widening and— but expletives fail in
ordinary compounds to tell of the wonders which were to be done by these all-creation
splitting heroes, who were armed with patent pumps and water works, consisting of d g
gers and divers, trenchers, and tunnelers, rockers and rotary indescribables of all sorts,
shapes, and kinds for the digging up and turning over of newly found El Dorado. “ V e n i,
v id i, v ic i,” was worn upon every man’s crest. This, translated, made every man a
Julius, whose motto was, “ I seas it, I sees ’em, I seize her I ”— and seize her they did,
an army in impetuosity and necessity before her golden gates— it was well for Califor
nia that their engines of conquest were made for extorting silver instead of extracting
gold.
Alas, the day 1 Gone are the glories of golden organizations—perished the rich
prospects that once sustained associated labor! The ranks of the hungry hordes have
been ruinously thinned, and no longer they march to invade our soil “ by companies ”
as of yore; not now does the soldier
------“ doff his feathers, for Feather-river’s shore,
And Majors all turn miners to drill the yellow ore.”
The day has gone by, and a better time has come— a better day is dawning.
Of all the ponderous machinery freighted hither from afar in the early days of the
gold-fever, scarcely a remnant remains. And utterly valueless and inapplicable as it
Mercantile Miscellanies.
393
proved to be, it was scarcely less inefficient for the prosecution of labor in this country,
than those company organizations formed in the East, were found to be. The charm of
union was soon dissolved when its practical utility was determined, and when the ap
plication of the science of Yankee mechanism come to be tested, and was rendered
nugatory, alas for the tine schemes of diving, digging, delving, dredging and sub marine
explorations. The complicated machinery transported at such cost was about as effec
tive in the various branches of mining, as would be the adaptation of the mechanism
of a Yankee churn.— A l t a C a lifo r n ia .
ARTIFICIAL LEATHER.
A correspondent o f the New York Advertiser, who has recently visited Abingdon,
Massachusetts, states that on going into a shop a few days ago, he witnessed another
triumph of art aided and guided by science. A steam engine of six or eight horse power
is erected for grinding up the chips and shavings of leather which are cut off by
the shoe and boot makers, and which have heretofore been burnt or thrown away.
These are ground to a powder resembling coarse snuff, and this powder is then mixed
with certain gums and other substances, so thoroughly, that the whole mass becomes a
kind of melted leather. In a short time this dries a little, and is rolled out to the de
sired thickness— perhaps one twenty-fourth of an inch. It is now quite solid, and is
said to be entirely waterproof. On putting the question whether it was strong, the
manufacturer cut several strips a foot long and half an inch wide, which our informant
endeavored in vain to break.
This new fashioned leather will make good middle soles for shoes, and perhaps inner
soles; and would be very durable round the shafts of a carriage, or in any place where
mere chafing is all the wear desired. It is supposed it would wear well as bands for
some kinds of machinery, and will doubtless be used for many other purposes. A
patent has been secured, and the article will soon be in the market and in use.
A SUCCESSFUL COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE.
1 he New Bedford M e r c u r y gave, some time since, an account of a commercial enter
prise, so remarkable, that, although some time has elapsed since its occurrence, we
cannot resist the temptation of giving it a permanent record in the pages of the M e r
c h a n ts ' M a g a z in e .
In reporting the return home of Capt. W. T. Walker, o f New Bedford, of the ship
Envoy, from San Francisco, where he left his ship, after disposing of her cargo, the M e r
c u r y states that the ship Envoy, which had been formerly employed in the whale fish
ery, was sold in 1847, as a vessel only fit to be broken up, for the sum of $325. The
purchaser, Mr. Wm. 0. Brownell, fitted her for sea, having fortunately engaged Capt.
Walker to command her, who purchased a quarter part of the ship. She sailed from
New Bedford July 12,1848, and being deemed by the insurance companies unseaworthy, without insurance. She proceeded to the Island of Whytrotacke, where Capt W.
had, on a previous voyage, stored a thousand barrels of oil, which he had purchased
from a wrecked vessel; took the oil on board, proceeded with it to Malta, and thence
shipped it to London, where it has been sold at a net profit of $9,000.
He then proceeded to the North Pacific, and. in a cruise of 55 days, took 2,800 bar
rels o f Whale Oil, with which he returned to Manilla in the fall of 1849, whence he
shipped to London 1,800 barrels of oil, and 40,000 pounds of whalebone, on which he
made a net profit of $37,500. The ship then proceeded again to the Pacific, and du
ring the last season took 2,500 barrels more of whale oil, with which, and the 1,000
barrels remaining on board, and 3,500 pounds of whalebone, he proceeded to San
Francisco. Capt. W. arrived there Nov. 5th, sold his oil on hand for $73,450, shipped
his whalebor e for Boston, estimated worth, $12,500, and had an offer of $6,000 for the
ship. The M e r c u r y thus sums up the result of the voyage:—
Net profits on 1,000 bbls. of oil shipped to London........................................... $ 9,000
“
“
on oil and bone, catchings of first season........................................... 37,600
Sales at San Francisco............................................................................................. 73450
Value of whalebone shipped home......................................................................
12,500
Value of ship.............................................................................................................
6^000
304
Mercantile Miscellanies.
VESSELS LIBELED FOR VIOLATION OF THE PASSENGER LAW.
The following vessels, as we learn from the Baltimore P r i c e C u r r e n t, have been li
beled at that port for non-compliance with the law regulating the carrying of passen
gers, viz.:—
Ships Athens and Living Age, from Liverpool; English brig Falcon, from Wexford ,
Ireland; Bremen ships Wickelhausen, Martha, Goethe, Adler, and Brig Arion, from
Bremen. The law provides that every vessel carrying passengers shall have a sepa
rate berth for each passenger, failing in which the master or owner is finable $5 for
every passenger on board. The number of passengers allowed is two to every five
tons measurement, and for every passenger over this amount the ship shall be fined
$50. Each passenger’s berth must be 18 inches wide by 7 feet in length ; besides the
privilege o f 14 square feet of room between decks. A ll the above vessels have been
libeled for failing to put up sufficient berths. The aggregate number of passengers
brought by them was l,28o, which, at a fine of $5 each, makes the amount to be paid
$6,400.
VESSELS BORED BY WORMS.
A list of American vessels, sold at Valparaiso, between January 1st and Septem
ber 1st, 1851, exhibits an average price of less than $4,000. As but five out of the
entire thirty are even schooners, the sales were ruinously low. The causes of the sac
rifice may be partly explained by the comparative glut in the market, but this does
not seem to us wholly to account for it. A paragraph in the Baltimore A m e r i c a n may
throw light upon it, however. The paragraph to which we allude is the notice of a
piece of the barque Mary Theresa, which was lately forwarded from San Francisco to
the editor of the A m e r i c a n , and which was completely riddled by a species of worm
inhabiting the California waters. The wood had been in the water almost five months,
and was drilled through and through, as if by machinery. As these worms are nu
merous in the bay of San Francisco, and do great injury to vessels, the low prices of
the ve-sels sold at Valparaiso may be accounted for partially in this way. W e notice
several Philadelphia craft among those thus sold.
TH E LEADING COMMERCIAL PORTS OF ENGLAND.
A Parliamentary return lately made, shows that Liverpool is the greatest port in
the British empire in the value of its exports and the extent of its foreign Commerce.
New York is the only place out of Great Britain which can in any way compete with
Liverpool. New York is the Liverpool o f America; Liverpool is the New Y olk of
Europe. The two ports are, together, the gates or doors of entry between the Old
World and the New. Liverpool exports in value more than half the total amount of
the exports of Great Britain and Ireland. The principal ports in Great Britain rank
as follows for the year 1850;—
Liverpool exports in value...........................................................................
London
“
“ .............................................................................
Hull
“
“ .............................................................................
Glasgow
“
“ ............................................................................
Southampton “
“ nearly.................................................................
Cork
“
“ above..................................................................
£35,000,000
14,000,000
10,366,000
3,768,000
2,000,000
1,000,000
ANTHRACITE COAL: ITS CONSUMPTION IN THE COAL REGION.
The Pottsville M i n e r s ' J o u r n a l, good authority, puts down the number of steamengines employed at the mines, at 298 of which 179 are engaged in the Schuylkill
region; 64 in the Lehigh; and 55 in the Lackawana; making a total as above stated of
298 engines engaged in the coal trade. The J o u r n a l estimates that the engines in
Schuylkill county consume about 240,000 tons of coal, as the larger portion of them
run both day and night tnroughout the whole year. The consumption of Lehigh and
Lackawana can safely be putdown at 175,000 tons; the consumption in families and
for steam purposes other than mining, can be put at 250,000 tons, giving an aggregate
of 665,000 tons consumed in the coal regions, which added to the 4,383,795 tons sent
to market, makes the product of Anthracite coal in 1851, fiv e m illio n s , f o r t y - e i g h t
th o u s a n d tw o h u n d r e d a n d n in e ty -jiv e to n s .
The Book Trade.
395
THE BOOK TRADE.
X.— N i c a r a g u a ; i t s P e o p l e , S c e n e r y . M o n u m e n ts , a n d th e p r o p o s e d I n t e r - O c e a n i c
C a n a l. With numerous original Maps and Illustrations. By E. G. S quier, late
Charge to the Republics of Central America. 2 vols., 8vo., pp. 454 and 450. New
Y ork : D. Appleton & Co.
These volumes form one of the most splendid books o f the season. Nothing re
sembling them has issued from the press in this country, since the publication o f
Stephens’s Central America. The author, in his official character, was received with
extraordinary demonstrations, and thus possessed every opportunity to view the
country under the most favorable aspect. His work is divided into five parts, which
contain a geographical and topographical account of Nicaragua and of the other States
of Central America, with observations of their climate, agricultural and mineral pro
ductions, and general resources; a narrative of his residence in Nicaragua, with an
account of explorations of its aboriginal monuments, notices of the people, their habits,
customs, and modes o f life, descriptionsof scenery, die.; an account o f the geography
and topography of Nicaragua, as connected with the proposed Inter-Oceanic Canal,
with a sketch of the various negotiations respecting it; notes on the aborigines of the
country, with such original information of their geographical distribution, relations,
languages, institutions, customs, and religion, as serves to define their ethnical position;
an outline o f the political history of Central America since its independence of Spain.
The vehinm a. - embellished with nine original maps of the country, twenty-five
lithograph!
U 'o plates and sixty wood engravings. They are written in a very
animated mid lively style, and are full of inc’dents and adventures which constantly
secure the reader’s attention. The information which 'they contain respecting the
route by Nicaragua Lake to California, is of the highest importance, and it is very lull
and complete. In a'w ord It would not be easy to lonceive of two volumes more
agreeable in their.content 'or more attractive in their laracter, respecting any foreign
country, than thete which present us with such striking pictures of Nicaragua.
f
2.—
E x e m p l a r y f o r a c ts o f P i e t y a n d C h a r ity .
By J ulia
12mo., pp. 384. New Y ork: D. Appleton & Co.
It has been the usual practice of historical writers to devote their labors to the
relation of the great and glorious actions of men in some public or prominent depart
ment of social affairs; but in this instance the author has described the lives of those
who were distinguished for their lowliness, and their simple gracefulness of character.
Commencing at the Christian era, she spreads before us the lives of those women, in
all subsequent ages, who have been eminent for their actions of piety. Thus furnishing
a mass of historical information of the most interesting kind, which it is difficult to
find elsewhere, except in a detached and fragmentary lorm. The author is a writer
of uncommon talent, and displays a truthfulness and depth of feeling in the appre
ciation of her subject which is rare.
*
W o m en o f C h ristia n ity
K avannah .
■*
8.— A d r i a n ; o r th e C lo u d s o f th e M i n d : A R o m a n c e . By G. P. R. J ames and
Maunsell B. F ield. 12mo. pp. 801. New York: D. Appleton & Co.
As a literary work this is entitled to no ordinary praise. It hasibeen written with
uncommon care by two writers of reputation and accomplishment^, wYose style is, in
this instance, so similar that it is impossible to detect their several' parts. As a tale,
it is a work of fascinating interest, abounding in animated and stirring scenes, and with
striking and truthful delineations of character.
4.— G e o lo g y o f th e B a s s R o c k . By H ugh Miller. With its Civil and Ecclesiastical
History and Notices of some of its Martyrs, by Dr. McCrie and others. 12mo., pp.
288. New York: Robert Carter.
The Bass Rock stands in the mouth of the Frith of Forth, about a mile and a half
from the shore. It is fully a mile in circumference, and four hundred and twenty feet
above the surface of the sea. It is inaccessible except at one point. A t one time it
was used as the State prison of Scotland for the Covenanters. There are many his
torical records and associations connected with this wonderful rock, all of which are
interwoven with particulars respecting the rock itself, in this entertaining and instruct
ive volume.
396
The Book Trade.
5. — T h e W o r l d o f W a t e r s : o r A P e a c e f u l P r o g r e s s o ’e r th e U h p a th e d S ea . By Mrs
D avid Osborne. With illustrations. 12mo., pp. 363. New Y ork: Robert Carter.
The leading object in the preparation o f this volume has been to render it such as
shall tend to awaken a taste for the science of Geography in the minds of youth.
There is, therefore, much geographical information in its pages, but it is interspersed
with so much that is romantic and agreeable, that the entertainment of youth would
seem to be its leading aim. Thus prepared, and illustrated with many beautiful en
gravings, it is sure of a welcome reception.
6. — T h e
P r i n c i p l e s o f G e o lo g y E x p l a i n e d , a n d R e v ie w e d in t h e i r R e l a t i o n to R e v e a le d
a n d N a tu r a l R e lig io n .
By Rev. D avid K ing, I. I.. D., with notes and an appendix
by John S conler, M. D. 16mo., pp. 220. New Y o rk : Robert Carter.
A knowledge of the principles of geology, connected with religion, can be obtained
only from works expressly prepared on the subject, of which this is one. The author
aims to show that geology is consistent with the truths of religion, in such a manner
that it can be understood by all.
V.— S e le c t
C h ild r e n a n d Y o u t h :
W i t h a n I n tr o d u c tio n .
By T ryqn
First American from the twelfth Loudon Edition, with alterations
and improvements. 16mo., pp. 285. New York : M. W. Dodd.
These selections of poetry for the young present an admirable mirror, in which they
may see their own best feelings reflected, and wherein whatsoever is excellent is set
before them in the most attractive form. The selections are brief, and made from the
best poets. The little volume is well worthy of the attention of parents and
teachers.
P o etry fo r
E dwards, D. D.
8. — T h e A r t J o u r n a l f o r J a n u a r y , 1852. New York : George Virtue.
The embellishments of this number are unusually fine. They consist of the “ Dan
gerous Playmates,” from a picture in the Vernon Gallery; “ The Cavaliers’ Pets,”
“ Patienza,” a wood engraving, and an engraving of “ Night,” from the original bas
relief, by Thorswalden. The number of cuts illustrating the numerous articles of the
text are very great, and are well executed.
9. — A m i n e 's
C y c lo p e d ia o f A n e c d o te s , o f L i t e r a t u r e , a n d th e F i n e A r t s , c o n t a i n i n g a
c o p io u s a n d c h o ic e s e le c tio n o f A n e c d o t e , o f th e v a r io u s f o r m s o f L i t e r a t u r e , o f th e
A r t s , o f A r c h i t e c t u r e , E n g r a v in g s , M u s ic , P a i n t i n g s , a n d S c u l p t u r e ; a n d o f th e
m o s t C e le b r a te d L i t e r a r y C h a r a c t e r s a n d A r t i s t s o f d iffe r e n t C o u n tr ie s , A c : W i t h
N u m e r o u s I l l u s t r a t i o n s . 8vo. Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Boston: Gould, Lincoln,
<t Co.
This is a liberal selection of anecdotes relating to all the subjects enumerated in the
title. They are well chosen, and possess much interest apart from their intrinsic im
portance. The whole are classified under appropriate subjects, alphabetically arranged,
and furnished with a copious index. The work consists o f eight numbers, forming a
large mass of choice miscellaneous reading.
10. — E c lo g c e e x Q. H o r a t i i F l a c c i P o e m a t i b u s . 16mo., pp. 311. Philadelphia :
Blanchard and Lea.
This is a selection of the poems of Horace, belonging to the classical series of
Schmitz and Zumpt, which is admirably adapted to the use of schools.
11. — W o m a n a n d h e r N e e d s : S h a d o w L a n d , o r T h e S e e r . By Mrs. E. Oakes Smith.
12mo., pp. 249. New York : Fowlers <fc Wells.
These separate productions, which form one volume, may be regarded as the con
tribution to the public of a mind that is active, liberalized, and sensitive to the vast
evils that beset the present social condition of woman. The latter of the two works is
not devoted to this subject immediately; it rather presents the glimpses and concep
tions of an aspiring spirit, which are written with much merit.
12. — T h e G r e a t M e t r o p o l i s ; o r N e w Y o r k A l m a n a c f o r 1852. Published annually.
Eighth Publication. 18mo., pp. 220. New York : H. Wilson.
This is a most complete register of New York, and more full of that species of in
formation which every man daily needs, than any publication of the kind other than
a directory. It describes with great fullness, public places, churches, offices, and build
ings, streets, banks, public institutions, (fee., besides containing a large amount of inter
esting information respecting the city. Its contents are almost entirely distinct from
previous editions.
The BooJc Trade.
39V
18.— T h e
W o r k s o f S h a k s p e a r e : T h e t e x t c a r e f u l l y r e s to r e d a c c o r d in g to th e f i r s t
e d i t i o n s ; w ith I n tr o d u c tio n s , N o t e s O r i g i n a l a n d S ele cted , a n d a L i f e o f th e P o e t .
By the Rev. H. N. Hudson, A. M„ in eleven volumes. Vol. 1 .12mo., pp. 450. Boston:
J. Munroe & Co.
The celebrity which Mr. Hudson obtained as a lecturer on Shakspeare is a guaran
ty that this will be an invaluable edition of the plays of the immortal bard. His aim
in the preparation of this and the succeeding volumes, will be to restore the text as
nearly as possible to its original purity, and to free it from innumerable puerile cor
rections which deface so many other editions. The notes will be gathered from all
sources, and will often contain illustrative passages. In the introductions there will
be presented all the historical information that has yet been made accessible, concern
ing the times when the several plays were written and first acted, and the sources
whence the plots and materials of them were taken. The aim of the critical remarks
will be to conduct the reader by silent processes to such a state and habit of mind
that he may contemplate the plays as works of art, and see all the parts and elements
of a given structure, intertwining, and coalescing, and growing up together in vital, or
ganic harmony and reciprocity. Such are some of the promises held forth in this
edition. It is needless for us to speculate upon the admirable manner in which they
will be performed, satisfied as we are, that this will prove one of the most acceptable
of all the editions recently issued.
14. — T h e
L i f e a n d W r i t i n g s o f R e v . G e o r g e H e r b e r t : W i t h th e S y n a g o g u e , i n i m i t a
t i o n o f H e r b e r t.
12mo., pp. 451. Boston: James Munroe & Co.
Herbert, a poet of exquisite sentiment and pathos, and a man of excellent character,
has come in modern days to hold the place to which his fine spirit entitles him. His
genius was kindled at the altar of Christian devotion, and his productions were highly
esteemed by the learned of his time. In this volume we have a brief memoir of him,
and a large collection of his poetrv, which is worthy to be placed among the choicest
sacred lyrics.
15. — E l f i n L a n d , a n d o t h e r P o e m s . By B e n j a m i n W e s t B a il . 12mo., pp. 150.
Boston : James Munroe <fc Co.
Smoothness o f versification, with a flowing fancy, and occasionally much elevation
of sentiment, characterize these agreeable poems.
16. — M a n a n d h is M ig r a t io n s . By R. G. L atham, M. D. 12mo., pp. 261. Hew York:
C. B. Norton.
This volume forms the first number of a series of publications which are to be issued
under the title of “ Norton’s Railroad Library.” The merits of Latham as a writer are
of no inferior order. In this volume we are presented with a course of six lectures
delivered at the Mechanics’ Institution, Liverpool, about a year since ; they have since
been revised and issued in a more complete and systematic form.
17. — W o m a n , h e r E d u c a t io n , a n d I n flu e n c e . By Mrs. H ugo R eid. With a General
Introduction, by Mrs. C. M. K irkland, with numerous Illustrations, Stereotype Edi
tion. 12mo., pp. 192. New York: Fowlers & Wells.
Nothing, certainly, can come amiss which relates to woman and her improvement.
This volume attempts to throw some light on the peculiarities of her position in
society, and to show that social equality with man is necessary for the free growth
and development of woman’s nature. This social equality it extends to all rights and
privileges o f a public nature. The work has been received with great favor in
England.
18. — T h e H i s t o r y o f th e U n ite d S ta le s o f A m e r i c a . By W. H. B a r t l e t t . Part 1,
8vo. New Y o rk : George Virtue.
Few historical works are issued in better style than this one. It is printed on fine
paper with clear and open type, and embellished with numerous beautiful maps. As
an historical work it is written with judgment, and discrimination, and careful
accuracy.
19. — T h e B r i t i s h C o lo n ies. By R. M. M a r t i n . Parts 35 and 36. New Y ork : John
Tallis & Co.
The contents of these parts relate to the natural history of New Zealand and the
Falkland Islands. They are embellished with a map of the latter, and a portrait o f
Viscount Falkland, executed with much skill.
398
The Book Trade.
20. — T h e
P r a c t i c a l M e t a l W o r k e r 's A s s i s t a n t , c o n t a in in g th e a r ts o f w o r k in g a l l m eta ls
a n d a llo y s , f o r g i n g o f i r o n a n d s t e e l , h a r d e n in g a n d te m p e r in g , m e lt in g a n d m ix in g ,
c a s t in g a n d f o u n d i n g w o r k s i n s h o r t m e ta l , th e p r o c e s s e s d e p e n d e n t o n th e d u c tility
o f m e ta ls , s o ld e r in g a n d th e m o s t im p r o v e d p r o c e s s e s , a n d to o ls e m p lo y e d b y m e ta l
w orkers.
W i t h th e a p p l i c a t i o n o f th e a r t o f E l e c t r o - M e t a l l u r g y to m a n u fa c t u r in g
p r o c e s s e s ; c o lle c te d f r o m o r i g i n a l s o u r c e s a n d f r o m th e w o r k s o f J fa ltz a p p e l , B e r g e
r o n , L e u p o ld , P l u m i n , W a p i e r a n d o th ers.
T h e w h o le a r r a n g e d w ith n u m e r o u s e n
g r a v i n g s o n w ood , to s u it th e A m e r i c a n M e ta l W o r k e r . By Oliver B yrne, C. E.
8vo. pp. 464. Philadelphia: H. C. Baird.
It appears to have been a leading object with this author, to prepare his work with
such clearness and simplicity, that any mechanic previously unacquainted with the sub
jects of which it treats, can, by following its directions, succeed in his earliest attempts to
accomplish even the most difficult processes described. In this respect it is a highly
practical work, well adapted to aid and assist the great mass of American mechanics
in their pursuits. The vast range of its subjects is indicated by the title page, and it
is sufficient to say, that on all its branches it seems to be very minute and accurate in
its information.
21.— C h r is t ia n a s p e c ts o f F a i t h a n d D u t y . By J ohn James T aylor, B. A. From
the London Edition, with an introduction. 12mo. pp. 349. New Y ork: C. S.
Francis.
Although this work wears the form of religious discourses, yet the reader will be
greatly mistaken who presumes to place it in the same class with these produc
tions. It is in the sentiment and the thoughts that the sermons differ from ordi
nary discourses. The author has contemplated religious principles with a liberal and
humane spirit, quite disenfranchised from the peculiar influences of theology techni
cally so called, but possessing withal, so much of the genuine Christian spirit, that
every one must feel refreshed and instructed with his work. It is devoted to subjects
of practical piety, which it invests with a charm in which they are rarely clothed; it
discusses the questions which now so much interest the public mind, with rare talent
and marked ability.
22. — E x a m p l e s o f L i f e a n d D e a th . By Mrs. L. H. S igourney. 16mo. pp.348. New
York: Charles Scribner.
In one respect these examples are alike; they relate to individuals all of whom died
in the Christain faith. They may more properly, perhaps, be called sketches of indi
viduals lived in a period of thirteen centuries, and who filled almost every variety
of station from the peasant to the monarch. Different in age and sex, in intellec tand
attainment, in clime and profession, yet in religious faith they werealike. The
sketches are brief, and written with that thoughtfulness and reflection peculiar to
the author. The table of contents contains twenty-four names, such as Bade, Thomas
A. Kempis, Jane Gray, Sir Walter Raleigh, Lord Bacon, Richard Baxter, CoL Gardi
ner, and others.
23. — L e c t u r e s o n th e H i s t o r y o f F r a n c e . By Sir James S tephens, L.L. D. 8vo., pp.
710. New York : Harper & Brothers.
These lectures were delivered at the University of Cambridge within the last two
years. They contain a summary of the History of France subsequently to the down
fall o f the Roman power. The value of this summary consists in its accuracy and re
search ; in the many new subjects which are comprised in it, in the clear and enlight
ened views of the author, and in the learning and accomplishments displayed by him.
It is not less valuable, as a general history of France, than any one in possession of
the public; certainly there is none by an English pen entitled to precedence over it.
24. — I l l u s t r a t e d A t l a s a n d M o d e m H i s t o r y o f th e W o r ld . Parts 44 and 45. New
York : John Tallis & Co.
These parts o f this superb atlas contains a general index of this elegant work, and
beautiful maps of the cities of Dublin and Brussels.
25. — T h e S n o w -I m a g e , a n d o th e r T w ic e -to ld T a les . By N athaniel H awthorne. 12mo.,
pp. 273. Boston : Ticknor, Reed, & Fields.
Hawthorne has presented us in these pages with selections both from his earlier
and his later writings. They are quite miscellaneous in their character, and have been
written at wide intervals. They afford us very pleasant glimpses both of the author’s
earlier and later style of composition.
399
The Book Trade.
26. — M e m o i r s o f M a r g a r e t F u l l e r O s so li. 2 vols. 12mo.,pp. 351 and 352. Boston:
Phillips, Sampson, & Co.
These volumes are prepared by J. F. Clarke, Ralph W. Emerson, and William H.
Channing. Yet, after all, their labors have been comparatively light. For the
volumes consist of auto-biographical sketches and writings of Margaret Fuller. In
themselves, they are marked and striking books. They present an ever active and
vigorous mind, well educated, abounding in womanly sensibilities, yet ardent and as
piring after that development and progress which awaits even the most abject state
of humanity. The subject of them was in all respects a remarkable character, and
she made an impression peculiar to herself upon all those with whom she associated.
For ourselves, we feel under obligations to the compilers for these valuable volumes,
in which there is so much to interest and to instruct us.
27. — C h a r i t y a n d i t s F r u i t s ; o r . C h r is t ia n L o v e a s M a n i f e s t e d i n th e H e a r t a n d L i f e .
By J o n a t h a n E d w a r d s . Edited from the Original Manuscripts, with an Iutroducduction by T r y o n E d w a r d s . 12mo., pp. 6 3 0 . New York : Robert Carter.
The name of the author is sufficient to excite an interest in the contents of this
volume. The manuscript was written, and after his death selected for publication,
with other papers, but it was not printed. It consists of sixteen lectures on the nature
and fruits of charity, which are not only of an eminently practical character, but they
are marked with all that clearness and force of thought, and simplicity of style, pecu
liar to this distinguished man.
28.
— H i n t s o n H e a lt h ; w it h F a m i l i a r I n s t r u c t i o n s f o r th e T r e a tm e n t a n d P r e s e r v a
t i o n o f th e S k in , H a i r , T e e th , E y e s , & c. By V m . E d w a r d Coade, M. D. 1 6 mo., pp.
Boston: Phillips, Sampson & Co.
Few volumes of this class are so practical in their contents, and contain so much of
that information which it is important for every person to know. It is free from ex
travagance or quackery, and is a useful book for every one.
29. — L a y s o f th e S c o t t i s h C a v a lie r s , a n d o ilie r P o e m s . By W m. E d m o n d s t o c n A y t o c n .
12mo., pp. 351. New York : J. S. Redfield.
These poems are from the pen o f an accomplished writer, and at present the editor
o f Blackwood’s Magazine. They are upon subjects generally connected with the con
flicts between the English and Scots, and breathe that heroic spirit peculiar to the
days of the Old Cavaliers.
30. —
W e s t e r n P o r t r a i t u r e a n d E m i g r a n t s ’ G u id e ; a D e s c r i p t i o n o f
n o is , a n d I o w a ; w ith R e m a r k s o n M i n n e s o t a a n d o t h e r T e r r it o r ie s .
W is c o n s in , I l l i
By B a n i e i . S.
12mo. New York : J. H. Colton.
This is a plain and faithful narrative of facts, in regard to appearances and prospects,
in the Great West, It is not a gazetteer, but comprises all that is useful in one, with
a vast amount of information of the highest importance to emigrants, or to persons
expecting to travel in the W est
C u r t is s .
81.— C h a r a c te r s
i n th e G o s p e ls , I l l u s t r a t i n g P h a s e s o f
C h a r a c t e r a t th e P r e s e n t D a y .
By Rev. E. H. Chapin. 12mo., pp. 163. New Y o rk : J. S. Redfield.
This is not a volume in which the reader will expect to find anything particularly
new. It contains many striking delineations of character, some of which are drawn
with considerable force and beauty of expression. In general, those who are seriously
disposed will find it quite an acceptable book.
32. — R e c o l l e c t i o n s o f m y C h ild h o o d , a n d o th e r S to r ie s .
By G r a c e G r e e n w o o d .
With engravings from designs by Billings. 18mo., pp. 144. Boston: Ticknor,
Reed & Fields.
Anything from the pen of Grace Greenwood, for youthful readers, is sure to be
charming. This little volume is truly entitled to such praise, for it is beautiful in ap
pearance, and very graceful in sentiment and language.
33. — G r e e n w o o d L e a v e s : a C o l l e c t i o n o f S k e tc h e s a n d L e t t e r s . By G r a c e G r e e n w o o d .
Second series. 12mo., pp. 382. Boston : Ticknor & Co.
These pleasing sketches possess an interest more than usual in volumes of such
miscellaneous character. There is sprightliness of thought, a beauty of language, and
a lively intelligence, so radiant throughout, that the reader, insensible of fatigue, fol
lows on wherever the graceful author deigns to lead. The letters have heretofore ap
peared in the newspapers of the day.
400
The Book Trade.
34.
— M e m o r ie s o f th e g r e a t M e t r o p o l i s ; o r , L o n d o n f r o m th e T o w e r to th e C r y s ta l
P a l a c e . By F. S aunders. 12mo. pp. 811. New York: G. P. Putnam.
This work possesses the leading features of a guide book, but it surpasses every
thing of the kind, by its indicating in a brief, suggestive way, the numerous shrines of
genius, historical localities, and various memorabilia with which London so greatly
abounds. Nothing can be more entertaining than a walk with the very agreeable
author, through the streets of London between the Tower and the Crystal Palace.
Each house is pointed out that has become famous in history, or that was the abode of
genius or talent. The volume is full of illustrations or cuts, representing every place
of note along the route, and with these representations, and the explanations and
anecdotes of the author, we doubt if an actual visit to these scenes can afford greater
satisfaction than may be obtained from this work.
35.
— H i s t o r y o f G r e e c e ; 1 s t L e g e n d a r y o f G r e e c e ; 2 d G r e c i a n H i s t o r y to th e r e ig n
o f P i s i s t r a t u s a t A t h e n s . By G eorge G rote.
Vol. 8. 12mo. pp. 494. Boston:
John P. Jewett,
The present volume concludes this history as far as it has yet been given to the
public By the author. Its last chapter treats of the life and times of Socrates. As a
historical work, it unquestionably surpasses in interest any other of the present age,
and rivals, if not excels, those of preceeding times. Its great excellence consists not
only in embracing all that has been done by former historians, and thus forming a
more complete work, but the author has written it with a spirit disenthralled from
the influence of monarchical principles which has given its hue to almost everything
written since the days of Roman subversion, and which has chilled all the sympathies
o f historians with the popular spirit and popular institutions of Greece. Here we have
a writer who feels the force of liberal principles as they exist at this day, and who
can recognize them in the ancient republics. This is the glory o f Mr. Grote's work;
this has given to it such transcendent success, although it immediately follows the
learned volumes of Thirwall, in conjunction with those other merits which have sel
dom been surpassed in a historical writer.
86.— P u t n a m 's S e m i-M o n t h ly L i b r a r y f o r T r a v e le r s a n d th e F ir e s id e .
ties . By Thomas Hood, with Wood Outs. 12mo., pp. 228.
S i .— W a l k s a n d T a lk s o f a n A m e r i c a n F a r m e r i n
E n g la n d :
W h im s ic a li
W ith Illu s tr a tio n s ,
by F. W. Olmsted. No. 3. 12mo., pp. 246. New Y o rk : G. P. Putnam.
As agreeable volumes for general readers these are worthy of special attention.
They form the second and third numbers of Putnam's popular library. They are
lively and sparkling, and the latter especially is instructive and entertaining. No one
can go amiss for light reading who obtains any of these volumes.
88.— T h e S o v e r e ig n s o f th e B ib le . By E liza R. Steele. 12mo., pp. New Y o rk : M.
W. Dodd.
The Sovereigns of the Bible are the Kings of Israel and Judah. The biographical
sketches o f them contained in these pages are drawn from the Old Testament, but
they are written with a modern spirit and temper, which presents these monarchs to
us much after the manner in which they would be looked upon at the present day, by
a writer of an elevated and religious spirit, who wields an elegant pen, and possesses
an imaginative, chaste, and well cultivated mind. The work will be read with much
gratification.
39. — Y o u n g A m e r i c a n s A b r o a d ; o r , V a c a t io n i n E u r o p e . T r a v e ls i n E n g la n d ,
F r a n c e , H o lla n d , B e lg iu m , P r u s s i a a7id S w itz e r la n d . With Illustrations. 12mo.
pp. 369. Boston: Gould it Lincoln.
This volume consists o f letters from a number o f young lads, who, with their teacher,
visited Europe and corresponded with fellow pupils at home. They are written with
commendable talent, and can scarcely fail to awaken an interest in the minds of youth
ful readers.
40.
— N o v e lt ie s o f th e N e w W o r l d ; o r , th e A d v e n t u r e s a n d D is c o v e r i e s o f th e f i r s t e x
p l o r e r s o f N o r t h A m e r i c a . By Joseph Banvaed, with Hlustrations. 16mo.pp. 324.
Boston : Gould & Lincoln.
This forms the second volume of “ Banvard’s series of American Histories,” which are
adapted to the popular mind and especially to the youth of the country. It commen
ces with a brief account of Columbus, and notices all the explorers, whether English,
French, or Spanish. The style is attractive and well adapted to the popular taste.
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